[The footage continued.]
[Inside the elevator, Mobius introduced himself to Loki, saying he was Agent Mobius.]
[Loki asked with some curiosity: "How long have you actually been here?"]
[Agent Mobius spread his hands:]
["I don't know. That's hard to say."]
["Time works differently here in the TVA."]
["What does that mean?"]
[In response to Loki's question, Mobius simply said: "You'll understand soon enough."]
[After stepping out of the elevator, Loki finally couldn't contain his irritation and asked sharply:]
["So, you're the TVA's most diligent and bravest agent?"]
[Mobius simply replied: "Yes."]
["And you were created by the Time-Keepers."]
["Yes."]
["To protect the Sacred Timeline."]
["Exactly."]
[Hearing this, Loki finally stopped and broke into a mocking laugh:]
["Hahaha…"]
[Mobius calmly asked back: "You think that's funny?"]
[Loki coldly retorted: "Your little broken-down organization rules over the fates of countless lives!"]
["And your so-called supreme rulers are just three… ridiculous space lizards!"]
["Yeah! That's absolutely hilarious."]
["Utterly absurd!"]
[Hearing Loki's biting words, Mobius remained unshaken, simply replying: "I thought you didn't feel like talking."]
[Facing such an opponent, Loki's sharp tongue was like striking cotton—leaving him no choice but to sigh in frustration.]
[The two entered a room. Inside was only a table, and on the table sat a spherical machine.]
[As soon as they stepped inside, Loki's expression turned grim.]
["Honestly, you're not planning to execute me here, are you?"]
[Mobius adjusted the "sphere" with his hands while answering:]
["You don't seem to trust others very much, do you?"]
[Loki's tone was icy: "Only children and dogs trust others."]
["In this world, there's only one person worth trusting."]
["Yourself, huh? That's a good line. I think I should print it on a T-shirt." Mobius chuckled.]
Watching the exchange between Loki and Mobius on the screen, Queen Frigga's eyes widened in disbelief, while Odin's expression darkened.
Although Loki wasn't as popular in Asgard as Thor, overall he was still considered a relatively positive god—just one with a penchant for mischief.
How had Loki, in the future, become so cynical and world-weary?
And from his words, it almost sounded as if he regarded everyone in Asgard as mere strangers.
How could that be possible?
If Loki were truly such a cold and ruthless man, then why would he later sacrifice his own life for Thor?
Odin's mind was filled with doubt. The more he thought about it, the more it gave him a headache.
But then, the next question Loki asked on the screen made Odin's entire body jolt.
["If the TVA has always been watching every timeline… then why have I never heard of you?"]
["Because there was never a need. You've always lived within the path we set for you." Mobius answered.]
[Loki immediately raised his voice: "I'll live on whichever path I want!"]
[This time, Mobius didn't argue back. He simply said:]
["Oh, of course. Please, sit."]
Hearing this exchange from the screen, countless people—from Asgard to Kamar-Taj—gasped in shock.
Too terrifying.
If what this Agent Mobius said was true, then their very existence was no different from programs inside a computer.
The lives of everyone in the world had already been predetermined by those three mysterious, all-seeing, all-powerful Time-Keepers!
Even if, by some accident, someone were to deviate from the path the Time-Keepers had written, the enigmatic TVA would immediately intervene and brand them a Variant!
This was simply horrifying!
At Kamar-Taj, Mordo felt a chill climb up from the base of his spine all the way to the crown of his head. His hair stood on end as he couldn't help but turn to the Ancient One and ask:
"Master… those Time-Keepers, do they really exist?"
The Ancient One did not answer Mordo's question directly. Instead, she said softly:
"Mordo, nothing can decide the fate of all living beings."
"Not you. Not me. Not the Time Stone. And not the so-called Time-Keepers."
Mordo let out a long breath of relief, his worries easing.
But the Ancient One's gaze grew deep and contemplative. In her heart, she had already reached a conclusion.
By now, she was certain: the so-called three Time-Keepers Mobius spoke of were most likely nothing but a lie.
And yet, whoever was behind this lie truly did command a power over time that defied imagination.
~~----------------------
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