205

Chapter 205: Facing the Darkness

As Thor approached the rift, the dark atmosphere thickened. He had no time to dwell on it, however, as he saw Dormammu's colossal face trying to push through the rift, still bearing a look of disdain.

A mere Asgardian, a native deity in the eyes of mortals...

Closer, closer...

As the two sides were on the verge of contact, Thor suddenly sheathed his battle axe and unleashed a burst of deep purple light from his hand.

"Boom..."

With a full force strike from the Power Orb, Dormammu was caught off guard, his face half-receding as he was pushed back by the energy.

"No! Mortal, you are courting death!"

Dormammu roared furiously, but before he could react further, Thor drove him back into the dark dimension.

"It's futile; the three Sanctuaries have been destroyed. You can't stop me!"

Thor's expression was grim as he threw the Tesseract into the rift, forming a spatial barrier that temporarily sealed the energy overflow from the dark dimension.

The people of Asgard watched helplessly as their king plunged into the dark dimension with Dormammu.

"F...."

Jean Grey gasped.

She was no longer a novice to this world and understood the significance of Dormammu's dark dimension...

Seeing the rift being forcefully closed by the Tesseract's energy, she gritted her teeth and plunged in after them.

In the dark expanse, energies surged wildly, and Dormammu's immense face slowly took shape.

"How did you get in? Do you realize how dangerous this is?"

Thor quickly spoke as he confronted Dormammu.

"I... don't trust you alone. It... is strong!" Jean murmured.

Thor shook his head, knowing that persuading Jean to leave was just as challenging as convincing Dormammu to retreat.

He forced himself to stay calm and faced Dormammu.

Although the chances were slim, Thor still wanted to make an attempt.

"Dormammu, I'm here to negotiate terms!"

"No, you lack the power to negotiate! Your world belongs to me, just like all other worlds!"

Glancing at the spatial barrier near the rift, Dormammu sneered. "You won't be able to keep it sealed for long!"

With a roar, a terrifying burst of energy erupted, and Thor stepped in front of Jean, desperately shielding her from the blast.

Using his steel-like body, he barely withstood the attack, but he was reaching his limit.

His body began to crack, yet it continually regenerated and healed due to his enhanced physique.

This might be the closest Thor has ever come to death!

On Earth, at the Avengers Base, enormous portals gradually opened.

Forces from Wakanda, the Kamar-Taj sorcerers, the Marauders, and the Nova Corps fleet, all of whom had been assembled by Strange, were now on standby.

"Is this all there is?" Strange asked.

"Why, do you still think it's insufficient?" Wong responded, shocked.

Strange surveyed the numerous troops landing at Sanctuary II and said solemnly, "We must hold out until Thor arrives. He must be engaged with Dormammu right now!"

Wong looked taken aback and asked, "Are you sure he can defeat Dormammu?"

Strange remained silent.

He had seen countless possible outcomes, but this one seemed the most favorable. However, the future was always in flux, and all one could do was their best.

A vague figure wielding a large knife appeared at the rear of the dark army. Though unclear, the Avengers recognized him—Thanos!

"What's happening? Isn't Thanos dead? Who is this before us?" Stark asked, more to himself than anyone else.

"I see!"

Ant-Man suddenly realized, "This is Thanos from an alternate timeline! They traveled through time and space to reach this universe!"

"But how did they achieve that?"

"Pym particles!" Ant-Man said gravely. "Thanos accessed my memories!"

He had connected the dots too late, his realization coming only now.

"Delaying tactics?" Stark nodded. "I think we can manage that!" Although Thanos was formidable, with so many Avengers assembled, it might be possible to stop him.

Without the Space Gem, Doctor Strange alone could provide significant restraint.

"It won't be easy..." Strange warned.