Chapter 55: CHAPTER 55
Thor roared angrily, desiring to grip Mjolnir in his hand, ready to confront Rhodes.
"Ah...."
However, when Rhodes beckoned with his right hand, Mjolnir swiftly flew into Rhodes's grasp, and he promptly hurled Mjolnir back.
Boom...
Mjolnir struck Thor's head, leaving Thor momentarily stunned, his own hammer inflicting harm upon him.
Thor stared at Rhodes in horror. Only a select few could wield Mjolnir, such as Thor, Vision, and later Captain America. Only those recognized by Odin's enchantment on Mjolnir could lift and use it.
But how had Rhodes earned Odin's approval?
What Thor didn't realize was that Rhodes didn't need Odin's blessing to wield Mjolnir. Even if Mjolnir weighed as much as the sun, Rhodes could still wield it with ease.
Hela rested her hands on her slender waist at that moment.
"Thor, Loki, the God-King will offer you a chance to surrender now. Remember, you won't get many."
As the God of Deception, Loki was one to quickly accept defeat. He swiftly raised his hand to signal his surrender.
"I surrender, I yield, Hela, I'm willing to follow you, let me go."
Hela nodded.
Now that Loki had declared his surrender, Rhodes naturally released his hold.
Of course, Rhodes was aware of Loki's devious and cunning nature, but he had no concerns. In the face of absolute power, all schemes and tricks were futile.
Kneeling on the ground, Loki looked up at Rhodes, his surrender apparent.
"If you attempt to flee, I'll rip your head off."
Loki had no choice but to remain still.
Thor, the God of Thunder, bellowed.
"You've harmed your father, Hela. Your crimes are unforgivable. I'll never submit to you. If you have the courage, kill me."
Of course, Hela wouldn't let Thor off so easily.
Hela raised her right hand, and dark tendrils emerged beneath Thor, binding him with dark magic.
"Since that's the case, you can reflect on it in Asgard."
Captain America and Iron Man observed as Thor was taken away in such a manner.
Captain America stepped forward to mediate.
"Mr. Rhodes, since you're all from Asgard, couldn't you discuss matters peacefully instead of this confrontation?"
Rhodes replied.
"Thank you, Captain, for your suggestion. However, there are certain matters we must carefully discuss in Asgard. I'll leave it to you to handle the aftermath here on Earth. We won't trouble you further."
Rhodes didn't wait for Captain America's response and teleported back to Asgard with the other three.
Left behind, Captain America, Iron Man, and their companions exchanged glances. Even if they wanted to pursue, they couldn't catch up. Rhodes could teleport between worlds in an instant, a feat beyond their current capabilities.
Captain America surveyed the devastated urban area, sighing helplessly.
...
Back in Asgard, Hela confiscated Mjolnir from Thor and imprisoned him in Asgard's dungeon. Loki, the God of Deceit, obediently followed Hela.
Rhodes returned to his room, where he gazed upon the Cosmic Rubik's Cube emitting a constant blue glow, brimming with immense energy.
Rhodes repeatedly clenched his right hand, causing the Cosmic Rubik's Cube to shatter under his tremendous force.
A wave of void energy spread, and when Rhodes extended his palm, a gemstone rested within it.
Now, Rhodes possessed the Mind Gem from Loki's Scepter and the Space Gem from the Cosmic Rubik's Cube.
Only the Time Gem in Yao's possession and three other gems remained.
Thinking of the six gems, Rhodes pondered the Infinity Gauntlet.
"Should I assemble the Infinity Gauntlet?"
However, Rhodes shook his head. Even with all six gems, the Infinity Gauntlet posed no threat to him in his current state.
He could easily overpower the Infinity Gauntlet.
Instead, Rhodes decided to offer the Infinity Gauntlet to Hela.
With this in mind, he teleported to the capital of the Dwarves, Nidavellir.
Rhodes already knew the whereabouts of the Dwarf King, Eitri, and teleported near the technological smelting furnace within the mines.
Indeed, Eitri was diligently forging with a colossal hammer, working on what seemed to be the core of a star.
Rhodes appeared beside Eitri, surprising the Dwarf King.
