Chương 3: Chapter 3: Gifts
"My comrade and I have discussed much regarding our gifts"
I spoke nervously, "All good things I hope."
Could anyone even blame me? These so-called gifts were my only hope in a batshit crazy world like Marvel comics. It's a cool place to read about, but to live in it?
HELL NO.
Do you think I would want my beloved Pagani Huayra to be picked up and used as a baseball-bat by THE HULK against whatever world-ending threat he's facing.
Not only that, it ain't going to do jackshit, except piss me and whoever he threw it at.
Also, it is honestly ridiculous how much death is just glossed over in Marvel Comics. Atleast, in DC comics it's addressed and deeply regretted upon.
In Marvel Comics? It's used as a statistic for secret agencies to gain moral superiority to suppress the ACTUAL heroes possessing power and then forgotten the next day.
My rants were interrupted as the entity continued, " You are to be granted three major gifts and two minor aids. The major gifts, akin to wishes, hold vast potential, yet their power must unfold gradually. They cannot bestow immediate omnipotence or overwhelming force upon your entry into the realm. The minor aids, more subtle in nature, will provide assistance but are not to be any explicit formidable powers."
I nodded, contemplating the balance of power and restraint. "I understand the need for restraint. Nevertheless, could you guide me through choosing these gifts and aids?"
The entity nodded.
"Certainly. Your major gifts should be chosen with foresight, focusing on abilities that grow with experience and time. They should evolve with you, enhancing your capabilities as you navigate through challenges."
I considered the possibilities. Honestly, this is probably the best possible scenario; the ability of choosing is something that is basically priceless right now.
For the wishes, I should just go with the powerful abilities that are going to eventually become my most powerful trump cards. I do want massive variety though, I can't just pick a basic power and be done with it. Just like with that membrane, these three wishes represent my literal potential to either become a weakling or an actual force to be reckoned with.
Hmmmm, wait.. This could work…
I hesitated a little before speaking, "For my first major gift, I'm thinking of something like an ability to manipulate, control, and even destroy souls. I wish to be able to use these souls akin to the warlocks in myth; being able to augment myself, heal others, even manipulate the fabrics of reality given enough experience and souls. The restrictions can be that certain tasks need a certain quality of a soul. For example, if I wanted to manipulate reality, I would need souls of extremely powerful/significant individuals. "
As I presented my first major gift idea, a sudden sense of trepidation enveloped me. The Entity's response was thoughtful, "A wise choice. It offers significant potential yet requires a nuanced understanding to wield effectively. However, your interaction with souls will be an evolving journey, not an immediate dominion. "
I sighed in relief.
"However."
In an instant, the world around me seemed to distort. The Entity, previously a defined figure, now loomed like a black hole in humanoid form, its presence engulfing the space around us. I felt my knees buckle, an involuntary reaction as a visceral terror gripped me.
The air was thick, heavy, as if every breath was a battle. Panic surged through me as the Entity's overwhelming presence seemed to draw the very essence of my being towards it. I was on the edge of an abyss, teetering on the brink of being swallowed whole. My senses began to fail me; the light dimmed, sounds muffled, and for a terrifying moment, I was adrift in a void, cut off from the anchors of reality.
In this sensory deprivation, my mind raced, teetering on the edge of madness. The futility of existence, the insignificance of my being in the face of such cosmic power, pressed down on me with an unbearable weight.
Then, just as suddenly, the sensation lifted. The Entity returned to its previous form, and the world righted itself, but the echo of that abyssal encounter lingered.
"The power to manipulate souls is not without its dangers," the Entity's voice was a solemn rumble, resonating with a warning that was clear and unequivocal. "If you abuse this gift, if you harvest souls indiscriminately, wreaking havoc upon the balance of the universe for the sake of power, know that there will be consequences. Such actions would not only draw the attention of cosmic guardians but might also invoke retribution from forces beyond your comprehension, me included."
I nodded, still recovering from the experience. The lesson was clear: with great power comes not just responsibility, but the risk of dire repercussions. My choices would need to be measured, my actions considered, lest I invoke the wrath of powers that could easily unmake me.
That was twice.
Twice, that I have been nearly erased. This weakness is pissing me the hell off.
I shook my head and continued.
"As for the second, perhaps a gift to adapt and grow from every encounter, whether it be physical or mental. It sounds like a power that strengthens with each challenge akin to Doomsday from DC Evolution comics."
I watched in trepidation, hopefully waiting for acceptance
"Indeed, that is more manageable. It is a power that ensures continuous growth, aligning well with your path. Each obstacle you overcome will make you stronger, but your rate of progression shall not be the same as the kryptonian weapon. It shall be much more tame, requiring more continuous stimuli to adapt to the same conditions."
Wonderful. 3rd time's the charm, don't fail me now lucky stars
"Nonetheless, child you seem to be underestimating this power."
Huh?? "Trust me, I'm not. I know full well of the possibilities present due to such an overpowered ability."
