Ghaur

Ghaur is the results of centuries of genetic crossbreeding by his Deviant priesthood in order to create the master of all Deviants.

Eternals vol. 2 #1- behind the scenes- A group of Deviants expose Ikaris to a machine. Ikaris doesn’t notice any effects from the machine and the Deviants run away. Cataphrax returns to Lemuria triumphant. He presents the machine that he fixed to Ikaris’ symbols on his clothing to the holy man. Cataphrax is then sacrificed because of something in his genetic make up. Thena has become the leader of the Eternals when her father died. Thena slams down a prism that projects an image of her father. She leaves upset before the prism can tell her an important secret.

Eternal vol. 2 #2- Brother Tode is dead, but Lemuria is strangely quiet because the people have heard that the priests are moving. Brother Ranar, son of the deceased Brother Tode, appears before the priests and demands a beginning to the ritual of ascendancy that will certify his status. Ghaur asks Ranar what status that would be. Ranar says that he is rightful heir to the throne. Ghaur says that it isn’t that simple. Ghaur says that Ranar is only heir because his father perished at the hands of the Eternals, and that he is a moron. Ranar protests, but Ghaur says that he is just confirming his opinion for him. Ghaur says that the priests consider the usefulness of the House of Tode to be at an end. Ranar draws a weapon to attach Ghaur, but Ghaur just sits there. He says that he was present when Ranar was born, when he tore his mother to shreds as he came into the world. Ghaur says that he saw Ranar as a clumsy murderer even before he took his first breath. Ghaur goes on to say that he has studied Ranar’s genetic code, and that he is quite familiar with Ranar though he never managed to find out how he got so stupid. Ghaur says that what he did discover is things that would make Ranar cry tears that one would never see again. Tears roll down Ranar’s face and form a blockage over Ranar’s mouth. Ghaur says that such tears are not the thing that Deviant leaders are made of. He wishes Ranar peace as Ranar claws at his mouth. Ghaur orders Ranar’s death. Ghaur walks away saying that he has been interrupted enough for the day. Warlord Kro watches Ranar’s murder through the camera in a mechanical rat’s eyes. Kro wonders if he should still try to become leader of the Deviants. He goes to see Ghaur. Kro says that he thought he might be the new leader of the Deviants. Ghaur asks Kro to give him a reason why he should make him ruler instead of killing him. Kro shows his power and that he only held it in check before as a good warlord should. Ghaur says that he needs a reason to tell the Deviants so that they don’t think Kro is the Deviant leader because of their old friendship. Kro says that he knows many secrets that a ruler should know. Ghaur leads Kro to the Circlet of the Ascendant. Kro is about to accept it when one of the priests “bumps” it off it’s pedestal. He stops the circlet by stomping on it and hands the mangled circlet to Kro. Ghaur laughs as he walks away from their new “master”.

Eternals vol. 2 #3- behind the scenes- Acting as Ghaur’s puppet Kro learns that the location of the weapon supreme is in the Pyramid of the Winds. Kro rallies the Deviants to Ghaur’s mission to change the order of the three stages of man where the Deviants are always getting the short end of the stick.

Eternals vol. 2 #5- Yrdisis, an artist, does some work for Ghaur. Ghaur compliments her work, but Yrdisis is tired from her work. She begs his pardon for her rudeness. Ghaur says that it is forgotten as her rage in her work reflects the rage all Deviants feel as their “brothers” the humans and Eternals bask in the glory of the sun. Ghaur tells her that he has much to do and excuses her. Ghaur walks away carrying a crystal key. Yrdisis secretly works for the followers of Kro. Warlord Kro arrives at the Pyramids of the Wind and uses the imprint of Ikaris’ symbols (from issue #1) to gain access to the weapon supreme.

Eternals vol. 2 #6- behind the scenes- Lunger, spy for Ghaur, tries to get Kro to turn the vial over to Ghaur, but Kro says that he can have it when he is done with it. Ikaris arrives and challenges Kro. Ghaur is laughing as Ikaris is killing Kro. Thena comes in and saves Kro, but some of the priests’ soldiers grab up the vial to get the reward for it.

