The hall was draped in a tense silence after Yao's revelation. Each person present, from gods to mortals, seemed to sense the impending weight of the prophecy as if a storm cloud had settled over them. Then Nick Fury broke the quiet, his voice filled with irritated disbelief.
"F*ck this number seven," he muttered, biting his lip as his eyes darted over to where Morgan and little Karen were sitting, watching with wide eyes. Lowering his voice, he went on, "From the damn reports, I see Ritsuka's been through seven Singularities, seven Lostbelts, and now—seven apocalyptic disasters? Mother—" Fury clenched his fists, catching himself before swearing again. "Forget it. This whole setup is cursed."
Oberon nodded, crossing his arms. "I agree, Director. It's a particularly vexing symmetry, this number gave enough trouble to our master."
Tony Stark raised an eyebrow, looking first at Fury, then at Yao. "Alright, but what exactly are we talking about here?" He waved a hand toward the swirling, ominous images in the air. "God-like? Alien overlords? Big, flashy magic types?"
Yao met his gaze, her expression serious. "Some of them are akin to gods, Stark. But a few are...above even that."
Goredolf, who had been gripping the edge of the table tightly, scowled. "Damn it! This is always the problem with these mages—they know things but can't seem to get a grip on the most important details!" He shook his head, the anxiety still visible in his posture.
Kadoc glanced between Yao and the others. "Alright, then—could you break it down for us?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of the same tension as the others. "At least tell us about the ones you know."
Yao nodded, understanding their urgency. "I can tell you about five of the Apocalypse Kings. The last two, though…their identities remain hidden, even from me."
"Great," Goredolf huffed, frustration dripping from his words. "More cryptic nonsense."
Yao's gaze swept over the group. "But there's something you must understand: the first apocalypse, it's coming sooner than the rest. We have only a year before it reaches this world."
Nick Fury scoffed, his voice dripping with skepticism. "Seriously? Are we trying to do some blockbuster movie stunt here? The whole planet is gonna be cooked. If you're holding back, now's not the time. Spill it—all of it."
Yao chuckled, giving him an amused look. "Shield Director, you're rather talkative for a spy, aren't you? Tell me, would you lay out all your secrets for the world to see?"
Fury clenched his jaw, ready to retort, but Ritsuka spoke up, meeting Yao's eyes. "You can tell us as much as you're willing to share. And for what you can't…" He looked over his shoulder at Void Shiki, whose gaze sharpened at his words. "Well, I think I have a certain someone who can fill us in."
Void Shiki blinked, suddenly aware of all eyes on her. A faint blush crept into her cheeks as she muttered, "Ritsuka… I could, but it would be better if all of you were able to prove yourselves by facing frist 5 apocalypse kings directly or those higher gods won't sit will and i will tell about last 2 myself when the time comes."
Tony smirked, folding his arms as he leaned back. "Now we need to prove ourselves? Really, Ritsuka, can't you ask your lover to give us the whole scoop?"
Void Shiki's cheeks turned a deeper shade of red, and she looked away, flustered.
Ignoring Tony, Dantes fixed his gaze on Yao, his expression unyielding. "What we need to know are the powers these kings wield."
Thor, standing a bit taller, nodded firmly. "Yes, brother," he rumbled, looking at Ritsuka and then Yao, "that's what we need to know."
Yao's eyes darkened slightly as she began, "In the first apocalypse, you won't be facing one, but two Apocalypse Kings." Her tone dropped, each word heavier than the last. "One of them is Mephisto, lord of the underworld; the other is Dracula, the Vampire King."
The weight of her words hit the room like a thunderclap. Tony straightened in his seat, his expression serious for once. Even Loki raised an eyebrow, muttering to himself in quiet surprise.
"Mephisto and Dracula," Thor said, a spark of challenge glinting in his eyes.
"Yes," Yao continued, "they're formidable foes. Mephisto thrives on sin, his power bound to the darkness in human's souls. His presence can warp reality itself, turning everything to madness. Dracula, on the other hand, wields an ancient power, capable of draining entire lifetimes in a single glance. Together…" she paused, letting the weight of that word settle on the room, "they will bring fire and blood. The Red Apocalypse."
