The vast planet shattered, and numerous advanced interstellar fleets—once deemed formidable—were reduced to cosmic debris. For those who had yet to venture beyond Earth, such a sight was profoundly shocking.
"The top priority now is to find Stardust. We must eliminate him," Osborne declared. "And Mr. Garus... you must send that surfboard off Earth."
His usual composure had vanished. The ambition of claiming the surfboard for himself was gone, replaced by the grim memory of the Chitauri invasion that had devastated half of New York City in a single day. This situation seemed even more dire—this time, they were facing a being who consumed planetary energy.
"The Silver Surfer's board is with Tony, who is trying to figure out how to sever its signal transmission. That thing could still be useful to us." Garus's mind flickered toward the future—Thanos's invasion, with his army that had swept through entire star systems, and the Mad Titan himself, a god-like figure. "There will be no shortage of alien invaders coming for Earth in the future."
"Mr. Garus... do you know something we don't?" Osborne's voice betrayed his growing unease. As the director of H.A.M.M.E.R., he had seen the world spiral into chaos, but the foreboding in Garus's words unsettled him.
"I can only say that many eyes are on Earth now. If I told you everything, you'd lose hope." Garus's mind raced—Dormammu, Thanos, Galactus... none of them were benevolent beings. He was constantly calculating the gap between their power and his own.
A heavy silence fell. Osborne and Dr. Reed Richards's faces darkened, but they refrained from pressing further, knowing Garus would not yield more information.
Only Victor remained indifferent. He cared only about saving his mother—nothing else mattered, not even the annihilation of Earth.
After a long pause, Reed spoke. "One mind is never as good as two. Garus, I'll join Tony in the research."
"I'm a scientist too—and a sorcerer. I believe I can help." Victor's covetous gaze lingered on the surfboard's power.
Garus casually opened a portal in the lab. "Tony is on the other side. Go find him."
He trusted that Uatu the Watcher would never allow anyone to steal the surfboard.
Victor hesitated at the dark passage, but Reed stepped through without fear. He knew Garus had no reason to harm them.
On the other side, the two men gazed in astonishment at the technological marvels before them.
Night fell.
On the top floor of Azeroth Technologies Tower, a meteor streaked across the sky, stopping at the building's zenith. A humanoid figure radiating white light illuminated the surrounding area, its energy field destabilizing the nearby electrical grid.
The commotion could not be concealed. Pedestrians below gazed up at the glowing figure.
"Is that some new Azeroth Tech experiment?" The brilliant light outshone the city's lamps, turning night into day.
Phones came out as people recorded the spectacle.
Inside the tower, many employees were still searching for the missing Star Dust.
A man in a suit and tie hurried down the corridor—Bullseye. The attire chafed at him. He was an assassin, not a corporate lackey, but he dared not complain.
Knock, knock, knock!
"Mr. Wilson, an unidentified lifeform has appeared on the rooftop. It matches the unknown energy signature we detected earlier."
Kingpin had already noticed the intense light. He pulled out his phone and dialed Garus, but only the dial tone answered.
"I'm going up." He had no idea why the creature had come, but if it sought a fight, the tower's defenses rivaled those of Sky Fortress.
In the elevator, he encountered Dr. Wim, who carried a batch of armed guards.
"The nearby signals are jammed. We've lost communication with the outside world. They aren't here as friends."
Kingpin nodded as the elevator doors opened. Blinding light poured in, forcing them to don sunglasses.
"Who are you? Why have you come?" Kingpin's rune-etched sword glowed green—a feeble light compared to the radiance before them, but still noticeable.
Though the figure had no eyes, everyone could feel its gaze locked onto the sword.
Finally, a hollow voice echoed: "As the rumors say, you indeed wield the power of death. I am Stardust, herald of Galactus. I challenge your master. The victor shall claim the Infinity Stones."
They had searched for Stardust in vain—now he had come to them.
"How do you know my master possesses the Stones?"
"It is no secret in the cosmos. After Garus slew Ronan and Malekith with the Stones, many factions have set their sights on him." Stardust's voice was patient, showing no desire for conflict.
Kingpin's heart sank. He knew little of Garus's deeds after the Battle of New York, but this news boded ill. They couldn't endure another catastrophe like that.
"Remember—tomorrow, at this time, I will wait here."
As Stardust turned to leave, Kingpin stepped forward. "You don't come and go as you please. If you want to challenge my master, you'll have to get through me first."
His rune sword pointed at Stardust, casting a deathly grip that dragged the emissary closer.
Stardust remained calm, extending a slender arm. Cosmic energy gathered in his palm and surged toward them.
Kingpin released his grip and conjured an anti-magic shield to protect himself.
It shattered in seconds. The energy corroded his body, exposing bone beneath his flesh.
Dr. Wim frantically pressed a button on his wrist, generating a shield that barely held.
With Kingpin as a buffer, the others survived—this time.
-----------------------
Want to read ahead of schedule?
Join here for advance chapters: PATREON.COM / PRIMALDEMON
Note: This fanfic has been fully translated and is available on my Patreon.