Chapter 50: Illusions

Aboard a ship bound for Knowhere, the sanctuary of the Collector, four Asgardians traveled together: Thor, Loki, Sif, and Volstagg.

Thor was sleeping soundly when a sudden deceleration threw him to the ground, ripping him from his slumber.

"What's going on?" he asked groggily, sitting up.

"We've arrived," Volstagg replied without even looking back.

"Already?" Thor repeated, scratching his head. "Wasn't it supposed to take at least another day, even with spatial distortion thrusters?"

"Maybe our coordinates were off," said Sif. "Asgard hasn't had contact with these corners of the universe for centuries."

"Are we sure it's Knowhere?"

The question only earned him a look of ridicule and disappointment from the other three. Thor lowered his gaze, embarrassed.

Because even in an infinite cosmos, Knowhere was unmistakable.

A celestial's severed head turned into a space station.

"So... what are we waiting for?" Thor tried to redeem himself.

But no one answered. They just descended.

The planet was shrouded in darkness, with no sign of natural light. Yet it teemed with life. Criminals, mercenaries, and creatures from the galaxy's farthest reaches mingled in lawless chaos. Knowhere wasn't just a black market. It was a place where the universe's rules bent… or were bought.

Loki frowned as he surveyed the area. Thor noticed.

"What's wrong?"

Loki hesitated a second before shaking his head.

"Nothing. Let's go."

Thor looked at him suspiciously but decided not to press.

Following Odin's instructions, they reached the meeting point.

Upon entering, they were greeted by a tiny bald being, save for a few wild hairs, dressed in formal butler's attire.

"What do you want?" he asked with a raspy voice.

"We're here to see the Collector. We have an appointment."

"Dobby will guide you. Follow Dobby."

And without another word, the little one turned and began walking with an odd gait. The Asgardians followed silently.

They passed through several winding corridors until they reached a back room. There, waiting for them, was the man himself.

The Collector.

He appeared to be in his forties, with perfectly styled white hair, dark eye makeup, and a black line running from his lip to his chin.

"Asgardians," he greeted with theatrical flair. "I am Taneleer Tivan. The Collector."

He gave an exaggerated bow.

"It is an honor to host you. What brings you here?"

Thor stepped forward.

"You know why we've come."

The Collector nodded, pleased.

"I do. Do you have it with you?"

Thor pulled the orb from within his tunic and displayed it.

"Magnificent… An Infinity Stone. But why give up something so valuable?"

"We already have one on Earth. It's dangerous to keep more than one in the same place," Volstagg answered.

The Collector studied them for a moment... then slowly nodded.

"A wise decision. I appreciate the gesture."

He turned and began walking away, as if the conversation were over.

But one of them stayed behind. Loki.

The god of lies had been watching him carefully the whole time. He took a step forward.

"You understand how dangerous these stones are, don't you?"

The Collector turned, surprised by the interruption.

"Of course."

"If someone were to gather them all..."

"It would be catastrophic, yes. But don't worry," he said with a confident smile. "They're safe with me."

Loki stared at him a moment longer... then simply turned to follow the others.

"I'll trust you" he said before leaving.

The comment left the group puzzled, but no one responded.

They exited. Boarded their ship. And departed.

Once the vessel left the atmosphere, it jumped to hyperspeed, vanishing in a flash.

And at that very moment, Knowhere ceased to exist.

The entire planet collapsed in silence, revealing a perfect illusion. Only two figures remained, floating in the stellar void.

The butler transformed, revealing Leonardo.

"Did he recognize you?"

Wanda nodded with a tired smile.

"He taught me magic. Of course he'd recognize me. But... he trusts me."

Leonardo looked at her with concern. Even though she had improved her magic with the scepter and received her future powers, creating an illusion of such magnitude came at a cost.

Of course it was a hollow planet—hollow in every sense. The path was constructed, and the surroundings were essentially magical 3D screens. But even so, the scale remained immense.

Wanda simply nodded and handed him the stone.

"Let's go."

Leonardo opened a portal, but Wanda paused for a moment, staring at the infinite emptiness surrounding them.

"What is it?"

"It's just... this place feels sad. Too empty."

Leonardo watched her silently before responding:

"Solitude can be a paradise... for some."

"Who would want to live like that?"

"Someone who's running from themselves. Someone who doesn't want to see what they can't change. Someone for whom company hurts more than loneliness."

His words hung in the air. Wanda didn't know what to say.

They both stepped through the portal. And vanished.

---

Millions of kilometers away, another ship waited.

Inside, Proxima Midnight and Ebony Maw.

She, impatient, holding her spear.

"Are they going to take much longer?"

Ebony frowned.

"Something's off. They should've passed through here hours ago."

"You think something happened to them?"

"They're Asgardians. If anything did, only Thanos himself could be responsible."

Proxima scoffed.

"So we were given false intel?"

"Impossible. The Skrulls have been feeding us information since before the Chitauri invasion. They're too involved to back out now, and we're their only link to the rest of the universe. If they betray us, they'll isolate themselves completely. It would be suicide. Especially since they're planning a move soon."

"Then... what happened?"

Ebony remained silent.

"I don't know. But I hope they haven't interfered again."

"That damned seer... I swear I'll tear him apart one day" Proxima muttered.

---

On Earth, in a SHIELD office, Tony Stark spoke with Fury.

"And?"

"Nothing," Fury replied, frustrated. "Even though we knew when they'd arrive... we couldn't detect them."

"See? Earth's exposed. Greenlight my project and that changes."

Fury sighed.

"Fine, Stark. How long will it take?"

Tony grinned.

"With my genius and your resources... a few months. By next year, we'll have a planetary shield. Literally."

Fury nodded, taking a moment.

"SHIELD will support you. Do it."

Tony leaned back in his chair, satisfied.

"Don't worry. By this time next year... Earth will have its own armor against alien invasions."

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