"Welcome home."
On the top floor of Umbrella's spire-like building, Sean stood before the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows. Beneath his feet lay towering skyscrapers and rolling hills blanketed in dense forests.
"The trip went rather well."
Jean stood behind the young man with a smile on her face. She had returned to Earth from Asgard not long ago and had come to see Sean at the first opportunity.
"Odin intends to establish relations with Earth, preferably through an alliance between both sides. Before long, his eldest son, Thor, the future heir to the throne, will likely arrive."
Sean was not particularly surprised by the news. He stretched out his arms, drawing the beautiful woman in red into his embrace as he gently inhaled the faint fragrance of her hair.
Under his deliberate guidance, Asgard had become the primary battlefield for the Chitauri army's invasion. Thanos's early arrival had dealt the divine realm a crippling blow.
God King Odin had been severely injured, Queen Frigga had tragically died, and Asgard's overall strength had plummeted. If not for the deep foundations built over countless millennia, it might not have been able to retain its position as ruler of the Nine Realms.
Thanos would sooner or later return with the Black Order. That was beyond doubt. Last time, through either contempt or carelessness, the Cosmic Overlord had suffered the greatest defeat of his life, returning in disgrace.
Once he was prepared and truly committed everything to conquering the Nine Realms, neither Earth nor Asgard would be able to handle it so easily.
The King of Asgard saw the looming crisis clearly. He had grown old and no longer had the strength to face Thanos at the height of his power. His eldest son, Thor, had yet to mature. With the storm about to break,