"What? What do you mean?"
Anton stared at Coulson, utterly baffled. What did he mean by "our time might be running out"?
Wasn't there plenty of time left for Earth?
If anything, it was Asgard that was running out of time!
What was Coulson even talking about?
Anton couldn't help but feel like he'd thoroughly confused S.H.I.E.L.D., but now they were using their seasoned expertise to drag him down to their overcomplicated level. It left him feeling like his intelligence was running on fumes.
"Loki has already shown up! I'm certain he met with Thor," Coulson said gravely. "If Ares is Loki, we absolutely cannot allow him to roam Earth freely, let alone incite war."
"Oh, so that what you mean."
Anton scratched his head, considering the situation.
"Loki is indeed a major problem. He poses a significant threat to Earth. You're not wrong. But for now, the conflict between Loki and Thor isn't Earth problem. S.H.I.E.L.D. priority shouldn't be preventing Loki schemes but managing the trouble Thor might attract."
Asgard existence was still a temporary secret to S.H.I.E.L.D.
Once the Thor incident unfolded, S.H.I.E.L.D. would eventually learn the full truth, whether through Thor or other sources. Anton didn't need to withhold information.
Besides, his goal was the Destroyer. Handling it aligned with S.H.I.E.L.D. mission to maintain stability. Their objectives even complemented each other, paving the way for smooth collaboration.
If the Destroyer appeared, humanity best option might be nuclear force.
But nukes were unlikely to be used unless absolutely necessary—such as during a full-scale alien invasion like the Battle of New York. The U.S. would never deploy nukes on home soil unless there was no other choice.
That left Anton and the Justice League as the logical solution to neutralize the Destroyer.
Coulson mulled over Anton response and asked, "So, Thor isn't a threat himself?"
"Thor isn't a threat," Anton replied succinctly. "But his presence invites trouble."
"I think I get it," Coulson said, still processing.
He couldn't help but ask, "You seem to know a lot about this. Thor, Loki—you've been ahead of the curve from the start. What else do you know?"
"Before I explain further, you need to understand something," Anton began. "This star system we inhabit is referred to as Yggdrasil—the World Tree."
He continued, "The World Tree spans nine realms. Earth, which they call Midgard, is at the center, hence the term 'Middle Earth.' Apart from Midgard, there are Asgard, Vanaheim, Alfheim, Nidavellir, Jotunheim, Helheim, Niflheim, and Muspelheim—eight other realms or planets."
"Wait, this is Norse mythology! Are you saying it all true?" Coulson eyes widened in shock.
He was no stranger to the concept. After cramming Greek mythology, his recent crash course on Norse myths had introduced him to the World Tree system. He had burned the midnight oil reading about its structure.
"It all true," Anton confirmed with a nod.
"However, it not exactly how you imagine it. Even magic can be explained scientifically.
Humans and those self-proclaimed gods have fundamentally different physiologies.
The gods naturally possess extraordinary powers, which is why they're revered as divine beings."
He paused before continuing, "The World Tree framework explains the realms under this star system.
Thousands of years ago, during a great war, Odin, the All-Father of Asgard, ruled over the Nine Realms.
Because humanity was weak, the gods refrained from interfering in human affairs and sealed the Bifröst—the Rainbow Bridge, or the space portal.
That why for millennia, divine miracles disappeared, and humanity came to see the gods as mere myths."
"So, does their sudden reappearance mean they've changed their minds and want to reassert control over Earth?"
Coulson frowned, unwilling to dismiss the possibility of Asgard having ulterior motives.
"Quite the opposite," Anton replied.
"The people of Asgard are so high above us that they don't even consider Earth worthy of attention.
I'm not fond of their arrogance, but I have to admit—aside from a few radicals, most of them are quite upright and pride themselves on protecting the weak.
Think of it this way: elephants don't go out of their way to trample ants, and humans, after destroying ecosystems, will often try to protect endangered species. Do you get what I'm saying?"
Coulson was taken aback. "So… in the eyes of the Asgardians, humanity is like ants? Or endangered species?"
"You could think of it that way," Anton said.
"From what I know, Thor is here because he committed a grave mistake.
He offended Odin, the All-Father, and was exiled. Meanwhile, Loki is poised to ascend to the throne. But Thor, as Odin eldest son, holds the primary claim to succession.
He a war hero with significant influence among the people of Asgard. If he regains his power, he'll be Loki strongest rival for the throne."
"Understood. It all about the throne!" Coulson murmured, piecing it together.
"Loki might try to kill Thor to secure his position. So, Thor isn't the threat—Loki is, and he could send someone to Earth to eliminate Thor. That the real danger we're facing."
"Exactly," Anton nodded.
"In that case, why not let Loki succeed? If Loki kills Thor, the problem solves itself," Coulson said. "No more threats."
"Coulson, this is Earth—humanity domain," Anton said with a sly smile, locking eyes with the balding man in front of him.
"Are you suggesting we allow beings from another world to come and go as they please, wreaking havoc on Earth, and we just accept it? Is that the S.H.I.E.L.D. way?"
He added, pointedly, "The Avengers always wait until Earth is already in ruins before reluctantly stepping in. That not how we in the Justice League operate."
"It was just a thought," Coulson admitted, shaking his head.
"Of course, we can't let that happen. But if Loki does make a move, we need to be prepared in advance."
As he spoke, Coulson thoughts wandered to Wonder Woman.
"Anton, one last question," he said seriously, looking Anton in the eye.
"Go ahead."
"Is Wonder Woman—Diana Prince—real?"
Given everything so far, Coulson felt there was a strong possibility.
If "Zeus" had appeared, and Wonder Woman was said to be a weapon left behind by Zeus, her existence seemed likely.
Her presence might also explain how Anton and his associates had such intricate knowledge of Asgard internal affairs.
"Yes," Anton confirmed.
Coulson had expected that answer but still couldn't help himself.
"Where is she?"
"When the time is right, she'll appear," Anton replied.