The departure of Xiao Han was not accompanied by the tearing of space or the explosion of energy, but an absolute "detachment" as if he had never existed. The deathly silence caused by the invisible cleansing that swept the world in the last second had not yet dissipated. The next second, the energy source that was always entrenched at the edge of perception, as dazzling as a star, completely disappeared.
Malibu Beach is empty, leaving only the special beach chair, the half-melted ice cream on the small table next to it, and a world that seems to have pressed the mute button.
Tony·Stark was the first to rush downstairs, staggered to the beach, and looked at the empty chairs in disbelief. Friday's sensor scan confirmed the worst result - no unique energy signature belonging to Xiao Han could be detected in the villa and surrounding areas.
"He... he's really gone..." Tony murmured to himself, his voice dry. Instead of the expected relief, a huge, cold sense of emptiness and panic instantly seized him. The existence that he had always been afraid of, jealous of, but invisibly dependent on, just left without warning. Just like the sword of Damocles that had been hanging above his head suddenly disappeared, it brought not peace of mind, but the confusion and fear of losing all reliance.
Almost at the same time, the S.H.I.E.L.D. global monitoring network also confirmed the disappearance of the energy source.
"The target... disappeared?" Maria·Hill's voice trembled in disbelief in the communication channel.
Nick Fury's one eye was staring at the main screen. The light spot representing the energy signal of Xiao Han had been completely extinguished. He punched the console with a loud punch and left! Just at the moment they realized its indispensability, they left!
"The global alert level has been raised to the highest level! All field agents are on combat readiness! Contact all allies you can contact! Hurry!" Fury's roar echoed in Helicarrier, with a trace of imperceptible despair. He knew that the real test was just beginning now.
Wakanda, underground command center.
"The energy source signal... disappeared!" Princess Shuri exclaimed, the instrument screen in front of her went blank, "He... he is gone!"
King T'Challa and Okoye looked at each other, their faces extremely solemn. The invisible deterrent that shrouded the world disappeared, and the peace that Wakanda had hidden for hundreds of years was probably coming to an end.
"Start the final phase of the 'Dome' plan! Fully activate the Vibranium energy barrier! All borders enter a wartime state!" T'Challa did not hesitate at all and immediately issued the most decisive order. Now is not the time to be sad or surprised, survival is the first priority.
Sanctum Sanctorum, Strange and Wang also felt the disappearance of that huge "existence", and the silence and uneasiness that followed, as if it were the vacuum of the universe.
"Sanctum Sanctorum All defensive formations are in full operation!" Strange's face turned pale, "I feel... countless eyes are turning here again."
The cold "gaze" of Watchers Council was briefly interrupted when Xiao Han left, but soon returned in a more hidden and cautious way. They recorded this historic change, and the data flow refreshed like a waterfall:
[Event: The target individual 'Xiao Han' has voluntarily left Universe-616 Earth.]
[Current situation: The stability of local reality has fluctuated slightly due to the loss of 'anchor point'. External threat assessment has increased sharply.]
[Prediction: This civilization will enter a period of extremely high risk. Continue to observe.]
The parliament remains neutral and only observes. But their existence itself heralds the coming of the storm.
In the universe, those forces that had been frightened by the power of Xiao Han, almost at the same time, through their own methods, noticed the disappearance of the frightening "taboo" power.
Shi'ar Empire Border Outpost.
"Report! Solar System direction 'forbidden energy source' signal... disappeared! Repeat, signal disappeared!" The sensor operator's voice changed in tone due to shock.
Commander Varik stood up suddenly and looked at the completely extinguished signal mark on the screen, his eyes filled with disbelief. That nightmare-like existence... is gone?
"Confirm immediately! Highest priority!" He did not dare to neglect and immediately sent the information back to the home planet.
Princess Lilandra also received the news almost at the same time. She sat in the "Starfeather" and was silent for a long time, with mixed feelings in her heart - she breathed a sigh of relief, but felt an inexplicable loss and... greater uneasiness. The restraints disappeared, but the world outside the cage seemed more dangerous.
Kree Empire, the remaining forces of the radicals.
"The energy source has disappeared?! Great! Our 'Void Stalker' must have succeeded!" (They did not know that the Death Squadron had long been destroyed) a radical officer shouted excitedly, "The opportunity has come! Send a message to the mother planet immediately, suggesting that troops be sent to occupy the planet immediately and seize all the remaining alien technology!"
Greed overcame fear again.
In the more distant and dark star fields, those dimensional beings, cosmic mercenaries, and various grotesque predators who had been frightened away by Xiao Han's look also gradually felt the disappearance of the suffocating pressure field.
"The constraints are gone..."
"That planet... is now ownerless!"
"Treasure! Endless treasure and slaves!"
Countless eyes, with greed, curiosity, and malice, once again focused on the blue planet that suddenly became "fragile".
After the silence, there is a surging undercurrent, a warning of death that is coming in the storm.
The earth, like a baby whose protective shields were suddenly removed, was exposed to the cold and cruel deep space of the universe.
Tony·Stark Standing on the empty beach, the sea breeze blew his messy hair, but he felt a biting cold. He raised his head and looked at the starry night sky, knowing that behind the seemingly peaceful dark background, countless pairs of eyes were watching eagerly.
"Friday..." His voice was hoarse, "'Homeworld Guardian' plan... how long until it can be launched?"
"Even if you go all out, the core energy barrier is only 37% complete, boss." Friday's answer was cold and realistic.
"Speed up! No matter what the cost!" Tony gritted his teeth, turned and rushed to the laboratory. Now is not the time to be sad or regretful, he must race against time!
All over the world, high-level officials who knew the inside story were in a state of great busyness and panic. The military entered the highest combat readiness, secret plans were accelerated, and all diplomatic channels were operating frantically, trying to contact any possible friends.
But everyone knows how feeble their preparations are in the face of the coming evil coming from the sea of stars.
Xiao Han took away the frightening power and also took away all the shelter.
The temporary interruption of global communications and equipment failure (clearing A. I. M. and other strongholds) that he "conveniently" caused when he left made the chaotic situation even worse.
After the silence, the earth's civilization ushered in the darkest and most dangerous event since its existence -
Dawn.