Chapter 49-The Stolen Power

The Bifrost's light faded as Odin materialized in Asgard's war room, his golden armor scorched from battle. Thor, Loki, and Heimdall turned as one, their faces etched with urgency.

**"Father,"** Thor growled, Mjolnir crackling in his grip. **"The demon's forces mass at Yggdrasil's roots. How do we break them?"**

Odin's lone eye burned like a dying star as he opened his remaining hand.

**Purple energy** erupted, casting monstrous shadows across the hall. The Power Stone throbbed in his palm, its energy making the very air vibrate.

Loki's smirk vanished. **"Where did you get that Father?"**

**"From the ruins of Morag,"** Odin corrected, his voice gravel rough. **"This is the key to Víðarr's salvation... and the murderer's end."**

Heimdall's golden eyes narrowed. **"At what cost, Allfather?"**

The Gem pulsed in answer.

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The Dark Quadrant's command ship tore through space, its hull bleeding shadows.

Ebony Maw knelt before Lin Fan's throne, his voice trembling with excitement. **"My lord, our spies confirmed it—the Power Gem rests on Morag, in ruins older than the Kree Empire."**

Lin Fan's fingers drummed against his armrest. **"And Odin?"**

**"Distracted,"** Maw assured. **"His forces still reel from our attack on Vanaheim."**

A wormhole ripped open.

They arrived to find the vault **already breached**, its defenses shattered by brute force. The stone pedestal stood empty, fresh scorch marks radiating from its center.

Lin Fan crouched, pressing his palm to the warm stone. The Mind Gem flared—

—and time **rewound**.

The vision showed Odin appearing in a flash of gold, his missing arm glaringly obvious as he wrenched the Gem free. But what chilled even Maw was the Allfather's **whispered plea** to the stone:

*"Take my years, my blood, my soul—but bring my son home."*

The projection shattered.

Lin Fan rose slowly, his pink flesh rippling with dark veins.

**"Summon the Legion,"** he murmured. **"We sail for Asgard at once."**

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