Lydia's eyes glowed as she initiated the teleportation process, whisking herself, Thor, James, and Hela back to the heart of Asgard in an instant. Thor looked around, a puzzled frown on his face. "Why are we back here, Lydia?" he asked, confusion tinting his voice. "We were just..."
Lydia cut him off with a small wave of her hand. "We are here to fight," she said, her voice cool and determined. She kept her gaze fixed on the horizon, her eyes gleaming with an ominous light.
Thor furrowed his brow, still trying to process her words. "Fight?" he echoed. "Who would dare to attack Asgard? We are at peace."
Lydia turned to look at him, her gaze steady and unblinking. "He would," she said. "Because you are gods."
Before Thor could respond, the air grew thick and heavy, like the calm before a storm. The tranquility of Asgard was shattered as black, monstrous creatures materialized out of nowhere, their grotesque forms standing out against the pristine beauty of Asgard.
Their sudden appearance caused an immediate panic, the citizens of Asgard scattering in fear as the creatures began to wreak havoc. Their terrifying roars echoed through the city, filling the air with a dreadful cacophony as they began their assault.
James and Hela moved in tandem, their well-honed skills from countless training sessions together taking over. James's katana sliced through the air with lethal precision, while Hela conjured her weapons from thin air, her lethal necroblades cutting down the monstrous invaders.
Wanda hesitated for a moment, her eyes wide with uncertainty, but a determined spark soon ignited in her gaze. She clenched her hands into fists, her red chaos energy flickering to life around her. With a nod to herself, she joined the fight, throwing powerful hexes at the creatures, helping citizens to safety.
Thor looked at Lydia, his eyes filled with resolve. "We protect our own," he said, summoning Mjolnir to his hand. Without waiting for a response, he charged forward, his powerful figure cutting a path through the chaos.
Lydia watched them all, her posture relaxed despite the mayhem around her. She observed as they fought, strategized, protected. The corners of her mouth turned upwards in a faint smile. This was her empire in action, her soldiers, her comrades. She watched them like a teacher, taking in the lessons they've learned and how they applied them. The war was on, and she was at the heart of it, not as a soldier, but as an observer. A mentor. An empress.
"James!" Lydia called out, watching as her twin brother dispatched another monstrous attacker. He spun and looked back at her, his normally friendly blue eyes filled with the sharpness of a warrior in battle.
Lydia pointed at his stance, her expression stern. "Your footwork is sloppy!" she yelled over the din. "Your reliance on the speed and power of your healing and serum is making you lazy."
James's brow furrowed, clearly not expecting a critique in the middle of a fight. He parried a blow from a rampaging monster, his katana a blur in his hands. His suit, forged from Uru, and laced with Vibranium and Adamantium glinted under the harsh light of the ongoing battle.
"Remember your training, James," Lydia advised. "The strength is not in your body but in your mind. Every movement should be precise, every step calculated. You're not some brute with a blade. You're a warrior."
James grunted, taking a moment to adjust his stance. His feet were positioned more carefully now, his movements became less wild and more refined. He was back to the disciplined fighter that Lydia had trained, a far cry from the savage Wolverine he had once been.
Satisfied, Lydia turned her attention back to the battle. Her critique had not been meant as a reprimand, but as a reminder to James of what he was capable of. His power wasn't solely his healing, his serum, or the unique combination of Vibranium and Adamantium in his bones. His true power laid in his skill, his tenacity, and his unwavering loyalty to his sister and the empire they both served.
"Hela!" Lydia's call pierced the cacophony of battle. The Goddess of Death turned, her intense gaze finding Lydia in the midst of the chaos.
"Your magic is too indiscriminate!" Lydia shouted, her eyes tracking the raw power Hela wielded. It was a potent force, a chaotic hurricane of deathly energy that swept through the monstrous horde. But its wild, uncontrolled nature also posed a risk to the Asgardians, the very people they were there to protect.
Hela, her features sharp and regal even in the throes of battle, was taken aback. But she was a different person now, more open to instruction and less eager to flaunt her power heedlessly. She'd seen the strength in Lydia's vision for the Empire, and she sought to protect it as fiercely as she had once sought to conquer.
Lydia continued, her voice carrying a tough love born of respect and necessity. "You're not just the Goddess of Death, Hela. You're a protector. Your power is vast, but it's not about how much you can destroy—it's about how much you can save."
