"Speak," Thanos said flatly.
"Victory at Nidavellir was all but certain. But... that man suddenly appeared."
Hatred burned in Proxima Midnight's eyes.
"Who?"
"It was... Homelander." Proxima Midnight spat out the name through clenched teeth.
"He came out of nowhere. His power was unbelievable... We couldn't resist him."
"He destroyed our army, then destroyed a mothership outside the ring."
"I sent a ship to evacuate Corvus Glaive. It had even begun its jump. Half the ship was almost through the wormhole."
Frustration filled Proxima Midnight's eyes.
"But he... still couldn't escape death..."
Thanos did not fly into a rage at her report.
He merely repeated the name under his breath, deep in thought.
"Homelander..."
Not long ago, word had spread from Ayesha, the arrogant high priestess of the Sovereign, about a new Guardian of the Galaxy.
That new guardian was called Homelander.
He hadn't expected to cross paths with him so soon.
Thanos rose and descended the steps, stopping before Proxima Midnight.
He rested a hand lightly on her trembling shoulder.
"Wipe away your tears, Proxima Midnight. Death is part of the universe's balance," Thanos said quietly. "Hold on to your hatred, but don't let it blind you."
"As for Homelander..."
Thanos glanced at the Infinity Gauntlet on his left hand. The Power Stone gave off a faint purple glow.
"We'll have our chance for revenge..."
Muspelheim.
Violent thunder rang across the realm of fire once more.
This time, however, the tables had turned.
Thor gripped the newly forged Stormbreaker, looking like a god of war descended to earth.
Boom!
He spun and hurled the axe.
Stormbreaker whirled through the air, wreathed in raging lightning. Hundreds of fire demons crumbled to ash wherever its bolts struck.
The axe traced a perfect arc through the air and flew steadily back