A cold that seeped into her very bones.
Even though the Black Quadrant's climate was not cold enough to cause a chill, Gamora felt an immense coldness all the same. A coldness in her heart.
Every time she won a duel against her sister, Nebula, her heart would grow colder. Because she knew exactly what would happen to Nebula after a loss: a part of her body would be cybernetically altered. The pain...
She loved her. She truly considered Nebula her sister. But she didn't have the courage to lose. She really didn't.
Every time she saw the look in Nebula's eyes, she would have the urge to let her win. But she couldn't.
She was afraid. She was afraid that her own body would be changed into something inhuman, afraid that she would lose her last hope of avenging her family.
What was the point of all this humiliation, of accepting her enemy as a father? It was so she could grow stronger using Thanos's power, so that when she was strong enough, she could begin her revenge.
She treated Nebula like her sister, she could swear to the heavens she truly did. But ultimately, she still loved herself more. Between Nebula and herself, Gamora chose herself.
Even though she tried to mend their relationship, she never held back during their duels. Nebula called her a hypocrite, a fraud. Gamora had tried to argue with her more than once, but Nebula always left her speechless.
Today was no different.
Returning home, to that impossibly cold house, Gamora locked the door and slid down the wall to the floor. The sudden feeling of weightlessness made her bury her head in her arms. She felt helpless, with nowhere to turn.
In the entire Black Quadrant, there was no one she could trust. It was a miserable existence.
"I'm sorry..."
"Nebula..."
"I don't want this... but I have no choice."
Sitting by the wall, Gamora began her daily ritual of repentance, a routine she'd kept for over two decades. It did nothing for the defeated Nebula, but for Gamora, it was her only means of self-deception.
She had lived this way for over twenty years, and she expected to continue for another hundred. But Lothar's return had given her a glimmer of hope: a chance to escape the Black Quadrant.
She was gradually losing Thanos's attention. The resources for her training hadn't decreased, but Gamora could feel it. Ever since Lothar had returned, Thanos's focus was no longer on her and Nebula.
For this reason, Gamora, who had always been careful on missions, had made several slightly risky moves in recent days, yet she had received no punishment from Thanos. He was so preoccupied with Lothar that he had no time to pay attention to her.
This was a huge piece of good news for Gamora. Thanos no longer valued her, which meant she could leave the Black Quadrant and never come back. All she had to do was survive the first wave of Thanos's massive manhunt.
"Don't disappoint me, Kree."
Finishing her prayer of hollow regret, Gamora opened her eyes, a rare expression of hope in them. She had no current mission, so she had no reason to leave the Black Quadrant.
And so, the "Kree person," Carol Danvers, locked in a cell by Lothar, became her target. A few days ago, when Lothar was away, Gamora used her clearance to repeatedly visit the dungeon and made a deal with Carol. She would help her break out, and in return, Carol would "take" her away.
The two struck a deal immediately.
"Lothar is back. If you don't go now, it will be too late."
"Carol."
Gamora looked up, toward the unchanging starry sky outside her window, a view unique to the Black Quadrant. And then, she saw a figure floating by her window.
Carol Danvers.
....
"Gaitz, any progress with Carol?"
In the side palace training room, Lothar emerged from a nutrition pod and took a towel from his butler, wiping himself down.
"Based on Woz's research logs, there's been no progress yet, Your Highness Lothar." The butler handed Lothar a new uniform. It was still a black combat suit, but the fabric and design were new. It was tear-resistant and ergonomic.
"Where's The Other?" Lothar asked as he walked to the dining area. He didn't see the Chitauri commander he'd taken on as a subordinate. Usually, The Other would be sitting in his place, waiting for the meal to start.
"Your Highness Lothar, The Other is still in the dungeon—"
As he spoke, Lothar heard The Other's shriek.
"Prince Lothar! Prince Lothar!"
"Something's wrong!"
"Carol! Carol Danvers is gone!"
Running breathlessly from the dungeon, The Other appeared before Lothar with a look of utter terror.
"Gone?" Lothar's movements paused, and a dangerous glint appeared in his eyes.
"Y-yes, Your Highness Lothar." The Other swallowed, carefully observing Lothar's expression. "Woz is examining the scene. He's determined that someone gave her a key to bypass the dungeon's system."
The Other's voice was hesitant. If the analysis was correct, this was a serious matter. This was an act of betrayal against the Black Quadrant. This was a traitor.
"Gaitz, who has been here while I was away?" Lothar asked, his eyes filled with menace.
"Only Princess Gamora, Prince Lothar."
Just as Gaitz finished explaining, a loud explosion suddenly echoed from the sky above the Black Quadrant. Lothar looked up, and the automated ceiling of the side palace turned transparent. A golden streak of light, Carol Danvers, shot into the sky after destroying several fighter jets.
The downed fighters exploded, their fiery bursts illuminating Lothar's expressionless face.
"Leave her be, Lothar."
Just as Lothar was about to act, Thanos's command made him disperse the energy he had gathered.
"Father?"
"It's just Gamora's mischief. Nebula will handle it."
In the main hall, Thanos's voice from the throne was absolute. In the Black Quadrant, nothing escaped his sight. Not even Hela and Lothar, let alone his relatively inexperienced adopted daughter, Gamora.
Besides, there were some things he still needed Gamora to confirm for him.
"Yes, Father."
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