"The end of destiny?"
Kagura's golden eyes blinked in confusion.
She had no memory of any weapon like that existing in the Marvel Universe.
"That's right," Eitri confirmed, his voice serious. "This weapon was sealed deep within Nidavellir the moment its design was completed. Until today, no one has ever drawn it out. No one has ever dared forge it."
As he spoke, he moved the holographic projection from the stone slab toward Kagura.
"The reason is simple—no one has ever been able to wield its power. Not even Thanos. But you can. Because you are the one who dares to challenge fate."
The holographic interface in front of Kagura shimmered and shifted, revealing the image of an ethereal, shapeless blade.
Its name was: The Heartless Blade.
Seeing the puzzled look on Kagura's face, Eitri let out a long sigh and began recounting the story behind this mysterious weapon.
"This weapon wasn't designed by dwarves," he said. "It was born from the will of the universe itself."
"Ages ago, when the Neutron Star Forge was first lit, this slab—sealed with the Heartless Blade—was created, delivered into dwarven hands by four Supreme Deities."
"The Heartless Blade can only be forged once. Its materials are unique. No other combination of elements could ever replicate it."
"And it isn't made from ordinary metal. Its components are: a half-blade from the Norns' scissors… thread from their spindle… the pointer of the cosmic scale… the reverse scale of Jörmungandr… the horn of Nidhogg… and the first light that shone at the birth of the universe."
"The gods gave us no further instructions—only one line of prophecy."
Eitri paused, his eyes fixed on Kagura, then spoke solemnly:
"This blade shall be forged only once.
Its wielder must be one who commands the power of the Infinity Stones—
and possesses the will to alter destiny itself."
"Lady Kagura," he said, "I believe you are the one destined to wield the Heartless Blade."
"…So, what kind of weapon is it, exactly?"
It all sounded incredibly impressive, but Kagura was still a bit lost on what the blade actually did.
"This weapon can take whatever form you desire—longsword, dagger, greatsword, axe, scythe… whatever you wish."
"But no matter what form it takes," Eitri continued, "you must remember one thing—it can only strike three times."
"Three times? Only three?"
"That's right," Eitri said, eyes filled with reverence as he gazed upon the ancient slab holding the mold, as though worshipping it.
"The first strike—tears through all creation."
"No material, no defense, no power—not even the Power Stone—can withstand it.
It will even unravel the Infinity Stones themselves."
"The second strike—cleaves through the world."
"Time, space, reality, causality… all conceptual constructs fall before it."
"The third strike—severs the future."
"It can erase possible futures from the multiverse at their root, altering fate itself according to the wielder's will."
"…That… sounds a little too powerful." Kagura's expression froze as a bead of sweat slid down her cheek.
Eitri's overly grandiose explanation was beginning to overwhelm her.
"So uh… what happens if someone tries to strike a fourth time?"
Eitri's face darkened.
He spoke with weight in his voice: "Lady Kagura… I strongly advise you never to do that."
"To activate the Heartless Blade requires energy that dwarfs even the Infinity Stones."
"Once its three strikes are spent, anyone who attempts to use it again will be consumed—turned to ash in an instant."
Eitri pointed to the empty space at the heart of the blade's mold.
"That's why it's called the Heartless Blade. Its core was lost long ago, and the residual power left in the mold is only enough for three strikes."
"Hmm…"
Kagura furrowed her brows in thought. "So basically… this weapon's 'power source' is gone, and all we've got left is what's inside the 'battery,' meaning I can only swing it three times, right?"
"Exactly! That's a perfect analogy, Lady Kagura."
Eitri nodded, then turned to send the mold of the Heartless Blade into the Neutron Star Forge.
"I have one more question, Eitri," Kagura said, her voice a bit more serious. "What was the original core of the Heartless Blade?"
At her question, Eitri fell silent.
After a long pause, he spoke in a low, grave tone:
"Lady Kagura… you needn't trouble yourself searching for its core."
"Because even the Supreme Gods… fear it."
"Before its power, the Infinity Stones are nothing more than children's toys. Something like that… I imagine the Supreme Gods have long since erased it from existence."
"But I suppose it doesn't matter if I tell you. Just think of it as a legend—something you'll never truly touch."
"The original core of the Heartless Blade… had a name."
"Its name—was the Heart of the Universe."
—So that's what it was!
Kagura's eyes widened in realization.
Now it all made sense.
To sever all matter. To cleave through abstract concepts. To cut down the very future itself.
Such divine, reality-shattering power was likely beyond even the Infinity Stones.
But in the Marvel universe, there did exist forces that surpassed the Infinity Stones—beings who stood at the absolute peak of cosmic authority.
Entities like Infinity, Eternity, Death, and Entropy—the four supreme Primordial Celestials, beings who existed beyond all timelines, all dimensions, and all rules of reality.
To them, snuffing out Dormammu would be as effortless as crushing an ant.
And yet, the Heart of the Universe was something even they feared.
It was the essence of the multiverse, the fundamental source of all Marvel universes.
It wasn't merely above the gods—it transcended even the concepts that defined gods.
Yikes…
Realizing this, Kagura couldn't help but shake her head.
This so-called "gift" from the dwarves was starting to feel a little too overpowered.
I'm just a cute little humanoid girl trying to slap Thanos around and enjoy a chill, semi-retired life back on Earth!
I-I'm not here to kill gods or reshape creation itself!
So yeah…
Definitely better not to go around fantasizing about wielding the Heart of the Universe. Nope.
Bad idea.
As she gazed upon the Heartless Blade, slowly being forged into reality, Kagura's golden eyes narrowed with solemn determination.
She whispered to herself:
"No matter what… this blade carries the weight of the entire Marvel universe.
I'll have to wield it with extreme care."
"First strike—tears through all creation.
Second strike—cleaves through the world.
Third strike—severs the future."
Kagura etched Eitri's words into her memory.
"And above all… I'll use this blade to carve out the ending I truly wish for."
And with that—
The weapon was complete.
All preparations were done.
Next stop: the Realm of the Gods—Asgard.