Judgment of the Endless (MarvelxDC)

The world was in a state of absolute frenzy. The announcement by Seraphis, a being of divine presence, had shattered the very fabric of reality for millions across the globe.

Social media platforms were overwhelmed with a tidal wave of reactions—ranging from sheer disbelief to abject terror. Hashtags like #EndTimes, #DivineTournament, and #JudgmentDay were trending worldwide as people shared their thoughts, fears, and wild speculations.

In Jerusalem, the holiest of cities, the streets were packed with thousands of people, all fervently praying. The Wailing Wall was surrounded by crowds, their hands pressed against the ancient stones as they cried out to God, seeking answers.

Clerics and rabbis led prayers, their voices trembling with both awe and fear. "Why would God do this?" was the question on everyone's lips. The echoes of the shofar—a ram's horn traditionally blown during Jewish religious ceremonies—resonated through the air, adding to the sense of urgency and desperation.

Across the globe, in Vatican City, the Pope convened an emergency meeting with the College of Cardinals. The ancient halls of the Vatican were filled with the murmur of anxious discussion as the religious leaders tried to make sense of what had transpired.

"Is this a test of faith?" one cardinal asked, his voice thick with concern. "Or is it a sign of the end times?" The Pope remained silent, his face pale as he stared at the cross hanging on the wall, deep in thought.

In Mecca, the Grand Mosque was overflowing with worshippers, all facing the Kaaba as they prayed in unison. The imams had called for continuous prayer, urging Muslims worldwide to seek mercy and guidance from Allah in these uncertain times.

The atmosphere was thick with tension as the faithful whispered their prayers, seeking solace in their shared belief.

World leaders, too, were scrambling to understand the magnitude of the situation. A global emergency summit was quickly organized, bringing together presidents, prime ministers, and monarchs from every nation.

The meeting was to take place in a secure location, away from the prying eyes of the public and the media.

[A few days later]

Inside the grand conference room, the atmosphere was tense as the most powerful people in the world took their seats. The leaders exchanged wary glances, each one aware that the fate of their nations—and possibly the entire world—hung in the balance.

Religious leaders from the major faiths were also present, their expressions grim as they prepared to discuss the divine intervention that had left the world reeling.

The President of the United States was the first to speak, his voice measured but heavy with the gravity of the situation. "Ladies and gentlemen, what we are experiencing is beyond the scope of any crisis we've faced.

The appearance of Seraphis—a being of undeniable power—has sent shockwaves across the world. We must consider our next steps carefully."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the room, though it was clear that agreement would be hard to reach.

The British Prime Minister leaned forward, her expression resolute. "This is not just a political issue; it's an existential one. Our intelligence agencies are in overdrive, but we need to understand what we're dealing with.

Is Seraphis a deity, a higher being, or something else entirely? We cannot make decisions based on fear alone."

The Russian President, his face a mask of stoicism, spoke next. "What we know is that Seraphis issued a warning, a challenge even. We must prepare for this 'tournament,' but how do we do that when we know nothing about the rules or the consequences?

And what does it mean for the fate of our world? We must consider military options—prepare our defenses, just in case."

This suggestion stirred the room. Several leaders began talking at once, their voices rising in a mixture of alarm and dissent.

"No, no, no," interjected the Pope, raising his hand to call for calm.

"We cannot approach this as a military issue alone. This is a divine matter, something that transcends our earthly concerns. We must seek guidance from our faiths, come together in prayer and hope that we can understand the will of this being."

"With all due respect, Your Holiness," the Chinese Premier said, his tone pragmatic, "prayer alone will not prepare us. We must mobilize our resources—science, technology, and yes, even our military—to ensure we have every possible advantage."

The Dalai Lama, who had been silent until now, spoke softly but with great authority. "Perhaps this is a test of our unity as a species. Seraphis may be forcing us to come together, to transcend our differences and work as one.

The tournament could be an opportunity for humanity to prove its worth, not just to Seraphis, but to ourselves."

A murmur of agreement greeted his words, but the Israeli Prime Minister looked unconvinced. "What if this is a trap? A way to weaken us, to make us vulnerable?

The stakes are too high to simply rely on faith or goodwill. We need more information. Perhaps we should consider reaching out to other powers—those with knowledge beyond our own."

A sharp intake of breath followed his suggestion. The room went quiet for a moment as the weight of what he implied settled in. Could they seek out beings like Seraphis?

Would the heroes and super-powered individuals of the world—those who often operated outside of governmental control—be the key to navigating this new reality?

"Reaching out to those beyond our understanding is risky," the French President said, breaking the silence. "But perhaps we have no choice. We must explore every avenue. Time is against us, and we need to be proactive."

The discussions began to spiral, with leaders and religious figures debating the merits of involving superhumans, the ethics of military preparation, and the possibility of direct divine intervention.

The Archbishop of Canterbury emphasized the importance of maintaining the moral high ground, while the Saudi King stressed the necessity of protecting their people, no matter the cost.

"Superhumans could be the answer," the Indian Prime Minister finally said. "But we need to ensure they are on our side. We've seen what happens when their power is unchecked. This tournament could either be our salvation or our destruction."

