A/N: Glad to see a few of you have taken interest in this story. Keep the feedback coming guys, and enjoy.
02
With a sigh, Gamora reclined in the seat of her temporary vessel.
She was weary, but unable to sleep. Thoughts of Peter plagued her mind. The somber expression he wore as her transport vessel descended from the Milano ate at her. He had fought valiantly to stop her from leaving. It was a gesture she was not entirely sure how to interpret. On one hand, she saw his opposition as a sign of utter disrespect. On the other, a symbol of his affection for her.
When she was able to push the memories of her forlorn Terran aside, another source of anxiety surfaced.
What exactly awaited her on Knowhere? What kind of threat was the universe facing now?
And, most importantly, she thought, gazing steadily at the Celestial head coming into view before her. Is this just some kind of trap?
She did not trust Taneleer, but could conceive no reason for a betrayal on his part. Still, she intended on keeping her guard firm. The Collector was an Elder. He preceded her by millennia. With his age came great knowledge, intelligence, and cunning. To show weakness in his wake would be foolish on multiple levels.
Weaving her ship through the expanse of the mining colony, Gamora caught sight of Tivan's familiar residence on the horizon. It was larger and more choice than most on Knowhere, its size alone eclipsing the surrounding buildings. Like a beacon in the distance, it drew her closer. She had been instructed to land in his docking station, and was pleased to find it open and ready for her arrival. There would be no waiting in the chaotic mess of the adjacent bar, the Boot of Jemiah, this time.
Descending into the holding bank, she landed in the spacious port. While she felt anxious to be in his bearings alone, she was eager to leave her vessel. The trip from Pyrus to Knowhere had been lengthy and her limbs ached from the flight. Being free of the craft nearly brought a smile to her lips, but the sound of footsteps in the distance arrested it.
"Mistress Gamora," a voiced echoed.
Turning, the olive-skinned beauty caught sight of an approaching woman with coral skin. It was unmistakably a Krylorian. A slave of Taneleer's. The woman was fashioned much like his previous attendant. Secretly, she wondered just how many poor Krylorian women Tivan had burnt through over the decades.
"My master waits for you in the main hall. Do come."
With a curtsey the woman turned and teetered out of the docking station. Gamora followed close behind, noting with interest that the interior of his repository was no longer a shambled mess. The damage the Infinity Stone had wrought on his dwelling was seemingly repaired. Many of his artifacts, both animate and inanimate, were once again in their exhibition cases. The main hall, restored as it was, was much as she remembered it.
Even Tivan looked unchanged.
He stood motionlessly on the far side of the foyer. scrutinizing a large piece of parchment. Naturally, he was clothed in an eccentric garb. Furs and expensive fabrics littered with curious patterns embellished his cloak. He was a bizarre spectacle to behold.
Noticing the movement in the room, the Collector glanced up with interest and raised his brow. Removing his thick spectacles, he sauntered towards them idly, the lengthy layers of his embellished fabric swinging gently as he approached. She observed his movements with caution. The room surrounding her suddenly felt more small, and she more breathless the closer he converged.
"My, my," he muttered, closing the distance between them. "Gamora, my dear."
Bowing his head, he captured one of her hands and lifted it to his lips. His kiss was firm and lingered longer than made her comfortable. A subtle grin tugged at the corners of his mouth as he gauged her reaction beneath his heavy lids. Languidly, he trailed his mouth from the center of her hand down to the tips of her fingers, releasing her softly as his lips met their end.
"I've said it once before Tivan, but your formalities are unnecessary." Slightly flustered, Gamora crossed her arms against her chest and raised her chin firmly. "I want explanations and I want them now."
A gruff, hollow laugh issued forth from his chest at her apparent agitation.
"What the lady wants, the lady gets," he sang, amusement visible on his beige visage. "What does the lady want to know?"
"Tivan, do not play games with me," she nearly growled. "I did not travel all the way from Pyrus to entertain your quips. Tell me why I'm here."
"Of course, of course." He sighed, motioning to a chair. "Then you must sit, Gamora. There is much to tell."
Gingerly, she obeyed, seating herself before him and showering him with a gloomy pout.
