The Brood King struggled to force its massive body through the narrow passage into the city, but Bobby and the Skrull Queen conjured a field of ice around it, attempting to entrap the creature.
Most of the Brood King's body was covered in an impenetrable exoskeleton. Their ice bolts clanged harmlessly against its armored hide, and even the softer sections of its underbelly resisted damage. However, the ice accumulating on its body slowed its movements, temporarily impeding its advance through the mountain's summit breach.
"Boom!" The Brood King swung a claw at a nearby building, reducing it to rubble. The debris rained down toward Bobby and the Skrull Queen, kicking up a thick cloud of dust.
They barely had time to conjure an ice shield before they were buried under the falling stones and dirt.
Yet, the Brood King did not pursue the fleeing Skrulls, nor did it intend to let Bobby and the Skrull Queen escape.
"Bobby, even together, we can't defeat this thing. When we get out, you should run first," the Skrull Queen urged, unwilling to see them both perish. "You're stronger than me. The future still needs you..."
"I can feel my master approaching," Bobby interrupted. He had always known that Garus would find him someday, but he had never expected it to happen so soon.
The Skrull Queen continued to generate layers of frost, reinforcing their icy shield as the Brood King relentlessly hammered against it. The rubble above them had been cleared away, leaving nothing but the translucent blue dome between them and the beast's crushing blows.
She shot Bobby a puzzled look. Even if his master had arrived on this planet, how could he have located Bobby so quickly? And how did Bobby even know?
...
A Death Gate wreathed in necrotic energy opened above the ruins, and Garus stepped through, clad in runed armor and gripping his weapon tightly.
Above him loomed an enormous insectoid behemoth, its claws hammering away at a cracking ice barrier. He could sense Bobby struggling beneath it.
Bugs? Do Marvel worlds have Zerg-like creatures too? The universes of Warcraft, StarCraft, and Marvel all had their own insectoid horrors. The Americans really love their bug monsters.
The Brood King suddenly paused, its multifaceted eyes locking onto the new arrival. The creature felt an inexplicable sense of threat emanating from the figure standing in the ruins.
Impossible! How could such a tiny being pose any danger to the great Brood King Mykrum? The Brood were the undisputed rulers of the Negative Zone! Among the various races that inhabited that dark dimension—be it the Barloor or others—none dared challenge them.
Their race had mastered advanced biotechnology, enabling them to travel through space without ships. The extensive genetic modifications within their species had created various subspecies—winged insects, mantis-like warriors, and even humanoid variants.
As a matriarchal society, the Brood Queens wielded absolute authority. Even an Brood King like Mykrum was subordinate to his queen. There was, however, one exception: the Annihilation King, Enarus*. He had seized control of the Barloor's ancient Cosmic Control Rod, granting him absolute power over his brood—even the Queen bowed before him.
Mykrum had long coveted that artifact, but the Barloor had lost the knowledge to create another. Enarus's control rod was the last of its kind; without it, the Brood remained subjugated.
Now was their chance. If they could seize control of this universe, they might unify the Brood once and for all.
"Die!"
Abandoning its attack on the icy shell below, Mykrum lunged at Garus, swinging a massive claw—its sheer size making Garus appear minuscule in comparison.
The deafening roar of its strike tore through the air, but Garus stood firm. Size had never determined strength. More often than not, a larger body simply made for an easier target.
"Sching!"
The Brood King's claw collided with Frostmourne.
Contrary to Mykrum's expectations, his mighty appendage was severed in a single stroke. The severed limb crashed to the ground with a resounding thud, kicking up a cloud of dust. Thick, green ichor gushed from the stump.
"ARGH! YOU WOUNDED ME?!" A voice filled with rage echoed within Garus's mind. Mykrum was in disbelief.
Yet, as his gaze fell upon Frostmourne, greed flickered in his many eyes. "A weapon of power!"
The blade radiated a force beyond comprehension. If he could claim it, perhaps he could rival Enarus and claim the ultimate authority he so desperately craved.
Not once did he consider whether he could actually wield the weapon.
Desperate, the Brood King thrashed against the narrow passage restricting him, trying to force his way through.
Inside the ice shield, the Skrull Queen noticed the tremors had ceased. The Brood King was no longer attacking them. Bobby, too, sensed Garus's power emanating from outside.
"What's happening?" the Skrull Queen asked.
"My master is here. We should leave—hiding in here is pointless," Bobby replied, eager to join the battle.
Seeing Bobby's excitement, the Skrull Queen hesitated. "How many people did your master bring?"
Bobby pondered for a moment. "Including himself? Three."
The Skrull Queen opened her mouth to question the absurdity of facing such a monstrous foe with only three warriors, but Bobby had already melted the ice before them and stepped outside.
"This…" She followed, only to freeze in disbelief.
Before her, a man who looked almost identical to Bobby stood alone against the colossal insect—and was winning.
Garus spotted the two emerging from the ice dome. Two identical Bobbies. One had to be a Skrull. Fortunately, as a Death Knight, Garus could discern his true follower through their pact.
The Skrull Queen's form rippled as she instinctively mimicked Garus's appearance. However, the moment she did, she felt… weaker. Her strength evaporated, leaving her powerless.
Impossible! She was a Super-Skrull, capable of mimicking not only appearances but abilities as well. Yet, against this man, she gained nothing.
Meanwhile, Mykrum was growing desperate. The tiny warrior was stronger than expected. A strange, corrosive energy coursed through his body, eating away at him from within.
Garus leaped onto the Brood King's back, driving Frostmourne deep into its vital point.
Blood Boil!
A surge of necrotic energy erupted from the blade, spreading through Mykrum's veins.
"Sssskreee!" The Insect King shrieked as his own blood ignited in a violent surge, spewing forth like a fountain from his wounds.
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[TL/N: I don't know if the author meant Annihilus here, or if this Enarus is an original character who acquired the Cosmic Control Rod before Annihilus did. I am reading while translating, so I can't tell you which was the right one.]
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