Chapter 152: [151] : The Foundation of the Universe
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Red Skull led the way ahead, with Roger following behind, venturing deeper into the mirror-like lake.
Red Skull said nothing further during their journey. He simply focused on his duty as a guide, leading Roger to the location of the Soul Stone.
The two walked across the lake's surface for what seemed like half an hour before Red Skull finally stopped. Bowing slightly, he gestured ahead and said, "What you seek lies just beyond."
Roger glanced forward, then back at Red Skull, hesitating. "Ahead? There's... nothing there."
"That is because you have yet to truly open your eyes."
Roger fell silent, considering Red Skull's cryptic words. After a long pause, he asked, "...Philosophy?"
"Not philosophy," Red Skull replied, a hint of exasperation in his tone. He explained more simply, "You carry the Mind Stone with you, do you not? Use the Mind Stone's power to delve into your own mind. Seek out the core of your consciousness, your true self, and allow it to open its eyes."
"So, I just use the Mind Stone? You could've said that earlier."
"…"
Red Skull said nothing further, bowing his head slightly, hands folded as if in silent prayer.
Roger decided not to push him further. Since Red Skull had suggested using the Mind Stone, Roger figured there was no harm in trying.
Using the Mind Stone was second nature to Roger by now.
It didn't take long for him to follow Red Skull's instructions, sinking his consciousness into the depths of his mind.
Exploring the core of his own psyche was a first for Roger. After all, what kind of sane person would willingly dive into their own mental landscape to search for their "true self"?
If not for Red Skull's suggestion, Roger doubted he would have ever done so.
Yet as Roger's consciousness delved deeper, he discovered something strange.
Within his mind, there seemed to be something that did not belong to him.
In the abstract, white expanse of his mental world, Roger's consciousness drifted, facing a glowing orange speck in the distance.
Instinctively, Roger felt that this orange speck was the Soul Stone he had been searching for.
The Soul Stone—hidden within his very soul?
No, to be more precise, the Soul Stone… had always been a part of his soul.
"When did this happen…"
Roger couldn't fathom why the Soul Stone resided in his soul or when it had embedded itself there. By all logic, such a thing shouldn't be possible.
In that moment, seeing the Soul Stone made Roger question the very nature of his existence.
The Soul Stone had the power to alter, control, and even create souls from nothing. For its wielder, creating a soul with self-awareness was entirely within its capabilities.
If Roger's soul had been fabricated by someone using the Soul Stone…
"No. That's impossible outside of this universe."
Realizing how dangerous that train of thought could become, Roger quickly shook his head to dismiss it.
The Infinity Stones only worked within the Marvel Universe. Outside of it, they were little more than decorative rocks, albeit exceptionally durable ones.
Roger's previous world was a place where the Infinity Stones were utterly powerless. Therefore, his soul couldn't have been created by the Soul Stone.
Moreover, while the Soul Stone could create self-aware souls, such souls would have blank slates for thoughts—nothing like Roger's complex memories and past experiences.
If that were the truth, it would be far too unsettling for Roger to accept.
Clenching his fist, Roger stared intently at the Soul Stone before reaching out to touch it.
The moment his consciousness connected with the Soul Stone, Roger's mind went blank, and countless scenes from various worlds flashed through his mind.
In that instant, Roger glimpsed into a new multiverse.
...
...
Outside, Roger's body sat cross-legged on the surface of the mirrored lake, as if in meditation. Red Skull remained still, bowing his head in what seemed to be an act of silent guardianship.
Suddenly, an orange light appeared in the distance, hurtling toward them at incredible speed before merging with Roger's body.
Witnessing this, Red Skull's otherwise lifeless eyes gleamed with a faint light. Staring at Roger, he murmured, "...I am free."
As he finished speaking, Red Skull's body dissipated like smoke. The moment he vanished, Roger, who had been submerged in his mental world, opened his eyes.
Had anyone been present, they would have seen something extraordinary: Roger's eyes reflected a vast and boundless starry sky—identical to the vision in Andrea's spectral eyes.