Eternal vol. 2 #7- The priests have ordered “purity time” as a tool of repression. Deviants are rounded up and those who have strayed too far from the genetic norm are killed. Elsewhere in the Deviant city, Ghaur asks Klarheit for a report. Ghaur asks if Kro has been cut down by the Eternals. Klarheit says that Kro was teleported away by Thena. Klarheit says that on the plus side they have the vial. Ghaur compliments him on that, but says that Kro was to be martyred to their ficticious cause. Klarheit says that any punishment Ghaur orders for him will be accepted. Ghaur says that it is pointless to order Klarheit to be as clever as Kro. He says that what he needs from Klarheit is a full report. Ghaur watches his viewscreen as the vial is loaded into a rocket and sent to Ghaur. The vial should reach him in an hour. Ghaur signs off. He says that they are not yet secure enough in their plan that they can affoard to ignore them. He thinks that with Thena’s betrayal of her other Eternals that they will help him hunt her down. Ghaur says too that at least the Eternals will be busy as the vial is delivered to his hands. Ghaur says that even the space gods will tremble then. Ghaur asks the crystal key in his hand if the progress pleases it. The crystal hisses, “yesssssss”. Later Thena and Kro are surrounded by the priests. Thena teleports them away and winds up next to the flame pits where those who where Deviants, supposedly sacrificed to the flame, were teleported instead of burned. Thena and Kro kiss. Suddenly Ghaur is standing with them. He says that they are surrounded. Ghaur also invites Thena to try and teleport, and when she cannot he explains that this place was built long ago by the priests and that it is shielded like no other place on Earth. Ghaur says that anyone can get in, but that only a priest can escape. Ghaur says that the “chosen ones” have been sent here long before he was even born. Ghaur further adds that thanks to Kro’s efforts that the Deviants may become the superior race on Earth. Kro says that all Ghaur is going to do is bring the wrath of the Celestials down on them again. Ghaur asks Kro if he ever thought that the Celestials might be replaced. Suddenly the Eternals smash through the wall to get Thena on trial for betrayal. The broken wall destroys the shielding and Thena and Kro teleport away.

Eternals vol. 2 #8- Thena and Kro go to Sersi’s costume party to hide from both the Eternals and the Deviants. The Eternals and Deviants arrive, but Sersi keeps them distracted. Finally Ghaur arrives at the costume party. He walks up behind someone that he thinks is Kro, but when he turns “him” around it winds up being a woman. He apologizes and says that he thought she was someone else. Hercules sees Ghaur’s grimace and gives him a glass of booze to cheer him up. Ghaur thanks him and says that he recognizes him as Hercules. Ghaur asks if it is true that Hercules was once mortal, but that the gods made him immortal. Herc says that he is glad his story has not faded completely from memory. Ghaur asks Hercules if he finds the gods cruel, for if they can make mortal into immortal, why they don’t give the gift to more people. Herc says that is beyond him, and that he just lives for the day and fights for the right. Ghaur agrees but adds that when the gods are cruel and turn their creations into monsters and horrors that they have lost the “right”. Ghaur excuses himself. Ghaur finds Kro, places his hand on his shoulder and says, “It ends here Kro.” A friend of Sersi’s, who is in on hiding Thena and Kro, creates a distraction that turns into a fight. Ghaur tells his troops to move in. Sersi transforms everyone into Ikaris’ uniform. Thena and Kro run out in the commotion.

Eternals vol. 2 #9- While Ikaris is out chasing Thena and Kro, Ghaur hypnotizes Ikaris’ girlfriend, Margo Damian, and takes her back to Lemuria. In Lemuria, Ghaur orders that Margo be disguised as a Deviant so when Ikaris thinks to look for her he will not recognize her. Someone overhears Ghaur saying, “The moment we have awaited so very long is nearly here, my crystalline friend.” He says that only Thena’s fall from grace might upset his plan. Ghaur says that he should have killed Kro when he had the chance.He worries that Ikaris might become leader of the Eternals and ruin all his work. Ikaris discovers Zuras’ crystal that Thena cast aside. He learns the story of the renegade Celestial and how the other Celestial defeated him. The renegade could not be destroyed however, and so the others took something from him and placed it in a vial. The renegade, known as the Dreaming Celestial, now sleeps beneath the earth. His heart is locked within the Pyramid of the Winds. The Forgotten One was the one listening to Ghaur and he tells Ikaris that it is Ghaur who has the vial and seeks to become as powerful as the Celestial. Ikaris and the others find Thena and Kro hiding in Olympia. Ikaris takes the mantle of leader of the Eternals and banishes Thena.

