"You're the Saiyan?" On the ground, Nax looked at Robert and frowned. He realized he couldn't gauge Robert's strength at all. From the speed Robert had shown earlier, it was clear he wasn't simple, but Nax had no recollection of him.
Earlier, when the Avengers mentioned the name "Saiyan," Nax took note but didn't pay much attention. In the Avengers, the truly powerful individuals were few, and even if they all showed up, Nax didn't consider them a threat.
Even in a Marvel Universe, even though Nax had noticed the existence of the so-called "God on Earth," he still didn't see it as significant. In most universes, superheroes had clear limits to their powers. Reaching the pinnacle of a single universe was impossible, let alone hitting the limits of a planet.
So, Nax had previously dismissed Robert entirely. It wasn't unusual for a universe to produce one or two more superheroes; the threshold wasn't particularly high.
However, Nax hadn't anticipated that Robert would not only save the Avengers from his grasp but also neutralize the toxins he used on them. This raised Nax's guard.
Nax realized that those unknown and unnamed were often the most dangerous!
Recognizable superheroes had their known capabilities, but suddenly appearing, unknown powerful figures could be unique anomalies or chosen champions from their respective universes.
"Yes, I am the Saiyan." After attending to the Avengers, Robert turned his gaze to Nax, eyes gleaming. He could sense that Nax's power far exceeded that of the Hell Lords, marking him as a true Hell Lord-level entity!
However, Robert couldn't yet discern Nax's exact level among the Hell Lords. Nax's aura was deep and unfathomable, as if it connected to a boundless, infinite cosmic space.
Robert knew that the Nax before him wasn't his true form, but rather an avatar or a human-like manifestation, similar to how Mephisto operated. Behind Nax was a genuine dimension-dwelling powerhouse!
With this realization, Robert's excitement grew. Previously bored, he had sought out Constantine because he was tired of waiting for Serdal and his Hell Lord backers to show up.
Constantine, ever unreliable, had refused to use tracking magic, claiming that following Hellboy would eventually lead them to Serdal.
However, under Robert's threat, Constantine had reluctantly agreed to use his debt-laden tracking magic to locate Serdal. But unexpectedly, Hellboy seemed to have detected something.
At that moment, Constantine pleaded with Robert for a chance, desperate not to incur more debt after barely paying off a portion.
Seeing Constantine's feigned pitiful look, Robert wasn't swayed but decided to follow Hellboy's lead instead of pressing Constantine further. Just as they were about to join Hellboy in tracking Serdal, Robert received a message from Tony Stark…
Though Robert hadn't found a satisfactory opponent with Serdal, luck was on his side as he discovered a worthy challenger in Nax, another Hell Lord-level entity, providing a perfect opportunity for a good fight!
"No wonder the Avengers regard you as their savior and trump card. You've managed to create a space within my domain to protect them. But, how long can you keep them safe?" Nax praised Robert, his eyes gleaming with greed.
To Nax, Robert was a bit troublesome, but if he could incorporate Robert into his domain, it would be advantageous. A powerhouse of this caliber, if converted, could assist in dealing with other dimensional entities or even in conquering smaller dimensions!
With a single thought, Nax's domain in the air began to change. The toxin, which had only been able to knock out Tony Stark and others, was far from the limits of what a dimensional being could use. Especially since this dimensional being could already be considered a dimensional lord.
With a "buzz," the once transparent air above transformed into a rainbow of colors, making the Avengers feel as if they were in a land of rainbows, surrounded by beautiful light.
However, this beautiful light was inherently dangerous, especially as the rainbow-colored light began to surge towards the Avengers, attacking the energy barrier Robert had set up, trying to shatter it and expose Robert and the Avengers to the toxins.
"Your toxins are unique, but fundamentally, they're just a form of energy..." Robert raised an eyebrow at the colorful toxins. He was wary of more mysterious types of poisons, but Nax's toxins didn't overly concern him. They were simply another form of energy in this clash.
With a "buzz," Robert's energy barrier strengthened, repelling the surrounding toxins. Unlike Susan Storm's force fields or Lorna's disintegration abilities, Robert's toxin expulsion capabilities were far superior. This was because Robert's own strength was more robust, maintaining his defenses without wavering and denying the toxins any chance to penetrate.
"Impressive!" Nax was not angry at Robert's actions but rather intrigued. As he observed, the rainbow toxins began to shift, turning into a pitch-black shade. Despite the change, this dark hue still exuded a sense of danger, epitomizing the concept of colorful darkness.
