Chapter Three: Schemes and Intrigues

As he was cultivating in his room, Atanis suddenly sensed an immense surge of energy appearing in the distance. Gazing out the window, he was somewhat surprised.

“The Rainbow Bridge is fully activated? That’s quite a spectacle,” Atanis mused, watching the bridge shoot into the cosmic void. Envy flickered in his heart. “Truly worthy of the Infinite Lineage—able to unleash their power at will right from home.”

“Even the Storm Battleship couldn’t achieve infinite range,” he thought, but his idle speculation was abruptly interrupted by the scene unfolding before him. A massive wave of energy rose from the center of the Rainbow Bridge, its gathering forcibly disrupted.

“So that’s how it is. No wonder they said we’d have to stay in the Divine Realm for a while,” Atanis remarked inwardly, gazing speechlessly at the broken Rainbow Bridge. Now, leaving Asgard would become exceedingly difficult.

Seated quietly within his chamber, Atanis was soon greeted by the Queen of the Gods, Frigga. “I am so sorry—the Rainbow Bridge has been damaged. You may have to wait until we repair it before you can depart,” Frigga said apologetically, her smile gentle.

Atanis replied impassively, “With the Rainbow Bridge destroyed, isn’t Asgard afraid of chaos erupting across the Nine Realms?”

Frigga smiled, “If it weren’t destroyed now, there might soon be no Nine Realms left. Disorder is only a temporary matter.”

“Very well then. How is Prince Thor?” Atanis inquired curiously.

“He’s finally made some progress, thanks in no small part to Loki. It turns out Loki understands Thor best,” Frigga answered, a look of gratification upon her face.

Atanis followed up, “And what of Prince Loki?”

Frigga sighed softly, “He fell from the Rainbow Bridge, drifting into the cosmos.”

Upon hearing this, Atanis studied Frigga closely, probing with his mind and finding no trace of sorrow. It seemed Loki was the central figure in this scheme.

“May the gods watch over him and keep him safe,” Atanis prayed quietly. “Now that you’ve shared the news, I’ll take my leave. May you have a pleasant evening in Asgard.” Frigga nodded in farewell and departed.

Atanis watched Frigga go, then returned to his bedside. With all factions scheming for the future, he knew his own strength must continue to grow.

Meanwhile, in the vacuum of space, Loki floated endlessly, arms folded, his expression inscrutable. Yet inwardly, he was delighted.

“Just thinking of that fool’s tear-streaked face makes me happier. I wonder what look he’ll wear next time we meet, and what it will be once he learns everything. I can hardly wait.” Filled with anticipation, Loki idly touched the Keadalin crystal hanging inside his shirt. Frigga had imbued it with powerful magic—no one could detect it, not even those wielding the Infinity Stones.

He drifted through space for an indeterminate time, boredom eventually prompting him to close his eyes and await the encounter fate would bring. Ever since learning about the so-called trajectory of destiny, he had been curious: how would that person come to meet him?

As Loki hovered between sleep and wakefulness, he sensed his body being pulled upward by a mysterious force. Opening his eyes, he saw a ship resembling a devil ray projecting a tractor beam toward him.

A wicked smile curled Loki’s lips. Excellent—the actors and the stage were set; the drama was about to unfold.

Led by several figures, Loki was escorted to the ship’s control room. A purple-skinned man sat upon a throne, watching him.

“Loki, Prince of Asgard—how have you fallen to such a state?” Thanos smiled as he addressed Loki. Since discovering the power of the Infinity Stones, he had been tracking the whereabouts of the others. He had found the Mind Stone amidst ruin, but the Space Stone remained in Asgardian hands. Odin’s formidable strength had deterred him from making a move—until now, when he encountered Loki adrift in the void. Thanos felt that his plan might finally succeed.

“Don’t mention Asgard to me. I’m not one of them—I’m just a wretched orphan they adopted,” Loki retorted angrily, slipping into the persona of the God of Lies as soon as he sensed the tractor beam.

“Oh? From what I know, Odin intended to pass the throne to your brother Thor. Is that why you left Asgard?” Thanos narrowed his eyes, calculating whether the God of Mischief before him spoke the truth.

“Hmph. That damned old man is always falling into deep slumber, then bestows the throne upon that foolish brute—just because I’m not his biological son,” Loki locked eyes with Thanos, having rehearsed this moment many times. “I want revenge on the Asgardians. If you’re willing to help me.”

Thanos nodded, neither agreeing nor refusing. “Ebony Maw, arrange quarters for Loki.”

“As you command, my great father.” Ebony Maw bowed deeply and led Loki away.

Watching Ebony Maw ahead, Loki remarked with interest, “I hear you’re a powerful sorcerer?” But Ebony Maw paid him no heed, silently guiding the way.

“Boring,” Loki muttered, rolling his eyes and surveying the ship’s interior. The ancient vessel looked thoroughly steampunk—utterly at odds with his aesthetic preferences.

“Don’t you ever want a change of style?” Loki taunted, “This place makes me feel like I’m living in a pile of scrap metal.”

“You should be grateful to reside on the ship of the mighty Thanos. My wise and merciful father will bring new salvation to the universe. Compared to his grand purpose, aesthetics are trivial,” Ebony Maw said as he reached the door, opening it for Loki. His cold yet fervent tone betrayed the zealotry of a true devotee.

“Fine. If your wise and merciful father enjoys living in a junkyard, I have no objection.” Seeing that Ebony Maw was on the verge of anger, Loki swaggered into the room.

“I warn you, Asgardian. If you attempt any tricks, you’ll learn the fate of betrayal…” Ebony Maw stared coldly at the closed door before returning to Thanos’ hall.

“My revered father, Loki’s accommodations are settled,” Ebony Maw reported upon his return, seeming to want to say more.

“Ebony Maw, my child, is there something you wish to tell me?” Thanos asked. Ebony Maw immediately dropped to one knee. “My wise father, Loki is famed for his cunning—his words are scarcely trustworthy. Why do you keep him aboard?”

“It matters not. Whatever his motives, as long as he helps me achieve my own,” Thanos replied, picking up a scepter from nearby. The gem atop it glowed with a brilliant blue light.