Guardian of the Soul, Red Skull!

The way to the summit was less a road than a winding staircase of black stone, carved by countless ages of wind and frost.

Bottomless cliffs flanked the steps. A dim red glow rose from their depths, carrying an ominous air. The wind had finally picked up, but it sounded less like moving air than countless souls mourning softly, telling of the endless partings and sacrifices that had taken place here over billions of years.

"Puddin', I'm a little cold." Harley edged closer to Link. Her splendid flight suit looked utterly out of place here.

Link said nothing. He simply tightened his grip on her hand. His palm was warm and steady, driving away the chill that had seeped into her bones.

He could clearly feel the planet's suppression growing stronger with every step. The four once-dazzling stones on the Infinity Gauntlet had dimmed, as though they had fallen asleep.

Interesting. This planet's laws are powerful enough to suppress even the Infinity Stones. The Soul Stone really is the most unusual of the six.

Rather than fear, Link felt a fierce desire to conquer it.

The harder something was to obtain, the sweeter it felt when it was finally his.

When they reached the platform at the summit, the ghostly figure in a black cloak slowly floated toward them.

It moved in an uncanny way—without footsteps or sound, like a silhouette sliding across a flat sheet of paper.

"Hey! You spooky creep! What are you staring at?" Harley mustered her courage and shook a fist at the dark figure, trying to break the oppressive mood the way a Gotham City street thug would.

The figure ignored her. It stopped ten meters from Link, slowly raised a hand, and pulled back the hood that concealed its face.

Beneath the hood, there