Tony looked around with visible unease.
The Shadow World was absolute darkness — not the absence of light, but a suffocating void that felt alive.
If the shadow ninja supporting him had released its grip, he might have collapsed.
Staring too long into the endless black made the mind rebel. Shapes seemed to form in the distance. Movement flickered at the edges of vision.
Tony swallowed.
"…I officially hate this place."
Yinsen, by contrast, stood calmly. He had already spent time here and had long accepted that fear served no purpose.
Karl watched Tony's discomfort with amusement.
He almost wished he had a camera.
Shadow figures glided through the void, carrying them forward. Distance meant nothing here; direction was merely intent.
Roughly an hour later, the darkness parted.
They stepped out onto polished marble flooring beneath soft ambient lighting.
Tony Stark's Malibu mansion.
Tony staggered forward two steps—
—and immediately bent over, vomiting onto the pristine floor.
"Oh hell… I never want to go into your nightmare dimension again—"
Karl clicked his tongue.
"Tch. I didn't invite you."
He glanced toward the ceiling.
"And hello, JARVIS."
A calm British voice responded instantly.
"Welcome home, sir. Medical scans indicate elevated stress levels and dehydration. Ms. Potts has been notified and is en route."
Karl walked to the bar as if he owned the place.
He selected a bottle of Tony's top-shelf Scotch, poured a glass, then poured another and handed it to Yinsen.
Neither man spared Tony a glance.
Tony looked up, pale and furious.
"You two absolute bastards! You're drinking my Scotch while I'm dying on the floor!"
Karl sipped.
"You're not dying. You're experiencing dimensional motion sickness."
He clinked glasses with Yinsen.
"In a few minutes you'll be fine."
Yinsen hesitated.
"…Mr. Karl, perhaps we should assist him?"
Karl smiled.
"If he looks pitiful when Pepper arrives, she'll worry more."
Tony groaned.
"I hate you."
Outside the Estate
Pepper Potts gripped the armrest in the back seat.
"Happy, faster. JARVIS said Tony is home and not well — and he's not alone."
Happy floored the accelerator.
Behind them, several black SUVs followed — Stark security and Tony's personal protection detail.
JARVIS prioritized Tony's safety above all else.
Unknown individuals present meant precautions were necessary.
Inside the Mansion
As Pepper and the security team rushed toward the living room, JARVIS executed a precautionary containment protocol.
A transparent energy barrier descended around Karl and Yinsen near the bar.
Yinsen froze in confusion.
Karl slowly set down his glass.
The temperature in the room dropped.
Ice crystals spread across the countertop.
If this had been Tony's decision…
Karl would not have shown restraint.
Tony stared in shock.
"JARVIS, what the hell?"
Footsteps thundered in.
Happy burst into the room.
"Boss! Where are the hostiles—"
Security agents fanned out behind him.
Pepper rushed in moments later.
Frost crept across the floor.
Glasses froze solid.
Tony reacted instantly.
"No, no, no! Stand down!"
He shoved past Happy.
"They're not hostiles! They saved my life!"
He looked directly at Karl.
"Hey! Ice Prince! That's JARVIS, not me!"
The AI responded immediately:
"Apologies, gentlemen. Protective containment protocols were initiated due to unidentified individuals in proximity to Mr. Stark. Safety remains my highest priority."
The barrier disengaged.
The room temperature normalized as Karl released the cold.
Tony exhaled in relief.
He knew exactly what Karl could do.
If Karl had reacted violently, everyone present could have died before they understood what happened.
Tony stepped forward.
"I'm sorry. JARVIS is overprotective. Comes with the billionaire lifestyle."
He gestured toward the exit.
"Happy, clear the room."
The security team withdrew.
Pepper approached cautiously.
"Tony… what is going on?"
Tony smiled tiredly.
"They're friends. They brought me home."
He poured himself a drink and raised the glass.
"To survival."
Karl clinked glasses with him.
Yinsen followed.
The Scotch tasted better than any drink Tony had ever known.
Because he was alive to drink it.
Karl set his glass down.
"You have a lot to handle right now. I'll visit in a few days."
Without waiting for a response, he stepped into a shadowed corner of the room.
Darkness folded inward.
He vanished.
Pepper gasped.
"My God… Tony, he just disappeared."
Tony nodded.
"Yeah. That's how we got back."
He turned to Pepper, placing his hands gently on her shoulders.
"Two things: I want a cheeseburger… and we're scheduling a press conference."
Pepper blinked.
"…of course you are."
Tony smirked.
"JARVIS, prepare a guest suite for Yinsen."
"At once, sir. Mr. Yinsen, please proceed to the third floor. I will guide you."