Beautiful, dreamy, and profound, as if each eye contained an entire universe.
But the starry sky in Roger's eyes lasted only a moment before returning to normal.
Roger's gaze remained distant as he slowly came back to his senses. In a soft voice, he muttered, "So… the Soul Stone is the cornerstone of two universes. That's what it means."
When Roger's consciousness had connected with the Soul Stone, he understood what Charles had meant when he said the Soul Stone safeguarded two universes.
Beyond its ability to control and create souls, the Soul Stone was unique among the six Infinity Stones.
The Soul Stone contained within it a beautiful, self-sustaining microcosm—a small universe brimming with seemingly infinite resources. To describe it as "Paradise" from myth would not be an exaggeration.
At the same time, the Soul Stone had a faint sentience, which explained why obtaining it required sacrificing the most important person in one's life.
The Soul Stone craved souls, and only those who gave it what it desired could wield it.
Andrea had recognized this. Knowing that the Soul Stone wasn't easily obtainable and that its sentience made it particularly troublesome—even if its awareness was limited—she had spent significant time wearing down the stone's will.
By doing so, Andrea had fused the universes of the Avengers and X-Men into the microcosm within the Soul Stone.
In other words, the Soul Stone now was those two universes.
By possessing the Soul Stone, Roger carried two universes within him.
Understanding this, Roger finally grasped the Soul Stone's significance. At the same time, he breathed a sigh of relief.
He no longer needed to worry about taking the Soul Stone causing unforeseen disasters in those universes. Since the Soul Stone was the universes, as long as he safeguarded the stone, the universes would remain safe.
"Well, I guess I really am a Guardian now."
Roger sighed helplessly.
Holding the Soul Stone, Roger had no choice but to protect these two universes—unless he was willing to part with the stone.
"Time to head back."
Red Skull had vanished, and through the Soul Stone's connection, Roger knew he had dissolved into nothingness.
Red Skull's sole purpose had been to guard the Soul Stone until a worthy bearer arrived. Now that Roger had claimed it, Red Skull's mission—and existence—had come to an end.
After a brief moment of silence for the fallen guardian, Roger activated the Soul Stone's power to leave this special space.
The Soul Stone was now in his possession. Next, Roger needed the Time Stone and the Space Stone, the latter of which Andrea had taken to an unknown location.
The Time Stone remained with the Ancient One. Roger believed that explaining the situation to her would likely convince her to relinquish it.
The Space Stone, however, posed a greater challenge. Its whereabouts remained a mystery, and Roger suspected it might take considerable effort to locate.
Though he had a faint idea of where the Space Stone might be, he decided to confirm his theory after gathering the other stones.
Returning to the X-Mansion from the special space took Roger no time at all. With the Soul Stone, he could appear anywhere across both universes at will.
At the X-Mansion, Tony was still engrossed in studying the technology related to the Sentinels. Roger glanced at him and noticed that Tony had already integrated some of the Sentinel technology into his armor.
It wouldn't be long before Tony developed a Mark suit capable of wielding superpowers—if he chose to install such abilities, that is.
Seeing Tony preoccupied, Roger didn't interrupt.
He went to Charles' room, meeting the professor once more, and announced, "I've obtained the Soul Stone."
"So soon?"
Charles, who had been grading papers, froze in surprise.
From the time Roger had left to seek the Soul Stone until now, barely an hour had passed. The speed at which Roger had succeeded made Charles wonder if he was joking.
But Charles knew Roger wouldn't joke about something so serious. After recovering from his shock, Charles asked, "Now that you have what you wanted, can we proceed with our 'deal'?"
Roger nodded. "We can. I'll start searching for a suitable planet for your people, but you'd better make sure your side is prepared. I don't want to hear about anyone insisting on coming back once we're settled."
"Rest assured, I won't let that happen."
Charles' voice carried a hint of excitement, as he understood that the mutants of his world were finally on the verge of having a place to call their own.
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