"It all started long ago, during the reign of the Eternals." He settled himself opposite of her, intently monitoring her features as he spoke. "There existed two brothers, Kronos and Quandros. Both men were powerful and renown, but Kronos surpassed his sibling in every way. You see, envy drove the lesser brother insane. His spite wrought a need within for power and control. In jealousy, he plotted to kill his brother and absorb his strength. However, before Quandros could follow through with this plan, a vision of betrayal struck Kronos. Knowing he could not bear to to kill his own blood and stop him, Kronos did something drastic. He concentrated all his power into his most mighty weapon, the Xiphos, killing himself in the process."
"The Xiphos?" Gamora echoed, eyes softening slightly. "The Xihpos of Kronos Tassarion?"
Taneleer grinned.
"You have heard of it?"
"Once, a long time ago, but..." She looked away from him in confusion. "The existence of that weapon is mere legend. Besides, they say it is –"
"Lost?" He finished, raising his platinum brow. "And so it was, for before Kronos died he cast the sword deep into the depths of the universe to hide it from his brother. It was never found again."
"Until now," she rejoined, studying him with puzzled eyes. "But, by whom?
"A primitive race. They live on a planet called Mo'krak on the fringe of the universe. Their species is yet evolving and cannot comprehend what it is they possess. They keep it hidden in a shrine of worship, but nothing more. Unfortunately, the weapon has garnered the attention of...others, besides I."
For a moment Gamora sat in silence. If what little she knew of Xiphos was true, it was indeed a terrifying artifact. One that would best be kept hidden away.
"This weapon can kill in a single strike, can't it?"
"It can melt the very skin from your bones with a solitary blow. Reduce you to a pile tissue and blood with a touch." As he spoke, his monotone voice grew deeper and more fanatic. "For a more powerful user, it could burn the flesh from every organic creature on a planet."
Gamora started at his last sentence.
"An entire planet?" She murmured, nearly breathless.
Taking a step towards her, he leaned in close, whispering softly, "An entire planet."
The idea of another artifact existing with such power made her feel ill. She could hardly bear the thought of a weapon of such magnitude falling into the wrong hands. The very notion incited memories of the Infinity Stone and Ronan's lust for the destruction of Xandar. It also reminded her of her own species' annihilation at the hands of Thanos. With these memories came a deep pang of sadness.
"Why should I trust you with such a powerful weapon?" She asked quietly, trying to settle her emotions. "Something this deadly would be safer in the hands of the Nova Corps."
Licking his lips, Tivan smiled icily at her beneath his heavily-hooded eyes.
"You need not worry Gamora. If I desired to burn a race of sentients from existence, I would have done so already. I want the Xiphos for my collection. That is all. It will be just as safe in my possession as in the hands of your intergalactic watch dogs."
She knew he spoke the truth. There were likely hundreds of lethal relics in Tivan's care. She could only imagine how many deadly artifacts he had amassed throughout the millennia.
"Fine, but answer me this – why do you need me to retrieve it for you? Why did you forbid my friends from accompanying me here?"
"We have worked together before," he answered nonchalantly. "As for those idiots align yourself with, I don't trust them with such sensitive information. They're not like you, Gamora." Approaching her, he arrested a strand of her hair between his fingers, pulling at it softly before releasing it. "They lack your...morality."
Recoiling from his touch, she sighed and swept a hand through her dark tresses. Whether Tivan was aware of it or not, he was playing upon her weaknesses. His was an offer she could not refuse. Gamora's scathing past made it impossible for her to overlook the ordeal laid before her. She would never allow another race to perish the way her own had. It was an easy decision.
"I accept your mission."
Tivan's hazel eyes widened momentarily before melting into a semblance of pleasure. Dramatically, he bowed before her, extending his arms to his side whilst twirling his wrists.
"Oh, Gamora, a wise choice. A wise choice indeed."
"I hope it is," she warned, crossing her slender arms across her chest.
"You will be compensated for your efforts, of course," his sullen voice droned. "I hope sixty thousand units sounds...reasonable."
In truth, for the work she was agreeing to do, the amount sounded feeble. Still, she would have settled for less. This was not a mission she was completing for the sake of units. Instead, a sense of duty drove her. She nodded curtly in agreement.
