บท 61: CHAPTER 61

As Rhodes absorbed more and more of the Time Gem's power source, he delved deeper into the mysteries of time.

These mysteries encompassed the ability to halt time, manipulate its flow, accelerate its passage, slow it down infinitely, and the infinite loops of time like the one Rhodes had recently experienced.

Each of these time-related phenomena was immensely potent. While time didn't possess inherent attack or defense capabilities, it could elevate an individual to a level approaching that of a god.

For instance, individuals who grasped the mysteries of time, like Yao, were immune to time's effects. Regardless of the years that passed, they remained ageless and would not succumb to the ravages of time.

In essence, time had no dominion over them.

Rhodes, now equipped with the power of the Time Gem, could freeze time at will. The world around him, including the clouds in Asgard's sky, birds suspended mid-flight, and the flowing waters in his garden, defied gravity and ceased all motion.

Yet Rhodes himself could move freely within this stillness.

He marveled at the power of time.

"So this is the might of time. The Time Gem was a worthwhile acquisition."

Rhodes felt as if he had stepped into a new realm, continuously exploring the profound aspects of time and reveling in this newfound power.

...

Meanwhile, in a highly advanced city on a cosmic planet, Rhodes's former subordinate, the Enchantress Amora, was in a desperate situation.

Two thousand years ago, when Rhodes clashed with the Temple of Odin, it led to a complete rift with the Asgardian Pantheon, and he was subsequently banished to the sun via the Bifrost by Heimdall.

Rhodes's former legion was reorganized under the command of All-Father Odin, alongside Hela's legion, both of which had been vanquished by the Asgardians. Now, under Hela's leadership, they were resurrected and combined into the Asgardian Legion.

Amora, the Enchantress, a direct subordinate of Rhodes, found herself hunted by the Asgardians due to her association with Rhodes.

For over two millennia, she had been living in hiding, constantly pursued by cosmic bounty hunters and beings from various planets.

Her life had been nothing short of bitter.

Amora had managed to escape from Asgard through a stroke of luck, taking refuge in a civilized galaxy using a spacecraft to evade the relentless pursuit of the Asgardian Pantheon.

In an attempt to evade further pursuit by the Asgardians, who had issued a cosmic arrest warrant, Amora had traversed the universe, where she became a fugitive for over two thousand years. The galaxy at large regarded her as a street mouse, and she had been on the run, pursued and harried wherever she went.

She had endured two millennia of hardship, living in secrecy, occasionally encountering cosmic bounty hunters and beings from various planets.

Now, bruised and battered, Amora had found herself on the run yet again, chased by the Kree.

Several Kree had injured her in the process, and her crimson cloak had been torn, revealing her alluring pink witch attire. Blood flowed from the wound on her waist, a result of a laser shot fired by the Kree.

Amora, panting heavily, managed to escape into an alley. Sitting there, she took a moment to catch her breath and regain some strength, her body plagued by numerous injuries. The pain was relentless.

She considered how dire her situation was when she noticed the Kree hot on her trail, following the trail of her blood.

The blue-skinned Kree were closing in, determined to capture her and claim the reward.

Amora's heart pounded as the Kree closed in on her location. She reached for her laser dagger, planning to defend herself.

It was then that a white-robed man appeared before her.

The Kree continued their pursuit, and upon seeing Amora in the arms of this stranger, they grew hostile, their laser guns pointed at the newcomer.

"Idiot, that woman is ours! Trying to steal our prey from us? You must want to die."

"Release her and leave this place. We're agents of the Kree Empire. If you interfere, you'll pay dearly."

Rhodes, hearing the name of the Kree Empire, had a smug grin.

"The Kree Empire?"

He recalled reading about the Kree Empire in books, one of the three major empires in the universe, ruled by blue-skinned inhabitants.

But to Rhodes, the Kree Empire was no more than a dominion controlled by artificial intelligence.

"The Kree Empire, daring to chase my subordinate? Well, it seems they've grown tired of living."

"You'll learn a lesson that you'll never forget."

Rhodes instantly neutralized the Kree who were threatening Amora. None of them had a chance to react before they were reduced to pulp. Rhodes, barely lifting a finger, had dealt with these aggressors.

"These were nothing more than foolish insects."

Rhodes then proceeded to heal Amora's injuries and teleported her to Asgard.

However, his abrupt departure from their intimate moment left Hela a bit vexed. She was enjoying a pleasurable moment with Rhodes and was confused by his hasty exit.

When Rhodes returned with Amora, Hela was curious about the woman accompanying him.

Hela asked, "Rhodes, who is she?"

Rhodes replied, "Amora was once my subordinate. She's being pursued by the Kree. I sensed her situation and rescued her."

Hela was relieved that it was just a single subordinate. She didn't believe that one subordinate could jeopardize her relationship with Rhodes.

Rhodes explained, "She's injured and in need of assistance. I can't let anyone harm her."

Hela knew Rhodes was upset about the Kree pursuing his subordinate.

Hela said, "You're right. As the protector of Asgard, you don't need to handle everything yourself."

Rhodes questioned, "So, who do you think should go to deal with this matter?"

Hela smiled seductively, "I have a great candidate in mind."

Not long after, two Asgardian guards carried Thor, who had been confined for a while, like a chicken.

The Asgardian warriors were now obedient to Rhodes, causing Thor to be in disbelief. He couldn't comprehend when these warriors became so formidable.

With a puzzled expression, Thor was brought before Hela.

His reaction was immediate, "Are you going to kill me? Get it over with and stop wasting words."

Hela responded with a smile, "You really think I would kill you, stupid Thor? As an Asgardian, I couldn't bear to see you die."

Confused, Thor asked, "Then what do you want?"

Hela's eyes radiated a yellowish glow, indicating her control over his mind.

Following the sudden turn of events, Thor, the God of Thunder, confronted Hela in bewilderment.

"Rhodes, you're alive after all!"

Amora knelt before Rhodes, expressing her relief at his survival.

Rhodes nodded and assured her, "Don't worry, no one will harm you now."

Rhodes shared a conversation with Amora, hearing about her struggles over the past two thousand years. Amora spoke of the challenges she faced as a hunted fugitive, her life marked by hardship and suffering.

Meanwhile, Hela, who was experiencing a mixture of emotions, was growing fond of Amora, who had endured and survived the tribulations of two millennia alongside Rhodes and herself. Her admiration for Amora was apparent.

Understanding Amora's plight, Rhodes decided to modify her genetic makeup. He presented her with the Mind Stone.

"Amora, absorb the energy from this Mind Stone, and you'll be safe from harm."

Amora accepted the gift with gratitude and started absorbing the Mind Stone's power, significantly augmenting her abilities.

Hela consoled Rhodes, who was visibly upset, "Rhodes, don't be angry. It's just the Kree Empire. Our Asgardian legion is mighty now. Let's send our forces there. You're the guardian of Asgard, and you shouldn't have to deal with this alone."

Rhodes' anger began to subside, and he agreed with Hela's logic. However, he wondered who would lead the mission to confront the Kree Empire.

Hela, smiling coyly, suggested, "I have the perfect candidate in mind."

Shortly after, Amora, now bolstered by the Mind Stone's power, was no longer vulnerable to harm.

Rhodes was able to regain his composure, and his relationship with Hela remained intact, as they returned to their intimate moment.

Meanwhile, Thor, the God of Thunder, who was once imprisoned, was also under the influence of Hela's mind control, making him a part of their growing alliance.