The Comprehensive Evolution of American Comics.

Chapter 567: Soul Gem and the Fifth General
"Shh!"

The dark purple sky and dilapidated buildings were in full view. Everything in front of him made Thanos a little dazed. This place was just like the planets he had destroyed before, without a trace of life.

After walking out of the portal, Corvus Glaive and Proxima Midnight consciously walked in front of Thanos and acted as guards. Even though their master was countless times stronger than them, they still had to show proper etiquette.

The three began to walk forward along the only path under their feet until a person hidden in a black robe appeared in front of them.

General Corvus Glaive and Proxima Midnight immediately raised their weapons, pointing their blades and gun tips at the person in front of them, but the latter showed no fear and spoke calmly instead.

"Welcome, son of Aralos, Emperor of the Universe Thanos, and the leader of the Dark Order, General Corvus Glaive, and his wife Proxima Midnight."

"You seem to know us?" Thanos stared at the man in black robe in front of him, waiting for him to give his explanation.

"I have been cursed since I came here." The man in black robe raised his head, and then with the faint light, Thanos and others saw the man in black robe clearly. The scarlet skull face was indeed unique.

The Red Skull spoke slowly: "I know that everyone who comes here is just like you."

"Where is the Soul Stone?" Thanos went straight to the point.

"It's right here." Red Skull stepped aside slightly. "But I must warn you, it will come at a great cost."

"I'm ready." Thanos' expression remained calm. "Always."

After receiving the answer, the Red Skull stopped talking nonsense, motioned everyone to follow him, and then turned and walked behind him. While General Corvus Glaive and Proxima Midnight were still hesitating, Thanos had already taken a step forward and followed.

After walking along a road that was neither long nor short, we reached the top of the mountain. Two huge stone pillars pierced the sky like two doorposts, and the small path in between led directly to the cliff.

"There's nothing here!" Corvus Glaive snapped at Red Skull. "Are you kidding us?"

"If it were my old self, maybe." Red Skull sighed. "Long ago, I also pursued these supreme powers. Although not as legendary as you, I have touched one of them with my own hands."

"It's a pity that I'm not the one destined for it. It abandoned me and left me here, leading others to search for treasure but never finding it myself."

"What does this mean?" Thanos walked to the edge of the cliff and asked the Red Skull beside him.

"The Soul Stone is unique," Red Skull explained. "It holds a high position, and those who seek it must pass a test."

"Tell me, what does it want?" Thanos' tone left no room for refusal.

"To ensure that the user knows its power and its uniqueness, the Soul Gem requires your sacrifice." A strange light flashed in the Red Skull's eyes.

"To obtain it, you must sacrifice your loved one, exchanging soul for soul."

After hearing what Red Skull said, everyone present looked at each other. Proxima Midnight had a bad premonition in his heart and immediately spoke.

"We will immediately go and capture two people who truly love each other. Please give us some time, Your Majesty."

"No need." Thanos didn't turn around and continued to stare at the abyss under his feet, but the Mind Stone in his hand lit up with a strange light.

"Clang!"

Proxima Midnight's body began to tremble uncontrollably, and even the peerless spear in her hand fell to the ground. The same was true for General Corvus Glaive beside her. The two of them walked towards the cliff together.

"You shouldn't have spoken." Red Skull shook his head. Everything was doomed the moment Proxima Midnight spoke. Proxima Midnight and Corvus Glaive were the only ones who shared a bond that could truly be called a love affair. If she hadn't spoken, it would have proven she didn't care about Corvus Glaive's life or death. But she did speak, eager to find a replacement.

Whose replacement? A replacement for her beloved.

"No! Your Majesty! No!" Dark Night Proxima roared. In front of her was General Corvus Glaive, who was only one step away from the cliff. Under the control of the Mind Gem, her hand was constantly reaching out to her beloved.

"Snapped."

Finally, there was nothing in front of Proxima Centauri in the Dark Night. The beloved who had blocked the view in front of her disappeared without a trace, and instead a gem shining with orange light appeared in her hand.

"Thanos!" Proxima Midnight roared, turned around and waved her palm forward. The peerless spear lying on the ground suddenly came into her hand. Just now, the Soul Stone told her, General Corvus Glaive, her beloved would never come back.

The orange light burst out in an instant, and Proxima Midnight held the gem in one hand and the spear in the other, determined to fight Thanos to the death.

But Thanos just snapped his fingers, and after a red light, the majestic Proxima Midnight turned into a bunch of petals. The Soul Gem, which was left unattended, fell to the ground but was summoned into Thanos's hand using the Space Gem.

He picked up the Soul Stone and set it into the hole. Looking at the only hole left, Thanos murmured, "There's only one left."

With another snap of his fingers, the petals transformed from the Dark Night Proxima gathered together again, and after a brief reorganization, they turned into a new figure.

His entire body was spotless white, and his blue face, like Proxima Centauri in the dark night, was hidden under a white hood. His slender figure knelt down before Thanos the moment he appeared.

"Lord Thanos, please give me a name."

"Supergiant." Thanos casually uttered the name. "I grant you supreme power. Help me find the last gem. It is on Earth."

"I will follow your orders." The superstar slowly raised his head and smiled charmingly.

...

"What should we do now?" Rocket looked at the blue planet in the distance. Even though he was a veteran in the universe, he had to admit that the beauty of the Earth was ranked among the best in the universe.

But at this moment, this beautiful planet was surrounded by a dense fleet. Apparently, just as Gamora had guessed, Thanos's fleet was still there, proving they weren't too late. But...

"How are we supposed to get in?" Rocket slapped the control panel in front of him. "These bugs won't even leave us a single opening!"

"If we rush in rashly, we will only become space garbage." Star-Lord was still cold, but we could communicate.

Gamora also frowned. She didn't expect that Thanos would send out his entire fleet, not even leaving the troops to guard his home. He looked like he would not give up until he achieved his goal.

Just when everyone was at a loss, a strange voice suddenly rang out.

"I think I can help with that."

A gentle and steady voice can easily win the favor of others, but for the Guardians of the Galaxy who have just experienced something similar, this is more terrifying than anything else.

"Who's there!" Star-Lord immediately pulled out his two guns and aimed at something randomly. The others were like frightened birds.

"Wait a minute, everyone," Mantis Girl stopped them. "This sound is coming from our heads."

(End of this chapter)