The darkened chamber, now eerily silent, seemed to swallow every sound. Tony stumbled over the rubble, his breath ragged as he approached Clay's motionless form. The once menacing atmosphere of the room was now a hollow echo of the recent chaos. The black smoke that had enveloped Clay slowly dissipated, leaving only faint traces of dark energy in the air.
Tony's hands trembled as he knelt beside Clay.
"Clay...?"
His voice was barely more than a whisper, the weight of the recent events pressing down on him. "Are you still in there?"
He gently shook Clay's shoulder, but his friend remained unresponsive. Tony's heart ached at the sight of Clay, his body still and jelly-like, a stark contrast to the powerful form he had taken moments before.
As Tony's anxiety peaked, a faint green light began to shimmer in the corner of the chamber. The light coalesced into a swirling portal, barely noticeable at first. From within the portal emerged a figure, not walking but floating with an almost imperceptible grace. The newcomer's presence was ethereal, their form blending seamlessly with the green haze that accompanied them. Tony, quickly in front of his unconscious friend.
The figure was young, appearing to be in their twenties, dressed in soft, colorful pajamas adorned with playful patterns. A cozy hat perched atop their head, and they held a cup of tea with a playful "Unc" printed on it. The newcomer's demeanor was decidedly nonchalant, their movements languid and tired, as if they had just woken from a nap.
Tony's eyes widened as he took in the sight. "Who—"
"Hold on," the figure interrupted with a yawn, waving their hand dismissively. "I'm really not in the mood for the whole 'who are you' routine. Let me save us both the trouble."
The figure took a sip from their cup, seemingly unfazed by the chaos around them. "First off, the names Dorri. Second, lets speak elsewhere, this place reeks of death"
With a casual flick of their wrist, Dorri created a glowing portal beneath Clay and Tony. The shimmering gateway expanded and enveloped them, lifting them off the ground. As they began to pass through, Dorri followed, the portal closing behind them with a soft pop.
Moments later, the chamber's oppressive atmosphere was replaced by the cool night air. Tony and Clay, still unconscious and limp, appeared in a tranquil, moonlit glade. The serene environment was a stark contrast to the danger they had just escaped.
Dorri floated beside them, setting down his tea cup and stretching his arms. "Much better don't you think?"
Tony glanced around, taking in the peaceful surroundings. He felt at ease for a bit, but still held his guard.
"So, care to tell more about yourself. Me and my friend had our fair share of danger tonight, so I'm a bit cautious"
Dorri looked at him with a mild expression of amusement. "Fair enough. Let me first take a look at your friend there."
Dorri floated closer, his hands still raised as he approached.
Tony stepped aside, his posture guarded but not aggressive. His gaze flicked to Dorri's floating form and back to Clay.
Dorri knelt beside Clay and placed his thumb gently on Clay's forehead. Green waves of energy flowed from his fingers, pulsing faintly as they connected with Clay. Tony squinted, noticing the strange way the energy seemed to disappear the moment it touched Clay, like water absorbed by parched earth.
Dorri frowned slightly, pulling his hand back after only a few seconds. "Hungry for some Kai, aren't you? Well lucky for you, I got much to spare." He placed his hands together, muttering something under his breath, and a stronger pulse of green energy flowed into Clay. This time, it lingered, settling into his body rather than being consumed entirely.
Tony watched in silence, fascinated and lost all together.
Dorri straightened, dusting off his hands with an air of finality. "He'll wake up in a bit. Won't be running marathons or anything, but he'll be stable enough to talk. For now, though, he's out of the woods."
Tony's shoulders sagged slightly, though his face remained impassive.
Tony knelt beside Clay, his movements deliberate but laced with a hint of urgency. He placed a hand on Clay's arm, testing for any sign of life. To his relief, Clay's body was no longer completely limp; his chest rose and fell in faint but steady breaths, and Tony thought he felt the slightest twitch in his fingers.
Letting out a deep breath, Tony slumped slightly, his tension giving way to a cautious relief. "He's... he's moving," Tony muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
Behind him, Dorri floated lazily back to where his tea cup sat on a small stone. Picking it up, he took a slow, deliberate sip, savoring the warmth. "Told you he'd be fine," Dorri said nonchalantly, as though saving someone's life was just another mundane task.
Tony turned to look at him, his expression caught between gratitude and suspicion. "Fine isn't the word I'd use, but... thanks."
Dorri smirked behind his tea cup, his eyes half-lidded with a sleepy sort of amusement. "You don't have to thank me, you know. I was just doing what I do best: keeping things from spiraling out of control."
Tony stood, brushing the dust off his knees. "Then maybe you can do me one more favor," he said, his voice steady but edged with the weight of the night's events. "Explain what's going on. No riddles, no holding back."
Dorri raised a brow, lowering the cup from his lips. "Right now?" He gestured vaguely toward the serene glade around them. "You've got your friend stable, the night isn't trying to kill you anymore, and I just gave up a chunk of my energy. Think we could save the Q&A for later?"
Tony frowned, staring hard into Dorri's eyes. Seeing the kid not planning to back down, he sighed.
"Alright alright, I will give you answers sherlock. But I will need to know first, a little about the two of you."
"Care to say, do you have a mother?"