Chapter 58: Ripples into Waves
<strong>Chapter 58: Ripples into Waves</strong>
<span style="font-weight:400">Just as Benjamin was wondering where she picked up such things, he heard her mutter.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Hmm, it doesn’t sound as cool as I thought it would. Should I have spoken it in Japanese?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...”
<span style="font-weight:400">So she really has been watching animes!
<span style="font-weight:400">Death noticed his look and rolled her eyes.
<span style="font-weight:400">“What? I was bored at home and decided to try out the inte. I must say, although you humans are very weak, human imagination is something else. Especially Japanese animes are very interesting.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Then she tilted her head.
<span style="font-weight:400">“However, what is it with trucks that they must keep running over the main characters and then reincarnate them in a different world? Do trucks hold that kind of power here?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Of course not!...I think.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin faltered a bit.
<span style="font-weight:400">After all, this Marvel universe is just fiction from his original world. Who knows what kind of nonsense worlds are out there?
<span style="font-weight:400">At this moment, the Aether has been fully extracted from Jane as she copsed on the ground, panting heavily.
<span style="font-weight:400">Thor tossed Malekith at the side and quickly ran over to Jane tofort her.
<span style="font-weight:400">The Aether hovered around Death obediently as if waiting for her orders.
<span style="font-weight:400">Death closed her stretched-out hand into a fist and suddenly, the Aether began topact itself, turning into a beautiful ruby stone.
<span style="font-weight:400">Now it’s finally worthy of its name, the Reality Stone!
<span style="font-weight:400">Death didn’t even nce at it for more than a second and just tossed it to Benjamin.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Take it. However, I advise not using this one. This is the Reality Stone of this universe. Although I’m unfamiliar with the Infinity Stones of other universes, there is a chance a conflict will happen if you were to use them together.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...I got it.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin simply answered. Anyway, he was never gonna use it.
<span style="font-weight:400">This world’s Infinity Stones have so many drawbacks and unknown effects or consequences. He didn’t want to risk it. The System’s Infinity Stones are more reliable.
<span style="font-weight:400">[Of course! The System is the most powerful!]
<span style="font-weight:400">Yes yes, all hail the great System.
<span style="font-weight:400">[Incidently, if you had ced this Reality Stone onto your Infinity Crown, the whole of reality will break and this universe may start to merge with your old universe. This is because thews that are in ce in the Infinity Stones will conflict with one another and a ‘correction’ will ur to fix the conflict. It’s estimated that 90% of the whole universe poption on both sides will die from the cataclysm.]
<span style="font-weight:400">…
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin broke into a cold sweat.
<span style="font-weight:400">All sorts of curious thoughts as to what will happen if he uses this stone are now gone from his mind.
<span style="font-weight:400">He no longer dared to even think about it!
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin quickly shoved the Reality Stone inside his Inventory.
<span style="font-weight:400">He’ll think of what to do with itter.
<span style="font-weight:400">Maybe I can give it to Wanda?
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin thought for a moment then shook his head.
<span style="font-weight:400">Wanda still hasn’t fully explored her powers, it’s best to wait it out for now.
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin had nned before about entrusting the various Infinity Stones to specific people and being the one who forms the Illuminati in this world.
<span style="font-weight:400">After all, it’s kind of a waste if he just let them collect dust in his Inventory.
<span style="font-weight:400">While Benjamin was thinking of such things, another figure appeared in the room.
<span style="font-weight:400">Looking over, Benjamin saw an old man with a gold eyepatch on his right eye holding a long golden spear.
<span style="font-weight:400">This must be Odin.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Frigga!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Upon entering, Odin immediately saw his wife copse on the ground in front of Benjamin and instantly appeared beside her to hold her up.
<span style="font-weight:400">As soon as he touched her, he breathed a sigh of relief.
<span style="font-weight:400">Good…she’s still alive…I wasn’tte…
<span style="font-weight:400">He doesn’t know what he would do if he didn’t make it in time and Frigga dies.
