Chapter 282 Gaea Appears, Three of the Four Chaos Ancient Gods Emerge
All gods yearn for the Main Universe. Any being with the slightest ambition for the multiverse would focus on establishing a foothold there, arranging all sorts of schemes and often being exceptionally generous to their agents, allowing them to wield more of their power.
This was a level of treatment that the natives of other universes could never imagine. The gods would always act more magnanimously when dealing with events related to the Main Universe.
And now, the God of Xenomorphs, who had recently cemented his status in the multiverse, was finally extending his hand toward the Main Universe.
If one were to view the entire multiverse as a three-dimensional image from an outsider's perspective, one would see a colossal black shadow in the vicinity of the Main Universe, holding the minuscule Main Universe in the palm of its hand.
With just a slight squeeze, it could crush the small black ball in its palm.
Before this terrifying black shadow, the entire multiverse was nothing more than a slightly larger pond, completely incapable of effectively restraining it.
The undisguised actions of a being like Du Wa had long since attracted countless gazes, both overt and clandestine, from the very beginning.
But no being was surprised by this. On the contrary, the fact that Du Wa hadn't specifically targeted the Main Universe until now was what they found more surprising.
"Has it finally begun? Perhaps it was because the God of Xenomorphs was too busy, clashing with Shuma-Gorath and Chthon in succession, that it gave me the strange impression that with the formidable strength he possesses, he should have made a move on the Main Universe a long time ago."
"Normally, the older and more nobly born a god is, the more powerful they are. But Du Wa broke this rule. Only after two multiversal gods suffered at his hands did he finally make a move on the Main Universe."
The shadow that Du Wa embodied had already begun to massively infiltrate the Main Universe with its power.
Under the watchful eyes of the gods, more and more Xenomorphs appeared in the Main Universe, especially on Earth. At first glance, they seemed to appear out of thin air, but in reality, Du Wa had clearly infiltrated various stages of history, making the Xenomorph a natural part of the universe.
This was a very domineering method. Du Wa was now doing in the Main Universe what he had done in those other universes.
Even the likes of Chthon and Cyttorak would not recklessly cultivate an excessive number of agents in the Main Universe. But Du Wa could create countless seemingly harmless Xenomorphs, and then, when needed, select one to become his container.
It wasn't just the history of the 616 Main Universe; another universe also began to see a massive proliferation of Xenomorphs—Universe 666, the future to which the 616 Main Universe timeline leads.
At this moment, the entire Main Universe was plunged into turmoil, as if everything was being torn apart by an immense gravitational source.
"Hahaha, it's all over, everyone is going to be annihilated! Du Wa has come!" Cul the Serpent let out a roar, transforming into a massive serpent and flying rapidly around Earth.
The fear in his heart magnified to its absolute extreme. He knew far better than these denizens of the Main Universe just how terrifying Du Wa was.
The entire World Tree, as the front line bearing Du Wa's power, erupted in horrific tremors. Its branches, which supported countless galaxies, shook violently, seeming to risk snapping at any moment.
Odin had already donned his armor and was leading Asgard, grimly prepared for battle.
"Father, I've just contacted the other worlds. Zeus has also promised to provide help when necessary." Thor rushed over. "We must get to Earth quickly, the enemy will definitely see Earth as their primary target!"
The moment chaos erupted on Earth, he had wanted to go and help, just as he had in many past crises, but he was held back firmly by Odin.
Odin looked at his son with a complicated expression.
In the prophecy, the price for killing Cul the Serpent was the sacrifice of Thor. If it were any other crisis, he wouldn't have stopped him, but he absolutely could not when it involved Cul.
"There's no need to think about Earth anymore. Haven't you noticed? Many of the Asgardian soldiers present are no longer our people," Odin said, pointing outside the grand hall.
Thor's heart sank, and he looked over in disbelief.
As if Pandora's box had been opened, countless soldiers who should have been loyal and brave suddenly, without any warning, attacked the person next to them, as if they were under mind control.