Hela nodded, taking Lydia's words to heart. The swirling maelstrom of her magic became more focused, the reckless edge tempered by a newfound sense of control. The dark energy, once a threat to all in its path, became a precision tool in Hela's hands, cutting down the monsters while sparing the Asgardians.
Lydia watched, satisfied with the change. Hela's evolution was a testament to her own transformative influence. It was a clear demonstration of the Empire's strength— not just in the might of its warriors, but in their ability to grow and change for the better.
"Wanda," Lydia called out, her voice cutting through the sounds of battle. The scarlet-haired sorceress turned, her glowing eyes meeting Lydia's steady gaze.
"Your shields are holding, but you're limiting yourself!" Lydia yelled across the battlefield, her keen eyes scanning Wanda's defensive spells. Each shield she formed was a beacon of scarlet energy, potent and unyielding. But they were static, immovable. And in the fast-paced dance of battle, that was a limitation.
Wanda's brows furrowed, her concentration never wavering from the shields she maintained. Yet, she kept her focus on Lydia's words, open to her counsel.
As if to prove her point, Lydia flicked a finger nonchalantly. A blur of cosmic energy shot from her fingertip, colliding with a monstrous being that lunged at Wanda from her blind spot. The creature fell, thwarted before it could break through Wanda's shield.
"Dynamic movement, Wanda," Lydia continued, her voice carrying a stern note. "You are more than a shield. You can be a sword, too."
Wanda nodded, understanding dawning in her gaze. Her magic began to change, transforming from static shields to fluid barriers that moved with her, circling and rotating, deflecting attacks before they could land.
Lydia watched as Wanda began to strike back, the same magic she'd been using for defense lashing out to incapacitate the monsters. Wanda's power was a sight to behold— a testament to the limitless potential of Chaos Magic.
"Good," Lydia affirmed, a note of approval ringing in her voice. The sight of Wanda's progress was gratifying, but there was still more to learn, more to master. As the fight raged on, Lydia turned her attention back to the battle, her keen eyes observing, guiding, and leading her team to victory.
Lydia had been watching the battlefield, her keen eyes taking in every move of her allies, when a whisper of a shadow at the edge of her vision caught her attention. It was elusive, slippery like quicksilver, moving stealthily through the battleground, making its way past her.
"Oh no," Lydia murmured, a hint of amusement coloring her words, "Where do you think you're going?"
A flick of her fingers and a burst of cosmic energy surged towards the shadow. There was a moment of resistance, a struggle against the cosmic power, but then the shadow unraveled under the relentless force, morphing into a physical form - Gorr, the God Butcher.
Gorr snarled, his menacing figure radiating a dark, threatening aura. His eyes, full of disdain and rage, met Lydia's calm gaze, but he was helpless against her cosmic energy. The seconds stretched on, their silent confrontation echoing across the battlefield.
And then, with a swift motion, Lydia launched Gorr across the battlefield. He hurtled through the air, an involuntary cry escaping his lips, before crash landing right in the center of the combat zone where James, Wanda, and Hela were engaged in battle. The impact shook the ground, causing a temporary pause in the skirmish as everyone turned to see the newcomer.
"The guest of honor has arrived," Lydia declared, her voice ringing clear and authoritative across the battlefield. Her gaze fixed on Gorr, now on his feet and bristling with rage, she issued her next command. "Give him a proper welcome."
With a decisive snap of her fingers, Lydia made her next move. The creatures that had been causing havoc, tearing through the city and threatening the Asgardian citizens, turned to dust in an instant. It was as though time had stilled, the cloud of dust shimmering in the soft Asgardian light, before it drifted away in the wind, leaving only Gorr standing amidst the destruction.
Lydia, her expression unreadable, turned towards Wanda. The Sorceress Supreme had been watching the rapid shift of events, her gaze following the dispersion of dust particles that had once been their enemies.
"Wanda," Lydia called, causing the red-haired sorceress to turn towards her, "You're up."
There was no room for questioning or hesitancy in Lydia's command. It was an order, a challenge, and an opportunity. Wanda hesitated momentarily, her gaze flickering to Gorr, then back to Lydia.
"Me?" she asked, a quaver of apprehension in her voice. She was well aware of Gorr's reputation as the God Butcher, the terrifying entity who thrived on slaying gods. Lydia, however, merely nodded, her emerald eyes glowing with an assurance that belied the tension of the situation.
"Yes, Wanda. It's time for you to test the limits of your magic," Lydia said, her voice firm yet encouraging.