"I would hope so. This power is not just about resistance; it's about becoming an ever-evolving force. Every adverse condition or attack you survive triggers an adaptive response, enhancing your physical and mental capabilities beyond human limits. If exposed to extreme temperatures, your body would not only develop resistance but could also learn to thrive in such climates, adjusting your internal homeostasis to turn hostile environments into personal sanctuaries."
"Yeah, I was a diehard fan of Doomsday since I found out about the extent of his powers. By the way, just thinking out loud. But how would you measure up?"
Without missing a beat. "I would be able to annihilate every iteration of the beast across every universe and erase its very existence from the annals of history before it could even squeak."
I gulped. "How…cute"
"Ahem, anyways for the third gift , I wish to carry the pinnacle of potential AKA an intrinsic supremacy in any endeavor undertaken, a natural talent that eclipses the prodigious. I want to possess a boundless aptitude that makes acquiring and mastering new skills an almost effortless affair. If I choose to learn a language, play an instrument, master a martial art, or delve into quantum physics, my success isn't just assured; it's achieved with a virtuosity that defies explanation.
"Appropriate. It will allow for exceptional aptitude across various disciplines, yet it's grounded in the effort and time you invest in each."
Wonderful, I couldn't resist but release a breath that I didn't even know I was holding.
I had some essentials for the minor aids too. In fact, I was gonna be much more detailed in my minor aids because I need them that desperately.
"For the minor aids, I recall reading some comic issues stating that rejection from different earths would occur in the form of the individual's actual existence starting to 'glitch out'. Yeah, I'm good off that. For my first minor aid, I wish for an ability called Cosmic Harmonization. This perk allows me to instinctively align with the fundamental essence of any universe I enter-"
For the first time, since I met the entity. The entity interrupted me.
"Smart."
I grinned and continued
"Thank you, but such harmonization means that the laws of physics, magic, or any governing principle will recognize me as an intrinsic part of the cosmos, not an anomaly. It's akin to being a universal native, subtly favored by reality itself. This could manifest in various ways: perhaps luck bends around me, ensuring that coincidences are more likely to be in my favor, or I might find that environments and ecosystems naturally sustain me, as though I were perfectly adapted to them. On a grander scale, this perk could lead to me spontaneously developing abilities or traits that are revered or advantageous within the context of each new universe."
"At the very edge of crossing over, but I shall allow it. Very few perks could have been better than this Ethan Hunt, well done. Ask for your final aid."
I spoke with a smirk, "Like I said before, I aim to please."
For my last perk, I had been thinking about it for a while. But, I wasn't exactly the most well versed marvel nerd out there. I loved the movies and I had bought some of the very popular issues of the comics, but nothing too special.
Thus, "For my final perk, I desire knowledge. More specifically, an intuitive Wikipedia accessible only by me. It's not a constant stream of information overwhelming my senses but a responsive archive, revealing its secrets only upon your inquiry. As I travel different dimensions, insights into the history and current events of the world I'm in shall be imparted to me, giving me an edge in navigating its social and political landscapes. I also wish for it to inform me of the pivotal moments that could shape the future of that reality, allowing me to act with foresight along with providing understanding of key figures I encounter, allowing me to connect with allies or understand adversaries deeply."
The entity tilted its head and instantly refused.
"I will not provide this boon, as I said before it is only with complete and utter unpredictability that you shall be able to avert the oncoming crisis."
I refused the entity's refusal.
"How about this, instead of informing me of the key moments shaping the future. At least give me the information on the important people and the basic knowledge of each reality. Knowledge is power and if I'm going to do something of this scale, I need plenty of it."
I waited in anticipation as it pondered over my proposition.
When I saw the head nod of approval, I sagged in relief.
"It was nice to meet you, Ethan Hunt," the entity says, its voice resonating with a sense of finality.
Surprised by its use of my name, I reply, "It was nice to meet you too." A curiosity sparks within me, "May I know your name?"
The entity pauses, a hint of surprise in its otherwise stoic demeanor. "Call me 'Apólyto'," it finally responds.
I recognize the Greek origin of the name but can't pin down its meaning. "Cool name," I remark.
Apólyto lets out a rare, soft laugh. "Thank you," it says, the sound fading like a distant echo.
Slowly, Apólyto starts to shimmer, and the white expanse around us grows brighter, signaling our parting. "Good luck to you, Ethan," it says. "And remember, your mind is your greatest strength."
"Goodbye, Apólyto. I will see you when I save the multiverse." I replied while smiling, as our encounter ended.
Suddenly, a wave of exhaustion washes over me, and I feel myself losing consciousness. As I passed out, I sensed Apólyto gently levitating my soul with a mere thought.
Unknown to me, Apólyto whispered something.
"Bring it home Ethan, otherwise it's not just that multiverse at stake."
Apólyto gazed in a direction that seemed beyond the confines of space and time.
In a moment that feels both eternal and fleeting, my soul propelled forward, streaking through a kaleidoscope of colors in a sensation akin to Star Trek's warp speed. The universe stretched and bended around me, as my unconscious soul was sent hurtling toward a new destiny, my journey only just beginning.
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