Chapter Thirty-Four: Endless Time and Space

The Fang King had perished, the Death Fleet had been reduced to ashes, and for the first time, the Star Spirit Empire reclaimed its sacred relics. After returning the Reality Stone to Asgard for Odin’s safekeeping and entrusting the Mind Stone to Kaelrit, the Spear of Aton led the expeditionary legion away from this universe, having eradicated the Fang King’s remaining servants. With the Star Spirit Empire gone, the sole survivor, Kaelrit, fled to Midgard, mingling with Agamotto to discuss the mysteries of time. She knew her days were numbered and had no desire to leave this universe; thus, she resolved to emulate Agamotto by instructing a handful of disciples, guarding the Mind Stone, and preserving the legacy of the Star Spirits.

Thus began the expeditionary force’s journey through endless time and space.

Meanwhile, time marched onward in the prime universe. Since the establishment of the Interstellar Tribunal, minor disputes persisted among the various civilizations, but large-scale wars had become rare. The universe was, on the whole, progressing peacefully, yet the God of Darkness cared little for the present. As a being transcending time, fleeting victories and losses were of no consequence to him; his shadow was already stealthily extending toward the prime universe.

Titan, home to the eternals engineered by the Celestials, was inhabited by a race possessing formidable bodies and astonishing intellect. In just a few millennia, they had advanced their technology to rival that of other civilizations, but this bred boundless arrogance within them. Though aware that mightier civilizations existed within the Interstellar Tribunal, they believed those nations had merely taken the lead, confident they would soon overtake them.

In earlier years, the Eternals and their sworn enemies, the Deviants, waged bloody battles on Midgard, resulting in countless casualties. Eventually, the Celestials eradicated the Deviants and relocated the Eternals to Titan, where their true development began.

The Star Spirit Empire disliked this civilization, deeming them too ambitious and arrogant—flaws that would someday be their undoing.

As for Asgard, it was embroiled in unifying the Nine Realms, while the Watcher civilization remained mere spectators. Because the Eternals were favored by the Celestials before their departure, the Star Spirit Empire could only disregard them, focusing instead on challenges across parallel universes.

Upon receiving intelligence from alternate realities, the Star Spirit Empire grew curious about Odin and his eldest daughter, Hela. As expected, Odin was soon entrusted to ascend the throne of Asgard, and Hela indeed wielded a hammer forged from the Death Star, joining Odin in the conquest of the Nine Realms.

Yet Hela’s ambition was insatiable. Years of warfare and slaughter warped her soul; she began to see herself as supreme, the master of the universe, intent on transforming all living beings into her undead legion.

In the New Divine Calendar year 3630, Asgard unified the Nine Realms. King Odin sealed his eldest daughter in Helheim, and in the same year, Thor was born.

"Your Majesty Odin, are you troubled by the coming of Ragnarok?" Zamara inquired, observing Odin’s furrowed brow.

As the Star Spirit Empire’s envoy, Zamara had been invited to attend Thor’s birth celebration. After the banquet, she accompanied Odin into the gardens.

"Lord Zamara, do you believe Ragnarok will come?" Odin did not answer directly but posed a question in return.

"The sun rises and sets, the moon waxes and wanes, and even the universe faces its day of destruction; such is the nature of laws. Though we appear as gods to others, we are but demigods. Only by becoming true deities can one attain everlasting immortality. What does Your Majesty think?" Zamara replied with a gentle smile.

"Wise words, befitting the Star Spirit Empire’s High Preserver," Odin remarked, narrowing his left eye. Though rumors claimed his right eye was wounded by the Frost Giants, in truth, Odin had sacrificed it to the Well of Wisdom, gaining supreme knowledge and power.

"Ragnarok is but one possibility among infinite outcomes. Yet after twilight, might dawn not follow? I imagine Your Majesty already knows this," Zamara continued, shifting to her other purpose. "Might you know when our sacred relic will appear?"

Odin regarded Zamara with a faint smile. "I recall your people have prophets as well. Why ask me? Surely Agamotto has told you the time is not yet right; my answer remains unchanged."

Zamara sighed helplessly. "I am merely fulfilling my duty. Our prophets have not reached the rank of demigod. Even if they know, they likely cannot articulate it. This inquiry was prompted by glimpses of the relic in parallel universes—our Light and Shadow Council was somewhat stirred."