What was even more bizarre was that Thor watched with his own eyes as two soldiers who were fighting one second tacitly stopped the next and simultaneously began attacking others.
Similar incidents were becoming more and more frequent.
"It's the God of Xenomorphs. This is his true ability, an infectious power more extreme than any plague. No wonder a guy with Cul's personality has no choice but to obey his command," Odin said in a low voice.
Asgard was falling. The World Tree, and indeed the entire Main Universe, was falling at an unprecedented speed before this utterly terrifying power.
What Du Wa was doing was more horrifying than the acts of the most malevolent gods and demons.
"If I had known things would turn out like this, I should have decisively slaughtered all the Earthlings and killed Cul from the very beginning!" Odin gripped his scepter tightly, let out a furious roar, and rode Sleipnir into battle.
At this very moment, the situation on Olympus must also be terrible. Zeus would surely regret stopping him, Odin thought.
Swish!
With a single strike, Odin killed innumerable Asgardian warriors. His single, cold eye was filled with ruthless cruelty, completely unconcerned that some of them had not yet become hosts.
They weren't hosts yet only because Du Wa hadn't turned his attention to Asgard. At most, he had casually covered Asgard with the fringes of his power, not even deigning to give it a proper look.
Asgard could not be defended. After conducting the massacre, Odin looked down upon the continent engulfed in the flames of war and clearly realized this.
Not only did he have to strike down his compatriots, but he also had to divert a great deal of his power to resist the invasion of the force Du Wa was deploying against him, to hold on for as long as possible.
Of course, this also depended on when Du Wa would truly notice him. Once that gaze fell upon him, Odin knew he really wouldn't be able to hold on.
"Father, Asgard is heading for destruction! That detestable evil god is making us kill each other, he wants to destroy—"
Thor roared, his face contorted and bloody tears streaming from the corners of his eyes. He had killed many of his own compatriots with his own hands. Overcome with grief and indignation, he cursed, but then he stopped abruptly.
Because he saw with his own eyes that many of the Asgardians who had turned into Xenomorphs, despite having been killed, were soon alive again.
Yes, they had resurrected on the spot. Their shattered bodies were repaired, and the souls that should have returned to death had not departed.
Thor's face became a mask of twisted fury, dark with rage.
What was this? Then what did their actions of collateral damage, made to clear out the Xenomorphs as quickly as possible, even mean? So, the dead Xenomorphs could be resurrected, but the kindred they had killed indiscriminately could never live again?
By that logic, who is the real Bushwacker, who is the one obstructing everything?
"Vicious, far too vicious! That guy is also extremely skilled at toying with people's minds!" Thor roared, clearly driven mad. The surging anger also allowed him to dig out even greater power from within his body.
Endless lightning erupted continuously from Thor's body, spreading rapidly to more areas and engulfing the entirety of Asgard in flashes of lightning and rumbles of thunder.
Even Odin had never seen such a powerful Thor, and his expression visibly softened.
The situation was dire, that was true. Continuing to fight was unwinnable, only delaying the tragic conclusion, that was also true.
But this did not mean that Asgard was truly without hope. At the very least, when Odin saw Thor, who was fulfilling his potential and increasing his strength at an astonishing rate, he knew there was still a chance to salvage everything.
"Thor, you are wrong. He is not toying with us. We are not yet worthy of his specific attention. What we are facing is merely the insignificant residual effects of his influence," Odin said coldly.
The father and son, along with the few remaining powerful kindred, found their hands tied as they fought. And among them, at any moment, someone could fail to resist the omnipresent invasion, become a Xenomorph, and then unhesitatingly attack others.
It was chaotic, far too chaotic. It was impossible to truly distinguish friend from foe, and even when they could, it was difficult to act, as the Xenomorphs would continuously resurrect.
Bathed in lightning, Thor said angrily, "I don't know the origin of this God of Xenomorphs, nor how strong he is, but since he dares to do this to Asgard, he will have to bear my wrath! I will stop at nothing to make him pay the price, to let him know that the dignity of the Asgardians is not to be trifled with!"
