CRACK-CRACK-CRACK.
In the depths of the Royal Vault of Asgard, a guard felt the floor beneath him freeze.
Before he could react, a massive blue hand shot out of the shadows. A dagger forged of ice slashed across his throat. The guard fell silently.
Having dispatched the sentry, several Frost Giants sprinted toward the end of the Vault.
Their target sat on a pedestal, glowing with an eternal blue light: The Casket of Ancient Winters, the source of their power, stolen by Odin centuries ago.
One of the Giants grabbed the Casket, turning to flee.
But in the throne room above, Odin Allfather narrowed his eyes. He clenched his right fist and slammed it down on the armrest.
CLANK-WHIRR.
A wall in the Vault vanished. From the hidden alcove, a towering humanoid construct of enchanted silver metal stepped out.
The Destroyer. Asgard's ultimate weapon of war.
Hearing the heavy footsteps, a Frost Giant turned. His red eyes widened in terror. Instinctively, he raised the Casket of Ancient Winters to freeze the machine.
Too late.
Before the ancient magic could activate, the Destroyer's faceplate slid open. A beam of pure annihilation energy erupted.
VWOOM.
The golden beam swept across the room.
In a fraction of a second, three Frost Giants were disintegrated. No screams. No bodies. Just dust.
Sensing the threat neutralized, Odin relaxed on his throne.
He had worried this might be a full-scale invasion. It turned out to be just a few thieves.
Suddenly, scrolling text flashed across the giant screen in the sky, accompanied by the System's voice.
[INTERMISSION: 5 MINUTES.]
Hearing this, Odin let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.
He looked around the crowded Great Hall and spoke, his voice echoing with authority.
"Everyone, withdraw."
Odin was growing wary of this System.
God knows what it would show next. The "Destruction of Asgard" had already caused panic. If more humiliating or terrifying secrets were broadcast to tens of thousands of citizens, it could destabilize his rule.
Hearing the command, the court hesitated, but ultimately bowed. They filed out of the hall, whispering amongst themselves.
Originally, the news of "Asgard's Fall" had terrified them. But seeing the "heroic deaths" of Loki and Thor had strangely bolstered their morale. They left with heads held high.
Minutes later, Odin led Thor down into the Royal Vault.
Seeing the frozen corpse of the guard, Odin's eye twitched. Thor roared instantly.
"Damn them! These filthy Frost Giants! I will make them pay for this!"
Odin walked past the body to the Casket of Ancient Winters.
"The Frost Giants have paid with their lives," Odin said calmly. "The Destroyer did its work. The Casket is safe. All is well."
"All is well?!"
Thor was incredulous. "They broke into the Vault! Father, if they had stolen even one relic, the consequences would be catastrophic!"
Odin didn't answer. He frowned, deep in thought.
The Vault was the most secure location in the Nine Realms. How did a handful of Frost Giants bypass Heimdall's sight and the palace wards?
Who let them in?
His mind drifted back to the horrific future shown on the screen.
I die. Asgard falls.
Who is the true enemy lurking in the shadows? Is it related to this intrusion?
Odin turned to his son.
"The Vault is secure. Let us put this aside for now. We must return to the Hall."
"If the screen broadcasts more future fragments, we cannot afford to miss them."
To Odin, the "Livestream" was now the most critical intelligence source in the universe. It was the only hope for changing their fate.
Hearing this, Thor's anger subsided.
He, too, was desperate for answers. Why did I lose Mjolnir? Why did I lose my eye?
The two returned to the empty Great Hall. The screen flickered to life.
[DING! PLAYING NEW CLIP.]
[TITLE: DOCTOR STRANGE, IRON MAN, SPIDER-MAN VS. FOUR-STONE THANOS!]
Reading the title, the Livestream Room and the Chat Stream exploded into chaos. Even Odin's eye widened.
Four Stones!!
That bastard... in addition to Power and Space, he has found two more?