"We're all glad you're back."
Raven suddenly opened her arms. Charles Xavier embraced her.
"I thought I was fearless in the face of death, but truly seeing the hope of life and resurrecting from nothingness... I am still very happy."
Professor X looked at Raven with gratitude.
Dr. Otto stood aside and reminded, "Professor Xavier, you still need to come to Oscorp three more times. Of course, if you feel there are no issues, you don't have to come."
"Don't worry. This is my body now; I cherish it more than anyone." Charles looked at Raven.
"Logan is waiting downstairs, Professor," Raven reminded him.
Charles looked at Raven. "Seeing your current state, we are all happy for you. Raven, you finally don't need to run for your life."
"Oscorp is my career now. Free from shackles and burdens, I live only for my own mood."
Raven naturally understood Charles's meaning. In the past, she was either wanted or causing destruction. Now it was different. She had stepped into the country's upper society. And because of Vincent, no one could touch her.
"Take care." Charles sighed.
He knew their destinies would rarely intersect in the future. But mutants still needed protection. During this time, Charles had seen too much. He knew as long as mutants existed, the battle wouldn't end. And now, he planned to change some of his past methods.
"Take care, Charles."
The gloom on Raven's face vanished, replaced by a brilliant, sunny smile. It was like returning to that night when they first met as children.
As a mutant, she was seen as a monster. But Charles told her she wasn't lonely, wasn't alone. They were the same kind. From then on, Raven knew of mutant existence. She found the meaning of her existence. Understood the meaning of companionship.
Dr. Otto looked at Raven. "You shouldn't have added Lizard Serum to the clone body. It might affect Charles's personality."
Raven shook her head. "Trust me, the Lizard Serum has few defects now. Besides, Charles's personality can't be affected by some cells. Charles will be the most perfect inheritor of the Lizard Serum."
Dr. Otto knew well how strong the Lizard Serum's regeneration was.
"Then why modify Charles's prosthetic legs? The serum could heal his physical defects." Otto said, confused.
"Dr. Otto, you should understand that every experimental subject made by the company requires the Chairman's signature. Do you really think this was my idea?" Raven said helplessly.
Vincent left New York, and problems immediately arose. Charles's return was a good thing in Raven's eyes. With Charles's personality, if something happened, he would intervene. This greatly reduced Raven's pressure.
Apocalypse's death felt too quiet to Raven. Not a ripple. She received no news from the mutant world. Now, his death meant more superhumans were brewing greater storms.
"Professor?"
Logan puffed on his cigar, followed by security guards staring him down. Seeing the young Professor, Logan's eyes widened in disbelief.
"It's me, Logan."
Professor X walked happily toward Wolverine.
Besides Wolverine, Beast also appeared at Oscorp. Beast whispered, "Professor, let's leave Oscorp Tower quickly. Surveillance is everywhere; it makes me uncomfortable."
Charles nodded. "Artificial Intelligence system." He said softly.
Under the guards' watch, the three left Oscorp Tower.
Logan drove the Professor back to the Xavier School. All teachers and students witnessed this miraculous moment.
"I'm back." Charles smiled and greeted everyone.
Cheers erupted from the crowd. The Professor's prestige was high in everyone's hearts.
"Ororo, you've suffered."
Charles called Storm aside alone. While he was gone, Storm did her best to handle everything.
"Robert still sacrificed himself..." Storm sighed. This was a hurdle she couldn't cross. "Kitty Pryde was heartbroken; she left the school."
"I know, Ororo. Robert's fate isn't your fault. Apocalypse was more cunning than we imagined."
Charles recalled facing Apocalypse in Robert's mind with Vincent. Their psychic powers were expelled, completely sealing Robert's mind. Apocalypse was stronger than expected.
"Actually, I'm more curious about the Ice Demon. How did he kill Apocalypse?"
Apocalypse's power exceeded the Professor's imagination. After obtaining Robert's energy, Apocalypse could even ignore Vincent's ice power.
"Freezing. Power that freezes spacetime itself. Before him, Apocalypse had no power to retaliate."
"And his eyes fired beams like Cyclops, but Cyclops is nothing compared to that mysterious ray. No power has ever felt comparable to it."
Storm looked grave. She had been contemplating improving her power, gaining some insights recently. But facing figures like Apocalypse or Vincent, she was no match.
"Although this has passed, our assessment of the Ice Demon needs to be raised several levels. Until now, we've relied on his moral standards to restrain his power. But if he truly harbors evil intent, our current X-Men power can't stop him."
Charles Xavier moved to form a powerful global organization. Earth's last line of defense. Only intervening when Earth faced true crisis.
Storm sensed Charles's shift. But she knew the Professor had an independent will. His decisions came after deep consideration.
"But we face more dangers. Not just internal threats, but cosmic ones. Including Jean... you know the source of her power. Her threat is no less than the Ice Demon's." Storm spoke bluntly.
"I know. Jean is our trump card against many unknown dangers, but sometimes even I am powerless before her."
This reinforced Charles's thought on the necessity of a global organization. Gathering Earth's strongest superheroes into a new group. Distinct from SHIELD. Distinct from the X-Men.
To shine light on all humanity. An organization aimed at guarding Earth's ultimate safety.
The Illuminati!
He already had candidates in mind. Tony Stark, Storm, Reed Richards. Organizing leaders to counter unknown dangers. This was the only way Charles could think of now.
"Is that London?"
Gwen saw the city outline through the morning mist.
"Yes, that's London."
