Ch.34 Ebony Maw

With Steve Rogers' shout, everyone seemed to snap back into action, launching their attacks on Thanos once again.

It was like watching a raid in an online game, with the team taking on a boss way above their level. The Avengers were now in their second attempt at taking down the boss after nearly being wiped out in the first attempt.

Across the ocean, in the East, there's a saying: "Stand together against the evil force; don't let it escape."

Now, the Avengers represented justice, while Thanos was the embodiment of evil. A one-on-one duel was out of the question.

Meanwhile, Ronan narrowed his eyes. He wasn't focused on Thanos but on Ebony Maw nearby.

Thanos, equipped with the Infinity Gauntlet, wasn't someone who could be taken down quickly. Even if Ronan wanted to grab the kill, it would have to wait until the final moment.

So, before that, he didn't mind facing off against Ebony Maw.

With that thought, Ronan vanished, appearing directly in front of Ebony Maw.

"Can't figure it out, can you?" Ronan asked, a smirk playing on his lips as he watched Ebony Maw, still deep in thought.

"No matter what happens, Lord Thanos will kill all of you, one by one," Ebony Maw replied confidently. "When that happens, we'll find a way."

Clearly, Ebony Maw had great faith in Thanos.

And honestly, he wasn't wrong. With the Infinity Stones in hand, Thanos still had a good chance of winning.

However, the last time, Thanos had nearly lost the Gauntlet. If it hadn't been for Star-Lord's world-destroying punch, things would've turned out very differently.

"Well, I'm afraid you won't live to see that day," Ronan said with a shrug, as his energy whips materialized in his hands.

Seeing this, Ebony Maw tilted his head slightly.

"Your strength is likely weaker than that sorcerer with the cloak," Ebony Maw said dismissively. "But if you want to die, I'll grant you that wish."

With that, Ebony Maw raised his hands, causing stones around him to float into the air. With a simple motion of his right index finger, the floating stones transformed into sharp, conical spikes.

Ronan raised an eyebrow, watching the display.

"Has anyone ever told you that kids would love this move? Sharpening pencils is hard for them," Ronan quipped.

Ebony Maw didn't appreciate the joke. With a flick of his hand, the spikes shot toward Ronan.

Ronan shook his head. "Ungrateful fool."

A portal from the Mystic Arts appeared before Ronan, swallowing the incoming spikes. In the next moment, another portal opened behind Ebony Maw, redirecting the spikes toward his back.

"Don't any of you sorcerers have more original moves?" Ebony Maw didn't even turn around. A large stone rose behind him, blocking the spikes.

Ronan shrugged, realizing that Ebony Maw's encounter with Doctor Strange had made him underestimate all sorcerers from Kamar-Taj.

"Curse Strange for this," Ronan muttered.

Still, Ronan wasted no time. His energy whips shot out from around him, snaking their way toward Ebony Maw.

Not to be outdone, Ebony Maw made the stones around him rise once again, transforming them into a variety of weapons that clashed with Ronan's energy whips.

In the next instant, Ronan leaped forward, closing the distance between himself and Ebony Maw in a single bound.

"Take this!" Ronan swung a punch at Ebony Maw.

Ebony Maw caught the punch with his hand, barely reacting as he tilted his head to show how weak Ronan's attack was.

However, a grin spread across Ronan's face.

The energy whips that had vanished moments before suddenly reappeared in Ronan's hands, wrapping around Ebony Maw's right arm.

Ebony Maw froze for a split second, but Ronan didn't give him time to recover.

He yanked his right hand free, planted his left foot on the ground, and spun through the air. His whip-enhanced kick sent Ebony Maw flying.

Ebony Maw had tried to block the kick, but his right arm, restrained by the energy whip, was pulled behind his back.

Even his left arm got caught in the whip's grip.

It was the energy whip!

By the time Ebony Maw realized what was happening, he had already been thrown a dozen meters away.

Following the motto, "Strike when they're down," Ronan brought his hands together, twisting his palms ninety degrees in opposite directions.

Two golden disks appeared in his hands.

"Take this... the Prince's Assault!" Ronan shouted, launching into the air and hurling the golden disks forward.

Each disk transformed into a barrage of smaller Lagakador rings that shot toward Ebony Maw.

Boom!

A series of explosions echoed across the battlefield, drawing the attention of many.

Compared to the chaotic battle against Thanos, Ronan's flashy fight with Ebony Maw was far more captivating.

Especially his Prince's Assault move.

Inspired by Vegeta, but with some key differences. Vegeta's move often resulted in lots of smoke but no damage.

Ronan's, on the other hand…

Swoosh!

Ronan dodged a large spike that flew at him from behind, thanks to his heightened senses.

The attack interrupted his Prince's Assault.

As the smoke cleared, Ebony Maw's figure emerged once more.

This time, however, he looked much worse for wear.

Leaning against a stone wall, his clothes were torn in multiple places, and deep wounds bled profusely.

"Phew, good," Ronan sighed in relief, seeing the state of Ebony Maw.

Learning the move was great, but Ronan was glad he didn't adopt Vegeta's "smoke but no damage" tendency.

He wasn't a Saiyan—getting beaten up wouldn't make him stronger.

"I guess I underestimated you," Ebony Maw grunted, wiping blood from his lips and trying to move his dislocated right arm.

Crack! Crack!

With grim determination, Ebony Maw forced his arm back into place with his left hand, the sound of his bones realigning sending shivers down Ronan's spine.

"Men should be tough, but that's taking it a bit far," Ronan thought.

After resetting his arm, Ebony Maw's gaze turned to Ronan, a hint of malice mixed with caution in his eyes.

Ronan's abilities were proving to be more dangerous than expected.

"Exactly!" Ronan smirked. "Strange only knows how to point his finger and manipulate water. He's pretty useless otherwise."

Ronan fully agreed with Ebony Maw's assessment, though, of course, these were Ebony Maw's words, not his own.

"But in the end, your fate remains the same. You're going to die," Ebony Maw declared.

"Now, let me show you my ultimate move!" Ebony Maw closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

When he opened them again, his pupils were gone, replaced by glowing blue light.

A tremendous force of mental energy radiated from him.

"Prepare yourself..."

"To witness hell!"