"Abnormal energy frequency detected in Loki Odinson's mind."
"Someone invaded and altered his ideology, leaving a stamp on his thoughts."
"Thanos?"
Leon nodded silently. Thanos immediately came to mind.
Because of Odin's existence in Asgard and the immense power that Asgard holds, Leon had refrained from asking Keisha to monitor it. Doing so would have been tantamount to declaring war on Asgard—a confrontation Odin would undoubtedly detect.
Leon didn't know what transpired in Asgard because, truthfully, he hadn't paid attention. Odin had always given him general directions but never cared about minute details, and Leon was content with that. However, Loki's sudden transformation was something Leon hadn't anticipated.
After the timeline changed, Leon knew that anything was possible. Still, he hadn't expected this. Whatever this was, it wasn't part of Odin's plan.
As an ancient demon, Surtur's strength was undoubtedly at the Sky Father level, and his power ranked among the upper echelon of such beings. Odin had defeated Surtur once—but at a tremendous cost. It made Surtur the greatest threat to Asgard, even with Odin's power as a deterrent.
Loki, however, had managed to complicate things for Asgard far beyond what Leon expected.
From Leon's perspective, Asgard might emerge victorious, but the price would be staggering. If Leon didn't intervene, Odin himself would have to step in. While Odin's strength had grown exponentially over the millennia, his body was weakening under the strain of its immense energy. The energy coursing through him had long surpassed the limits of what his aging body could endure.
The outcome was inevitable. If Odin fought Surtur directly, he would win—but it would kill him. And should Surtur's demonic army prove stronger than Asgard's forces, casualties would escalate. Loki, Asgard's prodigal sixth son, was quietly stirring chaos, further tipping the scales toward collapse.
Leon contemplated the situation. At his level of power, few things could force his hand. He preferred to play the long game, setting plans in motion calmly and deliberately.
Leon had always known that wielding Sky Father-level combat power didn't mean he could act with impunity in this universe. The waters of the universe ran far too deep. One could never predict when a god or being of unimaginable power might rise from the depths.
Earth itself was the focal point of the universe, attracting countless ancient and evil gods who longed to return. These beings remained in the shadows, bound by rules or fear, but their desire to reclaim Earth was unceasing. They were simply waiting for the right opportunity. Compared to these beings, Leon knew his current strength was insufficient. He was still growing and needed more time to amass power.
Thus, Leon chose to stay dormant when it wasn't necessary to act, focusing instead on his plans. He helped Natasha, Wanda, and others grow stronger, cultivating his influence behind the scenes. This time was no different.
Thanos's use of Loki was a calculated test, but even Thanos hadn't expected Loki to perform so effectively—so much so that he aimed to use Surtur to annihilate Asgard entirely.
Odin would have no choice but to act personally.
Where did that leave Leon?
As Asgard's ally, Leon could choose to intervene—or not. Natasha, Wanda, and Sergei wouldn't stand by idly, which meant Leon's involvement could deepen their bond with Asgard. But Leon understood the difference between active and passive assistance.
Helping proactively would earn Asgard's gratitude, while helping reactively would leave Odin indebted to him. There was a critical distinction between the two. Leon predicted that Odin, ever the sly old fox, would wait to see how Leon responded before making his move.
This conflict wasn't just a battle between Asgard and Muspelheim. It was also a chess game between Leon and Odin.
Leon decided to watch and see how things unfolded. In the meantime, he spent the afternoon chatting with Skye.
By the end of their conversation, Leon extended an invitation for dinner. Skye, who had always been cautious and self-reliant, surprised herself by readily accepting.
Her willingness wasn't just about dropping her guard. Skye had interacted with Leon online for some time, and his patience, kindness, and willingness to share knowledge had left a strong impression. In the hacker world, such openness was rare—advanced techniques were survival tools and often came with a price.
Leon, however, had shared his expertise freely. To Skye, this generosity was extraordinary.
When the opportunity arose to meet Leon in person, she had taken it. To her delight, he was just as charming in real life as he was online. His warmth and confidence were disarming, and his physical appearance—handsome, impeccably dressed, and clearly affluent—didn't hurt, either.
For Skye, Leon seemed like the perfect package. She found herself wondering if this dinner might mark the beginning of something more.
Leon, meanwhile, couldn't help but notice the unmistakable pink hue of Skye's emotions as they lingered in the air. His perception had long since evolved into a passive skill, and her feelings were practically spilling over.
He gave her a curious glance, his mind briefly wondering: What does she want?
...
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