Ch: 242 [The bnce must be maintained]


    Gctus''s deep, rumblingughter echoed through the chamber, shaking its very foundations. His energy construct loomedrger, pulsating with cosmic power.


    "You, a mere speck in the vastness of the cosmos, dare to threaten me? Do you evenprehend what you hold, mortal? The Ultimate Nullifier—the power to annihte not just me, but the delicate fabric of existence itself," Gctus intoned, his voice a mix of scorn and curiosity.


    Peter tightened his grip on the Nullifier, his spider-sense prickling like never before. "Yeah, yeah, cosmic doom and all that. I get it. But here''s the thing: I''ll do anything to save my world. If I pull this trigger, you''re toast, big guy. So, let''s skip the intimidation routine and talk business."


    Gctus''s energy form leaned closer, the immensity of his presence pressing down on Peter like a tidal wave. "Foolish insect. Do you not understand the consequence of my death? I am not merely a destroyer—I am a necessity. My existence curtails the uncontrolled proliferation of life. Without me, the bnce of creation would tip, and the universe would copse under its own weight."


    "I know. Your death will unleash chaos and more enemies. But with this little thing, I can simply rewrite this reality, a reality where no viins exist, and even create an unbreakable barrier around this universe to prevent anyone from entering this reality. I am more than ready to pay the cost. So, what''s it gonna be? Will you turn away from Earth or face oblivion?"


    The construct leaned closer, its burning eyes boring into Peter. "Your bravado is misced, child. The Nullifier will destroy you as much as it does me. You may hold it, but it will consume you utterly."


    Peter snorted. "I already said, I am prepared to pay that cost. So, will you do as I ask or not?"


    Gctus pondered the question. He knew this man was a human with immense power, it was nothing he couldn''t handle. He tried to use soul control on Peter, but it failed, almost instantly. He once again tried to use it but failed, next he tried to use his cosmic senses to check his origin, but that too failed. His power was nullified,


    "Hahahahahaha! Interesting. In my eons of existence, I have encountered many species, but never a hybrid with such resolve and power. To nullify my power without any resistance is really interesting. There can only be one possible exnation... The blessing of One Above All... You getting the Ultimate Nullifier and we meeting like this must be his will. Very well, I''ll spare Earth, but Knull and Thanos are your problems. All I can do is devour half of their energy, that is all I can do without breaking the bnce. The rest is up to you."


    Peter smiled, satisfied with the result. "Deal!"


    "Take the Ultimate Nullifier with you. It maye in handy," Gctus added before vanishing.


    The cosmic entity disappeared, leaving Peter alone with the Ultimate Nullifier. ''One Above All is rted to my Immunity ability!! Well, the big guy must have some n. Oh, well. One danger averted. With Gctus out of the picture, all we gotta do is take down a weakened Thanos and Knull.'' He thought.


    The Watcher teleported Peter back into the between, "I did what I could. The rest is in your hands."


    "You knew Gctus would die in the uing battle. You just saved his ass through, didn''t you? Hahaha! I was wondering why you were so calm."


    "Without Gctus, bnce will break. Evil cosmic entities will emerge from the shadows. The energy level of your universe will slowly go out of control. Chaos will break out. I had to save him somehow," The Watcher said.


    "So, you already know the future. Who killed Gctus?" Peter asked out of curiosity.


    "That I can''t reveal. The multiverse is already at stake as it is. If I interfere any further, the consequences will be disastrous," The watcher replied as he opened a portal back to the Time Chamber. "Now go. A war awaits you. The enemies will be there in one week. I wish you luck."


    "What about this?" He took out the Ultimate Nullifier and held it before the Watcher.


    "It''s yours to keep," the Watcher said.


    "What do I do with it?" Peter asked.


    "You''ll find a use for it, Peter Parker," the Watcher replied, his eyes twinkling with amusement.


    Peter shook his head as he stepped through the portal. As soon as he stepped into his time chamber, the portal disappeared. He took a deep breath, the weight of the Ultimate Nullifier in his hand an ever-present reminder of the stakes at hand. "One week," he muttered to himself. "One week to prepare for the biggest fight of my life. No pressure, right?" He ced the Nullifier carefully inside his special dimension pocket.


    ...


    Far across the cosmos…


    Gctus''s towering form materialized on a barren, his energy swirling as he contemted the events that had just transpired. Despite his pride, he could not deny that the young mortal had intrigued him, especially with the unmistakable blessing of the One Above All protecting him. Gctus raised a massive hand, summoning his most loyal herald.


    In an instant, a streak of silver light shot across the void,ing to a halt before him. The Silver Surfer knelt, his board hovering slightly off the ground.


    "My master," the Surfer said, his voice calm and reverent.


    "Rise, Norrin Radd," Gctusmanded. "The bnce of this universe hangs precariously. Thanos and Knull seek to destroy what I must preserve. I have agreed to aid the mortal known as Peter Parker, though it is not my usual way. You are to intervene."


    Silver Surfer stood, his eyes glowing faintly with cosmic energy. "What would you have me do?"


    "Seek out Thanos''s fleet. Half of his forces must be annihted. Do not confront Thanos directly—that is not your battle to fight. Ensure that this world and its champion have a chance to prepare for theing storm."


    The Surfer nodded. "It shall be done."


    "And one more thing," Gctus added, his voice dark and foreboding. "Exercise restraint. We do not want the scales tipped too far in either direction."


    Silver Surfer hesitated, then bowed. "As you wish, my master."


    With that, the Surfer mounted his board and streaked into the void, leaving a trail of silvery light in his wake.


    "Well, even without my intervention no one would be able to destroy that puny," Gctus said as he pulled up the surveince screen. "Since my daughter is already there hiding among the mortals... Hahahaha... I wonder what would happen if Gali and Peter were to meet?" He tried to see the future of Peter Parker but failed. His power was nullified. "Even I can notprehend that child. This will be interesting."


    ...


    Elsewhere, in the depths of space…


    Silver Surfer approached the heart of Thanos''s fleet, his presence masked by Gctus''s cosmic energy. A staggering array of battleships stretched before him, their dark hulls bristling with weapons.


    The Surfer raised his hand, his body glowing with radiant light. With a thought, he unleashed a devastating wave of cosmic energy, obliterating an entire vanguard of ships. Explosions rippled through the fleet as rms red. Thanos''s forces scrambled to respond, but the Surfer was relentless, darting between ships with precision strikes.


    Inside the gship, Thanos sat on his throne, his dark eyes narrowing as the reports came in. "The Silver Surfer," he mused aloud, rising to his feet. "So, the world-eater meddles in my affairs. Why?"


    "Bnce must be maintained. Do not resist if you wish to live," The Silver Surfer''s voice boomed inside Thanos''s mind.


    Thanos scowled, his fists clenching in anger. "This is my destiny, Surfer. I cannot be denied."


    "Resist if you must," the Surfer replied, his voice tinged with resignation. "The oue won''t change."


    Thanos closed his eyes, sensing the power of Gctus swirling around the Silver Surfer. Even the Mad Titan knows the end result of such a battle. He just sat there, as half of his army was destroyed by the silver herald.


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