With the plan in place, everyone sprang into action. Just as Nick was about to deploy the ghosts, many suddenly sensed a violent surge of energy from deep within the Nine Realms.
Superman, Manhattan Batman, Scarlet Witch, and the others all turned toward the same direction. That was where the roots of the World Tree lay.
Almost instantly, a towering phantom rose from behind the World Tree, and an incomparably powerful wave of energy swept across the entire universe. God of Light King Thor had broken through the ultimate barrier of the Single Universe and become a Multiverse-level being.
However, due to the traits of the Asgardians, he had merely drawn in advance upon several thousand years of power rather than undergone a qualitative transformation, so he had not become "the One." After all, even Odin, who already possessed several thousand years of power, was not the One.
The ascension lasted only an instant. Thor quickly reined in his power and returned to the peak of the Single Universe. Even so, he was far stronger than before. By the time he reached the Command Center, powerful energy fluctuations radiated from his entire body, impossible to ignore.
"Excellent. We have another powerful ally," Main Universe Batman said.
"It's more than that." Greed smiled. "The way to break a deadlock is always hidden in the smallest details. What is the nemesis of nightmares?"
Main Universe Batman did not solve the riddle at once. But Arkham Batman, who had cleared all of Riddler's riddles in a single night, immediately gave the answer—"Thunder."
Main Universe Batman suddenly understood. On countless rainy nights, when he had been immersed in terrifying nightmares, it was often the thunder from the horizon that jolted him awake.
Thunder, the natural phenomenon that best displayed nature's might, that seemed to