The Guardian Hall...
An ancient sanctuary that had existed since before the rise of kingdoms, before empires carved their names into history, and before countless civilizations were born.
It was said to be older than time itself.
No mortal had ever stepped inside it.
No king had ever ruled over it.
No god could force its gates open.
The Hall recognized only seven beings...
The Seven Guardians of the Infinite Stones.
Only when every Guardian stood before its gates and poured the power of their respective Infinity Stones into its ancient seals would the Hall acknowledge their presence.
Until then...
Its doors would remain forever closed.
The colossal stone gates towered into the endless sky, engraved with ancient runes that glowed faintly as though they possessed a life of their own. The surrounding void stretched endlessly in every direction, silent and timeless.
Standing before the gates were two figures.
Lord Zulu...
Guardian of the Power Stone.
And beside him, leaning lazily against one of the enormous stone pillars with a roasted drumstick in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other, was Master Goo, the Guardian of the Time Stone.
He took another bite before speaking with his mouth still half full.
"You know..."
"I still don't understand why we couldn't have this meeting somewhere with softer chairs."
Lord Zulu didn't even bother looking at him.
"This meeting concerns the fate of existence."
"I know."
Goo shrugged.
"But comfortable chairs would still be nice."
Zulu sighed.
"You never change."
"I take that as a compliment."
Before Zulu could respond—
The void trembled.
Ripples spread through the endless darkness.
A circular portal slowly opened.
From within stepped a woman dressed in silver robes embroidered with glowing golden patterns.
Her presence alone seemed capable of calming restless minds.
The Guardian of the Mind Stone...
Supreme Sheriff Zainab.
She stepped gracefully onto the ancient platform before glancing around.
Her eyes landed on Goo.
"Oh..."
"As expected."
"You're eating."
Goo blinked.
"...Should I apologize?"
"No."
"I already expected nothing less."
She smiled faintly before bowing respectfully toward Lord Zulu.
"Lord Zulu."
Zulu returned the gesture.
"Welcome, Sheriff."
Goo simply raised his bottle.
"Morning."
Zainab shook her head with an amused smile.
"Still as lazy as ever."
"I prefer 'efficient with my energy.'"
Before anyone could continue...
The void trembled once more.
This time...
A brilliant green light burst across the darkness.
Life itself seemed to awaken.
Flowers bloomed from nothingness.
Gentle winds swept across the ancient platform.
A figure slowly emerged from within the flowing energy.
Emperor Anyam.
Guardian of the Life Stone.
The moment Goo saw him...
His face lit up.
"Old man!"
Anyam smiled.
"It has been a long time."
Goo walked over and threw an arm across his shoulder.
"You're still pretending to be serious?"
"And you're still pretending to grow up."
The two laughed.
Lord Zulu simply closed his eyes.
"They've started already..."
Anyam looked toward Goo.
"So..."
"Where have you disappeared to this time?"
Goo grinned.
"Traveling."
"Eating."
"Sleeping."
"Playing with children."
"In that exact order."
Anyam nodded thoughtfully.
"Sounds productive."
"I know, right?"
The two burst into laughter.
Zainab simply smiled.
Lord Zulu rubbed his forehead.
"I was hoping this Council would begin peacefully..."
Before another word could be spoken—
A deafening cry echoed across the void.
SCREEEECH!!
Everyone looked upward.
A gigantic phoenix, its feathers blazing with golden flames, soared through a newly opened portal.
Behind it floated an elegant royal carriage crafted from crystal and gold.
The phoenix descended gracefully before the Guardian Hall.
Its massive wings folded.
The carriage door slowly opened.
A polished black boot touched the ground first.
Then another.
A tall man stepped out, wearing flowing white robes trimmed with gold.
Every movement carried dignity.
Every step radiated authority.
Mountain Master Emil...
Guardian of the Soul Stone.
Without even glancing around, he calmly adjusted his robes before walking toward the group.
Goo rolled his eyes so hard they almost disappeared into his head.
"Oh, wonderful."
