Chapter 251: When Gods Fight, Mortals Suffer
However, these are just guidelines observed by the larger, more responsible civilizations. Stronger individuals or rogue factions tend to disregard these rules entirely.
"So, it's one of the Nine Realms under Asgard's rule? Seems like the gods of Asgard haven't been very responsible for a long time," Lix remarked with a glint in his eyes.
Mogri had once been under the influence of gods, with countless Mogrians worshipping them. Temples and altars to these deities still stood, but those gods had not shown themselves for over two millennia.
During that time, Mogrians had suffered through natural disasters, plagues, and various catastrophes. Despite their prayers for divine intervention, no gods ever appeared to aid them. In the end, it was technology, not divine help, that allowed Mogri to connect with other civilizations and eventually attract the attention of the Void God, Kassadin. Kassadin helped the Mogrians defeat the Desert Plague, a threat that could have destroyed Mogri's ecosystem had they not reached the stars in time.
"If Mogri hadn't connected with other planets, the Desert Plague could have wiped us out," Lix thought to himself.
"Asgard's gods haven't been seen for nearly a thousand years," Tony replied. "But when the Chitauri invaded Earth, Asgard's Thor did come to help. He fought hard and did everything he could to protect us."
Tony could sense that Lix didn't have a high opinion of gods, especially based on his tone. And in some ways, Tony could relate. For centuries, Earth had faced countless disasters, and no gods ever appeared to save humanity. It was only recently that Tony had personally experienced alien invasions.
The first invasion was a story told to him by Nick Fury, where Captain Marvel had repelled the attackers. The second and third invasions, which Tony witnessed firsthand, were the arrival of the Destroyer and the Chitauri army, both of which were tied to Loki's actions.
Loki's arrogance and reckless behavior had caused untold destruction, leading Tony to harbor a deep disdain for him. It's fair to say that if Loki had died in front of Tony, he wouldn't have felt anything. The only reason Tony had helped Loki during the last incident was because Sonia had asked him to and Thor had begged him.
However, Tony did have a lot of respect for Thor. Thor wasn't just powerful; after coming to understand the weight of his responsibilities, he was willing to fight for the Nine Realms and even sacrifice himself if needed. Thor's cheerful and approachable nature, combined with his respect for others regardless of their strength, made him a valuable friend in Tony's eyes.
The only real downside to Thor, Tony thought, was his overly emotional attachment to his troublemaking brother, Loki.
"Thor, son of Odin, the All-Father," Lix mused. "From what I've heard, he seems like a decent enough person. I just wonder if he's truly sincere or just playing a part."
Lix had heard rumors about Thor's efforts to restore peace across the Nine Realms and his impending ascension to the throne of Asgard. But was this because Thor genuinely cared, or was it merely for political gain?
Having gained immense power himself, Lix had begun to understand the mindset of those who wielded god-like strength. He recognized that gods might act out of a desire for admiration and worship, rather than a genuine sense of responsibility. However, Lix believed that if you established a domain, as Kassadin had done with the Void Sect and Void Island, you should actively protect and support it.
A true god, in his opinion, wasn't just someone who enjoyed praise but one who should take action when needed, much like Kassadin.
"I stand by Thor," Tony said. "If you ever get the chance to meet him, I think you'll see what I mean. You might not love him, but you certainly won't hate him."
Lix raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. "You're that confident? So, you have a favorable opinion of Asgard?"
"I wouldn't say that," Tony responded honestly. "I've never been to Asgard myself, and the only Asgardians I've met are Thor and his brother, Loki. But I can say this: Thor is a friend, and I respect him."
Tony was cautious not to overgeneralize. He suspected that Lix had a negative view of gods because Mogri had once been ruled by them, and those gods had clearly failed to live up to their responsibilities.
At that moment, Lalatina entered, carrying a large two-meter wine barrel. She poured drinks for both Tony and Lix before excusing herself. With drinks in hand, Tony and Lix continued their conversation, gradually growing more comfortable around each other.
As the conversation turned to Tony's current research, Lix inquired, "Other than gravity devices, what else are you working on? Perhaps I can provide some specialists to help you out."
"I've been working on developing wormhole jump technology," Tony admitted. "But I've hit a few walls. JARVIS has provided me with plenty of books and information, but the stuff in books only scratches the surface. I can't seem to push my research to the next level."
"Gravity devices are one thing; they're the foundation of spacecraft and starship cores. But wormhole technology? That's one of the most advanced and closely guarded technologies out there. It's no wonder you're struggling to crack it on your own," Lix said thoughtfully. "After the New Year, how long are you staying on Xandar? If you have time, I can bring in some scientists from Mogri to assist you. If not, I can send you some research data that might give you a breakthrough."
"Appreciate that," Tony nodded, smiling.