Writer: Jim Starlin Penciller: Ron Lim Additional Art: John Beatty Additional Art: Tom Vincent

The final piece to the puzzle was the most difficult to obtain, and I had purposely saved it for last. The Mind Gem was in the possession of the Grand Master. The Grand Master has spent a thousand lifetimes devoted to nothing but the contest. He knew every game of skill that existed and all of the tricks used to win. He had set up the playing field to his advantage, but I had a something up my sleeve even he couldn't have anticipated.

The Grand Master had placed the Mind Gem in a stasis field that would be removed should he lose. In the case of his victory, I would forfeit all five gems that I had labored for. The contest was a quasi-military exercise set on a mental plane of existence. We donned the equipment and the match was under way with deification going to the winner. I managed to dodge his initial parries and set up for a kill shot. However, the Grand Master had sabotaged my equipment with a deadly fungus. As he began to gloat he realized his mistake.

If the Grand Master had kept the Mind Gem on his person, he would have recognized his opponent to be a cleverly created android duplicate of myself. I smashed the game console and simultaneously shattered the Grand Master's mind leaving him trapped and falling in an infinite, virtual abyss.

At last I had won! None could stand before me! No one could refuse my omnipotence! Finally, I could take my place at the side of Mistress Death as her equal in an eternity of bliss.

How could I have miscalculated so greatly? Mistress Death no longer desired my presence. Speaking through her minions (she wouldn't even address me directly!) she said that I was many stages above her. Infuriated I stormed out of her chamber. Her words slowly sank in. An unbelievable quest had ended in a bitter disappointment.

I was god and I was alone.