<span style="font-weight:400">But he’s sure of one thing. A lot of people will die if that had happened.
<span style="font-weight:400">Even if he had to burn his small remaining lifespan…he’ll do whatever it takes to get revenge!
<span style="font-weight:400">But it was a good thing that Frigga is alive. This let Odin calm down a bit more.
<span style="font-weight:400">He looked up and saw Benjamin and was confused about who this person was.
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin smiled and introduced himself.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Greetings, Odin, Son of Bor. I am Benjamin Freed of Earth. I came to assist your people along with a few others.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Benjamin Freed…is it? I can sense divinity within you. Are you a new god?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Divinity…was it because of the God of Nature skill?
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin nodded.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes. I have some control over Nature.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin suddenly pointed at the side and a tree trunk sprouted from the ground, immediately wrapping itself on Malekith and therge dark elf who were trying to escape while they were talking.
<span style="font-weight:400">In just a second, the two of them were nted inside arge tree with only their heads stuck out of the tree trunk.
<span style="font-weight:400">Finally remembering about them, Thor quickly exined.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Father! They were the ones responsible for the attack! He called himself Malekith! They were after the Aether that was inside Jane’s body and nearly killed mother! Thankfully, Ben arrived in time and healed her, otherwise…”
<span style="font-weight:400">A cold gleam appeared in Odin’s one eye when he heard that his wife nearly died.
<span style="font-weight:400">However, he still restrained himself and turned to Benjamin.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Benjamin Freed, God of Nature. I thank you for saving my wife and for your assistance.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“It was nothing. I would appreciate it if you turn a blind eye to our trespassing this time.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Odin nodded.
<span style="font-weight:400">“It was an emergency so it can’t be helped. However, in the future, I would not mind you visiting Asgard anytime you wish. These halls shall be forever open to you.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Thanks.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Odin then turned to Death who was silently standing at the side, not caring about anyone.
<span style="font-weight:400">Odin’s eye widened in shock.
<span style="font-weight:400">“This is…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Just as he could sense a trace of divinity in Benjamin, he felt something far far worse in the child.
<span style="font-weight:400">Something dark and dreadful.
<span style="font-weight:400">As if he was looking at Death itself!
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin coughed and quickly pulled Death behind him.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Just a kid I’m looking after. Don’t mind her.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Hmph.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Death pouted but didn’t bother saying anything.
<span style="font-weight:400">She felt it was beneath her to keep exining and introducing herself.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well then, we’ll go check on the others and be on our way…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin didn’t want to stay any longer in case something bad happens and Death decides to kill everyone or something.
<span style="font-weight:400">Although he feels like he can trust her character, there may still be some unknown variables in y and he didn’t want to risk it.
<span style="font-weight:400">In any case, the situation has been more or less resolved. There was no need to stay any longer.
<span style="font-weight:400">Thor saw that they were leaving and quickly called out.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ah! Can’t you stay for the banquet at least? We shall hold a feast to celebrate our victory!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin hesitated for a moment. After all, he was quite curious about Asgard cuisines too. But there was still the matter of Death…
<span style="font-weight:400">Suddenly, Death turned in a direction somewhere and hummed as if she found something interesting.
<span style="font-weight:400">She then turned to Benjamin and spoke.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I think I saw something interesting. I’ll be off first. You go deal with your own things.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ah? Wai-”
<span style="font-weight:400">Before Benjamin could stop her, she already disappeared somewhere.
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin felt even more nervous.
<span style="font-weight:400">This girl…what is she up to now?
<span style="font-weight:400">No, this can’t keep happening. I need to do something!
<span style="font-weight:400">Suddenly, an idea struck his mind.
<span style="font-weight:400">Doesn’t she like animes? Then she should surely like games too right?
<span style="font-weight:400">I can let her try out the VR games we make and turn her into a full-blown shut-in! To the point where she wouldn’t want to leave her room!
<span style="font-weight:400">Operation: Turn Death into a Shut-in is a go!
