章 32: Chapter 32
The words of Maximus's arrival, spoken with reluctant duty by the younger brother of Black Bolt, thickened the atmosphere in the hall. The King of Attilan, clad in grandeur and authority, suddenly felt a sharp realization of what he had so far refused to acknowledge—the notes of envy and hunger for the throne in his brother's words, which he had never heard so clearly before.
Medusa, the embodiment of resilience and nobility, broke the ominous silence with her greeting:
"Hello, Maximus." Her voice added a note of tense anticipation to the hall, emphasizing the meeting of two worlds—one that was and one that could be. At that moment, the king's gaze met his brother's. It was not just the look of a younger brother; it was an encounter with what Maximus had become—the embodiment of ambition and betrayal, the dark side of power now standing before him in all its naked desire.
In the heart of Black Bolt, a decision was forming. His psychic powers, capable of penetrating the very essence of the human soul, rebelled against the bonds that held them back. He could no longer stand aside, watching his brother turn his dark desires into reality. With a force that tore through the veils of consciousness, Black Bolt stormed into Maximus's mind, catching him unprepared for defense.
"Why did you do this, Maximus?" Black Bolt's words were not just a question. They were an accusation, a verdict, and a plea for understanding, all in one piercing, deep glance. In that look were pain and betrayal, but also a thirst for truth that could change everything.
At the moment Black Bolt, the master of psychic defense, tried to delve into the depths of Maximus's mind, he encountered unexpected resistance. Though powerful in defense, he was not as strong in attack. Maximus, in his element, with agility and speed only he could muster, repelled the intrusion and expelled Black Bolt from his consciousness.
"I suppose you've somehow figured out that I've created a weapon?" Maximus didn't so much ask as smirk, as if envisioning the scene in his mind. His confidence was not just a facade; it was the embodiment of his madness and undeniable intellect.
Medusa, a model of coolness and reason, responded, her voice as if carved from ice:
"Answer the question, Maximus."
Maximus looked at the King with the same self-assurance as his words.
"The answer is quite simple," he began, each word weighed and full of a sense that defied common reason. "I deserve this crown more than you."
As the last note of Maximus's speech still hung in the air, the throne room of Attilan suddenly filled with the tense rustle of movement. Warriors loyal to the younger brother of Black Bolt stormed in with the sudden, decisive rush of a wind heralding a storm.
"And many support this idea," Maximus declared confidently, his grin the very embodiment of smugness and self-assurance.
From his throne, the King of Attilan surveyed the assembled crowd, noting that each newcomer held a weapon procured from the depths of the secret laboratory. These artifacts, created for destruction, were now aimed at the very foundation of their world.
"You think these weapons will save you from the wrath of the King of Attilan?" Medusa's voice echoed through the hall, more a warning than a question, filling the room with cold resolve.
Maximus, standing at the head of his followers, did not lose his smile even when his gaze met Medusa's. His confidence that the situation was fully under his control was undeniable.
"These weapons were created against my brother, Medusalith," he said, as if that explained and justified his actions.
In another situation, the King of Attilan might have felt a slight sense of unease, but he knew that Reed Richards had implanted the necessary malware into their weapons.
—= Reed Richards =—
When the weapons, charged against Black Bolt, proved powerless, the air was thick with tension. Maximus and his followers, standing at the crossroads of fate, realized there was no turning back. Their decision was immediate and uncompromising—they charged into battle, ready to fight body against body without the use of their artifacts.
Black Bolt did not use his full power, likely because he did not want to kill Maximus and because this battle took place in the royal palace.
Even so, the strength of his body was astonishing.
Their plans, initially designed to counter Black Bolt and his immediate allies, had perfectly anticipated a solo battle with the King of Attilan and possibly Medusalith. The sudden appearance of the Fantastic Four in this hall was a complete shock, overturning all their calculations.
"Brother, have you become so desperate that you've called on humans for help?!" Maximus, deftly dodging Ben's powerful blows, expressed his disdain and bewilderment. His voice, full of mockery and reproach, cut through the air as if his very smirk were a weapon in this struggle.
The strength of the Inhumans under Maximus's command exceeded human limits as if they were made from the essence of power itself. This was nothing less than a fundamental enhancement, innate to each of their kind—a visible but tangible thread weaving through their being.
BAM
The sound of impact tore through the air as Ben, the rocky giant, was thrown back dozens of meters. The force with which one of Maximus's Inhumans dealt with him spoke of the inhuman power of the opponent.
"It must be you who caused the malfunction," Maximus, with a grin, cast his gaze upon me, pinpointing the culprit of his plan's failure. At that moment, I was busy deflecting enemy attacks with numerous metal spears, keeping the foes at a safe distance.
I chose to use metal spears because such attacks were simpler to manage and least costly to use.
"An interesting device you've created to avoid psychic influence," continued Maximus, slowly but inexorably closing the distance between us, each step full of challenge and threat.
But the distance was never bridged. At the last moment, like lightning slicing through the sky, Black Bolt surged into the throne room, carrying Maximus's body through its entire length. This moment was the embodiment of strength and determination, vividly demonstrating that the stakes in this game were so high that even space and time seemed to waver.
—\\—
At the heart of this physical confrontation, Black Bolt, the embodiment of strength and power, stood as an unyielding bulwark against Maximus. The battle was inevitable, but the outcome seemed preordained.
Maximus, the architect of his ambitions, could only minimally resist Blackagar's onslaught. His razor-sharp intellect allowed him to anticipate his opponent's movements, dodging lethal blows, but only because Black Bolt, restrained by brotherly bonds, did not unleash his full power.
