The time rewinds to a few minutes ago. Faced with Cull Obsidian's threat, Aurelius Viremont suddenly flashes a smile, deactivates his repulsive force, and releases the Chitauri commander from the air.
Cull Obsidian takes this for granted. In his eyes, any force would compromise when faced with the Black Order—especially the "cowardly" humans of Earth!
However, he then watches as the human steps up to the Chitauri commander and places a finger against the alien's skin. With a blinding flash, a massive surge of energy is forcibly injected into the commander's body, reducing him to ash instantly!
Having finished the deed, Aurelius Viremont raises a middle finger toward Cull Obsidian, offering his "kindest" regards!
Standing nearby, Tony Stark points toward the distant Black Order vessel and asks Aurelius Viremont: "Is it really a good idea to provoke them like that? They look angry. Shouldn't we be leaving?"
Through the bridge windows, the distant warship is clearly visible. Following Aurelius Viremont's gesture, the communication link is severed. The warship's main battery begins to glow as it charges—clearly preparing a devastating strike against the Chitauri mothership.
(Note: The Warship — Sanctuary II)
Tony checks the scans from his Mark 7 armor and says urgently: "The energy output of this attack is no less than a nuclear explosion, and it's a sustained beam. We can't intercept it. I suggest we retreat immediately and ask the Sorcerer Supreme to handle Thanos's army."
But he suddenly realizes that Aurelius Viremont has already opened a portal, stepped through, and reappeared directly in the path of the incoming laser.
Tony screams: "What are you doing?! Get back here! Even if you can tank a nuke, you can't tank a warship's main cannon! The energy level is higher and the power is much more concentrated! Open a portal, let's go back to Earth, the Sorcerer Supreme will solve—"
Before he can finish, a horrific energy beam erupts from the warship's main battery. It crosses the vast distance in an instant, hurtling toward the Chitauri mothership.
Compared to the massive pillar of energy, Aurelius Viremont—standing in its path—looks like a tiny insect trying to stop a charging bull. He looks set to be erased in a heartbeat!
Tony frantically tries to open a portal to pull Aurelius Viremont back, but despite the magical enhancements, the Mark armor's strength cannot budge Aurelius Viremont an inch. In the split second of delay, the beam arrives, ready to swallow them both. Tony Stark screams: "NO!"
He tries to cast a portal, but it's too late!
The beam strikes them. Tony can only pray that the Mark armor and Aurelius Viremont's physical durability can hold out for a few seconds to give them a sliver of hope.
But the moment the energy beam makes contact with Aurelius Viremont, it stops dead!
Tony stares in shock, gasping: "What... what happened?!"
Aurelius Viremont has one hand extended, blocking the beam. The energy—capable of cracking a moon—cannot advance a single millimeter!
Aurelius Viremont looks back at him with a grin. "You're a Sorcerer Supreme now, Tony. Stay calm. You and Cap wait here. I'll be right back!"
With those words, Aurelius Viremont pushes forward against the roaring energy beam, flying upstream at extreme speed toward the distant warship!
As he advances, the system notifications flood his ears:
Energy Points +1Energy Points +1Energy Points +1...
Energy Absorption is working overtime, converting the warship's beam into points. To Aurelius Viremont, this level of energy is far inferior to an Eternal's core; he absorbs it with zero pressure!
He flies straight to the main battery. A black-red singularity forms in his palm and is hurled forward. The ship's main cannon is instantly pulverized by the horrific repulsive force!
In the next instant, Aurelius Viremont vanishes and reappears outside the warship's bridge. He lunges through the reinforced glass, which shatters like paper against his momentum.
Aurelius Viremont lands directly in front of Cull Obsidian. He reaches out, grabs the giant's head, and slams it into the deck!
CRASH!
Cull Obsidian's massive frame is embedded into the specialized metal floor. He struggles with all his might, but against this "small" human, he feels as if a mountain is pressing down on his brow—a strength he cannot hope to resist!
The power of the Black Order, which once made entire civilizations tremble, is utterly helpless before Aurelius Viremont.
Corvus Glaive and Proxima Midnight finally react. This human just swam through a main cannon beam, destroyed the battery, and suppressed Cull Obsidian in seconds! How is this possible?! Did Earth just produce another Universal-level powerhouse besides the Sorcerer Supreme and Captain Marvel?!
Despite their shock, they don't stop. They lunge at Aurelius Viremont with their weapons.
Aurelius Viremont ignores them. Black-red lightning begins to dance in his hand. When Corvus and Proxima's attacks reach within five meters of him, they hit an invisible wall. Meanwhile, under the power of a Black Flash, Cull Obsidian's skull—which could survive ship-to-ship fire—is crushed like an eggshell by Aurelius Viremont's bare hand!
Aurelius Viremont stands up, using the Limitless to flick the blood from his hand. He looks at the two remaining members who are now on high alert and smiles gently:
"So, you're the ones who wanted me to surrender?"
Corvus and Proxima exchange a glance and split up, attacking Aurelius Viremont from two different angles. Corvus strikes first, swinging his glaive—capable of slicing atoms—at Aurelius Viremont.
Even if the blade can cut atoms, it cannot cross the distance of the Limitless. It stops in mid-air. Aurelius Viremont backhands him with a burst of repulsive force, sending Corvus crashing through multiple bulkheads and out of the bridge.
Aurelius Viremont turns his attention to Proxima Midnight. Her spear—famed for moving at the speed of light—is likewise halted by his defense. Seeing this impossible scene, a look of true terror finally enters Proxima's eyes.
Even in the presence of Lord Thanos, she has never felt such a suffocating sense of pressure.
"Who... what are you?!" she demands.
Aurelius Viremont doesn't bother answering. He vanishes and reappears inches from her face. A black-red singularity, crackling with power, strikes her head at point-blank range!
BOOM!
Her head is vaporized instantly, spraying blood everywhere. A massive crater is carved into the floor where she once stood.
At that moment, Corvus Glaive rushes back into the bridge, only to see his wife's brutal death.
"NO!!!"
He bellows in grief and charges at Aurelius Viremont like a moth to a flame!
....
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