Chapter 115: Oh, Shit!

Eternal Flame.

Roald understood it as a form of life energy, an unchanging enchantment of sorts.

It could be drawn upon at will, without any regard for the conservation of energy.

Or perhaps, this flame carried some kind of undying life force.

In terms of Hearthstone’s mechanics, its trait might be akin to a permanent Divine Shield or a Deathrattle that resurrects upon death.

In the film, only a small portion of the Eternal Flame served as the “activation energy” for Hela’s army, but the true power to revive the army came from Hela herself—the death deity of Asgard.

Therefore, Roald felt the Eternal Flame was more like an energy core.

Much like the Frost Giants’ supreme treasure, the “Frostbound Chest,” which was indestructible, and also the skull of a Fire Giant, a valuable artifact as well.

Just as Roald was preparing to act, the place where Kel’Thuzad stood had already turned into a battlefield.

With wave after wave of footsteps, countless Scourge soldiers marched out in formation. The energy of death and frost darkened the sky; Asgard’s eternal sunlight dimmed profoundly. Countless pale blue lights densely clustered as if creating a topological map, layers upon layers spreading forward like a tide.

The Little Book Pavilion

This was definitely not the Frost Giants’ army. Though the Frost Giants were cruel, they did not carry such an intense aura of death.

Exiled for so long, finally having a chance to return to his homeland and realize his dream, Malekith felt as though his worldview was shattering.

It was as if the will of the world itself was against him. Most importantly, this time he was all in.

This was no longer just about fulfilling a dream—it concerned the survival of the Dark Elves as a people, the continuation of their race.

If they were encircled and annihilated here, he would have no choice but to order all the Dark Elves to abandon their last opportunity and retreat from the battlefield.

His reason told him that now was the best time to retreat using the flagship.

But his heart rebelled, filled with frustration and unwillingness.

Success was just within reach.

He couldn’t fathom it—if this wasn’t the Frost Giants, then which faction in the Nine Realms could it be?

Hela?

Malekith’s first thought was Hela.

In a daze, Malekith seemed to see again the war weapon during the battle with Asgard, that legendary Hela—the true heir of Asgard, Odin’s eldest daughter who had been exiled.

“Are you under Hela’s command?”

While being pressed back by the frost’s assault, Malekith glanced at Kel’Thuzad and asked. He felt that his millennia of slumber had rendered his knowledge outdated, causing him to overlook crucial information and commit a fatal error.

He had originally planned a concentrated strike, using localized advantage to create chaos and shatter Asgard, then infiltrate with an elite fleet to foment internal strife, finally executing the Dark Return plan.

But now, he realized how absurdly wrong he had been. He had not expected Hela’s interference.

“Hela?” Kel’Thuzad pretended to ponder for a moment, his necessary cunning making him appear thoughtful, then he nodded. “Yes, the power of death has been waiting patiently. Thank you for creating such a perfect opportunity for us.”

“No, you are not Hela’s followers. Hela would never act like this,” Freyja immediately retorted.

“Alas, lady, you guessed correctly but receive no reward.” Kel’Thuzad raised his hand, and icy chains wrapped around Freyja. The legendary queen tried to dodge but was struck by a sudden palm from Jane.

Only then did Freyja realize, too late, that this human girl possessed such power—Odin’s tests had failed to detect it.

Moreover, she sensed a vast, transcendent force within Jane, something the Dark Elves desired.

Enduring her bodily discomfort, Freyja directed her most accurate spell at Jane.

No matter what, the entity within this girl must not fall into the hands of the Dark Elves.

Whether Hela or Malekith, they were enemies to Asgard.

Yet Freyja found that she could no longer cast her spell; the tip of a sword emerging from behind drained all her vitality.

She stiffly lifted her head and saw Jane smiling radiantly.

“You are too kind, Mother... Kind people always suffer greater hardships.”

Pulling the sword from Freyja’s chest, Foster stood with his blade sheathed, watching the encircling Dark Elves as spider-like limbs emerged behind him.

After Natasha’s death, Zaz’irah had transferred her consciousness to Jane Foster through a ritual.

This scene stirred Malekith’s gaze; he felt he had missed something.

Probably time to retreat again.

“Commander, our target is the Aether Particle. We cannot let our kin’s sacrifice be in vain. We mustn’t waste time—seize control of that human as quickly as possible, and all cursed warriors must intercept all enemies to create us an opening. Have the fleet ready to take off at any moment. Once we secure the Aether Particle, we withdraw immediately.”

Malekith’s lieutenant, Agam, spoke, then raised his hand and shot the head off a nearby Scourge soldier.

They could no longer afford to waste time. The Dark Elves were caught between Asgardian soldiers and the Scourge, becoming targets for both sides. This was grim news for an already dwindling race.

Using the obelisk to conceal the Scourge’s movements, then harnessing its power to open a summoning portal, Kel’Thuzad had now called forth all the undead he could awaken.

If successful, after this battle, as long as Roald secured the Eternal Flame, all of Asgard’s undead, every soldier who had fallen in Asgard, could be resurrected.

Whether Asgardians or Dark Elves, they would all be known as Scourge thereafter.

Even if Odin eradicated them, Kel’Thuzad still had his phylactery; he feared no death and also had teleportation spells.

Agam’s words snapped Malekith out of his reverie.

Yes, their main objective was the Aether Particle.

Energy flowed into his hands as Malekith stepped forward.

“Agam, we’ll join forces to recapture the Aether Particle. All other cursed warriors must intercept every enemy to give us a chance. Have the fleet ready to launch at any moment. Once we secure the particle, we retreat immediately.”

“Yes, commander.” Agam also stepped forward. The two most elite Dark Elf warriors flanked Jane, charging while throwing specially designed grenades.

The spatial collapse caused black holes that immediately absorbed and shattered the surrounding Scourge soldiers.

“Agam, for the honor of the Dark Elves, we shall die with glory.”

“Yes, commander, we shall die with honor.”

As they shouted their battle cry, Agam heard another command from their leader.

“Agam, the time has come. We retreat decisively. As long as we live, there will be another chance to reclaim the Aether Particle.”

“Yes, com—huh?”

Agam’s steps faltered. Turning around, he saw Malekith already rushing toward the flagship.

“Thank... you...”