American comics: Starting with Luke the Maker

Asgard.

The Palace of the Gods.

Odin not only obtained the [High-Dimensional Space Core Device] he needed but also a very interesting bill.

"So, you went to Midgard and blew up Luke's house?" Odin's expression didn't reveal whether he was angry or not; he simply stared at his second son with his single eye, his tone and gaze suggesting he was somewhat surprised that his son was even capable of such a thing.

"It's not Loki's fault; he was just trying to get rid of the Dark Elf warrior Malekith sent to monitor him," Thor explained for his brother.

"I didn't expect things to escalate to this point." Loki's current demeanor was that of a child facing their parents after causing trouble. After all, he had always been more obedient and sensible than Thor, and he knew how to please adults. He was good at extricating himself from many situations, letting his honest and robust brother take the blame.

But ever since he came into contact with Midgard, it seemed he couldn't shift the blame anymore. Because there was no one around to take the fall for him.

"Of course, you didn't expect things to escalate to this point," Odin paused, holding Gungnir in his hand. "I'm just surprised you even had the idea."

Loki gave an awkward smile, unsure of Odin's current thoughts. Was he angry? It didn't seem like it. Was he not angry? That didn't seem right either.

"What about this bill?" Thor still cared for his brother. Seeing Loki standing trembling and afraid to speak, and Odin remaining silent, the atmosphere in the room became tense. He could only pray that their mother would hurry over to save them, just like she always did after they caused trouble.

Although they had been brought directly to the palace by Odin and hadn't had time to notify their mother, as the Queen of Asgard, Frigga naturally had ways of knowing about her two sons' return. In any case, knowing his mother, Thor believed she would come.

"You've already brought it; what else can I do?" Odin shook the bill in his hand, looking helpless. Did he really have to go to Midgard himself to haggle with Luke over these things? He couldn't afford to lose face like that!

He knew very well that his second son couldn't easily destroy Luke's house. He had been to Silent City before! That was Luke's real core area. As for that Heberon on Midgard, he could build as many as he wanted if he so desired.

So Loki's achievement was pleasing, but it must have involved Luke pushing the boat along. After learning of Loki's plan, the other party might have already started preparing this bill.

Enough benefits, coupled with the current supply and demand relationship, allowed him to cut a bit of flesh from Asgard without causing strong resentment.

Odin didn't really care about the items on the bill. As the Lord of the Nine Realms, he had seized countless treasures from his enemies during his wars across the Nine Realms and the universe. The dazzling Odin's Vault, and Asgard's prosperity to this day, owed much to those victorious wars.

If a mortal from Midgard dared to hand him this bill, even if that mortal was the king of some country, they would either be ignored by Odin or struck by a bolt of lightning.

But if Luke or the Ancient One submitted this bill, then Odin could calmly consider it.

"Restore the Rainbow Bridge first," Odin didn't care about the bill; he cared about the attitude Luke was showing. The other party was willing to form an alliance with him in this war. Although this alliance relationship without a formal agreement was not strong, it was the best result at the moment. If Luke really said he would go all out and stand on his side, Odin would become suspicious.

Especially since winning over Luke was equivalent to winning over half of the Sorcerer Supreme. At least the Ancient One, even if she didn't get involved, wouldn't jump to the side of the Dark Elves.

Perhaps this time, the Twilight of the Gods could be reversed?

Yes.

The reason Odin held such pessimistic emotions about this war, which hadn't even reached its final battle, and even lowered his pride to send his son to Midgard to seek reinforcements, was because he regarded this final battle as the prophesied Twilight of the Gods.

...

Inside a fragment of space wandering in the Nine Realms.

Inside a dim cave.

In the crevice of a giant rock in the center of the cave, a wisp of hazy red light flickered weakly like a candlelight. Around the giant rock were a dozen Dark Elves holding weapons, with their king, Malekith, in the center.

"Familiar energy! I've finally found you, Aether!" Malekith closed his eyes, sensing the familiar Aether energy surrounding him. His usually calm emotions and face couldn't help but reveal a hint of excitement at this final step.

Odin used the Space Stone to create this space fragment and used its power to suppress the Aether's energy, cutting off its connection with the Dark Elves. But with the Nine Realms aligned and the seal loosened, Malekith still followed that connection and found his way here.

This was the forty-first space fragment searched.

Malekith chanted ancient Elven words, activating the Aether particle that was close at hand.

The Aether particle was made from an extremely rare and scarce cosmic stone found in a certain part of the universe, possessing powerful energy, and was the Dark Elves' greatest technological masterpiece. In his knowledge, only the Rainbow Bridge created by Odin using the Space Stone could compare with it in the entire Nine Realms.

The Dark Elves transformed the solid cosmic stone into a fluid, matching the Dark Elves' physique, which could raise their power limit and create a powerful Dark Army that could sweep across the entire universe.

It was precisely because he held this artifact, the Aether particle, that the Dark Elves were able to compete with Asgard and fight for dominance over the Nine Realms.

The ancient Elven words he was chanting at this moment were the activation spell to awaken the Aether particle. He was responding to the Aether particle's call and activating its energy.

The dim cave began to alternate between light and darkness, and the Aether particle in the giant rock crevice expanded and contracted like breathing. Finally, the already weakened sealing giant rock developed loopholes under the energy surge of the Aether particle, and strands of fluid seeped out from the loopholes, gathering in front of Malekith with his gesture. Finally, after all the Aether particles in the giant rock had seeped out, a mass of red fluid emitting a charming halo appeared in front of Malekith and began to seep into his body.

Parasitic!

This was the function the Dark Elves gave to the Aether particle. It could parasitize in the body of any intelligent creature and give that creature powerful strength. But first, the creature's physical quality must be strong enough and have a certain degree of compatibility!

And among them, the life of the Nine Realms has the highest compatibility with Aether particles! And among them, the Dark Elves who created it are the best among the adapters. And only the King of the Dark Elves knows how to fully control the energy of the Aether particle and use it.

Feeling the vast and powerful energy flowing again in his body that had been dry for thousands of years, Malekith closed his eyes in ecstasy. It had been a long time since he had experienced this feeling of being full of power.

The Asgardians always liked to deprive their kings of their source of power and take away their artifacts. Those that could be treasured were stored in Odin's Vault. Those that were too dangerous were sealed in various ways and exiled. But now, he had completely regained his source of power.

He no longer needed to worry about his Aether power being depleted with frequent battles, and of course, he no longer needed to hide and avoid head-to-head confrontations with Odin in his full state.

It seemed that the Dark Warriors and Loki had played their roles well, helping him attract Odin's attention. Then next, it should be the moment for all-out war!

Malekith opened his eyes and finally glanced at the cave that had lost its Aether light source and became dim again, leaving with his men without looking back.