Chapter 209 to Chapter 217

  ...

  Before Laufey could finish speaking, the Destroyer made its move. It cared little for his words or diplomacy. Though its orders didn't extend to the Frost Giants, it would not ignore the enemies before it.

  Weng!!

  Terrifying wisps of energy seeped through the gaps in its silver metal armor, radiating an intense, fiery red glow. The mask on the Destroyer began to lift—a precursor to its devastating attack.

  But Wanda glanced over.

  Click!

  The space around the Destroyer shattered like a mirror breaking into countless shards. In an instant, the massive armor was swallowed by the fractured void, disappearing entirely.

  Laufey and his frost giants froze, their hearts skipping a beat.

  Laufey's expression turned grave. He knew better than anyone how formidable the Destroyer was. Even without Odin's direct control, it remained a terrifying killing machine. Yet, with a mere glance, this woman had exiled it to who-knows-where.

  Now, Laufey and his forces faced the full brunt of their opponents with no buffer. If not for Loki giving him the Casket of Ancient Winters, Laufey might have turned and fled right then.

  He could dismiss Thor, whom he deemed immature and brash, but Wanda was a complete enigma—a dangerous unknown.

  "I never expected to encounter a witch from Midgard," Laufey said, his voice betraying a mix of surprise and unease. "You people never cease to amaze me."

  Though Laufey commanded an army of frost giants, he was a king who knew when to act and when to wait. Starting a war here, in a foreign land, was risky. Midgard might resist fiercely, and its defenders—though weaker than his forces—had proven formidable.

  Cruelty defined Laufey's character, but he wasn't reckless. As a ruler who had endured countless ages, he understood strategy. He decided to test the waters with words, seeking to sow discord between the humans of Midgard and the Asgardians.

  "Odin ruled the Nine Realms with blood and cruelty," Laufey began, his tone calm but cutting. "He slaughtered countless civilizations to achieve his so-called glory."

  "We are all nothing but pawns under his rule," he continued, addressing the humans. "Asgard treats everyone else—be they human or frost giant—as insects, unworthy of respect. They expect other civilizations to kneel, to kiss their boots, as they plunder wealth and resources without remorse."

  Laufey's words were carefully crafted to frame Asgard as a cruel and arrogant oppressor. He painted himself and Midgardians as equals, victims of Asgard's tyranny.

  Thor, Sif, and the Warriors Three bristled with anger. Even among the Avengers, Tony and Jean hesitated. Laufey's rhetoric was persuasive; from their perspective, staying neutral seemed logical. Midgard had no obligation to fight Asgard's battles.

  But Wanda wasn't swayed.

  She stepped forward, her expression resolute. Sergei and Pietro flanked her, following without hesitation. Wanda's voice was sharp and unwavering as she responded:

  "You remind me of someone else who twisted words to manipulate others—a devil from hell."

  Her gaze pierced Laufey as she continued, "From my time with Thor, I've seen no cruelty or bloodlust. What I've seen is loyalty to his friends, respect for strength, and humility when faced with humanity. He shed the arrogance of a so-called god to extend goodwill."

  She paused, her eyes narrowing. "You speak of Asgard's victories as tyranny, yet you stand here not out of righteousness but out of ambition. You crave to do what Asgard has done: conquer and rule the Nine Realms."

  Her voice grew colder. "Between you and Asgard, I choose to believe in the strength and character of those I've fought beside."

  Boom!

  A wave of immense, overwhelming energy burst forth from Wanda. The world turned crimson as her power filled the air. Clouds scattered, the earth trembled, and rain swirled unnaturally in her wake.

  Her entire body blazed with crimson flames as she rose into the air, majestic and terrifying. She looked like a goddess descending to judge mortals. Her voice echoed across the battlefield, cold and resolute:

  "This is Earth. This is humanity's home. Anyone who comes with war and malice is an enemy."

  Her hands spread wide, and the sky cracked with thunder and lightning. The sheer force of her will distorted reality itself.

  "If you wish to freeze the world in the frost of war, prepare to be shattered. From the moment you stepped onto this land, you declared war. So be it."

  Wanda's declaration was absolute, her presence commanding.

  Those watching—Asgardians, Avengers, and even frost giants—could only stare in awe. At that moment, Wanda appeared more divine than any so-called god. Her beauty, power, and authority silenced even the boldest of voices.

  Sergei and Pietro looked on with pride, their faces calm but their eyes gleaming. Wanda's words and actions reflected their stance as well.

  Across the battlefield, Laufey's expression darkened. His crimson eyes flickered between fear and rage. Slowly, he drew a magnificent sword hilt from his waist. The blade extended with a metallic hum, its edges jagged and icy.

  Laufey's aura surged as frost gathered beneath his feet, lifting him to match Wanda's height.

  For all his bluster, he could not deny the truth: Wanda Maximoff was a force unlike any he had faced.

  ...

  "It amazes me that such a backward civilization can produce a strong individual like you. However, be warned—a single wrong choice could bring disaster upon you."

