"Is that it?"
"You're surrendering?"
"Where is that strength of yours as a member of the Celestial team?"
"Even if you can't beat me, you should at least be a lot more durable, shouldn't you?"
Alaric stopped and looked at Arishem suspiciously, not believing in the strength he had shown.
Arishem looked at Alaric with innocent, offended eyes.
Do you hear yourself talking!?
I'm here half-dead, and you still don't believe you're stronger than me!?
My helmet is shattered, my armor is full of cracks. If you keep beating me like this, sooner or later I'll die!
And you're still not satisfied with the outcome!?
Should I also apologize?
Sorry I didn't let you vent enough!?
Arishem felt completely wronged!
To meet an opponent like this, it would be a miracle to beat him!!
If I didn't feel that aura of my kind coming from you, I'd seriously think you're one of the Celestials too!!
"Really, believe me, I'm no match for you!"
"I'll never come to Earth again!"
"I have no right to judge you!"
Faced with the mighty Alaric, Arishem had no other choice but to yield and beg for mercy, just to save his life.
He was afraid that if he didn't surrender in time, he might not be able to leave at all!
Let alone revenge, because he felt that Alaric hadn't even shown all of his strength yet.
One or two Celestials might not be worthy opponents for Alaric!
He was genuinely terrified!
"Are you sure? You won't be coming back again?" Alaric asked seriously.
"Positive!!" Arishem nodded his head like a woodpecker.
Not to mention that both Ancient One and Odin were still alive, he no longer had the courage to even step into the Nine Realms, let alone approach the place where Alaric was.
"How many more Eternals are out there?"
"If they want to stay on Earth, let them stay."
Arishem didn't care too much about a few tools on legs.
"Then… what do you think about that dead Celestial?" Alaric asked again.
Alaric was thinking, since you're already here, let's settle this completely so there won't be problems in the future.
"That was his fate. Besides, every newborn Celestial must undergo my judgment to see if they are worthy to join the Celestials. Since he's dead, it means he didn't pass."
That was Arishem's honest truth, and also part of his job.
Before he came, he had already felt that Tiamut's life trace had vanished.
That's why he told Sersi that he would decide whether Earth was worthy to continue existing based on their memories.
Now it turned out that the value existed and it was enormous.
Because of Alaric, Arishem no longer needed the Eternals' memories.
He couldn't defeat Alaric, so what right did he have to judge anyone?
"Then we're agreed? I'll let you go this time, but you mustn't come near Earth again, or I won't show mercy."
Alaric said seriously.
"I understand."
"Alright, I'll let you out."
Alaric saw that he and Arishem had come to an agreement, so he released him.
The outer world.
While Sersi, Phastos, and Kingo were still wondering who would win the fight between Alaric and Arishem, and what their fate would be afterward, the space suddenly shook.
A massive figure appeared again, but before Sersi and the others could react, Arishem had already teleported himself away.
"Did I just imagine it? It looks like Arishem… was injured?" Sersi said uncertainly.
"Looks like it… his helmet looks shattered?" Phastos wasn't sure either, so he asked in the spiritual space.
"So… Alaric defeated Arishem and drove him away?!"
Sersi suddenly spoke, almost not believing it.
"We're saved!? It's really over!?" Phastos exclaimed only afterward.
Suddenly, immense joy flooded the hearts of Sersi and Phastos.
As for Kingo, he was still too shocked and couldn't believe that Alaric had actually managed to defeat a Celestial!
And not just any, their very creator, Arishem the Judge!
That's a god even all of them together couldn't oppose!
And Alaric still won!?
Not just Kingo, neither Sersi nor Phastos could accept that fact just like that!
In the small universe.
Alaric approached Tony.
"Is it over?" Tony stepped up and asked.
"It is."
"Where are the corpses? Even though one is more than enough to study for years, having another wouldn't hurt."
Tony said, rubbing his hands.
"…He's gone." Alaric looked at Tony wordlessly.
What do you think I am?
He's a Celestial, should I chop him up and haul him over like lumber for you?
And don't you think you're just a bit greedy!?
"Alaric!!" Sersi was immensely happy when she saw that Alaric returned, and without a scratch.
He must've succeeded!
That was enough.
At least Alaric didn't have to go around explaining his existence to every Celestial team member individually.
Kingo thought to himself: if even Arishem got beaten by Alaric and had to flee, if I keep causing trouble, wouldn't I basically be asking for a shorter life?
"What!? You didn't finish him!!" Tony shouted.
Banner: ???
"Still, even though Arishem won't be returning, if any of you cause trouble on Earth again, I won't forgive you. Watch your behavior."
Alaric waved his hand and lifted the restrictions off the three of them.
"I understand."
"Alright, you can go back to your business, I'm leaving."
After saying that, Alaric returned to the same place he was before.
At the same time, he returned to the sanctuary.
"What!? You didn't take him down!!" Tony pointed accusingly at Banner.
Banner: ???
"Ikaris and Sprite died at his hand because they sided with the Celestial."
"Alright, you're free. Let's go tell the good news to Thena and the others!"
Phastos was so excited he could barely speak properly!
"Kingo, you better not mess around. Ikaris and Sprite died at his hand because they were on the Celestial's side."
"Alright, alright, by the way, next time something like this happens, can you move somewhere else? I almost lost control and transformed."
Alaric said to Kingo.
"I understand."
"So… because the other guy was too powerful?" Kingo was confused.
"Not to watch over us, but to protect us," said Sersi.
"Alright… then I'll just head back to India and continue being a movie star, no fooling around!"
Kingo said seriously.
"I understand."
"Definitely, we have nothing to worry about anymore." Phastos said seriously.
"He drove off the Celestial and protected Earth!
He protected us too!!"
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And, the last chapter, there's one more left, but I couldn't find it anywhere. I hope you enjoyed the fanfic.