Godlings and Gladiators

The Deviant priest Ghaur has been resurrected and has captured ideal candidates as part of his scheme for ultimate power.[1] He had captured the Avengers and then manipulated Warlord Kro into forming a group called Delta Force to obtain the last few beings he needs.

Enslaved by brain-mines, the Avengers Giant-Man and Black Knight are forced to fight Ransak the Reject and Karkas to the death in the Deviants arena. Although the two Avengers win the fight and the Deviants demand that Ransak and Karkas be put to death, they can’t bring themselves to do it.

Elsewhere in Lemuria, Ghaur has taken the New God Varua, Captain America, Sersi, Crystal, and Hercules prisoner. Then using his power to control Deviants genetic code, he forces Tzabaoth attack its father Kro and Dragona. Realizing that he cannot fight his opponent, Kro surrenders to him.

Back in the arena, the Black Knight is finally being pushed to kil Ransak and Karkas when he is stopped by Enigmo. Also joining the Red Bull who clashes with Giant-Man. In the ensuing struggle they manage to knock the brain mine off Giant-Man’s head. However, time runs out for Red Bull and he is shunted back into the mystical amulet worn by his human host, a young autstic boy named Tupac Amaru. The Black Knight swings his sword at the young boy, but his mind resists the orders from the brain mine, frying its circuits and freeing him. The Knight and his allies then fight their way to Ghaur and his prisoners.

However, by this time, Ghaur has used his power to combine his prisoners into a Uni-Mind that attaches itself to his head, granting him the ultimate power he seeks. When the Black Knight and the others arrive, Dane discovers that his Gann Josin link to Sersi allows him to generate a sword made out of pure energy.[2] He uses this weapon to split open the Uni-Mind attached to Ghaur’s head, allowing Sersi and the other captives to get free. Although his grand scheme has been foiled, Ghaur points out that he has cemented his place as ruler of Deviant Lemuria. Realizing that they cannot stop him, both the Avengers and Delta Force are allowed to depart. As they leave, the Black Knight tells Sersi that when they get back they need to have a serious talk about the Gann Josin link between the two of them.

Observing the two teams departing Lemuria are two Deviants calling themselves Lord T and Lord K. They are pleased that their plan to drive a wedge between Deviant society that will eventually blow up into a war between Ghaur and Kro, allowing them to pick up the pieces.[3]

Recurring Characters

Avengers (Captain America, Giant-Man, Hercules, Black Knight, Sersi, Crystal), Delta Force (Karkas, Kro, Ransak the Reject, Dragona, Tzabaoth, Enigmo, Toro Rojo), Ghaur, Karygmax, Tantaulus (unidentified), Khult (unidentified), Varua, Tupac Amaru

Continuity Notes

1. Ghaur had previously perished during the Atlantis Attack events. See Silver Surfer Annual #2, Iron Man Annual #10, Uncanny X-Men Annual #13, Amazing Spider-Man Annual #23, Punisher Annual #2, Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #9, Daredevil Annual #5, Avengers Annual #18, New Mutants Annual #5, X-Factor Annual #4, Web of Spider-Man Annual #5, Avengers West Coast Annual #4, Thor Annual #14, and Fantastic Four Annual #22.

2. The Black Knight was forcibly made Sersi’s Gann Josin — or life mate — in Avengers #361.

3. Lords T & K are later revealed to be Tantaulus and Khult. Their plan of triggering a war among the Deviants doesn’t come to fruition. See Blackwulf #1-10.