Drift Of The Multiverse: [Marvel] [Resident Evil] [DC] [Bleach] [DB]

If anyone else had said that to Coulson, he might have been able to defend himself. But given the events of today and Ethan's apparent identity, he couldn't muster the confidence to refute it.

Tony, on the other hand, was thoroughly enjoying the situation. He loved seeing S.H.I.E.L.D. squirm. Although his personal relationship with Coulson was decent, that didn't mean he couldn't relish watching them get knocked down a peg.

"I'm going to ask that… Thor… if he wants to join us."

"I'll just watch from outside," Ethan replied.

Coulson's plan was essentially the same as in the original plot: question Thor's identity and intentions. The difference now was that Coulson's primary concern was confirming whether Thor was truly an alien. He wasn't too worried about Thor being a spy or a plant from another agency.

The interrogation process was dull. Thor, currently at the lowest point of his life, had no energy to argue or even respond properly to Coulson's questions. Coulson didn't seem bothered by this. His goal was to pepper Thor with small, seemingly insignificant questions and observe his reactions. From these, he managed to confirm much of what he wanted to know.

After leaving the interrogation room, Coulson walked into the adjacent observation room, where Ethan was waiting in front of the one-way mirror.

"Based on his reactions, I'm certain he's connected to the Asgard you mentioned," Coulson said, getting straight to the point. "How should we establish contact with this alien civilization? We need your help."

"So?" Ethan asked.

"So, I hope you'll continue to assist us for the foreseeable future."

Coulson's original intent when seeking out Ethan was merely to have him identify the hammer. Now that it was confirmed to be the weapon of the Asgardian god Thor, the situation had grown far more complicated. With Thor himself sitting in the next room, brooding, S.H.I.E.L.D. needed someone knowledgeable about the otherworldly to help navigate the uncertainty.

"Will I be getting paid?" Ethan asked plainly.

"We can give you the title of a temporary advisor," Coulson offered.

It seemed S.H.I.E.L.D. had prepared this proposal in advance, but Ethan wasn't impressed.

"That's a bit insincere. What's my worth these days?" Ethan turned to Tony, who was standing nearby. "What would you say my value is right now?"

Tony instantly caught on. The two had developed an almost telepathic understanding, especially when it came to pushing S.H.I.E.L.D.'s buttons. "If you don't count your Stark Industries shares and just look at your salary as my personal health consultant, S.H.I.E.L.D. would need to offer at least seven figures… per day."

Coulson smiled politely, letting the two perform their little act before responding. "We're a government agency with limited funds. We can't match the kind of compensation Mr. Stark can offer, but we can make it up to you in other ways."

"Oh?" Ethan's interest was piqued. He didn't expect S.H.I.E.L.D. to hand over the Tesseract for research, but a slow, step-by-step approach to gaining access was fine by him.

"It should be worth looking forward to," Coulson added.

"We won't let our friends suffer," he said with a cordial tone.

Ethan merely nodded, understanding these were just pleasantries. Coulson might sincerely mean what he said, but he wasn't the one ultimately in charge. When push came to shove, Coulson might not be able to advocate for him. Ethan didn't take such promises too seriously.

"By the way, why are we still standing here?"

"We're waiting for a show," Ethan replied.

"A show?"

Ethan had been waiting for this moment.

In everyone else's view, Thor had been sitting quietly in the room next door. But Ethan could see more. A tall, well-dressed man had appeared, talking to Thor.

"Crude, unsubtle spells, doing little to hide their magical energy," Ethan muttered to himself.

Loki hadn't even bothered to mask his presence properly. He clearly didn't consider the mortals of Earth worthy of his concern. While Loki wasn't a true Asgardian by birth, his arrogance often surpassed that of most Asgardians.

The conversation between Loki and Thor unfolded much as it had in the original timeline. Loki lied, telling Thor that Odin had died and that he, Loki, was next in line to inherit the throne. He also claimed that Thor would be stuck on Earth as a powerless mortal, forever barred from returning to Asgard.

After delivering this crushing blow, Loki left Thor's room and walked directly to the site of Mjolnir. Unsurprisingly, he couldn't lift the hammer. Frustrated and enraged, he left the temporary camp.

Ethan briefly considered exposing Loki's deception right then and there. But upon reflection, what purpose would that serve? Thor wouldn't appreciate it. If anything, it might damage Ethan's relationship with him. Thor's loyalty to Loki, despite everything, was legendary. Interfering at this point would only make Thor see him as an enemy.

