Thor twirled Mjolnir like he was bored at a festival, a cold smirk cutting across his face. "You don't need to worry about anything, Loki. No matter the cost, I'll make sure Ryuuto ends up crushed, forgotten, and without a place to rot."
"Hmph. I'd like to see you try," Loki spit back.
The moment their connection cut, Loki hurled the communicator to the floor. Apparently that wasn't enough, so he stomped it too, like he wished Thor's skull was under his boot instead.
When the rage burned out, Loki exhaled and waved his loyal subordinates over. "Our turn. Let the kid taste something scarier than Asgard's wrath."
A chorus of distorted silhouettes perked up behind him. "We've been waiting forever!"
Loki stepped into the swirling portal ahead of them, eyes gleaming with spite.
Time for revenge.
––––––
Far away, Ryuuto walked hand-in-hand with Gwen along a warm beach, both of them smiling like the world was finally giving them a moment of peace.
His phone buzzed.
The caller ID said Jean Grey.
Ryuuto picked up instantly. "Hey, Jean. Any updates?"
"We found traces of Quicksilver and his Mutant followers," Jean said, her voice soft but tight with worry. "But they're slippery. One of them can teleport, and every time we corner them, they vanish again."
"That tracks," Ryuuto said. "Don't stress. I'll personally put those idiots in the dirt next time they show up."
But then Jean dropped something that actually made him blink.
"There's another issue. A massive surge of energy just appeared near New York. Based on our readings… Loki might be active again. And he could be coming for you."
Ryuuto rolled his neck, cracking it. "Then good. Let him come. I'll send him home in pieces."
After hanging up, Shion chimed in with the timing of a gremlin who enjoys watching her Host suffer.
[Ding! New SS-Rank Mission: Survive the incoming assault and crush the attackers. Rewards: Extremely generous!]
A wave of enemies? Seriously, Shion? You doing this on purpose? Just tell me who's suicidal enough to pick a fight today.
Before Shion could answer, Ryuuto stopped walking. His eyes narrowed toward the too-calm ocean.
Something felt wrong.
"Boom!"
A colossal wave exploded upward from the sea, blotting out the sun and roaring straight toward Ryuuto and Gwen.
"Hold on!"
He scooped Gwen into his arms and leapt skyward, just barely evading the crashing surge.
The ocean erupted again—this time with a figure.
A tall, thin creature burst from the water like a nightmare stingray with teeth. Its jaw opened, releasing a blast of ultrasonic force that rattled trees, cracked shells, and sent sand shivering across the shore.
"Zip it!"
Ryuuto thrust his hand forward.
Guardian Crane Shield.
Sand surged up into a barrier, absorbing the sonic blast. He snapped his fingers, sending several sand shuriken slicing toward the monster.
The thing laughed, spinning upward on massive, leathery wings. "Please. I'm the master of the sea and sky! You two are nothing but snacks."
Ryuuto frowned. "Big claim from someone who looks like a rejected aquarium exhibit."
He and Gwen landed on solid ground. He could feel the monster's malicious intent dripping from every movement.
Shion's voice slid into his ear.
[Host, the enemy is here! Mission rule: you must face them alone. If anyone helps—even by accident—you fail.]
Ryuuto stiffened. Seriously? Even if Gwen gets dragged in?
[Correct! So do your best, okay? I believe in you… barely.]
He sighed. Figures.
Ryuuto leaned close to Gwen. "Gwen… do you trust me?"
"Of course I do."
"Then go home. Right now. I'll finish this and come back to you."
Her heart clenched, but she nodded. "I understand."
Gwen moved fast, darting away from the battlefield. She didn't look back, because she knew this was the only way he'd fight without holding back.
The sea creature clapped its wings mockingly. "How touching! It won't matter—you're both dead anyway."
Its eyes gleamed with killing intent as it unleashed another ultrasonic scream, powerful enough to burst seabirds mid-flight into red mist.
Ryuuto stepped in front of Gwen's path even before she was out of range, swinging his blade upward.
"Ugly guy! Your opponent is me!"
His decapitating blade carved through the incoming wave, splitting it cleanly in half. Water exploded around him like fireworks.
The fight had begun.