Outside the town, Phil Coulson led his agents as they recorded the strange patterns scorched into the ground.
"Sir, the pattern has been copied. We've collected soil samples and measured all atmospheric readings. Should we evacuate?"
A S.H.I.E.L.D. agent stood before Coulson, waiting for his decision.
Coulson glanced once more at the strange markings, his brows drawn together.
"Hold on. Not yet. Don't rush."
He trusted Harry's warnings completely—too completely to ignore. But exactly what Harry was trying so hard to avoid… that was what troubled him. The way Harry had insisted they evacuate the town meant something serious was coming.
"Sir!"
Another agent's shout pulled Coulson out of his thoughts.
"What is it?" he asked.
"The instruments just flagged matching readings. It looks like the space here is being distorted by some kind of force. A wormhole might be forming!"
At that moment, the calm sky above them erupted. Clouds churned violently as if sucked into a giant vortex. The entire sky twisted like the beginning of a tornado.
...
"Thor, who is he?"
Schiffer stood in front of Thor, sword raised, her sharp gaze fixed on Harry. That invisible force that snatched Hogan's weapon, combined with Harry knocking Vostagg away with a single punch—nothing about this Midgardian felt ordinary.
"It's fine." Thor gently pushed Schiffer aside, speaking softly.
"I met him here. He helped me."
He glanced gratefully at Harry and then addressed the others.
"Hey—he's… he's Harry Osborn!" Daisy Lewis, who had been hiding behind Jane Foster, suddenly recognized him. She jabbed a finger toward Harry and shrieked, "Jane! That's Harry Osborn!"
"Hey—!" Jane flinched, startled by her assistant's sudden outburst, and nudged her irritably.
"It's me, Miss," Harry said lightly. He flicked the borrowed sword, letting it spin elegantly through his fingers as his blue eyes turned toward Daisy. Her cute expression made his smile deepen.
"Mr. Osborn." Thor stepped forward, apologetic. "Forgive Vostagg and Hogan's recklessness. Could you release Hogan?"
Thor had already checked on Vostagg—just knocked unconscious. Nothing life-threatening. With an Asgardian body, even unconsciousness wouldn't last long.
Hogan, locked in place by the magnetic force Harry held on him, was frozen mid-strike. No matter how he strained, Harry adjusted the pressure perfectly, preventing any movement at all.
"Sure. But…"
Harry nodded easily—then paused, expression shifting.
The smile he gave Thor was pleasant… and dangerous.
"What do you want?" Thor asked immediately.
"I'll tell you when I decide."
Harry withdrew the magnetic hold. Hogan stumbled forward two steps, then caught himself. He turned and stared at Harry's back, but didn't dare attack again. He wasn't a fool—Thor knew Harry, and Harry's power was far beyond Hogan's reach.
Thor blinked at Harry's answer, then realized he'd stepped right into a trap of his own making. He gave a wry smile and shook his head.
"Perhaps that chance will never come. Now I—"
"Thor, come home with us." Schiffer stepped close, her hand brushing his arm. Her expression softened with longing.
"Go home?" Thor brightened instantly—then the light faded. His shoulders slumped.
"No. I have no home now. I can't return."
Schiffer's face tightened. She stared at him, waiting for him to explain.
Beside her, Fandral asked bluntly, "Why not?"
"My father… he…" Thor's voice dropped, thick with grief. "He died because of me. I'm exiled forever, to atone."
"Thor, your father is alive," Schiffer said, frowning.
Thor froze—head snapping up, eyes wide. A foreboding chill crawled through him.
Watching Thor's expression twist, Harry hid a smirk.
Everything was still unfolding exactly as he remembered.
He had wanted to ally with Loki before. Wanted Loki to open the passage to Asgard. But coming here in person, watching Thor's story progress, Harry changed his mind.
He couldn't trust Loki. And the strength gap between them wasn't wide enough for Loki to fear betraying him.
If Harry wanted the treasures in Asgard's vault—if he wanted the Infinity Gauntlet replica, the relics, the weapons, the cosmic artifacts—he needed to take them himself.
...
Outside the town, the sky cracked open.
The clear night was torn apart by violent clouds and swirling energy. A circular blast of light broke through the lower atmosphere.
Phil Coulson slowly slid off his sunglasses, regret tightening his face.
He should have listened to Harry's warning.
---
A/N: A New Fanfic Is Out "Bleach: Reborn As Ishida Uryuu"
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