"God King, his name is Darkseid. I tried to locate him, but he has been missing from his planet. According to some information, he has been absent for a few centuries, but there are rumors that Darkseid might be searching for something that can control all living beings."
Athena looked frustrated. For eons, she had been a goddess of warfare and strategy, yet she couldn't comprehend how this new, lesser god had become so powerful without their knowledge.
Zeus observed the situation and sighed.
"Hermes, inform all the old gods of Earth. We must prepare for war and convene a meeting with them all."
Athena, hearing this, thought of Earth's mortal defenders.
"Father, what of the warriors of Earth? The Amazons, the Atlanteans, and humanity?"
Zeus shook his head.
"First, we must decide for ourselves. We will see who is willing to join us; then we will inform the mortals."
Ares, standing to the side, watched the serious expression on Zeus's face and knew his moment to shine had finally come. Being the God of War without a major conflict had left him deeply agitated.
Just wait, he thought. I will personally slay this new god.
Tension began to build among the old gods as the meeting was called. No one wanted to be the first to sacrifice themselves. Some even felt that protecting Earth wasn't worth risking their own immortal lives.
At the same time, on Earth-666, night had fallen.
Inside Lux, Sigurd was enjoying his time for a few weeks while Lucifer seemed refreshed by a sudden change, having been out with the detective.
Hippolyta watched Sigurd, who was still relaxing, and approached him.
"What do you think one should do when danger lurks everywhere, and it seems to exceed your own power?"
Sigurd looked at her. Her beautiful face held a hint of hesitation and fear of the unknown. It reminded him of his own situation when he first learned of the future from his memories.
For fifteen years, he had been in a dilemma, searching for a way to change the coming troubles but finding no clear path. Now, he held the power to confront those future threats, yet he still wondered if he was truly invincible. Power was one thing, but troubles often started within one's own family.
He looked at her.
"You can only go with the flow and focus on increasing your own strength, as well as that of your close family and allies."
Then he added,
"Your present situation is stable, but it won't last forever. The universe always has laws to balance everything, so don't think too far ahead. However, I have a feeling you might benefit from the upcoming battle. You needn't worry too much."
Hippolyta looked at Sigurd with mixed emotions. As Queen of the Amazons, she had always encountered men who desired her body, but Sigurd was different. He maintained a respectful distance, as if to avoid causing problems.
"Sigurd, do you have someone you love?"
Sigurd heard her words but wasn't sure how to answer. Although his experience had been an illusion, he still felt its emotional pull. He knew that in his world—or even in the various multiverses of Marvel—the present timeline might be similar.
After all, the Marvel timeline was a constant, with events occurring in different ways. He knew that if he were to meet someone like Natasha, it might not be for a million years.
"No one, to be precise. But I don't know what the future holds."
Hippolyta heard that Sigurd had no one. Her expression softened, as if she now had something to consider.
Sigurd was unaware of Hippolyta's inner thoughts.
Just as the two of them were enjoying their drinks, Lucifer arrived with a gunshot wound in his leg. Detective Decker was with him.
Sigurd looked at Lucifer in surprise. Even the Devil gets injured?
Hippolyta was also taken aback.
"Lucifer, how did you get injured? I thought you were—" She was cut off as Lucifer shook his head.
He slumped onto a sofa.
"It's fine. I was shot."
Chloe Decker looked distraught.
"Who told you to go around claiming you're immortal?"
Sigurd, hearing this, looked at Chloe with a complicated expression.
Hippolyta didn't hesitate.
"So, you shot him."
Sigurd burst out laughing at Hippolyta's bluntness, not caring about maintaining a dignified image.
Lucifer shot Sigurd an angry look.
"You'd best not laugh, Sigurd. Your time will come, and you'll understand."
But Sigurd paid him no mind. The Devil being shot by a mortal was one of the most comedic things he had ever witnessed.
"Miss Chloe, could you perhaps do it again? I'd like to see Lucifer's reaction to pain."
Hearing this, Chloe wasn't sure whether to be upset or amused.
"What kind of friend are you? Your friend gets shot, and you don't even bother to comfort him."
Sigurd didn't know how to respond. He knew Chloe might not be as simple as she appeared, but he was certain she was human. She was likely part of some plan orchestrated by a higher power.
"Miss Chloe, there's no need to worry. He'll be perfectly fine by tomorrow. As for the rest, I don't think you need to concern yourself."
He then took out a jar of Asgardian ale and poured four glasses.
"Let's drink to celebrate the first human to ever shoot the Devil."
Chloe watched as Sigurd enjoyed himself, teasing both her and Lucifer. She decided not to argue and instead moved to down her glass in one go.
"Miss Chloe, you should drink slowly, unless you want to pass out."
Although Sigurd had diluted the drink he gave her, he still believed she couldn't handle much of the potent ale.
As the night wore on, both Chloe and Hippolyta became quite drunk. Sigurd, who had drunk the most, was also feeling tipsy.
Lucifer, whose metabolism usually burned through alcohol quickly, was also drunk. He looked at Chloe, then carried her to his room to let her sleep.
Meanwhile, Sigurd noticed that Hippolyta was on the verge of passing out, so he helped her to the downstairs room where they were staying.
"Sigurd, can't we have more ale? It's been so long since I've enjoyed such a peaceful time," Hippolyta slurred in her drunken state.
As they reached her room, she clung to Sigurd's body. Sigurd, who had never been in an intimate situation before, felt a rush of heat and hormones.
Then, suddenly, Hippolyta pulled him close and kissed him. He found himself unable to resist the feeling.