"Here comes His Majesty, the Peacock."
Emil ignored him completely.
He bowed respectfully to Lord Zulu.
"Lord Zulu."
Zulu nodded.
"Master Emil."
He acknowledged Zainab with a respectful nod.
"Sheriff."
Then he turned toward Emperor Anyam.
"Emperor."
The two exchanged respectful greetings.
Finally...
He deliberately walked past Goo as though he wasn't even there.
Goo stared in disbelief.
"Excuse me?"
"No greeting?"
Emil stopped walking.
Without turning around, he replied calmly,
"Why would I greet someone whose greatest achievements are eating, sleeping, and avoiding responsibility?"
Goo gasped dramatically.
"You wound me."
"I didn't know you still had feelings."
Anyam quietly covered his mouth to hide a laugh.
Goo pointed accusingly.
"See?"
"This is exactly why nobody likes him."
Emil finally turned.
"Show me your friends, and I'll tell you who you are."
He glanced briefly at Anyam.
"I suppose that explains everything."
Anyam smiled innocently.
"I've been insulted simply for standing here."
"You should be used to it by now," Goo replied.
The three Guardians exchanged amused looks.
Lord Zulu closed his eyes once again.
"This meeting hasn't even begun..."
Lord Zulu had barely finished sighing when the endless void trembled once again.
This time...
There was no explosion of light.
No overwhelming aura.
The very fabric of space simply folded in upon itself.
A thin crack appeared in the emptiness before slowly widening into a perfect circular portal.
Stars...
Galaxies...
Nebulas...
Countless worlds could be seen swirling beyond it.
A lone figure stepped through.
The portal closed instantly behind him, as though it had never existed.
He wore dark robes embroidered with countless silver stars that shimmered like the night sky. His long silver hair flowed gently despite the complete absence of wind.
His calm eyes swept across the gathering.
Lord Mgbera...
Guardian of the Space Stone.
He offered a respectful nod.
"Lord Zulu."
Zulu returned the greeting.
"Lord Mgbera."
He nodded toward Zainab.
"Sheriff."
Toward Anyam.
"Emperor."
Then finally...
Toward Goo.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"It has been a long time."
Goo smiled back.
"You haven't gotten any older either."
"I exist outside space."
"Show-off."
A faint chuckle escaped Mgbera before he quietly took his place beside the others.
Meanwhile...
Emil casually adjusted his sleeves before speaking.
"You see?"
"That is how a proper entrance should be made."
Goo immediately frowned.
"Oh, please."
"All of you empire rulers are the same."
"You always make grand entrances."
"You conquer kingdoms."
"You dress like peacocks."
"You spend two hours deciding which robe to wear."
Emil folded his arms.
"And yet despite all that..."
"I still managed to arrive looking respectable."
His eyes slowly traveled from Goo's messy robes to the half-eaten drumstick still in his hand.
"You, on the other hand..."
"...look exactly like someone who wandered into the wrong meeting."
Anyam couldn't hold it anymore.
A quiet laugh escaped him.
Goo pointed at him.
"Traitor."
"I thought we were friends."
"We are."
Anyam answered calmly.
"But he's right."
Everyone except Goo smiled.
Before Goo could launch another complaint...
The heavens above the Guardian Hall suddenly changed.
The endless void shimmered.
Countless colors spread across the darkness like flowing rivers of light.
Reality itself began to ripple.
It looked as though the sky had become liquid.
From within the beautiful distortion...
A graceful figure slowly descended.
Her silver-white robes fluttered gently around her.
Golden strands of hair danced with the surrounding light.
Every step she took seemed to create flowers made of pure energy before they dissolved into sparkling particles.
She appeared less like someone walking...
...and more like a fairy descending from heaven.
Nyeme.
Guardian of the Reality Stone.
For a brief moment...
Silence filled the platform.
Even Goo stopped chewing.
She landed gracefully before the ancient gates.
A warm smile appeared on her face.
"It seems I wasn't the last to receive the invitation."
