Chapter 116: Showdown

Asgard's palace was built with countless protective spells to prevent any unauthorized space travel. Odin himself had ordered the installation of a series of spatial barriers around the palace for extra security. This meant that even with the defense mode activated, only a master like the Sorcerer Supreme could bypass the wards—and Thor, despite his powers, was far from that level.

Unable to teleport, Thor relied instead on his super-speed, similar to that of Captain Marvel, racing toward Frigga's chambers as fast as he could.

In the distance, Odin also heard the deafening roars and explosions, his heart filled with dread as he pushed through wave after wave of Dark Elf soldiers, each determined to delay him. Though he had manipulated many, both friends and foes, Odin had never once intended for Frigga to be put in harm's way.

Meanwhile, in the royal chambers, the monstrous, cursed form of Malekith laughed as he lunged toward Frigga, clawing at her.

Frigga raised her sword, managing to deflect the first attack, but Malekith's clawed hand shattered her blade and struck her in the chest, sending her sprawling across the room. She coughed, a trickle of blood staining her lips, but glared defiantly as Malekith seized her by the throat.

"Tell me where the Aether is," he demanded.

"You'll never find it," Frigga spat.

"Then you'll never see the dawn," Malekith sneered, raising a dagger. "Let's see what Odin thinks of your corpse."

"If you kill her, you'll never get the Aether," came a voice from the doorway. Jane Foster stood there, looking weak but determined, holding a vial.

Malekith's grip tightened around Frigga's neck, his dagger poised. "Hand it over, and I may let her live."

Jane met his gaze unwaveringly, then tossed the Aether out the door. As Malekith turned instinctively toward it, Jane summoned Mjolnir, which shot across the room, hitting him square in the back and sending him stumbling.

Jane rushed forward, pulling Frigga out of Malekith's grasp.

With a snarl, Malekith extended his hand, and a dark red energy surrounded the Aether, drawing it back into his grasp.

"Stay!" Jane's voice boomed, as a lightning bolt struck Malekith's face. His helmet cracked, exposing raw flesh beneath, but he barely staggered.

Malekith turned, furious. "I underestimated you, woman!" He hadn't expected the young woman to wield such strength.

With a sneer, he began, "Stupid woman, I will—"

But before he could finish, Mjolnir struck him in the back of the head, sending him sprawling forward. Jane summoned the hammer back to her hand, and a suit of Asgardian armor formed around her, black and crackling with electricity.

Frigga, clutching her side, gazed at Jane in awe. "Thor, you truly have a good eye."

"Leave now!" Frigga called, her voice strained. "You're not his match!"

But Jane refused to abandon her. Eyes blazing with determination, she charged, Mjolnir spinning, delivering blow after blow.

With a roar, Malekith swung, sending Jane flying across the room. She crashed into a pillar, the force cushioned by the power of thunder, though she could feel the strain. She realized with grim clarity that this cursed warrior was unlike any she had fought before.

This monster… he's stronger than me, Jane thought, eyes narrowing. Her powers were similar to Thor's at this stage in his journey, and while she could handle ordinary cursed warriors, Malekith was in a league of his own.

"So you want to die? I'll grant your wish," Malekith growled. He tore a massive stone pillar from the wall, now indestructible under the dark power coursing through him.

Jane rolled just in time as the pillar smashed down, using the opening to hammer Malekith's chin and then retreating. His brute strength and endurance were overwhelming, though his larger movements left him vulnerable.

Recognizing this, Jane changed her tactics, using her agility and Mjolnir's speed to dart in and out, delivering precise strikes to his weak spots before retreating out of reach. For every blow he swung, she dodged and countered, chipping away at his armor.

Enraged, Malekith swung the pillar wildly, cracking walls and sending chunks of stone flying. Jane leapt, narrowly dodging, landing behind him and smashing Mjolnir into the back of his knee. He roared in pain, stumbling.

With newfound confidence, Jane pressed her advantage, striking faster, every blow charged with thunder. Malekith staggered but retaliated with a brutal backhand, sending her skidding across the floor.

"Enough!" Malekith thundered, gathering a surge of dark energy in his palm. The power he held was immense, crackling with destructive force.

Just then, a bolt of golden light struck Malekith's hand, scattering the energy. Odin stood in the doorway, Gungnir in hand, eyes blazing with fury.

"Malekith," Odin intoned, his voice low and deadly, "your war ends here."

The enraged Dark Elf snarled, rising to his full height. With a hiss, he lunged, his curse-fueled strength clashing against the full might of the All-Father.

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