The figure floating in the air appeared to be doing so purely through his own power, independent of any technology. Even the Nova Corps personnel were struck with awe and uncertainty.
After a moment of hesitation, they resolved to advance and capture this enigmatic figure.
Amidst Star-Lord and the others' anxious gazes, the mysterious figure in white spoke calmly, "I advise you not to proceed with this action."
His voice carried a distinct rhythm and mystique, reverberating around them and causing many to fall into a state of astonishment.
They had never heard such a voice before—mysterious and profound, akin to the voice of a deity.
The Nova Corps personnel, preparing to capture him, felt the pressure increase tenfold. They perceived the floating figure as an immensely exalted being, as if they were mere mortals in the presence of a god.
Though he had made no overtly grand gestures, the aura of this being made them instinctively feel that their actions might be an affront to him.
The very essence of his presence brought discomfort and awe to the Nova Corps members, leaving them shaken.
"Who… who are you?" one of them asked, the question echoing the collective confusion.
What kind of being was this? Why had he come to Xandar? What were his intentions?
The Nova Corps members were in turmoil.
Not only were they stunned, but Rocket and the others were also equally astonished by the sight.
"What the hell is this guy?" Rocket exclaimed, his mouth agape and face full of disbelief.
In all his life, he had never encountered someone who inspired such a feeling of humility simply by their presence. The figure's otherworldly aura suggested that he was an extraordinary individual, but the specifics remained unclear.
Rocket was curious, wondering if they would learn more about this person's identity as time went on.
Gamora's expression changed constantly, feeling a level of pressure she had never experienced, even in the presence of Thanos. This mysterious figure seemed even more intimidating than her adopted father.
As Gamora pondered the identity of this individual, Star-Lord and the Xandarians were similarly bewildered. Star-Lord even entertained a thought, wondering if the seemingly unstoppable Nova Corps and their advanced ships could be dealt with by this mysterious figure.
He dismissed the thought with a shake of his head, finding it implausible. How could a single individual possibly confront such formidable war machines?
Meanwhile, while Star-Lord and the others were lost in their speculations, and the Nova Corps personnel were uncertain about how to handle the situation, Syd was deep in thought.
He was contemplating whether to leave or stay. After a moment of consideration, he glanced at Star-Lord and the others, deciding it was best to stay and observe the situation. After all, gaining strength could happen anywhere, and he was a bit bored, so it made sense to watch the unfolding events.
Moreover, Syd was concerned that leaving with the Orb might trigger a chain reaction that could lead to the disbandment of the Guardians of the Galaxy, or worse, result in casualties among Star-Lord and his team. The absence of the Orb—essentially the Power Stone—would make it nearly impossible for them to defeat Ronan the Accuser.
If that happened, the repercussions would be significant, and the storyline would change drastically, erasing any advantages he had from knowing the future.
He decided to maintain the current course as much as possible. His gaze shifted to the hesitant Nova Corps members, who were unsure how to handle him.
"I can come with you," Syd's voice echoed again.
The reaction from Star-Lord, the Nova Corps members, and the nearby Xandarians was one of utter surprise. They couldn't believe they were hearing such a statement.
Wasn't this figure supposed to resist capture and leave forcefully?
The scene was bewildering to everyone, including the Nova Corps personnel, who were stunned by the unexpected development.
One of the Nova Corps officers, who had initially declared Star-Lord and his companions guilty, hesitated and asked, "Are you sure you want to come with us?"
Syd nodded slightly.
After a brief exchange of glances, the Nova Corps members decided to proceed cautiously. Given the figure's unclear identity and apparent high status, they chose to err on the side of caution and escort him back.
With that decision, they made no further moves. The Nova Corps personnel led Star-Lord and the others forward, while Syd floated half a meter above the ground, following them silently.
Seeing this, Star-Lord looked at his Nova Corps captors and felt a surge of injustice.
"Hey, this isn't fair…" he complained.
One of the Nova Corps officers, trying to lighten the mood and alleviate some of the tension, teased, "Just behave, Star-Lord."
Star-Lord corrected him, "It's Star-Lord!"
"Oh, sorry, Star-Lord," the officer continued to joke. "This guy here used to be a petty thief, and that's his nickname…"
(End of Chapter)