Capítulo 22: Chapter 22: Unforeseen Meeting
Alex leaned against the cold brick wall, the weight of the recent fight still heavy on his mind. The power-ups had worked perfectly. He had intervened, helped the Hulk calm down, and most importantly, he had racked up more points. Not a lot, but enough to make a difference.
Points: 520/1,000.
"Halfway there," he muttered to himself. But halfway to what, exactly? He wasn't entirely sure anymore. The closer he got to unlocking the platinum wheel, the more dangerous things became. His involvement with the world's affairs, especially with major figures like the Avengers, was making him more visible than he liked.
It was then that he felt it. A presence, subtle at first, but growing stronger with each passing second. It wasn't the usual rush of adrenaline or heightened senses that came with his powers. No, this was something...different. Almost spiritual.
Before he could react, a soft sound—like fabric brushing against itself—caught his attention. He blinked, and suddenly she was there.
The Ancient One.
He froze, his body going stiff. He knew who she was—everyone knew, or at least anyone who had meddled with the supernatural. Bald, ageless, dressed in robes that seemed to flow like water, the Sorcerer Supreme herself stood before him, scrutinizing him with eyes that seemed to pierce through his very soul. Her expression was neutral, but there was an intensity to her gaze that made Alex's skin crawl.
"You're not supposed to be here," she said softly, yet her voice carried a weight that seemed to press down on the very air around them.
I'm fucked.
The thought shot through his mind like lightning, sending his heart into a frantic beat. Of all the people in the Marvel universe, she was the last person he wanted to meet. The woman was practically a god in her own right, and her knowledge of time, space, and the multiverse was terrifying. He had managed to avoid being detected by even the likes of Tony Stark and SHIELD who recently just caught him because of a mistake on his part, but the Sorcerer Supreme? That was a whole different game.
She took a slow, deliberate step toward him, and Alex felt his breath catch in his throat. It wasn't just her presence that unnerved him—it was the portal that hovered beside her, swirling with energy that radiated power beyond comprehension. He had seen those portals before in the movies, but this was real. And the reality was far more intimidating.
"I've observed many timelines," she continued, her tone calm but with an edge of curiosity. "Countless threads of fate, each interwoven in a delicate balance. But you... I've never seen anything like you. Not in any version of the future I've peered into."
Alex could feel sweat forming on his palms. Crap, crap, crap. He had been so careful. So cautious. How the hell had she found him? What had he done wrong?
"I don't know what you mean," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. His mind was racing, running through every possible scenario. Lying to her probably wouldn't work—she was too sharp for that. But how much could he tell her without giving too much away?
The Ancient One raised an eyebrow, her gaze unwavering. "You're surrounded by... threads. Strands of fate that don't belong in this world. And yet here you are, entangled in the events of this reality." She took another step closer, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Who are you?"
Alex swallowed hard, his thoughts scrambling for a way out. Think, think! He couldn't just blurt out that he had transmigrated into the Marvel universe with a cheat system. She would see through that in an instant. No, he needed to be careful, calculated.
"I'm just... trying to survive," he finally said, opting for a half-truth. "This world is... dangerous. I've seen things I wasn't supposed to, done things I didn't intend to. I'm just trying to make sure I don't get crushed by it all."
The Ancient One remained silent, her eyes scanning him, reading every flicker of emotion on his face. Her frown deepened, and for a moment, Alex thought she might tear him apart on the spot.
"You're a mystery," she said quietly. "One I don't yet understand."
Her words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Alex knew this wasn't over. She wasn't convinced, but she wasn't attacking him either. That had to mean something, right?
Just when he thought he might have a chance to slip away, she moved. In the blink of an eye, she was right in front of him, standing impossibly close. Alex flinched, but her gaze locked him in place, trapping him as if the very air around him had solidified.
"Your existence disrupts the natural order of things," she said, her voice low but intense. "But not in a way I've seen before. You don't belong to any timeline I've observed. You're... an anomaly."
His heart pounded so hard he could feel it in his throat. She knew. She didn't know everything, but she knew enough to be dangerous.
The Ancient One glanced at the portal beside her, then back at Alex. "I should remove you from this reality. Whatever you are, you're a risk to everything."
A cold sweat broke out on Alex's forehead. Remove him? Was she talking about erasing him from existence? Panic surged through him, but he forced himself to stay calm. He couldn't lose it now. If he showed fear, it was over.
"Wait," he blurted, his voice sounding more desperate than he intended. "I'm not here to disrupt anything. I'm... I'm just trying to live, okay? I'm not a threat to this world."
Her gaze softened, if only slightly. "You may not intend to be. But your presence has already shifted the fates of many. Every choice you make ripples through the fabric of reality."
Alex clenched his fists, willing himself to remain composed. He needed a way out. Something to convince her he wasn't worth erasing.
"Maybe... maybe I can help," he said cautiously. "If I'm affecting the fates of others, then maybe I can steer things in the right direction. I'm not an enemy."
The Ancient One studied him, her expression unreadable. For a long, tense moment, neither of them spoke. Then, slowly, she took a step back, allowing Alex to breathe again.
"Perhaps," she said, her tone thoughtful. "But I will be watching you. The moment you become a danger to this world, I will not hesitate to remove you."
She turned, the portal swirling more intensely as she prepared to leave. Before stepping through, she looked at him one last time, her eyes glinting with something that resembled... curiosity.
"Remember," she said softly. "Fate has a way of catching up with those who try to outrun it."
And with that, she was gone.
Alex stood there, his body trembling with the adrenaline that had flooded his system. He exhaled shakily, running a hand through his hair.
"Fate," he muttered under his breath. "I'm screwed."
Points: 530/1,000.
The encounter had shaken him, but it wasn't the end. Not yet.
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder