Chapter 8
Temple One tore through space in a flash of blue light.
The massive warship surged forward, vanishing into the swirling vortex of a wormhole jump. Space twisted and distorted around it, colors shifting in a kaleidoscope of reality-warping brilliance.
Lin Fan sat on his throne, watching the spectacle through the massive viewport.
It was surreal. Just hours ago, he had been stuck on a crippled ship, still wrapping his head around what the hell he was doing here. Now, he was traveling across the universe at speeds that defied comprehension.
This was real.
Temple One completed six consecutive jumps before finally emerging into open space.
Ebony Maw's expression darkened.
Something was wrong.
His hands moved in a blur, manipulating the holographic controls in front of him. The swirling streams of data reflected in his sunken eyes.
"Master, we've arrived at the Dark Quadrant's star system," he reported carefully. "However… the quadrant has activated a spatial barrier. We cannot jump directly to the main planet."
Lin Fan's gaze flickered toward him.
A barrier?
Ebony Maw swallowed. "It seems the Dark Quadrant is in a state of high alert… as if preparing for war."
The moment he said it, the air in the control room grew heavy.
Lin Fan leaned back, exhaling slowly. His armor—crafted in the style of Thanos' golden battle suit, though sleeker and lighter—shifted slightly as he adjusted his position.
This was… unexpected.
From Black Dwarf's memories, Lin Fan knew that activating the spatial barrier consumed enormous amounts of energy. It was only used in times of war.
But the Dark Quadrant hadn't been at war for years.
Which meant…
Someone was expecting him.
Lin Fan clenched his fingers against the armrest, his mind racing. If the Dark Quadrant was already locked down, then Corvus Glaive had likely moved fast.
Too fast.
Like he had been waiting for this.
Ebony Maw hesitated. "Should I begin an immediate purge, Master?"
Lin Fan shook his head. "Not yet."
His voice was quiet, but there was a weight behind it.
Corvus Glaive had expected this confrontation.
But now, so did Lin Fan.
"Send a message," Lin Fan said, his voice carrying an undeniable command. "Let the entire Dark Quadrant know… their king has returned."
Ebony Maw bowed deeply. "At once, my lord."
Within moments, an electromagnetic pulse surged outward from Temple One, spreading in all directions. Across the Dark Quadrant, screens, data feeds, and communication relays flickered to life—broadcasting a single message.
A face.
Lin Fan's face.
A voice.
"Your king has returned."
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The palace erupted into chaos.
A Chitauri soldier stumbled into the throne room, gasping for breath. "M-My lord! Temple One has returned!"
At the center of the room, Corvus Glaive froze.
The strange, blackened blade in his hands trembled slightly before he caught himself, regaining his composure.
His fingers tightened around the weapon's hilt.
So. It had happened.
Lin Fan had come.
Proxima Midnight stood beside him, silent as ever, but Corvus could feel the tension in her stance. Even she was unsettled.
Supergiant said nothing, but the look in her eyes was clear. Fear.
Corvus slowly rose from the throne that had once belonged to Thanos.
And then, for the first time in a long time…
He laughed.
A slow, deliberate chuckle that echoed through the palace.
Lin Fan had made his move.
Now, it was time for Corvus Glaive to respond.
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