  Laufey's low voice resonated ominously.

  To Wanda, his words were nothing but empty rhetoric. She snorted coldly. The world trembled in response.

  As she raised her hands, bloody energy surged outward, spreading like a sentient wave toward Laufey and the Frost Giants. Recognizing the danger, Laufey's expression grew tense.

  The atmosphere was saturated with Wanda's overwhelming magical power and Haki. Anyone caught in it would suffer a devastating double blow—both physically and mentally. For Laufey, his own combat effectiveness might merely be reduced, but his army would almost certainly be obliterated in an instant.

  Though the Frost Giants were physically resilient and highly resistant to magic, even their formidable endurance paled in comparison to the might of a Sky Father. Laufey had already assessed Wanda's strength—it was on par with the most powerful beings he had ever faced.

  Still, Laufey wasn't about to back down. Not when the Casket was within reach. Victory in this war would grant him what he desired most.

  With a deafening boom, Laufey raised his right hand to the sky. A massive storm of freezing air and frost erupted, its fury threatening to consume everything. The sheer force of the storm temporarily neutralized Wanda's offensive.

  Now, the battlefield transformed into a clash of two worlds: on one side, an endless winter of ice and snow; on the other, a bloody, hellish purgatory. The two realms collided violently, unleashing bursts of lightning and sparks that lit the chaos.

  The ground quaked, as though the apocalypse itself had arrived.

  The Frost Giant army, Sif, the Warriors Three, and the Avengers could do little but watch. At this level of combat, they were mere spectators, unable to intervene. For the first time, they bore witness to a confrontation far beyond anything human imagination could grasp.

  The frost could freeze all in an instant, and a mere glance from either combatant could shatter a lesser being's soul. The upheaval of the world seemed beyond comprehension, leaving onlookers drenched in sweat.

  Even Tony Stark, clad in his cutting-edge armor, felt the crushing weight of his insignificance.

  "Jarvis..." Tony's voice wavered slightly.

  "Sir, there is significant magnetic interference in the area, making precise calculations impossible," Jarvis responded. "However, preliminary analysis suggests that the enemy's frost measures approximately 200 degrees below zero, capable of instantly freezing most materials on Earth."

  Tony clenched his jaw. "And the armor?"

  "Your MK suit includes anti-low-temperature materials, but such extreme conditions will freeze it as well. Mobility can only be maintained through sustained power transmission to heat the suit. Additionally, Ms. Wanda's power generates intense mental force fields. The mind chip can reduce their effects, but it cannot eliminate them entirely."

  The mind chip was one of Tony's precautions against psychic attacks—a particularly elusive and dangerous threat. While the chip provided some defense, it was far from perfect due to technological limitations.

  "Fantastic," Tony muttered bitterly, frustration simmering beneath the surface. For all his genius, his armor—so advanced on Earth—was utterly inadequate against threats of this scale.

  Nearby, Volstagg, ever the blunt Asgardian warrior, turned to his comrades. "Odin help me, I never thought I'd see someone so terrifying."

  His gaze lingered on Wanda, floating mid-air, exuding raw power. Though unafraid of death—as no Asgardian warrior is—Volstagg couldn't shake his newfound respect for Wanda. Her defense of Asgard and her overwhelming strength earned her their admiration.

  "She's not even twenty by Midgardian standards," Sif murmured, awe glimmering in her eyes. Wanda's grace and dominance captured her completely.

  Fandral, the ever-romantic warrior, was equally impressed. "Such elegance," he said, his eyes darting to the crossed swords wielded by Wanda's allies, Pietro and Sergei. "I must spar with them someday—there's so much to learn!"

  Meanwhile, Logan, ever the primal force, felt his instincts flare. The display of power awakened his inner beast. He clenched his fists, ready to charge into battle.

  Others, like Scott, stood quietly, taking in the scene with a mix of admiration and unease.

  Above them all, Wanda remained a figure of unmatched power, reshaping the very fabric of reality as her magic clashed with Laufey's frost.

  ...

  The collision between the frost world and the bloody purgatory unleashed a terrifying ferocity. The earth trembled as though on the verge of splitting apart.

  In the end, the clash culminated in an explosive burst of bright blood-red and pure white light. A massive shockwave rippled outward, distorting the air like a raging torrent.

  The winds howled violently, and the world was bathed in blinding daylight. Even the dense dark clouds above were temporarily illuminated, casting the battlefield in an unnatural brightness.

  For a fleeting moment, sunlight returned, spreading its warm glow across the land. However, the Frost Giants found no solace in this light—they detested warmth and brightness, favoring the icy chill of darkness.

  It didn't take long for the Frost Giants to reclaim their domain. Harnessing their collective power, they summoned the dark clouds back into the sky, smothering the sun and blanketing the earth in falling snow and frost once again.

  Back in his element, Laufey wasted no time. Raising his ice-forged sword, he bellowed a command that echoed with authority:

  "Tear them to pieces!"

  ROAR!

