"They sensed the weakness of the Shi'ar Empire's soul."
Dou Jian watched as Holy Kaisa systematically dismantled the Shi'ar Battle Star piece by piece. This wasn't a full-scale spatial displacement of an entire celestial body; even with the power of the Space Stone, such a feat was beyond her. Instead, she executed the process in calculated increments, severing portions of the massive Battle Star and casting them into the void of space.
Each fragment, torn from the colossal station, drifted into the freezing abyss of the cosmos—where, within three minutes, every Shi'ar lifeform within would perish. The cold and darkness of the universe were merciless.
"That's the power of an Infinity Stone," whispered Majestrix Xandra, the last ruler of the Shi'ar. "No technology alone could accomplish this."
The Shi'ar National Soul, the spiritual embodiment of the empire's people, could not sustain itself when separated from them. This inherent weakness was not difficult to detect—but to continuously exploit it with pinpoint precision, dismantling an empire's war machine in real time, was an unprecedented feat.
As another Battle Star crumbled and was transported into the void, the radiant Soul Giant of the Shi'ar, their last line of divine defense, began to wane. Its light dimmed, and its energy output rapidly declined. It could no longer mount an overwhelming counterattack.
The Shi'ar defeat was inevitable.
Their allies had already fallen—the Kree Empire had been annihilated, and the Sovereign were on the verge of destruction. There was no one left to aid them.
Most importantly, if Holy Kaisa continued her relentless assault for another hour, the Shi'ar National Soul itself would collapse.
Even if allies existed, none could arrive in time.
Yet, in the void, several unknown warships sped toward Chandilar, the Shi'ar Throneworld. Among them, powerful and enigmatic figures lay hidden. However, the fastest of these vessels would take nearly a day to reach its destination—far too late.
The Collector, one of the Elders of the Universe, had also caught wind of this cosmic war. He wielded spatial abilities that, if he desired, could bring him to Chandilar instantly. He could intervene, challenge Ragna , and tip the balance.
Yet, Taneleer Tivan remained in the realm of Knowhere, mining and researching the secrets of the Celestials, utterly indifferent to the conflict.
He had witnessed the rise and fall of the universe's great empires before—he had seen the Shi'ar ascend, the Kree conquer, and the Skrulls war for survival. Now, as the Shi'ar met their doom, he merely observed. To him, civilizations crumbling was an inevitability, as fleeting as the stars themselves.
Throughout the cosmos, countless civilizations had once believed themselves supreme, only to fade into obscurity.
Even the Elders of the Universe, once part of dominant empires, had long abandoned the notion of direct intervention.
Even the Watchers, wielding technology far beyond the Shi'ar or even the Kree, refrained from action. If they had wanted, they could have dominated the cosmos long ago, controlling its vast resources and civilizations. Yet, they did not.
Why?
Their homeworld remained a mystery, their civilization hidden from the prying eyes of the universe. Despite their supreme intelligence, they acted as mere observers. Some claimed they were driven by compassion, by a love for the universe's diversity. Others whispered of a far greater, hidden force at play—something that shackled the cosmos itself.
Yet, Ragna did not care for such mysteries.
At this moment, his only concern was annihilating the Shi'ar Soul Giant.
Holy Kaisa's tactical maneuvering had proven devastatingly effective—the Soul Giant's weakness was clear. However, Ragna did not celebrate yet.
Inside the Shi'ar Soul Giant, Majestrix Xandra smiled—a smile of cold determination.
Then, the Shi'ar people descended into madness.
"Tell me, has there ever been a Queen of Shi'ar as ruthless as I?" Xandra murmured, her pale face unreadable.
Her gaze met Dou Jian's.
"Am I a Queen… or a Butcher?"
Dou Jian paused before a determined smile crossed his lips. His energy surged.
"No," he said firmly. "You are the savior of Shi'ar civilization."
"Everything is for survival."
"The universe is vast. The Shi'ar cannot simply vanish."
"If they do, the universe will be… lonely."
At that moment, all remaining Shi'ar Battle Stars initiated their final act—a last, desperate counterattack.
They self-destructed.
The Shi'ar Battle Stars, the peak of their civilization's technological prowess, held power surpassing even Asgardian warships.
In a single instant, a chain reaction of explosions ignited across the battlefield.
Not even Holy Kaisa, Ragna , or the Angel Kings could halt the detonation.
The Shi'ar Soul Giant poured its final energy into holding back Ragna and the Angels, ensuring their people's survival—at all costs.
And in that moment, Majestrix Xandra issued her final, cruelest order.
The Shi'ar National Soul required sacrifice.
All remaining Shi'ar were to lay down their lives—to shield their people's exodus.
In the void, the cascading detonations bloomed into brilliant bursts of celestial fire—Shi'ar civilization burning in its last defiant stand.
Ragna watched in awe before quickly commanding his Angel Legion to retreat.
The Shi'ar Soul Giant's form expanded once more, fueled by the mass sacrifice.
Even with the power of the Infinity Gems, Ragna was no longer confident he could protect his forces from what came next.
The Shi'ar Soul Giant was touching the very limit of the universe's power.
Understanding the severity, Ragna ordered the Angel Kings who lacked Infinity Gems to fall back with the Angel Legion.
The next Shi'ar attack would be cataclysmic.
However—rather than unleash its wrath upon its enemies—the Shi'ar Soul Giant turned its energy toward opening a rift in the fabric of space.
A Void Gate.
"We could destroy the Angel Legion. We could kill the King of Angels."
Xandra's voice was hollow as she watched the last Shi'ar evacuate—scientists and warriors alike carrying the legacy of their civilization through the Void Gate, into the unknown depths of the cosmos.
She turned to Dou Jian.
"You tell me… who is the murderer here?"
A Shi'ar soldier attempted to salvage a statue of Majestrix Xandra, but she silently shattered it with a wave of her hand.
"No one will take revenge," Dou Jian murmured.
"No," Xandra whispered. "They must live."
"Will you not go?" she asked.
"I am the Royal Guard's Commander," Dou Jian said, smiling. "My duty is not just to protect the Shi'ar—but to protect the Queen."
Xandra closed her eyes.
"Then we go together."
Summoning the last of their strength, Xandra and Dou Jian sustained the Void Gate, ensuring as many Shi'ar as possible escaped.
Yet, as the energy drained, the Shi'ar Soul Giant faltered.
Ragna and the Angel Kings struck once more.
The Void Gate trembled. The Shi'ar Throneworld began to crumble.
With one final detonation, the Shi'ar homeworld ceased to exist.
A distant warship arrived, only to witness the final ashes of the Shi'ar Empire.
Ragna walked through the wreckage, retrieving the Sun Scepter from Dou Jian's fallen corpse.
A hidden power lingered within the newly arrived warship—but as Ragna 's gaze met it, the vessel vanished into the void.
He didn't give chase.
A message had arrived from Hela.
A formidable enemy had emerged among the Sovereign, drawing her into battle. And more threats lurked near the Sovereign's homeworld.
Ragna smiled.
The Sacred Heavenly Palace's dominion would not be challenged.
All who defied them would burn.
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