Chapter 7
Proxima Midnight's loyalty was absolute.
She stood beside Corvus Glaive, her glowing spear humming with restrained power. There was no hesitation in her stance, no doubt in her expression.
If Corvus was to rule the Dark Quadrant, she would stand beside him—no matter the cost.
Across from them, Supergiant hesitated.
She had always been different from the rest of the Black Order. While the others were warriors, built for destruction, she was something else entirely—a manipulator, a puppeteer.
Her strength didn't come from brute force, but from the ability to shatter minds, to twist thoughts until even the strongest warriors bowed before her.
Yet now, as the realization of Thanos' death settled in, her own mind was breaking.
It didn't make sense.
Thanos had been the strongest being in the universe.
And yet, he was dead.
Her thoughts were a whirlwind of panic and uncertainty. If Thanos could die, then what hope did they have?
Proxima took a step forward.
The glow of her spear intensified, casting sharp reflections across the metallic walls.
Supergiant flinched.
She was not built for combat. And in that moment, she knew—if she refused to kneel, if she even hesitated a moment longer—she would die.
She clenched her fists.
Slowly, she bowed her head.
Corvus' lips curled into a satisfied smirk.
"Good," he said.
His fingers tightened around his glaive, tapping it once against the floor. A sharp, metallic ring echoed through the chamber.
A hidden panel slid open beneath them.
Supergiant's gaze flickered downward, widening slightly as something emerged from the floor.
A perfect black sphere.
It was no larger than a basketball, yet somehow, it seemed to swallow all light around it.
It was unnatural—wrong.
Even looking at it for too long made her feel like her mind was being pulled into it, devoured by an endless abyss.
Corvus' grin widened.
"This," he said, "is what will make us invincible."
Supergiant swallowed. "What… is it?"
"The weapon I spent years searching for. The only weapon strong enough to kill Thanos."
His voice dripped with arrogance—a conqueror's certainty.
Supergiant shivered.
She wasn't sure what was more terrifying.
The fact that Corvus had such a weapon—
Or the fact that he had been searching for one even when Thanos was alive.
Corvus let out a low, amused chuckle.
"Now," he murmured, "we wait."
---
Ten hours had passed since Lin Fan had taken control of Temple One.
Ebony Maw moved through the ship's halls, his long cloak sweeping behind him. His expression remained unreadable, yet beneath his composed exterior, his mind was racing.
He had noticed something.
Thanos' body was missing.
It had been lying there, cold and unmoving, ever since Lin Fan had taken the throne. Yet now, it was simply… gone.
Ebony Maw was no fool.
He pretended not to notice.
Instead, he knelt before Lin Fan, his voice smooth and reverent.
"Master, Temple One has been fully restored. We are ready to move at your command."
Lin Fan studied him for a long moment.
Then, a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
He could see through Ebony Maw's act. The old fox was already looking for ways to ensure his own survival, likely planning a dozen contingencies in case Lin Fan ever became a threat to him.
Lin Fan didn't mind.
As long as Ebony Maw was useful, he could play whatever little games he wanted.
"Good," Lin Fan said casually. "I've seen your loyalty."
Ebony Maw's expression didn't change, but Lin Fan could almost feel his relief.
"Monitor Nebula," Lin Fan continued. "I want to know everything she does."
Ebony Maw bowed deeply. "Of course, my lord."
Lin Fan leaned back in his seat.
"Set a course for the Dark Quadrant."
Ebony Maw raised his hands, summoning a floating blue holographic interface.
Lin Fan watched as the ship's massive systems came to life, navigation charts aligning, coordinates locking in place.
Even though he had devoured Black Dwarf's memories, he still didn't know how to pilot the ship himself.
That was fine.
For now, Ebony Maw was still useful.
And soon—
The Dark Quadrant would belong to him.
---