  The king's order ignited the Frost Giants' feral instincts. Their savage roars shattered the air, and their ranks surged forward like a tidal wave. With the power of frost coursing through them, they conjured weapons of ice and stormed toward Thor's side.

  The sheer size of their army—tens, if not hundreds, of thousands—was staggering, a seemingly endless sea of icy warriors.

  Tony Stark couldn't help but mutter a curse under his breath. The Avengers had faced many challenges, but nothing like this. He regretted not designing an MK suit specifically for large-scale warfare.

  While his armor boasted versatility, it lacked the firepower needed to decimate such overwhelming numbers. Missiles with massive explosive yields would've been ideal, but ordinary bullets wouldn't even scratch the Frost Giants' icy hides.

  "For Asgard!!"

  The battle cry erupted from Sif and the Warriors Three. Unleashing their unyielding Asgardian spirit, they charged headfirst into the approaching army.

  Tony's suit thrummed to life, propelling him into the air. Below, the X-Men launched their counterattack.

  With a high-pitched whine, forty satellite-guided missiles launched from Tony's shoulder compartments, screaming through the air before detonating amidst the Frost Giant ranks.

  Meanwhile, Storm's eyes glowed white-hot as she summoned a fierce tempest. Wind whipped violently around her, her white hair and cloak flaring dramatically. Raising her arms to the sky, she summoned thunderbolts that tore through the storm clouds.

  Rumble!

  With a single commanding gesture, lightning descended in a devastating barrage, striking the Frost Giant army with pinpoint precision.

  Cyclops adjusted his visor, amplifying its power to the maximum. Crimson beams of energy shot from his eyes, cutting through the air and tearing into the Frost Giants' frontlines.

  Wolverine crouched low, his steel claws glinting dangerously. With a guttural roar, he prepared to launch himself into the fray.

  "Jean!!" he shouted.

  Jean responded without hesitation. Using her immense telekinetic powers, she propelled both Wolverine and Colossus into the air like living missiles.

  Bang!!

  The two mutants crashed into the Frost Giant ranks with devastating force, wreaking havoc.

  Nearby, Pietro grinned at the chaotic scene. "What a passionate battle!" he exclaimed. "Veronica, record this. I want Alina and the others to see my heroics."

  "Understood, Mr. Pietro," his AI responded smoothly.

  Chuckling, Pietro swung his silver cross sword with a flourish. "Let's give these giants a taste of our strength!"

  Sergei mirrored Pietro's movements, raising his blade high.

  Bang!!!

  Two massive energy slashes, hundreds of meters wide, erupted from their blades, tearing through the ground as they raced toward the Frost Giant army. The Frost Giants hastily conjured barriers of thick ice to block the attack.

  But it was futile. The energy slashes cleaved through the barriers as though they were paper, slicing the giants in their path cleanly in two.

  Boom!

  Ice, blood, and body fragments erupted into the air. The deadly slashes carved two massive trenches through the Frost Giant ranks, leaving thousands dead in their wake.

  Simultaneously, Tony's missiles detonated with immense force, adding to the devastation. Entire sections of the Frost Giant army were obliterated, their advance halted.

  Tony, observing from the air, narrowly avoided the energy slashes. Alarms blared in his suit as he diverted full engine power to escape the deadly attacks.

  Hovering above the battlefield, Tony took a deep breath, shaken by what he'd witnessed. Thousands of Frost Giants were gone in an instant, their massive army visibly shaken.

  Laufey, still locked in a standoff with Wanda in mid-air, clenched his jaw. His scarlet eyes blazed with fury as he stared down the two culprits on the battlefield.

  Pietro noticed Laufey's murderous gaze and smirked, his expression teasing. "What's wrong, big guy? Sit tight—this is just the beginning," he taunted with a mischievous glint in his eye.

  Enraged, Laufey growled through gritted teeth, "You lowly bastard... I'll make you pay!"

  ...

  Laufey's fury was understandable. The Frost Giants' population had never been greater than at their peak, largely due to the scarcity of resources in Jotunheim. Before their war with Asgard, the Frost Giants waged numerous battles under his leadership, pillaging resources and food. However, their defeat left them confined to Jotunheim. The resulting lack of sustenance caused their numbers to dwindle.

  For Laufey, every loss of a Frost Giant was a painful blow. Yet, while his anger surged, Wanda's fury flared even hotter.

  Pietro was her brother. Insulting him as a "lowly bastard" was intolerable. The enraged Scarlet Witch was an unstoppable force.

  Boom!

  Wanda's eyes gleamed sharply, exuding murderous intent that seemed to envelop the battlefield. The air vibrated with her power, creating explosive shockwaves as she launched herself forward like an arrow. In a blink, she was in front of Laufey.

  Laufey didn't have time to react before Wanda's fist collided with his face.

  Bang!

  The impact caved in Laufey's face, sending him hurtling backward over ten kilometers. He crashed into a hill, obliterating it on impact, with debris and dust flying high into the air.

