Falling in Marvel

Good luck, and happy new year a bit late but it's never to late 😉

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Pain coursed through Darius as he pushed himself to his knees. His chest heaved with labored breaths, the energy of the collapsed gateway still crackling faintly in the air. His mind raced as he took in the towering figure before him, its form a swirling amalgamation of shadow and flame.

"Chthon," Darius whispered, recognition dawning. The name surfaced from the depths of his scattered knowledge. The Elder God of Chaos. The source of the darkest magic. "What are you doing here?"

Chthon's molten eyes glowed brighter, and a chilling smile curled on his shadowed visage. "Because, Darius Stone, I can give you what you desire most."

Darius's jaw tightened. He felt a chill run down his spine as he stared at the ancient being. "And what do I want?"

Chthon tilted his head slightly, his smile widening. "Power," he said simply.

For a moment, Darius froze. The word lingered in the air, heavy and undeniable. But he forced himself to think clearly, pushing past the initial allure. "Nothing is free," he said, his voice steady. "What's the catch?"

The Elder God chuckled, a sound that seemed to reverberate through the Void itself. "Ah, astute. The cost is something you already crave, mortal. The destruction of the TVA."

Darius's brow furrowed, his mind racing. "And why can't you do that yourself? You're Chthon, the Elder God of Chaos."

The smile faded from Chthon's face, his glowing eyes narrowing. The Void seemed to darken further, the oppressive weight of his presence intensifying. "I am bound," he said, his voice a low rumble. "My dimension chains me. Should I leave, the other powers would notice, and their opposition would be… inconvenient. But through you, I can act without interference."

Darius's mind spun as he processed the information. A being as powerful as Chthon needed his help? For a moment, he saw an opportunity to leverage this. 'If he needs me, I can negotiate…'

But Chthon's laughter cut through his thoughts, cold and knowing. "Do not toy with me, mortal. I see your thoughts as clearly as I see the chaos of the multiverse. Do not mistake necessity for weakness."

Darius clenched his fists, pushing the idea aside. Instead, he locked eyes with Chthon. "Fine. I can see why I'd want the TVA destroyed. But why do you?"

Chthon's smile returned, sharp and menacing. "Because the TVA is an affront to the natural law of chaos. They stifle it with their pathetic attempts to impose balance and order on the timelines. Chaos is the true essence of existence, and their meddling denies it."

Darius scoffed, shaking his head. "I don't buy that. But let's say I agree. What power would you even give me?"

The Elder God's smile widened. He raised a shadowy hand, one elongated finger pointing directly at Darius's chest. "Chaos magic," he intoned.

Before Darius could react, Chthon's finger tapped his chest. A searing pain erupted in his torso, spreading outward like wildfire. He gasped, doubling over as the sensation burned through him.

"What the hell?!" Darius shouted, clutching at his chest.

Chthon's voice was calm and unyielding. "Did you think you had a choice?"

Darius looked down, his eyes widening as he saw a mark burning itself into his skin. It was a sigil, intricate and dark, pulsing faintly with crimson energy. The pain subsided, leaving a dull ache, but the mark glowed ominously.

"What… what is this?" Darius demanded.

Chthon leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper that chilled Darius to the bone. "A reminder. This mark binds you to our agreement. It will grow with time and with my influence. Do not keep me waiting, mortal."

As Chthon spoke, the air around him began to ripple. The towering figure dissolved into shadows, his final words echoing through the Void. "Fulfill your purpose, or your body will become mine."

And with that, the Elder God vanished. The collapsed gateway crumbled into nothingness, leaving no trace of its existence.

Darius sat there for a moment, his mind reeling. His chest still burned faintly where the mark glowed. He could feel its presence, like a second heartbeat. The implications of the deal began to sink in.

The sound of a distant roar snapped him out of his thoughts. His head whipped around, and he saw the telltale storm of Alioth swirling in the distance. The beast's growl was unmistakable, a reminder that danger was never far in the Void.

"Shit," Darius muttered, forcing himself to his feet. His body ached, but he knew staying here was suicide. Chthon's appearance and the collapse of the gateway had likely drawn Alioth's attention.

He stumbled forward, scanning the desolate terrain for shelter. In the distance, something caught his eye a massive structure jutting out of the ground, its silhouette jagged and broken. As he drew closer, he realized it was the wreckage of a Helicarrier, its metal carcass looming like a fallen titan.

"Guess that'll do," he said under his breath, heading toward it.

With every step, the weight of Chthon's mark pressed on him. The deal had been made. The countdown had begun. And Darius knew that whether he liked it or not, his fight was only just beginning.