The King of Horrors

Having made up their minds, Inhuman queen Medusa and Skrull leader Talos did not hesitate.

They gathered at a long-sealed black stone altar, where they offered a forcibly controlled Abomination as a sacrifice. This act opened the long-sealed place of exile. It had taken the Inhumans untold hardships and countless sacrifices to successfully banish the former king of the Inhumans who was sealed within.

Hive was back.

The space passage temporarily opened, but on the other side, there was nothing but dead silence, with no figures in sight. Despite this, Medusa and Talos treated the situation with utmost caution, keeping a safe distance from the altar.

All known information about the Hive indicated they were not to be taken lightly.

Some extremely fine dust floated through the space channel, landing on the controlled Abomination. The creature, already restrained, began to struggle fiercely, letting out a terrifying cry. However, the pain and struggle were brief. Soon, the expression on Abomination's face turned to one of serene calm.

Abomination's body then began to wriggle. The once ugly, muscle-bound creature transformed into a handsome young man with short hair.

"Cough, cough, cough," the transformed Inhuman coughed a few times before speaking in a hoarse tone, "I am back!"

With those four words, Hive's voice shifted from hoarse to full of magnetism. He glanced around, noticing Medusa's royal attire and the emblem dedicated to the Inhuman royal family. Then, he turned his gaze to the muscular, hunched Skrull leader, Talos.

"I must say, I am very satisfied with this body called Abomination! Do you have a more powerful host? By the way, the experiments you performed on this body made it very painful!"

Before Hive finished speaking, he suddenly disappeared and reappeared right in front of Talos, almost nose-to-nose. "Well, I'm very interested in your experiment, please continue!" he said softly.

Talos remained silent. The Skrulls had been reluctant to release Hive because of his extremely powerful parasitic abilities. Their biochemical experiments aimed to create the strongest weapon, but the Hive's ability to easily parasitize and turn their creation into his subordinate was a significant threat. It was the ultimate irony for the Skrulls.

Hive's interest in their experiments only added to the tension. The most powerful weapon they had built had been effortlessly taken over by Hive, making him an even more formidable force.

"I will fully support you, but first, you may have to pay a small price." Honeycomb raised his right hand, indicating a tiny gap between his fingers.

Swiftly evading, the Hive approached Tarkes, Talos' son and a leader among the Skrulls. With a swift grasp, the Hive seized Tarkes by the throat, lifting him effortlessly into the air. Countless fine particles entered Tarkes' body, leaving him suspended and gasping in excruciating pain.

Desperately struggling against the Hive's overwhelming power, Tarkes looked to his father Talos for salvation, but found only closed eyes. Talos, leader of the Skrulls, bore the weight of his entire race and responsibilities beyond paternal love.

With a final click, Tarkes' limbs fell limp, despair overtaking his gaze. "Much better!" the Hive remarked casually, releasing his grip. Tarkes' body collapsed to the ground, disintegrating into fine powder that returned to the Hive.

Fear and caution gripped both Inhumans and Skrulls witnessing this display.

"So, my dear, what compels you to release me, someone you fear deeply?" the Hive asked Medusa, a hint of pain flickering in his eyes.

"The Inhumans face their greatest threat! We need your assistance in this battle against a formidable enemy," Medusa responded, her resolve unwavering.

No secrets remained between them.

Understanding flashed across the Hive's face as he posed another question, "Are you not afraid of my abilities?"

The Hive possessed a terrifying ability to infect and control Inhumans, spreading his influence unconsciously to all who came into contact with him. Deliberate infection could exert a potent sway over a broad spectrum of aliens, compelling them to serve the Hive unconditionally.

Countless Inhumans had fallen under his sway, willingly sacrificing limbs, eyes, and loved ones without hesitation, all for the Hive's cause.

Such an infection bred terror, its loyalty absolute and desperate.

Yet, those uninfected among the aliens united, seizing the moment while the Hive remained unguarded.

After many loyal Inhumans were transferred away, they took the opportunity to seal and exile the Hive.

"If we let you out, the destruction of the Inhumans won't be today, at least," Medusa said bluntly. "If we don't let you out, today may be the end of the Inhumans!"

There was no concealment or deception in her words. She knew that, besides his terrifying parasitic infection ability, the Hive's spiritual power was incredibly strong. Almost no one could deceive him.

During the original seal and exile event, some conversations among the royal family raised doubts. For instance, before being banished, the Hive had said to his exilers, "I'm ready. Are you ready?" Then, the Hive seemed to be successfully banished without any precaution. This left lingering questions, but Medusa didn't have time to delve into the past.

Black Bolt couldn't last long.

The Hive spread out its perception, and an incredibly powerful mental force instantly scanned the entire moon. Black Bolt and Caesar, who were fighting on the far side, couldn't escape the Hive's perception.

"Powerful mental power?" Caesar noticed the mental scan and became wary. "Who is it? Are the Inhumans or Skrulls hiding unknown cards?"

The sudden appearance of a powerhouse at this juncture wouldn't be his ally.

Black Bolt also sensed the powerful spiritual force. Within it, he noticed the unique fluctuations of the Inhumans. Initially, he felt overjoyed, but then his face was filled with sorrow. Such powerful spiritual force didn't belong to any alien he knew. In the entire history of the Inhumans, only one person possessed such power: the most terrifying king of the Inhumans, the Hive.

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