"Interesting." Gilgamesh smiled with satisfaction. No wonder his father Odin considered Thor more suited to be king—Thor's instinct to step forward in times of crisis truly displayed his potential.
But that alone wasn't enough. Let's see just how far my foolish brother can go.
Golden ripples shimmered as Gilgamesh drew his weapon—Ea, the Sword of Divergence.
Crimson runes blazed across the obsidian blade. Winds coiled around it, howling like living spirits ready to tear the world apart.
A crushing aura swept across the battlefield. It felt primal, ancient—like the first stirrings of creation in the depths of primordial chaos. A force that rose like a dragon ascending to the heavens and plunged like a beast awakening from the earth's core. A god, or a demon, ready to open its eyes. The pressure made it difficult even to breathe.
Captain America's expression turned grim. His hand tightened around his vibranium shield as an instinctive dread surged in his chest. "What is that? Why does it feel like it's crushing my heart?"
Thor, stunned and clearly distressed, exclaimed, "This is Gilgamesh's artifact—Ea! Also known as the Star of Creation. Its power is said to cleave the world!"
"How's it compare to your hammer?" Stark's voice crackled over the comms, drawing everyone's attention.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for the answer.
Thor shook his head. "There is no comparison."
Hearing this, the Avengers exhaled in relief. As long as it wasn't stronger than Mjolnir—Thor's legendary weapon that could fly, command lightning, and withstand almost anything—then maybe there was hope.
After all, even Mjolnir could be resisted—Captain America's vibranium shield had proven that.
"Looks like it's all show," Stark muttered, massaging his injured leg. Thor gave him a strange look.
"Didn't I make myself clear? My Mjolnir is nothing compared to Ea."
"What?"
Everyone froze. Natasha, supporting the injured Hawkeye, trembled slightly. "Thor… you're joking, right?"
"No, he isn't joking." Gilgamesh hovered above them, arrogant and unbothered. He turned his crimson eyes toward Thor. "Brother, you know the gap between us. These ants… they're nothing to me."
"Now, I'll give you a choice."
He leveled Ea at the Avengers, his voice dripping with mockery.
"Their lives… or the throne of Asgard?"
"If you want them to live, then announce your withdrawal from the Trial of Kings. Immediately."
"This…" Thor stared at him in disbelief. The Avengers were just as stunned. None of them had expected him to resort to such a tactic.
Thor's entire mission on Earth was to claim the throne—and that was why they had helped him. But now, with their lives on the line… what would he choose?
Friends—
or the throne?
Just then, Nick Fury's urgent voice burst through their earpieces: "Don't quit! Thor, you absolutely must not quit the trial!"
"Nick Fury—I was looking for you!" Stark snapped before he could continue. "You heartless, one-eyed menace, where did you dig up this alien look-alike? And are you even the real Nick Fury? Has S.H.I.E.L.D. been infiltrated by aliens?!"
"This isn't the time!" Nick Fury cut in sharply. "Thor, listen to me. If Gilgamesh becomes God-King, with his temperament, he will bring chaos to all life across the Nine Realms."
"You are our only hope. If you quit, Earth—and countless other worlds—will fall under Gilgamesh's tyranny."
"But… are we just supposed to let him kill the Avengers?" Thor's voice shook. He had always fought battles for honor and glory—never had he faced a choice like this. Cornered by Gilgamesh, torn between duty and friendship, he was drowning in a dilemma he had never imagined.
Hearing his question, Nick Fury didn't answer directly. Instead, he turned to Hawkeye.
"Agent Barton, are you afraid of death?"
Clint fell silent. He had a wife and children—logically, he should have been the most afraid of dying. But at this moment, the choice was clear.
"No. I'm prepared."
"Agent Natasha, are you afraid of death?"
Fury's tone remained calm, devoid of any emotion.
Natasha's lips curled into a charming smile. "You shouldn't ask me that kind of question."
What agent fears death? Especially an elite one like her.
Her entire career had been spent dancing on the edge of a knife—how could she possibly be afraid?
Nick Fury's gaze then fell on Iron Man, his tone suddenly heavy.
"Stark. Are you afraid of dying?"
Tony's eyelids twitched. Of course he was afraid. He had only just started dating Pepper, they weren't even married yet, and besides—he had an empire's worth of fortune to lose…
"I think… maybe we can talk this through. There's no need to make it so—" He stammered, hesitating for a long moment before finally letting out a defeated sigh. "Okay. I don't want to put the nuclear launch button in the hands of a madman."
Fury then questioned Captain America, and received the same firm, unwavering answer.
Tony was unexpectedly moved. These comrades-in-arms—though not even the same race as him—still earned his full respect.
"Friends, I will never betray your trust!"
Thor's voice trembled with emotion, his resolve crystallizing. He looked straight at his elder brother.
"Gilgamesh, I will ascend the throne—but I will never become God-King by stepping over the corpses of my friends and comrades!"
"Oh?" Gilgamesh stared at his younger brother in genuine surprise, as though he had just discovered a new continent. Was this truly the same Thor who only cared about muscles?
Back then, to avenge Laufey, he had dragged his companions into Jotunheim without hesitation—nearly leading them to their deaths.
What had changed?
Had Thor truly come to his senses?
Gilgamesh was incredulous, almost amused.
"You want the throne, yet refuse to abandon your friends? Hmph. It seems your elder brother must teach you a proper lesson."
"A true king is always a lone wolf."
"If you want to save them, then fight me with everything you have!"
Gilgamesh's words fell like thunder from the heavens, each syllable pounding in Thor's ears. And there was one more sentence he kept to himself:
If you can't satisfy me… I'll use their blood to make you understand the truth.