Everything has a "first come, first served" rule; that's most people's understanding. But then there's love, something that can overturn most people's perceptions.
It's profound, mysterious.
Some fall in love at first sight, while others develop feelings over time.
Mera wasn't sure which category she fell into.
If you called it love at first sight, she initially had no romantic feelings for Lothar; she was just curious after hearing Woz's love story.
If you called it feelings developing over time, that didn't seem quite right either.
Mera thought about it, and the first time she felt a liking for Lothar was that night when he, under the moonlight, single-handedly annihilated Steppenwolf's monsters right in front of her. At that moment, Lothar, with his formidable power and a fairytale-like presence, left an impression on her heart.
The second time, despite having already left, he saved her from Steppenwolf's axe with the almost absurd excuse of being "short on cash."
The third time, upon hearing her cry for help, he directly smashed the Xebel Royal Palace, once again saving her with the irresistible might of a god.
Of course, what moved Mera the most were Lothar's words on the beach.
Why do you, an elite of royal birth, pin all your hopes for change on others?
Those words completely enlightened Mera and ignited her affection for him. In her excitement, she gave the first kiss of her life to someone outside her family. She didn't even know if what she was doing was right or wrong, but she followed her heart and did it.
She liked Lothar, she had a good feeling about him.
While it wasn't love, at the very least, she didn't want to miss out on him.
Affection is the foundation of love, and Mera felt that since she had feelings for him, she should make her move clearly and directly.
Although Lothar wasn't talkative and often wore a cold expression, and frequently brought up his father, Mera found this Lothar quite endearing. Especially when he earnestly accepted her three hundred dollars.
"Lothar."
"Speak."
"Can you tell me about Hela? I'm curious how you two got engaged."
"Scram."
"Lothar? Hey, Lothar, wait for me!"
Mera quickly caught up to Lothar, temporarily abandoning the idea of learning about Hela.
'Lady Mera, Woz advises that you should avoid asking His Highness Lothar about Lady Hela.'
'His Highness Lothar's and Lady Hela's romantic dynamic is not suitable for you.'
A light screen suddenly appearing before Mera stopped her questioning.
Mera remembered it; the Asgardian love story Woz had narrated was a primary reason for her initial interest in Lothar.
Woz, who saw through everything and even orchestrated much of it, held a small notebook in his wristband space, primly pushing up his glasses as he recorded Lothar's every move.
'His Highness Lothar has encountered a setback. His Highness Lothar needs comfort.'
And Mera was Woz's chosen candidate. It had told Lothar that the Mother Box could open a portal to the multiverse, but what it hadn't mentioned was that there was a chance, and not a small one, that this method could fail.
If Lothar failed, then Mera would be the best person to comfort him. If he succeeded... well, then Woz wouldn't concern itself with Mera. At the end of the day, it was just a soulless robot, thinking only for Lothar.
"Woz, how much further to our destination?"
Woz hopped off its small chair, transforming into a data projection outside the wristband space, flipping through a book in its hands. "Your Highness Lothar, according to this obscure mythology compendium, there was once a legend about a Golden Trident circulating in the waters one thousand six hundred meters ahead."
Woz's database, which had "hacked the entire world" earlier at the Kansas State Library, stored a vast amount of information, and the glittering, large trident Mera described naturally had fragmented legends recorded as well.
However, this legend was very ancient and only existed in a mythology database privately compiled by a certain author in this small town. If not for Woz, Mera herself would probably spend half her life trying to find the area related to the Golden Trident legend.
But... could folk myths and legends truly be used as reference material? Mera still harbored a slight doubt.
"Let's go."
Unlike Mera, Lothar had one hundred percent trust in Woz.
"Forget it, let's find a place to stay first, Lothar."
"It's already so late. Even if we get there, no one will be able to answer our questions." Mera looked up at the high-hanging crescent moon, sighed, and turned to ask.
"Whatever." Lothar had no strong opinions. As long as he kept Mera safe, that was all that mattered. Before he gathered all three Mother Boxes, he had to ensure Steppenwolf wouldn't come looking for Mera again to demand the Mother Box's location.
"Excuse me, do you have any rooms available?" Mera led Lothar into a hotel, or rather, a motel, on the edge of the small town.
The front desk was manned by a chubby, middle-aged man in his forties or fifties, who smiled with a simple honesty.
"Yes... yes, we do, but there's only one left, are you two..." The simple-looking owner saw Mera frantically winking at him and smiled knowingly, asking.
"One room is fine." Mera didn't even ask Lothar's opinion because she knew this man beside her had no concept of such things.
Regarding matters between men and women, she had already subtly probed most of it over the past few days. He had a fiancée and was about to get married, yet he hadn't even kissed her.
Tsk, tsk, tsk.
Mera really wanted to play the teacher.
...
Meanwhile, underwater, at the Mother Box storage site.
Due to Mera's complete departure from home, the Mother Box's protective force had weakened.
When the teleportation array that had alarmed King Nereus of Xebel dissipated, the area was strewn with corpses.
And the Mother Box had vanished without a trace.
....
"Lord Thanos, everything is ready."
Somewhere in the universe, the Black Quadrant's main warship slowly descended onto a planet. The Other, respectfully bowing, stood with an orange Flerken perched on his shoulder, accompanying Thanos and Ebony Maw as they disembarked from the warship.
The vast square's sides were densely packed with people, leaving a pathway in the middle. Black Quadrant soldiers, armed with weapons, aimed their guns at the planet's native inhabitants.
"Hmm?"
Thanos noticed a small girl, pushed out of the crowd, standing bewildered in the pathway. There was no fear, no anger, just a slight shrinking of her neck as she timidly looked at him.
So many years had passed, and this was the first time he had encountered a child showing such "composure" at this age.
"My apologies, Lord Thanos, I will—" The Other quickly bowed in apology but was stopped by Thanos's outstretched hand. He walked step by step towards the girl; she still showed no fear. So he took her hand and led her to a pavilion.
"What's your name, child?"
"Gamora."
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