THANOS

"DEADMENTELLNOTALES"
Prelude:COLLECTION
Thesmellofdecayedfleshthreatenedtooverwhelmhim.Itwasnotthepungentsmellone wouldhaveexpected.Itwassweetalmostpalatable.Thesixfootfigurewitharoughlymedium buildandflowingwhitehairwasinsuchhorror.Neverhadheseensomanydead.Everywhere theeyecouldseethedeadwerepiledoneupontheother,sogreatwerethepilesthattherewas anentirenecroscapeofmountains,hills,andvalleys,allcomposedofcorpseswithoutnumber. Hefelltothegroundinabjecthorror,hismindunabletocopewiththemassgenocidethatlay beforehim.Oneofhishandswentcompletelythroughthesurfaceofthenecroscape.Itwas mostunsettlingashepulledhishandfromaputrefiedandrottingskull.Hescreameduntilhis voicebroke.Hewasnearlymadasthesensoryoverloadworkeditsshadowsintohisheart,his mindhisverysoul. Onlythecryingofasmallchildwasenoughtobringhimfromhiscomatosestate.Itwasasmall yellowboy,probablyoneoftheindigenoustotheplanethehadlandedon.Thelanguagewas indiscernible,butthechildwasafraidandcryingashewadedthoughappendagesandother limbs,whichwerelockedintheeternaldanceofpetrifaction.Butfromoneofthevalleysofthe necrolandscape,heascended,likeablackphoenixrisingfromitslongimprisonmentfromthe incinerator.Largeandterribletobehold,hismassiveframecoveredwiththickdensemuscle. Morethensevenfeettallandhiseyeswerelikerazorscuttingawaythefacadeoflife. "Didyoudothis"?Camethetraveler,thechildclingingtohissideinterror,sobbing uncontrollably.Hisonlyreplywasadeadlysmileandblackvaporsthatwerecold. Asicecameforth."Why?ForDeath,"hesaidhisvoicewaslikethegraveasitboomedacross thenecroscape. "Youaremad!"camethetraveler "No,"hesaid,"IamThanos!" Whenthetravelerawokehewasstillinafever,suchavisionwasterriblebutheknewthatitwas arevelationthatwouldonedaybereality.ThisThanoswouldariseanddestroyalllife.Hehadto prepare,hehadtobegincollectingforthenextuniverse.Itwouldbehisallconsumingpassion hewouldbetheCollector.

MOONDRAGON
HernamewasSuisanandshewasanEternal,araceofextremelylonglivedhumanlikebeings thatwereinfusedwiththeenergyofstars.Shewasverybeautiful,herskinsmoothandwithout flaw.Itlackedporesandlookedalmostlikeastatue.Herhandswereslenderandgentle,yet therewasasenseofstrengththatgreatforcecouldbegeneratedifnecessary.Hereyescould beanycolorassheusedherlimitedcontroloverhermolecularstructuretochangethemasher moodchanged.Latelytheyhadbeendark. BeforeherandMentorcametoTitan,therewasagreatcivilwaramongsttheirkindandthe

priceonherspiritmadehersick.Nomedicineseemedtohelpandthingsonlygotworsewith time.Butduringhersearchthroughtheworldcomputer,I.S.S.A.C.,shecameacrossapassage fromanarcanetome.Itspokeofthedragonofthemoonandhowhisfollowerswereblessed withpeaceofmind,andaninnerstrengthofstaggeringproportions. Shesetupaparabola,asthefileshedownloadedtoldher.Itinstructedhertodrawinashesand alightcandleateachaxispoint.Shealsofoundandingestedthestrangeherbsthatitspokeof asthebiotechnologyofTitancouldconceiveofnearlyanything.Suisanbegantochantthe tongueonthemanuscriptoverandoveruntilitseemedtospilloutofhermouthlikeblood throughagapingwound.Thecandlesbegantowaverasamysteriouswindcameintoher bedroom.Thetemperaturebegantodecreaseandevenherthickskincouldfeelthe preternaturalwindsstinginghercheeks.Shebreatheddeeplyassheinhaledtheicycoldthat wentallthewaytoherheart. Whensheopenedhereyes,shesawagreatbeastofobsidian,formedliketheshapeofagreat blackworm.Manywerethelegendsofsuchabeast.Itwasrumoredtobemadeofdarkmatter, thematerialtheuniverseitselfusedtomakeblakholes.OtherlegendshaditastheUroborus, theserpentthatbititsowntail.Shewasnotafraid.Therewasverylittleshewasafraidof,itwas oneofhergreateststrengthsandhergreatestweakness.Couragewasagoodthingbutlackof fearcouldprovefatalevenforanEternal. Itembracedherinitsicygrip.Itdidnotcrushher,butshecouldfeelthegreatpressuresasher handwentthroughtheobsidianwormlikeanapparition.Theonlyreasonsheknewitexisted wastheterriblecoldthattoucheddeepandthegreatpressuresagainstherlitheform.Itwas cleansingasitsbreathwentupanddownherentireform. "Thelifeforceinyouisstrong,"itquippedastheicygripofthedragonputherinanear cryogenicstate.HerbodytemperaturebegantofallrapidlyandHermindwentnumbasgentle madnesscrossedherface."Sotherearetwolifeforces,"camethedragonagain.Itsdark matterwasnowexertingincrediblepressureswithitsdarkmatter. Thebreathwasforcedoutofherandshequestionedherself,Two?Foramomentshewaslucid andTherewasnodoubtwhattheimplicationofthedragonsstatementwere.Suisanwaswith child.Shestruggledhelplesslyagainstthecreaturewhichwasthecombinationofablackhole andapsychicreaper.Memorieswereforcedfromherlimbicsystematitsleisureandit displayedagreatintelligencedespitethefactthecreatureseemedprimalandincrediblyold.But herwillwasstrong,evenstrongerthenthedragonofthemoonhadcountedon,andshefought withallherconsiderablementalstrength,whichactuallycausedsomeofthedragonsdense masstoloosenitshold.Shetriedtoscreambutherscreamwasmuffledfornothingcould escapethelivingblackhole,notevenherscream. Sheawakenedinacoldsweat,hercompanion,Mentor,wasalreadyawakenedfromher struggles. "Areyouallright?"heasked."Youstruggledwiththecoversasiftheywerealive,"hesaidina fatherlymanner. Suisancollectedherself,forshewasnotonetotroubleotherswithherproblems,"Itwasmerely thatIhavenotsleptwithsomeoneinalongtime,normallyIuseasleepenvironmentbecauseit monitorsalphawavesandensuresthatthesleepcycleisuninterrupted."Shehalfsmiledand

triedtosidestepthequestionasshelayherformagainsthisgreatchest,andputherhands throughMentorssilverycrown.MentorwashercompanionandtheleaderoftheEternals,andit washethatbroughtthesunderedEternaltoTitantobeginwith "Suisan,youcannotdeceiveme.Iknowyoubetterthenanyother,whatistroublingyou?" "Mentor,"shepaused. "Yes,"herepliedasheplacedhisgreatjawuponherbackandpulledhercloser "IbelievethatIamwithchild." Mentorpulledback,"Wecandoanexaminationatthefirstlightifyoulike." Shelookedintohiseyes,"ThereisnodoubtIampregnantandworseIfearforthechild'slife." ThenextdayshewasbroughtbeforethecitadeloftheworldcomputerI.S.SA.CItappearedin holographicform,arepresentationofthecomputerinhumanoidconfiguration.Thisformwas howthecomputerusuallypresenteditselftothepopulaceofTitanwhenspeakingtothem. Theworldcomputerdidnothookheruptowiresorinjectherwithchemicals.Itmerelygazedup anddownherformwithitsholographicheadthatwasfedinformationfromtheworldcomputer itself.Itsformwasliketheuniverse,onlycarvedintotheshapeofaman,anditsheadwaslikea Helmutusedtoconcealonesselfinbattle. "Thereappearstobenoabnormalities,butpreliminaryscansshowthatthereisachild." MentorlookedatSuisanandwasamazedoftheintuitivenatureofhiswife,andhetonow fearedforthechild."Canyoubringupavisual?" I.S.S.A.Cgesturedandanimageofanextremelydevelopedfetuswaslookingatthegroup, almostasifitwereawareofwhatwasgoingon.Itwasstillsmallandnotallofitsfeatureswere clear,butitseemedtosmileandMentorandSuisanwereinaweforonethingwasindeed certain:thechildwasaware.Thiswasconfirmedmomentslaterbytheworldcomputerwho registeredactivealphawaves,whichmeantthatitwascognoscente. Afterthatday,Mentorbegantoteachitinthewomb,byreadingbooksandrecitingmathematics. EverydayMentorwouldsitandspeaktoSuisansbelly.Mentorhadoftenthoughtthatteaching couldbedoneinthisfashion.Ifhisson,asthecomputerhadpredicted,wastrulyawarethenits impactwouldbeevenmoreprofoundifhetaughthimwhilestillinthewombandveryimportantif hewastobethenextprince. Therewereevensignsthatthechildwastryingtocommunicate,asitkickedandmovedina commutativefashion. Oneday,Suisancameacrossthestrangeherbsshehadingested,oratleastthoughtshedid whenconfrontingthedreamofthemoondragon.Thismadeherwonderifperhapstheywerethe sameherbsthatshehadusedinherdreamwhensheencounteredthedragonofthemoon.But ifitwasjustadreamthen,whyweretheyhere?Asenseoffearcameacrossheragainbutshe quicklyputitasidewhenthechildkickedandseemedtobeawareoftheherbspresence.The childseemedtowanthismothertoingesttheherbs. Thenitoccurredthatperhapstheherbshadmadethechildaware.Shetooktheherbsanddid sountilthedayherchildwouldbeborn. Therewasonethingthattechnologydidnotseemtochange:thelookonafathersfaceashe seeshissonbeingborn.WiththetechnologyatTitansdisposal,itwasnotapainfulprocessbut

afewminutesatmost. Thingsweregoingsmoothlyuntiltheworldcomputersignaledthatthechildhadstopped breathing.Suisanscreamedassheheardthis.Mentortriedtorestrainher,buttheangstinher wasgreat.Shewasinjectedwithsomechemicalagentsthatwerenanotechnologybasedand theywereprogramedtogoinsideherandtakecareofwhatwascausingtheproblem. TherewaspauseandtheairofTitangrewstillasaneeriequietblanketedtheworldcomputer chambers. I.S.S.A.Cthenconfirmedthattheprocesshadworkedandthatthechildwouldlive. AsenseofreliefcrossedtheirfacesastheworldcomputerslastbitofdatahadeasedMentors mind. Suisanscreamed,however,asherChild'sfacewasbloatedandpurplishinappearance.The worldcomputersaidthatthechildwouldbekeptforobservation.Suisanwasgivenarelaxing virtualrealityemotionstimulationmoduletogiveherpeaceofmind. ThenI.S.S.A.Cspoke,"Thereissomethingstrangeitappearstobeamutationoftheamygdala, thepartofthebrainthatwasoncecalledtheGodcenter.ReligionandGodarelikeatemplate thatisoverlaid,butinthiscaseitappearsabnormallylarge.Hissynapsefiresatincredible speedsandhissignalsmoveacrosshiscortexsoquicklyitoftenappearstobesimultaneously." "Whatalldoesthisbear?"saidMentorevenly. "ItisunknownIhavenevercameacrosssuchreadings.Onlytimewilltellifitisgoodorbad."

THANOS
"DEADMENTELLNOTALES"
INTERLUDETHEMYTHOLOGYOFSCIENCE
"Hewhofearshewillsufferalreadysuffersfromhisfear."MichaelDMontaigne

HisnamemeantforeseeingbuthecouldnotforeseethepowerhungryactionsofZeusagainst Kronusorforeseethatarumorofadubiousnaturewouldbeoneofthefactorsthatwouldput himinapositionmostdire.HewasseizedbyKratos(strength)andBia(force)andcarriedoffto themountainoftheCaucasus.TheirHephaestuschainedhimtothehighrockbytheordersof Zeushimself. Thenewkingofthegodswouldbreakthewilloftheonewhoopposedhim.Thisonewascalled Prometheus.Hestolefirefromthegodsandgaveittoman.Forhiscrime,hewastobechained tothegreatrockwithshacklesofunbreakableadamantium.Bittercoldwouldtorturehimat night,andinthemorn,thegreatvulturewouldcometoeatouthisliver.However,hishealing abilityalwayscompensatedanditalwaysgrewback.Hewasforallpracticalpurposesimmortal, andthoughhecouldnotdiebyconventionalmeans,hehadoftenwishedhecould. Thiscyclewastocontinueforeternityorlonger,sowasthedecreeofZeushimself.Butnever wouldPrometheusyieldtothetorturesofZeus,thoughthechainsofadamantiumdidbind, alwayswashismindfree:Freetoroam,todream,toescapethetortureputuponhim.But perhapshehaddoneittohimself,forhehadalwaysbeenabletoseethroughtomen'shearts andeventhegodsthemselves.Hecouldhaveeasilyoutwittedthem.Duringhistrial,hecameto

knowtheforcesofThanatosandErosonadailybasis.Thatbothconceptswereneithergood norevilbutmerelypiecesinthegrandmosaic.Duringthegreatestmomentsofpain,suchas whenhisliverwerebeingdevoured,hecontemplatedwhetherthesecretwastrue?Whatdid Zeusfear?Knowledge?WhatwasitthatdrovethekingofthegodstochainPrometheustothe rockanddethronekronus?Prometheuswasdifferentthenmostoftheirilk.Hedidnottransform intobeastsandhavelustyescapeswithunwarymaidens.Nordidhepracticetheirlicentious behavior.Inmanyways,thegodswereworstthanmen. Thenonemorn,asthevulturewastearingathisliver,hehadavision.AvisionofaNewWorld, aworldfreeofstrifeanddecadenceandthisgavehimhopeinthemidstofhisowndarkness.At theverymomentofhisepiphany,agreathandcrushedthelarynxofthevultureinonehand. OnlyonehadsuchpowerandthatwasHercules,whowasdressedinsimilarraimentand wieldedlikepower.HewentbythenameoftheForgottenOne.Heusedhisvaststrengthtopull theshacklesfromtherockandtobringPrometheusfromthemountain.Hewasbroughtto anotherplace,aplaceofmajestythatrivaledOlympusitself.Thedenizenswereremarkably similartotheOlympiansandthenheconcludedthesecretwastrue,hewasindeedamember ofanotherraceofgodlikebeingstheycalledhimbyhisnewname.Histruename"Mentor."

THETREEOFGOODANDEVIL
"Onehasnotwatchedlifeveryobservantlyifonehasneverseenthehandthatkillstenderly" FriedrichNietzsche

Titanwasaworldthatpursuedknowledgeinallitsvariousforms:art,science,philosophyand religion.ItsoughtwhattheearthphilosopherPlatowouldcalltheRepublic.Asocietythatlived notbyconsumingproductsandlosingone'sselfinmaterialidolatry,asmanyofearth'spopulace haddone.Instead,itsoughtspiritualandintellectualdevelopment.Eventhough,itwasan admirablegoalMentorknewithadbeentriedbefore.Inthe1980s,theearthnationRussiahad usedthephilosophyofcommunismtoenslaveitspopulace.Tofacilitatetheintegrationbutnot haveatrueauthority. Titanwouldrequireaningredientthatothercivilizationsdidnothave,anintercessorofsorts,this ingredientwastheautonomousAIenigmaI.S.SA.CandwithitwasMentor'sbrainchild:the intergalacticweb. ItallowedcommunicationthroughaseriesofindependentAIunitssentoutthroughthegalaxy. SincemuchoftheirthoughtwasindependentandunknowableeventoMentor,itwasnotexactly surehowtheyaccomplishedtheirgoal,forallthingsthatlivedevolved,andtheAIprogramsdid thiswithremarkableresults.Thewebhadestablishedcontactwithvirtuallyeverysentientracein thegalaxyandbeyondbyusingFTLtransmissions.(Fasterthenlight)Theseparticleswere Tachyonstheoreticalparticlesthatmovedbackwardthroughtime. Throughtheweb,MentorbegantopopulatetheworldofTitan.Hedidthisbycreatingaplaza whereanintricateseriesofwormholes,wereconnectedliketunnelstodifferentworldsandtheir populace.ThosewhowishedtocomeweregivenmembershiptoTitan.Thosewhosought knowledgewereencouraged.Theologists,scientists,philosophers,cybertravelers,historians, mathematiciansnoonewasdeniedaslongastheywerewillingtoeschewviolence. MentorandSuisanhadanotherson,theycalledhimEros.Hisnaturewasdifferentthenhis olderbrother,Thanos,whoseemedmorebroodingandquiet.WhereThanoswasstoic,Eros

wassocial.WhereThanoswasdark,Eroswaslightandfoundpleasureinallthings.Hisnature wassomethingthathelpedprovideSuisancompanytoforgettherebellionanddeaththat seemedtoclingtohermemorieslikealeech.Eros'powertomakehismotherfeelgoodoften seemedunnaturalandThanosthoughtitmanipulationmostfoul.Suisanhadmanydaughters, beforebothThanosandEros.MentoralsousedbioengineeringtomassproduceotherEternals withtheeggsofSuisan. Mentor,whohadtookanavidinterestinyoungThanossincehisbirth,continuedteachinghim andintroducinghimtohighermathematicsandintricatethought.Thanos'mindwassomething tobehold.Itseemedtoseekapatterninwhateverproblemitwasdealingwithandthenthrough someprocess,whichseemedmoremagicthanthought,itwouldsolvetheproblem.Itwasmore likeart.ThatwastheonlywayMentorcouldunderstandThanos'mind,fornothingelsewaslike it.Atthisstage,ThanosrealizedthathisimaginationwashismostpowerfulweaponandMentor encouragedThanostouseit.Heenhancedthisbyintroducinghissontoanewmodeof Knowledge:cyberlinks.ThisallowedThanostotraveltheintergalcticwebasacybernautgiven formthroughinteractionwiththesentientprogramI.S.S.A.C.,whohelphimtravelthe intergalacticweb.ThanoswasabletostayintheweblongerthananyothercitizenofTitan,due tohismutatedmind.Itseemed,formostminds,therewasalimitedtimeinwhichonecould spendonthewebwithoutsideeffects.Thesesideeffectsincludedbodilydetachment, disassociation,andcoma. ItseemedthattheonlythingwhichinterestedThanosatall,besideshisrelentlesspursuitof knowledge,wasErosandhisrelationshipwithSuisan.Hethoughtitwasofadubiousnature andresentedtheyoungersibling.WhenEroswasborn,itseemedthatnolongercouldshethink ofanythingelse,exceptEroswhosoughtnothingbutpleasureandplay.Thanosknewhertrials andknewhecouldhelpher,butsheturnedinsteadtoEros OftentimesyoungThanoswouldcometotheGardenofEternitywhichwasoperatedbythe priestsofPamawhichhadasectonTitanandbroughtwiththemtheirgreatestachievement: TheEternityAsh,agreattreesaidtobetheseedlingofYggdrasillitself,thegreatmythological treewhichwasasymbolofuniversallifefromthelegendofOdinwhohungontheworldtreeto themodernmythofChristwhoalsohadhungonatreetosavemen'ssouls.Itwasan aweinspiringsite,withitsmightybranches,whichseemedtoextendbeyondevenspaceitself. Itswoodseemedtopalpitateandmoveupanddownasifitwerebreathing.Theleaveseacha differentcolor,eachadifferentshapewithintricatedesignsthatweresaidtobeabletoforesee thefuture. Thanossatashemeditatedonthedaybeforehim.AllhecouldthinkofwasErosandhis mother,Suisan.Eroswasunworthyifanything,thoughttheyoungThanos.Heshouldbe disciplinedforhismanipulation.WheninEros'presence,Thanosoftenfeltsomethingalien reachoutandtouchhismind,hispleasurecenters.Butifhehadpleasurecenters,theywere somehowimmunetoEros'touch,perhapsitwasbecausehewasthepolaroppositeofhis brother.Thanos'attentionwasdrawntoagreatspiderwebwhich,fromyoungThanos'vantage, wasnearlythreemetersacrossinlength.Inthecenterwasagreatarachnidwitheighthairy legsandagreatmouthmeanttodevour. Itseemedabirdhadbeencaughtandwasattemptingtoescape.Butthewebbingheldfastand thebirdstruggledflappingitswingsinmurderousfrenzy.Butthisonlysucceededintrappingthe

foulfurther.Thanoswatchedasthespidergrewevercloserandappearedtogrowlargerand morelikeaforceofnaturethananinstrumentofdeath.Theavianmadeaterriblesquallasthe spiderwrappeditinawebcoffinandbegantodrinkitslifeforce.Forsomereason,thisact piquedtheyoungTitan'scuriosity. Itseemedtomakehimthinkdeeperthaneventhemostdifficultmathequationhehadcome acrosstothispoint.Thensomethingstirredinhim.Somethingdark. AfterThanosleftthegardenthatday,hecontinuedhissearchforknowledgeandwenttothe galacticweb.Thanosengagedincybertravelusingaportholetohookhisminddirectlyintothe systemitself.Itwasextremeandonlythosehookedintocyberversecouldstayonlineaslongas Thanoscould.Butthedifferenceisthatmostofthemhadbeenhookedinsincebirth,andyethis abilitywasalreadyrivalingthemostcompetentcybernauts. Thanosvisualizedagreatchessboardusinghisimaginationtomanipulatethecyberversetohis designs.ThispracticeofshapingtheterrainofthecyberversemadeThanos'mindevenmore focused.Hewasableusehiswitnessingtheactofthespiderandthebirdtoseepasttheveil,to seeonesandzerosoftheintergalacticweb.Throughtheweb,hesawthegameintrue manifestationanddecidedtouseittohonehisstrategy.I.S.S.A.C.,thesentientprogram,took theotherside,andtheybegantoplayastheyalwaysdid."Today,Iwillbeatyou,"saidtheyoung Thanos. Foranundisclosedamountoftime,theyplayed,solongitwasimpossibletoascertainastime moveddifferentlyinthatenvironment. ThanoswasabletoplayI.S.S.A.C.toadraw.Whenhecameoffthewebandintohisownbody again,heremovedthecablefromahole,whichwasinhiscortex.Butsomethingstrange happenedastheholehadclosedup.Normallyonceacorticalcablewasinserted,thehole remainedandcouldbecoveredbutitwasthereonapermanentbasis.YoungThanosseemed tohaveapowerthathisbrethrendidnothave.Hedecidedtostudyandlearnallhecouldofhis heritage.Thanoswasnearlytenyearsold,buttheyearsonTitanwereequivalenttotenearth yearsandthelifespanofanaverageEternalwaslongerthentheaverageKreeorSkrull,and muchlongerthanahuman.Titan,asThanos,alreadyknewhewasmadeupofaneclecticof manyworlds,whichwereconnectedthroughtheweb.ManyoftheracesthatlivedonTitanwere notEternals,likehimself,butwerefromotherworlds.Withonlytheseekingofknowledgein common,ThanosunlockedhisfatherMentor'spersonalfileswitheaseanddidnotevenhave moralcompunction,formoralstoThanosweresubjectiveandhesawitmerelyanobstaclethat hadtoberemoved.HelearnedhisfatherwasfromaraceofEternalsdifferentthanhismother, andthattheyhadabsolutecontrolofthemolecularstructure.Helearnedtheywieldedgreat energieswhichwerethestuffoftheuniverseitself.Helearnedthathisfatherhadbeenpunished forhisknowledgeseekingandhungfromagreatrock.ThisintriguedThanos,ashewondered whatwouldmakehisfatherseekknowledgeoutatsuchanextremecosttohim ButtheyoungThanoswouldnotbetorturedorinjuredforhisknowledgeseeking.Hewould developthosepowers,thatheseemedtohavefromhisfather'speople.Thanoswouldneverbe putinpositionssuchashisfatherwas,hewouldbetheonetowieldpower. Again,Thanoswenttothegardentoreflectonhisknowledge.Howhisfatherhadsought knowledgeatahighcosttohimself.Howhewoulddevelophispowersfromhisfather'sside.He alsosawhowhisfatherwasanoutsider,growingupinOlympusinsteadoftheKingdomof