Vincent grabbed Gwen. "I think you'll like London's scenery."
Vincent smiled, controlling his flight. The rushing wind didn't affect their conversation. Behind them, the ice ship dissolved into seawater, leaving no trace.
Gwen: "I almost came to London for university."
"That was my fault. I shouldn't have kept you in New York. Actually, London suits your studies better." Vincent said apologetically.
"No, it was my choice. I'm New York's new hero now. Haha, life is good."
They landed near London Bridge. Oscorp had prepared vehicles. Led by a British butler, they arrived at a manor.
"Young Master Hall, per your request, the entire manor has been purchased." Butler Glenn said respectfully.
"Thank you for your hard work. Arrange for someone to take good care of Miss Gwen." Vincent smiled.
"We will assign the best maids to Miss Gwen. Whatever she asks will be arranged." Glenn maintained his smile.
"No need to attend to me. Go busy yourselves. I'll go out for a spin and return when dinner is ready."
Vincent got into a car. Protected by bodyguards, he left the manor.
Gwen started her shopping. Top brand designers were summoned to the manor. She had little luggage and needed new clothes. Gwen was getting experienced in these matters—learning how to be Vincent's wife. With Vincent's wealth, these expenses were nothing.
Gwen didn't ask much about Vincent's departure. This was a good habit she developed, and one reason she held a special place in Vincent's heart.
Deep Chill - London Branch.
The driver, Gotze, was a London head of Deep Chill and a former Oscorp security employee. He introduced Vincent's destination in a low voice.
"Boss, per your request, we located the abandoned shipyard in London. We detected gravity anomalies inside. According to our scans, the energy field is intensifying."
Gotze cherished this job. He understood who his Boss was—the legendary strongest demon. Truly invincible. Vincent accepting him and putting him in charge of this operation was an opportunity he had to grasp.
"Understood. Surround the shipyard. Allow no one to enter the anomaly zone."
Vincent didn't even open his eyes, resting them. But the Space Stone on his hand glowed brightly.
Infinity Stones had a certain connection. His goal in London was to get the Aether. As for the Dark Elves, if they dared appear before him, he wouldn't mind sending them to Death's embrace.
The car moved fast. An hour and a half later, Gotze arrived at the destination.
Vincent stepped out. Gotze arranged his men to enter alert status.
Deep Chill now had enough personnel for a war. London, being one of Deep Chill's concentrated hubs, had many members injected with Super Soldier Serum. Their primary target was monitoring the Vatican and all European dark forces.
As an old imperial center, Europe hid supernatural organizations exceeding the US. Many were ancient.
"Remember, no matter what happens, your only task is to maintain the perimeter. Do not intervene."
Vincent gave instructions. Gotze responded respectfully. If a battle occurred, they didn't need to act. Following the Boss, this was the safest way—he solved everything.
Vincent walked into the abandoned factory. Seeing a large truck floating in the air, he pushed it gently. No effort needed.
The Aether's power was leaking. This related to the Nine Realms aligning. The Convergence. Gravitational forces between dimensions were shifting. This was one reason for the Aether's emergence.
Walking in the stairwell, Vincent sensed the energy distribution and easily found the spatial entrance. No instruments needed. The Infinity Stones were miraculous. But with his power, facing a Stone directly was no issue.
The Aether was actually the Reality Stone. In the Dark Elves' hands, its form and functions had been altered. But in Vincent's eyes, it was a waste of treasure.
The Reality Stone possessed powerful capabilities, arguably above the Space Stone.
Stepping into the pocket dimension, he saw the hollowed earth. The entire space was affected by mysterious power. He saw a massive stone suppressing a powerful force.
Dark red liquid matter squirmed. It became manic upon the Space Stone's appearance.
Vincent casually absorbed matter to create a second ring. He approached the Aether.
"What a waste. Such a powerful Infinity Stone, reduced to being sealed." Vincent muttered.
He didn't have much ambition for the Stones. But letting Thanos get them wasn't a good omen. The overwhelming power of six Stones together might be too much even for him.
Separated by the stone, Vincent used massive telekinesis to cage the Aether in his palm.
BOOM~~
The Aether resisted. But Vincent's Steel God Body was as solid as bedrock, withstanding the violent Aether.
The liquid Aether transformed, condensing into a dark red gem.
Vincent embedded it into the ring. He slipped it onto his finger.
Next second, he felt berserk power rampaging in his body. But he easily suppressed it.
Left and right middle fingers now each bore a Stone ring. Vincent compressed them into a small form.
Space collapsed. Vincent waved his hand. Altering matter. Reality power suppressed the surrounding space as he easily penetrated dimensions, returning to the building.
Simultaneously, his Kryptonian bio-field suppressed the energy. But the energy signal inevitably transmitted into the universe.
[Congratulations Host, obtained Reality Stone. Reward: 1 Golden Blind Box.]
[2. Infinity Stone Collection: Progress (2/6).]
This was a separate, systematic mission. Now, Vincent had collected two Stones.
He knew two more were on Earth. Mind Stone and Time Stone.
The Mind Stone was with Hydra. Project Insight ending meant the plot was entering Age of Ultron. The Time Stone was with the Ancient One. Doctor Strange should be starting magic training.
But these didn't concern Vincent. He didn't have much interest in collecting all Stones. He just needed the three on Earth in his hands.
As for the Power and Soul Stones, he'd let Thanos collect them.
Now Get The FULL AVAILABLE NOVEL at Once!
At Lowest Price Ever!
@patreon.com/Authorizz/shop