Hearing Soren's words, the Collector's expression changed. He knew Thanos had been dormant for countless ages, but the Titan's influence never truly faded.
His agents roamed the universe endlessly, seeking the Infinity Stones.
And where Thanos searched… innocent lives were always lost.
Entire civilizations had cursed his name, yet every one of them eventually fell before his throne.
That was how Thanos earned his reputation, one so absolute that almost no one dared even whisper opposition.
"Soren… are you saying," the Collector spoke slowly.
"That the thing Grandmaster offered Thanos, the thing powerful enough to fascinate him could be the Soul Stone?"
The thought alone sent a jolt through him. For a moment he simply stood unable to believe his own conclusion.
Soren nodded calmly. "What else could tempt Thanos?"
"Ordinary treasures are meaningless to him. Only an Infinity Stone has the weight to move the Mad Titan."
"But it shouldn't be possible," the Collector muttered, pacing. "The Soul Stone has been missing for countless years."
"I've never once heard that Grandmaster possessed it. And after the last incident, the Elders swore never to interfere with the Infinity Stones again."
He frowns deeper as past history resurfaces.
"Once, we Elders each held one of the six Stones, until it was forbidden. The rules were absolute, no member may possess an Infinity Stone."
"The punishment… was exile."
"He is no longer a member," Soren reminded him with a faint smile.
"If Grandmaster quit, then giving Thanos the Soul Stone doesn't violate anything. It's the perfect loophole."
"…" The Collector nearly lost his balance.
He had known the Grandmaster for ages. He thought his brother's actions were reckless, impulsively typical of him.
But now… Grandmaster hadn't acted in desperation.
He had planned everything with cold foresight.
If the Elders helped him deal with Soren, then he'd have no need for Thanos.
If they refused, he would pretend anger, resign, and let Thanos handle it cleanly, without consequences.
A two-sided scheme.
One that placed Soren in the crosshairs either way.
Seeing the growing horror on Collector's face, Soren only chuckled.
"Whether my theory is true or not doesn't matter. Once I kill Thanos, all truths will reveal themselves."
The Collector winced at the casual tone. "Soren… I hope this won't damage the friendship between us."
"Of course not." Soren waved it off. "Just help me keep an eye on Thanos's movements. Let me know the moment you hear anything."
The Collector nodded gratefully, and the communication ended.
Soren lowered the device and turned back toward the beach. Freyja and Jean were lounging under the shade of a parasol, watching him with concern.
"What happened?" Jean asked.
Soren sat beside them, brushing sand from his hands. "No major problem."
"But it seems our vacation might end early. An immortal from the far reaches of the universe is coming to cause trouble for me."
When the word immortal left Soren's lips, both Freyja and Jean grew worried.
Jean, after months of training in Kamar-Taj, knew the weight of immortals. Ancient One had once told her that even Dormammu the ruler of the Dark Dimension, wasn't truly immortal.
In the entire universe, truly eternal beings were vanishingly rare.
"Can you handle it? Should I call Thor?" Freyja's first instinct was to alert everyone.
Her voice trembled slightly as she tried to come up with a plan on the spot.
"This time you're not facing it alone," Jean added firmly. "I'm coming with you. No arguments."
Soren looked at the two of them, their faces tight with worry, and couldn't help but smile.
"Don't be nervous. I can handle this one."
But his reassurance did nothing to ease their concern. Their eyes stayed worried and searching. Soren let out a helpless sigh.
"Do you really not trust your husband? You think I can't handle Thanos?"
"Thanos?" Freyja blinked, only now registering the name. "That Thanos?"
"The Mad Titan? Soren, he's, he's one of the most dangerous beings in the universe! And wait. Husband? We…?"
Before she could finish, Soren leaned in and captured her lips, silencing her in an instant.
Freyja's eyes flew wide, heat rushing to her cheeks.
They weren't alone… Jean was right there.
And yet her heart hammered with a mixture of shyness and a soft sweetness that overwhelmed every thought of Thanos.
Jean watched with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes.
Since meeting, she and Freyja had grown unexpectedly close… sisters more than rivals. So seeing Soren kiss Freyja so boldly, Jean felt a sting of possessiveness… but not anger.
Just a teasing sense of, so that's how we're doing things today.
"G-get away!" Freyja finally managed, pushing Soren back with a flustered shove. She covered her burning cheeks, the earlier talk of cosmic threats entirely forgotten.
"You're still laughing," She muttered shyly at Jean, who was failing miserably to hide her grin.
Jean was about to tease her again… but in the blink of an eye, Soren vanished from Freyja's side and appeared next to Jean.
"Wait—Doctor!"
She didn't get the rest out.
He kissed her as well, deep and unhurried.
Jean didn't freeze the way Freyja had. She responded with gentle longing, this wasn't their first kiss. Not even close.
She met him with practiced warmth, matching his intensity without hesitation.
When the kiss finally broke, Jean exhaled softly, cheeks warm but eyes bright.
"…" Freyja, still flushed, covered her face.
Soren smiled like the universe itself had no weight on his shoulders.