At night, the two enjoyed a wonderful barbecue, sitting by the beach with a bonfire blazing in front of them. A Ducati motorcycle was parked not far away. The night sky was exceptionally clear, or rather, Bi Xiao had forced the night to reveal a splendid starry sky.
They whispered to each other, occasionally sharing affectionate kisses.
Ultimately, it culminated in an exhilarating battle.
The next day, Bella took the day off.
Besides spending time with her boyfriend, Bi Xiao was also modifying Bella's core. By this time, Bi Xiao was so adept at the process that there was no chance of failure.
In the mirror dimension, watching Bella float in mid-air, he could see the heart area gradually taking shape. A golden seed of magic sprouted within her heart, constructing magical corridors.
Bella's physical qualities were visibly being enhanced.
Descending from mid-air, Bella felt her heart was completely different, stronger, like the heart of a god, circulating magic throughout her body. The sensation of transformation left her enthralled.
Upon landing, Bella joyfully ran into Bi Xiao's arms, showing affection.
In the mirrored space, Bi Xiao was planning to take Bella on a full day of fun, not just around Forks, but to even more distant places.
However, just as Bi Xiao was about to leave with Bella, he suddenly looked up at the sky, a golden flash flickering in his eyes.
Bella, puzzled, followed his gaze, asking, "What's wrong?"
"We have a visitor."
"Another demon?"
"No, it's a rather well-known god."
"Wow."
Boom!
As they spoke, a brilliant, majestic, multicolored beam of light descended from the sky, piercing through the heavens and landing on the riverbank not far from them. In the dazzling light, a burly figure emerged. When the light dissipated, it left a circular pattern about ten meters in diameter on the ground, mysterious and scorched.
The visitor had long, flowing golden hair, a burly and strong physique, medieval-style armor, a red cape, and carried a hammer. His ruggedly handsome face complemented his strong build.
Bella blinked her big eyes, wondering which god this was.
Noticing the hammer in the man's hand, a name flashed through her mind.
The man's next words confirmed her thoughts.
"Great and esteemed Guardian, I am Thor Odinson, son of Odin, Father Of The Gods."
His voice was magnetic and deep, with a rhythm and tone that had an inexplicable attraction to women.
Few women could ignore such a man.
"Thor Odinson from Asgard, I thought you might come looking for me sooner," Bi Xiao remarked, glancing at Thor and then at the mysterious symbols behind him.
He recognized the profound wisdom contained in them.
They were clearly runes, also known as runic letters.
"Indeed, but Heimdall couldn't see you. If it weren't for what happened yesterday..." Thor chuckled heartily.
He wanted to come sooner, but Heimdall's eyes couldn't see Bi Xiao. How could he find him? He couldn't just fly around Earth with his hammer searching endlessly.
"So, what is your purpose?"
"I dreamt of the future, the end of Asgard. I saw a man wielding a black sword, slaughtering the entire realm. Corpses were everywhere: Loki, Sif, my mother, everyone. I knelt before that man, Mjolnir shattered."
"I sought my mother's help, but she had no answers. My father is in a deep sleep, but I desperately need an answer."
Thor spoke with grave seriousness.
The end? A black sword? Black Death Sword?
Bi Xiao stared at Thor, his pupils tinged with gold. At that moment, time seemed to freeze. The world changed, and he seemed to enter an unknown realm. The once magnificent kingdom had fallen into ruins, with flames of war burning everywhere.
Even the majestic palaces had collapsed. Before the ruins, countless corpses lay on the ground. At the end of the sea of bodies stood a figure holding a black sword.
Shadows of the dead roared around him.
Among the bodies were Thor, decapitated, his face still bearing a look of resentment and anger.
Frigga, Thor, Loki, Sif, the Warriors Three—everyone had perished in Asgard, slaughtered by this unknown figure.
As if sensing something, the figure suddenly turned around.
The vision of the future shattered and disappeared. Bi Xiao stood there, stunned. The figure was none other than himself?
That face was identical to his, yet the expression and aura were entirely different.
The eyes were filled with a disregard for life, cold and indifferent as if they were devoid of a soul, just a killing machine meant solely for slaughter.
Did his emotions darken for some unknown reason in the future?