The proud Odin also had a proud son, who regarded dignity and honor as the supreme pursuit. But unfortunately, they themselves knew very well that Du Wa had not yet deigned to look at either of them. The treasures they pursued were not even worthy of Du Wa's notice.
"Thor, you must lead the Asgardians forward and surpass me." Odin cleared the open space before him, his face grim. "There is something I have never told you. You are not your mother's biological son."
"?"
Thor suspected he was hallucinating from excessive anger, or perhaps the constantly invading Xenomorph power was eroding his mind.
"Frigga is not your mother. Gaea is," Odin roared.
In the sacred palace, they were already surrounded by countless Xenomorphs. The few remaining powerful individuals struggled to cope with the relentless attacks under the dark, thunderous sky.
But Odin's words were still earth-shattering.
"Gaea? The legendary Mother Earth? A powerful deity comparable to Chthon?" Thor's mind was buzzing. He was stunned for a moment, and in that instant, the Xenomorph's possession of him deepened significantly, reaching a dangerous critical point.
Thor was slowly beginning to turn to the Xenomorph faction.
"Gaea!! I know you can hear me! At the very least, you must take Thor away!" Odin suddenly shouted. The terrifying sonic boom created a shockwave, and the very ground beneath their feet crumbled in succession with its spread.
Everything seemed to fall silent.
Thor felt a warm hand grasp him. It was not a sinister black hand like Du Wa's that sought to devour everything, but a kindness that naturally resonated with his bloodline and soul.
In an instant, Thor realized that Odin was telling the truth. He was the offspring of Gaea.
But... they clearly had a queen from the Vanir at home, yet he still ran off and had a child with Gaea? Very well, that was very Odin.
Thor's head was a bit muddled.
"Calm your mind, my child. Do not be at a loss just because you've encountered something unexpected. That is not the bearing an outstanding warrior should have," a gentle voice echoed in Thor's mind.
Then, the voice spoke to Odin, "I will not clash with Du Wa. That guy is in a fit of anger right now. If I really force him over to Chthon and Set's side, we will have big trouble."
Odin felt a power that transcended any single being descend. His one remaining eye brightened, but it quickly dimmed again. "Take Thor and leave, while I can still hold on."
"I will do so."
Gaea took Thor away, showing no lingering attachment to Odin.
Back then, a young, strong, and ambitious Odin had approached her, asking to bear the most powerful heir with her. She couldn't resist Odin's incessant pleading and so she complied, which led to Thor's birth.
This was also the fundamental reason why Thor could always erupt with inconceivable abilities—because he was conceived by a multiversal god.
Gaea might pay some attention to Thor, but to Odin? Who would care about the life or death of a mere God-King? After all, he was just an irrelevant, humble Skyfather. Apart from his Main Universe origin being his most special trait, he was truly without value, utterly cheap, as common as dust in the multiverse.
Gaea left with Thor, giving Du Wa a brief notice, and abandoned Odin to sit desolately in Asgard, desperately clinging to his final shred of dignity as he slowly fell into ruin.
"Gaea? This one actually made a rare move, and she even negotiated with me quite politely." Du Wa glanced nonchalantly at the situation in Asgard.
Whether Thor lived or died wasn't really important, but Gaea making a move to save him was very important.
"A single thunder god has no value to you. I ask that you stay your hand. You should focus your attention on Earth and Chthon; there's no need to expend too much energy on Thor," Gaea said, departing quickly.
She seemed to possess an ability to use the World Tree of various universes as coordinates, allowing her to minimize her own traces to the greatest extent.
"Hmph, Thor... That Gaea probably doesn't know that once someone has been touched by my conceptual influence, it's very difficult to ever be completely free of it." Du Wa shook his head, not moving to snatch the person back from Gaea.
If he really were to fight recklessly, he would provoke two of the World Tree's four great Chaos Ancient Gods at once, and Set would surely follow the scent and come after him as well.
Du Wa withdrew his gaze and reached out, grabbing for... the Phoenix Force from the White Hot Room!
(end of chapter)