The dizzying sensation of darkness and light lasted only a moment.
The moment Thor's feet touched solid ground, a strange aura, a mixture of decay and rebirth, rushed towards him.
All around was endless darkness, and beneath his feet were rugged black rocks. In the distance, countless twisted, deformed, and unformed worlds flickered uncertainly in the darkness like dying stars.
This is the World Forge, the deepest level of the Dark Multiverse.
"You..."
The Nightmare Deathstroke knell had barely sounded when Thor didn't even turn around to look at him.
He simply raised his hand casually and waved it lightly behind him.
A pure, unadulterated golden light appeared out of thin air, like a gentle wave, silently brushing against Nightmare Deathstroke's body.
There was no explosion, no screams.
The sturdy black and yellow armor, along with the flesh and blood inside, was completely decomposed and purified in this light, turning into the most primitive particles and dissipating into the dark void.
Not even a speck of ash remained.
"Tsk." Thor curled his lip and muttered to himself, "There are no spectators here, how dare you, little Kara, lay a hand on me?"
Only after eliminating this minor character could he leisurely survey his surroundings.
The Batman Who Laughs... he's practically the best support character!
Thor chuckled inwardly.
Just when he was wondering how to find an excuse to come to the Dark Multiverse, this guy conveniently sent someone to precisely deliver him to his destination.
It seems that the legendary Tenth Metal is indeed destined for me.
His gaze pierced through the layers of darkness and quickly locked onto a direction.
In the center of that dark void, on a huge, forging-like device, two familiar figures were tightly bound together.
A figure dressed in a tattered Batsuit, its body connected by countless black conduits, serving as a dark portal linking to the Prime Universe.
The other was dressed in a red and blue battle suit, his body imprisoned in a huge metal ring, like a battery, constantly having Sun energy drawn from him.
It's Batman and Superman from the Prime Universe.
Just as Thor was about to leave, a figure appeared silently not far from him.
Death Tetiyu was still wearing his ever-present black spaghetti strap tank top, a wide silver belt with studs cinching his slender waist, and a silver Anka Cross of Life pendant around his neck.
She looked around the world, filled with dark energy and nightmare monsters, with a hint of relief in her voice. "Luckily, this place isn't under my jurisdiction, otherwise my workload would have increased even more."
Thor wasn't surprised to see her, and asked curiously, "I'm wondering about something. Do you personally go to pick up every person who dies? Don't you need to be in two places at once or something?"
Tetiyu tilted his head, a hint of pure confusion in his unfathomable eyes. "What clone? Different universes, different timelines, different beings—as long as the concept of 'death' exists, I will appear. Don't you know that? Don't you know me very well?"
Thor felt a toothache looking at her nonchalant attitude.
"No wonder you're tired," he said. "If I were you, I'd just create a bunch of automated clones, program them, and have them act as guides. Then I'd find a beautiful universe, drink some wine, and sing songs—that's what life is all about."
Upon hearing this, Death actually began to seriously consider it.
After a moment, she gently shook her head. "Your thinking is normal. I used to think the same way, but someone enlightened me."
Her voice became soft and melodious, as if telling an ancient story.
"Every living being dies only once in their life. It is the final proof that they existed, the end of their story. This moment is so unique and so important that it should not be left to an emotionless 'avatar' to complete. Their birth and their end deserve to be witnessed by me."
Thor was silent for a while, then finally gave her a thumbs up. "You're awesome! I definitely wouldn't do that, you deserve this position!"
How much work would that require?
They're practically the world's best workaholics, and the kind who work year-round without pay, social security, or a single day off.
"It's not really that amazing," Tetiyu blinked, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I'm just trying my best to be a 'person.' So far, the results seem pretty good."
"More than good," Thor said sincerely. "You know, people usually associate death with words like cold, dark, and fear. But you... you showed me a completely different side. I think 'gentle' is an understatement when it comes to you."
As soon as she finished speaking, Tetiyu's eyes lit up.
She looked at Thor with interest, then suddenly asked, "You mean, you're going to come and keep me company?"
"Huh?" Thor didn't react for a moment.
Tetiyu began looking around, seemingly searching for something, muttering to himself, "No, I can't just end a life like that, that's my bottom line... Is there any way to let you die 'naturally'?"
Thor instantly took dozens of steps back, looking at her warily. "Hey! How can you do this? I just praised you, and you want me to die!"
"But," Death looked at him with some hesitation, counting on his fingers, "I saved your life before, right? According to the principle of equivalent exchange, one life for one life, how about you kill yourself to join me? That way we can make a pair of 'Black and White Impermanence,' what do you think, Thor?"
I don't think it's very good!
Before Thor could finish speaking, he had already transformed into a streak of light and flown towards the platform in the distance where Batman and Superman were bound.
Are you kidding me!
Although this guy is essentially a gentle concept, it's normal that his mental state is somewhat abnormal after living for countless years.
What long-lived person doesn't go crazy?
It's nothing more than finding various hobbies to numb oneself.
And the hobby of death is watching people die.
Who knows what might happen if I spend too much time with her?
"Whoosh!"
Thor appeared on the platform.
Countless "Nightmare Superman," formed from the convergence of nightmare energy, roared and pounced on him. These monsters possessed Superman strength and were fearless in the face of death.
Thor didn't even glance at them, he simply snapped his the Snap.
The gentle power of light spread out like ripples, and the grotesque Nightmare Superman that came into contact with this light were like ice and snow meeting the sun, emitting silent screams and instantly melting away.
The platform suddenly became quiet.
Thor looked at the two emaciated, unconscious men in front of him, then glanced at Death watching curiously in the distance, and a thought suddenly popped into his mind.
Just because I can't beat her doesn't mean I can't bully you two!
Thinking of this, he raised his hand.
"Slap! Slap!"
Two crisp, resounding slaps echoed through the deathly silent World Forge.
Batman and Superman, who were being dragged into an endless nightmare loop by Barbatos, were physically awakened by two slaps.
"Well..."
Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent simultaneously let out a painful groan and opened their eyes in confusion.
Boundless darkness, a distorted world, and the weakness and excruciating pain coursing through their bodies... Memories flooded back like a tide, and they instantly realized where they were.
The very bottom of the Dark Multiverse.
Bruce shook his groggy head, trying to focus his vision.
Finally, his gaze fell on the man in front of him.
That face...
Bruce's heart skipped a beat.
Although weathered and worn, the features, the eyes, clearly belonged to... to the father who died before his eyes in that rainy night in the Crime Alley!
Thomas Wayne!
" Thomas...?" Bruce's voice was dry and hoarse, trembling without him even realizing it, "Is it you?!"
Thor looked at the complex expression in his eyes, a mixture of shock, pain, and hope, and chuckled inwardly, but his face instantly switched to a gentle and sorrowful expression.
He reached out and gently took Bruce's hand, speaking in a tender, fatherly tone:
"Yes, Bruce, I've come to save you, my child."