They left the purification chamber and reentered the corridor.
This time, they took a different route. The judge led them through several intersections before stopping in front of a massive bronze door. Carved into it was the image of a time tree, its countless branches extending outward—each one representing a timeline.
The judge didn't knock. He pushed it open.
Inside was a circular room, not very large—only about a dozen meters across. At its center floated a massive golden sphere, its surface flowing with intricate temporal runes. A figure stood before it, back facing the entrance.
It was Loki.
He wore a dark green robe, his black hair falling over his shoulders. Unlike the cunning Trickster God Levi remembered, this Loki's back carried a weight of exhaustion.
"Levi," Loki said without turning, his voice calm—too calm. "I knew you would come."
Levi stepped inside. Wanda remained outside, along with B-15 and the judge.
The door closed.
Only Levi and Loki remained.
"How did you know?" Levi asked.
Loki turned around.
There were traces of time on his face now, and a deep weariness in his eyes—not physical, but mental.
"Because I've seen all timelines," Loki said. "I knew you would reverse the Snap. I knew the TVA would notice you. And I knew you would eventually stand here."
Levi narrowed his eyes. "So this was all arranged by you?"
Loki shook his head. "I only saw possibilities. Interfering would create new branches."
He stepped closer to the sphere, placing a hand on it. Instantly, countless images projected across its surface—fragments of different timelines.
"Do you know what it feels like to bear the Temporal Loom?" Loki said softly. "Every second, I see countless timelines splitting, countless universes being born and dying. I see infinite versions of Thor fighting, infinite individuals making different choices, reaching different ends."
Levi remained silent.
"I killed He Who Remains and took control of the TVA," Loki continued. "I thought I was doing the right thing—that freeing all timelines was justice. But I was wrong."
His fingers slid across the sphere. The images changed.
Levi saw countless versions of Kang the Conqueror—rising across timelines, conquering galaxies, destroying civilizations, even invading other universes.
"The multiversal war has already begun," Loki said. "Every day, hundreds of timelines fall into conflict. Dozens of civilizations are destroyed. And I can only watch."
"Why not act?" Levi asked.
"Because I can't." Pain crept into Loki's voice. "I sustain the Temporal Loom. If I leave, the entire multiverse collapses instantly."
He turned to Levi.
"So I need you."
"You're the only one who can move freely across timelines without being bound by TVA rules. More importantly—you exist in only one timeline."
Levi frowned. "What's so special about that?"
"Everything," Loki said. "In the multiverse, everyone has countless variants. Thor, Tony—even me. But you have only one existence."
He paused.
"That means you're immune to temporal paradoxes. You can enter any timeline, do anything, and not create branches. Because your existence is singular—irreplicable."
Levi recalled the Anti-Monitor's memory fragment. That ancient being had targeted him for the same reason.
"He Who Remains knew this," Loki said. "He left records about you. He called you the greatest variable—and the only hope against a future threat."
"What threat?" Levi asked.
Loki didn't answer directly. He manipulated the sphere again.
The image froze on a pitch-black space—empty, endless void.
"At the edge of the multiverse lies a place called the Void," Loki said. "It's where pruned timelines and erased existences end up. He Who Remains threw every threat there, thinking it solved the problem."
The view zoomed in.
Deep within the Void, a massive shadow stirred.
"But he was wrong," Loki said quietly. "Those erased existences didn't vanish. They merged… forming a new consciousness. It feeds on destruction, draws power from nothingness. It's still weak—but every pruned timeline makes it stronger."
Levi stared at the shadow.
The energy felt familiar.
"Void energy… The Anti-Monitor," he said.
Loki nodded. "It's not a single being—but a fusion of countless destroyed universes and erased existences. He Who Remains created his greatest enemy."
The image faded.
Loki looked at Levi.
"Now you understand why I need you. To face the Anti-Monitor, we need someone it cannot consume, cannot track—and can potentially harm. That someone is you."
Levi was silent for a few seconds.
"You want me to go to the Void?"
"Not yet," Loki said. "You're not strong enough. The Anti-Monitor is still dormant, but its projections are already active. What you encountered in the DC universe was only a fragment."