Or was it another version of himself from a different timeline?
Immediately, Bi Xiao denied the first possibility. He was certain that no matter the circumstances, he could never become so dark. To be more brutal, even if Bella, whom he had feelings for, were killed, he would not darken to the extent of slaughtering all of Asgard.
Especially that merciless gaze—it could never be his own.
Unless he was being controlled by someone, or his soul had been replaced.
Another timeline wasn't impossible, but the probability was low. Given the current trajectory, unless he sought his own death, he wouldn't be foolish enough to slaughter Asgard. Moreover, if "he" slaughtered Asgard, why hadn't the old immortals in Valhalla appeared?
He couldn't believe that Asgard had fallen to such a state without the old monsters in Valhalla intervening.
So, either that person wasn't him, or he had been controlled and darkened, or perhaps his soul had been taken over.
If what he saw in Thor's dream was true, Bi Xiao inclined to believe that the person wasn't him. Although the scene was brief, it provided plenty of information, at least from the wounds on the corpses and the destruction at the site.
It didn't resemble the methods he currently mastered, nor did it reflect the magical system he created.
Instead, it was all about penetrating wounds, destruction caused by pure force and speed.
Moreover, that sword was problematic. That uniquely shaped sword had no connection to any sword he recognized from his memories.
"Interesting." Bi Xiao's eyes gleamed with cold light. Clearly, something major must have happened in the future.
However, with the Sacred Timeline broken, the future had become exceedingly chaotic, and any potential event could lead to countless branches in the future.
Bi Xiao decided to keep this matter in mind and pay close attention.
"I can only give you one answer, Thor."
Bi Xiao pondered for a moment before speaking.
Thor looked expectantly.
"Become stronger."
"You are not strong enough. You need to become stronger to face the possible future." From beginning to end, Bi Xiao adhered to one principle: no matter what happens in the future, if you are strong enough, you can handle any potential crisis.
Just like Thor, according to the original timeline, why would Thor's future be filled with loss and destruction? Odin's death was unavoidable, but his mother Frigga and the people he protected—most of them were slaughtered, with only a few fleeing to Earth to seek refuge.
For what reason? Because he wasn't strong enough.
If Thor were strong enough, even facing Thanos with the Power Stone, he could have killed him outright, and the event of half the universe being slaughtered would not have occurred.
Thor's recent dream followed the same logic.
The best way to change the events in the dream was to become stronger.
Of course, Bi Xiao was only referring to Thor. After all, Thor had the ability and opportunity to become stronger, while ordinary people might not have the means, the perseverance, or the intelligence to do so.
People are different.
If Bi Xiao didn't have his golden finger, he might have either laid flat or used his foresight to find Kamar-Taj, or figured out a way to get some enhancement serum to survive the future chaos.
The most likely scenario was that he would save Wanda. The Scarlet Witch was truly the top ally in the Marvel Universe, and winning her heart meant she would focus solely on her man.
These are all digressions that Thor wouldn't know.
He received Bi Xiao's answer and fully agreed. Asgard prized strength above all, and any future crisis could be overcome with sufficient strength.
To die in battle was to die in battle. Asgardian warriors never feared death; it was just another form of existence. Warriors who died in battle would attain eternal life in Valhalla.
Every warrior who could enter Valhalla was honored, and this honor was what they most longed for.
"Can I seek your help?"
Thor, straightforward by nature, though respectful of Bi Xiao, wasn't one for formalities.
When his father was not around, he considered Bi Xiao the strongest. As an Asgardian, Thor was always proud, even somewhat arrogant, but it depended on the person.
The man before him was someone who could slay Hell Lords, a peer of his father Odin.
Calling him a person was an understatement; he was a deity. Thor would naturally be humble towards a powerful deity.
"I suppose so."
Bi Xiao agreed pleasantly, much to Thor's surprise and instant goodwill. Thor cheerfully said, "You will be Asgard's best friend. When you visit Asgard, we will welcome you with the highest honor."
"When can we start?"
Thor looked eager.
"Tomorrow," Bi Xiao replied, looking towards the sky as a golden light shot from his eyes straight into the clouds.
Heimdall, far away in Asgard, suddenly received a message with a location.
"I gave Heimdall coordinates, so when you come looking for me, he will know where to send you."