With this transformation, Nax's domain solidified, and everything around became unfamiliar, as if they were no longer on Earth but in another world.
"Welcome to my world!" As the surroundings changed, Nax's lips curled into a smile. He floated into the air, gazing at Robert and the Avengers with amusement.
"Hmm? This is your world?" Robert could feel the faint dimensional aura around. He had sensed this aura while traversing dimensions, but he was certain that they weren't in Nax's actual dimension since the environment wasn't overwhelmingly strong.
Moreover, Robert could keenly sense that this environment was being maintained through some method. Nax was definitely not as relaxed as he appeared!
"Are those the controlled individuals?" Robert extended his senses, intertwining them to uncover part of the truth.
He discovered that the controlled Spider-Men were no longer below the Avengers. They had entered another layer of this space, continuously supplying their blood and life force to stabilize it...
"You're truly inhuman!" Seeing the people used as blood bags, Robert's eyes flashed with anger. He vanished and reappeared in front of Nax, launching a powerful energy wave at his head!
"Heh." Faced with Robert's attack and the terrifying energy released, Nax remained unflustered, smiling calmly. At that moment, Peter Parker suddenly vanished from the Avengers' side and appeared between Robert and Nax!
"Hmm?!" Robert's pupils contracted slightly. In the nick of time, he redirected his energy wave into the surrounding darkness.
"Boom!" The energy wave exploded, causing the entire space to tremble. The Spider-Men hidden in another layer bled heavily to keep the space stable.
"Bang!" As the energy wave exploded, a fist aimed at Robert's chest, targeting his heart...
With a "crack," a bone-breaking sound echoed. The one who suffered the fracture wasn't Robert but the controlled Peter Parker.
Peter's expression showed pain and helplessness. Helpless because he was controlled again and couldn't even sense his newfound strength, and painful because his attack on Robert didn't harm him at all but instead broke his own arm. Although Peter's body was controlled, his senses remained intact, so he bore the full brunt of the pain...
"Controlled again? How did he get here? I didn't sense any spatial fluctuations..." Robert stepped back, frowning at Peter Parker and Nax. He could tolerate Peter being controlled again within acceptable limits.
But if Nax could move anyone in this place at will, Robert would find it incredibly challenging to fight him...
"Swish!" As Robert stared at Nax and Peter, a figure appeared behind him, gathering dark energy in his hand and striking at Robert's back!
"Zzz!" An energy barrier appeared around Robert, blocking the attack. The attacker was Harry Osborn, who had also been slightly altered.
When Peter Parker was controlled again and attacked Robert, the Avengers moved away from Harry's position. Harry, meanwhile, woke up and launched his attack on Robert from behind...
"Your power isn't weak, so why resort to such lowly tricks?" Robert frowned, addressing Nax with impatience.
He still hadn't sensed any spatial fluctuations. However, Harry's attack suggested that Nax could only control those he had influenced, meaning Tony Stark and the others were likely safe...
"What does it matter? These tactics might be distasteful, but as long as they work, who cares?" Nax scoffed. As a being evolving towards a dimensional demon god, he lacked human emotions and saw no issue with his actions. Most dimensional demon gods were indeed deceitful and ruthless, using whatever means they had.
With a "buzz," Nax's grin widened as he revealed his true intentions. He dispersed some of the surrounding darkness, exposing the Spider-Men army in another layer of this space.
Seeing the Spider-Men continuously draining their blood to support the space, the Avengers' eyes widened in shock. A wave of anger and disgust surged through them.
"Swish!" Pietro's figure disappeared as he tried to rush to the Spider-Men's side to sever their connection to the space. Unfortunately, as Pietro moved through the air, he felt as though he was wading through a swamp, the more he advanced, the more he struggled, until he completely lost the ability to move!
"Pietro?!" The Avengers cried out, with Lorna and others rushing towards Pietro, attempting to save him from his predicament...
"Buzz!" At that moment, Nax bared his fangs, diverting the Avengers' attention while trapping them with his absolute domain advantage, aiming to capture them all in one go!
After all, Robert was an unexpected variable. Though stronger than anticipated and now piquing Nax's interest, his original plan had always been to convert the Avengers into his minions, transforming them into Spider-Men and incorporating them into his dimension.