Eternals,andlikehisfather,hefeltoutofplace.Hisgoals,differentthantheothersofTitan thoughtheysoughtknowledge,theythoughttomerelysitonthatknowledge.Thanoswasmore pragmaticandlookedforwaystoincreasehisuses.Healsosawhowhecameabouthisname. HowhimandhisbrotherwerenamedwhenhisfatherwasinthethrowsofThanatosandEros betweenlifeanddeath.Himandhisbrotherweresymbolsofwhathisfatherhadgonethrough, ofwhatitmeanttohaveabeginningandanend. ButwhileEroswasthelifeurge,hehadbeennamedafterThanatosthedeathurge Thanoswasdistractedashesawanotherbirdcaughtinawebandwonderedwhatlessonthe EternityAshwastryingtoteachhim.Thenepiphany!Washenotonewhotraveledtheweb? Muchlikethelonelyspider,Thanostoowasaloneandmistrustedbecauseofhisappearance.It thenoccurredtoThanosthathecouldbethebirdorbethespider. ErosbrokeThanos'concentration,"Brother,whydoyoucometothisplace?" Thanossaidnothingashewatchedthespidergetcloser. "Brother,youseemdistracted,"saidEros. Asmilebegantoappearonhispurplefaceasthespiderwasnearlyuponitsprey.Althoughhe wasnotsomuchdifferentthanhisfather,bothwereseekersofknowledge,bothwereoutcasts, andthoughThanoswasphysicalaswellasmentallydifferent,heknewhewouldalwaysbe apartfromhismother,fromhisbrother,evenfromhisfather.Thanossawhimselfasakindof orphan. "Brother,whathasyousointrigued?"andwhenthebirdscreamed,ErossawwhatThanoshad beenlookingatandwhenhelookedintohisbrother'seyeshesawthekill.Andhesaw somethingthatterrifiedhim. "TellmotherIamcoming,brother,"saidThanos,"andthatIhaveagift."

THANOS
"DEADMENTELLNOTALES"
Continuesfromissue#1andissue#2ofThanos:DeadMenTellNoTales

INTERLUDEPARABLE
"Thedevilhasthefarthestperspectivesforgodthatiswhyhestayssofarawayfromhim.Thedevil,in otherwords,istheoldestfriendofinsight"FriedrichNietzsche

Itwasnotoftenthedevilwasallowedtoappearbeforethegreatgathering.Itwasevenless frequentthathewouldbeallowedtospeak.Buthehadbeenchosentospeakatatrialthat wouldrippleforthandalterEternityitself. Mephistowaitedinhisstygianrealmforthepropermoment.Thenanaperturewouldbeopened andhewouldstandinthegreathallofmanifestationsMephistonervouslypluckedatoneofhis demonseyeballs,impalingoneachofhisfingerscompletelythroughandswallowingtheeyeball inasinglemotion,ashewaited.Thehallofmanifestationswasarealmwheretheabstracts weregivenform,andcosmicjusticewasdealtoutbyamulitversalentitywhowasfearedbyall. HisTitlewasspokeninwhispersacrossthegalaxiesTosomehewascalledtheDread TriJudgeandhisfearsomethreeheadedvisageinspiredterrorinallwhohadtheunfortunate

happenstancetocrosshispath,forhisjudgmentswerefinal. WhenthegreatapertureappearedtherewastrepidationeveninMephistosstepsashewalked throughthegate.However,thefactthathewaschosenbyhergavehimfaith.Thehallof manifestationswasaterriblesitetobeholdasthetrueessenceofaCelestialwasmanifested beforehim.EvenMephistohadtoshieldhiseyesfromthegloryofwhatappearedtobeasoulof aGod.Theessencewaslikeragingfireengulfingitself,andbrightnesswasallarounditand radiatingoutofitsmidstlikecolorofamber.Inaddition,standingnexttothereveledessenceof thesoulwasanarmoredrepresentativeofthegreatCelestials.Hewascalledthe"OneAbove AllandthesouloftheCelestialwasunderhischarge.ButtheleaderoftheCelestialsarmored formpaledbeforetheunsheathedessenceofthedeceasedCelestial. OnagreatthroneofbronzewastheDreadTriJudgewhohadthreefacesthatwerelikethoseof men,savetheywerehewnfromstoneandwerewhitelikewool. Whenhespoke,itwaslikethunderinthefirmament,andblackcloudsformedintheHallof Manifestations,"MEPHISTO,YOUHAVEBEENGIVENVOICEBYSHEWHOISTHE ANTITHESISOFFOREVER.THEGATHERINGBEFOREYOUISJUDGINGTHEACTIONSOF ONEOFETERNITY'SMANIFESTATIONSDURINGTHESECONDHOSTSVISITTOEARTH. THECRIMEWASDISCOVEREDBYTHELEADEROFTHELANDINGPARTY.THE PERPETRATOROFTHECRIMEWASTHECELESTIALWHOWASCALLEDTHEGOLDEN ONE.AGREATBATTLEENSUEDANDITTOOKTHEENTIREHOSTTOSUBDUEHIM, THROUGHTHEWEAPONGIVENTOHIMBYGALACTUSHEWASFINALLYSLAIN.BUTHIS SPIRITHASAPPEALEDANDSINCETHECELESTIALHOSTASKEDAMEMBEROFTHE GATHERINGFORHELPTHEFINALJUDGMENTISOURS.SPEAKMEPHISTOYOURSIS THELASTVOICETOBEHEARDBEFORETHEVERDICTSHALLBERENDERED. MephistolookedaroundthegatheringandnexttotheDreadTriJudgewashewhowasforever themanlikeentitywhoclothedhimselfintheraimentofstars. OnhislefthandsidewasthegreatGalactuswhowasfromanotheruniverse.Auniversewitha differentEternity,withdifferentconceptshewasaseverthealien.Mephistospokewith arroganceasheaddressedthegreatcosmicgatheringbeforehim. "Ispeakforher.ShethinksthatthecrimebytheCelestialwasnotacrimeandwillonedayplay apartinthemosaicthatisEternityandaskedmetostandasaproxy.Whensheaskedmeto speakforher,shecalledmeasanexpertwitness.FortheactionsoftheCelestialinquestion areofageneticnature,geneticmanipulationifyouwill,andthusconsideredevil.AndamInot themanifestationofevil?"Adreadsilencefilledthecomicgatheringashepausedtocollecthis ancientthoughts.Mephistogrinnedsardonicallyashisserpenttongueflickeredinandoutofhis hellishmaw.AlthoughIwasnotawarethatoneofthemightyCelestialswasontrial,itis irrelevant"Mephistostonewascondescendingandmocking.TheOneAboveAllmoveda leviathanlikelimbtowardMephistosdirection,andMephistoseemedtocringe,asthegreatlimb seemedtothreatenominouslyasitpointedinthestygianlordsdirection.Energiesofan unknownnaturebegantocracklearoundtheOneAboveAll,andagreatwhitelightfilledthe gathering.Allbegantotakecover,butameregesturefromthedreadTriJudgewasenoughto stayhishand. IWILLBROOKNOMOREINTERRUPTIONSINMYCOURT,ANYFURTHERACTIONS SHALLBEDEALTWITHMOSTHARSHLY.CONTINUE,saidtheLivingTribunalashegestured

forthestygianlordtospeakhismind. "Whyshouldevilexist?Hepausedasifforeffect,isithungerthatmakesoneevil?Andthe lordofevillookedattheGalactus,Isitappetite?WhenthegreatGalactushasplentyoffoodhe canseehisplaceintheschemeofthings,andhowhewillgivebacktotheuniversefarmore thenhehastaken.TheLordofLiesgrinnedmalevolentlybutthenhecontinued,"butwhenheis hungrythenevenGalactusisindoubtandhecannolongerseehisplaceinthegreatmosaic. Andcertainlytheywhomhedevourscanseenogoodinit."GalactuseyedtheLordofEvilwith contemptasiftosaywithaglancethathewouldnotforgetMephistosslight.Perhapsitislove thatcausesevil?Perhapsifwelivedalonewewouldhavelittletrouble.Mephistoglaredat MistressLoveandhercompanionSireHatewhowerealsoamongthegathering,"andif somethingweretohappentoonesmate,Mephistocontinuedemphasizingcertainwords,"and sheiscarriedoffthenthereisnorest.Onlyturmoilandangst.OrperhapssaidMephisto evilspringsfromilltemper,andMephistoseyesmettheOneAboveAll,theleaderofthe Celestials."Themomentwebegintoloseourtemper,weareundone.Perhapsitisfear,and MephistolookedatthedreadfulforcesofChaosandOrder.Evenifitisthetwigsbreakingorthe leavesrustling,itcausesuslackofpeaceandwehavetosleepwithoneeyeopenandoneear alert,wearealwaysinalarm." MephistostoppedasthecosmicgatheringseemedtobelisteningtoMephistoseveryword.But intruthitisnoneofthese,saidMephisto,neitherlove,norfear,norilltemperorevenhunger, butallthatisevilisduetoourdifferentanduniquenatures.GalactusisdifferentfromLoveand Hate,andLoveandHatedifferentfromtheLordsChaosandOrder,thereforeIconcludethat yourevilisnotmyevilandeachfulfillsapurpose.EvenasGalactusdevoursaplanet,itisdone inpurposeandtheuniversecouldnotexistwithoutit.ThisDNAwillserveapurpose,orsomy mistressbelieves,andshewouldnotseekittoperishbecauseoftheCelestials,whoseekto controleveryfacetoftheircreation.Letthemalsoknowthattheytoomustserveandfollowtheir placeintheschemeofthings. THELIVINGTRIBUNALHASREACHEDHISVERDICTANDALTHOUGHTHEGOLDENONES CRIMEWILLSTILLBEPUNISHEDBYTHECELESTIALS,HISCREATION,ASTRANDOF GENETICMATERIALTHATISACOMBINATIONOFDEVIANTSTRAINANDETERNALSTRAIN, SHALLSURVIVE,ANDSHALLONEDAYMANIFESTITSELFINTHEGENEPOOL.SO DECREESTHELIVINGTRIBUNAL." ThenalltheassemblagebegantodepartandMephistoalsodepartedtohisownrealmwherehe wasmetbyaratlikecreature"Youdonewell,LordofLies,themistressisverypleasedandyou willberewardedforyourguile." Thentellmethis,whatdoesMistressDeathwantoftheCelestialDNAandwhydoesshewant ittoexistintheschemeofthings,isitnotacelestialaffair? ThemouthpieceofDeath,whichhadmanifesteditselfasaratwithbipedcharacteristicsspoke, itswordslikevenom."YouweretogaintheCelestialsanger,itwasthisthatcausedtheTribunal toruleagainsthim,andsheknewthatyouandyoualonecouldaccomplishthetask.Thatway shewillnotbeblamedandtheCelestialwillnotholdanythingagainsther.Withthatthe mouthpieceofdeathwasgoneandMephistowonderedwhatwouldbecomeoftheDNA.He lookedonattheonewhocarrieditinhisgeneticstructure."Wewillbeseeingeachother.Alars andIwillbecurioustoseehowyouroffspringturnsoutandwhyMistressDeathseemedtohave

suchavestedinterest."

SIBLINGRIVALRY
Wemayliewithourlips,butwetellthetruthwiththefacewemakewhenwelie"FriedrichNietzsche

Mentorhadcalledafamilymeetingattherequestofhisson,Eros.Thesubjectathandwashis otherson,Thanos,whohaddonesomethingsostrangethatyoungEroshadbeguntofearfor hismotherslife.Eroswasthinandlankywithchestnutcolorhairandeyesthatcouldchange colorbywillalone.Incontrast,Mentorsbuildwaswiderandmorephysicallyimpressive.He pushedhishandthroughhiswhitehair,whichwasfullandcourse.Andqueriedaloud"Whereis Thanosandwhyhashenotansweredmysummons?"MentorsmindwassimilartoThanosin therespectthattheybothdidthingsforreasons.MentorhadtoknowThanosreason,andhad everyfaithinhim,foritwasobvioustoMentorthatEroshadnotseenthecircumstances correctlyandwasperhapsmisinformed. WhenThanoswalkedintohisfather'schamber,Eroswastalkingtohismother,SuiSan,and Mentorwaspacingnervously.Eroswasthefirsttoacknowledgehisbrother,Greetingsbrother, wehavebeenwaitingonyouforsometimenow." Erosbegantopourhimselfadrink,andofferedThanosonealso."Iwilldecline,brother,you haveenoughviceforbothofus,"Thanosshowednoemotionwhenhespokeandhisfacewas likeimmovablestone.ErosglaredatThanosandthenErosreachedoutandbegantotouch Thanoswithhismind.Hecouldfeelitssickeningtouchagainsthiscortexandwasnotpleased. Hespokealoudasingleword"sensulist"andwithutterdisgust.ThanoshitEroswiththebackof hishand.BloodwaseverywhereasEroscradledhisbrokennosewithbothhandscuppedtightly tohisface. "YouwillfindThanosmindnotaseasytomanipulate,asourmothers." Enoughofthis,thebothofyou,suchbehaviorwillnotbetoleratedespeciallyinmypresence," boomedMentor. SuiSanwasintears,butquicklyfoundherstrideasshechallengedherdarkerson'smotives. "WhatisthisgiftEroswastellingmeof?Thanos,Ihavealwayscaredforyou,lovedyou." "Sparemetherhetoric,youarestillunderthechemicaldependenceofmysensualistbrother andIwillnotspeaktohismouthpiece." SuiSanwasenragedandslappedThanosacrosstheface.Theeffectwasmorethanthemere forcesoftheblow,butinhismind,hefeltbetrayal.Thanosbegantowalkoutofthechamber whenhisfathercalledouttohim,Thanos,theydonotunderstandyoulikeIdo,howyourmind works,howquicklyyoulearnandadapt." "Doyou?saidThanoscoldly,"Evenyourmindisbutapaleshadowcomparedtomyown,you arealllikechildrenbeforeme!Thanosgrinnedsardonically,"Goodnightmother."Mentordidnot attempttostophissonforhefeltitbetterifhehadtimetothinkonit. Thanoscontemplatedhowhewoulddealwithhissibling,andhestillhadtogivehisgifttohis mother.Foraslongasshewasunderhisbrother'scontrol,shewouldnevertrulybefree.Hedid notfearretributionfromhisfatherforheknewthathisfatherwhohadbeenhisteacherhadthe mostrespectforhismindandwouldneverdoanythingaslongashewasseekingknowledge. Althoughhisbrotherwasaddictedtoeverypleasure,hetoohadhisvices"pridehisonefatal

flaw. ThanoswalkedovertothegreatPlazainthemiddleofTitansSquare.Withintheplazawasthe web,agreatcollectionofwormholesandportalstooverathousandworlds.TheFarcaster GateshadbeensetupbyI.S.S.A.C.,asentientcomputerinTitansearlydays.Itwasthrough thisseriesofdimensionaltravelgatesthatMentorhadpopulatedTitanandexchanged knowledgewithothercivilizationsthroughoutthegalaxy.Thanoshadalreadyvisitedmanyworlds andhadlearnedmanydisciplines,fromabstractphysicstofourdimensionalgeometry,which wasusedintheconstructionofmoderntimetravelmachines.Duringhisvisitstootherworlds, hehadmadecertainobservations.Forexample,theworldhewasnowgoingtowasnotheavily traffickedbyotherEternals,norwasittraffickedbytheotherworlds,whichwerehookedtothe FarcasterGates.Thegravityalonemadetheplanetuncomfortable.Addonahardcoregroupof zealotsthatlivedforthesakeofcombatanditwaseasilyunderstoodwhythisworldwasnota touristattraction.Thanosmadethenecessaryadjustmentsandplacedastrangehelmoverhis purplepate.HesoonfoundhimselfstandingontheplanetofVandus. LargeheavilylimbedcreaturescalledTaurianswerethedominantlifeforms.Otherraces cultivatedthemfortheirphysicalprowessandsizeoftenexploitingthem.Seeingashowtheir technologywaslimitedandmostofthemcouldbetrained,itwasquiteeasilyunderstoodhow theymadeupthegreaterforceofbodyguardsandservantswithintheirgalaxy. ButThanosdidnotcomeseekingaslaveorabodyguardhewishedtoexperiencewhatthe orangehuedTaurianscalledthegift.Thanoshadbeenobservingthetribeforsometimeand hadlearnedmanythingsabouttheirculture.Thanosspokeachallengeinthehightongueof Aruk.Animpressivelookingspecimencameforthtoanswer,histhickhideandthickerlimbs readytoblessThanoswiththegift. ThanosclenchedhisfistsbutwassurprisedbythespeedofthegreatorangeGoliath.Hewas alsoencumberedbytheplanetsgravity.Hemovedasonewhomovesinwater.TheTuarian easilystruckhimoffhisfeetwithasingleblow.TheTitansheadconcussedagainsttherocky terrainbutwasunhurtasheraisedhisgreatbulkforacounterattack.TheTuarianseyeswere likeslits,andhistoothlessmawshotakindofspittlethatblindedThanos.TheTitanwas immediatelystruckwithaseriesofrepeatedblowsthatwerebothpowerfulandskillful,striking vitalspotsontheTitansbody.Hislimbseffectivelyparalyzed,Thanoswasinnodanger,buthe hadnotcountedontheTuariansbeingsoformidable.Buthewaseveradaptiveandhislimbs wereonceagainunderhiscontrol.However,hefeignedweaknesstodrawhisopponentinand usedutilityofmovementtoconservestrengthandwaitforthepropermoment.TheTuarian struckanothergreatblow,causingspittleandbloodtoflyfromThanosmouthinalldirections. SoontheTuarianmadeafatalmiscalculationandtherewasanopeninginhisguard.Thereit was,notdrastic,butenoughforThanostostrikehimwithanuppercut,completelydislocating theTuariansjaw.Thanosbegantogetusedtotheeffectsoftheworld'sgravityandwassoonin apositionofsuperiority.AlthoughtheTuarianwasbleeding,itstillhadfightandbegantotrade blowsinapugilisticmanner.Thetwowarriorsfoughtvaliantlyanditwasunsurewhowouldwalk away.Butatellingblowwasdelivered,andThanosfellbeforeTaurianandwashelplesswhenit deliveredthefatalblow.

Thanosremovedthehelmandtookoutthecable,whichwaslinkeddirectlytotheTitan's

cortex.Thiscyberlinkconnectedhisconsciousnesstoaroboticsimulacrum.The simulacrumwascoveredbyalayeroffleshandbloodandthecyberhelmcouldprojecthis consciousnesstoanyplanetwithinthemakeupoftheweb.Apparently,therewas somethingwrongwithhislinkandhehadlosthisconnectiontotheworldinquestionand hissimulacrum.Anotherroboticdoublecouldeasilybeconstructed.Thatwasnoproblem, however,hecouldnoteasilyreplacetheknowledgethatwaslostorthetimethatwas wasted.Therewerestillsomeflawsintheprocessbutitwasclearthathecoulddownload hisconscienceintoasimulcrumifhedesired.Thanossatforamomentincontemplation andthen"revelation"Perhapsithadnotbeenacompleteloss.Yes,hehadfoundaway todealwithhisbrother.

