The Grandmaster's expression remained placid as he rotated the ring on his finger...
The Infinity Stones were primordial relics born with the universe itself, embodying fundamental cosmic laws. To a collector obsessed with rare treasures like Taneleer Tivan, their allure was undoubtedly irresistible.
"If it's truly as you say, that this man from Earth possesses five Stones, I strongly advise you to drop the idea right now." the Grandmaster said, shifting into a flamboyantly relaxed posture as he regarded his dejected brother.
For once, his tone carried genuine seriousness.
Not every lifeform was worthy of wielding the Infinity Stones' power. Even someone like Star-Lord, who carried Celestial blood in his veins, could not sustain prolonged contact with the Power Stone.
Moreover, Sean was only one gem away from becoming one of the most overwhelmingly powerful entities in the cosmos. For the Collector to deliberately provoke him would be incredibly unwise.
"Why not find a new obsession? The universe is full of priceless collectibles. No need to fixate on the Infinity Stones." the Grandmaster said with a playful grin.
As one of the Elders, he possessed knowledge of many ancient secrets. Furthermore, the Mad Titan's pursuit of the gems was hardly a hidden matter.
Should the Collector truly succeed in adding the Stones to his collection, the Black Order would undoubtedly come knocking at his door without delay.
"If someone seized Sakaar from you, forcing you to abandon your beloved arena games, what would you do?" Tivan muttered sullenly.
He admitted a measure of unwillingness. Those five Infinity Stones had unsettled the Collector so profoundly, that the Tivan Group had spent exorbitant sums assembling space pirates just to create minor inconveniences for Sean.
"That will never happen," the Grandmaster replied with confident amusement.
He led Tivan to the center of the arena, preparing to treat his brother to an impressive spectacle.
Though not yet evening, the arena remained closed to the public. The vast circular battleground stood empty, surrounded by vacant spectator seats, the place eerily quiet without an audience.
The two Elders settled into a luxurious private box overlooking the field through transparent glass walls, granting them a clear panoramic view below.
"You've found a new champion fighter?" Tivan asked listlessly.
He knew his sibling habitually sought out powerful lifeforms, throwing them into the arena to undergo brutal combat until only the strongest remained as champion.
"Of course! He's the finest challenger I've ever encountered! A born warrior!" The Grandmaster's eyes gleamed at the mention, his face beaming with delight, "Bill is a Korbinite. After his homeworld's destruction, the surviving refugees chose him as their people's guardian. Using the most advanced genetic modification technology, they evolved him into the ultimate warrior."
The Collector yawned. He held absolutely no interest in the Grandmaster's beloved arena games, unless, of course, those powerful warriors consented to becoming preserved specimens in his collection...
"Send out a team. Let them face the invincible Horse-Faced Bill." The Grandmaster seized a microphone, his voice echoing across the empty arena.
Immediately, reinforced metal gates slowly rose on one side of the circular field. A squad of Kronan warriors clad in iron armor strode forward with heavy steps, each carrying an assortment of cold weapons.
The Kronans resembled rough, rugged piles of gray-black stone. They were sturdy in build, naturally possessing immense strength, impervious to pain, and immune to most forms of radiation damage.
This particular Kronan squad had already secured thirteen consecutive victories within the arena, ranking among Sakaar's most popular contenders...
"Horse-Faced Bill!" The Grandmaster shouted excitedly, welcoming his favorite champion in his usual dramatic fashion.
On the opposite side, another metal gate lifted. A towering figure emerged from the darkness.
The Collector's brow furrowed. The champion his brother called 'Horse-Faced Bill' wore a steel helmet and black armor reflecting a cold sheen, gripping a golden war hammer in hand while emanating an aura of formidable, untouchable power. Most striking of all was his horse-like head... though in terms of overall silhouette, he bore a surprising resemblance to Asgard's Thor.
"Whoever defeats my champion shall earn true freedom!" The Grandmaster's voice boomed.
The Kronan warriors fixed their gazes on the solitary Horse-Faced Bill, their fighting spirit stirring restlessly.
Every lifeform on Sakaar belonged to the Grandmaster's private property. Slaves sent into the arena had no freedom whatsoever.
After a tense standoff, as Bill began advancing steadily, the Kronans could no longer restrain themselves. Swinging battle-axes and spears, they roared and charged forward.
"The slaughter begins." The Grandmaster rubbed his hands together excitedly, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Within the arena's center, Bill's foot stamped down. The ground cracked in countless fissures as he shot forward like an arrow...
*Boom!*
The air exploded with a sonic boom. Raising his golden warhammer, he smashed the lead Kronan warrior into dust. The stone-like body shattered instantly.
His other hand clenched into a fist, powerful muscles bulging in sequence as he compressed the air itself. The pursuing Kronan's head exploded on impact, their body collapsing limply to the ground.
Fortunately, these battle-hardened Kronans possessed physiological structures vastly different from ordinary lifeforms, lacking carbon-based organs and tissues, tso the scene wasn't overly gruesome.
Tivan perked up slightly...
As the Grandmaster had claimed, this was indeed a one-sided massacre.
In mere minutes, the twelve-member squad lay completely annihilated. Bill dispatched every opponent on the field with cold efficiency, leaving not a single survivor.
"Where did you find this fellow?" Tivan asked curiously.
Ordinary slave ships could never capture someone as formidable as the Horse-Faced Bill.
"He was Thanos's wager. Though he won the bet, he still gifted Bill to me," the Grandmaster said smugly, "That Mad Titan is investigating the truth behind the Celestials' massacre. He visited Sakaar not long ago, hoping to extract more information from me."
"That is taboo! A secret that should never be spoken of!" the Collector's expression darkened abruptly, his voice sharp with rebuke.
Despite his immeasurably long lifespan as an Elder, a flicker of fear actually crossed his eyes.
"I was outmaneuvered by Thanos," the Grandmaster admitted sheepishly, "He never mentioned the Celestials at first, only proposing a wager with Bill as the stake."
The Grandmaster had believed himself master of thousands of competition rules and gaming systems. It was impossible for him to lose to that mad Titan.
Who could have predicted Thanos would win? And so, bound by the agreement, the Grandmaster had spilled everything he knew.
"The Celestials were among the mightiest beings in this universe. They once ruled over everything, treating entire civilized worlds as experimental fields. But they were purged. No one knows precisely what transpired. We should never willingly speak of it." Tivan said in a hushed tone.
To any ancient cosmic being, the Celestials remained a forbidden subject, one spoken of only in hushed tones, if at all.
Tivan regarded his grinning brother with resignation, "I hope Thanos doesn't stir up even greater trouble."