Iron Man's repulsors flared as he darted through the ruined streets, convinced he had the upper hand. But in a blur, Elliott Randolph leapt forward, the fear-forged Twin Blades gleaming in his hands. Before Tony could react, Randolph's blade crashed down, slicing through the Iron Man armor with terrifying force. Sparks flew as the suit split open, a jagged crack running down the back. Tony was sent flying, crashing into a nearby building before slumping to the ground, motionless.
"Tony!" Steve Rogers shouted, sprinting toward his fallen friend.
He barely made it two steps before a howling wind slammed into him. Instinctively, Steve raised his shield, but the impact numbed his arm and sent him skidding across the pavement. He rolled to a stop, breathless.
Hawkeye wasted no time, nocking a specialized arrow and firing at Randolph. The arrow exploded on impact, but the blast barely ruffled Randolph's stance. He was too strong—far beyond anything they had faced before.
Steve struggled to his feet, just in time to see Hawkeye sprinting across the battlefield, loosing arrow after arrow. None found their mark. Seizing the moment, Steve hurled his shield, striking Randolph squarely in the chest. The Asgardian staggered, but only for a moment. Steve caught the returning shield and charged, landing blow after blow in close quarters.
The sounds of combat—shields clashing, arrows exploding, blades slicing—filled the air.
Meanwhile, Natasha dashed to Tony's side. She pried open the battered helmet, her heart pounding as she checked for injuries. The armor was ruined, the backplate nearly sheared off, but Tony was alive, only unconscious.
"This suit is finished," Natasha muttered, trying to rouse him.
Suddenly, a thunderous crash shook the ground. Steve was hurled into the wall beside her, groaning in pain. Natasha rushed to help, but before she could reach him, Hawkeye was sent flying as well, landing in a heap.
"Damn it, what is this guy?" Hawkeye gasped, clutching his side. "I've never felt fear like this—my hands are shaking…"
Natasha hugged her knees, trembling. Even Hawkeye, always steady, was nearly incoherent with terror.
Steve forced himself upright, his face pale but determined. He looked to Su Zhan, who stood calmly on the sidelines, arms crossed, watching the chaos with a faint smile.
"Su Zhan, are you just going to stand there?" Steve called desperately.
Su Zhan shrugged, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "No rush. Wait a moment."
Hawkeye's frustration boiled over. "Wait for what? We're getting slaughtered out here! Can't you see we're not his match?"
Su Zhan almost replied that it was only natural for them to lose against such an opponent, but he held back. "Just wait… It's almost time. No, it's here."
As if on cue, a beam of light split the sky. Runes shimmered in the air, and with a crash of thunder, Thor descended, Mjolnir in hand and his crimson cape billowing.
"So it's you," Su Zhan murmured, his eyes lighting up.
Steve and Hawkeye finally understood what Su Zhan had been waiting for. Thor was not just any Asgardian—he was the God of Thunder, and if anyone could match Randolph's power, it was him.
Thor strode forward, casting a glance at Su Zhan. "You could have called me sooner, you know. We were planning a feast for your return, and without you, it was dreadfully dull."
Su Zhan grinned. "Maybe we'll celebrate in a few days. For now, you've got work to do."
Thor turned to face Randolph, his voice booming with authority. "Elliott Randolph! By my authority as Thor, Prince of Asgard, I order you to lay down your arms and return to Asgard with me!"
Randolph's only answer was a guttural roar. He raised the blackened blade and swung at Thor, the edge crackling with the energy of pure fear.
Thor's eyes narrowed. "So be it." He swung Mjolnir, meeting the blade head-on.
The impact shook the city. Both combatants staggered back, neither giving ground.
"Impressive," Su Zhan said softly, watching the clash. "He can withstand Mjolnir's power. The fear double blades really are something special."
Thor and Randolph exchanged blow after blow, thunder and terror colliding in a storm of destruction. Buildings crumbled, lightning flashed, and the ground quaked beneath their feet.
Suddenly, Randolph let out a bestial scream. The silver blade in his hand pulsed with energy, drawing in the fear radiating from every corner of the battlefield. Steve, Hawkeye, Natasha, and even the unconscious Tony were engulfed in a miasma of terror. Their faces twisted with panic, their bodies trembling uncontrollably. Natasha curled into a ball, shivering. Hawkeye's hands shook so violently he could barely hold his bow.
Only Steve managed to stay on his feet, though sweat poured down his face as he fought to remain sane.
"So this is the power of the Twin Blades of Fear," Su Zhan mused. "Crude, but devastating. There's almost no defense."
With a final roar, Thor was blasted across the square, landing hard at Su Zhan's feet. Mjolnir skidded away, and Thor lay sprawled, gasping for breath.
"Well, even Thor can't handle this," Su Zhan said, his satisfaction clear.
He stepped forward, eyes fixed on the raging Asgardian. The time had come to show what true power looked like.