Chapter 253: Killing

The spaceship shuddered violently as it was pierced straight through. Systems sparked and short-circuited, while a cascade of explosions rippled through its core. Control devices were obliterated, leaving the ship's systems crippled. The naval guns, which had been relentlessly firing moments before, flickered and went dark, silenced by the catastrophic damage.

Chaos erupted inside Sanctuary II. Dozens of Chitauri soldiers were sucked out into the cold vacuum of space through gaping breaches in the hull. They flailed helplessly as the void claimed them, their lives extinguished in mere seconds.

"No! This can't be happening!" Ebony Maw screamed, his voice tinged with both fury and desperation. His fists clenched as he watched the destruction unfold. What would Thanos do when he returned and found his stronghold in ruins? The thought alone made him shiver.

While the chaos on the ship unfolded, Thanos himself was far away, leading Gamora up the steep, jagged paths of Vormir's mountain. Above them loomed a foreboding sky, as if the planet itself mourned the task ahead.

A ghostly figure floated toward them. It was the Red Skull, his appearance eerie and surreal.

"Welcome, Thanos, son of A'lars. Gamora, daughter of Thanos," the specter intoned, his voice cold and resonant.

Thanos arched a brow, his lips curling slightly. He had expected an ominous guardian, but the peculiar figure caught him off guard. "Who are you? And how do you know us?" he asked, his voice low and commanding.

The Red Skull's expression remained impassive. "I am but a cursed man, bound to this place. I know all who seek the Soul Stone. It is my burden to guide them."

Thanos scoffed, his patience wearing thin. "Enough theatrics. I've come for the Soul Stone. Where is it?"

The Red Skull nodded solemnly. "I know why you're here. All who come seek the same thing. But to claim the Soul Stone is no simple feat. It requires a price—one that few are prepared to pay."

"I'm ready," Thanos declared, his tone unwavering.

The Red Skull's lips twisted into a faint smile, tinged with bitterness. "So say they all. And yet, none have succeeded. Follow me."

He led them up the jagged path to a high platform at the cliff's edge. The air grew colder, the atmosphere heavier with each step. At the precipice, the Red Skull turned to face them.

"The Soul Stone is unlike any other Infinity Stone. It is unique, not just in power, but in the wisdom it demands. To claim it, one must make the ultimate sacrifice."

Thanos narrowed his eyes. "Sacrifice what?"

"Life," the Red Skull said plainly. His voice was devoid of emotion, yet the weight of his words hung heavily in the air. "A soul for a soul. This is the unbreakable law."

Both Thanos and Gamora froze, their eyes widening in shock.

Thanos spoke, his voice laced with suspicion. "If a sacrifice is required, how could the gem be without an owner?"

The Red Skull chuckled softly. "And now you see why so many fail. None have been willing to pay the price."

Gamora's laugh echoed sharply across the cliffs. "Isn't this ironic? You've traveled across the galaxy for your precious stone, only to find it's out of your reach. Fate has finally caught up with you, Thanos!"

Thanos' expression darkened, his face a grim tapestry of frustration and contemplation. For the first time, he appeared genuinely conflicted.

After a long silence, he finally spoke. "If someone sacrifices their life willingly, can the Soul Stone be taken by another?"

The Red Skull shook his head. "No. The one who sacrifices is chosen by the stone itself. Once they perish, the stone vanishes, awaiting a new seeker."

The words hit Thanos like a blow. His grand plans, his meticulously crafted visions of balance, now faced an immovable obstacle. He clenched his fists, his mind racing.

Gamora smirked, her voice dripping with mockery. "Looks like even the great Thanos isn't willing to die for his so-called ideals. What happened to your noble purpose?"

Thanos scowled but said nothing. After a long, tense moment, he turned away from the cliff. "We leave. My mission is not yet complete. I cannot die—not yet. Once the other stones are in my grasp, I will return. The Soul Stone will wait."

Gamora's smirk widened. She had never seen her adoptive father so rattled, and the sight filled her with satisfaction.

But as Thanos began to walk away, a sudden jolt of fear shot through his body. His battle-hardened instincts screamed danger.

"Hrraaah!"

He spun around, his fist flying toward the threat.

Boom!

Thanos' fist and Red Skull's fist collided heavily, making a loud noise like a planet colliding.