<span style="font-weight:400">[...Host, don’t forget you still have the quest to court Death. At this rate, Death might fall in love with 2D characters instead!]
<span style="font-weight:400">That won’t happen….probably.
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin decided not to think about it and just hope for the best.
<span style="font-weight:400">Meanwhile.
<span style="font-weight:400">In a certain corner of the Nine Realms sat a dark and cold ce with a single throne. Sitting on it was a woman with jet-ck hair that dropped all the way to her bountiful chest.
<span style="font-weight:400">She wore ck and dark green slim armor around her body that highlighted her curves.
<span style="font-weight:400">Her expression was one filled with hatred.
<span style="font-weight:400">Hatred to her own father who trapped her in this realm for eternity.
<span style="font-weight:400">She was known as H. The God of Death. Ruler of Hel.
<span style="font-weight:400">At this moment, she was waiting…waiting for that old geezer father of hers to finally croak and be free!
<span style="font-weight:400">Once he dies, she will finally take her rightful ce in Asgard as its Queen!
<span style="font-weight:400">As for those so-called brothers of hers, they were nothing in her eyes.
<span style="font-weight:400">This day was just like any other day.
<span style="font-weight:400">Waiting…patiently…
<span style="font-weight:400">But suddenly, a figure appeared in front of her without warning.
<span style="font-weight:400">A…child?
<span style="font-weight:400">No…this power…she was all too familiar with it…
<span style="font-weight:400">It was the power of Death!
<span style="font-weight:400">The child looked at her and smiled.
<span style="font-weight:400">“You must be H. I am Death.”
<span style="font-weight:400">H quickly stood up and knelt in front of Death.
<span style="font-weight:400">Although she didn’t recognize her, the power of Death within the child far surpassed her own!
<span style="font-weight:400">She may just very well be Death itself!
<span style="font-weight:400">H knew her standing so she didn’t try anything rash and simply knelt down.
<span style="font-weight:400">Death smiled and nodded.
<span style="font-weight:400">“It has been millions of years since I finally had an apostle of my own. You’re quite suitable for the job. How about it, do you ept to be my apostle?”
<span style="font-weight:400">H’s mind quickly thought of a lot of things in a second and answered.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I am willing! However…I am currently trapped in this ce. I’m afraid I can’t serve you just yet.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Death rolled her eyes.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking. I am not going to intervene in your revenge. And I also advise you not to do so. Odin is already near his end…unless Ben decides to do something about it. Of which there will be nothing we can do. Anyway, you do not need to mind this small trap. I can just bring you with me.”
<span style="font-weight:400">H fell silent.
<span style="font-weight:400">Just now, it feels like Death said a lot of things that were a bit hard to understand.
<span style="font-weight:400">Who’s Ben? Why did she mention him? Why is she also powerless against him? Why would such a being help Odin?
<span style="font-weight:400">H didn’t understand. But she knew better than to keep asking questions at this time.
<span style="font-weight:400">“As long as I can leave this ce, I’m willing to serve Death.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Good! Then, you shall be my maid- ahem- apostle from now on!”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...”
<span style="font-weight:400">Did she just say maid?
<span style="font-weight:400">No, I’m probably imagining things.
<span style="font-weight:400">Just like that, Death waved her little hand and sucked H into the Soul Stone with her.
<span style="font-weight:400">And just like that…Benjamin gained yet another powerful tenant in his Soul Stone…
<span style="font-weight:400">Unlike with Death, there was no need to split H’s soul since she was only trapped in this ce so she remained whole. Otherwise, Benjamin would’ve needed to deal with two lolis capable of destroying the world…
<span style="font-weight:400">Just thinking about it can send shivers down their spine.
<span style="font-weight:400">Back in Asgard, Odin naturally sensed H disappearing in Hel.
<span style="font-weight:400">He looked to the horizon and sighed.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Is this fate? Howe it seems different from what that bald woman told me will happen…”
<span style="font-weight:400">He wanted to immediately deal with H but…he was afraid of the child from before.