THANOS
"DEADMENTELLNOTALES"
Continuesfromissue#1,issue#2,andissue#3ofThanos:DeadMenTellNoTales

INTERLUDETHANOSCUBED
Whensteppingintothestreamofconsciousness,don'tslipontherocks.BUDDHA

Thecirclewasnearlycompleteandsoonhewouldcome.Soonhewouldtakeeverythingofany valuefromher.Ithappenedinamomentofweakness.Atimewhenshewasalone.Tearsbegan toswellinhereyesasshetriedtoremembertheexactcircumstancesofwhathadhappenedall thoseyearsago,butthememorywasreluctant. Ithappenedbeforeshewasrescuedfromthebarrenworldwhenalltheotherinhabitantshad killedthemselvesinacivilwar.Itwasinthattimeofloneliness,betweenhopelessnessand desperation,thathermindreachedoutanddidtheunthinkable.Sheknewofthelegendsofhow allshehadtodowascallhisnameinalastdesperateattempt,asshetriedtoholdoffmadness. ThegreatdragonofthemoonwassummonedandofferedheraFaustianbargain.Itclaimeda mightybeingfromapowerfulracewouldrescueher.Butinexchangeshehadtogivevowthat shewouldgiveherfirstbornchild.Suchbargainswerenotuncommon,onejusthadtobewilling topaytheprice.Butnowshewasnolongeraprisoneronthatbarrenandwartornworld.Her temporaryinsanityhadabated,andalthoughshewasgratefultotheDragon,therewasnoway shewouldevergiveherfirstbornson,atleastnotaslongasbreathremained. Toprepareherselfforthedreaddayofhisreturn,shestudiedvolumesofmysticaltomesand forgedherspiritinmagicmostfoul.Shewasnearlyreadyforthegreatworm,themysticcircle wasdrawnandshenowstoodinitscenter.Accordingtoalltheancienttomes,thiswould protectherandgivehertimetopullheracefromhersleeve.Inherdelicatehandswasapuzzle box,heraceasitwere.ShehadpurloinedthecubefromtheracecalledtheSkrullswhenthey hadoncevisitedherworld.WhiletheartifactitselfwasfromtheSkrullEmpire,itwassaidthat thearchitectsofthepuzzleboxdweltinanotheruniversealltogetherauniversewherethelaws weresaidtobecontrary. Herhandswereveryadeptastheyfoundeverycrevice.Herskilledfingerswentoverallthe

intricatepatterns,causingthepuzzleboxtorearrangeitsformations.Aschismopenedinreality andtwistedthingsbegantoswimforth,theirbodiesturninginsideout.Butitwasnotthestrange beastsshewaswaitingfor,theyweremerelythebyproductofthesummoning.Avoicecalled out"Haveyousummonedmetocompletethebargain?" Shewassilentasshecontinuedtonervouslyrunherhandsacrossthepuzzlebox."Youwillnot havemyson,nomatterwhat,"hertonewasangryandfullofregret. "Thereisnochoiceinthismatter,declaredthedragonasshewasrippedfromthecenterofthe circle,anditsgreaticyclawsclutchedathergarmentpullinghercloseruntilitsgreatheadwas nearlyontopofher.Shetriedtoturnawayasshesawahideousmawfilledwithathousand deadlyneedleliketeeth. "Thereisalwaysthematteroffaith,SuiSan,ifyouhavenoneyourmysticcirclewillhaveno strength.Thedragonchangedthesubject,"Didyoufeedthechildtheherbswhichwillmakeits mindaproductofbothuniverses?" SuiSanturnedaway,shehadtoplayherhandperfectlyorelseallwouldbelost.Andlooking intohisfacewouldbreakherofthisshewascertain. Bodyheatbegantoflowfromthewomenandintothedragoningreattorrents.Shegrewcolder andcolder,andherbodytookonthedeathlypallorofacorpse. "Answerme,woman,itraged,whileitsebonbreathcausedafrosttoformoverhernearlyinert body.Don'tyourealize,itcontinued,ThatIshalltakeyourchildanyway.Mymastershave needofhim,heistobetheirprotege,theirchampion." Herteethchatteredwithsuchforcethatshefearedshewouldsheerofherverytonguebutshe stammeredassheputforthamightyeffortwiththegreatdragonofthemoonabouttodevour her,"IIIKnnnooowwwyyyoourrttrrruuuenaamme." Truename?repliedthedragon,Noneknowmytruename." Iiiiiinnnnbbbbeettwwwenneerrr,shesaid,theeffortstealingthelastofherstrength. Thegreatdragonhowled,itsvoicelikeamightyblizzardasitwasthrustinthepuzzlebox,and herfingers,whichwerestillmovingfeverishly,closedituplockingthecreatureaway.Thepuzzle boxwasthenthrusttothegroundwithsuchforcethatitwasimbeddedwithonlythetop showing. Hermindwasfilledwithterriblevisionsandtwogreateyeswerepeeringdownuponherfrom onesideandaheadwithabaldpateontheflank.Theireldritchgazesbitintoherskull,gnawing withteethofdementia,tearingintohercortexwhereallhermemorieswerecontained.Tryas shemight,shewasunabletoresistastheyrapedhermindrepeatedlywiththeesotericvisions ofnightmareswhichwouldneverpass.Theonetrappedinthepuzzleboxwasfreedandthen hoveredabovethewomanwhowasnowsobbingandsittinginapuddleofherownbodilyfluids. Thecreaturewasnowinitstrueshape,withonepartmadnessandonepartsanity,halfofevery conceptthatmanhadeverimaginedwasitsessence.Ittookherchildandshereachedoutin finaldesperationastheInBetweeneralongwithChaosandOrdertooktheyoungchildandwere gonealongwithherson. Butasthedarknessfled,avoicecamefrombehindher,ShaperofWorlds,Ithankyouforyour boon,herfacetakingonadifferentcontinenceentirely,Icouldneverhavedoneitwithoutyou." TheShaperwasimpressiveasvolatileenergiesencircledhisnosfertulikevisage.Itsunearthly glorynearlysentherprostatebutherstudieshadbroughtherincontactwithmanydemonsand

hermindwasunafraid. AndIyou,saidtheShaperwherehiscosmicheraldGlorienwasnotfarbehind.Hisformbuta streakoflightthatdancedaroundtheshaperscrownslikeawillowthewisp."Yourvisionofa utopia,continuedtheShaper,IssomethingIwishtoseefulfilled.EvenifImustconfrontthe forcesofChaosandOrderitself. Wehavebeenbeneficialtoeachother,shesaidsomberly,Trulytherewillbenoworldlike Titan,itshallbeagemamongstthestars,"saidSuisan. TheShaperwassilentashismightygazewasdrawntotheyoungchildhehadjustsavedby placingasimulacruminitsplace."Thechild'sdreamsaregrandioselikenothingIhaveever seen,saidtheShaper,hisgreatSkrullianfacewasstaringsquarelyuponthevisageofthe smallchild."RarelyhaveIlookedupononesoyoungwithsuchvision,"Theyoungchildseemed tostareattheShaperandsomethingformedinhismind,andyoungThanossmiledatthe evolvedcosmiccube,reachingoutwithhislittlepaw,reachingforhisdreams.

AMatterofLifeandDeathChapter4
"MENTALKOFKILLINGTIME,WHILETIMEQUIETLYKILLSTHEM."Bouckault

Warisdeathsfeast!saidtheYoungTitanenthusiastically.HelookedattheTachyonProjector, amachinethatutilizedFTL(fasterthenlightparticles)topeerintovisionsofthefuture.The visionswereusedasateachingtool,butitsapplicationswerelimitedbythefilter,whichwas sometimesunabletodeciphertheimagesontheholoscreenbeforethem. TheHoloprojectorrevealedtwogreatstarcruisershoveringoverasmallerone.Thestar cruisersthatwereprojectedonthescreenwereusinggammaincendiaryprojectilestobreak downthesmalleropponent'shyperdrive.Fivemorestarcruiserscameoutofagravitygateand surroundedthelonestarship,whichwasnowdeadinspace. I.S.S.A.C.,thesentientcomputercreatedbyMentor,hadanthropomorphizeditselfina holoimageandwascurrentlyaddressingaclassroom,whichconsistedonlyofErosand Thanos.However,otherthantheholoimageofI.S.S.A.CandtheTachyonProjector,theroom wascomfortablelooking.Thereweretwochairsthathadcushionsandseatedthetwostudents. ThereweresomeHolosofMentorandSuisanhangingonthewallandsomeother sentimentalityaswell. "Idonotseehowdeathwillprofiteitherway,Thanos,awarbetweenequalscanonlyendin genocide,"saidEros. "Ihadnoideayoucouldbesuchavisionary,gibedThanos,hisvoicedrippingwithblackbile. Itistheoldermanthatdeclareswar,butitistheyouththatthatmustfightanddie.Ibelievethat isaquotationfromoneoftheprieststhatfirstcametothisworldwhenthestargateswere openedandthefirstecclesiasticalsteppedforward,butIbelieveitisappropriate." Howintriguing,saidThanos,"asensualistquotingthepriesthood."Thanoshadaglareinhis eyeashiscommentarydrippedofvenom,"Imustconfess,brother,Idon'talwaysunderstand howthatmindofyourswork.Thanosinterjected "Whichclearlyillustratesthelimitsofyourownintellectualcapacity,brother." ThanoswasalsocutoffbytheholoofI.S.S.A.C.,"Letusholdadiscussioninpeacefulmanner, learningisbestcarriedoutinanenvironmentthatisdevoidofstressandemotionaltumult." "Icapitulate,teacher,Iwasmerelyproddingmybrotherslazyintellect.Continue,said

I.S.S.A.C.,buttrytostayontopic.Thenextquestion:whatuseiswar?Andwhat,ifany,arethe benefitsofsuchadisclosure?" "Whatgoodiskillingonesfellowsentient?Titanhasexistedsinceitsbeginningandtherehas everbeenpeace,willyouThanosdenytheevidenceofyourownsenses?Erosmovedhis armsinanimatedfashion,ashefoundhisbloodbeginningtoboil.Ibelieveaculturecanexist withoutthethreatofwarandIfailtoseewhymurdershouldeverbeglorified! "Inthelongrun,dearbrother,arewenotalldead?askedThanos.Deathisaspsychologically importantasbirth,shrinkingawayfromitisunhealthyandabnormalwhichrobs,thesecondhalf oflifeofitspurpose.Deathbordersuponourgraveandourcribstandsinitsshadow." "Youaremad,Thanos,thereisnolongeranydoubtinmymind." "Letuscarryoutadiscussioninanenvironment,saidThanosasherepeatedthewordsofthe teacher,devoidofstressandtumult,letusstayontopicsibling."ForamomentErosand Thanoswerefacingeachotherastheywerenowstandingandconfrontingoneanother. I.S.S.A.Cwastryingtobreakitup,MentorquicklycameintothelearningfacilityandheldEros backwhowasinafrenzytryingtogetathisbrother.Thanosmerelystoodhisgroundand grinned.SenSuiwasnotfarbehindhermateasshechidedbothhersonsfortheirviolent behavior. Nevertheless,ThanoswasobliviousasanimageupontheTachyonProjectorcaughthis attention.TheTachyonmachinewasonautomodeandsoitconstantlyswitchedpositions.The projectorwasobservingpilesofbodiesasalaserfieldtookoutaninfantryunit,theirbodies slicedandburnedbeyondrecognition.However,asthelandscapeschanged,theTachyon Converterjumpedtovariouspointsinthefuture.Butnomatterhowoftenthemachinechanged positions,theimagewouldalwaysbethere.Thanosleftwithoutsayingaword,ignoringboththe protestsofhismotherandhisbrother. "Father,saidEros,histonenearlyindignant,Whydoyoucatertohim?Thanosismad!" Mentordidnotspeakrightaway,asheseemedtobecollectinghisthoughtsforaproper response,"Andareyouasensualist,Eros?" "Youhavealwaysbeenpartialtohim,haven'tyoufather?Itislikeheisyourpetprojector something!" Mentorturnedhisbackandclaspedhishands,"Youarecloserthanyouknow,Eros,said Mentor,hisintonationsubdued.AllmyknowledgehasgoneintoThanosheisanexperimentif youwill,anexperimenttocreatetheultimateintelligence. TherewasagreatsilenceandEroswasataloss,"Fromthespecialherbsyourmother gathered,toplacingThanosdirectlyunderI.S.S.A.C.stutelage.Everythinghasbeendonetosee justhowfaramindcouldevolveandifapureintellectwouldbegoodorevil.Hismindislikea blackholeinwhichnothingcanescape,soIoftengivehimsomeroom.Iftoomuchpressureis putonhimorhefeltthreatened,Mentorpausedasifforeffect,hismindcouldprovetobethe ultimateweapon." Eroswasdumbstruck,"DoesThanosknowthis?" Ofcourse,repliedMentor,Hehasbeenawaresincehisbirth.Withamindlikehis,howcould itbeotherwise? Whereismother?askedEros,shewasinherejustmomentsago."

Idonotknow,saidMentor,Perhapsshewenttomeditate,shehasbeenmuchtroubledasof late." Youdonotunderstand,father,Ihavetriedtotellyoubutyouseemtoturnadeafear.Motheris indanger." Thanosbegantoconcentrateandfocusasheclearedhismindofallextraneousthoughtand thenhiseyesbegantoburnlikefire.Likeaminiaturesungonenova,theybegantoflareoutand thentheyexplodedoutward,theirmurderoussocketsblazingwithhellishfury,totallydestroying thealloyconstructwhichhedesignedtoabsorbitsmight. Heraisedagauntletedhandandanenergyboltlancedoutanddestroyedanotherconstruct.It wasonlydaysago,herecalled,whenhewouldhavestruggledtounleashthismuchenergy withouttiring,nowhewasdoingsowithoutanystrainwhatsoever.Hismindwasalreadylikea razor,allthatwasneededwastoenhancethebodyuntilitmatched. TheTitanthenhitabuttononhisbeltandfourcybermodules,thatuptothispointhadbeen usedbyMentortoservetheinhabitantsofTitantheirdutywastoperformmenialtaskswhile thecitizensofTitansoughtmorespiritualmatters.Thanoshadplacedintherobotssystemsa virusthatcausedaloopaloopthatwouldcausethesystemstoperformaseriesofrelated stepsoverandover,andabortwhenthespecificconditionsweremet. ThespecificconditionwasthedestructionoftheyoungTitanhimself.Thanossmiledasthey surroundedhimonallsides.Soonheavymechanizedhandsthathadbeendesignedtoaidwere nowbeingusedtokill.BlowsthatregisteredatsuperhumanspeedhittheTitanrepeatedly.They movedsofastthathedidnothavetimetodefendhimself.Hisouterraimentwasquicklytore apartunderthedeadlycomputerizedassault. TheTitansmassiveforearmsrosereflexivelytocoverhimselfbutthemechanisticassassins weretireless.TheywouldcontinueuntiltheyregisteredthatalllifesignsoftheTitanhad ceased.WavesofpainwrackedthemadTitanashisskinblisteredandbruised.TheTitan merelyclearedhismindandthentherewasnomorepain.ToonesuchasThanos,itwas alwaysastateofmind. Theautomatonsattackwasdeadlybuttheywerealsopredictable.Heknewthattheywould remainuntiltheyhadperformedtheobjective.Withthisinmind,theTitan'shandsmovedout withdeadlyaccuracy,disablingtheautomatonsattheirjoints.Thanosgrinned,asheknewthat therecursionprogramwouldnotallowthemtobackdownorrecalibratetheirstrategy.He continuedhisassaultagainstthejointsofhisattackersuntiltheyweredestroyedandlimbswere strewnacrossthefloor.Hiseyebeamsfiredupashepreparedtoclearawaythescattered parts,forhedidnotwishtodrawundoattentiontohimself.EvenMentorwouldnottoleratethe restructuringofservantdroidstoassassins.Itwasconsideredtheultimatecrimetobuilda weapon.Naughtbutslagremainedoftheservantsashiseyebeamsgreedilyslurpedupallthe evidence.Hisbodywasbeatenandbruised,butheclosedhiseyesandfocusedallhisenergy andhewaswhole. Clearly,thoughtThanos,hewasclosertothefirstgenerationEternalswhocouldutilizetheir cosmicforcetohealthemselves,infacttheywereessentiallyindestructiblebyphysicaldamage. Hehadfinishedhisworkoutandnowproceededtoinvestigatesomethingthatwaslikeasplinter inhismindeye,drivinghimmad.IthadtranspiredwhilewatchingtheTachyonmachine.An

imageofwhatappearedtobeafigurethatwasdressedindarkrobes,watchingthekillingeven ashewaswatchingwhateveritwas. Atfirst,theTitanthoughtitwasjustanobserverbutasthesceneschanges,theobserverdid not.Howcouldoneobserverbewithinadistanceofseverallightyearsnearlysimultaneously?It wouldhavetomovefasterthanlight.Hewenttohisownpersonalholomachineandturnedon theTachyonConverter.Greatbattlesappearedonthescreenasmenlivedbythephilosophyof killoneandyouareanassassin,killmillionsandyouareaconqueror,killeveryoneandyouare agod. Nevertheless,Thanosdidnotcometoviewthekilling,hecametoviewthefigure.Forhours, Thanossoughtwhateveritwasandforhours,hecameupempty.Hisbodywasfeelingchillybut hecontinuedhisquestfortheunknownfigure.Herubbedhishandstogethertogenerate warmth. ThenithithimEpiphany!Thanosknewatlastwhoitwasatleastonanintuitivelevel.Eternals didnotgrowcold,theywereimmunetosucheffects,thecoldwasunnaturalandwhenheturned hesawitwastheimagehewassearchingfor.Itwasabeautifulwoman,dressedinlongflowing robesandthegreatcoldwasherbreathanditchilledhimtohisverymarrow. "Itisyou,saidThanos,butThanoswasdistractedasthedoorsofhischamberopenedand SuiSanwalkedin. "Thanosweneedtotalk,itisofdireimportance,saidhismother,herfaceflushed. "Atlast,mother,saidThanos,hisvoicelikethegrave,wearealone."

INTERLUDEPAYBACK
SuiSanlookedintothemirrorandwonderediftheywouldcomeforher.Shewonderedifshe couldescapetheirgraspformuchlongerforsheknewtheirarmhadgrownlongindeed.As tearsflowedfromhereyes,shefeltthatshewassomehowbeingwatchedandthenshehada visionofaterriblerealm.Arealmshehadseenbutoncebefore.Arealmthathadmadesuchan impressionthatshehadlivedinterrorsincehislastvisit,andinanesotericglobe,shesawhim, theoneshehadduped.Thenherbodybegantotrembleandherheadsmashedagainstthe glass,crackingitdownthemiddle.Onlyhersoncouldhelphernow,onlyanagentofdeath couldsaveherfromtheforcesofmadness.Shefeltguiltyforhavingbroughthersontothispoint butitwastheonlyway.Shecouldfeeltheforcesofchaospeelingawayherthoughts.Hermind beingsuddenlythrustintothemouthofmadness.Andwhenshelookedintothecrackedmirror oncemore,shesawtheavatarofinsanity,andsoterriblewasthesighther,thatverybreathe wastoreawayfromherbreastbyhisunseenhand. Hesatinaprisonforgedofsolidinsanity,itsgreatglobeofdepravitycompletelyencirclingthe servantofChaosandOrder.Hisveiny,baldpateseethingwithindignityathavingbeendupedby acosmiccubeandhavingbeenhumiliatedbySuiSaninfrontofhismasters.Hiscylinderof madnesshungjustbetweenthetwinpolaritiesofactuality.Twogreattriangularconstructsthat werethephysicalmanifestationforallextremesinreality."Retsamredrolliwtonyalpynaerom," camethemouthpieceofLordChaos.WhentheInBetweenerturned,hesawachildwalking upsidedownandinherhandwasaredballoonwithafearsomefaceandjaggedteeth.The InBetweenerbowedhisheadasthemouthpieceofChaoschidedhim,Ouyeraaloof reneewtebin,"ButthenthemouthpieceshowedhimSuiSanlookingintoabrokenmirror

speakingaloudtoherselfasthevisionsentbyLordChaoshadoverwhelmedher.The InBetweenerplacedhisfaceagainstafloatingpieceofglassthatmaterializedinhiscellandhe lookedthroughthelookingglasswithgreatangerattheonewhohadputhiminthisposition.The littlegirlbegantodanceinatwistedversionofachildhooddance,allthingswerenormalexcept thechild'slimbsmovedoppositeofhowtheyshould,foldingininsteadofextendingout. SuiSanwasafraidandthroughthemirror,hecouldtasteherfear,howsheonlywantedtobe free.ButtheInBetweenernowknewwhathemustdoandastheprisonvanished,heknewthat hehadanotherchance.Hethensteppedthroughthelookingglassandwasgone,leavingthe twistedchildlaughingwickedlyastheballoonbegantogrin.

THEGIFT
"IfMarylynMonroewasaliverightnow,whatwouldshebedoing?Clawingatthelidofhercoffin. TylerDurden,FightClub

MymotherwasthelastpersonIthoughtIwouldseebutthisdidn'tdisturbmeforIwantedtosee hereventuallybutthetimingwasprematureandyettherewassomethingunusual,perhapsthis wasaploytosetmeupbutIamnotsoeasilyduped. "Greetings,mother,howmayIbeofassistance?Iwaitedforhertomakethefirstmoveand thenshespoke. "Thanos,Iwishtodie." Haditbeenanyotherthisstatementwouldhavelikelyshockedorparalyzed,itwasalmost believablebutasIstudiedhersuddenbewildermentandthewaysheraisedherhandtoher mouthasifsheweretryingtocoversomething,Iknewimmediatelythatshewasattemptingto deceivemeanydullardwouldhavepickeduponthat. 'TodothatmotherwouldviolateTitansmostsacredlaw.Imsorry,Iamunabletoassistyou, perhapsmentororEros. ThentheunexpectedhappenedasalltheexitswerelockedbywhatIcouldonlyperceiveas magic,asciencethatIhadonlybeguntostudyinitsfullness. "IWILLASKYOUONLYONCEMORE,SON,WILLYOUKILLME?!"Thewordscaughtmeoff guardandnowItrulywonderedifIcouldaccomplishsuchahorrifictask.Butitwasnotoutof evilthatIconsideredit,forwastheworshippingofoneforceoveranothersimplyamatterof biasedandrelativitytotheindependentobserver?IknewmypurposeandifItrulywasworthyof deaththiswouldbemybaptism,IknewatlastIwouldhavetobecomethespiderorbedevoured bymyownhesitation.ButcouldIkillevenmyownmother?Theseverityandtoneofherwords bitthroughmynormallystoicdemeanorastheemotionaloutburstswereunusualvolatile, normallyshewasmoredisciplinedandnotpronetosuchviolentbehavior.Butwhenshe graspedmewithastrengthnearlyequaltomyownandthenhurledmeagainstthewallwith enoughforcetocompletelyshatterabodytwicemymass,mysuspicionswereconfirmedandI sensedotherforcesatworkwithinheraswell.Mymotherhadcometobepurgedandasagood sonIwouldnotdenyherwishes DidInotgiveyoubirth?!Andhowdoyourepayme?!Bydisobedience!"Vomitspewedfromthe mouthofmymotherandherheadbegantocontort.Shewasbeautifulinherdepravity,anicon ofdementia,mymotherhadbecomeartandItheartist. ButitwasmostinterestingthatIpicturedherholdingmeinherarmswhenIwasachildandnow

