They paused at the sight of the figures before them.
Ben's eyes narrowed. "That's... my sword," he muttered. "What happened to it?"
John looked closely. His eyes widened as he saw the glowing Aether Core embedded in the weapon.
"Wait," he said, glancing at Ben. "Did you design your sword so that my Aether Core fits in it?"
Ben cleared his throat quickly, brushing the question aside. "Forget about it. First—who's that clown guy holding it?"
He pointed at Loki. "Looks like he's wearing his mother's clothes."
Loki raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. But he said nothing yet.
Ben stepped forward, his eyes locked on the weapon in Loki's hand.
"That's my sword!" he shouted. "Powered by something that doesn't belong to any of you!"
John narrowed his eyes, voice calm but firm.
"And that's my Aether Core in the middle of it. Did you two really think you could steal from both of us and just walk away?"
Loki tilted his head slightly, amused. His grin was smug.