Yao's gaze darkened as she continued, her voice carrying a weight that settled heavily in the room. "I've only encountered Mephisto once, but I can say this: he's the most cunning demon in history. A deceiver like no other, who never acts without a hidden agenda. Whatever reason he has for working with Dracula… it's not out of loyalty or partnership." She paused, eyeing each person gathered before her. "But no matter his motives, they'll be here in a year. We must prepare."
Karna nodded thoughtfully. "If Master summons Count Vlad III again," he said with a calm certainty, "he will undoubtedly hunt Dracula to the ends of the earth."
Yao acknowledged him with a nod before conjuring another image, her expression still solemn. "And now, we come to the second Apocalypse King, the one who rules over the Negative Zone. His name is Annihilus." With a wave of her hand, an image materialized, showing a swarm of massive, armored, insect-like creatures swarming in the darkness.
Tony and Da Vinci exchanged glances, both intrigued and perturbed by the implications. "Negative Zone…" Tony murmured. "Da Vinci, got any insights on this dimension? I think i had few guess on that subject."
Da Vinci's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "It's an interdimensional void, if I remember correctly. Filled with strange energies and creatures that defy our understanding. And from the looks of it, they're anything but friendly."
Meanwhile, Morgan held Karen tightly, feeling a shiver down her spine. Karen was sitting on her lap, visibly uneasy at the sight of the insects. Morgan whispered reassuringly, "If any bug comes our way, Karen, I'll summon Roadless Camelot and take care of it." Her voice was filled with a protective determination.
Across the room, Artoria Lancer and Artoria Avalon shot Oberon a suspicious glance, as though evaluating him for any bug-like associations. Oberon raised his hands defensively, looking slightly offended. "Why are you both staring at me?" he asked. "My bugs are cute. These, on the other hand…" He pointed to the screen, where the insects continued to writhe in disturbing patterns. "They're ghastly."
Yao conjured another image, this time showing an ominous shadow with a blue glow, exuding raw power. "Now, the Gray Apocalypse King is Apocalypse himself," she said, her voice filled with respect and a tinge of fear. Loki raised an eyebrow.
"Hold on," he interrupted, looking genuinely interested. "His name is actually 'Apocalypse'? Really?"
Yao nodded gravely. "He is also known as En Sabah Nur, the first mutant. He's ancient and, some say, the strongest among his kind. Sealed within his own pyramid in Egypt, he is bound in cosmic armor. He ruled as the last pharaoh of Egypt."
At this, Ereshkigal chimed in, tilting her head curiously. "The last ruler of Egypt? Isn't that title Nitocris', the Pharaoh of Egypt's Sixth Dynasty, in our world? I wonder how she'll react when she finds out a supposed 'Apocalypse King' claims that title."
Scathach Said. "Perhaps it will be an interesting meeting or fight."
Yao turned serious again, though, as she continued, "As for his powers, I don't have a full understanding. But remember, he's not just any mutant. He's the first. His strength and knowledge of ancient powers are unmatched."
Yao's tone shifted to a more uncertain one. "The next one, the Black Apocalypse… well, this one is somewhat elusive. I believe it's an Alien Titan, but it's bound and sealed somewhere on Earth… I think it's South America..."
A sudden voice filled the air, resonating through the hall. "Its name is Unmaker." Everyone turned toward the sound, and Ritsuka immediately recognized the woman who had appeared, her form elegant, with flowing brown hair and a serene presence. It was Gaia, the Mother Earth herself.
Ritsuka's face lit up as he greeted her warmly. "Goddess Gaia, it's good to see you."
Gaia smiled softly, gazing over the assembled group with maternal warmth. "It's good to see all of you as well," she replied, her tone affectionate. To her, they were like her children.
The Phoenix, perched on Karna's shoulder, inclined her head, offering a respectful nod. "Greetings, Gaia," she said softly.
Gaia's gaze shifted to the Phoenix, a teasing glint in her eye. "Well, well," she said with a smirk. "It seems that you and Karna have grown quite close since last I saw you."
