"I'll let Loki give you an explanation," Thor declared.
His words made Sif and the others frown involuntarily. Even the grumpy Volstagg opened his mouth to speak, but Fandral, quick as ever, stopped him with a firm gesture. Volstagg, though restrained, still seethed with anger, his dissatisfaction evident.
To the brave warrior, the glory of Asgard could never be desecrated by outsiders, no matter what Loki had done. Such matters, no matter how grave, were for Asgard to judge, not others. The pride of the people of the Divine Realm was deeply ingrained in their hearts and souls.
But to others—those not from Asgard—this pride often came across as arrogance.
If this were yesterday, neither Sif, Fandral, nor Hogun would have opposed Volstagg's sentiment. They might have even shared his indignation, ready to draw swords at Tony Stark's boldness.
But after witnessing Sergei's power firsthand, their perspectives had shifted. Though Pietro and Wanda had not fought, their demeanor—calm and composed—spoke volumes. Their strength was undeniable, their attitude revealing both pity for the weak and respect for the strong.
This was not the Asgard they knew, but it was a reality they had to accept.
So, when Tony challenged Thor to make his stance clear, Sif, Fandral, and Hogun bristled with discontent but held their tongues. After all, Tony was no mere mortal. Breaking the sound barrier with ease, he commanded respect.
As the brief conversation ended, the frost giants drew closer to the town.
From a distance, Laufey's scarlet eyes locked onto Thor, Sif, and the other Asgardians. Hatred burned fiercely within him. Raising his hand high into the sky, he clenched his fist.
A deafening roar erupted from the frost giant army behind him. Frosty air condensed into massive ice spears and boulders, which were hurled toward the town with devastating force.
The whistling of the projectiles slicing through the air was chilling. The sheer number of spears and boulders darkened the sky, a terrifying sight that made Sif and her companions tense.
Tony Stark's mask snapped into place as he prepared to take flight.
Jean Grey's face was resolute, her hands ready to project a telekinetic shield. Cyclops, his hand poised over his visor, adjusted its settings to maximum output.
But amidst the preparations, no one noticed Pietro or Sergei's expressions.
The two didn't move. They didn't even flinch.
Suddenly, a surge of power erupted from behind the group. Before anyone could react, Wanda stepped forward. Her crimson-tinged eyes gleamed as her hands wove a series of intricate gestures. Her thumbs and index fingers formed a triangular shape in the air.
Click.
The sound was crisp, and the world seemed to shatter like fragile glass.
An invisible force rippled outward, halting the frost giants' attack midair. The spears and boulders froze in place, suspended like ornaments in a nightmarish tableau. Even the raindrops were caught in the stasis, creating a surreal, stop-motion effect.
"Odin's beard!" Volstagg murmured, his disbelief echoed by the others.
The Avengers were equally stunned.
Tony, ready to take off moments ago, froze in awe.
But Wanda wasn't done. Her hands shifted again, and the frozen spears and boulders turned on their creators, hurtling back toward the frost giants.
The sharp whistling resumed, this time aimed at Laufey's forces.
The frost giants hesitated, clearly unaccustomed to being counterattacked in such a manner. Laufey's scarlet eyes narrowed as he stepped forward, his focus shifting from Thor to Wanda.
He raised his hand effortlessly, and the incoming projectiles disintegrated midair. The shards of ice coalesced into a biting frost that swirled around him, eventually forming a massive, jagged sword.
The display of power left both sides uneasy.
"Damn it," Logan muttered under his breath. "This guy's tougher than I thought."
Scott nodded. "But we've got some powerhouses of our own." He glanced at Wanda, intrigued.
Nearby, Thor cracked his neck, his expression a mixture of exhilaration and frustration. He lived for the thrill of battle but was disheartened not to be its centerpiece.
Ahead, Laufey approached, his frost giants and the dreaded Destroyer armor trailing behind him. The sight of Odin's former weapon marching alongside their enemies struck a nerve with the Asgardians. It was an affront to their honor.
The frost giants' approach transformed the landscape. Snow fell thickly, mingling with rain, turning the battlefield into a stark contrast of icy desolation and pouring chaos.
Laufey finally stopped, planting his frosty sword into the ground. His gaze lingered on Wanda, ignoring the others.
"What drives you to fight for Midgard?" he asked, his voice as cold as the ice surrounding him.
...
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