Eternal vol. 2 #10- Thena and Kro teleport back to Kro’s home. The strain of all the teleportation is wearing on Thena. Kro helps her to a secret place where his “fellow conspirators” are planning. Kro gives them a rallying speech, but when he finishes Ghaur is standing behind him with guards holding weapons on them. Kro’s former allies say that they have done as Ghaur wanted and ask if they can go. Thena and Kro attack. Ghaur orders the use of the brain mine on Thena. Thena is dropped unconscious. Two other guards knock Kro down and place him in restraints. Ghaur says that Thena’s mind now belongs to him. Kro doesn’t believe him so Ghaur demonstrates. Ghaur calls forth General Dasrak and orders him to kill himself. Dasrak blows his head off. Kro shouts that Dasrak would never kill himself. Ghaur says that is why he chose him to demonstrate. Ikaris and the others enter the city disguised as Deviants. Later, Ghaur has Kro and Thena stand before his throne. Ghaur says that it took a long time, but eventually they obtained the complete record of genetic code of every living Deviant. Ghaur says that the genetic code of an entire race is locked within the hemispheres of his brain. He has but to think and his people become abject slaves. Kro says that his power is not complete or he would have controlled him. Ghaur does admit that Kro alone seems immune to his commands. He says that his will seems to block it. Ghaur sentences Kro to the fire pits for his treason. In the laboratory, the Deviant priests hook Margo, Ikaris’ girlfriend, into an experimental chair. Ghaur calls Olympia to warn Ikaris to stay in Olympia or he will kill Margo, but Ikaris is already gone. Karkas creates an illusion to receive Ghaur’s warning. The Deviant priests perform their experiment on Margo. The experiment is a partial success as Margo is turned into a Deviant, however the procedure kills her. Ghaur says that they are going to have to find a replacement Margo to fool Ikaris. Ghaur sends for Yrdisis because her artistic nature might make her seem more human. Sersi has disguised herself as a Deviant. She sees Yrdisis being held captive. She creates a diversion and takes Yrdisis’ place. Ghaur orders “Yrdisis” to become a duplicate of the human Margo Damian. Sersi goes along with it to try and learn more. She alters herself to look like Margo. Ghaur says that it is nearly flawless, but when he gets close he plants a brain mine on her. The equipment told Ghaur that she was neither human nor Deviant. Ghaur orders her taken down to the Fire Pits with Kro and Thena. Ghaur takes a moment to gloat. He says that they are just pawns, but that it is the crystal and the vial that are important. He says that when the vial is opened that he will become an equal of the Celestials. A guard says that they found an Eternal ship. Ghaur says that Sersi will become Margo and be the perfect assassin.

Eternals vol. 2 #11- In Olympia they discover Thena’s Crystal of Contact. Kro holds the other one and the Eternals realize that they can hear Ghaur’s speaking though it. Ghaur has a bracelet that works the same way as a brain mine to put on Sersi so that she isn’t so obviously controlled. Ghaur orders Sersi to appear as Margo. He orders her to be marched around so Ikaris can attempt to rescue her. Ghaur tells Kro that Deviant priests were aboard a Celestial ship and discovered a living crystal of energy. They relayed the configurations to Lemuria and an exact duplicate was created. Ghaur says that within the vial is the life essence of the renegade Celestial. The Crystal cuts off, but the Eternals heard and send David Chatterton into Lemuria to warn Ikaris. Yrdisis returns home to find the Eternals there. Ghaur takes Kro and Thena to the secret laboratories of the Deviant priests. He says that this is the hidden throne of Lemuria. Ghaur shows Kro his new home. Millions of Deviants are sleeping in coldsleep coffins. All those who were “sacrificed” sleep here ready to be awakened on the Day of Judgement. Ghaur has Kro and Thena placed in coldsleep coffins, but says to leave them unfrozen for now. Ghaur leaves to go walk the Celestial Trail. David Chatterton gets word to Ikaris and Sersi is freed, but not before Sersi involuntarily kills him. Ghaur is outfitted with Celestial armor. He addresses the others and says that long have they worshipped the Dreaming Celestial. Ghaur says that today they will see his dreams made flesh. Ghaur is about to “birth” a new Celestial when Ikaris and the Eternals crash through the wall. Ikaris blasts Ghaur. Ghaur orders the army to defend him. Ghaur dives for the crystal key, but Ikaris tries to destroy it. Instead of being destroyed the crystal key is activated. A Celestial plasma field is created. Ghaur dives onto the field. The field grows and grows until Ghaur stands as a new Celestial. Ghaur tells Ikaris to come out and play for the Day of Judgement has come at last.

