[Alchemy Formula: Punishment Distortion]
"Damn it, looks like we can't wait for reinforcements." The other gritted his teeth and hammered the console. "Prepare to evacuate!"
As he spoke, he hurried to leave the room and head towards the escape ship.
"Boom!" At that moment, a dazzling golden rainbow pierced through the floor of the command room from below, illuminating Forseti's figure. Holy light wings gleamed behind him.
"How did you—" The other recoiled in horror.
Commander Chitauri, skilled in deception, wondered how he had pinpointed the command room's location so quickly, disrupting their evacuation plan.
In truth, he had identified the core position of the command ship early on, easily seen through obstacles with the Eye of Reckoning.
The most formidable creature aboard was the sixth-level Black Dwarf. Additionally, the energies and sins of the Chitauri commander and others were significantly higher than typical Chitauri, making them conspicuous.
Facing his sudden appearance, Black Dwarf stood firm compared to the others, who were timid.
Gripping his axe tightly, he shouted triumphantly, "Perfect timing, Asgardian! My axe thirsts for battle!"
Seeing Black Dwarf's readiness, the other quickly commanded, "Stop him, Black Dwarf!"
But Black Dwarf charged regardless.
"Taste the might of the Black Dwarf!" With a swing of his giant axe, he roared towards Rowe, shattering the metal floor beneath him with sheer force.
Rowe's right hand met his, effortlessly catching the axe.
"What!" Black Dwarf's eyes widened. He couldn't believe his had stopped him single-handedly, nor that his hand remained unscathed.
But Sulfuron's power exceeded expectations. Rowe's grip shattered the battle axe with a crisp "snap," and flames erupted from his palm, engulfing Black Dwarf.
"Ahhhh!" Black Dwarf screamed in agony, crashing into the walls as flames consumed him.
The torment didn't last long.
Under the searing blaze, Black Dwarf swiftly succumbed, his eyes freezing over as he fell.
Noticing Black Dwarf's final gaze, Forseti turned to the screen where Thanos's projection loomed.
The purple, potato-like figure stared silently at Forseti through the screen before speaking in his deep voice, "I remember you from the battle in Asgard."
Forseti smiled. "I thought you might have forgotten."
Thanos replied evenly, "My first defeat was thanks to you. I won't forget that."
Forseti added, "And now I'll give you another gift—your ultimate defeat."
Thanos's expression darkened. "Is Asgard prepared to face the Dark Quadrant to the bitter end?"
"At the very least, I am," Forseti affirmed.
After a brief pause, Thanos nodded curtly. "Very well."
With that, Thanos's image vanished from the screen...
All seven Leviathan beasts lay destroyed, the command ship's core obliterated, and Black Dwarf slain in battle.
A few defeated soldiers scrambled about, but they posed no significant threat to the Ravagers Corps.
After tending to the wounded, Forseti found a quiet spot to rest, consulting the holy deed. There, he discovered an unexpected reward from Black Dwarf's demise: a special alchemy formula.
[Alchemy Formula: Punishment Distortion]
[Item Level: Level 6]
[Explanation: Punishment Distortion is a punitive elixir. When applied to a sinner, there's a chance their sins will manifest as cancer throughout their body. Following cancer onset, the sinner loses all powers and dies within months to years. Ineffective against beings of Level 9 or higher. ]
[Main Ingredients: Blackmouth Oil, Heather, Purple Lotus, Mountain Blood, Originium Powder, Distortion]
This potion intrigued Forseti. Its potential to afflict evil beings below Level 9 with terminal cancer, albeit probabilistically, promised significant impact.
Moreover, five of the six ingredients were readily available. While the first four could substitute with Vibranium, the final component stumped him.
Distortion? What could that be?
The formula's vague description left Rowe skeptical. Perhaps cancerous tissue could substitute, though it seemed unreliable.
Lost in thought, Rowe was approached by Star Eagle and Yondu, expressing gratitude for Asgard's aid.
During their conversation, Star Eagle hesitated, finally voicing a request. "Forgive my audacity, but as Odin's sun god, do you know of any means to lift the curse binding us? To sever our union and live as two separate individuals?"
Yondu interjected, "This will strip you of your current power. Have you considered that? Personally, I think the union has its advantages..."
"It has none," Star Eagle insisted. "We've sought to end this bond for years, but found no way. Perhaps the gods of Asgard could help."
Forseti pondered. "Your situation is unfamiliar to me, and Asgard might not have the solution. However, I know someone—a formidable sorcerer—who may be able to break such a curse."
"Who is she?" Kruger asked.
As Forseti was about to reply, he noticed Kruger's lack of a mouth, prompting him to change the subject. "Kruger, forgive my curiosity, but how do you speak without a mouth?"
"I have a mouth, but it's not visible," Kruger explained.
Forseti was taken aback but continued, "As for the sorcerer, she is the most skilled I know. She may hold the answer to your curse."
Kruger seemed intrigued by the mention of magic and pressed on, eager for more details.
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