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Chapter: Survivors of Titan

In Carol's spaceship, two Nebulas stood facing each other, while the members of the Guardians of the Galaxy beside them looked on, bewildered.

"Why are there two Nebulas?" Star-Lord blurted out.

Drax the Destroyer observed the pair for a moment before bursting into laughter. "Hahaha, I get it now. It's quite simple!"

Rocket Raccoon, looking puzzled, asked, "What do you mean?"

"There being two Nebulas isn't so straightforward," Drax said firmly. "It's clearly a hallucination we're experiencing!"

"..."

Standing beside Carol, Nebula explained calmly, "The original Nebula was split into two halves. Both she and I have half of her body and brain replaced with machinery... I possess the right hemisphere, so for now, you can call me 'Right Nebula.'"

"Then she's 'Left Nebula'?" Mantis Woman blinked inquisitively.

Left Nebula's tone turned icy as she responded, "You are not Nebula. I am. You should have perished in our duel."

Her words were cold and merciless; had Carol not been present, she might have attacked her counterpart.

Right Nebula smiled, saying, "There's no need to be hostile before me. My dear, we are the same person. Shall I guess what you're about to say next?"

Left Nebula fell silent.

"This is tragic." Right Nebula sighed. "Under Thanos' manipulation, Nebula has always been at war with herself, hasn't she? Such tragedy should end now that Thanos is gone."

Left Nebula hesitated before eventually falling silent.

Right Nebula gently tapped the side of her brain encased in machinery. "If you wish, we can communicate directly through the neural network of our cybernetic brains, much like we used to."

The two Nebulas then fell into a prolonged silence, evidently engaging in a more direct mental exchange through their shared technology.

During this process, Left Nebula's face displayed confusion and inner turmoil, but eventually, she seemed to find solace, perhaps persuaded by her counterpart.

"I understand your sentiments," Rocket Raccoon remarked, observing the two Nebulas. "After all, I too have been subjected to radical transformations. The technology of the one who altered me, however, wasn't nearly as refined as Thanos', especially in terms of anesthesia..."

Changing the subject, he asked, "So, are you considering becoming whole again? I could offer some technical assistance."

"We have no such plans," the two Nebulas replied. "For two personalities that have developed independently, our current state offers greater freedom. Should we choose to reunite, our neural network connection can facilitate that."

Rocket Raccoon nodded thoughtfully. "I see."

Left Nebula suddenly spoke up, "I have something important to disclose."

"What is it?"

---

Fragments of Ego's shattered form drifted through space as Forseti hovered amidst the cosmic expanse, his eyes closed. Upon reopening them, he examined the sacred artifact in his palm.

**Soul Mark: Khadgar**

After dispatching Ego, Forseti's reward was Khadgar's Tome of Experience.

Khadgar, renowned as one of Azeroth's foremost mages, was the sole apprentice to the Astral Mage, Medivh.

Though perplexed by Khadgar's subsequent transformation into a jester, there was no denying the mage's prowess in the arcane arts. His classification as an eighth-level mage in the Tome of Experience affirmed this.

During their spatial skirmish, Forseti had found Khadgar to be remarkably formidable among faction leaders. It seemed the mage's distinctive white hair was no mere adornment.

Nevertheless, even with Khadgar's talents, Forseti knew his own powers surpassed those of the mage.

Thus, the outcome of their duel within the experiential realm was never in doubt; Forseti emerged victorious effortlessly, securing the Soul Mark. The only minor challenge Khadgar presented was his manipulation of time magic.

Glancing at Khadgar's Soul Mark, Forseti departed, arriving shortly thereafter at Carol's spaceship.

"Why did you assume such a colossal form earlier?" Carol couldn't help but inquire.

"For the answer, ask Holy Tome if you intend to join my knights," Forseti replied with a smile.

Carol furrowed her brow, remaining silent for a moment, genuinely pondering the question.

"By the way, we've received vital intelligence," she eventually divulged.

"What news?"

"The Tyrant still lives," one of the Nebulas interjected—Forseti couldn't discern which, but it was likely from the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Upon hearing this, Forseti's expression grew solemn.

"Are you certain?"

"I was recently at his side, but one day he departed without a word. I don't know his whereabouts," Left Nebula informed him.

She added after a pause, "He remains alive, albeit in dire straits."

Forseti frowned.

The revelation that Thanos was gravely ill didn't surprise him. It was a condition he had bestowed upon Thanos—a contingency he hadn't expected to endure this long.

---

Titan.

Today, a desolate Titan welcomed an unexpected visitor—a figure resembling a tired, purple-hued Titan.

Weary and feeble, Thanos disembarked from his ship and surveyed the barren planet that had once been his home.

"I've returned..." he murmured.

However, to his surprise, on a world where not even insects should thrive, a playful voice suddenly rang out from behind him.

"What a rare sight, Thanos. I never expected to see you again."

---