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Chapter 39: Destiny, The Villain's Loneliness

"What? Is something wrong?" The Ancient One asked, observing Thor's confused expression.

"Yes, you've explained your responsibilities, but you're letting me handle it. I expected you to work to restore the timeline," Thor said candidly. He had anticipated that the Ancient One would be more resolute. He was prepared for a fierce confrontation.

He didn't doubt the Ancient One's strategy of delaying the attack. The Ancient One's strength and status were such that she had no need to resort to such measures.

Powerful beings have their pride, just as Thanos, despite his numerous crimes across the universe, never resorts to deceit.

The Ancient One patiently explained, "What has happened cannot be changed, even with the power of the Eye of Agamotto. At most, I can start from now, restrict you, and guide the future direction."

"Then why..." Thor began.

"Because the future has changed. Before your arrival, I used the Eye of Agamotto to observe the future thousands of times, some visions better, some worse."

"And in the timeline where I stop you, there is no favorable outcome. Forcing you could make you a bigger danger for Earth than Dormammu!"

With a gesture, the Ancient One summoned a golden circle, within which images began to play like a movie.

"This is one of the better scenarios," she said.

…

In the vision, the Ancient One trapped Thor with a mirror image, sealed the memories of his time travel, and used the Time Stone to return his powers to 1995. However, just as the memories were about to be reset, an orange light flashed.

The last Infinity Stone experience coupon, the Soul Stone, created an indistinguishable duplicate of Thor's soul at that specified location, valid for one minute.

The effect was subtle, but it activated at this moment.

The images continued, showing the invasion of the Dark Elves, Ragnarök, Infinity War... all unfolding just as Thor remembered. The soul created by the Soul Stone had been missing for a long time, seemingly disappearing until...

A world with stunning landscapes appeared. Thanos, trembling, picked a fruit from the ground and placed it in a bag, limping into a room. Each step was accompanied by heavy breaths.

He boiled a pot of soup, drank it in one gulp to regain some strength, and then went to the door to watch the sunrise.

Finally, it was time to rest and appreciate the sunrise with gratitude for the universe.

Raising his left hand, Thanos looked at the six hard-won Infinity Stones, feeling a deep worry—the universe needed correction; after that, the stones would be useless, merely a temptation...

A faint figure appeared, the Avenger who had defeated him. Without looking up, Thanos murmured, "This time, you can behead me."

The figure did not move but spoke emotionlessly, "If half of all life is wiped out, can the remaining half truly thrive? That is impossible."

"As long as there are beings who remember the past, they will never accept the future, and they will always rebel."

"If you want to achieve your goal, you must turn this universe into atomic dust. Then, create a new universe, one where life has no resentment for loss, only gratitude for what is given—a universe that understands gratitude. A paradise version of our universe"

After saying this, the figure vanished, leaving Thanos deep in thought.

After a long period, Thanos finally stood, his eyes regaining their resolve.

"I will bear this burden alone!"

The solitary figure stood on the desolate land. He raised his hand and snapped his fingers with a "snap."

"I am destiny!"