Ting!~
A slightly harsh, piercing clang of metal clashing.
A long-handled warhammer swung out through the dispersing flames, parried the blade, and, without losing momentum, smashed toward Drax!
Drax was startled!
He wasn't a nimble type to begin with, and on top of that the hammer's force was too fierce and sudden, whipping in at extreme speed.
So, he only had time to hurriedly bring his other knife up in front of his chest to block—
Clang~!!.
Thud...thud...thud...
The hammer sent Drax flying backward, tumbling all the way to Star-Lord's feet.
"Hey, you said you were going to get revenge on Ronan—don't tell me you're just gonna G like this?"
Seeing it looked like they were about to lose a key fighter, Star-Lord couldn't help getting anxious.
"AAH!!"
It seemed Star-Lord's words had an effect.
Drax roared, clutching his heavy, aching chest, and charged at Ronan again, fighting him head-on.
But because he'd taken Ronan's heavy, crushing hammer blow first, he was already injured.
After fighting for a while, Drax gradually fell into disadvantage.
Seeing this, Star-Lord hurried to call Gamora to help deal with Ronan.
He and Rocket Raccoon had to fire to pin down the encircling grunts, and Groot's vine attacks covered a wide area; they all had to deal with large numbers of small fry.
Only Gamora, a close-combat blade user, wasn't as efficient at clearing mobs; pulling her away wouldn't affect things much—she could go help Drax.
Except...
Star-Lord had just turned his head toward Gamora when he saw her locked in combat with a woman with a mechanical head.
It was Thanos's other daughter—Nebula.
No helping it....
Star-Lord could only cast a hopeful look toward the motionless Solus————
"Buddy!
You're Mr. Ye's subordinate?
Drax says you can really fight!
Come give us a hand!
For the sake of me and your boss being from the same hometown!"
…..
Vormir.
"Awake?"
Ye Li brushed aside a strand of white hair that had fallen over Clea's face, smiling.
"If you're awake, then come take a stroll with me."
"Really!?"
Clea was rubbing her blurry, sleepy eyes. Hearing that, she perked up at once, pleasantly surprised. "Is that okay?"
"Of course we can—now you're my woman."
Ye Li sat up and, following the motion, lifted her into his arms as well, saying, "I'm thinking that once you go out, you won't make trouble for me over Dormammu's matter anymore, right....?"
"Rest easy! I'm not minding that rotten-egg uncle of mine!"
Clea's arm lightly curved around his neck as she promised, "Looks like we had a bit of a misunderstanding before.... I won't do bad things—maybe I can even help you."
"That's good... then let's leave here first...."
Just as he was speaking.
Suddenly...
Ye Li, through Solus, heard Star-Lord's request.
'Heh~ looks like it's time for me to step in.... Fine, Ronan once attacked Earth too—might as well handle him while I'm at it.'
Having decided inwardly.
Ye Li lightly kissed Clea's purple lips and said, "I need to handle something here—wait a little longer. It'll be quick."
"Mm, okay."
The white-haired beauty nodded obediently, raised her slender hand, and gently caught a few lightly fragrant petals drifting through the air.
Then, the few petals she'd caught in her palm she put one by one into her mouth, and her shell-white teeth gently chewed.
Ye Li found it a bit odd. "What's this... you so hungry you're eating flowers?"
"No..... mm..... don't you have business... I'm just taking a moment to apply a little floral fragrance for you—that taste isn't so great~"
Clea's beautiful eyes blinked lightly; with a sly smile, she slowly lowered her head and carefully began applying the floral fragrance—————
"En...."
Ye Li savored it carefully, and it did feel a little different—he could sense the faint friction of crushed petals.....