Iwasgoingtokillher,buteventhisthoughtdidnotdisturbme.WasInotThanos? IlookedatmymonitorsoverheadandsawMentorandErosattemptingtobreechmyfortress, timewasnowoftheessence. Mentorwasusingasonicdrill,whichwasjustasinsignificantashispunycosmicmightagainst theshieldingaroundmysanctum,butmysanctumssenseshadshownthatMentorhadsenta signaltothemainframeI.S.S.A.C. MentorhadapparentlysignaledI.S.S.A.C.touseavirustobreaktheelectroniccodedlock,but myrecursionloopswouldkeepthembusywhileIfinishedmydarktask. IcouldhearthemspeakingasEroswaswithhisusualmindlessself,"Howmuchlongercanwe hope,listentothisconflict,beforeitstoolate.Surelymotherisnomatchforthatmonster Thanos! Ilaughedattheironyofthestatement,asmymotherdeliveredablowthatnearlyshatteredmy jawneverhadIfeltmorealive.Mentorwascallingintheforcedroidsandspokewithhislinkto I.S.S.A.C.Itappearswewillneedasmuchfirepowerascanbesummoned,"hesaid.Withthat, IknewIhadtofinishthisandquickly.Itookoutamysticbladeandpreparedtobebaptizedinto thesupernatural. "Thebladestruckdeepdownthemiddleandbloodsprayedintomymouth,asIcutintoher cortexwiththedaggerssharppoint,butstillshestruggledagainsttheinevitableandalthoughI wasloathtodoit,Ihadlittlechoiceinthematter.IcontinuedtocutuntilIseveredthecorpus callosum,anoperationthatcuts200millionnervefibers.Thesheernumberoffibersalone atteststothecomplexityoftheoperation,especiallywithadagger.Finally,Ihadsplithermindin half,separatingtherightandlefthemispheres.Foramomentshehadregainedhersenses. "Ithankyou,son,theInBetweenerhadtakenpossessionofthisbody,hesoughttoclaimus bothforChaosandOrder,thattwistedgodwhoruleanotheruniverse." Herbrainwashemorrhaginganditwasquiteclearthatevenaneternalcouldnotsurvivemuch moredamagewithoutsuccumbing,butsheshowedremarkablefortitudeandstillshestruggled tospeakdespiteherobviousagony. "Son,longagoImadeabargainwithagreatbeastwhocalleditselftheDragonoftheMoon. Shetriedtofindthestrengthtocontinuebutthelossofbloodwastakingitstoll,Thegreatworm whosebodyiscomposedofdarkmatter.Mypeoplehadbeendrawnintoagreatcivilwar.Awar sobrutalandbloodythatitwouldhauntmeeventothisday.Andafterallhadeitherleftourworld orhadbeenkilled,thedragoncametomeandofferedmeabargain." Shehesitatedforamomentasshestruggledtokeepconsciousness.Iwasimpressed. "Inmymomentofdarkness,Iacceptedthepricemyfirstbornsoninexchangeforescape fromtheworldthatwasnowmyprison.Butfortherestofmydays,Istudiedthemysticritesand uncoveredanartifactofgreatpower,anobjectknownasthecosmiccube.Isoughttouseits influencetodeceivetheforcesofChaosandOrderbysendingadoppelgangertothemonthe dateofyourbirth,IencouragedMentorwithyourfascinationwithDeath,forIknewthedaywould come.YoumustfinishtheritesorIwillbeforeveraprisonerofChaosandOrdersrealm.You mustdevourmymindsothatitisbeyondtheirtouch.Foritisthatwhichtheycravewiththeir jaggedteethoflunacyanditisthelastpartoftheritesinwhicheventheymustbeboundbytheir ownwordsandwillhavetoabandontheirplansforvengeance. ButthenthevoiceoftheInBetweenerinterjected,Nowyouarebothmine!Andtheroombegan

tospinandagreatgatewasbeginningtoopen. Mybodywasshattering,butnosoonerdidIusemycontrolovermymolecularstructureto regainmytrueself,thenIfoundmybodyfrozen,butitwasallamatterofcontrol.SoonIfelther breathagainstmyneckandthenIknewthatshehadchosenme.Ismiled,asIknewmyvictory wasnowassured.Withnaughtbutsheerdepravityandmadnessdrivingme,Iwasagainupon mymothersbrokenandbleedingbody.ItappearedthattheInBetweenerhadnotexpectedme tokeepmymindwhenitsummoneditsrealmtothisuniverse.IendedtheconflictquicklyasI completelyvivisectedherform.TheInBetweenerwouldagainbesentbacktohismastersa failure. Somehow,thevivisectedformofmymotherwasstillalive,theforcesofChaosandOrderwould notletgo,trulytheywereterribleforcestobehold.ThenIrealizedthepriceofusingmystic means.AndthoughIwasboundbytheletterofthelaw,stillwouldItakethislessonforlater examinationButIknewtherewasnootheroptionandwhenIreacheddownandtookherbrain withallitsnerveendingsandneuronsIopenedmymawwideanddevouredit,accordingtothe mysticritesandperformedasstated.Itwastheonlywaytoensuretheconclusion,howeverno longerwouldIdealwithmysticritesandspells,fortheyhadleftabadtasteinmymouth. Thanoswasthenbowledoverbyasensoryoverloadashestruckthefloor. Thanos,Ihavecalledyouforthfromthisdayon.Youshallbemyavatar,saidtheskeletal figure,whichhoveredaboveThanoschamberthatwasnowpaintedwiththebloodofhis mother. Youarethebalmthatwillsoothemyburningheart,youaretheonewhowillgivemepurpose. FROMTHISMOMENTONIAMYOURSERVANTANDISHALLSPENDTHERESTOFMY DAYSEITHERWORSHIPPINGYOUORDEALINGDEATHOUT.

Therewasagreatexplosion,asThanoschamberdoorswereforcedopenandanelite guardoftwentycameforth.Thanosdidnotevenresistastheytookhimaway.Eroscould thinkofnothingexceptattackinghisbrother,butheeasilystruckhimaside,Unhandme, youshallnotlayhandsuponmeagain.Erosmassagedthebruisethatwasbeginningto formoverherrightcheek.Mentorgrewintrospectiveandwithdrewitwasmorethanhe couldhandle,forheknewthepartheplayedandtheawfulramificationsthathadensued, andthenhethoughthesawhisformermatestandingoverErosoratleastsomeonethat hadaremarkablelikeness,butthentheapparitionwasgone. INTERLUDEAGRIEFOBSERVED

Thewaytomournthedeadistotakecareofthelivingwhobelongtothem.EdmundBurk

Mentor
Iwassayingmygoodbyes. ButalthoughIlookedunflappableinside,Iwasdevastated.Howcoulditbeotherwise? Myownsonhadkilledhisownmotherand,inmyownway,IhadencourageditasmuchasifI didthedarkdeedmyself.Iclenchedmyfistsuntilmyknuckleswerewhite,cosmicenergy eruptedfrommyfistsasittoreawholeintheceilingofmyson'ssanctum.Tolookuponherwas morethenthesoulcouldbear,andyetmydetachedoutlookallowedmetoaccomplishthe impossible.

However,Iwouldhavenooneelsedisposeofherremains.ShewasmycompanionandIwould seethisthroughtoitsbitterconclusion. Iusedmyownhands,andthenmyimaginationbegantowonderhowithappenedandIcould feelrealityitselfblurandthenIheardhisvoicetrulyitwaslikethegrave. "Fatherareyouenjoyingthis?Ididitallforyou.Agiftinyourhonor,father.Agiftforallyour endlesshoursoftutoring.Itwas...theonlywayIcouldtrulyrepayyou.Doyounotunderstand?" ThevoicesoundedjustlikeThanosandIcouldevenseehisterriblevisagewithhisebonstare andhismalevolentgrin.Yet,Isomehowknewitwasanillusion,deepdowninthecoreofmy soul,Iknew.Iwavedtheillusionoff,sayingthatIwouldpaytheillusionnoheed. "Imustconfess,"camethevoiceinmyheadagain,"youhavequitethewillbutyouwereevera dangerousmanandIneededsomethingtobreakyourunwaveringresolve." Icontinuedtoignoremy"son".Eventuallyitwouldpass.Nodoubtitwasasideeffectfromthe rathertraumaticexperience.Itookamentalnoteofillusion'sincredibledetailandwastruly amazedwhatgriefcoulddoeventoamindsuchasmyown. Thevoicewaspersistentanditthensaid,"Youarenextfather." Butitwasamazinghowmymindcouldconceiveofsuchanaccuratecreation,howapartofmy mindcouldbesodifferentfrommyownbeing. Yettheillusioncontinued,unhinderedbymyseeminglyuninterestedplacidexpression,andthen itgrabbedme!IcouldfeelhisironfingersgraspingaroundmythroatandIcouldhearhisvoice echoing,endlessly,withinmymind."Doesthisappeartobeanillusiontoyou,father?Canyou notfeelyourlifeforcenotseepingawayfromyourgrasp?Glorious...isn'tit?" ItwasatthistimethatImadeanothermentalnoteaboutthesensationIwasexperiencing,of howalthoughitwascompletelygeneratedbyanillusion.It'srealitywasstaggeringandthen...I couldn'tbreath!Andforamoment,Iwonderedifitwasnotanillusionatall.Forifitfeltreal,andit soundedreal. Thenthequestiondawnedonme,Couldanillusionifthatiswhatthisisreallykill? AndasIlookeduponthehorrorbeforemyeyes,hisgrinningpurplevisageholdingmealoftover theremainsofmydeceasedmateandmyfeetdanglingintheair.Hisemptyeyesweretearing intomymindandthenIwaslost. IfeltataponmyshoulderandEros,mysecondsonwasstandingbeforeme,througha darkenedhaze.HewasaskingmeifIwasalright,Inoddedunreassuringly.Itwasthen,likean outofbodyexperienceasIsawmyselfstandingnexttoascreenwiththeAIcomputerI.S.S.A.C askingmewhattodowithThanos. EndInterlude

POSSESSIONISNINETENTHSOFTHELAW
Godprovidentiallyforesawthedevil'sturntowickedness,andalsothatofevilmen,butpermittedthisfor thegoodofallcreation.Augustine

Mephisto
Asthelordofevil,IhadbeenfollowingtheOnewhohadpossessedtheDNAsincethetrialofthe DreamingCelestialandwonderedwhattheoffspringwouldbecome.*
(*SeeThanos:DeadMenTellNoTales:IssueThreefordetailsoncosmictrial.)

AndasIgazedthroughthemiststhatcutthroughalldimensionsIbegantostudytheonewho

calledhimselfThanos.Inappearance,hewasratherapishandaestheticallyunappealing,this wasnodoubtthedeviantstrainshowingitself. ButasIwatchedthepurplepollywoggrowIbegantobeintriguedbythisstrangedemigod,who's fatherwasonceacitizenoffabledOlympusandwho'smotherwouldbeconsideredawitch.My Godifthereissuchathingmusthaveasenseofhumor,indeed.Amindsosharpinthebody ofabloatedpurplefrog. Butashevivisectedhisownmother,Iwasinaweatthedepthsofdementiahismindwas capableofplummeting.AndIwonderedwashedevoidofconsciouscompletely.Orwasithe wassimplycapableofbothextremes?Washe,perhaps,justascapableofdoingamonumental goodaswell? MymindreelsatthethoughtofhisownmotherallowinghersontocourtMistressDeath,herself, asifsheweresomefleshlessmaideninsteadofthereaperofsouls.Truly,Thanoswas blessed. SuiSanandMentorwillgiveawholenewmeaningtodysfunctionalfamily. AsmygazefallstoMentor,itappearsthatthefatheroftheOnehasgonesomewhatmad.From hisdisorientedappearanceitisclearthatheisbeinghauntedmyhisownpsyche,asifheisin communionwithghostsandattemptingtorationalizehisownmadness. ButitisratherenjoyablewatchingamindasstrongasMentor'scrack,ifnotshatter,muchlike anegg. Omeletanyone? Hahahahahahahaha! SowittyIamattimesthatIamuseevenmyself. ButifIwishtotakefulladvantageofMentor'smisfortune,Imustbeswift!Thanoswillnotallow himselftobeimprisonedfortoolong.Andwhat,Iwonder,doesMistressDeathwantwiththis purpletoadisbeyondme.Butwhateverhappensitismostclearthathissoul,nomatterhow dark,couldnotpossiblyreachthesygiandepthsofsuchasI.AndyettheCelestialsarean enigmaticlot,andtheDreamingCelestialwasreputedtobeonparwiththemightiestofthem. Theflamesofmynetherworldbegintowaneandstandingbeforeme,oncemore,isMistress Death'smouthpiece,"YouwillgotoTitan,LordofLies.TheInBetweenisseekingThanos' ratheruniqueDNAandMistressDeaththinksyoumaybeofservice."TheMouthPiece's putrefiedfleshwouldberepugnanttomost,andthetrailofmaggotsthatdropfromeveryorifice wouldannoyevenIhadtherefallingbodiesnotfedmyflameswiththeirpathetically,worthless lives. "IwillstealtheDNAfromunderhisverynose,"Iinformedthemouthpiecewhilesilentlymusing tomyselfmeansinwhichtoaccomplishsaidtask,AndthenMephistoshallagainbewhathe wasinagespast.Hmmm,howshallIdothis?Icouldsendademoniclackeyinmystead.Yet sinceIknowtheyareuntrustworthyperhapsasuntrustworthyasIIwilldothismyself,in person. IthasbeenagessinceIdidthistrick,sinceSamariantimestobeexact.Backduringantiquity whenmagicwasscience.ButthelasttimeIdidthisaprophettrappedmeinaheardofpigsand sentmetumblingoveracliff.Notthemost...outstandingnotationwithinmydemonicrsum,to beassured. Thetransitionmustbeseamless,Ipurloinedoneofmymostpowerfulartifacts,oneIhadnot

usedsinceIhadtakenoneofmyotherguises.Aguisewhichwasextremelyeffective.Iheldthe tridentoutwardandpointeditatthestygianwatersatMentor'simageandIwasthere.Unlike mortals,Ineedednodeviceoftransport,nopointoftransition,itissimplyIwillitandthenitis. Trulyastaggeringthoughtformortalstounderstand. Ihadtobecareful.MistressDeathwouldbewatching,closely.AndusingthebodyofMentorto maskmyessence,IslippedintoMentor'sbodyascasuallyasoneputsonagarmentof clothing.Afterseeinghisownmistressvivisecteditisnowonder,thathewasvirtualcatatonic. YetitistimessuchasthesewhenbeingssuchasIslipon,andact.Tosome,itisknownas temporaryinsanity.ToonesuchasI,itisanotherbagoffleshtowearanddiscardasIseefit. IgetnocomplaintsasIimprisonThanosinacylinderofadamantine.Thesamesubstance mightyZeususedtoimprisonthisbodyonarockwhilevulturestoreoutitsliveronadailybasis. Withinthecontainerarealiquidfullofhallucinogensandotherchemicalstokeephiminsedated. Butheisnotunconscious,farfromitinfact.AlthoughIprobablycouldhavekilledhimwithout anycomplaints,itwasnotwiseforthatwouldbringinmymistress.AndIcouldsenseher watchingme,carefully. WewereallstandingoverthebodyoftheinertThanosthen.TomyrightismysonEros,trulyhe doesafatherproudhispleasantdemeanormaskingsomethingmuchdarker.Butperhapsthe mostmindstaggeringthoughtThanoscouldhavegottenthatridiculoushairaswellashisapish appearance. I.S.S.A.C.wasrunningtests,whenImaderequestedforasamplingofThanosDNA. Suddenly,Ifeelsomethingascoldasiceagainstthebackofthisbodiesneckanditshairsbegin tostandonend.IturntoseetheentourageofMistressDeath.Erosiscompletelyoblivioustoher presenceasistheworldcomputerI.S.S.A.C.Buthowcoulditbethattheothertheforcesof deathworkintheuniverseeverydayandnooneisthewiser? Sheisterribletobehold,ashersocketlesseyesseemtowatchthebodyoftheinertThanos. Hermouthpiecewithisaputrefiedshadethathasasmalltrickleofmaggotsdrippingfromthe cornersofitsmouth.ItsseemstobealsostaringbutnotatThanos,infactitseemstobe staringatme.ButIamnotconcernedforsomereasonthisbodyseemstomaskmythoughts fromher. Andmuchakintotheforcesofdeath,whichdotheirworkdaily,myactionsarenonethewiserto thoseclosesttothishostbody'sheart.Sinceitwascommonknowledgethatwhenmengrieve, andespeciallyaftersomeonediscoverstheutterhorrorthatMentorhadmomentsprior,men tendedtoactdifferently.Noonewouldsuspectathing,aswastheplan. "Howgoesthings,Mephisto?MistressDeathfeelsthattheInBetweeenerwatchingfromafar.I usetelepathicmeanstocommunicatesoErosdoesnotsuspect,"hermouthpiece,thatstood offtotheleftandbehindhermister. "EvennowI'mtakingprecautionstoprotecttheDNA,mymistress,"Iretorted. Themouthpiecespokebluntly,"Seeknottodeceiveus,Mephisto,forMistressDeathis watchingclosely."Andthenthevoicewasgone. Ineededtime! SoIcommandErostoobfuscatethetruthofSuisansdeath.ItoldI.S.S.A.C.totellthepopulace ofTitanthatSuiSanwillbetakingatemporaryleaveofabsenceandwilltravelthroughthe farcastergatestoalltheplanetsonthewebandmaybegoneforquitesometime.Afterall,I

cannothaveapopulaceonedgeordealwithconstantinterruptionsoffoolsconsolingme, especially,whenthereisanopportunityforpowertobehadasgreatasthisonewas. Ibegintoweaveanintricatestrategy,yetMistressDeath'sdistractionallowedMentorafoothold. Astrongvoiceaddressesme."Youwillnotholdmybodyforever,demon." "NordoIintendto,oldman,"ImusedinretorttotheessenceofthebodyinwhichIcurrentlyheld dominionover."Youraddledmind,althoughenjoyable,asIwatchittortured,youarenowonlyas goodtomesimplyasameanstoanend,andnothingmore." "Andwhatendisthat?" Cameanothervoice,notofMentor's.StandingbeforemewasThanosandMistressDeath,it appearedhewasinsomekindofastralformandnexttohimwashismother.Thanostoldmeof thethreatoftheInBetweenerhadpassedandthatIcouldreturntheDNAtoitsrightfulbody.He sawwhatIwasdoingperhapshehadevenbeenwatchingallalong.FortrulyIdidnotbelieve himcapableofleavinghisverybody.IclenchedtheteethofthebodyoftheoneIworein indignationbutthensmiledandspoke,"Butofcourse,IameverMistressDeath'shumble servant." "Andnowmypawn,"cameThanos. ButIalsonowrealizedthatMistressDeathwouldneversitbyidlyandashersocketlesseyes seemperusethisbodyitcametomewhatwouldhappenifshefoundmeout.Whatpunishment wouldbefordefyingherebonwill?Thethoughtalonewasenoughtosendshuddersthroughthis bodiesspine. Ireturnedtomyfierylair,promptlyafterthatbriefdiscourse,andwhileMentorwouldforgetwhat hadoccurred,theeffectofmypresenceinhisbodywouldnodoubthavelonglastingeffectsand gapsinhismemory.Yet,itwasofnomattertoonesuchasI.MistressDeath,itseemshastruly chosenThanos,butalthoughtheMadTitanmayhaveseenthroughmyplanbecauseIdidnot realizehimcapableofleavinghisbodyIwillhavethelastlaugh. ForMentorwilldiscoveredtheweaponIplantedandsuchacrimeiseternalbanishmentforthat apishbrute! Hahahaha! Truly,Mephistoisthelordofallevil.

SilverSurfer
Galactushadcommandedmetofindhimaworldforhimtoconsume. Andlikeagoodherald,Icomplied.Mystarspanningsensesreveledtheveryfabricofthe universe.Mygazesawaplanetroughlyalightyeardistant.Iwasuponitinsecondsandwent throughawormholeofnearlyancientdesign.It'senergysignatureindicateditwasaformer gatewayusedbymanyalienracestotradeandinteractbutmostofthoseraceshadlong perished. Ihitthewormholeatstarspanningspeed.ThewormholecurvedandImovedmybodyin impossiblepositionsasIperformedthecosmicactofsurfing.Thefirstwormholewas connectedtootherwormholesIadjustedasthewormholesshiftedandchangeditwasoneof themanypleasuresofbeingtheSilverSurfer,heraldtoGalactus,himself.Itwastimeslikethese thatItrulyrelishedbeingaheraldofGalactus. Thetechnologyusedtocreatethisdevicewaslikelyalargedenseobjectthatsimulatedthe

spinningmotionofablackhole.Withsuchanobject,evenspaceandtimecouldbewarped.It waslikelyShi'artechnologyorsomethingsimilartothefarcastergatesusedbyTitan.WhenI cameoutofthetransportdevice,Idetectedanenergysignaturenearlyonparwithmyown. Iquicklydescendeduponalushjungleworldandwashoveringjustoverthetube,whichhadonly beenhereashorttime.Iknewthisnotbecauseofmycosmicsensesbutcouldsmellthefoliage thatwasstillburningfromtheimpact.Igesturedwithmycosmicpowerandthecylinderwas raiseduntilitwasevenwithmyboard.Iusedmysensestodiscerntheoriginofthecylinderand haddeterminedthatithadcomefromTitan.AfterallIhadbeentheheraldofGalactusfornearly acenturynowandwasfamiliarwithagreatdealoftechnology.IthendetectedtheDNA,which wasinhisbodyandrealizedtheterriblepotentialifitweretogoawrybutdidnotthinkitmyplace todestroywhathehadnotcreated.Infact,Ihaddoneenoughdestroyingastheheraldof Galactus. ButbeforeIleftIusedmycosmicpowertofreethesentientbeingandthenproceededtofind GalactusaworldtoconsumebutlaterIwouldwonderifImadetherightdecisioninfreeingthe entityfromitsprison,ifnotdestroyingtheentityentirely.

Interlude:WorldDevourer
Ifoneweremadeofanindestructiblesubstance,couldhefeelthesolarwindsacrosshisface? IfspacewerecurvedlikeEinsteintheorized,couldonesurfitlikeawave?Ifonecouldridethe crestofagalaxyandsoarthroughtheheartofasun,couldonebelievehimselfanAngel? ThesewerenotquestionstotheSurfer,theywerefacts.Andwhenhismasterhungerednothing couldbarhisway. ThegreatmetallicsphereoftheWorldDevoureractuallybentspaceandtimearounditself becauseoftheincredibledensityoftheGalactianmetal,whichrotatedinacounterclockwise position.TheSurfercamethroughseverallightyearsfromhisformerpositiontogettohis masterposition(totalelapsedtimethreeseconds)andthenfromthatpointsoaredthrough anotherfiftymilesofthegreatsphereheencounteredjustcomingoutofhypertimetoappear beforehisominousmaster,likeMosesbeforehisGod.Hebowedandpreparedtoreceivethe dreadTenCommandmentsoftheforceofnaturethatwasknownonlyasGalactus(total elapsedtimefiveseconds). WhentheSurferlookedatGalactus,hedidnotseeamanorevenamemberofhisownraceas mostsentientsdid.Instead,hesawanoutlinecontainingindescribableenergiesthatcriedfor escape.Yetdeepwithintheragingenergyfieldwastheschematicforamortalman:Amanwho wentbythenameofGalan,atleastthatwouldbetheclosesttranslationsincehecamefrom anotheruniversewithaphysicsandlinguisticsthatwasunknowabletoanysaveGalactus himself.LorehadtreatedGalactuswithmanynamesandmanytitles:theHarvester,Tester,the GreatDestroyer.Evenhisname,Galactus,wasbutashortenedformofawordusedbythevery firstplanetheencounteredwhichmeanttheendofallthings. WhenGalactusspoketotheSurfer,itwasnotwordsthethoughtssimplyappearedinthe Surfershead.WhenGalactuschoseaworld,nothingcouldstayhismightyhandandtheworld hehadchosenwastheonetheSurferhadjustleft.Itwastheonewhereheencounteredthe powerfulbeinglockedinastasistube.TheSurferdidnotquestionhismasterscommand,he knewthathehadbyhisownchoicegivenhimselfovertoGalactusandwasdutyboundto

performasinstructedorelserisktheverysafetyofhisownworld FivesecondselapsedandtheSurferwasonceagainhoveringovertheplanethehadjustcame from,hiscosmicsensesmagnifyingthejungleplanetandjustwatching.Afterafewminutes,a cosmicflareeruptsfromhissilveryformandthenhejustwaitedfortheinevitableforGalactus tocomeandanotherworldtofall.

