T-posing Thanos

In the heart of a barren wasteland, an unlikely battle was unfolding. A gargantuan titan, clothed in the hue of deepest purple and dressed in beastly attire, traded blows with an old man of pristine presentation. The sight was something straight out of a myth.

They clashed. Their fists met with such power that the air around them exploded in torrents, so potent it was capable of lifting a cow clear off the ground and spiriting it away. Despite the titan's ferocity, the elder seemed almost amused, blocking each of the giant's attacks with ease, wearing an unconcerned smile like he was engaged in a child's game.

The titan, known as Thanos, considered his options. He had two trump cards at his disposal: his psychokinesis and the enigmatic space stone. But he was unsure of using them. The elder's casualness irked him, but Thanos willed himself to stay composed.

Spotting a rare blind spot in the old man's defenses, Thanos snapped out a kick, his foot cutting through the air towards the man's head. The force behind the kick generated a gust of wind that whipped past the elder as he fluidly sidestepped.

"Hohoho, not bad." The old man commended, his voice deep and rich. This only infuriated Thanos further. He lunged again, fists pummeling towards the elder.

Feeling a thrill of excitement, the old man flashed Thanos an anticipatory grin. "I will show you a little of my true strength then."

Before Thanos could react, the old man was gone, vanishing from sight. His only clue to the elder's whereabouts was the warning prickle of his awareness skill. Suddenly, a powerful blow slammed into his ribs, sending him flying backward. Dirt roiled up in his wake, forming a dusty cloud as he skidded across the ground.

By the time Thanos regained his footing, the old man was once again upon him. A maniacal grin decorated his features, his eyes holding the gleam of a warrior locked in battle. An uppercut, intended for Thanos' head, was barely dodged, causing a whirlwind that left Thanos feeling as though he'd evaded a tornado.

"Hahaha! Very good!"

The elder chuckled, his voice reverberating through the desolate landscape. Thanos couldn't afford to be idle, but something was off. His senses alerted him to an invisible barrier enveloping their battle site, a protective shield of sorts. His eyes flickered with realization.

As the old man continued to assault him with unknown martial arts, Thanos came to a decision. He stood stock-still, raising his arms in a T-pose. A wild smile stretched his lips as he braced for the elder's incoming strike.

*BOOM*

The sound echoed like a thunderclap, the ground quaking under the impact. The earth heaved, pulverized rocks hurtled through the air while a powerful wind swept through the area. A symphony of raw power that compelled the very elements to still and take note.

Yet amidst the chaos, Thanos stood firm, the old man's punch halted mere inches from his abdomen.

"Why did you stop resisting?" The old man questioned, a hint of dissatisfaction in his voice.

"Why did you stop attacking?" Thanos retorted, holding his T-position.

A pause hung in the air before the old man erupted into raucous laughter. "Hahahaha! You're an interesting fellow!"

Relief spread across Thanos' features. He took a moment to breathe as the old man casually strolled away, inviting him to follow.

Turning around, Thanos' gaze fell upon a small hill that had been cleaved cleanly in two. Humongous plumes of smoke billowed from it, casting a grey haze over the ravaged landscape. The sight sent shivers of apprehension down Thanos' spine. The scale of destruction, all caused by the aftershocks of the old man's attack, was staggering. It was a stark testament to the terrifying power the old man possessed and a reminder of the world Thanos had stumbled upon.

With the old man's back to him, Thanos reached into a small pouch he carried. Inside it lay his true salvation, the Space stone. Its familiar weight was reassuring. Even in this strange world, faced with a formidable opponent, he had a way out.

He looked up and the old man was some distance away, walking casually with his hands clasped behind his back. Thanos hesitated for a moment before following, clenching the pouch tightly.