"Ah, it's Lord Rhodes! I wonder why you've come looking for me? Is it for a drink, perhaps? Hahaha..."
Since the recent feast after Hela's succession, Eitri had become acquainted with Rhodes and shared a jovial rapport.
Rhodes replied.
"No worries, I'll treat you to a drink after we finish the task at hand. You can drink as long as you like."
Once Eitri learned that Rhodes had a specific item in mind for forging, he became more enthusiastic. Perhaps he could obtain another star core from Rhodes.
Eitri asked.
"I'm curious, Lord Rhodes, what do you wish to forge?"
"The Infinity Gauntlet!"
Eitri's expression grew serious.
"Why would you require such an item?"
Eitri understood the immense power wielded by the Infinity Gauntlet, capable of controlling the entire universe.
"You need not concern yourself with that. Just focus on the task, and rest assured, I will reward you handsomely."
Although Eitri wished to benefit from Rhodes, he also recognized the Infinity Gauntlet's significance. Confronted with Rhodes' request, he couldn't dare to refuse.
"Very well, Lord Rhodes. The dwarves shall begin crafting it immediately."
"Excellent, I appreciate your cooperation. Rest assured, once the Infinity Gauntlet is complete, you shall receive a fair reward in star cores."
Eitri's countenance relaxed upon hearing Rhodes' words.
...
On Earth, two Infinity Gems remained. One was the Time Gem in Yao's possession, and the other, the Reality Gem, lay hidden in Earth's dimensional space. At present, Rhodes had no way to locate the Reality Gem; he would have to wait for it to surface naturally.
The Power Gem rested on the planet Morag, and Rhodes knew the location of the Soul Gem.
It resided on the planet Vormir, a desolate world where only the Soul Stone and the keeper remained.
To acquire the Soul Gem, a painful sacrifice was required, which posed a dilemma for Rhodes. He couldn't choose anyone else, so the only option was Hela, but Rhodes couldn't fathom sacrificing her.
For now, Rhodes decided to let others obtain the Soul Gem and then retrieve it.
With that in mind, Rhodes set his sights on the Power Gem.
Rhodes extended his senses across the world, quickly locating the Power Gem on the planet Morag.
He teleported to Morag.
The planet Morag's terrain was rugged, with numerous mountains, rocky outcrops, and distant waterfalls.
Despite its severe environment and depleted resources, some creatures managed to survive, like small rat-like aliens that pounced toward Rhodes, carnivorous and known for group attacks. However, they proved no match for Rhodes.
Before they could approach, a gust of wind swept them away, and the aliens disintegrated, their blue and green blood spattering the ground.
Seeing Rhodes' power, other aliens in the vicinity decided to steer clear, fearing a similar fate.
Rhodes focused on locating the Power Gem.
Although he knew it was likely within a crumbling structure on Morag, the planet was riddled with such ruins, making the search challenging.
As Rhodes ventured toward one of these dilapidated structures, he noticed several beaten and battered spaceships landing nearby. These vessels appeared haphazardly constructed, patched together with various metals of different colors. No clear faction emblem adorned them.
Rhodes puzzled over what kind of individuals would operate such dilapidated ships. Certainly not Asgardians, the Kree, or Wakandans, given the advanced technology of these civilizations. This type of spacecraft was more akin to those used by notorious space pirates known for scavenging resources and even throwing weaker cosmic travelers into space to die.
Rhodes wondered why these pirates had come to Morag instead of plundering resource-rich worlds. It was an enigma that could only be solved with the presence of the Power Gem, the sole temptation capable of drawing these greedy pirates.
"I didn't expect these space pests to be here."
Dismissing the pirates, Rhodes entered a ruined temple, intent on finding the Power Gem.
However, his presence caught the attention of the space pirates who were simultaneously scouring Morag for the gem.
One particular pirate, with red skin and bumpy protrusions on his bald head, noticed Rhodes. Puzzled by the appearance of an individual without a visible spaceship, he decided to investigate.
Drawing his detector, the pirate confirmed Rhodes' existence when it displayed a living signal.
Excitement welled within him; there was indeed a living being here.
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Shirokendama
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