Cosmic Beasts weren't even close to the C'tans, even compared to their fragments. A few Cosmic Beasts who had absorbed fragments might be able to match a weak C'tan, but there was still a gap.
C'tans were born at the dawn of the universe, absorbing vast stellar energy and cosmic radiation. They were gods of the material domain.
Cosmic Beasts were just a special kind of monster from the Ultraman system universe. Their life level wasn't even close, but after coming here and absorbing C'tan shards—and with the system's power—they'd found a new path.
"Cosmic Beasts? In my eyes, they're just C'tan creations. Don't bother lying—I see right through you. You've been tricked by the C'tans. Whatever they promised, it's a lie," Anrakyr snorted.
How ridiculous. Humans, thinking they control C'tan power, imagining they've gained the C'tans' allegiance? What a joke! The C'tans would never submit to any material universe being.
They're the highest level of existence in the material universe. Would you humans submit to an ant?
"I don't need to lie. Cosmic Beasts can absorb C'tan shards and truly kill them. I've already destroyed two C'tan shards," Rhodes said helplessly.
What the hell is this guy imagining?
"Funniest joke I've ever heard. The so-called servant is actually the master, the so-called master actually the servant.
You're helping this C'tan absorb others' power. You're helping it resurrect. When it no longer needs you, it'll reclaim all the power it gave you.
You'll be left with nothing, a miserable fate. I can already see your future," Anrakyr declared.
A being with C'tan-like power, able to devour fragments… if it wasn't a C'tan, what else could it be?
This phoenix-shaped energy form must be a juvenile C'tan. Once it absorbs enough fragments, it'll rebel against its master.
So, Rhodes's fate was sealed. In Anrakyr's eyes, Rhodes and his three companions were all beneficiaries of some unknown C'tan.
As for Necron resurrection, their kind had been transformed into cold metal skeletons by the C'tans. If they could be transformed, they could be restored. Simple as that.
But this unknown C'tan wouldn't be arrogant for long. News of his death would soon reach the Necron tombs, and the Silent King would act.
"…"
Rhodes looked at his Cosmic Phoenix. If it wasn't summoned by the System, he might actually believe him.
By your logic, is my System made by a C'tan? Was my transmigration a C'tan plot? A C'tan so powerful he could summon Tartarus, the Destruction Angel, Cosmic Beasts, and Dark Giants?
If such a C'tan existed, you guys wouldn't have won the War in Heaven sixty million years ago.
"Hmph! Foolish low-tier lifeforms love wild speculation about things they don't understand. Cosmic Beasts are amazing, but they're gentle, not evil," Tartarus said coldly, spreading his arms.
Even the mysterious Four Ultras are only a bit stronger than him!
"You're rather pitiful, Anrakyr. You Necrons—no, your whole Necron race—are no longer the galactic overlords you once were.
You've lost your glory, your honor. Before you became Necrons, you were wise, artistic, noble.
But since your transformation, you've become violent, cold, ruthless monsters," Rhodes said.
"That's the C'tans' curse on us! We were never like this," Anrakyr replied.
"I'm done talking. That C'tan shard is mine," Rhodes said.
"Wishful thinking. You think defeating me means you can take Necron property?
Impossible! You have no access to the tomb core.
Even with all your power, Necron tech is beyond you. If you force it open, the hypercube device will activate—you'll see what happens," Anrakyr declared.
He was bluffing. The hypercube had safeguards, but these guys could break them easily.
He was just trying to buy time, hoping the Silent King would arrive to reclaim the fragment.
"I get the feeling you're bluffing," Rhodes remarked.
He didn't want to gamble on some hidden Necron doomsday trap.
"Wretched C'tan lackey! Disgusting C'tan slave! Just kill me if you dare!" Anrakyr yelled.
He was hoping to be killed. His backup memory was with the Silent King; if Rhodes killed him, he'd be revived.
"Shall I kill him, master?" Zog asked.
"Master, I'm 80% sure he's bluffing," said Mefilas.
"Great master, trust us, there's nothing to worry about. With my space control, Mefilas's psychic power, and Zog's might, nothing can threaten you. Against absolute power, all tricks are futile," Tartarus added.
If Anrakyr had a real kill switch, he'd have used it, not revealed it.
Rhodes nodded, took Anrakyr's skull, and handed it to Mefilas for safekeeping.
"Imprison him! Guard him carefully!" Rhodes ordered.
All Necron overlords had memory backups. If killed, they'd be revived elsewhere. Imprisonment was the only option.
As long as the body wasn't completely destroyed, the resurrection protocol wouldn't trigger.
Anrakyr cursed Rhodes madly, but it was useless. Mefilas quickly sealed his consciousness and packed him into a metal box.
After dealing with Anrakyr, Rhodes and his three followers headed to the Necron tomb's core.
His three subordinates used their respective skills—Mefilasian psychic power, Tartarus' Absolutian science, and space-time manipulation.
They cracked the tomb core with ease.
"Nothing special, master! That fool was bluffing. There are some safeguards, but just for ordinary mortals. Against us, his tricks are meaningless," Tartarus said.
Rhodes nodded and went to the tomb world's core, where a hypercube imprisoned a 2,000-meter-tall green energy figure.
"Mortal, release me, and I'll grant you unparalleled power. I'll give you anything you desire," the C'tan shard greeted Rhodes.
"I will release you, don't worry!" Rhodes replied.
"Good, mortal. Wise choice. After you release me, you'll be my servant. I'll grant you eternal life and great power," said the fragment, satisfied.
"Don't misunderstand. You won't be my master. You'll be food for my servant. I don't need you to grant me anything. I'll take what I want myself," Rhodes sneered.
Tartarus, Zog, and Mefilas glanced at each other, then released the C'tan shard and brought it into space.
Rhodes summoned the Beast Queen Zoiger and other cosmic beasts to absorb the fragment.