Garus delayed his departure because he desired the Destroyer, a marvel of Asgardian technology beyond his imagination. The Destroyer's regenerative abilities, physical prowess, and magic resistance were unparalleled. If he could obtain it and study the fusion of technology and magic, it would surpass most magical constructs on Azeroth.
Thor stood before Loki, who was controlling the Destroyer, and shouted, "Loki, stop! Killing these people gains you nothing. Take my life instead."
Loki's expression remained calm as the light emanating from the Destroyer's head began to dim. Just when everyone thought it would relent and leave, the Destroyer suddenly turned and delivered a devastating punch. With a resounding crack, Thor's body flew like a ragdoll, hurtling dozens of meters before crashing to the ground.
"Thor!" Jane's face was full of panic. Sif and the Warriors Three were stunned. Just moments ago, they had fought alongside Thor, and now they were witnessing this.
Through the Destroyer's eyes, Loki observed his brother lying on the ground, his fate uncertain. A mix of satisfaction and sorrow filled his heart.
Jane rushed to Thor's side, supporting his body. Her face was dazed. Though their time together had been brief, Thor's charisma, personality, and striking appearance had deeply captivated her. She couldn't comprehend why two brothers would harm each other so cruelly.
Having just escorted students from the mutant academy, Garus heard the commotion behind him. Turning around, he saw Thor lying on the ground. Yet, Garus doubted the God of Thunder would perish so easily. Thor's strength wasn't solely reliant on Mjolnir, and this blow wouldn't be fatal.
In the distance, a streak of white smoke approached from the sky.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Just as Loki prepared to leave with the Destroyer, missiles rained down from the heavens, striking it repeatedly. Emerging from the smoke was Tony Stark in his Iron Man suit. Passing through the area, Tony had noticed the Destroyer's rampage below and couldn't resist intervening.
As the dust settled, the Destroyer's head turned a full 180 degrees. A beam of light shot out, hitting Tony before he could dodge, sending him crashing into the rubble.
"Mr. Stark, armor integrity at 70%," J.A.R.V.I.S. reported in his ear.
"Damn it!" Tony cursed. "I need to upgrade the suit's energy attack defenses."
Earth's weapons largely relied on physical damage. Tony had focused on enhancing propulsion, control, life support systems, and missile resistance. Energy attacks remained a weak point.
"Hey, you okay?" Tony noticed Garus nearby and awkwardly stood up. "Garus, long time no see."
Before they could exchange pleasantries, the Destroyer advanced toward them, tossing aside cars and debris effortlessly. Blinding light surged toward them.
"What is that thing?" Tony soared into the air, firing repulsor beams at the Destroyer, but they left no mark on its surface.
Garus, channeling the lingering anguish of the Frostmourne sword spirit, hurled the blade. It pierced through the Destroyer's head, halting its next attack. Before it could recover, Garus dashed over 50 meters, striking it with immense force and pinning it to the ground with a stomp.
Gripping Frostmourne, he unleashed the sword's soul energy into the Destroyer's helmet, causing blinding white light to seep from the armor's seams.
"Ah!" In Asgard, Loki clutched his head as piercing pain surged through his mind. Mental illusions flooded his consciousness. By the time he recovered, he had lost control of the Destroyer.
"Impossible!" Loki exclaimed in anger and disbelief. Midgard was home to few capable of wielding such power. Apart from ancient sorcerers and mutants, this young man clearly didn't belong to either group.
After a while, Garus observed no further movement from the Destroyer. The mental imprint had been erased. He prepared to claim it, but a sudden gale rose behind him.
In the distance, dark clouds gathered, accompanied by fierce winds forming a tornado that connected the earth to the sky. Damaged cars and debris were pulled into the vortex. Jane, Dr. Selvig, and several S.H.I.E.L.D. agents clung desperately to nearby poles and structures.
Lightning struck the ground repeatedly, revealing a faint silhouette within. Sif and the Warriors Three smiled in relief. "It's Thor. He's not so easily defeated."
A gust of wind swept past Garus, and Mjolnir flew by his ear, striking the Destroyer. Whether due to the earlier soul energy assault or sheer force, the Destroyer shattered into pieces.
"What the...?"
Garus was speechless. Had it really just fallen apart?
Seeing Mjolnir on the ground, Garus impulsively reached out. Surprisingly, he lifted it with ease, though the hammer vibrated, as if resisting him. In the distance, Thor watched in astonishment. The enchantment placed by Odin meant only the worthy could wield Mjolnir. He hadn't imagined anyone else could lift it.
Garus attempted to store Mjolnir in his dimensional space, but the hammer broke free and returned to Thor's hand.
With urgent matters awaiting him in Asgard, Thor ignored the Destroyer's remains. "Sif, we're leaving immediately."
Garus turned to Tony, who had landed nearby. "This armor was forged with Asgardian materials. It could enhance your Iron Man suits."
While Garus's system shop offered many materials, he had little interest in them.
Just then, a voice echoed in Garus's mind:
[System task issued: Difficulty A. Travel to an uncharted region of Asgard and retrieve the Aether Particle. Reward: 50,000 exchange points.]
The Aether Particle—the Reality Stone, a source of immense power.
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