"Beautiful!" He sang, twirling round as a raspy chuckle erupted from his chest.
As she watched his extravagant display, the weight of her fatigue resurfaced abruptly. Her body still ached from her long journey and sleep gnawed relentlessly at the back of her consciousness, begging for admittance. She needed rest. Not only physically, but mentally. Her mind hungered for a much needed repose. Tivan's words had spurred hundreds of unsettling thoughts, and she lacked the mental strength to tackle them at present.
"Since we've settled the basics, I hope you won't mind if I retire. We can negotiate the specifics in the morning."
Turning from him, Gamora started down the path she and his Krylorian entered upon her landing, but stopped at the sound of heavy foot steps echoing behind her at an alarming pace. Before she could turn her curious gaze, Tivan stood before her, obstructing her path.
"Might I ask where you're going?" He questioned, his golden brow lifted.
Gamora's mouth grew tight. She tried to conceal her annoyance for sake of civility.
"My ship," she answered evenly.
"Unnecessary. We've prepared a room for you near my living quarters."
Gamora exhaled audibly. There was little more off putting than idea of spending her stay on Knowhere in Tivan's lair. With chagrin, she gazed at the eerie exhibition capsules above them. Many of the creatures stared quietly at her from behind their encasements. Those that were sentient and could comprehend their language seemed to watch with a glint of interest.
"My ship will do," she muttered dismissively, trying to side step him.
Her attempt was abruptly met with his looming physique once more. Glancing up at him, she found his countenance sullen. His dank features regarded her with a chilly air.
"My lady, as your host I simply could not allow that."
The subtle edge in his voice was enough to soften her opposition. In a less fatigued state, she would have pushed him further. However, as tired as she was, she lacked the will to argue. Sighing in defeat, she took a step back from his uncomfortable proximity
"Fine, I'll stay here."
A satisfied smirk curved his lips.
"Margery!" With a wave of his long fingers, embellished queerly with various rings, the Krylorian approached them. "Show Gamora to her room. Make sure she is comfortable." Turning his attention back to the olive-skinned assassin, he continued, "She will bring you your things shortly."
With a terse nod, Gamora turned from her persistent host and trailed behind the woman.
Finally, she thought, as she followed his attendant through the bulk of menagerie.
She was glad to be free of him.
Tivan was overbearing. Being alone is his company made her anxious. More anxious than she had expected. She attributed the feeling to the absence of her companions. The five of them were so acclimated to being together that acting singularly often felt foreign. Gamora derived peace of mind from knowing Peter, Drax, Rocket, or Groot were nearby if anything were to go awry. Without them she felt exposed. Vulnerable.
Which is exactly why this is good for me, she mused. My dependence on my friends has made me weak.
"Mistress Gamora," his servant called suddenly. "We are here."
As if waking from a trance, she surveyed her surroundings with interest. They appeared to be, from what she could discern, in a normal looking dwelling. The floors were made of tile, the walls bore a deep maroon, and furniture was tastefully situated throughout. Most shocking of all, there were no specimens to behold.
"Where are we?" She questioned, her pretty features masked in confusion.
"In the south wing, my lady. My master's living quarters."
"Living quarters?" She echoed, remembering his words.
The area was, to her amusement, decorated much in Taneleer's style. Large paintings garnished the walls, and upon every table sat a vase with large, beautiful flowers. The furniture was a dark burnished wood that complimented the maroon. Much like Tivan himself, the composition was altogether dramatic.
"Yes, lady Gamora, and this is your room."
Opening the door, the two entered the accommodations. It was decorated much like the main foyer, the color scheme consistent. A large bed sat in the room's center along with an adjacent nightstand. Other bedroom apparel such as a closet, dresser, and small desk were also present. On the far side of the room was another door.
"Not bad," she whispered, eying the bed with fatigue, her lust for sleep mounting.
"My master will be glad to hear you are pleased. If you require anything further, water, blankets, towels, please alert me. Your personal lavatory is over there," she cooed, pointing the closed door. "I will be back with your belongings shortly."
With a final curtsey the Krylorian exited the chamber, her pigtails bouncing in motion with her gait.
To be continued...?