"And what of our people?" the Canadian Prime Minister asked, his voice reflecting the fear and uncertainty that everyone in the room felt.

"How do we prepare them for what's coming? Do we tell them everything, or do we shield them from the full truth? We must maintain order, but at what cost?"

The debate raged on, with no clear consensus in sight. As the discussions continued, the world outside the meeting room was in turmoil. Citizens of every nation were glued to their screens, watching as their leaders debated their fates.

Some demanded answers, others turned to their faith, and many were simply afraid.

At the head of the table, the President of the United States glanced at the clock ticking down on the screen behind him. The ten years that Seraphis had given them suddenly felt all too short.

"We have to be united in our approach," he said finally, his voice cutting through the noise. "This is not just about our nations; it's about the survival of our entire universe. We need to make a decision, and we need to make it now."

...

The tension in the room was already palpable when suddenly, a flash of brilliant light filled the conference hall. The world leaders and religious figures shielded their eyes, and the guards stationed around the perimeter immediately raised their weapons, ready to defend against whatever had just appeared.

But before a single shot could be fired, the weapons were yanked from the guards' hands by an unseen force and floated harmlessly into the air. The light faded to reveal Darius, standing tall and regal, his white robes flowing effortlessly around him.

Beside him was Harmony, her appearance ethereal and stunning, as if she were a goddess descended from the heavens. Zuri, the sleek black panther pup, padded silently at Darius' side, her golden eyes gleaming with a knowing intelligence.

With a dismissive wave of his hand, Darius dropped the guards' weapons to the floor. "I wouldn't recommend that," he said calmly, his voice carrying an authority that silenced the entire room. "You wouldn't want to embarrass yourselves."

The leaders exchanged nervous glances, some recognizing Darius from previous encounters, others only now realizing the gravity of the situation. There was a collective intake of breath as they took in the other figures that had appeared with Darius—Nick Fury, the leader of S.H.I.E.L.D., standing stern and vigilant; Charles Xavier, his expression both curious and cautious; and several other prominent figures from various superhero organizations, each one radiating power and purpose.

Harmony flashed a charming smile at the assembled crowd, her presence as disarming as it was captivating. She waved a hand lightly at Darius as if she were waving off an old friend. "Relax, everyone. We're not here to start a war. We just thought it was time to... help you all see things a little more clearly."

Darius stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the room. The leaders, who had been locked in heated debate just moments before, were now frozen in silence, waiting for him to speak.

"Let me make this clear," Darius began, his tone commanding attention. "The tournament that was announced will determine the fate of this universe. You have ten years to prepare, and I expect nothing less than your absolute best."

He paused, allowing his words to sink in. "But understand this—this is not just a game. This is a test of your strength, your resolve, and your unity. If you fail, the consequences will be dire, not just for you, but for everyone in this universe."

A murmur of unease rippled through the room, but no one dared to speak up. The sheer power emanating from Darius was overwhelming, like standing in the presence of a force of nature.

One of the more bold leaders, a general from a major military power, found the courage to speak. "And who are you to decide our fate? We didn't ask for this—"

Before he could finish, the air in the room grew heavy, as if gravity itself had intensified tenfold. The general's voice faltered, and he staggered back, his legs buckling under the pressure.

Darius' eyes flashed, and the pressure in the room increased, forcing everyone to bow their heads involuntarily. "I am Darius," he said simply, his voice now cold and unyielding.

"I am beyond your comprehension, beyond your petty squabbles and concerns. I have chosen to involve myself in this because, whether you realize it or not, the stakes are too high for you to handle alone. You will follow my lead, or you will face the consequences."

There was no further argument. The leaders were too stunned, too overwhelmed to do anything but nod in agreement.

Harmony, sensing the tension, stepped forward and addressed the room with a softer tone. "We understand that this is a lot to take in. But trust me, we are on your side. We want to help you. But that means you need to work with us, not against us."

Nick Fury, ever the pragmatist, stepped in beside Darius. "You've all seen what we're dealing with. You know what the stakes are. The superhero community is ready to work with you, but we need to coordinate our efforts. We need a unified front."

Zuri let out a small growl, sensing the tension in the room, but a gentle pat from Darius calmed her. "This is not a time for division," Darius added. "You have ten years, but that time will pass faster than you think. Use it wisely."

As Darius finished speaking, the pressure in the room lifted, and the leaders were able to breathe freely again. They looked at each other, some still wary, others clearly impressed by the display of power.

"You will follow our instructions," Darius concluded, "and together, we will prepare for what's to come. The fate of your world depends on it."

Without waiting for a response, Darius turned and began to leave the room, Harmony and the other superheroes following suit. But before he exited, he turned back one last time, his eyes locking onto the general who had spoken earlier.

"And one more thing," he said, a smirk playing on his lips. He pointed to the generals desk, which now had a message that read, "Do not question me ever again, you will regret it"

The general swallowed hard and nodded, the message received loud and clear.

With that, Darius and his entourage vanished as suddenly as they had appeared, leaving the world leaders to process what had just transpired. The room was silent for a long moment before the debates began anew, but now, there was no doubt who was in charge.

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