The healing cocoon was found by the Universal Church of Truth and taken aboard one of their templeships. They mistakenly believed they had found the Magus and took him back to their homeworld of Sacrosanct. Following his resurrection, Thanos destroyed the planet as retribution for bringing him back to life.

The Titan reveals that his only devotion in life was to the physical abstract of Death. Once he was dead and in her company, he was content. Thanos knows that Adam Warlock and the Universal Church were not responsible for his return to life. He demands to know who has dared to take him from his resting place.

On Moondragon, the body of Thanos is being held captive in chains. His mind had been probed by Cosmo, Thanos and Mantis. They have been using their mind powers to keep the beserk monster under control and to learn who resurrected him. Moondragon speculates that Thanos is responsible in some way and has hidden his true purpose even from himself. She also believes their best course of action is to kill him while they have the opportunity.

She decides to take her plan to Peter Quill. Quill, aka Starlord, is in the lab with Rocket Racoon attempting to revive the burnt out Cosmic Cube which was used to capture Thanos. The three Guardians discuss Heather's option. The furry raccoon explains that Thanos is Death's avatar and one of the major beings in the universe's big picture along with the Abstracts such as Eternity and Oblivion. He also wonders if all their previous events were related to Thanos's death in the Annihilation War. Rocket believes that killing Thanos again might have dire consequences. Drax disagrees and agrees with his daughter Moondragon that Thanos must die before they all die first.

Meanwhile, in deep space, Nova continues his chase of Dark Quasar as they head towards the Fault. Richard Rider continues transmitting his 8X8 distress signal to everyone warning them of the dangers of the Fault. Quasar responds and informs his friend that he is at the Fault along with the Shi'Ar fleet. He also tells Nova that everyone in the galaxy has been made aware of the universal threat. Gladiator arrives alongside Quasar and elaborates that the Spartoi, Rigellians, the Kree and Blastaar's bandits are among those that support their cause. Wendell informs Nova that he is on his way to help as Nova and Dark Quasar arrive at the fleet of the Church's templeships near the Fault.

The WorldMind informs Richard that the level of belief energy generated by the Church's followers is building higher. The human rocket finally catches up with the twisted version of Quasar and they go crashing into one of the templeships. As Nova attacks Dark Quasar, he is unaware of Adam Magus who blasts him from behind! The WorldMind warns Richard Rider to escape quickly due to the highly dangerous power levels of Magus. Rich refuses to run due to the number of lives in danger.

Suddenly, Quasar flies into the templeship and begins an intense battle with his evil counterpart. During the fight, Wendell Vaughn notices that the Magus not only brought templeships to the Fault, he also brought a number of actual planets full of converted believers! As Nova and Quasar watch in horror, Adam Magus uses his power to detonate all the planets in a massive explosion! The blast kills trillions of beings instantly and the released energy rips the Fault wide open just as the Magus intended!

Back on Knowhere, the telepaths of the Guardians of the Galaxy mentally feel the explosion. They suddenly realize something has happened in the holding cells where Thanos is held captive. Before they get very far, Thanos smashes through the wall!

Back on the templeship, Magus and Dark Quasar sense the Many Angled Ones are beginning to adjust to our dimension. They turn to find their master has arrived. The mysterious figure asks Magus if the avatar of death has been eliminated. Adam tries to explain that the avatar is still alive but he should be able to complete his mission shortly. In response, Adam Magus is disintegrated by the stranger!

Magus's killer steps forward and is revealed as Lord Mar-Vell!