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  The once-mighty hill was flattened, leaving behind a massive crater. Laufey's weakened body lay embedded in its center, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. Wanda's punch had caused significant damage. However, the Casket's power surged through him, rapidly healing his injuries.

  Frost gathered beneath Laufey, lifting him upright. But just as he steadied himself, a terrifying whistling sound reached his ears. He looked up to see Wanda descending toward him like a meteorite, her speed creating a cone of mist around her.

  Before he could react, another deafening boom erupted. The ground quaked violently as shockwaves radiated outward, displacing earth and gravel in all directions. Cracks spread across the landscape for kilometers.

  Laufey reappeared several kilometers away, watching the destruction with a solemn expression.

  "Is this woman a monster? How could a low-level civilization like Midgard produce someone with such strength? This power surpasses even the Asgardians and us," Laufey muttered.

  In his understanding, humans—a race with lifespans under a century—should not possess such extraordinary abilities. Yet, not only one, but several such individuals had appeared.

  Laufey glanced back at his army of Frost Giants, watching them struggle against these formidable adversaries. His heart bled at the sight of his warriors being slaughtered.

  Still, as a leader, sacrifices had to be made. Keeping the Casket safe was paramount. Laufey refocused his attention on Wanda.

  Through the dust and smoke, she emerged, walking calmly. Her hair and clothes billowed in the wind, and despite her delicate features, she exuded the power to destroy entire cities with ease.

  High above, Hawkeye circled in the Quinjet, observing the battle from a safe distance. Even with its advanced technology, the Quinjet was useless in this fight. The battlefield had become a no-go zone for electronic equipment, disrupted by electromagnetic pulses and Wanda's chaos.

  "This is insane," Hawkeye muttered, watching as Storm conjured tornadoes charged with lightning, tearing through the Frost Giants.

  At that altitude, he witnessed the full horror of the war.

  "Director, are you seeing this?" Barton asked through his comms.

  Fury's calm voice replied, "We have a lot to learn. Our technology is far too limited for battles at this level."

  Fury realized the vulnerability of humanity's reliance on precision electronics. In a battle like this, even missiles were rendered ineffective. Humanity's cutting-edge weapons were of little use in alien warfare.

  "It's clear that our technological advancement is lacking," Fury admitted. "But we can't afford to be defenseless. SHIELD's research division needs to change direction immediately."

  Despite this, Fury found some solace in humanity's high-end combatants, even if they couldn't be fully controlled or deployed by SHIELD.

  Back on the battlefield, the fight raged on. The Frost Giants proved formidable, with thick hides, immense strength, and the deadly power of frost. Tony Stark, hovering high in his MK armor, provided air support but dared not engage directly. His arsenal of micro-missiles, particle pulse cannons, and high-frequency lasers struggled to make a dent in the Frost Giants.

  Still, the battle continued, brutal and relentless.

  ...

  The particle pulse cannons were ineffective against the Frost Giants' defenses; they only managed to draw their ire. The high-frequency laser ray, while capable of incredible single-point penetration that could slice through most Earth metals, had limitations. Its small size restricted its energy output, and prolonged use risked overheating and destroying the device.

  It was a last-resort weapon.

  "What the hell!" Tony Stark groaned in frustration, vowing to develop a more powerful MK armor upon returning to his lab.

  Fortunately for him, he wasn't the main combatant in this war.

  Flying above the battlefield, Tony provided support where he could. A few bursts from his particle pulse cannons relieved Wolverine and Colossus from their encirclement, allowing them to regroup. He then turned his attention to others in the fray, including Sergei and Pietro, who were determined to prove their mettle.

  The silver cross swords in their hands were razor-sharp, their movements too fast for the naked eye to follow. Silver arcs flashed through the air, and wherever they passed, Frost Giant heads flew.

  But the Frost Giants adapted. They unleashed their frost beasts, using the creatures to coordinate and trap the two warriors. Though the beasts slowed Sergei and Pietro down slightly, they couldn't stop the growing death toll among the Frost Giants.

  Pietro's speed was particularly devastating. Even Jarvis, Tony's AI, had to slow down footage by a factor of 100 to track him. If not for the Frost Giants spreading ice across the battlefield and amplifying the frost to restrict his movement, Pietro might have wiped them all out single-handedly.

  The rest of the Avengers faced similar struggles.

  Storm unleashed massive thunderstorms, causing widespread devastation, while Cyclops' optic blasts tore through even the Frost Giants' steel-like hides. Jean provided psychic support, erecting mental barriers to block incoming ice spears aimed at her allies.

  Wolverine and Colossus fought valiantly, but they were often overwhelmed by sheer numbers. Colossus, in particular, was repeatedly targeted, with Frost Giants attempting to rip him apart. If not for the vigilance of their teammates, the duo would have fallen long ago.

  Meanwhile, the Warriors Three and Sif fought with their characteristic Asgardian bravery, but they too were outnumbered and badly wounded. They remained resolute, protecting Thor as he stood within Wanda's defensive magic.