The Phoenix flinched, a faint blush touching her ethereal features as she sputtered, "Th-that's… You're mistaken! I—it's nothing like that." Her usual confidence faltered, showing a rare flustered side.
Gaia chuckled, her laughter soft and warm, as the Phoenix tried to regain her composure. Meanwhile, the others looked on with mixed expressions of amusement and curiosity, realizing that their battle against the Apocalypse Kings might just be more complex—and more personal—than any of them had anticipated.
Gaia's expression turned solemn as she took an empty seat, allowing her words to settle in the room. "The Unmaker," she began, her voice echoing with the gravity of ancient history, "was a machine, created ten billion years ago, designed to halt entropy in the universe by destroying black holes. It was built with the purpose of preserving existence… but as it attacked these black holes, it grew corrupted, driven by an insatiable impulse to destroy. Galaxies, entire realms, were eradicated in its wake."
The silence grew dense as her words sank in.
"This destruction drew the attention of the Living Tribunal," Gaia continued. "To simply eliminate it was impossible—the Unmaker's power had grown too vast, so the Tribunal deactivated it instead and sealed it within the core of Earth. But make no mistake: the Tribunal only delayed the inevitable." She looked up, her gaze meeting each of them. "The Unmaker is still upgrading itself. In ten years, it will break free."
Gaia paused, her eyes shifting to Ritsuka. "After you summoned Archetype Earth," she said, turning to Archetype Earth, "she allowed me to focus my powers on maintaining the Unmaker's prison. Arche has become the Earth's system's caretaker, allowing me to hold back its reactivation."
Ritsuka and his Servants, usually unwavering in the face of most dangers, had turned pale at this revelation. Memories of previous threats seemed to cast a shadow over each of them, a silent reminder of past horrors.
Noticing the shift in Ritsuka's Servants, Tony leaned toward Da Vinci, concern etched in his features. "What is it? Why are they reacting like this?" he asked quietly.
Da Vinci sighed, her expression grim. "We're remembering an alien threat we faced—an alien spider named ORT. It was a terror we'll never forget, a being that brought unimaginable nightmares." Her voice softened, as though recalling the nightmare itself. "The Unmaker sounds like something far worse."
Gaia's voice broke into the discussion, even graver. "There's more," she said. "The Unmaker isn't the only entity within Earth. A Celestial lies dormant within its depths. Should the Unmaker break free, it would attempt to absorb the Celestial's energy… and if it succeeds, it would become a multiversal threat."
The weight of her words transformed the room's atmosphere. A few of them reacted visibly to this revelation.
Nick Fury, for once, was silent, absorbing the enormity of the situation. Then he muttered under his breath, "This is straight out of a nightmare… except we're all wide awake."
Karna clenched his fists, his fiery resolve rekindling.
Thor's expression was a mixture of admiration and determination. "If this Unmaker is to rise, then he shall find Asgard standing in his way."
Archetype Earth finally spoke, her voice calm yet tinged with anxiety. "Gaia and I will do everything we can to sustain the seal… but if the Unmaker escapes, it will take all of you—every bit of strength you have—to stop it."
Each person in the room shared a look, silently acknowledging the fight ahead. They all knew that this wasn't just another battle; this was a war for survival.
Santa Martha was the first to break the silence. "Wait, Mother Earth, what do you mean by that? About celestial inside earth." Her tone held a mix of respect and unease, as though she dreaded the answer.
Gaia turned her gaze to Tamamo Cat, who seemed equally tense still recovering from ORT nightmare. "The Celestials… they can be considered lesser True Gods. They maintain a certain balance across creation," Gaia explained, her tone calm but weighty. "Since the very first multiverse, they have existed, shaping and guiding life. And yes, Earth harbors a seed of one—a dormant Celestial—deep within its core."
"Oh, Earth is a home for them?" Sitonai piped up with a hint of awe. "That's actually kind of cute!"
Gaia's expression remained serious, dampening Sitonai's sentiment. "Cute or not, it's a dangerous truth. When Earth's population reaches a critical point, this Celestial will awaken, leading to its 'Emergence.' With its birth, Earth will be destroyed." Her voice rang in their ears like an ominous bell.
