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Hulk lay at the bottom of the pit, covered in wounds. His green skin was cracked all over, but still slowly healing.
Adam hovered in the air above him, his breathing unsteady. That last attack had clearly drained him a lot.
"You're still not down?"
Out on the terrace, Jiro lounged in a chair, raising an eyebrow. "This Hulk guy's something else."
Right then, Hulk's body suddenly started convulsing violently. The veins beneath his skin bulged, and his muscles began twitching in a weird, unnatural way.
"What's happening?!" Natasha called out from a distance, alarmed.
Hulk curled up in pain, letting out a gut-wrenching roar, eyes locked on Adam with pure hatred.
His massive frame started shrinking, and the green slowly faded away.
A few minutes later, lying at the bottom of the crater, wasn't the Hulk anymore—but Dr. Banner, back in human form.
He opened his eyes weakly, his voice raspy. "I-Is it... over?"
Adam landed beside him, still wary. "Dr. Banner? Tell me you're feeling calm right now—otherwise, I might have to throw hands again."
"It's... it's me..." Banner sat up with difficulty. "I... need rest…"
Jiro, watching from afar, finally looked away.
"Show's over," he said, clapping his hands before leaning back in his chair again.
"Turing, keep tracking their movements."
"Understood, sir. S.H.I.E.L.D. agents are approaching the area," Turing reported.
"Nick Fury just officially launched the Avengers Initiative."
Jiro chuckled softly. "So he finally got his super-boyband together."
He closed his eyes, but his super-hearing was still tuned into the conversation happening in the distance.
"Join us, Dr. Banner," Natasha's voice came through.
"We can help you control the Hulk."
"I'll have to think about it..." Banner responded weakly.
"The world needs more protectors like you..." That was Adam's voice.
Jiro shook his head and tuned out.
He looked up at the stars, his mind drifting far, far away.
Just then, soft footsteps came from behind.
"Still awake?" Wanda's voice called from the top of the stairs.
Without turning around, Jiro replied, "You too, huh?"
Wanda came over and sat next to him. Her red hair glimmered under the moonlight.
She followed his gaze toward the sky. "What are you looking at?"
"The future," Jiro said simply.
Wanda tilted her head at him. "You're always like this. Mysterious and vague."
He smirked. "Comes with being a sorcerer."
They sat in silence for a bit as the night breeze swept gently across the terrace.
"About what you said earlier... during the day, about Monaco," Wanda said suddenly.
Jiro raised an eyebrow. "Yeah? So what?"
"So..." Wanda bit her lower lip.
"If you change your mind and decide to go... I could go with you."
Jiro turned to look at her, his golden eyes reflecting her silhouette. "You wanna go?"
Wanda's face flushed a little. "I just... wanna see the outside world. Ever since Hydra... I haven't really…"
Before she could finish, Jiro was already standing up.
"Sure. We'll leave tomorrow. But not to Monaco."
Wanda's eyes widened. "Seriously? Then where?"
"Why not?" Jiro shrugged. "We need field training anyway."
"Anywhere's fine. Like... Hawaii."
Wanda couldn't help but smile, a faint scarlet energy sparking playfully at her fingertips.
Jiro watched her with a soft look in his eyes. "Don't get too excited. We're still training when we get back."
"Got it!"
She jumped to her feet, her red hair dancing through the air in a graceful arc. "I'm gonna go pack!"
She skipped away, her steps light and joyful.
Jiro shook his head with a smile and turned toward his bedroom.
Morning
Sunlight poured into the dining room through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Wanda placed the final serving of scrambled eggs on the table. A gentle swirl of scarlet energy carried the plate over and set it down precisely in front of Jiro's usual seat.
"Turing, is he still in the training room?" Wanda asked softly, twirling a strand of red hair around her finger absentmindedly.
"Turing to Miss Wanda — the gentleman has been absorbing artificial solar energy all night."The AI's voice echoed from the ceiling.
"Judging by Superman's abilities, he already sensed you making breakfast from start to finish."
Wanda's ears turned red. Just as she was about to say something, the door to the underground training room slid open silently.
Jiro stepped out, wearing a casual black shirt with the sleeves casually rolled up, revealing his toned forearms.