  Before Wanda had engaged Laufey, she had cast a protective spell over Thor. Though the spell shielded him from the Frost Giants, it left Thor feeling helpless. Exiled by Odin and stripped of his powers, Thor could only watch as his friends fought and bled for a battle he had brought upon them.

  He looked around, his heart heavy.

  The once-peaceful town was now a warzone. Buildings lay in ruins, and the cries of battle echoed in the air. His friends were battered, yet they refused to give up.

  Thor recalled his father's words and finally understood the consequences of his recklessness.

  "Father," he murmured, "I was wrong. I need my power. I need the strength to protect my friends and this world I have come to care for."

  With newfound resolve, Thor raised his head and roared to the heavens.

  The sky remained silent, but his voice resonated across the battlefield. Those who could spare a moment turned to look at him, their eyes reflecting a mix of hope and uncertainty.

  Laufey, standing amidst the chaos, smirked as he watched Thor. The Frost Giant King's expression carried mockery, but it quickly shifted to shock.

  Boom!

  A deafening thunderclap shattered the silence. All eyes turned to the sky as lightning surged down, ignoring Wanda's protective magic and striking Thor directly.

  By all logic, his mortal body should have been incinerated.

  But Thor stood tall, his head raised as lightning enveloped him. Power surged through his veins, and his simple clothing transformed. Lightning carved out his armor, covering his arms, shoulders, and legs.

  His eyes blazed with electricity as he realized his father had answered him. For a fleeting moment, he saw Odin's face in the storm, proud and approving.

  Thor's heart surged with joy. He raised his hand to the sky and cried out, "Mjolnir!"

  Bang!

  From the distant heavens, his hammer answered the call. Thunder roared as Mjolnir tore through the clouds, returning to its master's grasp in an instant.

  With the storm at his back and thunder in his veins, Thor, God of Thunder, had returned.

  "Laufey!" he roared, his voice echoing across the battlefield.

  Lightning surged around him as he soared into the sky, Mjolnir gripped tightly in his hand. The Warriors Three and Sif cheered, their spirits renewed. Thor descended like a meteor, landing in the heart of the Frost Giant army.

  Boom!

  Mjolnir struck one of the frost beasts, unleashing a torrent of thunder that rolled across the battlefield. Lightning surged in every direction, leaving Frost Giants charred and lifeless in its wake.

  With a single strike, Thor turned the tide of the battle. He swung Mjolnir again, cutting a path through the Frost Giants and freeing Sif and the Warriors Three from their attackers.

  "Thor is back!" Sif exclaimed, laughter mingling with her battle cry.

  The God of Thunder stood amidst the destruction, his hammer crackling with power. He had returned, not as the reckless prince of Asgard, but as a hero ready to fight for the world he had come to love.

  ...

  "Welcome back, Thor! We can fight together again."

  Fandral shook the axe in his hand excitedly, walked over, and gave Thor a big hug, patting his back.

  The other Asgardian warriors followed suit, their joy evident.

  "I'm glad to be with you again, my friends," Thor replied with a wide smile.

  But their reunion was cut short. Across the battlefield, the frost giants, enraged by Thor's devastating attack that had killed many of their kin, roared in fury and charged. Their bloodlust was palpable as they surged forward, intent on tearing the Asgardians apart.

  There was no time for further conversation.

  Thor and Sif turned their gaze toward the incoming threat. Thor glanced at Sergei, Pietro, and the rest of the Avengers still engaged in combat nearby. His voice boomed with determination:

  "My brothers, we brought this disaster to this world. They have fought to protect it—for us. Now it's our turn to set things right!"

  A resounding roar erupted from the Asgardian warriors, Thor's words igniting their battle spirit.

  Raising Mjolnir high, Thor charged at the frost giants, a streak of thunder splitting the sky as he led the charge. The Asgardian warriors surged forward behind him, their resolve unwavering.

  The battlefield erupted into chaos. Thor's immense power tilted the scales against the frost giants, while his thunderous strikes and sheer presence bolstered his allies.

  From the rear, Laufey, the Frost Giant king, observed the battlefield with a grim expression. Despite his army's numbers and strength, the presence of three powerhouses—Sergei, Pietro, and Thor—was wreaking havoc. To make matters worse, a white-haired woman capable of summoning lightning and a figure with lasers in his eyes continued to inflict severe damage on his forces.

  Laufey clenched his fists in frustration. He knew that continuing the fight at this rate would result in devastating losses—losses that would cripple his plans for vengeance against Asgard.

  "Loki!" Laufey growled, his voice laced with anger. His sharp eyes shifted toward Wanda, who stood less than a kilometer away, her crimson magic swirling ominously. "If you stand idly by, I'll leave this battle immediately."

  The woman had already disposed of the Destroyer with mirror magic, rendering Laufey's once-formidable weapon useless. Despite Loki's mastery of magic and the power of Gungnir, the Eternal Spear, he had been unable to break her spells.

  Loki's irritated voice echoed in Laufey's mind.