With a deep breath, Wanda nodded. Her hands ignited with her signature scarlet energy, the familiar hum of magic soothing her nerves. She squared her shoulders, her eyes fixated on Gorr.
Her feet moved forward, each step echoing with her resolve. Her heart pounded in her chest, a staccato rhythm matching her approaching footsteps. The battlefield was eerily quiet, every eye fixated on her as she advanced towards the God Butcher, the anticipation hanging heavy in the air.
Her nervousness was evident, but it was overshadowed by the determination burning bright in her gaze. She had a mission, a challenge to face. It was her moment, and she was ready to confront it, no matter what.
Gorr, sensing Wanda's slight falter in close-quarter combat, capitalized on it, stepping into her personal space with a swift maneuver. His grim, satisfied grin was half-hidden behind the sweeping black tendrils of the Necrosword.
"Range, Wanda!" Lydia shouted, her sharp eyes catching the minutest shifts in the fight. "You have more flexibility at a distance. Don't let him dictate the pace."
Wanda, her face twisted in concentration, hastily tried to put distance between herself and Gorr. But the God Butcher was relentless, each step she took backward matched by his aggressive advance. The close proximity allowed him to land a few powerful strikes, sending Wanda skidding backwards, her magic barely cushioning her fall.
"Remember," Lydia's voice echoed again, clear as a bell over the chaos, "Your magic is versatile. Use your environment. Misdirect, confuse, then strike."
A flash of understanding sparked in Wanda's eyes. Drawing herself up, she focused her power, the red tendrils of her magic snaking around her and blending into the environment. With a broad sweep of her arms, she manipulated the rubble around them, causing chunks of debris to rise, creating a swirling storm of distraction.
Gorr hesitated, the shifting terrain and airborne debris obscuring his vision. Seizing the moment, Wanda gathered her magic into a concentrated blast, channeling it directly at Gorr. The forceful impact sent him sprawling backwards, momentarily halting his advance.
"Well done!" Lydia praised, satisfaction evident in her voice, even as she continued to monitor the battle closely.
The tables turned abruptly as Gorr began exploiting the environment, flinging enormous chunks of debris at Wanda while simultaneously lunging towards the citizens trapped beneath the rubble. His tactics had a clear intention: to divide Wanda's attention and weaken her defense.
Lydia watched as Wanda hesitated, her gaze darting between Gorr and the frightened Asgardians. Lydia's voice cut through the chaos once again, stern and commanding. "Choices, Wanda! You cannot save everyone directly, but you can control the field to minimize the damage."
Wanda nodded, a look of determination replacing her previous uncertainty. She spread her arms, her magic glowing brighter as she took control of the debris Gorr had begun to manipulate. Redirecting them with deft precision, she used them as a shield to protect the citizens, the pieces of rubble forming a barrier around them.
At the same time, she countered Gorr's offensive strikes. Wanda constructed a network of magic barriers, interweaving them throughout the battlefield. The barriers sprung up unpredictably, blocking Gorr's path, confounding his movement.
"You're playing his game!" Lydia called out over the chaos, her voice still clear. "Don't just react, Wanda, predict! Think a few steps ahead."
Wanda's lips pressed into a firm line as she internalized Lydia's advice. She kept the barriers up but now added an element of offense, hurling conjured energy bolts that ricocheted off her barriers, converging on Gorr from unexpected angles.
"Yes, good!" Lydia acknowledged, a note of satisfaction threading through her words. "Keep the pressure on him, control the fight."
A momentary lapse in Wanda's focus was all it took for Gorr to close the distance. With a swift, brutal movement, Gorr struck Wanda, the force of the hit propelling her into the air, only to be buried under a pile of rubble when she landed.
"Wanda," Lydia's voice echoed with an undertone of severity. She was not heartless, she knew the pain Wanda felt, but this was a lesson that needed to be learned. "Pain is an excellent teacher. It tells us when we've made a mistake. It reminds us of our limits. And most importantly, it teaches us about consequences."
As Wanda struggled out from the debris, wiping the dust off her face, she winced from the pain. She felt the sting of her wounds, the hurt where Gorr's weapon had landed its hit. But more than that, she felt the sting of her own failure.
"Reacting to an attack is not enough," Lydia continued, her words cutting through the chaos around them. "You must anticipate, understand your enemy's movements. You left yourself open and you paid the price. Now, show him you've learned your lesson."
Wanda's lips tightened into a determined line. With a deep breath, she once again engaged Gorr, but this time her magic pulsed with newfound determination. She seemed to move with a more mindful fluidity, every maneuver carefully calculated and precise. The sting of her wounds served as a painful reminder of the consequences of failure, pushing her to confront Gorr with a revitalized vigor.