Faint golden energy still shimmered in his eyes, flickering like fading sunlight as he walked.
"The eggs are cooked better than yesterday."
He sat down at the table, curled a finger slightly, and the coffee floated right into his hand.
Wanda slid the toast over to him. "I added some spices. Not sure if it's your thing."
She watched as Jiro cut into the eggs. The golden yolk spilled beautifully across the plate.
He took a bite and raised an eyebrow. "Cinnamon and nutmeg?"
"You can tell?" Wanda's eyes widened in surprise.
"My taste buds can analyze molecular structures." Jiro gave his fork a little twirl.
"But honestly, this combo's not bad."
Wanda smiled shyly and focused on cutting her own breakfast.
Morning light filtered through her red hair, casting soft shadows on the white tablecloth.
"So..."She hesitated, "What's so special about Hawaii? I've never actually been there."
Jiro put down his coffee cup. "Sunshine, beaches, and..."
He suddenly snapped his fingers in front of her. A frangipani flower appeared out of thin air, floating gently to the edge of her plate.
"A perfect place to practice elemental magic."
Wanda picked up the flower. Scarlet energy instinctively curled around it, and golden lines lit up along the edges of the petals. "I thought it would be... y'know, a serious training ground."
"Chaos magic comes from emotion." Jiro stood, sunlight outlining his tall frame.
"A repressive environment only holds you back."
He walked to the middle of the living room and drew a golden ring in the air.
Through the portal, you could see the clear blue waves crashing on a white beach, palm trees swaying gently in the breeze.
Wanda jogged over to catch up but paused at the portal. "Wait—shouldn't I change into a swimsuit?"
Jiro didn't even turn his head as he stepped through. "Even better if you do."
Warm Hawaiian wind brushed against them, carrying a salty ocean scent.
Wanda stepped barefoot onto the soft sand, her toes sinking into the warm grains.
She took a deep breath, and scarlet magic leaked out subconsciously, forming a faint red mist around her.
"Control it,"Jiro's voice came from behind her. "Feel how the energy blends with the environment."
Wanda closed her eyes, letting the sea breeze wash over her face.
She could really feel it now — the magic energy here flowed differently, like warm water wrapping around her body.
When she opened her eyes again, the scarlet mist had stabilized, pulsing gently with her breath.
"Nice."At some point, Jiro had changed outfits. Under the sunlight, his physique was flawless, like something out of a sculpture.
He pointed toward the sea. "Now, try stretching your energy over the water."
Wanda's cheeks flushed as she scrambled to concentrate.
Scarlet energy floated across the ocean like ribbons, sending small splashes into the air.
"Don't control it. Guide it," Jiro said, walking up beside her.
"Think of your magic as part of the sea breeze."
With his guidance, the scarlet energy began to move in sync with the waves, sparkling strangely under the sun.
To her surprise, Wanda realized it was way easier than training in the lab — and used up way less energy.
"Why is it so much easier here?"
"Elemental harmony." Jiro lifted a hand, pulling a thin stream of water from the sea that spiraled in his palm.
"Every place has its own energy field. When you hit the right frequency, everything just... clicks."
He suddenly grabbed her wrist and guided her fingers toward the ocean. "Try feeling the rhythm here."
Wanda held her breath. His palm was warm and dry, and some kind of strange energy pulse passed through their contact.
She instinctively mimicked that rhythm — and the scarlet magic surged outward, lighting up the whole ocean in a soft glow.
"I did it!" she shouted with glee, turning so fast she almost smacked into his chin.
They were so close now she could count his eyelashes.
Jiro's golden eyes narrowed slightly. "You've got talent."
He let go of her and took a half-step back. "Now try changing the shape of the water."
Wanda spun around quickly to face the sea, her red hair flying up to hide the pink rising on her ears.
She focused hard, weaving her energy over the water — and slowly, a sparkling crystal castle began to form.
"Too forced," Jiro commented. "Chaos magic should be more—"
Before he could finish, the castle suddenly twisted and shifted — turning into a massive water dragon that shot up into the sky!
Wanda let out a yelp as the dragon came crashing straight toward the beach!
In a flash, Jiro appeared in front of her, his eyes flaring with golden light.
"....."