After his last training session, he began to dismantle the place where he had spent nearly two months. He disassembled the improvised equipment he had used, returning everything as close as possible to its original state.
He erased as many traces as possible, knowing he wouldn't return to this place again. He had achieved his objectives, and the makeshift devices he'd built no longer served any purpose.
After some time cleaning and organizing, he took one last look at the place where he'd taken the first step on his journey toward power.
He returned to his base and showered before beginning his final preparations for using the serum.
Since his body was about to undergo a process of evolution and enhancement, his natural energy and nutrients wouldn't be enough to sustain the transformation. To assist the process, he had built a large, circular glass tank filled with a strange green liquid that resembled the nuclear waste seen in cartoons.
But this liquid wasn't toxic. It contained vital nutrients necessary for his body's transformation.
"This really looks like something straight out of a sci-fi movie," he said to himself with a small grin.
"I'm constantly amazed by how many things are possible in this world. It really is a marvel," he added as he gazed at the device where he'd soon spend hours in transformation.
A mix of emotions washed over him as he stared at the tank.
"Not gonna lie, I feel a little excited and a little nervous. Even though I've followed all the right procedures, there's always a chance something could go wrong."
He wrestled with the cocktail of emotions inside him, but as he took slow steps toward the tank, his blurred thoughts gave way to a crystal-clear resolution. Each step brought him closer to his goal, and with it, a growing sense of certainty.
"But there's no way I'm going to let that stop me. It's now or never. This might not even be the last time I take an uncertain leap in pursuit of power."
As he neared the container, he paused to touch the glass, catching his reflection in the surface.
He stared into his own eyes. There, he saw fear—fear of the unknown. But he also saw resolve and courage staring back at him, the will to face that unknown head-on.
After a moment, he began to strip off his clothes until he wore nothing but a small pair of black boxers. He input a series of commands into a small control panel next to the container before stepping into the tank, but not before securing an oxygen mask over his face.
As advanced as this world was, breathable liquid was still beyond his reach with the limited time he had, so the oxygen mask would keep him alive during the transformation process.
He slowly immersed himself in the green liquid. Once fully submerged, the device's programmed instructions kicked in, injecting the serum into his body through the mask while monitoring every minute change inside him.
For a while, he remained calm, but soon he furrowed his brow as his body began to tremble. The serum was working its way into his cells, initiating the painful process of modification.
He clenched his teeth. The pain was immense, his body trembling violently, as if he were being electrocuted by high-voltage wires.
The control panel monitoring his vitals began flashing red, displaying a warning alongside a countdown. His vital signs were dropping.
The countdown ticked slowly, his body shaking more with each passing second. When the timer finally hit zero, the system released a potent sedative through the mask.
The sedative knocked him out almost instantly, and his body went still. The red warning lights on the monitor returned to normal as his vital signs began to stabilize.
Now unconscious, his body floated calmly in the liquid, though small, involuntary twitches occasionally rippled through his muscles as the serum continued to work on his transformation.
For now, everything seemed fine. At least, it should have been.
Unbeknownst to him, still lying unconscious in the tank, the strings of destiny were being pulled elsewhere. In a secret S.H.I.E.L.D. base, a portal suddenly opened.
A being stepped through, setting foot on Earth for the second time.
He was clad in leather armor with green detailing, a golden crown with two horn-like extensions on his head. In his hand, he held a golden scepter topped with a mesmerizing blue gem.
Agents swarmed the room where he appeared, weapons drawn and aimed at the intruder.
"Identify yourself! What's your purpose for invading this facility?!" the agents demanded.
The being smiled arrogantly.
"Kneel before me, for I am your new king!" he declared, raising his staff toward the agents.
The blue gem on the scepter emitted a radiant light, and all the agents dropped their guns, falling to their knees as fear filled their eyes.
"W-Who are you?!" one of the agents managed to ask, summoning the courage to speak.
The being's smile widened, his gaze haughty as he looked down at the groveling agents.
"I am Loki Odinson, your new master!"