125

Chapter 125: Destruction, Reversal

A beam of destructive light cut through the dark sky, descending upon the icy expanse of the North.

"Boom!"

The impact shook the entire planet. Greenland, at the epicenter, was torn apart by the blow. The earth cracked open, and molten lava surged from beneath, only to be evaporated before reaching the surface due to the immense heat.

After a few seconds of silence, a catastrophe unfolded. The enormous shockwave caused almost all of the world's oceans to rush in the opposite direction, creating towering waves that swept across the northern land.

"Oh no! What's happening? Don't tell me the sixth mass extinction has begun?"

Tony Stark shouted, covering his head.

Fury stared in disbelief at the catastrophic scene before him. He felt as if he had been dragged out to witness the end of the world.

With a somber expression, he hesitated for a moment, then pulled out a communicator and pressed a button.

This seemed to be the critical situation that the woman had warned about, but could she really handle it?

Nick Fury was at a loss for what to do.

The light of the Bifrost illuminated the dark world, revealing the collapse of the sky. Yet, mortals were powerless against such apocalyptic force.

Even Thor was powerless. He quietly asked his system companion, "Hey, where's the closest habitable planet to Earth?"

"I think… you should head to Asgard quickly. Fortunately, Tesseract is in your hands," came the trembling response from the system. The situation was so far from the plot she knew—Earth was collapsing even before the Avengers had assembled?

"Damn it!"

In Asgard, Odin, who had been feigning sleep, jumped up. His centuries of self-discipline seemed to be for naught.

Odin would have woken up long ago and been aware of Loki's actions if it weren't for his deliberate negligence, testing Thor's resolve.

Thor's latest trial of love and justice was abruptly interrupted, and the fate of the Nine Realms was at stake.

Loki, who had taken the throne as the acting king, was indifferent to his position's precariousness. He knew his lack of strength meant he would eventually be dethroned.

When he saw Hela attack Earth, he was initially surprised but chose not to act. However, he became anxious when Hela arrived in Asgard. He planned to act if the situation got out of control, even if it meant sealing her again.

Fortunately, Hela had spent more than ten years on Earth, and her hostility had waned. After making a show of her power, she departed, and Odin was relieved, preparing to return to his rest.

But then, disaster struck.

Loki's mental state deteriorated, and he directed the Bifrost at Earth!

This wasn't a barren realm like Jotunheim; Earth had powerful allies.

Odin could only imagine the Ancient One's reaction.

"No!" Odin realized that he was moving backward and awkwardly settled back onto the bed.

"Is this… the power of time?"

On the roof of Kamar-Taj, the Ancient One stood tall, her hands forming a mudra. The Eye of Agamotto on her chest opened, revealing the Time Gem's faint green light.

The overwhelming heat wave of smoke and dust rushed toward her, but in that moment, the Ancient One's eyes widened. Everything around her seemed to freeze in place.

A green aura emanated from her hands, expanding rapidly. The surrounding chaos began to reverse, as if the film of reality was being played backward, with smoke and debris shrinking back to their original state.

The Ancient One used the Eye of Agamotto to forcibly reverse time across the Nine Realms.

Only top powerhouses, like Odin, could perceive the flow of time.

And one other person—Thor!

On the street, panicked pedestrians retreated, flying vehicles returned to their tracks, and the shattered ruins reassembled.

Thor watched in amazement as the people around him moved backward. He asked, confused, "What's happening? Did the Ancient One use the Eye of Agamotto? But why am I unaffected?"

The system's voice came with a sigh of relief: "It's likely because you hold the Tesseract, another Infinity Gem, or it could be due to the Phoenix Force in you surpassing the infinity stone."

Thor wanted to ask more but was interrupted by the system: "I'm only speculating. When it comes to understanding the gems, you know more than I do."

"So you've just been spouting nonsense?"

The world moved in reverse: colossal waves receded, fractured landmasses rejoined, and the Bifrost's light vanished from the sky.

The dark world returned to its previous state as if nothing had happened.

"Behold, uncivilized savages! This is how you use the Casket of Ancient Winters!"

In the far north, surrounded by Frost Giants, Hela's voice rang out.

In Asgard, Loki held the Guardian Sword, his face filled with hesitation as he looked at the Bifrost controls.

Skurge, the top lieutenant beside him, spoke nervously, "Your Majesty, you must reconsider. Fully unleashing Bifrost's power will not only attack Hela but could also destroy the entire planet. This would sever relations between Asgard and Earth, where Prince Thor is currently located…"

Loki's conflicted expression turned into one of fury.

"Yes, I'm not like Odin. I'm not from Asgard. Why should I act like him!"

With a fierce roar, he raised the Guardian Sword and thrust it downward...