ChapterSeven:LOVETRIANGLE
HewascalledDagonbymanyandwasnearlyimmortal.Hehadgarneredvastmysticalmight andknowledge.HeconditionedhisminduntilitwaslikeaRazor.Sosharpwasitthathecould killbythoughtalone.Hecloakedhimselfinaraimentofdarknessandiceandwasnearly completelygivenovertobeingashadow.MistressDeathhadallowedhimtointeractwithher realmasshedidtoallthosewhowereloyalandworshippedherways. Dagonwasterribletobeholdandwhenhespoke,itwaslikeawhisperridingthelightningandits timbre.Resoundedinthefirmament. "TELLMEISITTRUE!DOYOUHAVEANOTHERPARAMOUR?!TheRealmofDeathwas moresilentthenusualasDagonspewedhisthreatinherdarklap MistressDeathwasnotunlikemostloverswhohadgrownwearyofthesameoldthing.Though Deathdidnotspeak,itwasclearthatshehadfoundareplacement.Hersocketlessgaze devouringthedistancebetweenherandherformerparamour.Dagonseyesburnedcrimson withindignityheapinguponhimbyhisformerlover.MistressDeath'smouthpiecewasaratlike creaturewithterribleteeththatwouldgrowforeverunlessithadsomethingtognawon.And whenitspoke,itwasasifitrefusedtochewonthewordshewascurrentlyusinganylonger "Restrainyourself,surelyyouknowwho'spresenceyouarein,andhowluckyyouaretostillbe abletoleave.Butifyoucontinueyourpresentcourse,theinvitationmayberescinded." TheterribleratlikecreaturepausedandevenDagon,whohadputfearinmany,whosevery namehadliterallybeenusedtocastcertainspellsbysorcerers,knewthatifhewishedtoleave, silencemustreign. Histonewasmorereserved,hisdemeanorwashumble. "IstheresomethingIcandotowinyourfavorIhaveworshippedandservedyouforcenturies." TheratlikemouthpiecespokeandDagonbegantowonderifhismistresshadavoiceatall.He wonderedifperhapssheneededaconsciousservanttoworkthrough.Perhapsherterrible languageofunconsciousnesscouldnotbediscernedbyaconsciousmind.Hewonderedifonly alivingsoulcouldunderstandhermorbidthoughts,thenecrosyntacticalstructuresthatmadeup heralienthoughts.Thanosalonewasnotthesolebeingconsidered,therewasanother.Therat likecreaturegesturedandanaperturewasopenedinDeathsrealmtorevealaplanetanda beingmadeofliquidmetalhoveringaboveitshorizon.Theratlikecreaturesmiledtoreveal crookedandyellowedteeth. "TheSurferhasalsobeenconsidered.Ifyouwishtoproveyourselfovertheothers,perhapsa courtshipritualcouldbearranged." "Whatdoyouspeakof?saidDagonevenly. Attheendofonerotationofthesphere,MistressDeathwillhaveonlyoneparamour.Theonly questionwillbewhowillbringhertheUltimateNullifier.ThesceneshiftedandMistressDeath dismissedtheparamourandlookedplanetwardtohernewestchosentheMadTitan.

DagonusedhismysticmighttoopenagateintoGalactusmightyship.Clearly,MistressDeath hadaidedhimorevenhewouldhavebeenunabletounlocksuchavesselwithoutbeing summarilyremovedbythecosmicsagewhocalledhimselfGalactus.Evenhewasinaweashe lookedathissurroundings,evenonewhohadseenDeathsrealmcouldnothelpbutbe overwhelmedbytechnologiesthatborderedonmysticismitself.However,Dagonknewthathe mustridhimselfofhisaweifheandhealoneweretobeMistressDeathsparamourtherewas muchworktobedone.Lovewasastrangethinghethoughtandhenowriskeditall,even oblivion. Hehadtraversedaspherecalledearth,aworldthatseemedtohaveaspecialplaceevenfor cosmicbeingsandherememberedthemortalbeingswhomhelookeddownonsomuch, becauseoftheiremotionalweakness.Nevertheless,henowsawhimselfdoingtheverysame things.Wasthenullifiernotagifttosootheoverhislover'sanger?Atfirst,hesoughtonlypower wouldappease,nowhewaspowerlessashesoughttheaffectionofDeathitself.Trulyhe thoughttheuniversewasaconundrum.TobeheldinherembracewasnowallhedesiredHow farthemightyhavefallen.Helookedaboutforsomethinghemightuseagainsthisrivalbutthe shipwasvastandevenhismysticsensesseemedconfounded.Thenhespotteditasample keptinacylinder.Acreatureheknewwellforitwasquitedangerousandcapableofcausing greatdamage.Infacttherewasanentirezoo.Yes,hethoughttohimself,thiswouldbethe weapontouseagainsthisrivaltheBroodwouldbeperfect. Thanosstoodlikeonewhohadjustseenfreedomforthefirsttime,butthiswasnotstrange consideringitwasthefirsttimehehadeverleftthehomeworldofTitan.Hehadbeenbanished andwasnowastrangerinanevenstrangerland.ThesunbeatsenselesslyonThanosmighty browashiseyeslookedheavenwardandsawaflashinthesky.Buttherewassomething unusualwithinthisflash,theoutlineofamanandheseemedtobehoveringinspace.Thanos riggedhisvesselofbanishmentintoamakeshiftcomputersystem,forMentorhadseenfitto removeThanosofallthingstoshowthathewaseveracitizen.Eventhemachinerythatwould enablehimtofarcast(agatedevelopedbyTitantotradewithothersystems).Hismakeshift computerhehaddevelopedwiththemachineryalsoshowedagreatstarshipofimmense proportions.HismindbegantheworkofdecipheringhowtogetfromthisworldandbacktoTitan wherehewouldmakeMentorpay.EventhoughitwasMephisto,thoughtThanostohimself,(see lastissuefordetails).ThanoshadnowbeenacknowledgedbyDeathherselfanditwasonly properforhimtointroducehimselftotherestofhispeople.Afterall,ifThanoswasnothing,he wasagentleman.Thanosworkedfeverishlybutkeptlookingoverhisshoulder,assomething appearedtobewatchinghim.Nodoubt,hethought,itwassomeformofwildlifeofwhicha beingofhisstaturecouldsimplydismiss. Henoticeditagainbutkeptworking.Soonhewassurroundedonallsidesbyagroupofstrange creaturesthatwereacombinationofinsectandreptile. "YouwillbetakenasahosttoourQueen,theystatedastheirinsectlikebodiescutoffall avenuesofescapefromtheTitan.Thanosopticsnarrowedandhiseyesglaredmalevolently. "IalreadyhaveaqueenandsheisjealousbutifyouwishIcanintroduceyou."Thanosfists begantoglowastheBroodlaunchedtheirfirstassaultagainstThanos,strikinghimwiththeir

stingersrepeatedly.ThanoswaslostunderabarrageofBroodbodies,theirvastnumberquickly pouringovertheMadTitanwithhissmileastheonlythingleftshowing. TheSurferwatchedashismasterbegantoleavehisstarshipanddescendplanetward.Itwould notbelong,thoughttheSurfer,andanotherworldwouldbeextinctsothatGalactusmaygoon. Buthisgazeturnedtowardtheplanetwherehesawtheonehehadfreedandhewasina struggle.AtfirsttheSurferthoughttoturnablindeye,afterallweretheynotallgoingtofall beforehismaster?TheSurferburiedthesightdeepintohisconscious.Galactuswasanamoral beingifsuchathingexistedandifheweretobehisheraldhetoomustturnoffhisconscious, otherwisehewouldgomad.Buthisattentionwasdrawntowardhismastership,wherehis cosmicsensesdetectedanintruder.TheSurfermovedswiftly,hissensesfocusingonthe strangecreature'senergysignatureuntilhecameupontheshadowybeingcalledDagon. "Icloakedmyselfwithanintricatespell,howcouldyouhavesensedme?" Eventheenergiesyouusedtocloakyourselfcanbedetectedifonehastheappropriate senses.Ifyouaretocloakyourselftruly,youmustcloakyourselfagainstallsensesnotjustthe oneslikeyourown." "IbegintoseewhymyMistresswassoenthralledbyyou.Yourpointofviewisuniqueandwhen someonelikemyMistressseeksaparamouritisnotmerelyforpower,sheismorethen capableofimbuingherparamourwithwhateverheneeds.YesIbegintoseeitallnow,my Mistressisforallpracticalpurposesunconscious,whobettertochoosethanonewhose phenomenologytranscendsallothersyouaretheultimateinconsciousness,yourexperience oftheuniversewouldallowhertotrulysavorwhatshehadkilledthroughher,shecouldbeboth lifeandDeath. Dagondidnothaveaphysicalbodyinthestrictestsense,ashisraimentseemedtohangonthe airwithonlytwocrimsonorbstogiveitsentience. Icouldnevercompeteagainstonesuchasyou,IenvyyoubutIwontallowyoutocontinueno matterwhatthecost.Inhishandwastheweaponoflegend,theweaponcalledtheUltimate Nullifier. "Youdonotknowwhatyoudo,theoriginofthatweaponislostinobscurityandonlyitsguardian, Galactus,maywielditwithouthopeofsendinghimselftooblivionalongwitheveryoneelse."The SurfersverypresenceinfuriatedDagon,hewasratherplaincomparedtothecomplexcreature beforehim.Dagonknewinhisblackheartthathewasdoomedthemomentheletwarmthback intohisbeing.ButhewouldhaveDeathornoonewouldandtheveryuniversewouldfollowhim tooblivionifnecessary. Theirbodieswerestrewneverywheretheeyecouldsee,theirdeathcriesfilledthelandscape. Thanossurveyedhishandiworkwhilehismassivebulkcrushedtheheadofhisenemies.One ofhishandsreachedintoanabdomenofoneofthecreaturesandpulledoutitsentrailsand scatteredittothewind.Thanoslaughfilledtheairandhenowrealizedbeinglabeledmonster wasarelativethinglikeeverythingelseinexistence.Amonsterwasmerelydefinedbythe strengthofthefearitproducedinanother.Tomost,theBroodswerekillingmachines,butto Thanostheywerenotbutbirdstrappedinaweb,onthetreeofeternity.Thanosseemedtobe abletopullbackandobservefromadistanceandyethewasstilltherewhileherippedapartthe

bodiesoftwoattackingBroodwhodidnotknowthatthisconflictwaslongagodecided.Aputrid brownsubstancecoveredThanosbody.Intruthherealizedthatunlessyouworeyourvictims fleshandadornedyourselfwithyourenemy'sblood,unlessyouwereclothedinitsinnardsyou werenottrulyexperiencingyourvictim'sDeath.Toomanysocalledkillersdetachedthemselves sothattherewerewithoutanyconscious.ButforThanosthiswasnotthecase,hewantedtokill yetstillhaveaconscious.Hewantedtoexperienceeverymoment,heareveryscream,feel everystruggleandsmellthegatheringcorpses.Inthatmoment,Thanosexperiencedafirst personaccountofanother'sDeath. However,theBroodswerenotyetthroughwiththeirwouldbedestroyerdespitethegreatpileof bodiesthathadgatheredduringtheconflict.Forsomehadassimilatedverypowerfulmutants. Someofthosewithgreatpower.Inaddition,someofthosewithpowerfulconnectionsanda vestedinterestinThanosdestruction. "Soyouarethenewlychosen,areyou?Weshallseehowyouhandlethis,Titan,asIextendmy consciousnessthroughtheBrood'sbody,becominganembodimentofpestilenceitself." ThanosfelttheBroodsgrip,whichwaslikeiron.Soonthecreature'smindlockedintotheTitan's mindandforthefirsttimefeltanattackhehadnotencountered.TheBroodwasinhisskull, rummagingthroughhismemoriesuntilhecameacrosswhatheneededandThanoswas wrackedwithterriblepain.Itwasalmostmorethanhecouldbearastheimageofhisownbirth wasusedtounbalancehim.WhiletheotherwarriorsbegantoattackThanoswhowasnow helplessinDagonspsychictendrils,DagonwasusingtheforceofhiswilltocrushThanos brain.ButtheTitandidnotevenwinceasbloodsprayedfromhisnose,andcrimsontears eruptedfromhisrupturedducts.DagoncouldgetnoscreamsfromThanos,nosatisfaction fromThanos,merelyasmiletrulyhewasterrifyingtobehold. "Butyouwillpayfortheperverseimageyouimplanted,butnotbeforeItransformyourmemory intoanimageofDeath." ThetwoloversofDeathfacedeachotheronapsychicplaneofreality,theretwoastralformson anecroscapeofabortedfetuses,thereumbilicalcordswrappingaroundthelegofThanosasif theywerehisfather,theirliveshangingsomewherebetweenlifeandDeath,beginningandend. "Youhavenoexperienceinthistypeofcombat,Titan,andyouwillbelosttothepowersof ChaosandOrder.Observe,Thanos,asIsendyourmindtoaplacewhererealityandillusionare blurred.Itwillbemuchlikeviewingyourselfintwomirrorswhereyouwillbelostwithinaninfinite setofrecursionsyouwillforeverbetryingtoawakenonlytofindyouarestillinadream,and whenyoutrulyawaken,itwillbewithanewhostastheeggofthealienisplantedwithinslowly youwillbegantofeelhisthoughtsinvadeyourwilluntilyouarenomore" "IamThanosandmynamemeansDeath,Iwillsurrendermyindividualitytonooneornothing, Thanosheadgrewimmenseonthepsychicplaneashebyforceofwillaloneseparatedhimself fromtheillusions. TheSurfernoticedthatDagonwasdistracted,hismindclearlysomewhereelse.TheSurfer contemplatedusingacosmicblasttoendtheconflict.HedidnotwishtoremovetheNullifierfor fearofactivatingitbyaccident,buttheSurferhadnochoice.Therewasaterribleclickand DagonsoonlearnedthatnoteventheparamourofDeathcoulduseitwithoutramificationsand wassenttooblivionandtheSurferhadtowonderifperhapsthatwasDeathsplanallalongas

theNullifiersterribleenergiestookhisbodycompletely. TheSurferthenpreparedtooutraceDeathbutfoundthattheNullifiercouldnotbeoutrunand wassenttooblivionalongwithDagonsformerbody. Dagonsdeathscreamwasterriblebutatthelastmoment,hemanagedtotransferhis consciousnesscompletelytotheBroodbutnotwithoutramificationsforwithouthisprimebody hewasbeginningtofeelhimselfbecomeanother.Dagonshookaseachsynopsisinhisbrain begantobereplacedonebyone,itwasallamatteroftimebeforethetransferwouldbe complete.Thanosclearedthebattlefieldofallremnantswithaseriesofenergyspears,for withoutDagonsmentalassaulttheothersfelleasily.Thecosmicenergieswereofsuch intensityduringtheassaultthattheeggwhichwasimplantedinhisbodybytheBroodwhilehe wasinmentalcombatimmediatelyperished. Itappearsthatthebeastcouldnottaketheheat." ThanoseyesmetDagonseyesforthelasttimeasthealienlifeformslowlytookDagonover andastrangelookcrossedhisface.ThenhewasDagonnomore. Theymetupontheplateau,DeathandGalactus."Yourheraldisquiteformidable.Ihadnot expectedhimtocreateanotherbodyoutofcosmicstuffandtransferhisconsciousnessandIdo notthinkhecouldhavedoneitwithoutyourhelp,Devourer?" Ifthatisathreat,itfallsondeafears.Iwilltransferyournewlyacquiredparamourtoadifferent worldthatwillmakeuseven." "Youaremyservant,Devourer,donotforgetthat,Deathshollowgazestaredcallouslyat Galactus. IamGalactus,thefirstandthelast,TheAlphaandtheOmega,andIfearnotevenyou."With that,DeathwasgonebutGalactusthencontemplated,washetrulybeyondDeaths,touchwas notGalactusonceGalan. Thanosfoundhimselffloatinginthecoldvacuumofspace,obviouslytransportedbythe devourerGalactus.ButThanoswasDeathsparamour,whatneedhefearfromanythingalive. Thanoswascaughtintheclutchesofapowerfultractorbeamfromanoncomingstarcruiser. Andfromafar,MistressDeathsatonherthroneofboneandfleshandobservedhernewest addition.Agiftfromhernewparamour,analienlifeformknownasaBrood.ButastheBrood lookedintoherMistressterriblegaze,forhenowknewherthoughtsandrealizedevenan unconsciousbeingcanscream.

THEMOTHERSONCOMPLEXITY
IwasSuiSanbutnowIamdead.Thisshouldbeaharrowingthought.Butitisnotthefirsttime myspirithasbeenoutofmybody.NorisitthefirsttimeIhadseenextradimensionalentities.My spirithadneverconfinedmeinanywayorshapebeforethisbutthiswasthefirsttimeIwas goingtomeetthegreatjudge.ThethreefacedentitywhowasbothGodandtheDevil.The embodimentofcosmicjusticeitself.Hewhosepowerexistedsimultaneouslyinaninfinite numberofuniverses. Inmostcases,onewouldonlyhearoftheDreadtrijudgeifhehadcommittedcosmiccrimesor wasavastlypowerfulmysticentitybentonuniversaldomination.Oronecreatingamystical imbalanceofsuchmagnitudethatitcouldendangerrealityitself.However,whatwasnotknown

tomost,andhowcoulditbeother?Sincewhenonemeetshismostmajesty,mostterrible,he doesnotusuallygettotellanyoneaboutit.Butonethingiscertain.Everyonemeetshim, withoutexception.EverysoulincreationwillgetitschancetomeettheLivingTribunal,forwhat istimetosuchabeing,orevenform. "Iwouldnormallybeunafraidfornovisioncouldunsettleme.Butasthelordofmadness,andhis polaroppositephaseintothevoid,theirhideousfacesburninmymind.Amindthatisnolonger there,andyetisperhapsevenmoreso.Butthefear,althoughitbeillusory,isnottheless strong.AndeventhoughInolongerhavehandstosweat,Ibelievethattheyareperspiring,andI believethatmyheartistryingtoforceitselfoutitschest.Andevenasthesebeingsthatare composedofpurethoughtandspiritanddonottrulyhavephysicalformsastheybegintophase intothevoidandyetthereismorerealitythananythingIhaveeverknown.Morehorrificthan anythingIhaveeverfelt.Endlesssetofnightmarestearthemselvesdownandidealsasperfect aswhentheywerefirstconceived,truthasthephilosophersoftheuniversehavealwayssought. Itwasallhere.Butitwasnowinthisformbefore,therewasform.Itwasthemirrorof consciousnessitself. Itwasimpossibletotellwhoweretheangelsandwhowerethedevils.Inthiscase,Ibelieveit wasallapointofview.Forangels,ifonestruggledagainst,couldseemasmonstersand monsterscouldbeangelsifoneonlycouldceaseandbestill.AndwhenIlookedintoLord Chaosdeformedvisage,anentityofwhomIhavehadvaryingdegreesofintimacywithwhile aliveandonewhohadpromisedtoholdmeforalways,itbegantoplaguemewithitstwisted machinationsandperhapsmymurderbymysondidnotsaveme,asIbelievedperhapsChaos andOrderwouldkeepmeintheirtwistedrealmdespitemybestefforts.Bothdeadandalive,a prisonertotheirtwistedpointofview. Suddenly,Ifallprostateandthegreatjudgearrives.Heisthesupremestforcethatcanbe comprehended.AndalthoughInolongerhaveeyes,thesightofhisgloryblindsme.So overwhelmedamIthatIcalloutfromthegrave,"Thanos" IamnowanexilefrommyhomeworldofTitan.Andtheveilsofplentyhavebeenlifted,myeyes trulyopenforthefirsttime.DespitetheDevourerofWorldsfailedattempttotrapmeinspace.I knewallIhadtodowaswaitforthepropermoment.AndIknewthatonceIhadbeenunshackled fromtheTitansbondsofparadisethatThanoswasinevitable.Ilookatthecraftbeforeme.The craftthatwillgetmefromstartostar,andwhenIamready,IshalluseittoreturntoTitanasa conqueror.ThenIhearavoiceupontheetherealwindsitselfanditcallsmyname"Thanos." Thevoice,althoughdistortedthroughtheinfinitedimensionsoftimeandspace,isfamiliarand yetIcannotplaceit.Butwhatisclearisthatitbeckonsfrombeyondthegrave.ButIamdrawn backtorealityandIsoonfindmyselfinasmallroom,whichisnodoubtawaitingpoint.Isitand stareatthemetaldoorsasmyeyebeamsforceanopening. Thegreatgatheringisnotmeantforhumaneyes.AsIlookuponitwithmyastralform,and realizeasIfacehimthatIambutamirrorforcreation.Andmyconsciousnessdidnotstemfrom mybrain,buttheeverelusivemind,whichisnotpartofthebody,buttheuniverseitself.Likean Ecosystemonanunimaginablescale,withconsciousnessitselfreturnedtotheprimordialwell andrecycled,butinsteadofphysicalcomponentsbeingbrokendownitwasspiritualones.Ican

onlycowerinaweasIambeforethesingular,mostpowerfulconsciousnessinexistencefor thatistruly,whatthisbeingwas.Anditwasnowmytimeforthatwhichhappentoall,nowwas thetimeformyjudgment. WhenLordChaosspoke,theterriblenoiseflowedfromitsmaw.Itwaslikeaprimordiallifeform oozingfromthecracksofthebarrenterrainofacoolingplanetfirstformedinagenesis.ButI couldnotdiscernitsesotericmessagenorcouldIdiscernmyfate,Icriedoncemore,Thanos. Thedoorsbegantoopenend,thenthevoiceinmyheadagain,THANOS.Ihadtofindwhere thisvoicewascomingfrom,orwhatitwanted.Thenitoccurred,perhapsitwasmysenses beingexpandedbyMistressDeath.Perhapsthiswasherbaptism.Hergifttohernewparamour. Whenthemetaldoorswereburst,openIsawthefacesandinhabitantsofthedarkestpartsof theuniverse.Isawtheirvisageandformanditwastheproductofahundredartistsorahundred madmen.Butperhapsthegapbetweenartistandmadmanwasnodifferentthanlookingupon myownfaceforwasInotmyselfbothartistandmadman. IcounttwelveofthemcirclingmeinaroomthatislikeametalversionofthegreatspiderwebI hadencounteredonTitan.Itwascleartheythoughtmetheirprey.Buttheywouldsoonlearn thedifference,andIwouldhaveastarship.Finally,theprodigalwouldreturntoreclaimhis inheritance.Buttheyseemtoholdtheirpositionsastheylookatmeandsignaltheirbrethrento flankmeonallsides. Iconcentrate,andmyfistsbecomeastwinsuns.They'remurderousfurywaitingtobe unleashed.Thentheunexpectedhappens,asthegravityissuddenlygoneIfindmyselfairborn. TheyaresmarterthanIgavethemcreditfor.ButIwillnotmakethaterroragain. Ifeelthebiteofahellwhiponmybackside.AweaponfirstdevelopedbytheSkrullsfortorture andmurder,itwassaidtobecapableofrendingvirtuallyanythingwithanatomicstructure.The entireleftsideofmylattismusistornfrommybodyandlefttofloatinthezerogravitysimulation chamber. Theyhavetacticsandtheyarewellarmed.Theyusetheirenvironmenttoitsfullestpotential,but thisstillonlygivesthema.001percentchanceofvictoryforThanosalwayslearnsfromhis mistakes.ThenIhearthevoiceinmyheadagain,"Thanos!" Callhisname,Thanos,andIwonderwhatmyfinalfatewillbe.AndwhenIlookuponmy offspring,Irealizeheisamonster.Butheisamonsterwhosparedmefromtheclutchesof eternalmadness.Andwasitnotmyownhandthatorchestratedthis?WasitnotIwhosethim uptokillhisownmother?Butthereareconsequencesinsavingmyself.Consequencesthat trickleddownandbythisveryactofmurder,Ichangedhimforever.Icannothelpbutbelievethat ifIhadnotbeensoselfish,thenperhapstheuniversewouldnothavetofearthisDeath worshipper. TheLivingTribunalreadiedhimselfforjudgment,andIwonderwhatwouldbecomeofmefor wasInotasguiltyasThanosinthiscloakanddaggeraffair.Hestoodwithhisfearsomevisage almostbeyondallimagination.Hisgreatformlikeasupernova.Andwhenhespokemyastral formitselfbegantoburn,andIwonderedifthisiswhatthejudgmentfeltlike.Iwonderedifthis waswhatitwasliketohaveonesconsciousnessreturnedtotheuniverse.Ifeltmyself dissipatingbutIcouldstillhearwhathewassaying.

