39: Detaining Laufey

Rhodes responded with a disdainful smirk. "The sun flame's speed is slow, and attacking a teleporter like you is indeed challenging. My intention wasn't to end you this way, but since you doubt me, I'll educate you about your ignorance."

With clawed hands, Rhodes focused his energy into his palms. The flames before him surged, streaming into Apocalypse's fiery form.

The flames surged anew on Apocalypse's body, expanding with vigor, shooting into the sky.

Apocalypse's body blackened and decayed, its flesh consumed by the relentless fire, reduced to sparks within the flames.

Flesh melted, leaving behind only white bones, resembling skeletal knights conjured by death. Only his head remained, still struggling, seemingly focused on retaining its last vestiges of life.

Rhodes amplified the flames once more, causing Apocalypse's body to transform into black smoke, vanishing into thin air, not even a speck of dust left behind.

Pegasus knights, having withdrawn from the vicinity, gazed at Rhodes' surroundings, their bodies trembling in horror.

The formerly yellow gravel had turned into pure, transparent crystals, and the wind's faint touch seared the skin with blistering agony.

"Legion Commander," someone quivered, "what do we do now?"

Rhodes turned his gaze to his Pegasus knights. Only half remained—the others had evacuated to the outskirts of the city.

Surrounded by falling snowflakes, they discovered the snowflakes had changed, swiftly melting into water droplets upon contact.

"This is Laufey's Ice Treasure Box. It seems to have released energy upon opening, evenly spreading it across the atmosphere," Rhodes explained.

"But if this continues, the temperature throughout will gradually decrease, eventually becoming hospitable only to Frost Giants."

Aware they had to remain vigilant, the group braced themselves.

Rhodes peered at Egypt's city before blowing a resounding whistle.

A white holy light descended from the sky, a white streak trailing behind it. It arrived at Rhodes' side.

The Pegasus landed, neighing joyfully upon reuniting with its master.

Rhodes mounted the Pegasus and led his knights back into the city, simultaneously directing the Pegasus knights on the other side to encircle Laufey.

Laufey, trapped within the city, had no means of escape.

Guided by Rhodes, the Pegasus Knights gradually formed a cordon around Laufey in the palace courtyard.

Laufey, wearing a smile, faced the assembled group, unperturbed. "The atmosphere is under the frost giants' control; what can you possibly do?"

Behind him, the ice treasure box rested on an altar, continuously emitting white mist. This mist didn't descend to the ground, dissipating into thin air instead.

Rhodes recognized that the ice treasure box provided frost energy to Earth, gradually lowering its temperature.

"Cease the ice treasure box, and I'll spare your life!" Rhodes issued a warning.

Laufey erupted into laughter. "Hahahaha! Spare me? What a jest! Soon, the ice treasure box's energy will render you immobile. What then?"

He shifted his focus to the Pegasus knights by Rhodes' side. Proximity to the ice treasure box appeared to affect them, for their bodies trembled, rendering them unable to move.

Laufey noticed this peculiarity and approached Rhodes with a grin. "Struggling is futile. Death awaits as frost energy consumes your bodies. Frost Giants endure this cold far better."

As he neared Rhodes, Laufey struck with a fist. Rhodes, nonchalant, raised his hands in defense, absorbing the blow's impact, then countered with a side kick, sending Laufey tumbling.

Landing, Laufey spat blood. "What? You can move freely?"

He cast a glance at the immobilized Pegasus knights, their forms shuddering uncontrollably.

Rhodes paid him no mind, continuing his approach. He launched a punch, connecting with the ice treasure box. The force transferred to Laufey, propelling him away.

Laufey rolled across the ground, the ice treasure box tumbling aside.

"Inconceivable!" Laufey's consciousness wavered. His final realization was that Rhodes remained utterly unfazed by the ice treasure box's effects.

Rhodes, about to deliver the final blow, was interrupted by a red light in the sky.

Odin descended with his retinue, arriving at Rhodes' side.

"Stay your hand. He is the Frost Giants' king. His death could incite chaos among them, plunging the Nine Realms into turmoil."

Rhodes' mouth twitched—not from Odin's perceived power, but because Frost Giants' turmoil would likely imperil Earth.

His parents resided there, and the current Earth lacked the might to repel a Frost Giants invasion. He feared for his parents' safety amid such chaos.

Reluctantly, Rhodes discarded Laufey like discarded waste before Odin.

Odin swiftly ordered Laufey's arrest, sending him through the Rainbow Bridge back to Asgard's prison.

All eyes turned to the ice treasure box, its mist still teleporting frost energy across Earth.

Left unresolved, the planet would become a Frost Giants' haven over time.