World Traveler Villain-Chapter 236: CH: 233 The Destroyer

{Chapter: 233 The Destroyer}

The towering figure of the Destroyer marched steadily toward Old Bridge City. Each heavy step it took sent tremors through the ground, as if the ground itself feared the monster's presence. A blazing column of fire erupted from its face, sweeping across the streets like a scythe of destruction. Buildings crumbled, cars exploded, and terrified citizens ran for cover—utterly powerless against its might. The once-lively town now resembled a battlefield consumed by flames.

"You must all leave this place immediately!" Thor shouted, his voice rising above the chaos. His eyes burned with urgency. "It's here to kill me—I won't let anyone else die because of me!"

"No!" Volstagg roared, gripping his massive battle axe tightly. His beard was singed, but his spirit burned brighter than ever. "We fight with you, Thor. That thing won't take you without a battle."

"He's right!" added Fandral, sword gleaming in the firelight. "We didn't come all this way just to run away now."

"We're your friends, your comrades!" said Hogun, grim and resolute. "We stand by you, no matter what comes."

Sif's gaze was firm and unwavering. "Together until the end."

But Thor, burdened by guilt and worry, shouted, "You can't stay here! You must go—track down my brother and stop him before he causes even more devastation."

Before another word could be said, a thunderous BOOM echoed through the burning city. The Destroyer, cloaked in molten heat and fire, emerged through the smoke and rubble. Its very presence distorted the air, heat radiating off its armored body in waves. It marched forward, unstoppable, like a god of war.

Volstagg, never one to hesitate, let out a battle cry. "Die, you metal abomination!" he yelled, charging recklessly. He swung his massive axe down with all his might.

CLANG!

The axe struck—but the Destroyer barely flinched. In a brutal instant, its iron fist lashed out, hurling Volstagg across the street like a rag doll. He crashed into a concrete wall, groaning in pain.

As the creature's attention shifted, Sif seized her moment. With incredible agility, she leapt from a rooftop, blade in hand. Her sword plunged into the back of the Destroyer's head with precision, piercing deep into its inner core. novelbuddy.cσ๓

Time seemed to freeze.

The Destroyer stopped moving. Its limbs locked in place, and the ominous hum of its inner furnace faded.

Sif landed gracefully, a triumphant smile on her face. "We did it," she breathed.

"Sif, behind you!" Thor shouted, panic in his voice.

With a sudden grinding of metal, the Destroyer's armor twisted grotesquely. Its head spun around, reversing itself with a horrifying screech. Without warning, it unleashed a devastating column of fire directly at her.

Sif dove to the side just in time, rolling away as heat scorched the earth where she had stood moments ago.

"You all need to leave!" Thor yelled again, desperate. "This thing won't stop!"

BOOM! BOOM!

The Destroyer's relentless attack resumed. A fiery blast cleaved through a building, splitting it in half. Chunks of concrete and steel crashed to the ground. Flames burst out in every direction.

"AHH!" Pepper screamed, eyes wide as a torrent of fire arced toward her.

Just as the blaze was about to consume her, a shadow moved in. William darted through the chaos, grabbed Pepper around the waist, and blinked away using a sudden burst of teleportation.

The two reappeared safely behind a ruined bus. Pepper was still shaking, eyes fixed on William.

"Why... why did you save me?" she asked, breathless.

William set her down gently, his tone confident but smug. "Why? Whether you admit it or not, you'll be mine one day."

Pepper glared at him, defiant. "I'll never admit it."

William smirked. "That's fine. I already have." And with that, he vanished into the air again.

Pepper stood frozen for a moment, stunned and infuriated. She clenched her fists tightly, her voice trembling with emotion. "William, you arrogant bastard... I will never give in!"

Meanwhile, Jane was sprinting through the chaos, dodging falling debris and searching desperately. "Tom?! Tom!" she cried. "Where are you?!"

Panic consumed her. The flames, the rubble, the smoke—none of it mattered. She had to find him.

"Jane! Over here!" yelled Eric from up ahead, waving frantically.

She rushed toward him, but before she could reach him, a chunk of debris collapsed from above. It crashed onto Eric's shoulder, sending him tumbling and screaming in pain.

"ERIC!" Jane cried, rushing to his side.

