203

Young Thanos

There always existed a local imbalance on the battlefield. Forseti held a significant advantage over the Eternals, yet there were areas where the Eternals held sway.

A hooked-nosed Eternal galloped across the battlefield. Unarmed, each punch from this figure could claim the life of an Asgardian soldier.

"Boom!" Another Asgardian fell to the hooked nose of the sweet potato-skinned Eternal.

His fists were unnaturally sharp, able to pierce armor as if corroded by some unknown force rather than sheer strength.

Beside him, an Asgardian recruit trembled, unwilling to engage. With a sneer, the hooked nose chased and grabbed the recruit's arm, a faint light emanating from his grip.

"Ah—" The recruit screamed as his skin peeled away, agonizingly corroded by the touch.

Seemingly savoring the torment, the hooked nose continued for a half-minute until interrupted by a flashing sword, which swiftly ended the recruit's suffering.

Frowning, the hooked nose turned to see a tall clansman casually flicking blood off his blade.

This figure, unusually muscular and towering, still retained youthful facial features, unlike the red-skinned Eternals—his skin tinged with purple, reminiscent of a purple potato.

"Thanos, you've spoiled my fun," the hooked nose grumbled.

Thanos remained composed. "As recompense, I'll teach you a new phrase."

"What phrase?"

"Low taste." With that, Thanos departed.

The hooked nose pondered. "Low taste, low taste..."

Suddenly, he grasped the meaning, shouting after Thanos, "When we meet again on Titan, you'll see!"

...

Forseti swung Antusur's hand, sparks flying as lightning surged through enemies, his eyes surveying the battlefield.

Suddenly, a purple flash caught his attention.

Purple Eternal?

As far as Forseti knew, only one figure in the Marvel universe fit that description—Thanos!

Turning, Forseti spotted a towering, mighty Eternal with purple skin, clad in heavy armor and wielding a fan-shaped blade.

This purple-skinned man—none other than Thanos!

Still over 2,300 years from his rise to power, Thanos appeared youthful, even adolescent.

But young as he was, Thanos already displayed formidable strength. Though his exact status as an Eternal remained unclear, his power rivaled that of a first-tier god, easily overpowering ordinary soldiers.

Forseti wasted no time, summoning Judgment's hammer to strike Thanos from behind.

Thanos staggered but swiftly recovered, his helmet dislodged to reveal a bald head.

He gripped his double-edged sword, eyeing Forseti warily.

Observing Thanos, Forseti felt as if he were studying a rare creature—a glimpse into the future Thanos.

Clearly irked by the scrutiny, Thanos charged, sword swinging.

"Qiang!" Forseti parried with his shield, countering with Antusur's hand.

"Crack!"

Thunder and fire erupted as Antusur's hand clashed with Thanos's blade, forcing him back.

Forseti's right hand unleashed holy light, blinding Thanos momentarily.

Unexpectedly, Thanos recovered swiftly, blinking away the effects.

Justice's hammer!

"Qiang!" Forseti struck with Judgment's hammer, Antusur's hand countering Thanos's broadsword with thunderous force.

Stunned by the hammer's blow, Thanos staggered, allowing Forseti to press his advantage with a relentless assault.

"Clang clang clang!"

Thanos retreated, eventually backing against a massive stone wall, deflecting Forseti's onslaught.

"Boom!"

After a series of exchanges, Forseti's Justice hammer struck true, knocking Thanos airborne, crashing through the stone wall.

Though battered, Thanos struggled to his feet, bloodied but defiant as he faced Forseti.

Surprised by Thanos's resilience, Forseti recognized the youth's formidable physique. Despite taking a direct hit from Judgment's hammer, Thanos stood firm.

He must be dealt with swiftly.

Though hesitant to alter history drastically, Forseti deemed Thanos too dangerous to be left unchecked.

Gripping hammer and shield, Forseti moved to end Thanos.

Hammer of Judgment, Sword of Justice!

The Judgment hammer flew, Antusur's hand striking the ground simultaneously.

Thanos, knocked down by the Judgment hammer, was pierced in the thigh by the Sword of Justice, screaming in pain.

Drawing close, Forseti raised Antusur's hand high, holy light gleaming as he aimed for Thanos's exposed forehead.

Justice's hammer!

Death to Thanos!

Suddenly, a streak of light flashed across the sky with a deafening roar, plummeting earthward.

Thanos rolled, and Forseti, sensing danger, swiftly retreated.

"Boom!"

A colossal sword crashed between Forseti and Thanos, its gleaming blade reflecting their figures amid a tremor.

Godslayer!

Forseti paled, drenched in cold sweat. Had he not stepped back, he might have perished alongside Thanos.

Already far from Asgard, the battleground where gods and Odin clashed could still be struck. The sword's timely arrival had thwarted Forseti's bid to end Thanos.

Was this fate?

Hurriedly circumventing the giant sword, Forseti watched as Thanos staggered into the distance.

Before he could pursue, a torrent of flames erupted from the sky nearby, their inferno revealing an Eternal's supernatural prowess.

This figure, with short gray hair, exuded youthful strength, his gaze chilling as he addressed Forseti. "Asgardian, I am your opponent now."