The remote border town was already a chaotic mess. A terrifying mechanical monster several meters tall was systematically laying waste to everything in its path. The agents who had come to stop it, along with several civilians, already lay dead among the debris.
Thor was currently busy with Jane Foster and Dr. Selvig, helping to evacuate the remaining townspeople, while the Warriors Three and Sif charged toward the descending Destroyer armor. They knew they were no match for a weapon Odin had spent massive resources to create, but they possessed enough confidence in their own strength to believe they could buy sufficient time for the evacuation.
Thus, much like Loki had lunged at Aurelius Viremont a few days prior, Fandral—the brave warrior with the thick brown beard—rushed the Destroyer with the help of his comrades. But before he could even land a strike, a single metal fist slammed into his face, sending him hurtling back. He crashed into a car and didn't move again.
Just as the Destroyer's head began to glow, preparing to release a laser and finish Fandral off, Sif—the only woman among the warriors—leaped from a rooftop and plunged her spear into the armor's neck.
For a moment, they sighed in relief, thinking it was over. But the Destroyer simply glowed again. It was completely unharmed. It adjusted its form and released a burst of energy that forced them all back. Within moments, the elite warriors of Asgard were decimated. Only then did they truly grasp the terrifying gap between themselves and the Destroyer.
Thor looked at his wounded friends and then at the monster. He suddenly understood his responsibility. He stood up and began walking toward the machine. He intended to trade his life to save the weak; that was what a King was supposed to do.
Just as Thor prepared for his end, a clear set of footsteps echoed through the air, sounding unnervingly distinct in the deserted, burning town. Everyone looked toward the sound.
A young man with white hair and dark sunglasses was strolling toward them, hands in his pockets. He seemed completely oblivious to the tragedy surrounding him or the towering mechanical horror standing in the flames. He casually chewed a piece of gum as if he were just out for a walk.
First, he passed Jane Foster and her team. "Hello, Jane. Professor Erik. We meet again!"
Seeing Aurelius Viremont, a flicker of hope ignited in Jane's eyes. She grabbed his arm. "Aurelius Viremont, help Thor! He's going to die!"
Before Aurelius Viremont could answer, Sif, the Goddess of War, shook her head weakly. "Mortal, give up. Let Thor die with honor. You cannot stop the Destroyer."
Aurelius Viremont ignored Sif entirely. He nodded to Jane and spoke in his usual nonchalant tone. "If I do, you have to promise me one thing: the next time you get 'sick,' you come to me for treatment first."
Aurelius Viremont had come for the Destroyer regardless, but having Jane Foster owe him a favor was a perfect bonus. When she eventually became a host for the Reality Stone (the Aether), his Reverse Cursed Technique would likely be at a high enough level to extract it safely. It was basically another "express delivery" of power.
Though Jane didn't understand what he meant by "sick," she nodded frantically to save Thor. "Fine, I promise! I'll come to you first!"
Aurelius Viremont smiled, satisfied, and turned toward the Destroyer. Suddenly, Sif blocked his path again. "Go back! You are no match for that armor. Do not interfere with Thor's glory!"
Aurelius Viremont couldn't help but sneer. "Glory? You call being slaughtered glory?"
Sif's expression hardened into a warning. "For a warrior of Asgard, to die on the battlefield and be remembered is the highest honor! Leave at once!"
The Warriors Three and Sif were not known for their patience with "Midgardians." They looked down on this primitive world. They only refrained from attacking Aurelius Viremont immediately because he seemed to know Thor.
Looking at Sif—the legendary goddess of the earth and harvest—Aurelius Viremont ran out of patience. He gave her a radiant smile. Just as Sif thought he was turning back, Aurelius Viremont swung his right hand. A massive repulsive force slammed into her, sending her crashing through multiple houses until she was embedded in the ground, unconscious.
The remaining three warriors and Jane's group stood frozen, their breath catching in their throats. The Warriors Three stared in disbelief. Since when were Midgardians this strong? He had defeated Sif in an instant!
Once they snapped out of it, they didn't feel fear; instead, they charged at Aurelius Viremont. To them, a lowly mortal attacking a Goddess was a capital crime.
Under Jane Foster's wide-eyed gaze, the remaining three Asgardian warriors were also swatted away. They crashed through buildings and collapsed in heaps. Even knowing that Aurelius Viremont was the White Demon, Jane found it surreal. Is he really this powerful? More terrifying than the gods of legend?
As for Dr. Selvig and Darcy, who hadn't known his identity, they were simply catatonic. So he really is the White Demon, not a cosplayer? The White Demon is actually this strong?
Having dealt with the "Asgardian Fools," Aurelius Viremont took a step and appeared instantly in front of Thor, standing between him and the Destroyer.
Thor looked up, first with joy, then with dread. "Aurelius Viremont, don't be reckless! This is the Destroyer armor my father built to fight the Celestials. It's made entirely of Uru metal. It's invincible! You can't win! Go! Loki wants me; if he kills me, he might leave."
Before Thor could continue his warning, the Destroyer's body flared with a searing heat. An energy beam far more powerful than the ones before shot directly at Aurelius Viremont.
Back in Asgard, Loki was peering through the Destroyer's eyes. When he saw the white-haired man, his face twisted into a look of predatory glee. Is that the bastard who insulted me a few days ago? This was the perfect chance for revenge!
Against Thor and the others, Loki had only used a fraction of the armor's power. But against the man who had shamed him, he commanded the Destroyer to exert its full might.
The scorching energy ray streaked toward Aurelius Viremont. Thor closed his eyes, unable to watch. He was certain Aurelius Viremont was about to be vaporized, turned into nothingness.
But in the next heartbeat, Thor's eyes snapped open in absolute shock.
In the palace of Asgard, Loki's smug expression vanished. Through the Destroyer's vision, he saw a fist force its way through the laser beam and strike the Destroyer directly in the chest.
An explosion of horrific Black and Red Lightning erupted between them!