So, Ethan waited for Loki to leave before entering Thor's room.

"Hello, son of Odin," Ethan greeted.

Thor's eyes lit up with recognition. "It's you."

Ethan had left a strong impression on Thor earlier by correctly guessing his identity. Thor's response now confirmed that Ethan's previous claim had not been dismissed.

"Hello," Thor replied, sitting up slightly straighter. "I don't know your name, but I'd like to thank you for your advice earlier."

Thor was referring to Ethan's suggestion to try lifting Mjolnir. Although the result hadn't been what Thor had hoped for, he still remembered the favor. Thor was someone who valued loyalty and friendship deeply. Once someone gained his trust, he would stand by them unconditionally. In terms of companionship, he was an excellent choice.

After sitting down across from Thor, Ethan introduced himself. "My name is Ethan. I'm a mage. And I'm not from Earth."

Thor's eyebrows raised in surprise, but then he nodded. "No wonder you know my identity."

The concept of a mage didn't faze Thor. His brother Loki leaned more toward magic than brute strength, and their mother, Frigga, was a renowned spellcaster in Asgard. Thor had seen his fair share of mages.

"I overheard your conversation with your brother earlier," Ethan said casually.

Thor didn't react with surprise. If Ethan truly was a mage, then Loki's illusions wouldn't work on him. It made sense, and Thor listened quietly as Ethan continued.

"I wouldn't put much stock in what your brother told you," Ethan said.

"What do you mean?" Thor asked, frowning.

"If you believe everything he said, it only proves how little you understand your father," Ethan explained. "Perhaps you should reflect on whether you've truly cared for the people around you. Have you been so caught up in your own world that you've neglected everyone else?"

With that, Ethan stood and walked to the door. Before stepping out, he added, "By the way, you can leave here anytime you like."

When Ethan returned to the observation room, Coulson immediately bombarded him with questions. Even Tony leaned against Ethan's shoulder, giving him a pointed look. "If you don't explain what just happened, you're in trouble."

These weren't fools. Ethan's conversation with Thor had been full of implications. Coulson was particularly concerned about the suggestion that someone had been in the room with Thor. Tony, meanwhile, was outraged at the idea that someone had been acting under his nose without him noticing.

"Fine, I'll explain," Ethan said with a sigh.

This time, even Hawkeye joined in, eager to hear the story. Ethan gave a brief account of what had happened, including Loki's failed attempt to lift Mjolnir.

Coulson's face darkened. His carefully constructed security measures seemed laughable in the face of the Asgardians. Tony, meanwhile, became obsessed with the possibility of using technology to counter such magical intrusions. Hawkeye quietly wondered if the world he lived in was becoming unrecognizable.

Arthur, in contrast, was thrilled. He relished the chance to witness something new and was already thinking about how he might handle an opponent with such abilities.

Everyone had their own thoughts. Later, as the group prepared to rest, Ethan took Arthur and quietly left the camp. He wanted to find Thor.

Before they could get far, Tony stopped them.

"I know what you're planning."

"I wasn't trying to sneak off," Ethan replied. "I just want to have a proper conversation with Thor and maybe make a new friend."

"Count me in," Tony said. "I'm curious about this alien and his civilization."

Finding Thor wasn't difficult. The man wasn't hiding. Ethan, Tony, and Arthur soon spotted him sitting by a campfire with Jane Foster.

The atmosphere between Thor and Jane was cozy and intimate, something Ethan, a lifelong bachelor, found mildly irritating. Ignoring the mood, he walked straight to the fire and joined them.

"I hope we're not intruding," Ethan said.

Thor didn't seem to mind. "Not at all. It's good to have company."

Thor seemed much more relaxed now, his earlier despair replaced by a calmer demeanor. Jane, however, was visibly wary of the newcomers. If not for recognizing Tony Stark, she might have suspected them of ill intentions.

Sensing Jane's apprehension, Ethan addressed it directly. "I'm just here to talk to Thor about his homeland."

Jane's curiosity outweighed her caution. Thor had been telling her about Asgard earlier, and she thought no one else would believe his "wild stories." Yet now, someone had come specifically to discuss those very tales.

"You believe him?" Jane asked, skeptical. "You don't think he's crazy?"

Ethan's response only deepened her disbelief.

"Why would I think it's crazy? After all, I'm not from Earth either."

***

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