Heimdall felt a surge of unease at the sight of Thor looking so sure of himself.
He knew the impulsive thunder god too well.
Whenever Thor's confidence swelled like this, a painful lesson usually followed.
"Thor! You can't be so reckless! We need to think this through..."
Heimdall tried to say more.
But Thor gave him no chance.
He walked outside the Rainbow Bridge Hub, then turned and flashed Heimdall a proud smile.
He swept his right hand up.
Stormbreaker carried him into the sky, straight toward the Asgardian Treasury.
Heimdall watched him fly away and sighed helplessly. All he could do was pray Thor would prove as invincible as he claimed.
Koch Manor, deep in the Black Forest of Europe.
Hidden among mountains and thick fog, the ancient medieval manor looked dilapidated from the outside. Inside, it housed some of the world's finest medical and security equipment.
It was also the Radiance Society's secret meeting place.
In the manor's circular council chamber, the core members of the Radiance Council had gathered once more.
Among them were heads of financial dynasties who controlled the lifeblood of global finance, veteran politicians who had manipulated elections in major nations from behind the scenes, and hereditary nobles and religious leaders with illustrious titles.
They had once been the people who truly called the shots on this planet.
Now they all had one thing in common: they were old.
Ragged breathing echoed through the chamber.
Some even had private doctors standing behind them, using state-of-the-art life-support equipment to keep their failing bodies alive.
At that moment, these elderly masters of the world's hidden power stared intently at the center of the hall.
Kaecilius stood there calmly with his hands clasped behind his back.
Beside him stood a muscular young man with blond hair