"It seems we are in agreement. I heard the Star Spirit Empire brought fine spirits this time. I wonder how they compare with ours—shall we share a drink and exchange thoughts?" Odin invited Zamara, who accepted with a smile.

After a cordial discussion of future affairs, Zamara returned to Ulna, while the Light and Shadow Council turned its attention to Midgard once more.

Through experiences in parallel universes, Agamotto—the guardian of time—proved far more knowledgeable about the multiverse than others realized. To better combat the God of Darkness, the Star Spirit Empire dispatched an official to reside in Midgard, tasked with assisting and understanding the lineage of Sanctum sorcerers established by Agamotto.

"Lord Agamotto, do you think we are able to use your magic?" Virelite, the first Star Spirit Empire envoy to Midgard, arrived at the Sanctum in the Himalayas, where Agamotto and his apprentices studied magic.

"I doubt it, dear Virelite," Agamotto shook his head. "Our magic is akin to your psionic abilities, but you draw from the realm of psionics, while we draw from the realm of magic. Unless you forsake your faith in the gods of the spirit realm and turn to worship Vishanti."

"Vishanti?" Virelite looked at Agamotto in confusion.

"Vishanti refers collectively to myself, my mother Oshtur, and the god of magic, Hoggoth," Agamotto explained, fingering the pendant at his chest—a container he had crafted to protect the Time Stone, the Eye of Agamotto.

"Praise to you, Lord Agamotto! I had not realized you were on the path to divinity," Virelite exclaimed, startled by her first encounter with a demigod.

"No need to be nervous. Though we are of the eternal lineage, the six supreme gods are united, so there’s no need for formality. It’s true you can’t learn our branch of magic, but you’re welcome to study our magical texts—they may inspire you," Agamotto reassured her.

"Thank you for your generosity, Lord Agamotto. I’ll take my leave for now," Virelite calmed herself and prepared to examine the magical tomes, still somewhat uneasy in the presence of a demigod.

Watching Virelite depart, Agamotto shook his head slightly. Was he truly so intimidating? Yet his most pressing concern remained finding an heir; otherwise, once he ascended, Midgard would be left unguarded.

Activating his time magic, Agamotto began calculating which disciple could shoulder the responsibility of guardian. Truly, possessing the Time Stone made such matters convenient.

Meanwhile, Virelite, though unable to learn the magic of the Sanctum sorcerers, remained deeply curious about certain principles—especially the portal spell. If she could master or develop something similar, she could travel undetected to other places without relying on the warp matrix.

Time slipped quietly by as Virelite studied. Agamotto had chosen his successor and left the mortal realm, but research into portals stagnated.

Ultimately, through relentless effort, Virelite invented a teleportation array. By harnessing energy from Kaidarin crystals, she could open a portal for personal transit. However, this method demanded a powerful psionic ability to locate the target destination; otherwise, the caster would be lost in the void.

Nevertheless, her invention benefited those above the tenth level of psionics. Previously, only demigods could tear open wormholes at will, and while the psionic matrix was convenient, it was less useful for shorter distances.

To reward Virelite’s innovation, the Light and Shadow Council originally intended to send her to the divine realm for training. Upon learning her invention was aided by the Sanctum sorcerers and that she wished to remain in Midgard for further research, they abandoned the idea, instead constructing a residence for her hidden within a spatial fold. Virelite was quite content with this reward.

News of Virelite’s achievements made assignments to Midgard highly coveted within the Star Spirit Empire. The Empire had to select only its most outstanding members for such posts. Considering the ties between Midgard and Asgard, the Empire merged the duties of ambassador to Asgard with those of envoy to Midgard.

In the New Divine Calendar year 4000, remnants of the Fang King established the Taldarim society. With aid from the God of Darkness, they concealed themselves, living as interstellar pirates.

In 4148, the God of Darkness, through the Broodmother, created the Chitauri, a species modeled after the Zerg.

In 4668, Alarak was born, and the new Taldarim leader, Malash, ascended to the rank of Highlord.

In 4868, Artanis was born. A devoted admirer of Tassadar since childhood, he resolved to follow the Path of Twilight.

In 5116, Virelite took several human disciples, seeking to teach them the way of Khala.

In 5128, the Ancient One assumed the mantle of Supreme Sorcerer, and Artanis, as a representative of the younger generation, was dispatched to Midgard.

In 5129, Thanos was born on Titan.

In 5130, the Frost Giants rebelled, and Thor was sent to Midgard by Odin for reflection.