The entire galaxy was abuzz with news. The battle for the Power Gem had almost dragged the three empires to the brink of war. The Nova Empire, the Predator Organization, and other influential factions all became involved.
Yet the focus of attention was not merely that Star-Lord Quill and his companions were being hunted by various forces. Their survival alone earned them immense recognition. Whatever else happened, their ability to endure such a hunt proved they were not ordinary.
The real mystery, and what captured the imagination of countless beings, were the three unknown figures who suddenly appeared.
Clad in noble, resplendent golden armor, these three radiated energy equivalent to multiple Level Fixed Stars. With a single command, they turned back millions of warships, forcing the three empires into a shameful retreat.
Their presence was awe-inspiring, commanding both fear and admiration. Few dared challenge the might of the three empires—but these three unknowns did not. They were calm, graceful, and utterly unstoppable.
Curiosity ran rampant across civilizations. Who were these three people capable of such overwhelming power?
Inside bodies less than two meters tall, they carried energy levels many times that of a Level Fixed Star—and that might not even be their limit. From a superficial analysis, it was clear: conventional technology posed no threat to them. The pride of the three empires—their advanced military power—was essentially useless.
Records spanning centuries, both inside and outside the Milky Way, contained few mentions of such beings. Some gods had noticed, but even their knowledge was incomplete. As for these three unknowns, there was no record whatsoever.
Civilized empires tried to investigate the origins of Salina and her companions, but before any results surfaced, shocking news spread across the universe: Thanos had been attacked.
Outside the Milky Way, Thanos was aboard the Holy Place No. 2 mothership, wandering through the stars under the protection of hundreds of thousands of warships. Suddenly, an unknown force struck.
Wreckage floated in all directions. Thanos' fate was unknown.
Advanced tracing technology reconstructed the events. The result shocked observers: Thanos was utterly crushed.
Although the source footage showed no visible attackers, analysis revealed three individuals had attacked him. The destruction of the fleet was caused primarily by the mothership's explosion, which annihilated all defenses.
The three attackers arrived at Holy Place No. 2 by unknown means. Thanos had tried to escape but was forced out, allowing the mothership to explode. The three emerged unscathed, pursuing him across a vast area, finally cornering him on a planet known as Fallen Planet.
The planet's surface was pockmarked with pits millions of kilometers deep. Cracks gushed magma. Without external intervention, the planet would have shattered instantly.
Thanos, the universe's most feared warlord, was dead. The news ignited celebrations across countless worlds. Those who had suffered at his hands, who had lost everything, finally rejoiced.
Bang!
On one such planet, in a neon-lit bar, a burly green-skinned man slammed his drink down, tears in his eyes. Around him, voices cheered:
"Thanos is finally dead!"
"Thirteen years, I waited thirteen years! He slaughtered my people, my lover—now he's dead!"
"No matter who killed him, the one who did is my benefactor. Anyone who disrespects them will die by my hand!"
The celebrations were countless. Everywhere, people honored the unknown trio who had defeated Thanos.
Traces of the battle suggested these three were the same as those who had reclaimed the Power Gem. Their energy levels reached an astonishing multiple of Level Fixed Star. The speculation spread quickly: Salina and the others had eliminated Thanos.
Meanwhile, Quill and his companions, closely associated with Salina, Lisa, and Basan, became the focus of curiosity, as people sought information about the legendary three.
Back on Earth, Salina and the others returned early, delivering the Power Gem to God-King Leon. In the temple, Leon allowed them to rest, pleased with their performance, and reassured them that Thanos' temporary escape was no fault of theirs.
Leon activated the Cosmic Spirit Ball, revealing the purple Power Gem, pulsating with violent energy. Without restraint, its power could have obliterated everything nearby. Only Leon's control kept it in check.
He pinched the gem between his fingers. Its wild energy immediately subdued, trembling as if recognizing its master. If the Space Gem could be considered intelligent, then this gem required discipline to obey.
The Infinite Gems were the most potent artifacts in the universe. Few truly understood their power. Many gods knew of them but underestimated their potential. For example, Odin kept the Space Gem in his treasury merely as a collectible.
The true secret of the Infinite Gems lay in gathering all six and embedding them into the specially crafted Infinity Gauntlet. Only then could a Level Sub-God like Thanos ascend to multi-universal power—one level above Leon himself.
Thanos' mastery of the Gauntlet also relied on his unmatched intellect. His knowledge of the cosmos and divine philosophy of the Eternals allowed him to maximize its power far beyond any other being.
For Leon, however, the appeal of the Infinite Gems was not merely their raw power—it was the rules they contained.
The Power Gem represented the rule of power and ultimate destruction. The Soul Gem governed the rule of souls. The Mind Gem, the rule of thought.
By studying these rules, Leon could internalize their principles. Even without the physical gems, he could wield the same abilities, potentially surpassing their original limits.
The Space Gem, for instance, allowed Leon to comprehend the law of space itself. It became a source of energy for the Sanctuary and later empowered other Saints to understand spatial principles.
The Power Gem allowed mastery over all energy and strength, copying abilities and boosting physical attributes to near invincibility. Saints could use it as a blueprint to refine their own powers endlessly.
"Power Gem… Space Gem…" Leon murmured, observing the two in his possession.
Three of the six gems were now on Earth. The Time Gem, once held by the Ancient One, had been lent to Leon due to the altered sacred timeline. This allowed Leon to manipulate temporal reference power.
Eventually, the next Sorcerer Supreme would take the Time Gem, possibly Wanda, who had demonstrated exceptional magical aptitude. The previous candidate, Stephen Strange, was far less reliable, as his ambitions threatened Kamar-Taj itself.
Leon pondered these possibilities quietly, noting the strategic and philosophical significance of the gems beyond mere combat.
The Infinite Gems were more than artifacts—they were the keys to understanding the universe itself.
End of Chapter)
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