But even these brief moments of foresight were insufficient for an equal match. With each clash, with each strike, it became evident—Maximus was on the brink of inevitable defeat.
Then, like a majestic stormbird, Blackagar delivered a crushing blow to Maximus's jaw.
BAM
The echo of the strike reverberated through the throne room, creating a shockwave that made the air vibrate. In that moment, controlling the fundamental forces of the Universe, I orchestrated the battle, effortlessly dispersing the Inhumans. Their unique abilities, though diverse, could not compare to the might of an omega-level mutant.
The entire battlefield became my stage for demonstration. Focusing magnetic waves, I created local anomalies, temporarily altering gravity at chosen points, causing the Inhumans to lose control of their movements, either floating in the air or suddenly feeling an increase in weight.
"Bastard!" shouted one of the Inhumans, who had a highly distinctive appearance resembling a lizard.
Fire vortices began to gather in his mouth.
In response to the impending attack, I made a swift motion with my hand, sending an electromagnetic discharge toward him. Unfortunately for me, another Inhuman stepped in front, intercepting my discharge.
"Thanks for the nice recharge!" he exclaimed.
This Inhuman looked like an ordinary human except for the metallic antennas protruding from his elbows.
Judging by the way the charge started accumulating in his hands, he was likely capable of absorbing and controlling lightning.
"Do you really think that will work on me?" I thought, before showing him who was in control here.
In an instant, his body was under my control and became a shield in front of me. The fire charge struck his body directly, and the enhanced discharge I had sent returned to my hands.
"ARGH!!!" both Inhumans screamed in pain and fell unconscious.
In that moment of eternity, when every second stretched like an hour, I used my peripheral vision to track the battle in which my companions were engaged.
Ben and Johnny, like two elements of a single whole, acted with legendary coordination. My friend, a rock not only by nature of his body but also by the steadfastness of his spirit, relentlessly tore through the ranks of Inhumans, becoming an unbreakable wall in close combat. And Johnny, the embodiment of fire and flame, weaving his art from the air currents, supported him from above, raining fiery wrath upon the enemies.
Meanwhile, Sue and Medusalith, forming an incredible duo, demonstrated synergy and tactical diversity. The Queen of Attilan, with her mid-range abilities, created space for maneuver and attack. Sue, in turn, complemented her, using her unseen powers to create protective barriers and long-range support, becoming a shield and bulwark for Medusa.
I then moved on to the next experiment. Beyond controlling electricity, I could do something else.
In that moment of the battle, when the outcome seemed still uncertain, I discovered a new dimension of my abilities. Light, the eternal companion of life, also obeyed the laws of electromagnetism, becoming a malleable tool in my hands. This discovery shed light on previously untapped aspects of my power.
Not just illusions, the play of light and shadow, but something much more powerful and destructive was now in my arsenal. The thought of Kizaru, a character from the anime "One Piece" who skillfully wielded light, flashed through my mind, bringing a smile to my face.
"What was it Kizaru used to say... something about Japanese gods?" The question remained unanswered, as I then focused all the light into a laser that pierced through my enemies.
The laser beam I created was so precise that I managed to avoid vital organs, temporarily disabling my opponents.
However, the battle didn't end with that strike. For the few whom my laser beam did not touch, I resorted to another aspect of my mastery of electromagnetism—electrical discharges. Sparks danced in my hands and struck the remaining enemies with the ferocity of a storm, reminding them that my arsenal held many ways to exert influence.
—= Some Time Later =—
The climax of the battle came with unexpected swiftness, leaving behind an echo of waning enthusiasm among the conspirators. At the moment Blackagar, like an ancient king, asserted his dominance by defeating Maximus, the spirit of resistance in his co-conspirators' hearts extinguished. We, his allies, descended upon the remaining foes with the resoluteness of predetermined victory, concluding the battle without leaving any doubts about the outcome.
The post-battle procedure was a grim spectacle of justice. We, along with the team, witnessed each conspirator facing the consequences of their actions. Their fate did not surprise me—imprisonment was the inevitable verdict, a reflection of the duty to justice that had to be fulfilled.
In the days that followed, Blackagar's political influence in Attilan only strengthened. His authority, bolstered by this victory over treachery, reached unprecedented heights. He fulfilled the promise made to us, opening a new chapter in the relations between our worlds.
Medusalith's younger sister, Crystalia, was granted permission to visit Earth, marking a significant milestone in her relationship with Johnny. Her surprise at meeting us in the palace was palpable, as if she couldn't believe such a turn of events was possible.
"Everything's ready for departure," I said after checking the ship's status.
"I'm ready too," Ben declared. "The Moon has worn me out."
Sue was bidding farewell to Medusalith, with whom she had formed a friendly bond.
"I'll be at the helm," Ben said, nodding towards Blackagar.
Black Bolt seemed to have come to say goodbye. Though we didn't become close friends, we managed to find common ground and avoided becoming enemies.
"Until next time, Blackagar," I said, extending my hand for a handshake. Black Bolt shook it without hesitation, a hint of gratitude in his eyes.
At that moment, Sue and Medusalith approached. After that, Sue and I boarded the ship.
"Engines are on," said the ship's AI.
"I can tell, you hunk of metal," Ben replied, gripping the controls.
He turned around and, seeing us, said:
"Since everyone's here, let's take off."
Johnny and Crystal decided to spend some time on the Moon. So, it was just the three of us returning.
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