Although the town was small, it was still home to thousands of residents.
Evacuating an entire population at once created chaos — a mess of honking cars, shouting officers, crying children, and people rushing desperately in all directions.
The noise echoed through the dusty streets, amplifying the panic.
In the midst of the commotion, Thor stood frozen, his blue eyes wide with dread.
His gaze was locked on the figure marching steadily toward the town — the Destroyer.
"Thor! Thor, move!"
Jane Foster clutched his muscular arm, trying to pull him back.
Her heart raced with fear.
Only a short time ago had they even confessed their feelings for one another, and now it seemed disaster had come to rip it all apart.
Meanwhile, Daisy, Jane's ever-blunt assistant, frowned and squinted at the towering metallic monster.
"Whoa. What is that thing? Some kind of Stark tech gone rogue? Or a weapon from some shady terrorist group?" she muttered, not fully grasping the seriousness of the situation yet.
Dr. Selvig, the older physicist, looked far more concerned.
"It doesn't matter what it is. We have to leave now!" he barked.
But Thor remained rooted to the spot.
His voice was low, heavy with realization.
"It's the Destroyer," he said.
"One of the greatest weapons ever forged by the craftsmen of Asgard... by order of my father."
And then, a name slipped from his lips, heavy with betrayal:
"Loki."
Jane stared at him, confused and worried.
She didn't understand the full meaning of what Thor was saying — but she could feel it was something serious.
Thor gently removed Jane's hand from his arm and turned to her.
He gazed at her as if trying to memorize her face forever.
"Jane," he said softly, his voice rough with emotion, "wherever I go, it will follow. The Destroyer's power is enough to wipe out this entire town."
He cupped her face tenderly.
"I love you," he whispered.
"I finally understand what my father meant. This... this is my burden to bear. You — and everyone here — must not be caught in it."
Jane's heart twisted painfully.
She shook her head, tears welling in her eyes.
"We can go together," she pleaded.
Thor gave a sad, grateful smile.
His time living among mortals had taught him so much — about kindness, humility, and love.
But he couldn't let these innocent people suffer because of him.
He opened his mouth to reply—
Fwoom!
A blinding beam of rainbow light shot down from the sky a few streets away.
The ground trembled slightly under the impact.
Everyone — Jane, Daisy, Selvig, Thor — turned toward the light in shock.
Out of the shimmering beam stepped four figures.
As the light faded, they became clear:
Three men and one woman, all clad in shining armor, bearing weapons of a style no human army carried.
They looked like they had stepped straight out of an ancient epic.
"W-What the hell?" Daisy stammered, her voice barely more than a squeak.
Selvig's jaw dropped.
Even Jane could only stare, wide-eyed.
Thor's reaction was different.
His face lit up with pure joy.
"Sif! Volstagg! Fandral! Hogun!" he shouted.
The four Asgardians rushed toward him, and they exchanged quick, fierce hugs.
The reunion was emotional, but the urgency of the situation didn't allow it to linger.
Sif and the Warriors Three turned toward the approaching menace — and their expressions hardened instantly.
"Damn it," Fandral cursed under his breath.
"The Destroyer."
"Loki," Volstagg growled, his thick beard bristling with anger.
"He sent it after you."
Thor's heart sank.
He looked between them, confused.
"Loki? But he told me... Father is dead."
Sif shook her head sharply.
"No. Odin isn't dead. He's fallen into the Odinsleep — a deep slumber to heal his power. Loki lied to you, Thor."
Thor staggered slightly, as if the ground had shifted beneath his feet.
His fists clenched at his sides.
So much deception.
So much betrayal.
But now wasn't the time to mourn.
The Destroyer loomed closer with every second.
Thor turned to his friends, determination burning in his eyes.
"I don't care about the throne," he said firmly.
"If Loki wants it, he can have it. I have no interest in ruling Asgard."
Sif shook her head sadly.
"You don't understand," she said.
"Loki doesn't just want the throne. He wants you dead."
Thor looked at her, then at the Destroyer steadily marching toward them.
He understood.
"I have no divine power now," he said quietly.
"You cannot defeat the Destroyer without risking your lives. This is between Loki and me. Let me face him."
There was silence for a moment.
Even Sif, the fiercest of warriors, had no words.
She saw it clearly now:
Thor had truly changed.
He had finally become the man worthy of being king.
Vroooom—!
The sudden roar of an engine tore through the heavy atmosphere.
Everyone turned.
A sleek, matte-black motorcycle sped down the street and came to a perfect halt in front of the group.
Seated astride it was a striking figure — a young woman in black leather armor, with golden hair tied back, and eyes that gleamed like emerald fire.
Bella.
She swung one leg off the bike and stood effortlessly, her gaze fixed calmly on the distant Destroyer.
The light wind tugged at her jacket and hair, giving her an almost surreal, heroic aura.
Thor's mouth dropped open slightly.
He was struck dumb — not just by her beauty, but by the sheer, palpable force of presence she radiated.
It was like standing before a wild, untamable storm.
"Miss, it's dangerous here, you should—" Thor began, moving forward gallantly.
Before he could finish, Bella interrupted coldly:
"You should leave immediately."
Her tone brooked no argument.
Thor froze, completely thrown off.
Jane and Daisy couldn't help but snicker behind their hands.
Even Sif hid a smile.
For once, the always-dignified Thor was utterly outclassed.
Boom—!
Without warning, a blinding beam of superheated energy tore through the air, heading straight for them.
"Scatter!" Sif shouted.
The Asgardians moved instinctively to shield Thor.
The civilians froze — unable to react in time.
Bella didn't move.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, calculating.
Thor's heart jumped into his throat.
"Loki, no!" he roared, helpless.
He could already see it — the brilliant, beautiful girl being burned away before his eyes—
But in the next instant, something incredible happened.
Bella raised one hand.
The scorching energy beam — a force strong enough to level buildings — halted midair.
Golden ripples exploded outward from her palm, forming a shimmering barrier.
The beam split, refracting around her harmlessly, tearing into the empty sky behind her.
The shockwave blew dust and debris outward, but Bella stood firm, her hair fluttering like a battle flag.
Everyone stared.
Even the seasoned warriors of Asgard.
Even Thor.
Even the Destroyer itself seemed to pause.
Bella lowered her hand slowly.
She smiled — a dangerous, thrilling smile.
"You're going to regret that," she said softly, her voice carrying easily over the stunned silence.
The Destroyer took another thunderous step forward.
Bella rolled her neck, cracking her knuckles.
The real battle was about to begin.
___________________________________
Get membership in patreon to read more chapters
Extra chapters available in patreon
patreon.com/Dragonscribe31