Lord Zulu smiled.
"Welcome, Lady Nyeme."
She bowed politely.
"It's good to see everyone again."
She greeted Zainab first.
The two exchanged a warm embrace before smiling at one another.
"It's been far too long."
"It certainly has."
She greeted Anyam.
She greeted Lord Mgbera.
She greeted Lord Zulu.
Then...
She finally turned toward Emil.
Emil had already straightened his robes.
His posture became even more dignified.
He smiled confidently.
"Lady Nyeme..."
"It has been over a thousand years."
Nyeme smiled politely.
"It has."
Before Emil could continue...
Goo suddenly cleared his throat loudly.
"Ahem..."
"So..."
"Master Emil."
"Practiced your speech this time?"
Everyone turned toward Goo.
Emil slowly closed his eyes.
"...Don't."
Goo ignored the warning.
"I mean..."
"Surely after a thousand years your chances have improved."
Anyam quietly looked away.
Lord Mgbera rubbed his forehead.
Zulu sighed.
Zainab already knew where this was going.
Goo continued.
"Or..."
"Did Lady Nyeme reject you before you even started talking?"
Anyam burst into laughter.
Even Mgbera couldn't completely hide a smile.
Emil's eyebrow twitched.
"Goo..."
"You truly possess a remarkable talent."
Goo grinned.
"For what?"
"For making people regret your existence."
"Oh?"
"Still better than spending a thousand years chasing one lady who keeps saying no."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Then...
Anyam completely lost control.
He laughed so hard he nearly bent over.
Nyeme covered her mouth, trying not to laugh herself.
Emil slowly pointed at Goo.
"At least..."
"...I'm interested in ladies."
He looked Goo up and down.
"You?"
"You eat."
"You sleep."
"You play with children."
"Is there anything else you actually do?"
Goo folded his arms proudly.
"Of course."
"I annoy you."
"It appears I'm exceptionally talented at that too."
"You—"
Emil took one step forward.
"So that's enough."
A calm yet commanding voice echoed across the platform.
Everyone froze.
A gentle silver aura spread from Zainab's body.
The Mind Stone glowed faintly.
The chaotic atmosphere immediately settled.
She looked at Emil.
"Enough."
Then at Goo.
"And you."
"Must you start an argument every single time you meet?"
Goo shrugged.
"He started it."
"I most certainly did not."
"You ignored me."
"Because you were eating."
"Exactly."
"So you saw me."
Zainab pinched the bridge of her nose.
"I've missed none of this."
Lord Zulu finally stepped forward.
His expression was somewhere between amusement and exhaustion.
He looked from Goo...
...to Emil...
...then slowly shook his head.
"I truly believed..."
"...that after a thousand years..."
"...the two of you would have matured."
He sighed deeply.
"Instead..."
"You're exactly the same."
His voice softened.
"We are not merely Guardians."
"We are family."
"We have fought together."
"We have bled together."
"We have protected this world together."
"So..."
"For once..."
"Behave like the ancient Guardians you are."
Silence followed.
Even Goo looked slightly embarrassed.
Emil simply cleared his throat.
Lord Zulu turned toward the colossal stone gates of the Guardian Hall.
His voice echoed throughout the endless void.
"Shall we open the Guardian Hall?"
One after another...
The Guardians nodded.
"Yes."
"It is time."
The ancient Guardian Hall fell into complete silence.
Seven Guardians...
Seven Infinity Stones...
One purpose.
Lord Zulu stepped toward the colossal stone gates.
The others followed behind him.
The gates stood motionless, towering like an ancient mountain. Endless runes were carved across their surface, each glowing faintly as if they had been waiting for this very moment.
Lord Zulu raised his right hand.
Immediately, a brilliant symbol appeared on the center of his palm.
The symbol of the Power Stone.
Although the stone itself had been lost during the last great war, the mark of its Guardian still remained upon him.
One after another...
The remaining Guardians raised their hands.
The symbol of the Time Stone appeared on Master Goo's palm.