  "Shut up, Laufey. I'm working on it! Breaking that woman's magic isn't as simple as it seems."

  Laufey frowned, debating whether Loki was lying. But the immediate response convinced him otherwise. Loki might be cunning and manipulative, but he wasn't foolish enough to jeopardize their alliance entirely.

  For now, Laufey had no choice but to rely on Loki.

  Wanda, meanwhile, regarded Laufey with calm intensity. Her voice carried across the battlefield.

  "Your name is Laufey, correct? Shall we make a deal?"

  Laufey's eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering across his face. "A deal? What are you scheming, Midgardian?"

  "I know you possess something rare and powerful," Wanda replied evenly. "Give it to me, and I'll allow you and your army to leave this place alive."

  Her words struck a nerve. Laufey's face darkened, his icy breath turning the air frosty. "Do you even realize what you're saying? You dare to lecture me about arrogance after aligning with Asgardians?"

  Wanda's tone remained calm, even compassionate. "This is the best deal you'll get, Laufey. Consider it compensation for the chaos you've caused on Earth. You can withdraw with your forces intact, and we avoid unnecessary bloodshed."

  In Laufey's eyes, however, Wanda's offer was nothing short of an insult. Who was she to make such demands? He was Laufey, ruler of Jotunheim, a conqueror who had once rivaled Odin himself.

  "You'll regret this arrogance, Midgardian," Laufey snarled.

  Raising his arms, he unleashed a torrent of frost magic. The air around him grew colder, and the sky above twisted into a massive vortex of ice and snow, casting an eerie glow over the battlefield. The ground beneath them froze as the cold spread like wildfire, signaling the beginning of a deadly clash.

  ...

  "I want you all to be buried in the eternal wind and snow," Laufey declared coldly.

  Despite his weakened state, Laufey paid no heed to his condition. With a surge of determination, he activated the terrifying power contained within the Casket of Ancient Winters, unleashing a devastating wave of energy.

  The once-dormant ruler of Jotunheim, who had once stood toe-to-toe with Odin himself, now bared his fangs on Earth. The immense power of the Casket swept across the battlefield, shaking the very foundations of the world.

  Storm, whose abilities centered on controlling the sky, suddenly felt a massive disturbance. The overwhelming force disrupted her powers, and she faltered mid-air, spiraling downward. She landed ungracefully, her face pale and her breath labored.

  Jean, who had been maintaining a barrier to protect Cyclops, hurried to Storm's side. Supporting her friend with one hand, Jean asked urgently, "Are you alright, Storm?"

  Storm shook her head, her voice shaky. "Jean, my powers... they've been completely overridden by that energy."

  Jean's eyes widened. "It's him, isn't it?"

  Storm nodded grimly. "Yes. The power Laufey just released—it's beyond anything I can handle."

  Both women turned their gazes toward the battlefield, then to the darkening sky.

  The temperature dropped rapidly, plummeting below freezing within moments. The air became bitterly cold, and heavy snow began to fall relentlessly. For Laufey's frost giant army, the environment was invigorating, enhancing their combat abilities exponentially.

  However, the freezing conditions severely hindered others. Wolverine and Colossus, reliant on physical resilience, began to struggle. Logan's healing factor slowed as his body battled the frost, while Colossus's metal form grew brittle.

  Sergei and Pietro, however, remained largely unaffected. Their immense vitality allowed them to resist the cold, their blood burning hot enough to endure. Thor, Sif, and the other Asgardians also fared better, their natural resistance to extreme temperatures evident in their unyielding resolve.

  Tony Stark's MK armor, outfitted with anti-freeze materials and heating mechanisms, remained operational, though even its systems strained against the escalating cold.

  The situation grew dire as the temperature plunged to unimaginable depths. Within seconds, it had fallen below minus 40 degrees, then minus 70. The battlefield turned into a frozen wasteland.

  Jean, Cyclops, and Storm began to shiver uncontrollably. Their cheeks grew pale, frost clinging to their hair and eyelashes. The environment wasn't just affecting the immediate area—it was spreading outward, threatening to engulf the entire planet.

  Wanda, sensing the impending doom, tapped into her Chaos Magic. Through her clairvoyant abilities, she glimpsed a horrifying vision: in just one minute, the Earth's surface would be consumed by ice, leaving only a handful of lifeforms able to survive.

  Her expression darkened, her voice laced with cold fury. "You deserve to die, Laufey!"

  Wanda's kindness and restraint evaporated. The potential destruction of Earth's civilization and the loss of countless lives had crossed a line she could not tolerate.

  Her eyes glowed crimson, Chaos Magic surging around her like a blazing inferno. Without hesitation, Wanda launched herself at Laufey, her speed tearing through the air with an explosive force. A shockwave erupted as she moved, leaving a deep trench in her wake.

  As she closed the gap, a scarlet light shimmered in her hand, manifesting into a beautifully crafted cross-shaped sword. She struck with all her might, the ground trembling beneath her. The explosion of energy sent debris and frost scattering, temporarily halting the snowstorm.