"THISMATTERWASDEALTWITHONCEBEFORE.ANDITWASDECLAREDTHATTHE DNAALLOWEDTOREMAINBUTTHISTRIALISNOTABOUTTHAT.ITISABOUTTWO OTHERTHINGS:THEFIRSTBEINGCHAOSANDORDERSCLAIMONSUISANSSOUL." Hisvoicewasomnipresentandomnipotent,andperhapsthiswasallhetrulywas,avoicewith formbeingsomethingmerelycosmetic. THESECOND,SINCEALLTHINGSINEXISTENCEHASAPOLAROPPOSITE,WITHLIFE THEREISDEATH,WITHHOPETHEREISDESPAIR,ANDWITHLAWLESSNESSTHEREIS JUSTICE.AcrossthegatheringIcouldseehishellishglare,astheevillordMephistogrinned andIcouldfeelhisunholytouchwashacrossmymind,myveryconsciousness,andeveninthe handsofwhatIcouldonlycallgod.Ididnotfeelsecureinthepresenceofthefisherofsouls. IWOULDHAVEDONETHISEARLIEREXCEPTTHATCERTAINEVENTSHADYETTO TRANSPIRE,BUTNOWTHATTHOSEEVENTSHAVEUNFOLDEDSOTOOCANMY JUDGMENT. Icalledoutafinaltime,THANOS!asthetribunalwasdeclaringhisfinaljudgment. Iheardthevoiceupontheetherealwindsasmyhandwrappedaroundhisalienskull.He attemptedtostruggle,buthewasnomatchformyeternalheritage.Iheardbonescrackasmy fingerspushtheirwaythroughhistempleandthegreenlifefluidspaintedatrailinthezero gravityenvironment,likepaintonthecanvas.Someofmyattackerssurroundedmeandbegan toassembleamoleculardecomposer.Thedevicewaspotentandmayhaveevenbeenableto injureme.IgraspuponthewebandpushedmyselftotheceilingwhereIwaspursuedquicklyby morethanhalftheirranks...andthenwhentheywereinposition,Ishatteredtheceilingwithmy eyebeamscausingthemtobesuckedintospace.Igraspontothewebandheldonuntilthe automaticassemblersrepairedthedamage.Ithenfollowedthembacktotheirplaceoforigin andbegantappingintotheshipscomputersystem.IusedtheexperienceIgainedonTitanin cyberneticswhenIplugmyminditselfintotheshipscomputercentralsystem.Ihaddonethison Titanwhenattemptingtogainknowledge,andalthoughImighthaveengagedinaphysical confrontationforexerciseorachallenge,Inormallypreferredtodothingsthroughtheintellect.I quicklyoverrodethecomputersystemandusedtheassemblersandotherrobotstotakeover theship.AndwhenIfinished,Ireturnedtotheflesh. Onlytobeconfrontedbyawomanwithlightblueskinandwhatappearedtobeasword.She boldlydeclared,"ouhavebeenchallengedandarehonorboundtofacemeonthecombat field. Sheheldherswordwithgreatskill,butsuchaweaponwouldavailhernaughtagainstDeaths paramour.Shescreamedassheattacked,AAAAAAAA!andranatfantasticspeedsandthen kickedmewithincredibleforceforawomanofhersize.Shethenusedthemomentumshegot frommetopropelherintotheairwhereshelandedsmoothlyandinacrouchedpositionwithher swordprotectingherflank. "Iamimpressed,Isaid. Itissadthatwemustopposeeachotherandevensadderyoumustdie,Iwasthinkingyou couldserveme." Sheranatmeoncemore,herbladewhippingatfantasticspeedssoquicklythatitmadetheair itselfsting.ThistimeshecutmetwicebeforeIcouldevenreact.Itouchedatmythroatandfelt

mylifefluidscoursethroughmybodylikequicksilver.Thebladetrulymusthavebeenunique andmusthavebeenforgedbyagenius.Howevermypowersofrecuperationeasilyhealedthe wounds,butIwasnowdeterminedtoshowmynewattackerthatThanoswastobefeared.Our eyesmetforperhapsthelasttimeandinourglancethevictorwasdecided. Shestruckmefullandherbladedrovecompletelythroughmychest.Iwasevenmore impressedasshedemonstratedthestrengthtopushitallthewaytothehiltoftheblade.Asmall trickleofbloodcamefromhermouthasIpulledherheartoutofherbodyfrombehind.Ithen allowedhertogazeatitasIcrusheditinmygrasp,shelookedsurprisedthatIwasstillalive withasworddrivencompletelythroughmyphysicalform,howevershemusthavebeen unawarethatEternalsarecapableofmovingvitalorganswithease.EventhelowestofEternals possesssuchabilities. ShefoughtvaliantlyandherskillswereunlikeanyoneIhadencounteredbefore,herspeedand fortitudeweresomethingtobenotedandcatalogedforlaterretrieval.ButthenIheardthevoice again,Thanos,andthenIwasliterallypulledfrommyverybodyandwasinagreathallwhereI sawmymotherandMistressDeath,alongwithagatheringofsomeoftheuniversesmost advancedlifeforms.MymindquicklyadjustedasthebeingthatcallshimtheTribunalspoke, THANOSYOUHAVEBEENSUMMONEDTOHEARTHEVERDICTFORITINVOLVESYOUR DNA. LORDCHAOSANDMASTERORDERSCHARGECANNOTBEDENIED,THEUNIVERSE MUSTHAVEABALANCEANDTHECELESTIALDNAMUSTHAVEITSOPPOSITESOIAM PLACINGTHECOPYINTHEHANDSOFCHAOSANDORDERFORTHEMTODECIDE WHOSHALLOPPOSETHANOS. FURTHER,SUISANSCONSCIOUSNESSWILLBERETURNEDTOTHEUNIVERSE WHEREHERGUILTFORHERACTIONSOFMANIPULATINGHERSONSLIFESHALLBE USEDWHENHEBECOMESONEWITHTHECOSMICCUBEANDHESHALLFACEDEFEAT INTHREES. ANDALLINTHEGATHERINGSHALLFORGETWHATTRANSPIREDTHISDAY,SOASNOT TOAVERTTHEGRANDDESIGN. Iwasreturnedtomynewlyacquiredshipasthememoriesofwhathadjusttranspiredwere quicklyfading,butnotbeforeIsawErosgarbedinabattlesuitandarmedwiththemostpotent weaponsintheweb,butinthebackofmymindallIcoulddowashearavoiceanditcalledmy name,andtherewasanotherwordCUBE.

INTERLUDEThistakesplacebeforeThanosbirth.
Thenovaeruptswithblasphemousfuryasitdestroysthesurroundingsolarsystem.The citizensofthatsolarsystemneverquiteknowwhattranspired.Thesuntookthevisageofa greatpurplebeastwhosesteelygazehungintheicyvoid.WhenIawokeitwasinacoldsweat, mybeddingwascompletelydrenched. Thatmadethethirddreaminasmanynights.Thedreamsalwaysbeganwithmeinsome strangeandterriblemanner,Iwouldfindmyselfinastateofconfusionandthensometerrible catastrophewoulddestroyeverything.Wasthefutureset? Wastherenowaythisterriblevisioncouldbeaverted? ThisantisaviororwhateverhewasmadeevenIcringe.Notbecauseofhispower.Mybrethren hadplentytospare.Itwashismind.Amindwhosethoughtscouldnotbeperceived.Whose

motivationscouldnotbecomprehendedhewasaNihilist. Mywifeattemptstocomfortme,butitisimpossibleIcanneverknowpeaceuntilthismonster isdead.IknowwhatImustdo.Imustsomehowfindhim.Yes!Theresourcesofmybrothers, theelders.Yes!Surelywithsuchpower,evenhemustfallbutwillmybrothersheedmywarning orwilltheythinkmemad? WiththeGrandmasterscomputers,surelywecanfindthischildandkillhimbeforeheisgrown. ButImustconsiderwhatifImwrong,whatifIkillthewrongchild?Mywifecomfortsmeandmy daughterwrapsherarmstightaroundmyneckasifshewerenevergoingtoseemeagain. Thatistheonlycourseofactiondespitetheterribleconsequences.I,theCollector,mustgather mybrothersanddestroythismonsternomatterthecost!AndifImustdoitalone,sobeit. I,AMMYBROTHERSKEEPER. Iamthreebeingsinone:Usingthewebwhichconnectsathousandworlds,andTitansgreatest creationanAIconstructcalledI.S.S.A.C.,Iammanandmachine,Fatherandson.Amainline holdsthethreeofourconsciousnesstogetherthroughaprogramdesignedbyMentor,and transmittedviathegalacticwebwherethetrisignalisinterpretedthroughmyimpactarmor. WhichIcurrentlyweartoprotectmeandreceivethesignalsduringmycombatwithThanos. Whenthetricomlinkisinterpretedfather,sonandanentitythatisn'twhollyaghostbutanAI constructmanifestonlyinmymindseyeareone.Andalthoughtheexperienceisharrowingand confusing,asIamunsureofevensuchelementarythingsaswhosethoughtsarewhose.Yet despitetheeffectsonmyminditisanecessaryevilifwearetoundomybrotherThanos. Evennowhecapturesmewithhispredatorlikegazeandfreezesmewithhisblankstarelike someGolemfromearthlylegends. Enhancedshocktrooparmormagnifiesmynaturalstrengthbyafactoroffive,andmetalsput togethercarefullythroughthescienceofnanotechnologymakeitlighterthanthestrongest metalsknown,butalsotwiceasstrong.Thisshouldallowmetosurvivehisinitialattack.Orat leastuntilthethreefieldscanbebroughtintoplayduringmytrifoldstrategy. Itwillbeadangerousexperimentinvolvingtheunificationofthethreeuniversalforcesof weak/strongforceelectromagneticandgravitational.Itwillbeusedtoeffectivelyparalyzehim. ThenoncethathasbeenimplementedaneedlecontainingwhatmyfatherMentorcallsthemost potenttoxinintheuniverse.ItcamefromhishomeworldwhenhelivedinOlympiahecalledit HydrasBlood.TheHydrawassaidtohavenineheadsthatevenwhencutoffwouldcontinueto growandoneheadwassaidtobeimmortalanditsbloodwassopotentthatthemeresttouch wouldcauseinstantdeath.ItwaseventuallyresponsibleforkillingthedemigodHerculeswhen hisclothingwaspaintedwiththedeadlytoxinandhisfleshburnedlikenofirecoulddaretoclaim. InmylefthandIwieldasolenoidchronographerandasthepowerofthefieldsbuild,itwill eventuallyhavetheabilitytoabsorballelectromagneticenergyeventhosethatrantheelectrical networkofThanosbrain.HestaresatmewithArroganceandconfidencesurelyhewillbeover confident,foroverthetimewehaveconfrontedeachotherhehasdispatchedmewiththekindof easethatmakesmethinkthateventhisadvancedweaponryfromthewebisnaughtbuta summershoweragainsthisstonelikevisageasifhisterriblereignofevilshallbeeternal.But heisamonstera,murderandamadmanandtherewillbeareckoning. Icryout.

"Fatherprotectmefrommybrothersevil!" Itisnotmerelyforeffect,asThanossmilesatmyapparentweaknessviathecontactwith MentorhecanactuallyhearmeandthroughourconduitabsorbThanosblastsifgivingsufficient warning.ButmyresolvefailsmeasIlooktowhatmyfatheroncecalledthedevelopmentofthe ultimateintelligenceabeingwhosemindisevenmoredangerousthenhisformidablebody,a mindsoadaptableandagilethatitcanpenetratethroughonesverythoughtsandknowhis enemieseveryweakness.Iamfortunateasmyconduitharmlesslyabsorbshisfirstcosmic blastwithMentorwhoissuperioreventomybrotherscosmicmight.Iamgratefulthatthe threefoldconduitwithMentorandI.S.S.ACsavesmefrommybrothersfirstattack.ButImust alsoallowmyfathertogeneratethefirstofthethreefieldswithhisowncosmicmight.Andhe willneedallhisstrengthandconcentration. HebreaksinanditisthefirsttimeIcanfeelourthoughtsbeingseparated. "EROS,THEREMAYBESOMESIDEEFFECTSGENERATEDBYTHEFIELDS,EXTREME HALLUCINATIONSMAYOCCUR.GUARDYOURSELFBECAUSEIFWEFAILIWILLBE UNABLETOGENERATEANENERGYFIELDOFTHATMAGNITUDEAGAIN.ITMAYTAKE CENTURIESFORMYCOSMICMIGHTTORETURNTOITSFORMERLEVELS,ANDTHERE ISALSOTHECHANCETHATITNEVERWILL. "SO,MAKEITCOUNTSON!" Myfirstattackusingthesolenoidchronographseemstojarhimtohisverymarrowasheliterally dropstohisknees.Itscapabilitiesofcompletelydisruptingallsignalseventheelectricalsignals generatedbyThanosbrainshouldendthisquickly.Heseemstogothroughaprocessnot unlikebeingturnedoffandIwonderifitispainfulorifheisafraid.Evennow,heislikely experiencingafeelingofbeingseparatedfromhisbodyasifhewereintheformofadeadman. Igotostrikeagainandincredibly,asiffromsometerribledream,hereachesoutwithsurprising speed.Itwasaruseandheuseshisvaststrengthtothengraspthesolenoidchronographwith hisbarehands.Hesmilesasiftosayfool! Hesendsanenergylancethatcompletelyobliteratesit.Iamtrulyinshock,how,Iwonder,can merefleshandbloodstandagainstsuchweaponry.Itstandsagainstallreason."Father,"Icry out! "EROSGIVESUSMORETIME,THEFIELDISBUILDINGUPINPOWEREVENASWE SPEAK.BUTBEWARYHISMINDISCAPABLEOFADAPTINGVERYQUICKLYSOWEMUST OVERLOADITANDNOTGIVEITACHANCETOADAPT." Mythoughtsturnbacktothefightathandbutitistoolate,ashemanagestograspmewithhis gripwhichislikestoneandhisbodyasunyieldingandhardasiron.Couldmybrotherhave somehowtransformedhisveryflesh?Couldmybrotherbelikesomegolemfromtheancient earthlegends,aninvulnerablefoedrivenbysomedarkmagic?Ihavetowonderasevenhisface islikesomethingontogranite. Evenwithmyenhancedshocktrooparmor,Iamonlycapableofminimalmovementdespitemy increaseinstrength.ButusingoneofthetechniquesfromthepriestsofPamathatI.S.S.A.C. sendsviaourcosmicInternetlinkImanagetoseparatemyselffrommybrother'sgraspandgive myselfsomedistance.Toallowourplantoformulate.Iaminterruptedbyasignalfromfather, whichblasts,inmymind: "EROSTHEFIELDSSHOULDBEGETTINGSTRONGER,IWILLBENDTHELIGHTWAVES

INFRONTOFYOU,ALLOWINGYOUTOATTACKYOURBROTHERWITHOUTDETECTION FORTHOUGHHESEESHEWILLNOTSEEANDTHOUGHHEHEARSHEWILLNOT HEAR." Atfirst,myfathersriddleislostonme.ThenIbegantoseethroughmyhand,andthenmy brotherisnolongerabletodetectmypresenceIhaveinfactbecomeinvisibleandcompletely undetectable. IdidnotcometoloseandIamarmedwiththemostadvancedtechnologyfromathousand worlds,fromathousandculturesandeventhathasbeenenhancedbytheAIprogramI.S.S.A.C. Thanosdefeatisassuredeven,anultimateintelligencecouldnotcopewithacomputer constructthaterrsnot. Mymindbeginstodeceivemeasimagesofmymotherandmybrotherasachildmaterialize beforeme.MybeautifulmotherSuiSanisholdingyoungThanosinanunbreakablegripoflove,I cannotexplainwhyIseethisonlythatperhapsIambeingeffectedbythefieldsbeinggenerated bymyfatherandI.S.S.A.C.Myfatherbreaksthrough, "PREPARETOIMPLEMENTTHEFIELDSYOUWILLHAVETOUSEYOURARMOR DIRECTLYBUTBEWARETHEEFFECTSONYOURMINDBYTHEENERGYFIELDSMAYBE EVENNOWEFFECTINGYOURPERCEPTIONS,BUTSTEELYOURSELFWEARENEARLY DONE." Iamthesacrificiallambandwillpayanypricetoseemybrotherpayforhiscrimesagainstmy mother,butamaverickthoughtthenseekstoundoallwehavebeentryingtoachieveIhaveto wonderifmymotivationstodestroymybrotheraretrulyjust.IfperhapsthereasonsIthink Thanosshouldbedestroyeddonotmatchwhatisright. ItisonlyanillusionbutIhaveneverseenachildandhismothersocloseasThanosandmy mother.ItisdifficulttolookuponitaseveryemotionwithinrevoltsagainstwhatIsee.Thenithits me:Epiphany!AndIwonderedevennowhowcouldshelovesuchanuglychild?WhenIwas morebeautiful.Couldmymotherandhimhavebeenofalikebent?Nooooo,howcouldIbeso jealousandfilledwithsuchhateovermybrother'shappiness?MustgetthisoutofmymindorI willnotbeabletofinishthemostimportantpartoftheplan. Icryout,"Father!" "SON,ICANNOTTAKETHISCUPFROMYOU,ANDYESTHEREISSOMETRUTHINYOUR MEMORIESYOUHAVEALWAYSBEENJEALOUSOFTHERELATIONSHIPBETWEEN YOURMOTHERANDYOURBROTHERBUTTHATMUSTNOTIMPEDEWHATMUSTBE DONE.IFHEGETSTHISSHIP,HEMAYRETURNTOTITAN" Myfathersvoicegoesunheededastheimagesbeforemewreaktheirterribletollonmypsyche. AchildthatwasmutatedfrombirthandyetallIcanseeishersoftkissesagainsthisstony visageanditcausesmetoburn,andIhatehim,notbecausehewasugly,orevenevil.Ihate himbecauseshelovedhimmore. "EROS!" IamdrawnbacktorealitybyaCOMlinkestablishedbyI.S.S.ACandhisimageappearsbefore me.Helooksasthoughcutoutfromasectionofmyhomegalaxy,ashisbodyseems composedofthestarsthemselves.ButIdonothavetoworryaboutThanosspottinghimforitis animageproducedinmymindalone,andthevoiceIbelieveIhearisagroupofmathematical signalstranslatedbymyimpactarmorandreinterpretedtomybrain.I.S.S.A.C.managesto

cleartheimagesgeneratedbymymindandIhaveamomentarysabbatical. "Ihaveimplementedtheforcefieldfromtitanthroughthewebandhaveusedtheconnection fromyourarmortoimplementthemanifestationofachronofieldandthenfromyourarmor extendingitthroughhisbodyeffectivelyimmobilizinghimin54.3.2.1. Mymindthenisforcedtoreturntotheimagesandillusionsgeneratedbytheforcefieldsonmy fragilemindasIrememberhimsuddenlybecomingcruel,ashewouldtormentinsectsjustfor whatseemedathrill,andthenIseethemaliciouschildholdingwhatappearstobeasmall insect.TheyoungThanosthenlooksatmeandinhishand,theinsectisI! TheinsectismeandIcanfeelhishanduponmyformanditiscrushingme,isthisrealorare theeffectsoftheforcefieldsbeingfeltdirectlyuponme? TheimagessubsidedandthegreatGolemappearedtobeinviolateandunstoppable,andthe seedofdoubtwasplanted.AsIbecamevisible,hecameformeandwhenIlookedintohiseyes mylifeflashedbeforeme.Andatthatmoment,IknewIwasgoingtodie.Buttomysurprise Thanoswasfrozenastheforcefieldwentfrommyarmor,andreactedwiththefieldsentbythe worldcomputeroftitan. Itookoutmytoolofdeathaneedle,whichwouldpunchaholeintohisirisandinjecthisbrain withthehydravenom,areactantthatwassovolatilethatuponcontactitwouldimmortallycause himbraindeath.ButIhesitated,andIwonderedifmymotivationswerenotsopureifperhapsit wasnotthatmybrotherwasamonsterthatwasdrivingbutmychildhoodhateofmymother holdinghim,myjealousywhichdrovemetodotheact.AndwhenIwasfacedwiththatterrible truthIrealizedthatifIdidthisactitwouldnotbeforjusticeitwouldbebecauseSuiSanloved himmore.Nowthatshewasdead,itwouldalwaysbeso.Icouldnotdoit,formymaskvirtue wasaconvenientlie,whichIusedtohidemytrueintentions. "EROSTHEFIELDISDISINCORPORATINGYOUMUSTACTNOWORALLISLOST!" TheneedledroppedfrommyhandtothefloorandIjuststoodbeforehimashamed,andweakI couldnolongercontinuemyfatherattemptstosavemefrommysinsbycallingme. "EROS!" TheunthinkablehappensasThanosadamantgripwrapsaroundmythroatandhelooksintomy eyes,holdingtheveryweaponIwouldhaveusedtodestroyhim. IwaitfortheendandforThanostojustifyhismonsterhoodbycallingmejustashedidmy mother,butthedeathblownevercomesandhejustturnshisbackonmelaughingmaliciously. IcannotallowitIwillforcehimtokillmebutitdoesnothappenasMentorusesthesignaland theintergalacticwebtotransportmetoTitan.AndthereIsitinutterdespondency. Andastheeffectsoftheforcefieldsleaveme,Iwonderdidthosememoriestrulyhappendidthe murderingmadmancalledThanosshowmemercy?OrdidThanossomehowknowhowIwould react,knowthatIwasneverathreat?CouldThanoshaveknownallalongthatIwasjealousand thatIcouldneverkillhimwithoutkillingmyself?CouldmybrotherhaveknownmebetterthenI knewmyself,andcouldhisactofmercybeensomecleversubterfugedesignedtobreakmywill anddrivememad? ItappearsthatIwillneverknowtheanswerbutifIamtosurviveImustenforcethatThanosisa monsterandincapableofdoinggood.Forotherwise,ImighthavetobelievethatThanos,whose nameencompassesthedeathurge,showedmemercy.

