Ronan was walking toward the Collector's location, hammer in hand, paying no attention to the explosions overhead.
Every so often, a ship plummeted from the sky, crashing to the ground in an explosion of fire.
The once-bustling Knowhere had descended into utter chaos. Screams rose all around as crowds desperately sought shelter, hoping to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.
A bare-chested figure blocked his path, his body covered in red markings.
He held a short dagger and stared at Ronan with hatred.
Drax the Destroyer.
He would become a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy in the future. For now, he was merely a pitiful man seeking revenge on Ronan.
"Were you the one who sent the signal? Saying the Orb was here?"
"That's right. This place will be your grave."
Drax the Destroyer's anger made the red markings on his body stand out even more.
"Ronan, you will pay for what you've done..."
With that, he lunged straight at Ronan, intending to drive his short blade through Ronan's skull.
But Ronan, intent on finding the Orb, had no interest in playing with Drax.
He raised his hammer and swung for a home run, sending Drax flying into a pile of rubble.
Just then, the sky seemed to darken.
The sporadic explosions suddenly became a relentless barrage. The abrupt change caught Ronan's attention, and he instinctively looked up.
A densely packed fleet was attacking his forces without pause.
Ronan's eyes widened in disbelief.
That's Thanos's army. H-how could this...
Just then, the subordinate standing beside him abruptly paled, clearly terrified.
"Accuser, s-sir, two supercarriers have locked onto our mothership. We're under attack."
Ronan furiously grabbed his subordinate and roared, "How is that possible? Who is it?"
He had a suspicion, but he refused to accept it.
His subordinate