Eternals vol. 2 #12- Ghaur absorbs too much power and breaks through the ceiling. Ghaur passes into outer space. He starts to panic when he can’t breathe, but chastises himself as a fool for not remembering that the Celestial power enables him to survive without breath. With a thought Ghaur shrinks his size down below the roof and uses his power to fix it. The Eternals run back to Olympia. In the Flame Pits Kro stops faking. He had used his power to block the contacts of the brain mine. He removes Thena’s as well. Ghaur returns and orders all the coldsleep Deviants to be awakened. They all awaken chanting “Ghaur…” Ghaur orders the gates to the city be opened. The Deviants see Ghaur and the long thought dead emerge and figure Ghaur has brought them back from the dead. The Forgotten One tells the other Eternals that he thinks the Dreaming Celestial is trying to wake through Ghaur. Ikaris says that they must warn the other Celestials. Ikaris suggests trying to form the Uni-Mind. Ghaur senses this. He orders that the others be sent to follow him as he goes ahead to destroy the Eternals. Ghaur says that he could destroy Olympia himself, but he doesn’t want to forget his followers. Ghaur realizes that he wants to be heading towards Greece, but finds himself flying to North America. The Eternals don’t manage to create the Uni-Mind when Ghaur shows up and blows the circle apart. Ghaur says that they have all been judged and found wanting. Ghaur starts destroying Olympia. He tells them to worship him and they can live. The Eternals refuse, but as they do the “Fifth Host” (those from coldsleep) arrive in Olympia. With the power of Zuras Ikaris attacks Ghaur. Ghaur says that Ikaris actually hurt him, but that even the power of Zuras is no match for him. Ghaur turns to destroy Olympia, but suddenly he cannot control himself. Ghaur involuntarily flies away. The Fifth Host turns to dust and dies. Ghaur is finally forced to land in the Diablo Mountains in California. He starts digging through the mountain where the Dreaming Celestial sleeps. The West Avengers and the Eternals arrive to stop him. Ghaur warns them all that he cannot control himself, but asks that for pity’s sake that they help him. Thena returns and the Eternals manage to successfully create the Uni-Mind with the Avengers’ help. The Uni-Mind breaks the connection between Ghaur and the Dreaming Celestial’s armor. Ghaur’s energy dissipates and Ikaris traps the Celestial’s power back in the vial.

Silver Surfer annual #2-The Surfer’s board is out of control. He holds onto the board as it rockets along. As it passes tiny pieces of bacteria connect itself to the board. Surfer flies through a cloud of what he thought was space dust. Inside the cloud the board stops moving. Surfer spreads a little power cosmic around and the space dust transforms into Ghaur. Ghaur recaps for Surfer who he is. Surfer says that it was rotten luck that encounter Ghaur in all of the countless space. Ghaur says that it was not luck at all but destiny. Surfer tries to blast Ghaur, but Ghaur shields himself. Surfer says that he seeks justice. Ghaur says, “Here it is” and then blasts Surfer. Surfer blasts Ghaur back and says that he will have justice for Ghaur taking control of his board. Ghaur asks why Surfer doesn’t think he still can. Surfer’s board starts to go crazy. Surfer manages to take back control of it. Ghaur realizes that his power is not yet back to full strength. He decides that the battle doesn’t affect his long-term plan. Ghaur traps Surfer in a plasma field and flies away. Surfer is detained for seconds, but by then Ghaur is long gone. Surfer decides to let Earth defend itself. Ghaur flies like a comet into the Earth’s atmosphere. He swims to the underwater Lemuria. Ghaur starts to destroy the prison and calls out to Llyra. Llyra leaves with Ghaur. When they get elsewhere Llyra warns Ghaur that she is no man’s pawn, and that she isn’t just going to go along with his plan. Ghaur says that his plan is her plan- it involves the Serpent Crown. Llyra asks how Ghaur knows of the Serpent Crown. Ghaur says that when his mind was spread out across the cosmos he came in contact with the god Set. Ghaur says that Set is still angry with Earth for destroying its influence throughout all reality. Ghaur says that he has a plan, and that as the Earth’s prime agent for Set he had approached Llyra. Llyra agrees to go along with Ghaur.