  In the sky, Tony Stark hovered in his armor, his heads-up display glowing red with warning signals.

  "Sir," Jarvis's voice intoned, "the temperature has dropped below minus 100 degrees and continues to fall. The cold is spreading at an exponential rate and will envelop the entire Earth within one to two minutes."

  Tony clenched his fists. "Damn it! That lunatic is trying to kill everything on the planet!"

  Just as he finished cursing, Fury's voice crackled in his earpiece. "Stark, do something!"

  Tony growled in frustration. "I know! But I can't stop this—it's out of my league. All we can do now is hope the others can handle it."

  Below, chaos reigned. Logan and Colossus had been frozen solid, their forms encased in ice. Thor and Sif fought valiantly, but their movements had slowed, the cold finally taking its toll. Jean, Cyclops, and Storm were nearly immobilized, vulnerable to the oncoming frost giants eager to tear them apart.

  In the distance, several Quinjets froze mid-air, their engines failing. They plummeted toward the ground, their pilots powerless to stop the inevitable crash.

  Tony faced a grim choice: save the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents aboard the jets or protect his allies on the ground.

  "Damn it!" he muttered, indecision tearing at him.

  Meanwhile, Wanda pressed forward, but she soon realized she had underestimated Laufey's power. As she neared, the biting cold intensified. Her momentum slowed, her Chaos Magic struggling against the frigid air.

  Just ten meters from Laufey, she found herself unable to advance further. The Frost King stood, surrounded by a swirling vortex of azure energy. His scarlet eyes glared at her with malevolent triumph as he held the Casket aloft.

  "Arrogant Midgardian," Laufey hissed. "You and your kind will perish in your hubris. Let this ice be your tomb."

  ...

  The S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters was in chaos.

  Nick Fury and his team had been closely monitoring the battle in the small town, but no one had anticipated it would escalate to this level, threatening the entire world.

  "Sir, the freezing air is spreading globally with the town as the epicenter," an agent reported grimly.

  "Cities and sea areas along the way are all frozen. We estimate we have less than twenty seconds before it reaches us."

  The agent's voice was bitter, reflecting the hopelessness of the situation. Around them, the temperature plummeted. Although S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters had measures to handle low temperatures, the sudden and extreme drop rendered them useless. Twenty seconds was too short for any contingency.

  The end had arrived.

  No one had expected it—not today, not ever. Nick Fury, hands clasped behind his back, stood silently in front of the big screen, his expression inscrutable. Was he reflecting on the past, regretting missed opportunities, or simply resigned? None could tell.

  Agents around him stood still, staring at the screen, waiting for the icy embrace of death.

  "Director..."

  Maria Hill, ever composed, stood beside Fury. Frost clung to her short black hair and brows. Her voice, though trembling, remained steady. "Do you believe in miracles?"

  Fury allowed a faint smirk. "Hill, do you believe in miracles?"

  Before she could respond, the icy wave of death that had consumed everything in its path suddenly halted. The entire world seemed to pause. The frost, which had begun to consume New York City, retreated as if rewound by an invisible hand. Frozen buildings, vehicles, and people thawed, their movements resuming as though waking from a nightmare.

  All across the city—and indeed, the world—confusion reigned. People emerged from their frost-covered cars and homes, blinking in disbelief.

  At S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, agents voiced their bewilderment.

  "What just happened?"

  "Wasn't this supposed to be the end?"

  "Look! Look at the screen!"

  Their chatter ceased as they turned their attention to the main monitor. There, a single figure appeared amidst the snowy chaos. He stood amidst the battlefield, glowing with an aura of golden light that banished despair and cast hope across the frozen landscape.

  Nick Fury straightened, brushing non-existent frost from his coat. A flicker of recognition crossed his face. "He's here," he said softly, as though confirming a long-held belief.

  Hill, her voice filled with awe, whispered, "Sir, is that... him?"

  Fury nodded. "Leon."

  In the snow-covered town, the Frost Giants roared in celebration, convinced of their victory. Thor, Sif, and the remaining Avengers looked on in despair as their comrades lay frozen. The Frost Giants' triumph was cut short, however, as the figure on the screen materialized beside Laufey, King of the Frost Giants.

  Leon.

  His arrival was like the sun piercing through an eternal winter. His presence radiated a divine power that stilled the battlefield. Frost that had engulfed the world was reversed, retreating back into the Casket of Ancient Winters.

  Floating effortlessly, Leon reached out with an iron grip and seized Laufey by the throat, lifting the Frost King as though he were weightless.

  Laufey struggled in disbelief, his scarlet eyes wide with shock. "Who... who are you?" he croaked, his voice trembling with fear and rage.

  Before Leon could respond, Wanda's voice, tinged with relief and a touch of indignation, cut through the frigid air. "Leon~~~!" she called, her tone both grateful and chiding.

  Leon's expression softened briefly as he glanced at her, then turned his attention back to Laufey. His voice was calm, unyielding, and carried the weight of absolute authority.

