"What? Carol already left? She didn't even say goodbye to me before leaving?"
Inside the Avengers base (Stark's mansion), Nick Fury leaned back instinctively after hearing Lucas's report, his face filled with disbelief—the classic confused Fury expression.
"Sir, the way you sound right now, it's almost like you've been dumped," Coulson joked from the side.
"Oh, fuck off, Coulson," Fury shot him a glare.
"So…" Tony said with interest,
"Does that mean you beat that woman?"
Lucas thought for a moment before replying,
"According to her, I didn't defeat her. She says the final result will be decided in the future."
Tony curled his lips.
"Tch. Honestly, I really don't like her anyway. Way too full of herself."
"Maybe it's just mutual rejection between similar personalities," Natasha said lazily, crossing her legs and filing her nails.
"I think Natasha has a point," Hawkeye nodded seriously.
"What do you think, Cap?"
"Do you really need my opinion?" Steve folded his arms.
"I'd say it's pretty obvious."
Tony's face darkened immediately.
"You'd better be talking about her."
"Of course," Natasha shrugged casually.
Lucas tapped the table lightly.
"Enough. Carol and I reached an agreement. The Space Stone will remain in my custody."
Then he looked at Clark, who had been silent the entire time, and at Kara sitting beside him.
"As for Clark, Carol wants you to continue helping Earth—consider it atonement for those who died."
"Tch. Who does she think she is?" Tony muttered irritably.
"Someone who doesn't know better would think she runs the planet."
Lucas ignored the comment and continued,
"Alright, no more delays. I still have something important to take care of."
"Clark, let's go."
Clark stood up and carefully lifted Lois's body from where she lay.
"Be careful, both of you," Kara said as she rose.
Outside, Lucas raised his head and called out,
"Heimdall!"
Hum—
Space resonated as the Bifrost descended, enveloping the two of them in radiant light.
Moments later, they arrived in Asgard.
"You want me to guard this woman?"
Seated on her throne, Hela looked at Lucas and the others, her tone lazy but sharp.
"She's lost her soul. Don't tell me you plan to retrieve it."
"Yes," Lucas replied calmly.
"I promised Clark I'd bring Lois back."
"So that's why you asked me about the flames of the soul earlier," Hela said as she descended the steps.
"I understand now."
She stopped beside Lois and studied her briefly.
"It's a pity. The Eternal Flame can reignite life, but Midgardians aren't like Asgardians."
"Their souls are fragile—far too easily tempted to leave the body."
"And souls naturally slip through dimensional barriers. They're easily lured away by beings from other realms."
"To find her soul now would be no different than searching for a specific planet in an endless universe."
"My advice?"
"Give up."
Lucas smiled confidently.
"That won't be a problem. I already have a plan to find Lois's soul."
Hearing this, the weight on Clark's heart finally eased.
Hela smiled knowingly.
"I knew it. That confident smile of yours is always irresistible."
"Go on. Leave her to me."
"I can't guarantee safety everywhere—but in Asgard, no one will harm her while I exist."
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"So confident already? It hasn't been that long since we last met."
Hela scoffed and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You think I'm still the same as before?"
"Lucas, I can tell you this—every second I remain in Asgard, I grow stronger."
"My power increases without pause. And unlike Odin, I am not shackled by restraints."
"I'm learning the runes now. Once I grasp their true essence, even the truly terrifying beings of the cosmos won't scare me."
Lucas blinked.
"So Asgard is basically your divine domain? You're nearly invincible here?"
"Exactly," Hela nodded.
"So feel free to leave her with me."
"And remember—you owe me a favor."
Lucas waved his finger and pointed behind him.
"No, not me. He does."
"Him?" Hela frowned at Clark.
"Is he even worthy of owing me a favor?"
Clark looked awkward but said nothing—he wasn't the type to boast or argue.
"Trust me," Lucas said.
"He is. And one day, you'll realize it was worth it."
"Fine. I'll take your word for it."
Hela raised her hand, releasing a stream of emerald-green energy that gently enveloped Lois.
Lucas's eyes lit up instantly.
From that single energy manifestation, he could already tell—
Hela's control had improved dramatically since last time, and the quality of her power had surpassed her former self.
"Clark," Lucas said,
"You can return to Earth if you want—or stay here with Lois."
"But if Earth faces danger, you must have Heimdall send you back immediately."
Hela waved lazily.
"Why not send a squad of Asgardian nobles to watch over Earth for you?"
"No need," Lucas replied.
"Clark is just a precaution. It hasn't reached the point where Asgard needs to intervene."
"Otherwise," he added, "Earth might think you're invading."
Hela snorted.
"Hmph. When Midgard was in danger, they begged us for help. Now they think Asgard covets their land?"
"Maybe I should teach them a lesson someday."
Lucas shook his head.
"Not yet. There will be time later."
Once everything was settled, Lucas left the palace and arrived at the Bifrost.
"Thanks for the trouble, Heimdall," he said, explaining Clark's situation.
"No trouble at all," Heimdall replied immediately.
"If Earth is threatened, I will notify Clark at once and send him back."
___
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