S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters.
Nick Fury sat in his office, a cigar between his lips, smoke curling around him. On the desk lay a thick stack of files, all reports on supernatural incidents that S.H.I.E.L.D. had tracked recently.
"The dark mist in the small town, the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj, dark creatures from space, and the so-called Lord of Life from the Church of Life. Why are all these things appearing at the same time? Is there a connection between them?" Fury rubbed his forehead, his face full of frustration.
At that moment, Natasha knocked and entered, her expression unusually grim.
"What's wrong?" Fury asked, noticing her mood.
"It's bad."
"What happened?"
"Three Hydra secret bases were wiped out within the last two days. No survivors." Natasha's voice was heavy.
Fury froze, setting his cigar aside in the ashtray.
"Roland family's doing?" Fury asked after a pause.
"No direct proof, but at every site we found this." Natasha placed a transparent evidence bag on the desk. Inside was a small metal plate engraved with the image of a tree.
Most people would not recognize it, but Fury had spent weeks studying the Church of Life. One glance was enough. It was their emblem.
"He did this on purpose. It's retaliation, and leaving this behind is a warning to others." Fury lifted the plate, shaking his head.
"Making an example?"
"Yes."
"If Hydra is the chicken, then who's the monkey? Us?" Natasha asked, her tone uneasy.
"Anyone who dares see him as a threat, including us, but not limited to us." Fury's voice was serious.
"So what do we do? Submit? Ignore him?"
"Neither. No one can make us kneel, but there's no need to create another enemy either. Cooperation is the smartest option. If I'm right, the Church of Life will have a huge impact on our world for a long time. As long as it's not harmful, there's no reason for S.H.I.E.L.D. to oppose them."
Natasha nodded slowly. "I get it. Better to have a friend than another enemy."
"Exactly. Tell Coulson to get ready. We'll head to Roland Manor to meet this Mr. Phils."
"Understood."
"Oh, and, did you find the big green guy yet?" Fury asked suddenly.
Natasha shook her head, then added, "But it won't be long. A few days ago, Ross's men found traces of gamma radiation in an old man's corpse. Turned out he drank a Brazilian soda that caused sudden cardiac arrest. They've already sent people to Brazil."
"Hiding in Brazil, huh? Move fast. Don't let Ross get to him first. Ross is reckless, and that green monster is unstable. If they clash, it will be disastrous. Ross cannot handle him."
"Director, and what makes you think I can handle him? Honestly, he scares me. He's the most terrifying being I've met, aside from Mr. Phils's woman." Natasha frowned.
"You're one of our top agents. I trust your abilities." Fury chuckled.
"That's a weak excuse, but fine. Between Phils and the green monster, I'll take the green monster. Phils is ten times scarier." Natasha muttered, still haunted by her memories of Roland Manor.
New York City. Roland Manor.
The estate was beyond luxurious, breathtaking even to Fury and Coulson, men who had seen their share of grandeur. It was less a manor, more like a private ecological paradise. Forested paths, flower-filled gardens, even a golf course.
As their car passed through, Coulson found himself unexpectedly relaxed. The scenery reminded him of vacations he had never had time to take.
"You seem to like it here," Fury said.
"I do. Nature makes me feel human again, not just an agent. It's refreshing." Coulson smiled.
Fury sighed. "You've worked hard lately. I'll see about getting you a vacation after this."
"Then I'll say thank you in advance." Coulson chuckled.
Soon, they arrived before Phils's villa. To their surprise, it was not a mansion, but a massive treehouse shaped from living wood, influenced by the power of life itself. Vines and trees grew from its walls, filling the air with a strange vitality.
At the entrance stood several tall women, Phils's devoted followers under Effie. Though they looked graceful, Fury's instincts screamed. These women were dangerously powerful, each at a level rivaling seasoned heroes. And in the shadows of the estate, Fury could sense even stronger presences watching them.
"Go in. The master is waiting." The guards checked their credentials, then stepped aside.
Inside, Fury and Coulson were stunned. Exotic birds and beasts wandered freely, furniture and paintings gleamed, and the entire place felt more like a mythical forest than a home.
"Beautiful," Coulson whispered in awe.
"Director Fury, we finally meet."
The voice came calmly from ahead. At a large desk sat Roland Phils, flanked by Effie and several shipgirls. He lounged elegantly on a sofa, book in hand, while attendants massaged him. The aura of a noble radiated from him.
"Mr. Phils, I came here with the utmost sincerity," Fury said.
"If you mean that knife in your hand, I'm not interested." Phils did not even glance up, yet somehow knew what Fury carried.
Fury was startled. Few could see through him so easily.
"You already know?"
"Carbonadium blade. Effective against regenerative mutants, but worthless against my people. To us, it's nothing."
Phils's tone was dismissive, though he accepted the gift nonetheless, clearly planning to pass it on to his followers.
"Mr. Phils, on behalf of S.H.I.E.L.D., I want to thank you for striking Hydra. Without you, we wouldn't have realized how deep their infiltration went."
"I killed Hydra because they annoyed me, not out of justice." Phils finally closed his book, his gaze sharp as lightning.
"Even so, you helped us greatly," Fury replied.
"And for that, your gratitude is a knife? Pathetic."
A crushing pressure suddenly filled the room. Fury and Coulson collapsed to their knees under the weight of Phils's aura.
"...!" Fury's eyes widened. He hadn't expected Phils to turn hostile so suddenly.
"This is the best I could bring," Fury gasped, struggling to breathe.
"You think I care about your scraps? You overstep. A mortal organization dares to probe into my affairs? With one finger, I could erase you and your S.H.I.E.L.D. entirely."
Cold sweat ran down Fury's face. "We meant no offense. I sincerely apologize. We only want to talk. As long as the Roland family means no harm to the world, we can be allies."
"Ally? Do you think you have the right to decide that?"
A chilling voice rang out. It was Bismarck, her tone like a blade, her presence crashing over them like a storm.
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