The biting wind howled past his ears, and an indescribable pain coursed through every inch of his body.
Was this... the true strength of that big brute?
Completely powerless to fight back.
The strength Cull Obsidian unleashed in his fury was simply too overwhelming for Lothar to resist. Even with the cushioning effect of the Sanctum's upper structures, his soaring trajectory showed no signs of slowing.
"It's already over, Lothar."
Cull Obsidian leapt into the air, easily catching Lothar by the ankle. Under his control, the two bodies plummeted toward the ground at breakneck speed.
The earth trembled. The frail figure crashed into the ground, carving out a deep crater.
No matter how hard he struggled, Lothar was pinned beneath Cull Obsidian's massive frame, buried under the rubble.
As the dust settled, two silhouettes emerged from the ruins—one large, one small.
Lothar coughed, feeling as if his organs had been displaced.
"If you think this is the end... you're still far off."
Despite his battered state, what surprised Cull Obsidian was the unwavering defiance on Lothar's youthful face—an insolent pride that refused to be extinguished.
No... perhaps "stubbornness" would be a better word.
I am the last hope of the Saiyan race... how could I die here?
I haven't avenged Planet Vegeta... I haven't fulfilled my adoptive father's dream... how could I die here?
A burning will ignited within him. Under the cold moonlight, to Cull Obsidian's disbelief, the bloodied Lothar staggered to his feet from the wreckage.
His crimson tail flicked with undying determination, and his youthful features were carved with steely resolve.
"Seems I was too gentle..."
With a flick of his hand, the massive battle axe flew into Cull Obsidian's grasp from the depths of the Sanctum.
"I'll admit... shattering my helmet did surprise me. But this is where it ends."
"You think you're facing some brainless cyborg soldier?" With his towering figure, Cull Obsidian looked down at Lothar.
"You're facing one of the four strongest under Thanos' command—his own son."
He raised his axe high, aiming straight for Lothar's head—but this time, he struck empty air.
Despite his weakened state, Lothar had wrapped his tail around Cull Obsidian's leg, using the giant's bulk as leverage to swing himself behind him. In one fluid motion, he leapt several meters away, putting distance between them.
At last, Lothar made up his mind—his gaze locked onto the full moon hanging in the skies.
This was his hidden ace—his reason for daring to sneak into the nutrient chamber tonight.
After enduring countless battles, Lothar believed he could finally control that power.
Above the Sanctum, Ebony Maw floated beside Thanos, puzzled by Lothar's sudden pause to gaze at the moon.
Had Cull Obsidian beaten him senseless?
"It's begun," Thanos muttered, a faint anticipation in his voice—as if waiting for his adopted son to deliver a surprise.
Before Ebony Maw could ask, Lothar's small frame began to... swell under the moonlight?
A primal bellow erupted from Lothar's throat as his frail body transformed into a towering Great Ape, its muscles rippling with boundless power. Waves of energy radiated from him, distorting the air around him.
Lothar could feel it—this overwhelming strength surging through his limbs.
It was no illusion. He truly believed he could pulverize anyone with a single punch.
But unlike before, his mind remained clear. Three years since his last transformation, Lothar could now fully control this fearsome power.
His brown-furred Great Ape form towered even by cosmic standards. Compared to him, the hulking Cull Obsidian was nothing more than a dwarf.
"Now... it's your turn to end."
Lothar's deep, guttural voice echoed from above, and without warning, he hammered both fists into the ground.
The earth beneath Cull Obsidian's feet collapsed.
Instinctively, he leapt into the air—only to be caught mid-jump by Lothar's tail, which had already calculated his escape route. With a powerful flick, Cull Obsidian was sent crashing into the crater below, debris flying in all directions.
The cold voice made Cull Obsidian's heart sink. He lashed out with his axe, its black chains wrapping around Lothar's arm. Blue energy crackled along the chains, biting into his flesh—forcing a pained roar from the giant ape.
But Lothar merely grabbed the chains, yanking Cull Obsidian off balance.
He didn't waste the opportunity—seizing the brute by the leg and smashing him into the ground again and again.
Left, right, up, down—Lothar repaid every blow he'd suffered, doubled.
By the time he finally released him, Cull Obsidian's armor was in tatters.
With his fury spent, Lothar's gaze shifted back to the Sanctum. The nutrient fluid within... that was his true target tonight.
His Great Ape form could only last a few days each year. If he wanted to survive the remaining trials, that nutrient fluid was essential.
Cull Obsidian lay battered and motionless. The remaining cyborg soldiers and mercenaries were hardly worth mentioning.
Only Ebony Maw posed any real threat now.
"Lord Thanos... what is Lothar...?"
Seeing the staggering rise in Lothar's power, Ebony Maw could no longer suppress his curiosity.
"Lothar... is a child of Titan."
A satisfied smile played on Thanos' lips as he descended from his throne, leaving Ebony Maw to puzzle out the answer on his own.
He could rule out Lothar being a native of Titan... but then...
Following Thanos down to the Sanctum, Ebony Maw pondered in silence.
"Lothar, the trial is over."
As Lothar stepped into the Sanctum, a familiar voice greeted him. He turned to see Thanos, clad in golden armor, descending slowly.
Lothar frowned, wary of yet another test.
"The trial has ended ahead of schedule. Your performance... far exceeded my expectations, child."
The trial had only been a means to familiarize Lothar with various combat styles. The true goal was to see if he could control his Great Ape's bloodthirst.
Thanos had estimated it would take at least a year.
But in just 116 days, Lothar had already mastered it.
With his goal achieved, there was no need for the trial to continue.
"You are now... a true warrior, Lothar."
-----------------------
Want to read ahead of schedule?
Join here for advance Chapters: .COM / PRIMALDEMON