Aftermath

Star-Lord had been marked as Ego's personal energy battery!

Since Ego had already saved Star-Lord and Gamora's ship, it meant that they were likely still alive.

As long as they were alive, that was all that mattered!

If Gamora, the living map, were to die, Zane would have no idea where to find the Soul Stone.

"Skynet, change our destination. Head for Ego's planet."

"We should have its location in our star map, right?" Zane asked Skynet.

The data stream in Skynet's eyes flickered briefly.

"Yes, boss."

"Good, then let's head to Ego!" Zane said calmly.

The next moment, Skynet began piloting the mechanical planet toward the nearest space jump point at maximum speed.

According to Skynet's calculations, it would take nearly two days to reach Ego.

Meanwhile, as Zane and his crew were departing, Star-Lord and Gamora were sitting dumbfounded on Ego's ship, listening to Mantis explain who Ego was.

Star-Lord still hadn't processed everything.

Imagine if one day, an incredibly powerful being suddenly stood in front of you and said, "I'm your father!"

Anyone would be thrown for a loop!

After the initial shock, Star-Lord felt a mix of excitement and nervousness.

He had been taken off Earth by Yondu as a child and had always longed for a father figure. He'd even fantasized that some of Earth's coolest celebrities were his dad.

Now, with a real one suddenly showing up, he was completely lost.

Unlike Star-Lord, who was acting like a fool, constantly asking Mantis questions about Ego, Gamora sat in silence, observing Mantis's every move.

Her cold and distant demeanor made Mantis hesitant to engage with her, so she continued chatting with Star-Lord.

Gamora's first reaction to Ego's appearance was suspicion.

For some reason, despite Ego's friendly and welcoming smile, she felt deeply uncomfortable.

Even though Ego always smiled at them, Gamora's instincts told her that behind that smile was a chilling indifference.

It was an indifference far greater than even her adoptive father Thanos, the Mad Titan.

At least in Thanos's eyes, Gamora could still detect a trace of warmth. But in Ego's eyes, all she saw was an endless, frigid coldness.

As for why Star-Lord and Gamora were still alive—

Five years ago, after Zane tossed them into that metal pod, they drifted in space for three whole days before being rescued by Yondu, who had responded to a broadcast.

Since then, Star-Lord and Gamora, now a couple, had spent the past five years traveling the galaxy, fighting for justice.

In other words, they had been stirring up trouble everywhere.

Eventually, they even made a name for themselves throughout the galaxy.

Just moments ago, they had been on the verge of death, their ship about to be destroyed by enemies seeking revenge.

That was when Ego suddenly showed up and saved them.

On Ego's planet, Star-Lord and Gamora were captivated by the vibrant and stunning landscapes.

From an angle they didn't notice, Ego subtly glanced back at Star-Lord.

The warm smile that was always on his face had disappeared, replaced by a coldness as icy as snow.

The way he looked at Star-Lord didn't resemble how one would look at their biological son. Instead, it was more like observing an object—a large, humanoid battery.

"Could it be you, Peter …" Ego muttered softly to himself.

Mantis, standing beside Ego, shrank back in fear upon seeing his expression.

Although she had only been by Ego's side for a few decades, she had already witnessed hundreds of children like Star-Lord being brought back by Ego.

All these young people, from various species, vanished without a trace just days after their arrival.

Mantis didn't know where they had gone, but she was certain that they were all dead.

Thinking about this, she glanced back at Star-Lord, who was happily playing with the floating bubbles in the sky above Ego's planet.

A look of quiet sympathy appeared in her eyes. 

She opened her mouth as if to say something but then hesitated, ultimately remaining silent, standing obediently by Ego's side like a proper servant.

Meanwhile, not far from Asgard, on the arena...

After the duel ended and most of the spectators had left, Thor looked at the now-empty seats. He exchanged a glance with his mother, the Queen, and his mischievous brother Loki.

They all let out a deep sigh of relief.

Only they knew how nerve-wracking it had been when so many powerful figures arrived in Asgard.

The rulers Odin had invited from the Nine Realms were at least still within their control. Thor felt confident that, with their combined efforts, they could protect Asgard from them.

But the guests that Zane had invited were a different story.

Just seeing the faces of individuals who had only existed in rumors and legends made Thor's scalp tingle.

Even some of the Lords of Civilization could have crippled Asgard if two of them joined forces.

And then there were God, Satan, and the Celestials.

Sitting with beings who could easily wipe out your entire kingdom at any moment kept Thor's heart in his throat, ready to burst out at any second.

It wasn't until these terrifying guests had left that Thor, Queen Frigga, and Loki could finally relax, feeling as though they had lived through an eternity.

The three of them sat in their chairs, motionless, staring at the Eternal Spear standing in the center of the arena, with Hela's head hanging from its tip.

As the tension that had held their hearts so tightly finally released, a wave of sorrow as vast as a landslide washed over them.

Yes, the King of All Life had fallen.

In that moment, all three of them felt as if a great pillar that had supported the heavens had collapsed.

That hollow, empty feeling made their eyes well up with tears.

Thor and Loki managed to hold it together, but Frigga, who had been by Odin's side for thousands of years, couldn't suppress her grief any longer and began quietly weeping.

The Asgardian civilians and officials in the stands bowed in respect to the Eternal Spear, then silently left, giving the three of them a moment of peace.

As for Hela, who had already died—no one cared much.

Other than her mother Frigga, who felt a deep, quiet sorrow for her in the depths of her heart.

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