Chapter 73: On Behalf of All Humanity on Earth, Thank You
"What do you mean? Explain yourself," Sersi said grimly, staring at Ryan with growing suspicion.
Ryan waved his hand, signaling Payne and Anthony to release their captives.
Payne released Sprite and jogged to their vehicle, where he retrieved a military-grade tablet and handed it to Ryan.
Ryan tapped the screen several times before handing it to Sersi. Both she and Sprite began reviewing the footage together. After several tense moments, they both looked up at Ikaris, who was still hovering in mid-air, with expressions of complete bewilderment.
Ikaris immediately said defensively, "Sersi, he's trying to turn us against each other. You can't possibly believe this fabrication!"
"Then how do you explain what we just witnessed?" Sersi held the tablet up toward Ikaris, her voice trembling with betrayal.
Ikaris descended and reluctantly examined the footage, his face cycling through shades of pale shock and flushed anger.
The surveillance recording clearly showed how Ikaris had confronted Ajak and how he had later returned carrying their leader's lifeless body.
As the prime eternal of their group, Ajak had been murdered by one of her own companions in such a cold-blooded manner. Neither Sersi nor Sprite could comprehend Ikaris's treacherous actions.
"Yes, I killed her, but I had legitimate reasons!" Ikaris glanced angrily at Ryan before continuing. "Since you refuse to trust me, then so be it!"
With that declaration, Ikaris launched himself skyward and vanished into the cloud cover within seconds.
Ikaris's abrupt departure left Sersi and Sprite feeling completely abandoned and vulnerable.
They had traveled here seeking Ajak's guidance about the Deviants' unexpected reappearance. Without Ikaris's protection, if they encountered another Deviant attack, they would likely perish.
Sersi slowly approached Ajak's body with reverent caution. Suddenly, a luminous sphere emerged from Ajak's chest and seamlessly entered Sersi's body.
The next moment, everything in Sersi's vision dissolved, replaced by the massive form of Arishem the Judge, the towering red Celestial.
Before Sersi could process what was happening, the vision vanished as quickly as it had appeared, returning her to the debris-strewn remains of Ajak's cabin.
Ryan approached and spoke quietly, "That man's name was Ikaris, correct? I know exactly why he murdered Ajak."
"Why?" Sersi turned to face Ryan, desperate for answers.
Ryan whispered gravely, "Earth is about to be destroyed. Ajak wanted to prevent it, but Ikaris refused to let her interfere. It's that simple."
Sersi and Sprite stared at Ryan in complete shock.
"That's impossible!"
The Eternals had come to Earth specifically to protect its inhabitants from the Deviants, yet Ryan was claiming Ikaris intended the planet's destruction. This explanation seemed utterly absurd to them.
But upon reflection, Sersi realized there seemed to be no other plausible explanation for their leader's murder.
"Why... why would he do such a thing?"
Ryan shrugged with calculated indifference. "There are heroes and villains in this universe. What's there to be confused about?"
Sersi's mind reeled with the implications of this revelation.
Their sacred mission had always been protection—how could it possibly involve destruction?
Ryan settled down on a fallen beam and spoke softly, "Ajak taught me how to harness cosmic energy. She was like a mentor to me. She also shared many secrets about the Eternals' true purpose."
If Ajak had harbored such a monumental secret, why would she have concealed it from her companions for thousands of years? Why would she confide in a complete stranger?
If there truly was no secret, then why had Ajak been killed?
Sersi decided to remain and hear Ryan's full explanation.
A campfire was built near their vehicle, and Ryan gathered with the others around its warmth while Anthony and Payne prepared an evening meal.
Ryan began his carefully crafted narrative: "The Eternals and Deviants are actually both genetically enhanced creations of the Celestials, modified from the original human population."
"The Celestials also plant Celestial seeds within every planet that develops intelligent life. Once the population reaches a predetermined threshold, a new Celestial will be born—but this emergence will destroy the entire planet and exterminate all life upon it."
"Countless worlds have been harvested by the Celestials throughout cosmic history, and now Earth is approaching that same inevitable destruction." Ryan turned to look directly at Sersi, his expression deadly serious in the firelight. He continued, "Sersi, only you possess the power to save Earth now. Will you help humanity survive?"
Sersi had already integrated completely into human society and had developed genuine emotional attachment to this world.
Ryan had deliberately omitted certain details while emphasizing others, crafting a story based on factual elements but designed to inspire a sense of urgent necessity and heroic purpose, strategically guiding Sersi toward helping Earth.
Sersi's heart was genuinely moved by this appeal.
"But... I don't know if I..."
"Sersi, you're a natural protector and leader. That's exactly why Ajak chose you as her successor."
Sersi didn't allow Ryan's flattery to cloud her judgment. She understood her current abilities weren't sufficient to accomplish such a monumental task.
Hesitantly, she admitted, "But I honestly don't think I can do it."
Ryan removed one of the Ten Rings and placed it on Sersi's finger. He then activated his other three rings, channeling all available cosmic energy through them.
Sersi's ring immediately received the transmitted energy, sending a powerful surge of cosmic force throughout her body.
Ryan had previously considered it more than coincidence that there were exactly ten rings to correspond with the ten Eternals.
"This is an ancient artifact that can amplify and channel cosmic energy. If I could continuously channel more power into you, you'd be capable of accomplishing anything."
Sersi tested her enhanced abilities, and her strength had indeed increased dramatically.
However, after Ryan ceased channeling energy, her power levels returned to baseline.
"If I had permanent access to this enhancement, I might be willing to attempt it."