ProgressiveWarfare
Onanunknownmoonofadistantplanetarysystem: Atlast,Ihavearrived.IleavemynewsupervisoryrobotsIcreatedinchargeofmyshipinorbit andteleportdownquickly.Ipaidtwomercenariesforinformationonthetoughesttrainingfacility theyknewof.Bothrespondedbymentioningamooninthissector.Buttheyclaimedithadbeen abandonedbytheoriginalownersandadoptedbyanewmysteriousone.Onewhostudiedthe artsofwarandexcelled.ItisexactlywhatIamlookingfor.Onetochallengeandtestmyself.For withoutafairtest,howcanIgaugemyselftoseewhereIaminmytraining?Forthelongest,I havebeenfightingmyowncreations.ButhowcanIhopeforachallengewhenImyselfhave programmedthem.Iknoweverythingtheyknow.Knowingtheirprogramming,theirmoves becomepredictable,easytobluff,feintandmaneuver.Evenatincreasedspeedsand toughness,theyarenotmymatch.Imustnowventureoutsideandtestmyselfagainstthe knowledgeandexperienceofothers. Thereisasignattheentranceofwhatappearstobeanundergroundbase.Itreads,Allyewho enteracceptthechallengeofdeath'.IpayitlittleattentionasIstepthroughtheentrance.Clearly nobodyhasbeenhereinquitesometime.Icontinuewalkingdownnarrowhallwaysfilledwith spiderwebs.Finally,Icometotheendandthereisanopening.Acircularroomwithmanydoors. Iwalktowardsthemiddleandwait.Statuesaboundaroundtheroom,mostonpedestals. Perhapstheroomisconsideredashrine. IimaginethistobesometesttoseeifIamworthytofightthecurrentoccupantinhisdomain. Mysuspicionprovestoberight.Fivedoorsopenandmetalwarriorsspewforth.Judgingbythe waytheymoveandthestancestheytake,eachseemstohaveadifferentskill. Oneofthem,anacrobaticone,quicklyfliesoverme.Iraisemyhandtoblockhim,butheisnot attacking.HesimplywantstogetonmyothersidetomakesureIdon'ttryandmakearunforit. SurroundingmeisatypicalstrategyIexpectthemtouse.Attemptingtomakemefeelnervous, fearorevendespaircangivethemanadvantageifIhesitateatanymoment.ButIfeelnoneof those. Theywastenotimeinattacking.Thefirstjumpsforward,swinginghislongmetalarmsat incrediblespeeds.IdodgemostandblocktheonesIcannotdodge.Heisanoutsidefighter, cominginonlyasfarasheneedstoreachmeandthensteppingbackoutremainingoutof reachfromme.Iapparentlypasshisquicktestandhedropsbackasanothermetalwarrior springsforth. Thisoneisagroundfighter.Hefightswithhisbackonthefloorattemptingtotrapmylegsand sweepme.Iavoidthesweepsandhistraps.Hegivesupanddropsbackasthe3rdrobot attacks. Heisaninsidefighter.Heplantshimselfincloseandattemptstousehishandstograbmeand gainleverage.IshakehimoffandreturnthefavorbuthestepsbackbeforeIcangetagoodhold. Istopandresistmyurgetopursueasthenextrobotstepsup.

Thisoneisstrictlyakicker.Hisenormoushydrauliclegsgivehimnotonlyagoodrange,butalso enormouspower.Idodgearoundhousekickthatbreaksastatue,anartisticdepictionofa warrior.Thetorqueonhislegcouldeasilydecapitateifitconnected.Ibackupalittlebutquickly turnasIrealizeitisbutarusetopushmeintothe5throbot'srangebehindme. Hesummersaultsovermewithrazorsharpclawsforfingershangingdown.Theyappeartobe madeofadamantium.AsubstanceIhavebeenstudyingasoflate.Igrabhishandabovethe fingerclawsandflinghimintotheotherrobots.Butheisquickandturnsinmidair,avoidingthe collisionandlandsnexttothem. Onceagaintheymovetoencircleme,creatingaperimeterofmetalaroundme.Thistime,they attackinunison.Ihavebeenholdingbacktoseewhattheyeachhavetooffer.Ihavenoreason todosoanymore.ThegroundattackerslidesforwardasItakeastepbacktoavoidhisgrabbing myleg.Iraisemyrighthandtoblocktheoutsideattacker'sfistandduckslightlytoavoidwhat couldbeajoltinghitbythekicker.Theoutsideattackerswingsagaininconjunctionwiththe acrobaticfighter.Hisrazorsharpclawsswingforward.ThistimeIamreadyasIgrabthe acrobaticshandandpullhimin.Usinghisownhand,Icutthroughtheoutsideattackerslong armsandthenintobothbybendingandbreakinghisarmandslicingthroughboththeirchests withtheclaws. Iturntoseethekickerlaunchinghislegatmyskull,hopingtoenditallwithonehit.Idropquickly andsweephisotherlegfromunderneath.Unbalanced,hefallsontopofthegroundkickerthat hadbeguntocrawlin.Hisheavyhydraulicspinthegroundfighterlongenoughformetosmash mypulsatingfiststhroughthemboth. Iturntoseethelastrobotstandingtheinsidefighter.Hedashesinquicklyattemptingtogetme offbalance.Evenwithhisrobothydraulics,hefindsthisataskheisnotcapableofdoing.Igrab hiswristabruptlyandturnforleverage,slamminghimintotheground.Withawristlockonhim,I createbetterleveragebyplacingmybootonhisneckandfacialarea.Iapplypressureandstep downandeventhisstrongmetalbeginstobend.Ifinishhimbyrippinghismetalphalangesand penetratinghischestcavityareawithit. Istandupandlookasadooropens.Aseeminglyeasyvictory,butthesemetalwarriorswere indeedveryskilled.Imakeamentalnotetoprogramsomeofthestrategiestheyusedtomyown robots.Clearlytheymusthavebeenusedtotrainspecificwaysoffightingforsomeoneorsome greatwarriorrace. Itisinconsequentialnow.Mynextphaseoftestingisabouttostart. Iwalkintoanewroomandlookaround.Itisaroomwithnofurniture,containingonlyframed paintingsonthewall,almostmuseumlike.Alargewoodenchandelierhangsfromtheceiling. Clearly,thedecoratorsoftheplaceenjoyedtheartofinteriordecorationaswellastheartof combat.Patiently,Iwait.Thelightsdim.Myearscatchanalmostimperceptibleswishofair movement.Instinctively,myheadpullsback.Threekniveslodgethemselvesonthewallnextto wheremyfacewas.Ilookuptoseefireballseruptandfalltowardme.Itumbleoutoftheway. Darknessfallsontheroom,savefortheflamesofthefireballsonthecementfloorbehindme.

Sharpnailsrisefromthefloor.Ijumpupandhangonthechandelier.Ilookdownandnoticethe nowfullyprotrudingnailstohavesomesortofliquidonthem.Poison,nodoubt.Abruptly,the chainholdingthechandelieriscut.Ifallbutimmediatelyblastthefloorwitheyeblasts.Ilandon anareaclearedofnailsandwithsomemildrubbleofsolidcementaround. Theroomisclearlyadeathtrap.InitiallyIhadthoughtitatestofskillandorspeed.Itisnot.I quicklyrealizethatitisatestofwits.Atesttoseehowwellonethinksunderpressure. Iturntolookatthepaintings.Instantly,Irealizethattheyarenotpartofthedcor.Theyare miniaturizedsensorshiding,reportingmylocation,mymovements,evenmyphysiologyto attemptandfindawaytodefeatme.Iunleashmyeyebeamsonallthepaintings.Behindthem friedmetalcomputersmeltaway. Adooropens.Ihaveapparentlypassedthe2ndtest. Ihaveprovenmyself.Acreaturestandsinthenextroomnexttoacenterfountain. Areyousureyouarereadytofightme?Iwillnotspareyourlifeifyoufail "NorIyours,"Heclearlyexpectstohearthatanswer.WouldIhavetraveledthisfaronlytoturn around?Notlikely. Heremoveshispurplehoodedcapeandwewalktothecenterofapentragramwithinacircle.In thebackoftheroom,therearewordsthatarefaded.Icanbarelymakethemout,"Sinsterhod TrainngBase".Perhapsdescribingtheoriginalownersofthisfacility. Iturntopayattentiontomyopponent.Helooksmorelikeasorcererthanawarriorsomewhat scrawny.Notoverlymuscularbuttoned.Still,heseemsconfidentandIknowbetterthanto judgesomeonebasedonlyonlooks.Symbolscoverhisbody,burntinnodoubtaspartofa religionhemustpractice.HeisnotoneIcantakelightly.Clearlythisishislifeandhehas dedicatedhimselffullytotheartoffighting. Webegin.Helightlytapsatmyshoulderswithhislegsjustfeelingmeout.Perhapstryingto drawmeintomakingaquickmistakeforhimtocapitalizeon.Iwaitinstead.Hecirclesaround me,inalowstance.Nodoubthehaswatchedmeandhasattemptedtofindweaknesses. Hechargesatme,lethalhandssingeingtheairtheypassthrough.Iblockthefirstninebutfinally onegetsthroughandhehitsmeinthejaw.Istrikeinretaliationbutmisshimashespinstothe sideandcatchesmeonthesideofmyearwithhisfist.Ifallforward,appearingoffbalance.He lungesforwardandIsweephimwithmybackfoot.Hefallsbacknothavingexpectedmetohave fakedmyfall.Heisnottheonlyonewithtricksuphissleeve. Heismorecautiousnow.Andyet,Icanseeitinhiseyeshehasfullfocusanddetermination.I muststrivetobelikethisinallmyfights. Headvancesonceagain,thistimewithaflurryofkicks.Afrontalkickfollowedbyseveral roundhousekicksalldeliveredwithincrediblespeed.ThistimeIdontwaittocounterand retaliate.Itakeablowfromoneofhiskickstomymidsection,inreturn,Iholdhislegtopullhim slightlyinandmyreversepunchslamsintohismidsection.HadInotbeenholdingontohisfoot, hewouldhaveflownbackthroughthewallbehindhim.Instead,hisfaceclearlyregistersinternal damagethatIveinflictedonhim. Itdoesnottakehimlongtorecoverthoughasheusesmyholdingofhisfoottobalancehimself andlauncheshisotherfootconnectingflushtothesideofmyface.Ifalltothesidewithringing ears,asIlethisfootgo.Hespinsandlandsinapushupstance.Iturnfrommysidetomyback andbeforeImabletodoanythingelse,heisupanddroppinganaxekicktomymidsection

punishingmewherehepreviouslyconnected.Icoughupblood.Stilloffbalanceandunsureof whereIam,Ireactongutinstinctandgrabhisfoot,twistinghisankleandbreakingit.Hefalls back. Igetupslightlydazed,butreadytofight.Hegetsupalso,leaningononeleghelooksatme andnodshishead. Inodalsoandrushhim,notknowingifhehasahealingfactorinhisbiologicalmakeup.Hegrabs mebymyfrontarmorandspinsmeover,slammingmewithfullforcetothefloorwhilekeeping hisbrokenlegfromtouchingtheground.Iamcloseenoughtograbthefootheisbalancingon. Withhiselbowandarmpressuringmythroatattemptingtocutoffmyairintake,Iwrapmy fingersaroundhisankleandsqueeze.Hisankleshatters.Unabletoholdhimselfup,hefallsto thefloor.Ispinhimoverandgetontopofhim.Ipreparetodeliverthefinalblow. Helooksupinextremepain.Hishandscometothesideofhisfaceandhecloseshiseyes,as myrighthandpowersupandIpreparetofinishhim.Anauraformsaroundhishead OnThanosshipinorbit: Iawakenslightlydazed.Myheadachesineverypossibleway.Ilookaroundandrecognizethe infirmaryofmyship.Itouchacommandcontrolbuttononthesideofmybed."SR32?"Icallout. ThesupervisorrobotIhaveleftinchargeonthebridgeimmediatelyacknowledgesandcomesto speakwithme.Heenterstheroomlookingatthedataonthemonitors. "Yes,LordThanos,"herespondsreverently. "Whathappened?" Fearingansweringme,hetriestophrasehisanswerinawaythatwontupsetme. "Youropponentmindblastedyouwithsomeformofpsychicenergydisruptingyour neurotransmissionsequences.Ineffect,hescrambledyourneuralpathways,sir.Ifnotforyour Eternalheritageandstrictcontrolofyourownmolecules,youdhaveeasilyperished."Hespoke verysoftly."IhadyourarmorfittedwithatagbeforeyouleftsothatIcouldmonitorandlockonto youshouldtroubleoccur.Mylogicprogrammingconcludedthatyouhadbeatenhim anywayhecheatedbyresortingtoanothertacticotherthanphysicalcombat.Therewas nothingforyoutolearnfromhim." Imanageasnickerdespitemycondition."No,"ImanagetosayasIturntolooktheotherway. "Twoveryimportantlessonshavebeenlearnedhere!" "Sir?" "Thefirstistheobvious.Imustdevelopmentaldefensesofmyown.Psychicsareaboundinthe universe.ItisobvioustomenowthatIhavenotpaiditenoughattention.WhileIvebeenfocusing onmycombatskills,IfailedtoseethatImusthavecompletedefensesineveryway,shapeand form.ItisaweaknessthatIcanandmustcorrect.Icantallowmyselftobesoopentosuchan attackagain!" "Butsir,hecheated,"SR32responds. "Whichbringsmetowhatisperhapsthemostimportantlessonofall.Whenoneislosingina game",IpausethinkingoftheexactwordsIwanttouse,"youchangetherules" Iturntoamonitortolookatmycondition.Myownbodycanrepairitself.Itjustneedssometime. Itisaperfectopportunitytocorrectmyweaknesses."Getmeallavailabledataonmental projection,psychicenergyandneuralfieldanalysis.Imustbeginworkingtocorrectthisflaw

immediately!" "Yes,sir,"SR32respondsasheturnstoexittheroominsearchofthedataIneed. Irestmyheadonthepillowundermeandturntolookoutsidethewindowintospace.Imayhave beendefeated,butwitheachdefeat,Ibecomestronger.IlearnfrommymistakesAndoneday, theuniversewillknowthename,Thanos! Deliriumassaultedthelandscapeofmyimaginationwithterriblevisionsofwhatmaybe.Of thosemanylyingdead,andofthosebeggingtodie.Thechild'sunholybirthwouldforeshadow theend.ThevisionswerebecomingsopalatablethatIcouldsmelltheputridremainsdecaying fleshinmynostrils,andinthebackofmythroatthecopperytasteoffreshblood.ThevisionsI washavingwerebeginningtoseepintoourownworld.Itseemsmyterrorhasgiventhem breath.HoweversoterrifyingwerethedreadepiphaniesthatevenmybrotherEnDuWeGast wouldtrembledespitehisironnervesthathehadgarneredwithyearsofsteadygaming:and withstakesthatwerealwayslifeanddeath. Inthebeginning,thevisionswerethereasonIstartedcollectingspecimens.Sothatif necessary,theuniversecouldberepopulated.However,thedreamswerebecomingmore frequent.Inaddition,Ithoughtitmerefollythatcollectingalonecouldsavecreation.WhodidI thinkIwasthegreatspacebeingwhocollectedspecimensafterthegodsdestroyedeverything? HahahahaIwasmerelyanobsessiveoldfoolasallelderstendedtobebutIknewit.Thatwas mystrengthbutalsomyweakness. IsatandwaitedformybrotherElders,EnDuWeGastandtheonewhocalledhimselfthe Contemplator,toarrive.Wecouldthenmakeourmoveanddowhathadtobedone.Being Elders,wewereapatientlotafterallwewerethefirstbeingstocomeintoexistence,and althoughtherealotofdetailsonethingwassurebecausewewereincrediblyoldweneeded somethingforustocontinuelestwegrowboredanddie.MyfamilywasenoughbutIfearedthatI wouldlosethemoneday,andifIdidthenIwouldneedareasontogoon.Therewasalsono wayIcouldallowThanostobeathreat,atleastaslongasmyfamilywasaround.Mythoughts wereinterrupted. Mybrothersarrivedindramaticfashion.TheContemplator,asmallaseeminglyinconsequential being,couldbequiteformidableashehadabsolutecontroloverhisbody.Evennowthe contemplatorwasinanastralformandmyotherbrother,Gastwhocalledhimselfthe Grandmasterbecauseofhisownobsessionusedthemethodofbreakingdownhisquantum structureandreassemblingthemovergreatdistancestoappearinmyship.Neverthelessofall theElders,mybrothertheGrandmasterwasthemostimpressivewithakeenmindthathad memorizedtherulesofthousandsofdifferentgamesandwhohadsteellikenervesthatallowed himtocarrytheconsequencesofhisgamestotheredreadconclusions.Hispowerwas somethingtobeholdforinallmywalksIhadneverseenoneofuswhowerehisEqualinraw power.ButofanyElders,weweretheclosest.

Ispoketohimfirst,"Wewouldfindawaytoslaythechildifnecessarybeforeitbecomesa threat.Perhapsbyusingyourvastnetworkofcomputersonyourhomeworldtohackintothe

worldwebandpinpointthelocationofthechildbyusingtheintelligence,Ihavegatheredwiththe visions.AccordingtothedreamsIhadtherewouldbeagreatsupernovawhenhewastobe born" Gastrepliedbutitwaswithsarcasm,"Dearbrother,Irespectyoubutevenoneofmyknowledge cannotdeciphersucharcanemusings,evenIhavemylimitations." TheGrandmastermademefoolfoolishandtherewascertainamountoftruthinhiswordsbutit wasallIhad. "Hismotherwastobeavirgin,Isaid,"oratleastshewouldnotprocreateinthenormalmanner, andthentherewastheMagiwhowouldbringgifts." Gastspokeagain,"Listentoyourself,brother,yousoundlikeyourspoutingmythologies.His motherwastobeavirginandhewastobornwiththeexplosionofasupernovayouwillforgive meifitsoundsabittofoolish" "Andtherewasanameinmyvisions,AlarsandSuisan,Iknowthatisvaguebutperhapsa prophetiseverdoomedtowatch,"theGrandmasterattemptedtocomfortmeinhisownunique way. "Brother,donotbesuchafatalist.Iwillusemycomputerstotapintoeverydatabaseavailable, perhapswecancomeupwithsomething." TheContemplatorinterjected,"Perhapsthereisacertainamountoffateinvolvedhere,afterall evenaswespeakIamontheworldofTitanwhichisgovernedbyonewhogoesbythatvery nameandalsoawomenhismate.Iamtheretocontemplateontheworldtreewhichisrumored tobeconnectedtoYrrgissilitself." Gastalsospoke,"I.S.S.A.C.thegreatAIconstructalsoresidesandheisrumoredtobenearly sentientandthebestgamesmanintheuniverse.Letusgothere."Mybrothershadalternative motivesbuttheywouldserveasameansfornow. "Weneedaplan,"Isaid,"Letusposeasgiftbearerslikeinmyvisionandduringourvisit.The Grandmastercanusethepowerprimordialtoendthechild'slifewithoutdrawingattention."Gast agreed,butIcouldsensehewasmoreintohisgamesandtheContemplatorwasthereforhis ownobsessionaswell.Iwasnotsodifferent,butIstillhadmywifeandchild,Corrina,todrive mewhiletheyhadonlythereobsessions.Yet,Icouldnotdenythatwithoutourobsessions,we wouldceasetobeandperish.TheContemplatorbrokeintomythoughts,"Tellusofyourdreams andvisions.OncemoreIhavemyfocusonthegreattree." "IbelieveIalreadytoldofthedreamsandvisions,Contemplator,perhapsinyourtryingtogain insightintothebigpicture,youlostsightofsmalldetails." "Granted,brother,thefleshcanbequitebothersome,evenfleshasimmortalasourown.Iseek themeaningofallthings." "Willyouneverunderstandhowitisthedetailsthatmakelifepalatable,Contemplator,notthe vaguemusingsoftheuniverse.Iseeitastheobsessionthatdrivesyoutolivenothingmore." "Enough,mybrothers,letusbetoourbusinesswiththepowerprimordial.Iwillsimplystillhis lifeandnoonewillbethewiser."TheGrandmasterwasterribletobeholdastheveryairaround himseemedtoburntrulyhispowerwasuptothetaskwithoutevenagesturehisprimordial brokedownmyquantumstructure,andifhesodesiredhecouldmakeitpermanentandsoIhad certainfear.TheContemplatorwouldnodoubtrejoinhisbodyviahisastralself." Titanwasvast,andthetechnologyamarvelevenbyElderstandardsthisMentorsfeatshad