"Swish!" As Pietro's movement became sluggish, the remaining Avengers tried to reach him, but the space itself seemed to resist their efforts, making their attempts futile. Nax's domain was exerting its full power, altering the very nature of the space they were in, making it more challenging for them to move or act freely.
Robert observed the chaos unfolding and could sense Nax's growing confidence. The dimensional lord seemed to revel in his control over the situation. Robert knew he had to change tactics quickly.
"Enough of this!" Robert's voice boomed, cutting through the tension. He raised his hand, and an immense surge of energy emanated from him. His aura expanded rapidly, forcing back the encroaching darkness and creating a momentary safe zone around him and the Avengers.
"You think your petty tricks can keep me at bay?" Robert's eyes blazed with determination. He knew that to confront Nax effectively, he needed to disrupt the dimensional manipulation that was giving Nax his edge.
"Everyone, stay close to me!" Robert commanded. The Avengers, sensing the urgency and power in his voice, regrouped around him. As they gathered, Robert concentrated his energy, forming a protective dome that resisted the distortions of Nax's domain.
"Impressive, but not enough," Nax sneered. With a mere thought, the blackness surrounding them began to shift and morph, creating twisted and grotesque forms that lunged at the energy dome.
However, Robert was prepared. With a swift motion, he unleashed a series of powerful blasts that disintegrated the attacking shadows before they could breach the dome. His control over his energy was precise, ensuring that none of the blasts harmed the Avengers within the protective barrier.
"You underestimate the power of a Saiyan," Robert said, his voice steady and calm despite the intensity of the situation.
"Is that so? Let's see how long you can maintain this facade of strength," Nax retorted. His eyes glowed with a sinister light as he channeled more power into the space. The very air seemed to crackle with dark energy as Nax intensified his assault.
But Robert was unfazed. He knew that maintaining a defensive stance would only be a temporary measure. To turn the tide, he had to take the offensive.
With a surge of energy, Robert expanded the protective dome outward, pushing back against the encroaching darkness and giving the Avengers more breathing room. Then, focusing his power, he launched himself at Nax with blinding speed.
Nax barely had time to react as Robert closed the distance between them in an instant. With a mighty roar, Robert unleashed a devastating punch aimed directly at Nax's core. The force of the blow sent shockwaves through the space, momentarily disrupting Nax's control over his domain.
"Enough of your games!" Robert shouted, his voice echoing with the fury of his attack. Nax was sent reeling, his form flickering as he struggled to maintain his composure.
"You... insolent..." Nax growled, his eyes burning with rage. But Robert didn't give him a chance to recover. Seizing the moment, Robert pressed his advantage, delivering a relentless barrage of attacks that left Nax scrambling to defend himself.
Each strike from Robert was precise and powerful, aimed at weakening Nax's hold over the space. He could feel the balance shifting in his favor as Nax's domain began to waver under the assault.
"You cannot defeat me in my own domain!" Nax roared, trying to reassert his control. But Robert was relentless, his determination and power pushing Nax to the brink.
"Maybe not in your domain," Robert replied, his voice cold and unyielding. "But I can certainly break it."
With a final, concentrated burst of energy, Robert unleashed a powerful blast that shattered the dark space around them. The oppressive atmosphere dissipated as the energy wave disrupted Nax's dimensional control, returning the surroundings to a semblance of normalcy.
Nax staggered back, his form flickering and unstable. The once confident dimensional lord now looked uncertain and vulnerable.
"This isn't over," Nax hissed, his voice filled with venom. But Robert stood firm, his gaze steady and resolute.
"It is for now," Robert responded, his tone calm but commanding. He turned his attention to the Avengers, who had regrouped and were ready to follow his lead.
"We need to find a way to neutralize his power source," Robert said, assessing the situation quickly. "If we can cut off his connection to the dimension he's drawing strength from, we can weaken him significantly."
The Avengers nodded, their resolve solidifying. With Robert leading the charge, they prepared to take the fight directly to Nax, determined to end his reign of terror and restore balance to the dimension.
As they advanced, Robert could sense Nax's desperation growing. The once omnipotent being was now on the defensive, his grip on the situation slipping away. Robert knew they had to act swiftly and decisively to exploit this advantage.
With a clear objective in mind, Robert and the Avengers moved forward, ready to confront Nax and dismantle his twisted domain. The battle was far from over, but with Robert's strength and the Avengers' determination, they were prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
_________________________
[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! $5 for all!!] [www.p@treon.com/INNIT]