Ryan had been waiting for exactly those words, and immediately responded, "Sersi, on behalf of all humanity on Earth, thank you for agreeing to help us."
"Just the strength of a few of us won't be nearly enough. I need to gather more of my fellow Eternals," Sersi said with newfound determination after making her decision.
"I'll arrange everything." Ryan retrieved his secure phone and contacted General Ross, requesting immediate military transport.
Ross naturally complied without question. Regardless of their destination, they could utilize aircraft from the nearest military installation.
Sersi began planning their recruitment route.
"First, we'll travel to Chicago to locate Phastos, then to Australia to find Thena and Gilgamesh, and after that to Mumbai to recruit Kingo."
"Finally, we'll seek out Druig, who's been living in isolation within the Amazon rainforest. Once everyone is gathered, we'll return to our ship, the Domo, to reunite with Makkari."
"As for Ikaris, I want to attempt persuading him one final time."
Ryan interrupted firmly. "If he opposes our mission or tries to prevent us from saving Earth, I will eliminate him without hesitation. Sersi, I hope you understand my position."
Sersi nodded with bitter acceptance of this harsh reality.
Thirty minutes later, a military helicopter arrived to extract them. They were bound for Chicago, where they would transfer to a transport aircraft from the local Air Force base for the flight to Australia.
During the flight, Ryan approached Sprite, greeted her cordially, and asked, "I heard from Ajak that you're unable to physically mature. Is that accurate?"
Sprite glanced at Ryan and nodded reluctantly.
Everyone else could experience normal human development and relationships, but she alone had remained trapped in a child's body for thousands of years, unable even to pursue romantic love.
Ryan's expression brightened with scientific interest. "I'm actually a geneticist and bioengineering specialist. Perhaps I could help you with this condition."
"How?" Sprite looked up with a flicker of hope in her eyes, though it quickly dimmed with skepticism.
"Your inability to age must be directly related to the cosmic energy modifications in your cellular structure. I've conducted extensive research on this phenomenon. If I could temporarily suppress this energy within your system, you should naturally be able to develop normally."
"Really?!" Sprite's voice cracked with desperate hope.
"Absolutely."
Ryan not only collected blood samples from Sprite, but also from Sersi.
The ten Eternals each possessed unique supernatural abilities, but Ryan still hadn't fully decoded how cosmic energy functioned at the genetic level. This was an ideal opportunity to gather additional biological data.
If he could somehow integrate all the Eternals' various powers, Ryan might truly become a god-like being on Earth.
After the aircraft landed in Chicago, Sersi led the group to Phastos's registered address, with Ryan following casually behind.
Of course, Phastos wasn't at home. After searching unsuccessfully, Sersi decided to pursue other team members first.
"Phastos hasn't been at his residence for months. Simply waiting here isn't productive. Ryan, could you help us locate him?"
"Of course," Ryan readily agreed, though this was destined to be a fruitless search.
If it weren't for the complexity of dealing with the emerging Celestial Tiamut, Ryan would have simply captured all the Eternals for immediate experimentation.
After collecting Emil Blonsky, the Abomination, from his New York containment facility, Ryan—accompanied by Steel Payne and Death Blade Anthony, along with Eternals Sersi and Sprite—boarded a military transport at the nearest Air Force base to Chicago and flew directly to Australia.
Thena and Gilgamesh were living in complete isolation in the Australian Outback.
Thena possessed similar abilities to Ryan's enhanced powers, capable of manifesting various weapons using concentrated cosmic energy.
Thena suffered from Mahd Wy'ry—a condition causing her to experience traumatic memories from past lives, making her attack everyone around her indiscriminately during episodes. This made it nearly impossible for her to integrate safely into human civilization, which was why she had sought refuge in such a remote location.
Gilgamesh could enhance his physical form with cosmic energy, granting him tremendous superhuman strength.
Concerned that Thena couldn't survive alone during her episodes, he had chosen to remain with her as her protector.
When Ryan, Sersi, and the others arrived, Thena was sitting beneath a gnarled tree, sketching something with intense concentration. Gilgamesh, unperturbed by visitors, calmly continued preparing their evening meal.
Sersi briefly introduced Ryan, then informed Gilgamesh about the Deviants' reappearance, Ajak's murder, and Earth's impending destruction.
Ryan approached Thena and discovered she was drawing detailed images of Arishem the Judge, the towering Celestial.
He waited respectfully until she completed her artwork before speaking. "You appear to need assistance."
Thena looked up. "Who are you?"
"Ryan, a geneticist. I came here with Sersi."
Thena turned away dismissively, whispering, "You cannot help me."
"Perhaps I can. Would you allow me to examine your condition first?" Ryan produced a medical syringe, intending to collect a blood sample.
At that precise moment, Thena's eyes suddenly turned completely white, and two energy weapons materialized in her hands.
Ryan was momentarily startled, then immediately secured the syringe. "Oh no, she's having an episode!"
Thena remained frozen for several seconds, then suddenly swung her weapons in a vicious attack toward Ryan.
Ryan reacted instantly, manifesting an energy shield the moment Thena's assault began, while his other hand formed a cosmic blade.
They engaged in a fierce battle, energy weapons clashing repeatedly.
The commotion quickly attracted the others nearby, and Gilgamesh rushed over, delivering a single devastating punch that rendered Thena unconscious.
Gilgamesh carefully lifted Thena's limp form and turned toward Ryan with an accusatory glare, clearly holding him responsible for triggering the episode.
End of Chapter 73
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