"Watch out!" he shouted.

Jane turned just in time to see another massive slab of concrete falling straight toward her.

She raised her arms instinctively to protect her head. Her hands could break— but if her head took the hit, she wouldn't survive.

Time slowed as the shadow loomed over her...

The pain Jane had braced herself for never arrived. Confused, she slowly lowered her arms from around her head and looked up—only to see someone standing protectively in front of her.

"Tom..." she whispered in disbelief.

Blood streamed down William's forehead, tracing dark red lines across his face. His body swayed before collapsing slowly to the ground.

"I... I protected you... I have no regrets..." he mumbled, a weak smile tugging at his lips. But even in that moment, Jane knew he was lying. He always lied to hide the truth.

"No, Tom—don't say that! I don't want this!" Jane dropped to her knees beside him, her voice trembling with panic and sorrow. She shook her head over and over, hot tears rolling down her cheeks. "Tom, please... talk to me. You say you have no regrets—but I do! I never told you how I feel... Please, wake up and listen to me! I was waiting for the right moment... don't leave me now, not like this!"

Boom... boom... boom...

The deafening thud of massive footsteps echoed across the street. The Destroyer marched closer, its expressionless metallic face glowing as waves of heat began to shimmer in the air around it. Flames churned, condensing at its head like a building storm.

Eric, limping badly and bleeding from the shoulder, forced himself to Jane's side. He grabbed her arm. "Jane, we have to move! We need to get out of here!"

But Jane wouldn't budge. Her eyes were locked on William's unmoving form.

William stirred ever so slightly, his eyelids fluttering open. With visible effort, he raised a trembling hand and gently touched Jane's cheek.

"Jane... get out of here," he whispered faintly. "Don't... don't worry about me..."

And with that, his hand dropped limply to the ground.

"No... No! Tom is still here!" she sobbed.

"You're going to get yourself killed," Eric pleaded, grabbing her more firmly. "He saved you. You need to live. Don't waste the chance he gave you—GO!"

"Tom... Tom..." Jane cried as Eric dragged her away.

BOOM!

A massive pillar of searing beam blasted down upon the spot where William had lain, incinerating the area in a blinding inferno. The ground cracked, and a shockwave rolled outward, throwing dust and rubble into the air.

"Tom!" Jane shrieked, her voice breaking.

Thor could take no more. He stepped forward, his expression grim and resolute, eyes locked onto the approaching Destroyer.

"Brother... I don't know what I did to drive you to this. Whatever wrong I've done, I accept it. But these people—these innocent people—do not deserve this. Their deaths will not heal you. If you must end this, then end me. Spare them."

The fire pulsing from the Destroyer's face flickered and dimmed. For a moment, it seemed as if it might stop. It turned away from Thor, and everyone watching held their breath.

BANG!

In a sudden motion, the Destroyer whipped back around and struck Thor with a brutal, mechanical punch. Thor flew backward like a broken doll, slamming into the dirt with a sickening thud.

The Destroyer straightened and turned again—this time for real—continuing its march forward. Its purpose was clear: eliminate Thor, and leave.

"How... how could this happen?" Volstagg muttered, his face pale.

"Thor! Thor!" Fandral and Hogan cried, sprinting to their fallen friend's side.

Jane had fallen to her knees again, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Jane, it's no use... There's nothing we can do," Darcy said gently, placing a comforting hand on Jane's shoulder.

"You don't understand..." Jane murmured, shaking her head. "You'll never understand..."

From the edge of the crowd, Pepper watched quietly. Her heart refused to believe it—William couldn't have died so easily. Not him. He was probably faking it again. He always had a way of surviving. He had to be alive. Still... as she looked at Jane's tear-streaked face, something stopped her from speaking. Words caught in her throat, and she held them back.

Thor lay motionless, dust and blood covering his face. Then, suddenly, his body twitched.

In that moment, a deep, resounding voice echoed in his mind—his father's voice.

Whosoever holds this hammer—if he be worthy—shall possess the power of... Thor.

---

Far across the horizon, the sky rippled with pressure. Something was flying—fast—cutting through the air like a thunderbolt, trailing a shockwave behind it.

A hammer.

Thor's hammer.

And it was coming home.

*****

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