On the moon's surface, a thousand-meter-wide void portal swirled in a shade of deep purple.
Harvey's form glimmered and vanished into the portal.
Simultaneously, a similar void portal opened a lightyear away from the planet Xandar, another thousand-meter vortex swirling with ominous purple energy.
As Harvey stepped out of the void, an immense surge of energy exploded from his form. The shockwave rippled through the surrounding space, bending and distorting reality itself. He watched the phenomenon unfold and silently thanked himself for not landing directly on Xandar. This was his first attempt at using void powers to teleport across such a vast distance, and even he couldn't predict the full extent of the power's release. His decision to arrive near the planet first had been the safest option.
Earlier, while scanning the galaxy, Harvey had glimpsed Asgard and sensed that Odin had nearly detected him. Fortunately, Harvey was quick enough to slip away before the All-Father could fully pinpoint his presence.
With that concern behind him, Harvey summoned another void portal beneath his feet. In the blink of an eye, he reappeared amidst serene forests and majestic mountains.
The planet Xandar's environment, to his surprise, was remarkably similar to Earth. The planet's status as a habitable world seemed to ensure a natural landscape that mirrored Earth's beauty.
Harvey recalled Xandar's significance—one of the key interstellar empires in the Marvel Universe. Finding work, acquiring some money, and, most importantly, obtaining a universal translator wouldn't be hard here.
Drawing energy from the void, Harvey's appearance began to shift. His clothing transformed into sleek battle armor trimmed in violet and gold. A golden mask now covered his face, and a white cape billowed from his shoulders. His eyes, glowing gold beneath the mask, gave him an aura of mystery and command.
Now fully clad in his new attire, Harvey knew it was time to adopt a new identity. If he was going to spread the will of the Void, he couldn't risk drawing too much attention to his true self. A new name, a new role—it was all part of the plan. He would move forward under the alias Kassadin, a name that suited his enigmatic presence.
Lifting off the ground, Harvey soared toward a city approximately two hundred kilometers away. The trip was a breeze, and within half an hour, the towering, futuristic walls of the city appeared on the horizon. The metallic sheen of the walls reflected the sunlight, giving the city an imposing yet grand appearance.
Harvey couldn't help but admire the architecture. Xandar's reputation as a galactic empire was well-deserved, and they certainly knew how to make an impressive first impression.
Above the walls, spacecraft hovered in slow patrols, part of Xandar's defense fleet. Deciding it was best not to cause a stir, Harvey descended to the ground and approached the gates on foot.
As he neared the city's gates, his arrival didn't go unnoticed. The locals, humanoid in appearance, bore only slight differences from the people of Earth. Had he not been aware of his location, he might've mistaken Xandar for just another city back home.
His arrival, however, drew curious glances. His regal and imposing figure was hard to ignore. The guards stationed at the gates exchanged wary looks, clearly uncertain about approaching someone with such a commanding presence.
After a brief hesitation, one of the guards—a hulking man nearly two meters tall, clad in military attire—stepped forward. His confidence seemed to grow in contrast to the anxious glances of his comrades.
"Name, origin, and purpose for visiting," the guard barked in the standard galactic tongue, ready to log Harvey's details into a device.
Harvey, unfamiliar with the universal language, expected a challenge. Yet to his surprise, the words rang clear in his mind. Void energy had its perks, providing him with an innate understanding of alien languages.
After a brief pause, Harvey responded, "Kassadin. I come from the Void. My purpose is to gather information."
The guard, whose name badge read Darm, glanced at his wrist, where a translator registered Harvey's words. It showed his language originating from a region called C53. He didn't recognize the name "Void" but shrugged it off. The visitor seemed cooperative enough.
"My name's Darm," the guard said. "I've never heard of your place, but the record's done."
He then raised his chin in a gesture of warning. "This is your first time here, right? You can stay for seven days. Just remember, everything that happens in this city is monitored by the Nova Corps. Step out of line, and you'll be arrested and judged by the court. If your crime is severe, you might even face execution."
Harvey nodded calmly. "Understood."
While Darm scanned Harvey with a beam of light for registration, Harvey remained composed. His void-enhanced armor masked his true identity, rendering the scan useless.
"Alright, you're clear to enter," Darm concluded, motioning Harvey toward the gate.
Before stepping away, Harvey inquired, "Could you tell me where a bounty hunter might find work around here?"
Darm raised a brow. "You're a bounty hunter?" He eyed Harvey's regal attire and said, "Honestly, you look more like a noble than a hunter."
Harvey smiled beneath his mask. "I was once a man of prestige," he admitted. "But those days are behind me. Now, I seek to rebuild through whatever means necessary. Bounty hunting seems as good a start as any."
Darm's face softened with a hint of sympathy. "Didn't mean to hit a sore spot. If you're looking for work, head east for about twenty kilometers to the Link District. There's a bar there where bounty hunters gather—can't miss it."
"Thanks, Darm," Harvey said, his voice tinged with appreciation. "And if I ever rise to glory again, you can count on me for a favor."
Darm chuckled, clearly amused by the notion. "Here's hoping. Just don't get yourself killed before you make it big."
With that, Harvey nodded and strode through the gates of Xandar, his mind already set on the path ahead.