Special Agent 2: The Dark Soldier

Chapter 54

Within seconds, Loki and Gamora had freed Tidal from his restraints. "Let's go," Gamora said crisply, turning to Tekahionwake, but the sorcerer shook her head.

"Not without Almaraz," she stated firmly. "We take him with us."

Gamora went to protest, but Loki silenced her with a look. "Fine," she conceded. "But make it fast. I don't want to be here any longer than absolutely necessary."

Quickly, they left Cell 45XA and hurried back to the guard station at the entrance of the high-security wing, where Nasario Almaraz's body lay. The lights flickered in the hallway, drawing their attention to the solitary figure standing in the center of it, gripping a long piece of metal bar in one hand and a short dagger in the other. With a start, Loki realized it was the Kylosian from earlier.

"Daughter of Thanos," he boomed. "You shall pay for what Ronan did to my wife and daughter!"

"Who is this guy?" Rocket asked, wrinkling his nose.

"No idea," Gamora murmured, Loki also shaking his head in confusion.

"I am Drax the Destroyer!" the Kylosian bellowed. "And I shall laugh as I slit your throats!"

"Can you count?" Rocket called. "Because it's..." The creature took a moment to count up their group. "...five against one, dumbass! It'll be us who trample on you!"

"There shall be no trampling," Drax insisted. "I would derive much more pleasure from watching your blood sully your skin and clothing."

Rocket sighed. "Right, Kylosians have no sense of metaphorical speech. Almost worse than dealing with Groot."

"We don't have to put up with this," Loki said, turning to Tekahionwake, who had knelt beside Almaraz's body. "Let's go!"

"Take him so I can summon a portal," Tekahionwake requested, and Loki scooped up the limp body of the sorcerer as she slipped her sling ring on. Drax had started running toward them, and Rocket was firing on him, although the blasts seemed to do little on the Kylosian's thick skin.

The orange fire cut through the air and the dimension, connecting them with the Milano. Loki jumped through, still carrying Almaraz's corpse, and Tidal ducked through after him. Gamora followed, with Rocket diving after her as Drax, still bellowing, fell through after them.

Tekahionwake leapt through the portal, the fire closing behind her and cutting them off from the Kyln, and landed on Drax's back. Instantly, she dropped, driving her knee into the small of his back. "Don't move," she ordered fiercely.

"You don't command me, woman," Drax said, bracing his arms against the floor and shoving up.

Tekahionwake summoned her arrows and placed the tips on his shoulder blades, their points burning into his skin. "Think your next movement through closely, Drax."

"What do you want with me?" Gamora asked him, glaring down at the Kylosian. Drax tilted his head up to meet her gaze.

"Ronan killed my family, and so I shall return the favor by killing his," he spat. "I will start with you, witch."

"I am no family to Ronan," Gamora stated. "And I want nothing to do with him."

"And she's not the witch," Rocket muttered.

"But I can still kill you," Drax insisted.

"Who is this?" Thor asked, striding into the hold. Loki had just realized that that was where the group had ended up. His brother hefted Mjolnir, studying Drax quizzically. "Is this the tracker?"

"No, I am," Tidal said quietly.

Thor's eyes widened as he turned and saw the Light Elf. "I was told your people were extinct."