Cutting the Universe and Striking Out on All Sides

Ajax had almost completely collapsed after Lox destroyed her psychological defenses.

Her steadfast faith in the Celestials had shattered. Even if she were asked to worship them again, all she would feel was instinctive resistance and rejection.

Betrayal was a poison. Once consumed, even an antidote could not restore things to how they had been.

She even began actively persuading the other Eternals warriors to put aside their resentment and hatred, follow Lox's will, and offer up their strength and wisdom.

Lox saw it all. Ajax's reaction had not exceeded his expectations.

When someone betrayed their original faith and stood on the opposing side, the resulting inner conflict and turmoil would plunge them into extreme pain.

And to dispel that pain, traitors often chose to drag even more people into betrayal.

That behavior could lessen their guilt. The more people they dragged down with them, the more at ease they felt.

This principle applied not only to mortals, but to the Eternals as well.

With this leader persuading and recruiting them, everyone among the remaining Eternals except Ikaris, the absolute hardliner, had begun to waver.

Especially the female Eternal named Sersi. Her transformation had been particularly swift, and she had almost become the Eternal closest to humanity.

With her help, the analysis of the Eternals warship progressed far more smoothly.

Three months passed in a flash.

The analysis data from the Eternals warship appeared upon the holographic display. Nearly all the researchers under Lox's command had gathered in the underground base beneath the Martian Forge World.

Belisarius Cawl, Beast Hank, Bolivar Trask, creator of the Sentinel Iron Men, the surrendered Eternals scientist Phastos, and the most numerous group of Stone Men researchers.

Among the Stone Men researchers, Angie, the female secretary Lox had personally created, performed especially brilliantly.

So Lox