"Alright," Tony said after a long silence. "I'm ready. Go on."
For once, there was no sarcasm in his voice.
Karl nodded.
"The dimensional invasions I mentioned are resisted by the Masters of the Mystic Arts. They operate from Kamar-Taj. Their leader is the Sorcerer Supreme — currently the Ancient One. They draw power from other dimensions through structured spellcasting, not superstition. Structured magic. Disciplined. Mathematical."
Tony crossed his arms but did not interrupt.
"They prevent entities like Dormammu — ruler of the Dark Dimension — from merging their realms with ours. Earth is strategically important in ways you don't yet understand. It sits at a crossroads of dimensional convergence."
Karl did not mention speculative cosmic theories as facts.
He kept it grounded.
"As for why beings like Dormammu want Earth? Expansion. Consumption. Power. Earth has repeatedly resisted conquest — that alone makes it valuable."
Tony exhaled slowly.
"Great. So aliens, demons, secret wizard monks. Anything else?"
Karl ignored the tone.
"You asked how I knew Steve Rogers' location. S.H.I.E.L.D. would have found him soon anyway. I simply accelerated the process. As for the Obelisk — it's a Kree device. A Diviner. It contains Terrigen crystals. It doesn't grant powers randomly. It triggers Terrigenesis in individuals with dormant Inhuman genes."
Tony frowned.
"Inhuman?"
"Kree genetic experiments conducted thousands of years ago. If the subject carries the right DNA markers, the Diviner awakens latent abilities. If not… it kills them."
Tony's expression darkened slightly.
"Of course it does."
Juggernaut cleared his throat loudly.
"Boss. What about me?"
Karl looked at him.
"Your power comes from Cyttorak — an ancient extradimensional entity from the Crimson Cosmos. He is not a 'god' in the traditional sense, but a being of immense mystical force. The Crimson Gem bonded to you. That's why you're unstoppable when in motion. It's not just strength — it's mystical momentum."
Juggernaut scratched his head.
"So… I'm special."
"Yes," Karl said flatly. "Very."
Tony ran a hand over his face.
"Okay. I'm processing aliens, gods, demons, secret wizard societies, genetic experiments… and now you're telling me Norse mythology is real too?"
Karl nodded calmly.
"The object that fell in New Mexico is Mjolnir. Thor Odinson has been banished to Earth by Odin."
Tony blinked.
"Thor. As in thunder. Lightning. Viking helmet Thor?"
"Yes. Though the helmet is optional."
Tony stood up abruptly.
"Gods are real."
"Asgardians," Karl corrected. "Highly advanced extra-terrestrial beings. Long lifespans. Superior physiology. Thor is approximately fifteen hundred years old."
"And Loki?" Tony asked.
"Adopted Frost Giant. Not Odin's biological son. Certainly not his brother."
Tony stared.
Then grinned.
"We're going."
Karl didn't object.
"Suit up."
Tony sprinted toward his workshop and returned with a compact deployment module. The Mark VI assembled smoothly over him.
Karl opened a Shadow World portal.
They entered.
This time Tony disabled external visual feeds, choosing not to experience the oppressive distortion of the Shadow Realm again.
Several hours later, they emerged near Puente Antiguo, New Mexico.
Karl sent Shadow Ninjas to locate Thor.
They found him inside a small diner with Jane Foster, Erik Selvig, and Darcy Lewis.
Thor was eating enthusiastically.
Karl motioned for Tony and Juggernaut to follow.
Tony powered down visible armor plating before entering to avoid civilian panic.
They took seats at a nearby table.
Tony studied Thor carefully.
To him, Thor looked like an unusually tall, muscular Scandinavian man with impressive bone structure.
Nothing divine.
Nothing glowing.
Just… big.
Then—
Thor finished his drink.
He smashed the mug onto the floor.
"Another!"
The diner went silent.
Jane winced.
"Please don't do that."
Karl smiled faintly.
The behavior matched.
He turned slightly toward Thor.
"It is customary in Asgard to break a vessel after enjoying fine drink, yes? A sign of appreciation."
Thor froze.
Slowly turned.
His eyes sharpened.
"You know of Asgard?"
Tony watched with fascination.
Thor leaned forward.
"Who are you? How does one of Midgard know my name? Do you know the way back to Asgard?"
Darcy rubbed her temples.
"Great. Another one."
…
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