The colossal form of the Devourer of Worlds loomed outside the Dimension. Beside him, the much smaller Galan shouted, cupping her hands around her mouth, "Malrick! Help! Dad is delirious with hunger! If he doesn't eat soon, he'll head straight for Earth again!"
Because Malrick had already strengthened the outer defenses of the Dimension, Galan had no choice but to fret anxiously from outside.
Galactus indeed looked famished. The helmet covering most of his face could not hide his exhaustion. That expression of barely contained hunger, forcing himself to stay upright, was impossible to fake.
Malrick had no doubt that if Galactus were human, even a bowl of fermented herring would be eaten with relish at this moment.
Manipulating Dimension energy, Malrick opened a passage before the father and daughter.
"Ah, Malrick heard us! Quick, quick! Dad, come with me!" Galan urged, guiding Devourer of Worlds through the passage.
As soon as he entered, Galactus activated a Universe-wide radar, locking precisely onto the swirling galaxy beneath the God Realm Dimension continent.
"Life energy! There are abundant life-bearing planets there!" His crimson eyes gleamed, hunger making him look like a starving coyote.
Normally, Galactus required the aid of his heralds to locate suitable planets. But the God Realm Dimension was immense, a cluster of dazzling stars and continents, overwhelming even his senses. His mind filled with the instinct to feed.
Before he could lose control, Galan intervened.
"No!" she spread her arms, her purple eyes wide. "We agreed before coming here — no devouring life-bearing planets!"
Her face bore a serious warning: if he dared defy her, she would never speak to him again.
Galactus' gaze softened as he looked at his daughter, only the size of his nose. His clenched fists slowly relaxed.
"We devour the Universe not just to satisfy hunger, but to maintain balance. We are the entropy of existence, Galan. Consuming planets is not destruction, it is a cycle," he said patiently, correcting her firmly held principles.
"That's wrong! Devouring planets doesn't just recycle energy; it destroys civilizations!" Galan's conviction shone through.
"You consume for survival, for the cycle, but I refuse to do it recklessly," she insisted. "That is the difference, Dad. You follow order, I follow conscience. Every planet devoured pains me."
Galactus' gaze flickered. "Sometimes, my daughter, duty outweighs choice. Responsibility is not optional."
"Excuse me, both of you," Malrick's Rege Duo Clone appeared beside them. "Whether choice or conscience, the planets here are not part of the Universe's cycle. Perhaps this debate should take place elsewhere."
He pointed to the galaxy below the God Realm. "Otherwise, the smaller lives there might be frightened."
"Malrick!" Galan's eyes lit up. "Dad is starving… could you…?"
Her words faltered. She shrank, embarrassed, unable to ask outright, as if a crowd in her mind was shouting at her for being greedy after already receiving help. She buried her head, her white robes swaying gently.
Galactus, observing her, communicated with Malrick directly. "Are you a newly born conceptual entity? I don't believe we've met before."
Malrick nodded. "That's correct, only recently."
"Then perhaps you do not fully understand me," Galactus said, preparing to introduce himself.
Malrick shook his head. "Galactus, I know of you, and I know your purpose here."
"Then you…" Galactus hesitated.
Malrick interrupted without pause. "Eternity has aided me greatly. You are one of Eternity's siblings; naturally, I will help you too."
In the comics, Eternity and Galactus hold comparable status. During a meeting with other abstract entities, Galactus appeared, and Eternity stood, declaring, "All, pay homage to the great Galactus!" Galactus acknowledged him in return. Their stature is immense, yet in major crises, Galactus is often the first to fall. Aware that such an event could occur, Malrick cherished this encounter. Perhaps it would be the only one.
"Thank you," Galactus nodded. "You possess a large amount of life energy?"
Malrick, in his Rege Duo Clone form, simply extended his palm, releasing a glowing ball of light. It was far more than what Galan had received before. Galactus absorbed it within breaths, closing his eyes, a flicker of surprise turning into appreciation. It was as if a starving noble had been served a grand feast, savoring it with quiet dignity.
Galan, relieved, stepped out of her self-imposed silence. "How is it? Delicious, right? Are you full?"
"Still hungry, but satisfied," Galactus admitted, his expression softening.
Before Malrick could offer more energy, Galactus waved a hand. "My hunger is endless, but it is not a curse; it is the Universe's rule. What you've given is sufficient. Hunger sometimes clouds my mind. You've helped me greatly. Thank you, young abstract concept."
Malrick nodded. "Honestly, your appetite is smaller than I imagined. I was prepared to be eaten out of house and home."
Galactus chuckled. "Perhaps next time, I will eat you out of house and home." His mood lightened, teasing Malrick.
"However, I must continue devouring life-bearing planets — it is the responsibility granted by the Universe and part of the energy cycle."
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