Chapter 23
Before Lin Fan entered the core of a planet to absorb its thermal energy, everything had already been arranged.
He had set clear priorities—focus on growth first, avoid unnecessary conflicts.
The Dark Quadrant was changing.
Under Lin Fan's rule, the chaotic cycle of war and conquest had stopped.
Instead of constant expansion, they had tightened their defenses, consolidating power, and harvesting resources efficiently.
For the first time in its history, the Dark Quadrant was stable.
And the universe had noticed.
The three superpowers—the Kree Empire, Skrull Empire, and Shi'ar Empire—had yet to make their move.
They watched, waiting, uncertain of Lin Fan's true intentions.
They feared him.
Not just because he had defeated Thanos.
Not just because he had taken the Dark Quadrant without resistance.
But because they didn't know what he wanted.
For now, a fragile calm settled over the universe.
But no one believed it would last.
This was merely the silence before the storm.
When the first siren blared through the capital of the Dark Quadrant, Ebony Maw remained calm.
When the second siren followed, his brow furrowed.
When the **third—the highest level of emergency—**shattered the silence, every leader in the main palace stood in alarm.
An attack.
And not just any attack.
The projected star map flickered to life in the center of the war chamber, displaying the incoming fleet.
A fleet of twenty massive warships, their designs unmistakable.
Their prows were shaped like the heads of legendary beasts—dragons, wolves, bears, tigers.
At the very front, leading the charge, was a warship adorned with the head of a dragon.
Ebony Maw's eyes darkened.
"Hmph. The Aesir."
The Aesir fleet surged forward with terrifying momentum, tearing through the starfield like a divine storm.
Asgard had finally made its move.
Supergiant's voice was steady, but there was a hint of amusement in her tone.
"They didn't hesitate at all. They've committed their entire forces."
Ebony Maw studied the display.
"No. Not their entire forces."
If Odin had sent everything, the fleet would be twice as large.
This was a calculated attack.
A message.
Asgard wasn't just attacking.
They were here to remind the universe that they still mattered.
Unlike traditional war fleets, Asgardian starships were forged from Uru metal, making them incredibly durable.
Each ship was the equivalent of ten from another empire.
They were outnumbered—but their firepower made up for it.
And they were fast.
Too fast.
The Chitauri fleets scrambled to reposition, but the Aesir had the advantage of a surprise assault.
The first wave of attacks erupted in golden light, Asgardian energy beams slicing through Chitauri formations.
Explosions bloomed across the battlefield.
A single Asgardian warship carved through an entire squadron in seconds.
And at the helm of the lead ship—
A golden-haired figure stood at the command deck, gripping Mjolnir.
Lightning snapped and roared across the battlefield.
The Chitauri warships reeled under the onslaught as crackling arcs of divine electricity danced across the void.
Thor didn't need a fleet.
He was a fleet.
With a single motion, he lifted Mjolnir high—
And the storm answered his call.
A column of pure energy descended from the heavens, tearing through three Chitauri warships instantly.
Supergiant tilted her head, watching the devastation unfold.
"Amusing."
Ebony Maw, however, was already preparing.
The time for games was over.
"Assemble our forces," he commanded.
The Dark Quadrant would not fall so easily.
The capital planet's defenses roared to life.
Thousands of Chitauri warships broke formation, countering the attack with ruthless precision.
For every Asgardian strike, the Dark Quadrant struck back harder.
The void became a battlefield, filled with fire, thunder, and steel.
But above it all, in the heart of the chaos—
Thor soared forward, heading straight for the main palace.
Ebony Maw narrowed his eyes.
Supergiant smiled.
"Shall we entertain our guest?"
Ebony Maw exhaled slowly, his fingers curling.
"Let him come."
The war had only just begun.
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