"I need you to stabilize the multiverse first. Eliminate the most dangerous Kang variants. Prevent further escalation. Meanwhile, you can use TVA resources to grow stronger."
Loki extended his hand.
"When you reach the Cosmic Overlord level, we'll go to the Void together—and end this."
Levi looked at his hand, but didn't take it immediately.
"I have a question."
"If I eliminate the Kang variants—what happens to those timelines?"
"They continue to exist," Loki said. "I won't prune timelines unless they threaten the entire multiverse."
"And mine?" Levi asked. "I reversed the Snap. By Kang's rules, it should've been pruned."
Loki smiled faintly—bittersweet.
"Your timeline is different. Because of you, it has become the new Sacred Timeline. All others branch from it."
Levi froze.
"You are the anchor," Loki said. "As long as you exist, the multiverse won't collapse completely. That's why He Who Remains didn't erase you."
Silence filled the room.
Levi processed everything.
Now he understood—his uniqueness, and the weight it carried.
"I'll do it," he said. "But I have conditions."
"Go on."
"First—I operate freely. No interference."
"Agreed."
"Second—I get full access to TVA resources."
Loki nodded. "Granted. Core secrets require my approval."
"Third…" Levi said, "when I reach Cosmic Overlord level—you tell me the truth about my transmigration."
Loki's expression changed.
"You suspect something?"
"It wasn't an accident," Levi said. "Kang's records must say something."
Loki was silent for a long time.
"…When the time comes, I'll tell you everything."
They shook hands.
The deal was made.
Levi turned to leave—
"Wait."
He stopped.
"There's something you need to know." Loki manipulated the sphere again. A new timeline appeared.
"Three days ago, a Kang variant broke through his timeline's limits and began invading others. His technology surpasses all other variants. He's already destroyed seven universes."
In the projection, a man in purple armor stood atop ruins. His face resembled He Who Remains—but his eyes were cold, unhinged.
"Kang-31," Loki said. "He possesses cross-timeline travel technology. The TVA sent three teams after him—all wiped out."
Levi studied the image. The weapon in Kang-31's hand distorted space itself.
"You want me to handle him?"
"Yes. Your first task—stop him and seize his device. It may help your breakthrough."
Levi considered.
"Where is he?"
"Timeline TVA-8264. A highly advanced technological universe. He's building a multiversal gateway for large-scale invasion."
Levi nodded. "I'll go. I need full intel."
"B-15 will provide it," Loki said. "And be careful—his weapon isn't ordinary tech. It's an artifact from a destroyed universe."
Levi exited the room.
Wanda was waiting outside.
"Well?" she asked.
"We've got work," Levi said.
B-15 approached, holding a tablet.
"Data on TVA-8264," she said, handing it over. "Base coordinates, troop deployments, weapons—all here."
Levi skimmed it quickly. Thousands of combat drones. Three interstellar warships.
"When do we move?" B-15 asked.
"Now," Levi said. "But I'll send her back to Earth first."
He looked at Wanda.
She shook her head. "I'm coming."
"It's dangerous."
"I don't care. You need backup. Chaos magic works well against tech."
Levi paused—then nodded.
"Fine. But you follow my lead."
B-15 opened a Time Door.
"Destination: TVA-8264. Coordinates locked."
Beyond the door lay a star system—and a massive metallic fortress orbiting a planet.
"One more thing," B-15 said. "Kang-31 has a temporal prison. If you're trapped, even the TVA can't save you."
Levi said nothing.
He tightened his grip on the Dark Trident. The nine laws within him began to circulate.
He and Wanda stepped through the portal.
The door closed behind them.
B-15 stood silently, watching it vanish.
"…Hope he makes it back," she muttered.
The judge stepped beside her. "Loki has high expectations for him."
"I know," B-15 said. "But Kang-31 isn't ordinary. He's killed Celestial Father-level beings."
"That's why Loki chose Levi," the judge replied. "Because Levi isn't an ordinary one either."
Silence lingered.
"Do you think he'll win?" B-15 asked.
The judge didn't answer.
He simply stared at where the Time Door had disappeared—his eyes filled with both concern… and anticipation.
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