A strong desire to survive is also a form of belief.
Belief is a broad concept. Different reasons give rise to different beliefs, and the will to survive is one of the strongest. When facing the threat of death, an unyielding desire to live can ignite a force beyond limits.
Throughout human history, countless people have broken their limits simply because their desire to survive was stronger than death itself. Belief can make people surpass boundaries that were once impossible.
Yet none of the three expected that Thanos—of all beings—would shatter his limits in this way, transcending from the sub-father level to the Father level. Fate and circumstance conspired to let him escape.
"No… I feel another power affecting him. This can't be explained by mere survival instinct," Basang murmured, closing his eyes and shaking his head slowly.
As someone with extraordinary abilities, he could sense realms beyond ordinary comprehension. In the original timeline, Basang might have died in mediocrity. But with Leon's intervention, his destiny was rewritten, unlocking his true power.
Salina and Lisa may not have noticed, but Basang sensed a foreign, hidden, and potent force flash the moment Thanos' soul fire nearly went out. He didn't know whether this power was the fundamental reason for Thanos' surge, but he did not overlook it.
This subtle detail caught Salina and Lisa's attention as well.
Salina looked at the still-active black hole, snorted coldly, and suddenly extended her hand, clenching her fist.
Boom!
A terrifying golden light erupted. Space trembled, time seemed to reverse, and the black hole dissipated. Scenes of destruction rewound, and the planet returned to its original state.
Floating before her were vast craters and dense cracks, the molten core glowing ominously beneath. But one being was missing: Thanos.
The reversed flow of time seamlessly merged with the true timeline. Salina, the master of this power, didn't even sweat. Calm and composed, she held her chest with her left hand, chin resting on her right, lost in thought.
"No traces remain… This is power from a higher dimension than ours," she murmured.
"Thanos has secrets. His previous actions must have had other purposes—not some trivial 'balance the universe' excuse," Salina concluded.
Lisa nodded, troubled. "He got away. Finding him next time won't be easy. Who knows which parallel universe he fled to? With so many dimensions… if he wants to hide, we can't find him."
"That's unnecessary," Salina said, her eyes deep. "Even if we failed to kill him, he must return to this universe eventually. When he does, the order of justice will already be established. He won't be able to hide under its gaze—unless he never returns."
"He will return," Basang said quietly.
Salina and Lisa glanced at him. Basang shrugged. "It's just a premonition."
While they spoke, a figure appeared behind them. Salina and the others immediately knelt, heads bowed.
"God King!!"
It was Leon. He wore casual attire—a white high-neck shirt, trousers, and leather shoes. His tall frame exuded an elegant, commanding presence.
Leon lightly tapped his chin and waved, effortlessly lifting the three in spirit. Walking through the void, he came to stand before them, overlooking the devastated planet. His eyes shone brilliantly.
Ripples appeared in the surrounding space as sacred power manipulated time and space. Phantom images of events flashed by: the aftermath of battles, the destruction of holy sites, yet Thanos—their target—was absent.
The three frowned at the missing villain. As the ripples settled, Leon smiled softly. "Tsk… I still can't help it."
"God King, it was our negligence that let Thanos escape. Please punish me."
Salina, Lisa, and Basang knelt again, guilt on their faces.
Leon didn't even turn his head. "This is not your fault. Destiny will protect those who must live. They cannot die, no matter how the net is cast."
"Destiny?" they asked.
"Yes, destiny." Leon's smile flashed before his figure faded. Only one sentence remained: "Don't blame yourself. The ending is predetermined—you cannot change it."
After Leon vanished, Salina and the others rose.
"Thanos…" Lisa's eyes glinted with cold fury. Destiny or not, failing to take down a mere sub-father was a humiliation for a Golden Saint. In the future, she would hunt him down and make him pay under the order of justice.
"Let's return," Salina said softly. Golden particles enveloped the three, and their feet vanished into a golden vortex.
Meanwhile, on the Dark Star, Ronan held the Cosmic Scepter, frowning at the uncertain nebula. Ten minutes had passed since the three terrifying figures disappeared. He had remained silent, feeling their immense pressure.
The brief information he had received about Nebula vanished, but he knew enough: their target was Thanos. Anyone capable of such confidence and control could not be trifled with.
Three Fathers… Who knows what even more terrifying beings might lie behind them? A chill ran down his spine.
Suddenly, a holographic projection appeared, revealing the three figures who had vanished from the planet. Ronan's heart skipped—Thanos had only been visible for ten minutes.
The Shi'ar Empire, the Skrulls, the Plunderers, and the Nova Corps all witnessed the same projection: three figures in resplendent golden armor, one still holding a cosmic orb.
How dare anyone steal a house during such a confrontation?
The commanders immediately readied weapons, but before any action could be taken, a series of alarms blared. Everyone stared, frozen.
Boom!
A terrifying aura erupted from a woman with short black hair, her power detectable across multiple empires. The energy skyrocketed, sweeping across the starry sky, crushing anyone who attempted to resist. Ships swayed, commanders felt paralyzed, unable to act.
"Is it them?"
"Are these the three strangers? They're after the Power Gem? Unbelievable…"
The soldiers and commanders were stunned. The three mysterious figures appeared out of nowhere, demonstrating power beyond comprehension.
"Get lost!!"
The cold, commanding voice rang out. Despite being in a foreign language, its meaning was clear. The oppressive aura instantly subsided.
The fleets of the three empires, the Nova Corps, and the Plunderers fled immediately, leaving the area cleared. Anyone with basic intellect knew that challenging this level of power was suicide.
The three golden-armored figures were unstoppable. Even one could annihilate the armies of entire empires.
Life was precious; escape was the first priority.
From a distance, onlookers gawked at the scene, dumbfounded. But before long, they too fled without hesitation.
On the planet, Quill, Rocket Raccoon, and Gamora watched in awe. The sheer presence of these three golden figures left them speechless.
Lisa, however, was unimpressed. She glanced at Quill and the others, speaking casually. Then, with Salina and Basang, she vanished into a golden light column, rushing into the vortex in the sky.
A breeze stirred, awakening those still in shock.
Rocket Raccoon looked up, marveling. "Wow… they're incredible. Elegant, powerful… the most beautiful in the universe."
Quill added, "Hey, Ranger Rick, don't forget that tall, black-haired guy. He's handsome, calm, and… kind of intimidating."
Rocket nodded. "Yeah, this calmness… it's unsettling."
Quill waved it off. "Enough talk. Let's leave. I need a drink after all this."
The Milano lifted off, and with the remaining energy, they prepared to resupply and depart.
End of Chapter)
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