Gorr took advantage of Wanda's wavering concentration, exploiting her momentary distraction to close the gap. Wanda managed to react in time, throwing up a hastily formed shield just as Gorr's weapon descended. The impact was enough to send her crashing through a nearby building, debris flying everywhere.
"Remember, Wanda, defense is only half the battle," Lydia admonished, her eyes tracking Wanda's trajectory. The dust of the shattered building obscured their view, but Lydia knew well enough what was transpiring. "A shield can block an attack, but it doesn't negate the force behind it. If you must be on the defensive, be mindful to counteract that force."
Even from the distance, Lydia could feel the surge of magic emanating from the wreckage of the building, a raw and potent manifestation of Wanda's will. The next moment, Wanda emerged, her form radiating with scarlet energy. Her eyes blazed with a ferocity Lydia hadn't seen before, the pain and anger fueling her determination.
"Good," Lydia called out, her voice booming over the chaos. "Channel that anger, but do not let it control you. Use it to enhance your power, but don't let it cloud your judgement. Your emotions are your strength, Wanda, not your weakness."
With Lydia's words echoing in her ears, Wanda stood tall amidst the rubble, her aura crackling with unrestrained chaos magic. There was a fire in her eyes, a testament to her resolve, her will to overcome, and with a determined shout, she launched herself once more at Gorr.
Emboldened by Lydia's words, Wanda threw herself into the fray, a whirlwind of power and determination. Her hands lit up with raw, chaotic energy, casting out relentless waves of attacks that had Gorr on the backfoot. Gorr grappled with her onslaught, parrying and deflecting the best he could. Despite his best efforts, a few strikes landed, singeing his skin and forcing him to stagger back.
Just as it seemed Wanda had the upper hand, Gorr struck back, his Necrosword slicing through her defenses and grazing her arm. A hot pain erupted from the wound and she hissed, the scent of burning fabric and skin filling the air.
"Good offensive, Wanda," Lydia's voice echoed around them, unyielding and analytical. "But you cannot ignore your defense in favor of attacking. Your power is great, but it will be meaningless if you're cut down."
Her gaze turned to the smoking cut on Wanda's arm, "And don't forget, you are not invulnerable. Every wound you take will impact your ability to fight. Be mindful of your opponent's weapon and try to anticipate their strikes."
Wanda grimaced at the stinging sensation in her arm, but took Lydia's advice to heart. She moved more cautiously now, eyes locked onto Gorr's weapon as she readied herself for the next attack. Her injured arm throbbed with each pulse of her heart, a painful reminder of the consequences of letting her guard down. Despite the pain, Wanda was not deterred. Instead, she used the wound to fuel her determination, her chaos magic swirling around her as she launched back into the battle.
As Wanda dueled with Gorr, every minute was like an eternity to her. Each attack and counter felt like an individual battle, demanding all of her concentration and willpower. The intense focus coupled with the physical exertion began to wear her down. The vibrant energy that had surrounded her at the start of the battle now flickered inconsistently, reflecting her growing fatigue.
Gorr, sensing her weakening state, seized the opportunity to press his advantage. With a triumphant roar, he launched himself towards Wanda, the Necrosword poised for a lethal blow. Just as his blade was about to strike Wanda, it froze in mid-air. A thin beam of blue energy wrapped around it, halting its deadly descent. Wanda, looking up, saw Lydia's hand outstretched, her fingers pinching the air as if holding an invisible thread that was tied to the Necrosword.
"Heavily panting and drenched in sweat, aren't we, Wanda?" Lydia remarked, a hint of amusement in her voice. She looked over at Wanda, noting the exhaustion etched on her face. "Yet, you did well. You fought with determination and resourcefulness. Ten minutes in combat, especially against an adversary like Gorr, is commendable."
She paused, her gaze traveling back to Gorr, who was struggling against the invisible force holding his sword at bay. "Remember this, Wanda," Lydia advised, her voice steady, "Battles aren't won solely by strength. Stamina, strategy, and willpower also play crucial roles."
With that, she flicked her hand, sending Gorr flying back and releasing his grip on the Necrosword. As Wanda watched him crash into a pile of rubble, she exhaled a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding. Her body ached, her muscles screamed in protest, but she felt an odd sense of satisfaction. She had survived. She had endured. And in that, she found a sliver of victory.