  "You disturbed my tea time, Laufey."

  ...

  Laufey had never imagined that since his war with Odin, he would one day find himself in such a humiliating situation.

  The young man before him radiated an unfathomable power, completely severing his connection to the Casket of Ancient Winters. Laufey, the King of Jotunheim, could no longer wield the artifact's power. It was unthinkable—even Odin had not been able to achieve such a feat.

  Who was this man? How could such a backward world, as Laufey perceived Midgard to be, produce warriors so far beyond his comprehension? A sinking realization struck him: he had underestimated Midgard, as had all of Jotunheim.

  "We have always underestimated this world," Laufey admitted, his deep voice resonating despite his vulnerable position. Leon's iron grip on his throat rendered him powerless, yet Laufey maintained the dignity befitting a king.

  "When a god rules the world," Laufey continued, "he seldom considers lesser civilizations worthy of notice. Arrogance and confidence... there is only a fine line between them."

  Leon's calm, steady gaze seemed to pierce through Laufey's very being. His voice was low, but it carried a weight that silenced everything around him. "It's normal for you to play your games, Laufey, but you crossed the line."

  The line was clear to everyone—Leon, Laufey, and all those who watched in awe.

  Leon's presence left no doubt: he was a force far beyond comprehension, a master who had been quietly watching the world from the shadows. To him, this war was nothing more than a child's play. But Laufey's hubris—his attempt to freeze the entire Earth—had provoked Leon to act.

  On the battlefield below, Thor, Sif, and the Warriors Three gazed up at the distant sky where Leon hovered, his golden aura illuminating the heavens. Volstagg, his body covered in wounds, muttered to his companions, "Odin's beard... Why does Midgard feel so different from what we remember?"

  "It's more formidable than many of the realms we've encountered," agreed Fandral, stroking his meticulously groomed mustache.

  Thor, watching the events unfold, spoke with rare solemnity. "Perhaps we have been blind. We've clung to the glories of the past and ignored the miracles of the present. This world continues to give rise to forces beyond our imagination."

  His voice softened as he added, "His name is Leon. He is Wanda's leader and a guardian of immeasurable power. He once expelled the master of Hell himself. We owe him the utmost respect."

  Volstagg chuckled nervously. "Don't worry, Thor. I'll show him plenty of respect. After all, I'd rather not have my timeline reversed and end up back in my mother's womb!"

  Sif, standing resolutely among the Frost Giants frozen in place, rested her sword on the ground and looked skyward. Her eyes shone with admiration. "He is powerful... and striking," she murmured.

  Asgardians, whether male or female, respected strength above all. And in Leon, Sif saw the perfect embodiment of power, aesthetics, and presence.

  Her admiration did not go unnoticed. The Warriors Three exchanged amused glances, but Thor merely laughed. "If Sif were to wed him," Thor joked, "it would surely be a tale for the ages—a bond between Asgard and Midgard that would live on in legend."

  Sif rolled her eyes, though she was long accustomed to Thor's banter.

  Meanwhile, Laufey, still held in Leon's grip, spoke calmly despite his dire situation. "So," he said, "as the victor, what will you do with us?"

  The answer was clear. Laufey and his army were utterly defeated, their fate now in Leon's hands. Having long accepted the harsh realities of strength and power, Laufey awaited his judgment with surprising composure.

  Before Leon could speak, Wanda floated forward, her graceful movements captivating. With a flick of her wrist, the Casket of Ancient Winters slipped from Laufey's grasp and into her hand.

  "This will make a fine prize," she said, inspecting the artifact with a mix of glee and disdain. Though she appreciated its power, she found its bulky design distasteful. "Perhaps I'll rework it into something more elegant... like the Eye of Agamotto."

  Laufey's expression turned blank, his spirit seemingly crushed. The ancient artifact, which he had only just regained, had been snatched away before he could even wield it properly. His numbness gave way to a calm acceptance.

  Leon's voice broke the silence. "Keisha."

  A mechanical hum filled the air as Leon issued his command. "Amplify capacity output. Target coordinates: Frost Giant forces. Execute judgment."

  Golden light engulfed Laufey and the 80,000 Frost Giants below. Their bodies glowed as an intense heat, like the heart of the sun, radiated from within. One by one, the Frost Giants ignited, their icy essence turned to fuel for the flames consuming them.

  Laufey remained still in Leon's grasp, meeting his end with dignity. The Frost Giants' roars of agony echoed across the battlefield, and soon, they were reduced to nothing but ash carried away by the wind.

  Leon, silent and unmoved, released Laufey's remains. The ashes scattered like forgotten memories.

  Wanda, clutching the Casket of Ancient Winters, smiled faintly. "Another problem solved," she said softly.

  The battlefield fell silent once more, save for the whispers of awe and fear from those who had witnessed Leon's overwhelming power. The storm had passed, but its memory would remain.

  It was a reminder that Midgard was far from a simple, insignificant realm.