Nidavellir loomed before me, swathed in roiling crimson clouds. Molten rivers flowed among jagged peaks wreathed in mist. This forge-world's power was legendary - the birthplace of Mjolnir itself. I left Hela sleeping back on earth as I made my move without her. I would bring her a throne without having her go through the notion of facing her father and probably chaging sides because some childhood words.

Now this place would give me new life.

I emerged from my portal into blistering heat, ashes swirling amidst furnace winds. The towering central forge rose in the distance, idle and unattended.

Good - the dwarves were absent. I would rather avoid bloodshed today. Striding forward, I called upon the power of the dark dimension, funneling scorching plasma into the enormous smelter.

The machines rumbled to life, shaking the complex. I continued feeding power till the forge burned blue-white. Then, opening a portal to Jotunheim, I let loose the Mindless Ones into the heart of the star.

Their etheral forms vaporized instantly, raw energy flowing into the forge. When at last they were spent, I added the final ingredients - the molten ore of a dying sun, and a vial of my own life essence.

The concoction roiled, thrumming with dimensional power. Peering into its light-devouring depths, I could see the shape taking form.

A new body to house my spirit. One unbound by mortal flesh and bone. The dwarves' masterwork - but this would be my soul forge.

I plunged my hands into the cosmic crucible and funneled every fiber of my being inward. For an eternity I hung beyond all sensation, drawn between the raging tides of matter and spirit.

Just as I felt myself slipping into the abyss, metallic talons closed around my wrists, pulling me free. My vision flashed back into focus.

Before me hovered my new incarnation, eyes flaring like twin quasars. I was remade.

The sleek body was an onyx parody of my old human form, festooned with flaring spikes and jagged edges. Eldritch runes of power etched its surface, running molten crimson through its joints and core. A merged between a perfect god like Dormammu and the perfect AI android Ultron. But like Vision I had the means to human pleasures now as well. Inside my metallic eldritch helment a human-like face rested resembling my old one.

Most importantly, this form could survive away from the dark dimension indefinitely. I was finally whole.

A rumbling laugh escaped my fanged mouth. "Reborn through ancient fire and shadow. Now, to take my rightful place."

Of course, testing my full capabilities would require a worthy challenge. Fate seemed inclined to provide one - approaching energy signatures marked the imminent arrival of two beings I knew all too well.

"My old friends return," I hissed to my new body. "How thoughtful."

We turned to face the enormous portal flaring to life at the forge's far end. From its depths strode Thor and Loki, already locked in fierce debate.

"...cannot trust anything that fiend says, Thor," Loki insisted. "Surtr will use us for his own ends."

"You fear too much, brother," Thor laughed. "Once we have the Eternal Flame, Surtr will not dare deceive—"

Mjolnir fell from Thor's grip, cracking the stone underfoot. Both gods stared at my new form, momentarily struck dumb.

"It cannot be," Loki uttered. "Asgard's intruder?"

I flashed my fangs in a grin. "Loki. Always perceptive."

With a bellow Thor flew at me, fist cocked for an earth-shattering blow. I caught it contemptuously, savoring his shocked expression.

"My power has grown, Odinson."

I hurled him straight through a granite cliff into a magma flow. Turning, I deflected a brace of Loki's daggers off my chestplate.

"Come now. You two were always so close." I unleashed a pulse of energy, scattering Loki's decoys. "Let's fix that."

With a gesture I opened a portal beneath Loki's feet. Thor sprang from the magma to push him aside, but only succeeded in following him through. They tumbled out high above the volcanic plains.

I watched their helpless plunge with amusement. But neither had said their last - Gungnir came hurtling from nowhere to catch them mid-fall.

Odin Allfather strode through the portal, blazing with power. I gestured mockingly for him to approach.

"Even wounded, they are beyond you," Odin declared. Behind him, Thor and Loki regained their footing.

"No longer." I began siphoning Odin's life-force through our locked gaze, drawing on his stolen power. He fell to one knee with a startled gasp.

"Father, no!" Thor and Loki rushed to his aid, but an illusion spell froze them in place, inches from their goal.

"How?" Loki strained helplessly against his mystical bonds as Odin weakened further.

I relished stringing out their torture and despair. But that was a ghost from my past - now I wanted only Odin's power.

"Finally, the King of Asgard dies kneeling before me." I clenched my fist, shattering Odin's defenses. He screamed, body disintegrating in bursts of light.

"Noooo!" Thor and Loki cried in anguish, released too late. Where Odin had knelt there was only scorched stone.

I exulted in the siblings' grief and hatred. "Come at me with everything you have," I goaded. "It will change nothing."

Howling their father's name, Thor and Loki attacked as one. I weathered their assault contemptuously, warding off blows that could level mountains. In this form, I was akin to a god.

At last I went on the offensive, unleashing searing torrents of dark energy. My foes' determination lent them uncanny endurance, but I began to take its toll.

Loki's magic became increasingly desperate. Thor relied on sheer power, seemingly uncaring of his injuries. Their bond was deep indeed.

I ended the contest with a concentrated beam that pierced Loki's torso cleanly. He sank to his knees before Thor, lifeblood pooling beneath him.

"No, Loki...not you..." Thor pleaded hoarsely, cradling his brother. Loki's face was already deathly pale.

With the last of his strength, he materialized a emerald vial for Thor. "This may yet save one soul..." he rasped. "Now go..."

His eyes dulled as his head slumped back. Howling in anguish, Thor activated the vial's portal and limped through without a backwards glance.

Silence reigned on the battlefield. I toed Loki's headless body absently, then turned my back on Nidavellir. Its forges had served their purpose. Thor was defeated, Odin no more. Asgard lay open to chaos and ruin.

Now for the Earth dimension. There I would build my rightful empire, with infinite worlds trembling at my name.

Let Hela and Dormammu rage when they find out. I had transcended them both. Allfather me.