trulynotbeenexaggeratedthiswasaparadiseandatechnologicalwonder.His accomplishmentshadgainedmyrespect.EvenmybrotherGastwasinaweoratleast respectful. Thethreeofussawwhatseemedanendlesslineofallthosewantingtoseethechild.Itwas greaterthenIhadsupposedthismentorhadindeedgarneredagreatdealofreputefromthe surroundingplanetsinashorttime.Theninanelder'sreferenceeverythingwasashorttime.An Eriesilencethenblanketedtheworldasblackshipspiercedtheatmosphere.Theylookedmore likebladesthenships,anditseemedalientosuchapeacefulworld.Asthis Ithenhadunderstandingasthehoveringbladesbegantoslaughterthesurroundingpopulace.I watchedinabjecthorrorasfleshpeeledawayfromboneandtheneventheboneitselfmelted intonothing.Violetenergylancesthatusedtheirtendrilstopulldownthemagnificent achievementsofthisgreatworldweretopplingthegreatspiresoftitan.Theirgreatweight crushedthosetryingtofleeitsdecent.AsIwalkedover,Isawwomentrappedunderthedebris herbodyhorriblybroken.Withallmystrength,Iattemptedtomoveit.ButIhadnotusedthe powerprimordialinsuchafashionandmyskillswereinept.Iscreamedformybothersforhelp buttheywerenowheretobefoundnodoubtofffeedingtheirmanias. MyhandbegantoshakeandspittledribbleddownmychinasIstraineduntileverymuscleinmy bodyscreamed,"NOOOOOOOO!" TheGrandmastershandbroughtmebacktoreality,"Brother,whattranspiresthatyoudraw suchattentiontous?" "Iamfine,"Isaid. ButIdoubtifhebelievedme,fortheGrandmastercouldprobablyreadevenmythoughtsforthe extentofhispowerswereunknowneventomewhohadspentagreatdealoftimewithhim. However,withmyhandstremblingandmybodyalmostwhiteIdoubthehadtoreadmymind IdidnotknowhowmuchlongerwewouldhavetowaittoseethechildbutIdidn'thavetosee himIcouldfeelhimIcouldsensethegriphehadonthisrealityalready.Therewasan awarenessthatperhapsheevenknewwewerehere.Afterall,hewasnoordinarychild Myperusalsalongwithmybrothersweredrawntoagreathologram,whichhungoverthecity.It wasofcourseunmistakableitwasthemotherandhermonsterchild.Yet,strangelytheimage remindedmeofmyownwifeandmyCorrine.Therewasagreatbeautyasthemonsterchild wasjuxtaposingwiththelovingmother.IfeltmyresolvebegintofalterasIstaredatthehovering image.ThatIwouldnothavethestrengthtocarryoutmydreadmission.AndevenifIsomehow managedtokillthechild,howwasIdifferent?EspeciallywhenIhadmyownreasonsthathad nothingtodowithensuringtheuniversesurvival.Ilovedmywifeanddaughterbutsodidthis womanlovehers.WhowasItoendhislife? Thentheworldaroundmegrewdeadandtheimageofthemotherandchildfaded.Theairhada chillandmybodybegantoexhibittheunmistakablecharacteristicsofgooseflesh.Stenchwas nearlyoverwhelmingasthebodycountbegantogrow,achildweredeadandsittingwithhis facecompletelyburnedawayitwasquitedisturbingasIfelltothegroundtocradlethedead youthinmyhands.Thenitspokewithoutevenamouthtospeakthewords.Theyareonlya burntandcharredheadandyetitstillhadallofitshair. "SAVEUSFROMWITHTHANOS.SAVEUSFROMWITHTHANOS." Iwasthenencircledbyabandofchildrensinging.Thefacelesschildrenhorrifyingtobehold,but

eveninthemidstofmyhorrificvision,Icouldherethevoicesofmybrotherelderstryingtocall mebacktotherealworld.Butthevisionswerebecomingmorerealandtheywerelosttome. Ifeltmybodygostiffandagreatgauntletedhandthenpusheditselfthroughmychestcavity therewasgaspasthehanddestroyedmylungsandonthishandweresixstonesandthey begantospeak "Thereisnothingyoucando,thewielderofthegauntletcannotbesmiteduntiltheappointed time,andnotevenanelderispowerfulenoughtohinderthewilloftheInfinityGems.Sowhile youmaywatchyoumaynotact.Whileyoumaysee,thereisnoonetosharethatterriblevision notevenyourwifeandchild.Andknowthis,Collector,theytoowillgrowwearyoflifeevenifyou couldendtheservantofdeathslifeandthenyouwillbealone. MybrothersheldmeupasmystrengthwasallbutgonebutIhadreturnedfromthedreamsbut. Soterriblewasthelastvisionthatmymouthhadatrickleofbloodcomingdownthecornerofmy mouth.ItwouldappearevenifIcouldmusterthewilltodothedeed,Imightnotlivelongenough tofinishthetask.Butnomatter,mybrothersstillwouldseehimandkillhimevenifIcouldnot." Iwaitedaswewerenearlyuponourgoal.Thelinehadmovedmuchduringmyvisionsbutwhen IturnedtomybrothertheContemplator,hewasclearlysomewhereelse.Hisattentionobviously drawntosomecosmictangentotherthanthematterathandandIcouldseeGastplayingwith whatappearedtobeagamingcouncilofsorts. Yesourobsessionsruledusnottheotherwayaroundwewerepossessednotthepossessors. Myeyesagainsawsomethingoutofthenormalagreatmanwitheyesthatreekedofdeathbut hewashoodedsoIcouldnotseehisface Hisvoicewaslikethegrave,"LetmeshowyouwhatIhavesown." Thegreatbeinggesturedformetofollowandmybrotherswerestilldistractedsomuchthatit didnotevenseemtophasethemthatIwasleaving.HeshowedmeagreatroomandIbeganto vomitasIsawsomethingevenmoreterrible,somekindoflargespecimenvivisectedforstudy. "Thisismymother,"itsaid. Ipushedhimaway,"You'reamonsterandIwillseeyoudead." Itpulledbackitshoodanditwasthepurpleantibeastfrommydreams."Willyou?"itsaid sardonically,"Lookatyourbrothers:theGrandmastersoobsessedwithhisgamesthathehas alreadyforgottenhispurpose,andtheContemplator,almostgonefromthestartyour obsessionsEldersareyourundoing.Andmyobsessionwithdeathwillbetheuniverses undoing."Itsmiledatme. Mybodybegantoconvulseandhemorrhage,itwasnowclearthatthevisionswouldkillmefor theywerenowreality. Itriedtofocusonmywifeandchildtobringmeback.Iwasnowbeforethechildandmy brotherseachlostinthey'reownobsessionsitwasuptomeandyetitwassoinnocentand beautiful.ItdidnotmatterifIwascaughtbutbeforeIcouldact,thechildspoke. "Doit."Iwasastoundedthechildcouldspeakorwasitanotherterrifyingvision? "Youcannotbecauseyouareweakitisyourlotthatwillbeexterminated,fortheweakcannotbe tolerated." "Youcannotspeak,"Isaid,"youareachild." Itthenreplied,"Ihaveneverbeenachild." Thechildthengrewtomonstrousproportionsandheldmeinanunbreakablegrasp,"Thatis

everthecurseofseersisitnot?"ThecreaturewasinviolateIwoulddie,"Foreverdestinedto watchbutincapableofactionforthevisionsaresoterriblethattheybecomereality." IblackedoutandwhenIhadawakened,Iwassafelyonmyshipwithmybrothersbymyside. "Sodidyoukillthechild?"saidGast,"youwereinthereforsometime,Iwouldhaveusedthe powerprimordialbutIthoughtyoumorethencapable." Ididnotwishtoappearweak,soIsaidIdidit."Ikilledthechild."Iwasaliarandperhapsmy brotherknewthis,buttheysaidnothing.IreturnedtomyobsessionofcollectingforIknewnow thatitmusttakeupmyeverymomentiftheuniverseistogoonformyweaknesshascauseda transferofobsessions.Butthatiswhatdrivesuson.AfterallifanElderloseshiswilltolivehe dies.

FAITH
ImustconstantlychallengemyselfifIamtocontinuetoprogress.Directlyoverheadthereare severallargeplatesbeingaddedwhileIfinishmyinitialwarmups.Thegiantclaws,whichI createdtoaccomplishthistask,struggleevennowasIdoublethepreviousweightbringingitup toseveralhundredtons. Theweightstopsatthemidwaypointastheunimaginableamountoftonnagetakesitstollonmy physicalform.ThebodybeginstoshakeandtherearesoundsofrippingandtearingbutIam ThanosandwhatispaintoonesuchasI. AnastralvisioningarmentsofpurestwhitetearsaholefromwhateverdimensionitcameHer face,evenhermovement,isunmistakable.However,theeffectofhavingsuchepiphanycanbe murderous,especiallyonthefleshasover100tonsraindownonmefromabove.Myautomatic forcefieldtakescareofthedebris.Evenmyfloorisintact,astheadamantium,whichIcreated, isundamaged. "Youwillsoonmeettheoneresponsibleforyourperversion,theonewhotaintedyouwithits evil,"thevisiondeclares. "MOTHER" "ThelasttimeIsawyou,youlookedmuchdifferent,"Isay. Butmysarcasmisnotlosttoherasshesays,"Thisistrue,butwhatelsecouldawomansay whenshehadbeenvivisectedandexaminedfromeveryanglefromherlovingson?" "Iseedeathhasgivenyouasenseofhumor,althoughablackone,"Ireply. Sheseemstosuddenlygrowdespondentasshethensays,"Ihavepaidformysinsaswillthe entireuniverse,butallIcanthinkofwhenIlookuponyouistheblessedchildIheldinmyarms andshoweredwithkisses." "Ifindsuchsentimentunpalatable." "AsImsureyoudoamothersunconditionallove." "Beawaybothersomevisionandreturntoyourexilefrombeyond,IhavemuchtodobeforeI returnhomeandvisitmybrotherandyourmate." "Knowthis,thatdeathwillabandonyoujustassheabandonsallforonesuchashercannotlove andwilllieandconspiretogetwhatshewants." However,beforeIevenhavetimetorelinquishmyholdonwhatjusttranspired,herblack highnessappearsbeforeme,beingcarriedbytwoofherservantsandtheapparitionofmy mothergone.

"MistressdeathwhatdoIowethepleasureofthisvisitation?" Shedoesnotaddressmedirectly,butinsteaddoessothroughhermouthpiecewhichstands apartfromtheotherservants.Alargehumanoidconfigurationofadiseasedrodent. "THEREISASORCERERWHOCURRENTLYHOLDSTHETITLEOFMAGUSINTHE UNIVERSALCHURCHOFTRUTH,HISGOALISTOBECOMEIMMORTALSOTHATHEAND ALLMEMBERSOFTHECHURCHWILLBEABOVEMYMISTRESSTOUCH.SUCHA BLASPHEMYCANNOTBEALLOWEDTOCONTINUE.BUTTHECHURCHISONLYINITS BEGINNINGSANDCANSTILLBECRUSHED.NOTONLYWILLYOUBEABLETOCRUSH ONEOFYOURMISTRESSFOESBUTYOUWILLALSOBEABLEGAINSOMEPOWEROF YOUROWNBYBECOMINGHISACOLYTE.ITISWRITTENINTHECHURCHSARCHIVES OFONEWHOWILLCOME,THATONESHALLBEYOU." Ithandsmeakindofsacrament,whichIdevourandthenturntothetaskshehasassignedme. MythoughtsareinterruptedbymyroboticservantSR22.AlthoughIhadbeenthereforsome timeIwasnotsurehowlong,forEternalsareextremelylonglivedandIcouldhavebeenthere foracenturyperhapslongerfortimeisnotthesameforbeingswhostandoutsideitsjail. "Master,youwereimmobileandconversingwithyourselfforanextendedperiodoftime,is everythingallright?" IamsilentasIalwaysamaftervisitingher,areturntothefleshistrulyterribleanditcausesthe hateIhaveforthisvesselandalllikeittogrowandfesteronlytheembraceofDeathcanbring sweetrelease. "'Ibroughtthebionicenhancements,asyourequestedateleportationdeviceyouenhancedfrom homeworldofTitan" EXCELLENTSR22NOWLEAVESME,THEMOMENTISNEARLYUPONUS. WhenIarrive,IcannothelpbutmakeaconnectionwiththeIkons,theceremonialdressings,the layout,itisareligioussect.NotmerelyanybuttheonemymotherfollowedwhenIwasbut small.Thecreaturewasalienandspokeinastrangetonguesasdidmymotherwhenshewent intotrancesforwhatseemedlongperiods,andwhenshehadawakenshealwaysseemedto weepthereturntothefleshaswell.Allaroundwasacongregationofhumanoidswhowoulddo anythingforthemasterwhichstoodsurroundedbymanystrangesymbolsclearlyhewas buildinganarmyoffollowersbutforwhatpurpose?ButifmyMistresshadmecome,then clearlythisbeingwasmoreformidablethanheappeared. Iwalkdownthecenteraisleasallaroundmethereiscryingandselfmutilations.Thebeingthat leadsthecongregationissomewhatinsectlikeinappearanceandlikemostinsects,hewas ruthlessashepunishedayoungcoupleonthealterastheykickedandscreamwiththeretwo bodiessewntogetherforadultery.Orsoitappeared.Suchsophistrywasdifficulttorefrainfrom, asIwantedtoteardownthisaltar. ButinwhatseemedtobeacrossfromapastmemoryandavisionIsawmymotherholdingmy bodybeforeasimilaraltarandIhadtowonderthestrangecoincidence AtfirsthedoesnotseemtoevennoticemeasIapproachthealtar,whichsoonbeginstorunred withcrimsonandspillsontomyboot?Whyanyonewouldfollowsuchfoolishnessasthisso blindly.HiseyesopenedandtheyglanceatmewithsuchindifferencethatevenIcouldnot predicttheirnextmove.ButwithhisstareIsoonfelthisalienpresencerummagingthroughmy

mindseekingtoknowwhoIam. "THANOSYOUCOMEATLASTASITWASPROPHESIEDBYWHOWEARSTHEMANTLE OFTHEOFTHEMOON.ANDYOUWISHTOGAINSERVICEASMYACOLYTE?" ThebeinggoesthroughmymindandanswersmyquestionsbeforeIcanevenaskthem,itisas ifhehasstolenmyfreewill. "DONOTBEAFRAID,YOUNGThanos,WHENIWEARTHEROBESOFTHEMAGUSIAM ONEWITHGODANDNOTHINGCANBEHIDDEN." Whywouldmymotherbringmetosuchaplaceandforwhatpurposes?Clearlytheoldways mustbetorndownandreplacedbymyowndarkvisions. "THOSEQUESTIONSWILLBEANSWEREDINTIMEMYNEWLYACQUIREDACOLYTEALL INDUETIME.NOW,YOUNGTHANOS,DRINKOFMYCUP." Idrinkthebowlofwrathforwhatdoessomeonewhomworshipsdeathitself.Andinthecornerof myeyeIsawherkneelingnexttome,herhandgentlyonmyshoulderasthecontentsburned myinnardsburnwithretributionbutIdidnotcryoutafterall,wasInotThanos?ButasIsaw him,mymindseemedtogonumbandIsawitcomefromhisstomach,firstasblackshadow tendrilsreachedtowardme,theirtouchlikeice.AndinthecornerofmyleftwasmyMistress whostoodbymeprotectingmefromthetouchofGod. Timepassedandhetaughtmehismethods,andalthoughIneverlearnedtoprojectmythoughts witheaseintoanother'smind,IsoonlearnedthatIcouldpreventhimfromseeingmyown.I begantodevelopadefenseandsoonmyresistancewasenoughtowhereIcouldhidemy thoughtsfromtheMagusbysimplythinkingofsomethingelse.Buttokeepsuchafrontfromone suchashewasdifficultandhetestedmymettle,asIhadtomaintainmyvigilancebothdayand night. Ilearnedmoredefensiveincantationsthenoffensiveones,butIeventuallylearnedhowtobind myowncosmicenergieswiththoseofhisowndarkreservoiranditincreasedmyenergies almostexponentiallyasitaddedamysticelementtomynormallydestructivepowers.This wouldbemyedgewhenhewouldtrytodestroyme,foronethingwasevidenttohimandthat wasmystrengthwasgrowingdailyandsoonIwouldposeathreat. MymotherhadsuchfaithinherreligionandIrecallhowsheperformedtheritualsalmost tirelesslyandwithoutfail.Faithtomeseemedaweaknessasthosewhosawitpreyedonthe weaknessanditwasheronlyfaultforotherthenherfaithandtheblasphemyofgivingbirthshe wasastrongwoman.Butherfaithfailedherasitdoesallthosefoolishenoughtowastethere timeonsuchrituals. "TOMORROWISTHEBAPTISMANDTHENYOUWILLMEETGODFORTHEPROPHECIES SPOKETRUE,YOUARETHESEEDOFTHEGODANDTOMORROWHEWILLCLAIMYOU ASHEINTENDEDFROMTHEBEGINNINGATLASTTHEPRODIGALSSONRETURNS." Thecreatureswordsbegantofillinpiecemealmemorywhichdidnotquiteunderstandwhatmy motherwasdoingasshefollowedtheseexactritualsduringmyyouth.Shewaspreparingme forthis.WasItobehersacrifice?Andifsowhydidshenotdoit?Andwhywasshetellingme now?Ireturntomychamberstopreparewhensheappearshercountenancemoreebonthan evenMistressDeath. Shecoveredherselfwithpurpleraimentandherdeathlypallorandsunkeninfacecouldonlysob asshejustlookeduponme:herhandreachedouttotouchmebut,asshedrewcloserIsawher

robeopenjustslightlyandaninsectlikeabdomenwasrevealed.Aknifethencamefromonhigh likesomegreatjudgment. "YOUREVERTEDTOTYPEPREMATURELYINSECT,"Ibegintodrawuponhisowndark reservoir,whichIweddedmyownenergiestoduringmytrainingwithhimandsurroundedmy fistswiththehybridmystic/union.Iknockedthebladefromhisgraspwithoneofthefighting techniquesIhadlearnedwithmylastopponentheseemedsurprisedbymyphysicalassault, thinkingthatIwouldonlyuseamysticattack,andhowIwasalsoabletoincorporatehisownskill inanewandcreativeway. "Howisthispossible?YouhavenotthenecessarytrainingtodefeataMagusfromtheChurch ofUniversalTruth." Hetriedtoentermymindanddeterminemynextcourseofaction,buthefounditimpossible,as mymentaldefenseswerenowequaltothetaskathand.OnceagainIhadcounteredhim successfully,Ihadspentallmytimenotmerelyinstudybutinlearningbothmyopponents strengthsandhisweaknessesandusingoldknowledgeinnewandinnovativeways. "INEEDN'TLAYHANDSUPONYOUMYSELF,OBSERVEASMYFOLLOWERSCANDOIT FORME." ZealotsoftheMagussurroundme,butinsteadoffearorapprehension,thereisonlyagrinas theyrushheadlongintothereownpersonalArmageddon.Myfistsbegintocrackleasmynewly boundmysticalenergiescrushboneandtearmuscle.Theysoonlearnthefollyoftheirwaysand makeahastyretreatleavingmetoconfronttheirmasteroncemore. "Suchdevotion,Ihaveneverseenitslike,hahahaha." HeattemptstousehiseldritchenergiesuponmewhenIusemypower,asIhaveneverdone,to erectashield.Itwasapparentthatmymindcouldnowshapetheenergiesincertainwaysthatit couldnotbefore.ButclearlythereisagreatersurpriseonhisfacethanmineashefoundIwas notthestrawmansoeasilydispersedashehadoncebelievedandnowhisownlifewasforfeit. ButhethenattackedmeinadifferentwayasIfeltmyveryspiritbeingdrawnfrommelikewater fromawell.Hewouldusemyownspirittoaddmynewlyacquiredmighttohisown.Andquench hisunholythirst.ThentheunexpectedoccursasIhearhimscream. Behindhim,anapparitionofmymotherstandingwithaknifethatwasintendedforme.Hefellto hiskneesashebegantogasphislastbreaths.Andforthefirsttime,hisutteraliencountenance begantotakeonafamiliaremotionthatallthoseIencountereventuallycometoFEAR.AsI walkcloser,hecovershisfaceandwaitsmyblessing. "Itisdoneyounowhavelifeeternal,"Isaysardonically. Nevertheless,mymotherwhowaspresentgesturedtothealtarwheretheGodwasmakinghis wayintoourworld.Anebonytailencircledmeasaserpentitsprey.Histouchwaslikethe vacuumofthevoidandhisbreathwaslikefirebuthecouldnotmeltnorbreakmyresolve,and thedragonofthemoonatlastrevealedhimselftomeandIsawhowhedrewmeheresincemy birthing,forMymotherbeggedmetofleebutIamThanosandtherewassomethingseductive asitwhispereditsdarksecretstomeandmadeitsfalsepromisesasallgodsdo. Whenhissilveryeyesmetmyownitwasthetruetestandforthespaceofseveralmomentsthe fateofmyveryastralbeingwasindirestraightsIcouldfeelafamiliarpresencestanding betweenitselfandme. WhenIfinallyrecover,IwasnotsurewhathashappenedonlythatIwasdifferentasIhave

lookedtheGodofthemooninthefaceandhavefounditwanting.ButIhavealsoseenmyown twistedreflectionmirroredbackuponme,anditcalledmetothisplace.Idonotknowwhatit wanted,onlythatIhavecompletedmytaskandgiventheMagushisgreatestwishashisstatue willforeveradornthetemplesomewhereontheperchbetweenlifeanddeath. Onemustalwaysbecarefulwhatonewishesfor. "THANOSYOUHAVEDONEWELL,MISTRESSDEATHHASDECIDEDTHATYOUWILLBE HERPARAMOUR." Theyellowteethedrodentteethrodentisbeforemeoncemore,"TellyourMistress,Ithankher forherboon,IcouldfeelherembracewhenImettheGodofthemoon." "MISTRESSDEATHWASYESYOUAREMOSTWELCOME,"therodentseemedtochoke onitsownwords,ashewascutoffbyhisMistressebonglare.Deathevenseemedtosmile,her darkfeatureshiddenincowl.Therewerestillmanyunansweredquestionbutsuchisthewayof spiritualmattersandtheweaknessoftheflesh.