<span style="font-weight:400">That child was all too powerful for him. Even if he rallies all the gods in Omnipotence City, they will still all die if they fight her.
<span style="font-weight:400">Whatever, what’s done is done…he can only try to solve any problems when ites.
<span style="font-weight:400">Odin wasn’t the only one confused about this matter.
<span style="font-weight:400">Earth, Kamar-Taj.
<span style="font-weight:400">A bald woman in yellow robes had her eyes closed and sat cross-legged while floating.
<span style="font-weight:400">Strapped on her neck was a ne with an eye. At the center of the eye was an orb that glowed green.
<span style="font-weight:400">The bald woman had both hands making a sign on both sides of this eye and a green magical circle appeared on her wrists.
<span style="font-weight:400">After a while, the bald woman sighed and stopped her magic.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Weird…this is too weird…the timeline’s changedpletely…and something is blocking me from looking further in the future…just what is happening here?”
<span style="font-weight:400">This bald woman was none other than the current Sorcerer Supreme, the Ancient One.
<span style="font-weight:400">For a while now, she had been used to looking into the future and nning for a better oue one step at a time. But now, the future is all murky and hidden from her.
<span style="font-weight:400">Even with the Time Stone, she is unable to look into it.
<span style="font-weight:400">Something that even an Infinity Stone can block…must be another Infinity Stone!
<span style="font-weight:400">But…there can’t be two Time Stones…right?
<span style="font-weight:400">The next moment, she put one of her hands in her sleeve and pulled out a magical device…no, a smart phone.
<span style="font-weight:400">Checking on the news, she looked at the one thing that was unknown to her before.
<span style="font-weight:400">[Benjamin Freed - Captain of the newly established EPD!]
<span style="font-weight:400">“Benjamin Freed…this person isn’t supposed to appear in the future that I know…there must be something about him.”
<span style="font-weight:400">The Ancient One sighed.
<span style="font-weight:400">“It seems I need to make a trip to New York.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Meanwhile, in an unknown location.
<span style="font-weight:400">Several people were looking at a retro screen with a yellow line in the middle.
<span style="font-weight:400">From time to time, branches would ur now and then but would suddenly disappear and revert back to normal.
<span style="font-weight:400">A white-haired man scratched his hair in confusion.
<span style="font-weight:400">Beside her, a woman asked him.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Mobius, what do you make of this?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“You ask me, who do I ask? Besides, can’t you ask the Time Keeper, Ravonna?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I did but they won’t answer.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Ravonna sighed.
<span style="font-weight:400">Mobius just shrugged.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Then there’s nothing we can do. As I see it, it’s not causing any problems in the sacred timeline. As long as it doesn’t go past the red line, all’s well and good, right?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...Fine. Just tell me if something happens.”
<span style="font-weight:400">These people were the Time Variance Authority, in charge of maintaining the sacred timeline and preventing branches from urring, hence maintaining a single timeline.
<span style="font-weight:400">The branches they saw that keeps glitching out were none other than Benjamin himself of course.
<span style="font-weight:400">As for why it reverts back to normal…well, it was naturally thanks to the System.
<span style="font-weight:400">All of his actions were converted to be part of the sacred timeline.
<span style="font-weight:400">That’s why, even though he keeps changing the timeline, no TVA shows up at his doorstep to prune him.
<span style="font-weight:400">At the same time, in a certain location.
<span style="font-weight:400">A man looked at the timeline in confusion.
<span style="font-weight:400">It was He Who Remains.
<span style="font-weight:400">He just sat there in utter confusion, looking at the script that he had ‘supposedly’ written for the timeline and finding new entries popping up now and then.
<span style="font-weight:400">“...What the multiversal shit is going on!?”
<span style="font-weight:400">At this moment, Benjamin was still unaware of the ripples that followed from his actions and is currently having a feast in Asgard whileughing without a care in the world…
<span style="font-weight:400">Time would surely turn those ripples into waves.
<span style="font-weight:400">As for whether he will drown on it or ride on it…is a story for another time.