The cosmic megacity of Xandar, once bustling with trade and diplomacy under the Nova Corps, had come to a silent halt. The orbiting defense systems were disabled, and the Angels of the Sacred Heavenly Palace patrolled the skyline, their celestial presence casting an overwhelming sense of order.
Any lingering resistance was extinguished with merciless efficiency. The riots, which once spread like wildfire across Xandar Prime, were now reduced to hushed whispers of fear.
News soon broke across the planet—an official broadcast by the remaining political factions declared that the Prime Minister of the Nova Empire, once the highest-ranking leader after Nova Prime Irani Rael, had perished in an inexplicable air crash during his desperate escape attempt. The confirmation of his death was met with eerie silence.
Convenient? Yes. But who would dare to question fate? Perhaps it was sheer misfortune—or the unseen hand of a force greater than politics.
With leadership in disarray and the Angels' omnipresent gaze unyielding, a key party leader stepped forward, announcing the full surrender of Xandar to the Sacred Heavenly Palace. His justification? To ensure the safety of the trillions of Xandarians across the Andromeda Galaxy.
After all, despite its overwhelming power, the Heavenly Palace was known to govern fairly—so long as one obeyed.
Before the awe-struck citizens of Xandar, Ragna personally accepted the surrender. The handover was not just political—it was scientific. Xandar's cutting-edge technology, energy matrices, and classified Nova Corps schematics were transferred to the Heavenly Palace's archives.
The Nova Corps itself was abolished, its once-proud Centurions and Denarians disbanded, their ranks dissolved into history. The surrendered party leader was installed as Xandar's new consul, little more than a puppet under celestial rule. But on the surface, business continued as usual—Xandar remained a powerful economic hub of the cosmos.
Yet the true ruler was no longer the Nova Empire. It was Ragna.
Meanwhile, in the Cosmic Mercenary Union, a vast establishment where bounty hunters, space pirates, and rogue traders gathered, Star-Lord (Peter Quill) nursed a drink, watching Xandar's transformation unfold.
"Well, to celebrate the Holy Heavenly Palace's third Grand Celebration—I invite everyone here to have a drink!" he announced with a grin, raising his glass.
He had remained holed up in the Union, preferring to stay under the radar. The rise of the Sacred Heavenly Palace had nothing to do with him. But if Xandar was safer now, that meant he was safer, too.
The mercenary crowd, already drowning in alcohol, cheered.
Yondu Udonta, the blue-skinned, sharp-toothed Ravager captain, accepted a glass, tilting his head at Quill. "Stinky boy, when's that so-called 'number one mercenary team' of yours arriving?"
Quill smirked, motioning for another round. "You mean the 'legendary' Guardians of the Galaxy? Please. We have a better reputation than you, Yondu."
Yondu scoffed, raising an eyebrow. "You really think they can protect you?"
"I've got the Holy Heavenly Palace behind me. Why should I worry?" Quill shrugged, taking a sip. "If anything, you should be worried. It's not easy being a Ravager these days. If you run into one of those Angel Inspectors, well… you might not make it out alive."
Yondu chuckled, but there was a knowing gleam in his crimson eyes. "Kid, I just wanna see if your so-called Guardians can actually keep you safe. Seems like there's a whole lotta people watchin' you right now."
His gaze swept across the room.
Many of the bounty hunters, assassins, and space mercenaries had their eyes locked on Quill. He was carrying a hefty price on his head, after all. Some were biding their time, waiting for a reckless fool to make the first move so they could swoop in amid the chaos.
Quill, ever the strategist, knew this too. Until his reinforcements arrived, he had no intention of leaving the Mercenary Union's protective walls.
With a roguish grin, Star-Lord turned, spotting Gamora, the deadliest woman in the galaxy.
"Beautiful lady, can I buy you a drink?"
Gamora's emerald-green face showed mild amusement. "Do you say that to everyone?"
"Definitely not! Only to you—because you make this hall full of low-life scum look like a paradise." Quill flashed his signature smile.
Gamora leaned in, whispering, "Should we find a quieter place to talk?"
Quill hesitated. Uh-oh. Gamora never flirted back unless she was planning something.
"Actually… I think here is just fine." He laughed nervously.
Gamora's expression turned ice-cold. In one smooth motion, she drove her boot into Quill's foot, making him yelp in pain.
"You're trying too hard, Quill."
"I could have tried harder."
"That's the problem."
Laughter erupted from the mercenary hall as Quill sulked.
Then, the laughter ceased.
An Angel entered the hall, her radiant presence sucking the air from the room. The bounty hunters stiffened.
These were criminals, after all. And Angels? They weren't known for mercy.
The Angel strode directly to Star-Lord, her piercing gaze unwavering. "Follow me."
She turned to Yondu and Gamora. "You two as well."
For the first time, Quill didn't flirt. Instead, he gave a sheepish smile. "Uh… where to?"
His mind raced. He had never dealt with Angels before—never wanted to.
Could this be a mass purge of space pirates? Did the Sacred Heavenly Palace decide to eradicate all remaining Ravagers?
Or… had the Angel fallen for his undeniable charm?
But if that were the case, why did she need Yondu and Gamora?
Countless paranoid theories flooded his head, but one fact remained—this was a summons from the ruler of the Heavenly Palace himself.
Yondu and Gamora weren't as quick to comply. Yondu's Yaka Arrow hovered ominously in the air, its lethal hum filling the silence. Gamora's fingers wrapped around the hilt of her dagger, eyes narrowed.
The Angel's expression didn't change. "Master Ragna wants to see you. You may refuse—if you wish."
That made everyone pause.
Quill's gut twisted.
The Master of the Heavenly Palace?
Yondu exhaled slowly, realization dawning. Why would a cosmic ruler want to meet a small-time outlaw like Star-Lord?
Gamora's expression darkened. She knew the answer.
There was only one reason Ragna would seek her out—Thanos.
Neither she nor Yondu had any illusions about resisting. With quiet resignation, they followed the Angel.
The moment the trio stepped out, the tension inside the hall finally erupted.
"That was an Angel?"
"Damn, she's gorgeous! I'd love to—"
"Shut up. You wanna get executed?"
"You saw how none of us even breathed in front of her, right?"
"But why the hell would the Master of the Heavenly Palace want to see that idiot Quill?"
Laughter returned, but it was uneasy.
No one knew what was about to happen.
But everyone knew one thing—Star-Lord's life was about to change forever.
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