The Mind Stone glowed upon Zainab's.
The Life Stone shone from Emperor Anyam's hand.
The Soul Stone radiated from Mountain Master Emil.
The Space Stone illuminated Lord Mgbera's palm.
Finally...
The Reality Stone manifested upon Nyeme's graceful hand.
Without exchanging another word, all seven Guardians placed their palms upon the ancient gates.
BOOOOOOM!!
The entire void shook.
Ancient runes awakened one after another.
Golden light raced across the surface of the gates like rivers of energy.
A deep vibration echoed through the endless darkness.
Then...
The Guardian Hall recognized its masters.
The colossal doors slowly began to move.
RUMBLE...
RUMBLE...
Stone scraped against stone with a sound so ancient it seemed capable of shaking the heavens themselves.
As the gates opened, a majestic melody filled the void.
It was neither sung nor played by any instrument.
It simply existed.
An ancient hymn welcoming the Seven Guardians home.
A magnificent chamber slowly revealed itself beyond the gates.
Lord Zulu entered first.
Zainab followed.
Then Emperor Anyam.
Lord Mgbera.
Mountain Master Emil.
Nyeme.
One after another, the Guardians crossed the threshold.
Only one figure remained outside.
Master Goo.
He leaned lazily against one of the stone pillars, folded his arms, and let out a long, dramatic sigh.
"...Do I really have to go in?"
Nobody answered.
He clicked his tongue.
"Tch."
"Every single meeting is the same."
He slowly pushed himself away from the wall.
"Do you know how unfair this Hall is?"
He muttered to himself while dragging his feet toward the entrance.
"One day outside..."
"...is an entire month inside."
He groaned.
"We're probably going to spend what feels like a whole year arguing over things everyone already knows."
He shook his head.
"Such a waste of perfectly good sleeping time..."
Still complaining, Goo finally stepped into the Hall.
The instant he crossed the entrance...
BOOM!
The gigantic stone doors closed behind him.
The Hall had been sealed.
Until the Council concluded...
No one could enter.
No one could leave.
Inside, the Guardian Hall was even more breathtaking than its exterior.
Countless pillars stretched toward a ceiling that resembled a living universe.
Stars drifted peacefully overhead.
Galaxies slowly revolved across the dome as if the cosmos itself had become the Hall's roof.
At the very center stood an enormous circular table carved from a single piece of celestial stone.
Seven magnificent seats surrounded it.
One grand seat stood alone at the head of the table.
Three seats were arranged to its left.
Three to its right.
Lord Zulu naturally walked toward the seat at the head.
The others began choosing their places.
Goo scratched his head.
"Anyam."
The Emperor turned.
"Keep a seat for me."
Anyam smiled.
"I would..."
"...but someone already reserved the seat beside me."
Goo blinked.
He slowly turned.
Mountain Master Emil stood calmly beside the empty chair, pretending not to notice anyone watching him.
His eyes, however, occasionally drifted toward the entrance.
Goo grinned.
"Oh..."
"So that's your plan."
Before Emil could respond...
Nyeme walked past him.
For a brief moment, Emil straightened his robes.
A confident smile appeared on his face.
Without saying a word...
Nyeme continued walking.
She sat beside Zainab.
"It's been far too long since we've talked," she said warmly.
Zainab smiled.
"It certainly has."
Emil's smile froze.
Very slowly...
He looked at the empty chair he had been saving.
Then at Nyeme.
Then back at the chair.
Without a single word, he walked to the seat directly opposite Goo and sat down.
Goo watched the entire scene.
Then...
He burst into laughter.
"I almost feel sorry for you."
"...Almost."
Emil glared at him.
"You should focus on finding your own seat."
"Oh, I already have."
Goo casually sat opposite Emil.
"Perfect."
"Now I get to watch your facial expressions all day."
Emil closed his eyes.
"I've endured demons far less annoying than you."
"I'm honored."
Before Emil could answer...
Goo casually waved his hand.
A ripple spread through space.
Instantly...
A long table appeared beside him.