Chapter 229: The Whereabouts of the Soul Stone

"Hey, are you alright?" The immense power of the World Tree left Garus shaken. What exactly was this "great existence" it spoke of? The One Above All? The Beyonders?

His knowledge of Marvel lore wasn't comprehensive, but he knew that while the Beyonders were powerful, there were entities capable of killing them.

"These are not matters we can discuss. Do you have any other questions?"

"I want to know where the Soul Stone is." The last of the Infinity Stones had remained elusive. Garus had questioned many—The Collector, The Grandmaster, even The Watchers—but none knew its location.

"What do you intend to do once you have all the Infinity Stones?" The World Tree gazed at him intently.

"Well…" Could he just admit that he wanted to obtain the stone before Thanos did, simply because he knew what was coming?

"The Soul Stone resides on a distant planet. To claim it, one must sacrifice the soul of their most beloved." A soft glow emerged in the World Tree's hand. "This is the coordinate to that world."

Taking the glowing light, Garus fell into contemplation. The soul of his most beloved? Did he even have such a person? Wanda, perhaps—but could he truly sacrifice her? There had to be another way to reveal the Soul Stone.

He didn't doubt the World Tree's words; there was no reason for it to deceive him.

From seemingly nowhere, the World Tree produced a branch. "This is a part of my true form, brimming with life force. It may prove useful to you. Also, the insects have reached Earth. Countless lives are being lost. You must return at once."

"What?!" Garus was alarmed. Weren't the Brood all gathered here? How had they appeared on Earth as well?

Grabbing the branch without hesitation, he bolted toward the portal.

As he disappeared, the World Tree pondered why it had revealed everything to him so willingly. Could it be because he knew of its child?

Arriving at the banquet hall, Garus found the guests indulging in revelry, releasing the tension from the earlier battle.

"Hey, Garus, what's wrong?" Tony Stark, arm draped around an elven beauty, grinned mischievously. "These ladies sure are welcoming."

"The Brood have reached Earth. We need to leave immediately."

"What?!" Tony shoved the elf aside and grabbed Garus by the shoulders. "Didn't we wipe them out?"

Turning to Heimdall, who was nursing a drink, Tony asked, "You can see across the Nine Realms. Did you not notice this?"

Heimdall hesitated. "My sight is temporarily blocked. I cannot see beyond a certain distance."

"I knew it—something's up!" Spider-Man emerged from the crowd. "We have to go, now!"

Tony tapped the arc reactor on his chest, and the nanotech of his Iron Man suit began to spread over his body.

"No time to waste, Garus. Fire up Naxxramas!" Their loved ones were on Earth; none of them could bear to lose them.

"Thor, you should go as well," Frigga said to her son, who nodded in response.

The Elven King approached Garus. "Apologies. We are unable to offer aid at this time."

The elves had exhausted their magic in battle, and only common folk were present at the banquet.

"However, we do possess a teleportation device akin to the Bifrost. We can send a few of you ahead."

"No need," Garus declined. "The Space Stone can open a portal straight to Earth. It won't take long."

Moments later, the team was assembled, waiting anxiously for departure. A brilliant blue light shot skyward as the Space Stone activated, opening a dark vortex above them. Through it, they could see the ruins of Earth's cities.

Above New York, the Brood swarmed mercilessly, attacking the last remnants of the population. The sudden emergence of a wormhole disrupted their formation, obliterating several in its wake.

"Is this… New York?"

The entire city lay in ruins, save for the Azeroth Technology Tower. Even the Avengers Tower, far on the outskirts, had collapsed.

"They're besieging the tower. We need to assist!" The Brood had encircled the building in thick layers, but a faint blue shield held strong against their relentless assault.

"I have to find Pepper!" Seeing the devastation, Tony couldn't stay still. Stark Tower had been reduced to rubble, and he feared for her safety.

"I need to check on Aunt May!" As Tony took off, Spider-Man leaped straight from the floating fortress, determined to reach his own loved ones.

Nearly everyone had family on Earth, and witnessing their home in ruins filled them with urgency.

In an underground bunker, the director of S.W.O.R.D. and a group of government officials watched the live feed from their last functioning satellite. Tears welled in their eyes. They had always viewed Garus and his Mutant Academy as a threat. Never did they imagine they would one day pray for his return.

A dazzling red light from the Reality Stone engulfed the sky. The laws of nature shifted—Brood wings withered and fell away, sending the creatures plummeting to the ground in droves.

Above, two Brood generals hesitated, struggling to comprehend the sudden shift. Who were these people? They had decimated an entire battalion in an instant!

A fiery explosion erupted from the tail of a Brood bio-warship. A massive vessel materialized above them, its countless cannons locking onto the enemy.

The Skrulls had finished dealing with the Brood on the Moon and had arrived as reinforcements.

"The situation isn't looking good. Should we retreat?"

Before the words could be finished, a green firestorm surged along the hull, consuming the entire ship within moments.

"Screeee—" The dying Brood ship emitted a deafening pulse, crippling its own forces before crashing to the surface. The impact raised a cloud of dust, leaving nothing but twisted remains and sludge. The two Brood generals perished without even realizing how.

Meanwhile, the Fantastic Four, engaged in battle, finally caught a breath of relief.

"I hate bugs," Johnny Storm muttered, extinguishing his flames as he touched down.

They had fought tirelessly, but against the sheer number of enemies, their efforts felt like a drop in the ocean. All they could do was save as many lives as possible.

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TN: This fanfic has been fully translated and is available on my Patreon —— PATREON.COM / PRIMALDEMON