Marvel: Rise of the Ultimate AI

From this moment on, Gene and Loki's clashes came faster and faster, their blows heavier and heavier. The sheer force of their duel sent shockwaves ripping through Asgard's golden halls. The once-pristine palace decor was now shattered and battered, as though the building itself groaned under the unbearable strain, trembling as if on the verge of collapse.

On the vaulted ceiling, a grand mural depicting Odin's benevolent reign over the Nine Realms splintered under the residual blasts of power. As the pieces crumbled away, the real image beneath was revealed—one Thor had never seen before.

A woman, fierce and commanding, appeared in the hidden mural. Under Odin's orders, she was shown ruthlessly striking down all who dared defy Asgard's rule. Her expression was cold, merciless. Finally, she stood side by side with Odin, while countless warriors knelt beneath them.

"Don't tell me you've never seen her before," Stark said, glancing sideways at Thor's puzzled face.

"I…" Thor faltered. He truly had never seen this woman, but the mural's prominence meant she must have been someone of great importance. "I don't know who she is."

Stark shot Thor a look that clearly said, Wow, your family is a mess, leaving Korg speechless.

Back in the raging battle, Gene's longsword hooked upward, forcing Loki into the air. Gene's thrusters roared to life, propelling him upward at a measured pace, shadowing Loki's flight. In the sky, their figures blurred together as explosive energy blasts lanced outward. They looked like mines erupting from the ground, spitting out deadly steel needles of energy that tore holes clean through the palace walls.

Finally, they burst straight through the palace roof, continuing their fight outside.

Only then did the Warriors Four—who had been lurking at a cautious distance—dare to enter the palace. The energy waves from that battle were far beyond anything they could handle; one reckless step closer earlier and they might have been reduced to pulp in an instant.

But more than the destructive spectacle, they were astonished by the fact that Gene—this mortal—was matching Loki blow for blow, even though Loki now wielded the Odinforce.

"Thor, are you alright?" Volstagg was the first to spot Thor standing protectively in front of Stark. Even though Thor hadn't been in the direct center of the fight, the aftershocks had still left him battered. Stark, shielded behind Thor, looked even worse—his armor's power source had been completely fried, and he was slumped against a column, catching his breath.

"Are you guys alright?" Thor asked quickly.

"We're fine," Sif replied after steadying her breathing.

"This is unbelievable," Fandral muttered, staring at the wrecked hall. "That Midgardian… he's actually holding his own against Loki with the Odinforce."

"Unbelievable indeed," Hogun added, awe in his voice. "Odin is the pinnacle of power in Asgard—no, in the entire Nine Realms. And yet this man we met by chance in Jotunheim… is matching that power head-on."

"That black-armored figure," Stark chimed in, "he's Earth's so-called 'Black Devil.' I scanned his armor—same material as your hammer, Thor."

"Yes," Thor nodded, "Uru metal—the rarest and strongest metal in the Nine Realms. My Meteor Hammer was forged from it."

Then Thor straightened. "I have unfinished business. This is between me and Loki. I'll settle it myself."

Outside, azure energy and icy-blue power twisted together in a deadly dance. The clash of weapons rang across all of Asgard, their silhouettes flaring and fading in the searing light. The shockwaves split streets and cracked buildings miles away.

A deafening BOOM shook the heavens, louder than any previous strike. The combatants broke apart, and Gene raised his arm. His palm cannon roared, unleashing a beam of blinding blue energy. The blast cut across the sky toward Loki.

Loki swung Gungnir, deflecting the blow, but the force still sent him skidding backward through the air.

They had been fighting for nearly fifteen minutes now. Yet the longer the fight dragged on, the more dread wormed its way into Loki's heart. With the Odinforce coursing through him, Loki had believed himself invincible. In his mind, crushing a mere mortal should have been as effortless as stepping on an ant.

But now he realized he had been wrong. Terribly, dangerously wrong.

Even with Uru armor, this "mortal" defied the very definition of mortality. Loki found himself thinking the unthinkable—Gene's strength might actually surpass the Odinforce.

From the outside, their battle might have looked evenly matched, but Loki knew the truth: he was slightly losing ground.

Could this mortal be stronger than Odin himself?

Loki shook his head violently, shoving away the ridiculous thought.

No. That was impossible.

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T/N:

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