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Javier stood on a rocky outcrop of Ego's planet, the ground pulsating faintly beneath his feet as if the world itself was alive—which, in truth, it was. Ego had laid down the challenge, his booming voice still echoing in Javier's mind:
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Ego: "If you want to be with my daughter, you'll prove you can protect her. Face the planet's will and emerge unbroken."
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The air shimmered around him as Ego's essence began to manipulate the environment. Massive, thorny vines erupted from the ground, their tips glowing with a dangerous light. The sky darkened, and a swirling storm gathered above.
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Javier smirked, his hands crackling with energy.
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Javier: "You want a show? Fine. Let's see what this so-called living planet can do."
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The Trial
As the first vine lunged toward him, Javier dodged with supernatural speed, his training and experiences across the Marvel universe kicking in. Summoning a glowing sword from thin air—one of his many creations—he slashed through the vine, which exploded into a burst of light and shards.
But Ego wasn't holding back.
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The ground beneath Javier split open, revealing a gaping chasm filled with molten energy. The walls of the chasm closed in like jagged teeth, threatening to consume him. Javier leaped high into the air, flipping gracefully before landing on a floating platform.
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Javier: "Impressive, Ego. But you'll need more than flashy tricks to take me down."
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From the molten depths, massive creatures began to form—giant beasts with glowing eyes and molten skin. They roared as they charged toward him. Javier grinned, adrenaline coursing through him.
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Javier: "Now this is more like it."
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He fought with precision and ferocity, his movements a blur as he cut through the creatures. His raven emissary, perched nearby, cawed loudly, almost as if mocking the beasts.
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Mantis's Concern
From a safe distance, Mantis watched the battle unfold, her hands clasped tightly together. She could feel every emotion radiating from Javier—his confidence, his determination, and the faintest undercurrent of fear.
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Mantis (to herself): "Why would he do this… for me?"
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Ego materialized beside her, his expression smug.
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Ego: "Because men like him thrive on delusions. He thinks he can win your heart by throwing himself into danger. Pathetic, really."
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Mantis turned to him, her voice uncharacteristically firm.
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Mantis: "You're wrong. He's not doing this to prove himself to you. He's doing it because he believes I'm worth fighting for."
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Ego's smugness faltered for a moment, replaced by a flicker of annoyance.
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Ego: "We'll see if he survives long enough for that to matter."
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The Black Order's Growing Fury
Back on the Black Order's ship, the tension had reached its breaking point.
Proxima Midnight slammed her spear into the ground, her voice a low growl.
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Proxima Midnight: "We've waited long enough. If he doesn't return soon, I'll drag him back myself."
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Nebula, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, smirked.
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Nebula: "Oh, please. Like you'd be able to find him. He's probably off charming someone else, leaving us to rot here."
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Gamora, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.
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Gamora: "Enough. We'll find him. But when we do, we need to be prepared for the possibility that he… might not come back willingly."
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Proxima Midnight shot her a glare.
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Proxima Midnight: "Willing or not, he's coming back. And when he does, he'll answer for abandoning us."
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Javier's Victory
Back on Ego's planet, the battle was reaching its climax. Javier stood on the edge of the molten chasm, battered but unyielding. The final beast, a towering, serpentine creature, loomed over him.
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With a roar, Javier unleashed a devastating attack, his sword glowing with pure energy. The blast struck the beast, disintegrating it into nothingness. As the dust settled, the ground beneath him began to stabilize.
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Ego appeared, his expression unreadable.
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Ego: "You survived. Impressive. Perhaps you're not as weak as I thought."
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Javier smirked, wiping sweat from his brow.
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Javier: "Told you. I'm not here to play games."
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Ego regarded him for a moment before turning to Mantis, who had stepped forward.
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Ego: "Very well. If my daughter wishes it, I won't stand in your way. But mark my words—if you ever fail her, you'll answer to me."
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Mantis smiled shyly, her gaze meeting Javier's.
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Mantis: "Thank you… for everything."
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Javier grinned, his usual cockiness returning.
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Javier: "Anything for you, Mantis."
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As the two walked away together, Ego watched them go, his expression darkening.
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Ego (to himself): "This isn't over."
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End of Chapter 72: Trials of Worth