Marvel: Death Knight

Aboard the Dark Aster battleship, Krath reported to Ronan the Accuser:

"Commander, the humans from Earth have agreed to hand over the Skrulls."

"Excellent." Ronan smirked coldly, his anticipation unaffected. This was all part of his plan. He refrained from outright annihilating them because capturing the Skrulls alive was far more satisfying. Only their suffering could bring him true pleasure.

Krath added, "The Earthlings want to bring the Skrulls aboard to negotiate with us."

"Let them come," Ronan replied indifferently. "I'd like to see what they have to say. But only one of them may board. My battleship is not a place for Earth's rabble to wander freely."

Following the command, a group of armed Kree soldiers approached Garus, leader of Azeroth Technologies, and said, "You must be their leader. Commander Ronan has decreed that only one of you Earthlings may come aboard. Who will it be?"

Garus halted Erik before he could speak. "I'll go alone. You know what I'm capable of."

Garus feared no one. If this escalated into a brawl, he could summon an undead army in an instant.

Erik stayed silent, remembering their battle against Apocalypse. The sight of that colossal, sky-darkening flying beast was seared into his memory.

As a small ship carried Garus and his companions toward the Dark Aster, Garus gazed at the massive Kree warship. He couldn't help but feel that humanity's technology was still painfully primitive. Even his Sky Fortress, Naxxramas, was no match for the battleships of the Kree Empire, let alone the technological prowess of the Skrull and Shi'ar Empires.

However, Garus knew that the Titan technology available in his system's shop far surpassed anything in this world. The Forge of Origination, for instance, could create sentient lifeforms, while the Planetary Defense Matrix had once withstood the apocalyptic might of Sargeras, the Dark Titan. Other wonders included the Emerald Dream System, capable of resetting a planet's ecosystem.

With over 300,000 exchange points remaining, Garus had already decided that after dealing with Ronan, he would exchange them for a Burning Legion Planet-Destroyer, preparing for the imminent Chitauri invasion.

The ship passed through a colossal gate, and the surroundings dimmed. Garus saw an expansive hangar filled with rows of small spacecraft. Armed Kree soldiers were stationed on all sides, their vigilance palpable.

As Garus disembarked, the leading Kree soldier commanded the Skrulls, "Drop your disguises!"

The Skrulls exchanged uneasy glances before their green, pointed-eared forms emerged as their disguises dissolved.

The surrounding Kree soldiers glared at them with pure hatred. From birth, the Kree were indoctrinated to view the Skrulls as mortal enemies—encounters between the two races were battles to the death.

The tense atmosphere unnerved the Skrulls. General Kalruth stole a glance at Garus, whose indifferent expression gave him a sliver of confidence.

Before entering the final gate, Kree soldiers scanned everyone for weapons. After ensuring the group was unarmed, they were granted passage.

As the gate opened, Garus was met with a host of heavily armed Kree soldiers. At the end of the corridor stood a commanding figure: Ronan the Accuser himself.

"General Kalruth," Ronan said, his tone laced with disdain. "It's been a long time."

The Skrull general remained silent, but the other Skrulls—already green-skinned—turned an even darker shade, their thoughts unified: Will we even survive this?

Garus interrupted the tension, stepping forward. "Hey, blue-skinned guy," he said nonchalantly, addressing Ronan. "These Skrulls are with me now. If you've got a problem with them, you'll have to deal with me."

Ronan's second-in-command, Krath, responded to the boldness by firing a shot at Garus.

The energy blast dissipated harmlessly against a barrier of frost that instantly formed around Garus. His mastery of Enhanced Frostbound Resilience easily deflected such attacks.

Garus extended his hand, unleashing a swirl of gray mist that coiled around Krath and dragged him toward him. Before Garus could act further, an invisible shockwave of energy struck him, forcing him back a few steps.

"Release him!" Ronan barked, his expression darkening. Could this human be an Inhuman? The Terrigen Mists had been lost for centuries, yet here was Garus, displaying abilities Ronan couldn't comprehend.

The tension escalated as the surrounding soldiers aimed their weapons at Garus, awaiting Ronan's command.

"Human," Ronan growled, "are you sure you want to make an enemy of me?"

Garus ignored him, keeping his grip on Krath. In response, Ronan waved his hand, and the soldiers unleashed a barrage of energy blasts—indiscriminately targeting both Garus and Krath.

A glacial shield materialized around Garus, absorbing the onslaught. Though he could easily withstand the attacks, the Skrulls wouldn't survive unprotected.

Summoning his weapon, Garus activated its latent power. Ghostly, white spectral spirits emerged, swarming toward the Kree soldiers and infiltrating their bodies.

In this world, without the Holy Light, undead spirits had free reign. Unless one possessed extraordinary strength, there was no escaping their torment.

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