"Thank you for your help, Guardian."
Thor received the answer he wanted, glanced at Bella, gave a kind smile, and then did not linger. He shouted Heimdall's name into the sky, and a rainbow of light descended, enveloping Thor. When the light dissipated, he was gone, having returned to Asgard.
"Is he the legendary Thor, the God of Thunder?"
Bella, who had been silent on the side, finally exclaimed in surprise after he left.
"Doesn't he look like it?"
"He's a bit different from what I imagined—seems more straightforward?" Bella's wording was vague; she actually thought Thor's personality seemed rather simple.
"That's his character. He has many flaws. No one is perfect."
"That's true, but I think you are perfect," Bella suddenly laughed.
Bi Xiao shook his head with a smile, his eyes deep.
Regarding the so-called Asgard massacre, he had no clues for the moment and could only keep it in mind. As for Thor's request, it was understandable. First, if he wanted to benefit from someone, he had to show some friendliness and offer some benefits. Secondly, for an innate god like Thor, the best way to grow, apart from personal enlightenment and transformation, was through battle.
Thor is the God of Thunder, also the God of War, a true berserker by nature.
At his core, he longs for battle.
However, over the millennia, although it seemed he had experienced all sorts of battles across the Nine Realms and grown quickly, in reality, he rarely faced powerful opponents or enemies, typically dealing with various rebel groups.
Anyone with some ability and sense would not provoke Asgard.
After all, the kingdom and reputation Odin built were not mere facades. At its peak, Asgard swept across the universe, with Odin's armies hammering all major civilizations. Don't let Thor's brash personality fool you.
In truth, early Odin was even more warlike, with a domineering personality, akin to "if you look at me, I'll hit you."
Even dogs passing by would get a smack from Odin.
The glory Odin earned, the iron hooves of his army, left behind countless corpses—a truly warlike tyrant who ruled and conquered everything with an iron fist, colder than someone like Thanos.
It was only after a lesson from the Celestials and growing old that Odin mellowed.
How much Asgard was hated was evident from the lack of aid after Odin's death. Not only was there no help, but it was also good enough that no one came to kick them while they were down.
These are just Bi Xiao's complaints about Odin's teachings to Thor, about kings needing to understand mercy.
For Thor, battle is the best way to grow.
Coincidentally, he had two young ones at home who also needed combat to grow. This was a perfect match—Thor, a warrior both tough and strong, was the ideal sparring partner.
No matter how brutal the young ones were to Thor, this thick-headed warrior would not get angry or feel humiliated. Instead, he would be excited and respect them more.
Fighting would help the young ones grow and stimulate Thor—a win-win situation.
Winning was all that mattered.
"Let's go, forget about them," Bi Xiao said, disappearing with Bella. The massacre and Thor were less important than enjoying their freedom.
...
In front of the now-ruined Marbury seaside villa, the sky was clear and sunny. The NYPD had already withdrawn after their investigation, leaving a team of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents arriving by helicopter, carrying various instruments for detection.
Coulson, still in his suit, stood before the ruins where the villa had collapsed into the sea, as if a large excavator had scooped out a chunk.
The sea continuously surged and crashed against the rocks. Coulson, wearing sunglasses, observed as agents below worked from boats or ropes, creating a bustling scene.
Behind him, Natasha, wearing a red leather jacket and tight pants, handed him an ice cream while eating one herself.
"Thanks." Coulson didn't refuse, taking it before asking Natasha, who was licking her ice cream, "Any news?"
"Bad news. We didn't detect any gunpowder residue or mutant gene signatures—it wasn't done by mutants."
Natasha spoke while eating, "We also reviewed surveillance from nearby areas and the sea, but found no trace of any presence. As for the young couple, there are no clues—they vanished like ghosts after the fight."
"So we have no leads at all?" Coulson said, frustrated, losing the appetite for his delicious ice cream.
"With this level of destruction, we have no information at all."
"What can we do? We've mobilized everyone and still got nothing. Besides, I suspect it might not have been done by a human." Natasha remained calm.
"What are you implying?"
Coulson glanced sideways at Natasha.
"Don't look at me like that. You know it too. Eliminate all the impossible, and whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth."
~~~
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