Chapter 369: Key
A planet filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers.
A bedroom teeming with vibrant life.
It all started with Lorna complaining that 'Zane is restless, always flirting outside whenever she is not around,' and then proceeding to monopolize Zane through her actions.
Then it became Zane growing increasingly bold, unable to stop himself.
Holding Lorna close, Zane asked indulgently, "Why did you come out by yourself?"
"Hmph, if I didn't, would you even remember me?"
Lorna pinched Zane's arm with her small hand, applying some force.
"Uh… wasn't it you who asked me to inquire with Roma about ?"
"Also, I don't even know about this so-called *pocket universe* named Atlantheia. How did you find out?"
Zane, after speaking, gave Lorna a closer look and noticed that her energy fluctuations had reached the pinnacle of the fifth dimension.
This meant that Lorna, even without the Infinity Gauntlet, was already at the peak of the fifth dimension and could break through to the sixth at any moment.
"I learned about it from the divine essence of the Celestial you gave me," Lorna replied.
"Do you remember when I was cocooning, I told you I was facing some challenges that needed resolving?"
"That's why I couldn't let your consciousness in at the time."
"Your energy level was too high. If your consciousness entered, it might have caused the sub-dimensional space within the divine essence to collapse."
"I also now understand how that sub-dimensional space was formed. It only contained fragmented memories of a Celestial."
"It seemed to suggest that the searcher, Eson, emerged as a derivative energy from the disintegration of the Goddess of Vengeance."
Lorna recalled the scene in her mind.
"Hm? So this means the Celestial searcher is the Key everyone's been searching for?"
"No wonder so many people have been looking for years without success. Who would have thought this so-called key would be a member of the Celestial?"
After hearing this, Zane displayed a look of realization.
"Still, if just the energy from her death could produce a Celestial entity, the Goddess of Vengeance truly wasn't weak."
"No, it doesn't seem like that. Eson should only be a fragment of the energy from that key," Lorna corrected.
"So, if we could find the entrance to Atlantheia, that sub-dimensional space should resonate with the Key, revealing its true form."
"If you're already so clear about it, why ask me to check with Roma on how to get there?"
"The vision from the sub-dimensional space only showed a galaxy surrounded by starlight. I could barely discern that it's called Atlantheia."
"I see."
Zane mused internally. It seemed the memory of Atlantheia was deeply buried in the explorer's divine essence. It was highly likely even he wasn't aware of it.
Moreover, the appearance of the Key probably required all six stones to be gathered.
Therefore, the Celestial, prohibited from collecting all six stones, couldn't open the entrance to the Atlantheia ruins, even if they had visited its surroundings.
After figuring this out, Zane turned to Lorna and smiled gently.
"It seems, our dear Lorna, when we meet again 'someday,' it will be with the Goddess of Vengeance possessing you…"
Lorna immediately understood the emphasized word in Zane's statement, blushing furiously.
The room's ambiance turned a deep crimson, the passage of time fading in the tender haze of passion.
After a night of intimacy, Zane gazed at Lorna, who was quietly sleeping beside him.
He hadn't expected that after just a few years, from their youthful companionship, they would both ascend to become divine beings of the universe, transcending their mortal origins.
Using his [Mangekyō Sharingan], Zane carefully examined Lorna's internal energy fluctuations. Everything appeared normal, and deep within her mind lay a divine essence, crystalline and flawless, akin to the ones possessed by the Celestial.
Taking advantage of the time while Lorna was still asleep, Zane entered his [Divine Realm], where he saw Bastis guarding a cluster of cocoon-like energy spheres.
These energy cocoons were similar in size and shape to the one Lorna had previously undergone, though each was a different color.
The spheres emitted a faint, pulsating glow. Even as Zane approached, they showed no significant reaction.
Zane inspected the spheres with his [Mangekyō Sharingan] and, finding nothing amiss, felt reassured.
At this moment, Bastis noticed Zane's presence and darted toward him.
"Master, all of them have turned into cocoons, just like Lorna before."
"I've been diligently guarding them without a single mistake," it added, wagging its tail proudly.
"Hmm, good job. I'll entrust the next task to you," Zane replied, patting Bastis's soft fur in approval.
"The divine essence of the Celestial is still somewhat different from the one you've naturally developed," Zane noted thoughtfully.
As he spoke, his gaze shifted to a corner of the realm, where Gamora, her green skin pale, leaned weakly against a medical pod.
Despite all the intense training she had undergone under Thanos as a child, days without food or water had pushed her mortal body to its limits.
"I almost forgot about this tragic duo," Zane muttered softly, referring to Gamora and her lover, Star-Lord.
Gamora had noticed Zane's presence the moment Bastis pounced on him but had dared not move.
Now, seeing Zane look her way, she forced her exhausted body to stand upright. She opened her mouth to speak, hesitated for a moment, and ultimately remained silent, stubbornly meeting Zane's gaze.
"Hmph, still remember what I said earlier. Smart," Zane said, his expression showing a trace of admiration for this alien woman who had endured humiliation and hardship to revive her lover.
"You can relax. I keep my promises. In a few days, I'll let you and your Star-Lord leave. After that, your fates will no longer concern me."
With that, Zane prepared to retrieve some food for Gamora from his [King's Treasury].
*Swish!*
A streak of light shot out.
Gamora, realizing it was food, immediately caught it and devoured it in a few swift bites.
It was only then that Zane noticed, to his surprise, that the streak of light had contained… a hot dog.
Moreover, the distinct radiant waves surrounding it unmistakably bore the mark of his 100% Luck.
"Bastis, let's play rock-paper-scissors," Zane said out of nowhere, addressing the creature perched on his shoulder.
Bastis blinked in confusion but eventually raised a small paw reluctantly.
Though Zane won every round, he knew it was simply because Bastis couldn't form scissors.
"Looks like I'll need to test this next time. If someone else eats this hot dog, will I still get the luck buff?" Zane mused with a sly grin.
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