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Chapter 3: Magic and Technology

This was the obsession of the tyrant.

Back on Titan, as his kin dwindled, few understood Thanos's plan. To him, it was the only viable solution to their plight: a forced reduction of population to conserve resources and ensure their survival as a species.

At that time, it seemed the optimal solution for Titan's survival. Subsequent events would prove this true. Yet, its perceived cruelty was its sole drawback.

This slight flaw, however, led to Thanos being ostracized within his clan, criticized, and even personally attacked. Few agreed with his ideology openly, fearing reprisal.

Thanos proposed this plan out of a genuine desire for his people's continuation. Yet, branded a heretic, his intentions were overshadowed by ideological conflict.

Across the universe, ideological strife had often been irreconcilable, teaching advanced civilizations bloody lessons.

After fleeing Titan and ascending, Thanos embarked on a crusade akin to a religious zealot. He believed that by halving life in the universe, the survivors would eventually recognize the necessity of his actions.

No one, save Thanos, truly grasped the depth of his obsession. Perhaps he himself did not fully understand it...

---

On a cluttered bed, Forseti and Hela lay intertwined, relishing a rare moment of comfort together.

The relentless spread of rogues across interstellar space had stretched the coalition forces thin, leaving scant time for leisure.

Fortunately, the rogue population had not expanded boundlessly. Thanos had maintained a controlled spread of rogue infestations, just enough to overwhelm the coalition.

Moreover, there was good news. Through extensive research, they had devised two primary methods to counter the rogue proliferation.

The first was a familial curse rooted in magic. By cursing an elder rogue, capable of producing hundreds of thousands of offspring, they could eradicate entire rogue populations at once.

The second method involved genetic modification. Technologically advanced, it produced sterile mutant rogues—powerful males highly attractive to female rogues but incapable of viable reproduction. This effectively curtailed rogue numbers before birth.

With these measures, the coalition had recently managed to alleviate some pressure, affording Forseti and Hela moments to indulge in personal pursuits.

Dressing quickly, they prepared to return to the battlefield.

"My lord." Walking along the road, a portly man approached them with a salute.

"What is it, Hus?" Forseti inquired.

Hus, once a demon now converted to the Holy Light, had risen to become one of the coalition's senior generals.

"There's important news from the captured Chitauri commander," Hus began.

"What did you learn?" Forseti prompted.

"It concerns the origin of the rogues," Hus revealed. "Through interrogation, we've discovered they were created by a celestial god named Ego."

"Ego!" Forseti frowned involuntarily.

Hela queried, "Do you know this deity?"

Forseti nodded. "We've had some dealings. He may be the most unscrupulous deity since the dawn of the universe."

Hus continued, "According to our sources, Ego sought out Thanos, offering him the rogue species in a bid to challenge Asgard..."

It was clear Ego's motive stemmed from Forseti's previous destruction of his clone.

Yet, another motive might also lurk: vengeance against Odin, who had slain numerous celestials. If Ego truly belonged to celestials, he would be Asgard's archenemy.

Despite this, Forseti harbored doubts about Ego's identity. His origins were dubious, his actions despicable and devoid of the order typical of established pantheons.

"Any further details?" Forseti inquired.

Hus shook his head. "No. Ego rarely appears in person or intervenes directly in battles. Few, aside from Thanos, know of his existence."

Forseti fell silent, glancing at Hela beside him. "To my knowledge, Ego's physical form is that of a living planet. I intend to petition Odin to utilize the Rainbow Bridge to bombard him."

"It's unlikely," Hela replied. "You know my father's stance on this war. Asgard vowed never to wield the Rainbow Bridge aggressively unless faced with imminent extinction."

Indeed, this was true.

Even at partial power, the Rainbow Bridge could obliterate a planet. Legends, whether true or exaggerated, recounted how the invincible Planet Eater once sought to devour Asgard, only to be repelled by the Rainbow Bridge.

Due to its immense power, Asgard had once been viewed as a universal menace until Odin's grandfather, Buri, solemnly pledged restraint in its use.

Asgard had honored this pledge throughout millennia of conflicts, never unleashing the formidable Rainbow Bridge lightly.