"What?" Shock rippled through the room. Nearly everyone—save Yao, Odin, Phoenix, Ritsuka, and Void Shiki—exclaimed in disbelief.
"Now it's definitely not cute, Sitonai," Loki muttered, his usual amusement replaced by dread. The thought of Earth, his potential realm where he rules the world, doomed by such an event left him visibly unnerved.
Bucky was less diplomatic. "What the hell? You mean Earth is just… doomed someday?" His voice was raw, desperate for some glimmer of hope.
"Yes." Gaia nodded solemnly. "But only if this 'Emergence' takes place. You all have the power to prevent it."
A wave of relief washed over the room as Gaia's words sank in.
"So, Earth and planets like it are just… incubators?" Tony pressed, following the logic. "Places where Celestials come to… be born?" He exchanged a look with Da Vinci, both of them working to grasp the full scale of the threat.
"Yes," Gaia confirmed. "Without intervention, this is Earth's fate."
Nick Fury sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. "I'm too old for this…" he muttered, half to himself. "Why's Earth gotta be the one to suffer all the cosmic baggage?"
The room fell quiet again, the weight of the revelation settling over them. Each knew, as Gaia had said, that their fight was far from over.
Oberon crossed his arms, giving a thoughtful look toward Archetype Earth, Morgan, Void Shiki, and Ereshkigal. "Why don't we go and kill that Celestial while it didn't awake? We have enough power now to take down a god in their sleep, don't we?"
Gaia shook her head, her expression grave. "It's not that simple. Killing the Celestial would alert the other Celestials, and they would come to Earth to eradicate all of you. And even if you have power enough to face them, none of you can stop Earth's destruction if they retaliate. Besides," she added, "the gods of this world have already fallen to the Celestials. That's why those who became Divine Spirits can't intervene. The Celestials forced them to make a vow—a promise not to interfere with humanity again." She paused. "And the Eternals have been set to protect that Celestial seed."
Sigurd stepped forward, his brows furrowing. "Who are these Eternals?"
"The Eternals are creations of the Celestials," Gaia replied. "They were given the task to safeguard the seed and oversee humanity's growth. But not all Eternals follow their creators blindly. One of them, Gilgamesh, once stood against the Celestials for humanity's sake."
Ereshkigal's eyes widened, and she looked over at Ritsuka. "Mother Earth, are you saying the Golden King of Uruk still lives in this world?"
Ritsuka seemed equally stunned. "So, King Gilgamesh chose to live quietly, away from it all?"
Gaia nodded with a small smile. "I'm not sure if your world's Gilgamesh is male, but here, Gilgamesh is female. She even fought alongside Odin during the Giants' attack on Earth."
Odin let out a gruff laugh, shaking his head. "She's the most arrogant woman I've met in all my years." Frigga gave a death stare at him which silenced him.
This revelation left the Chaldea group stunned. Ereshkigal's face flushed with surprise, and even Karna raised an eyebrow, clearly caught off guard by the idea of a female Gilgamesh and Phonix felt jealous and started hate this female Gilgamesh. Ritsuka could only marvel, realizing that even familiar legends could twist and transform in this strange new world.
After all Multiverse is Real, any versions can possible
Tony clenched his fists, his voice thick with frustration. "So this lady eternal is going to help us out, right? That's… something, at least. But I still don't get it. If these beings are gods, why is their seed just sitting here inside Earth?"
Gaia's expression softened with understanding. "Every billion years, a new Celestial must be born. It is part of the cycle of life they created. The Celestials birth new galaxies, maintaining the multiversal balance. They draw energy from host planets to create stars and life."
Da Vinci's eyes lit up in contemplation. "So, essentially… we're batteries for these gods?"
"Yes," Gaia confirmed simply.
Tony's eyes narrowed, anger bubbling over. "Then Oberon's right. We should take that Celestial down while it's vulnerable! Let the others keep their noses out of Earth's business."
Dantes spoke calmly, folding his arms. "Killing something as powerful as a Celestial will always come with consequences, Tony. Such a move could doom Earth more surely than any apocalypse king."
Yao cleared her throat, sensing the need to redirect. "Perhaps we should continue," she suggested. "The next Dark King of Apocalypse is Knull."
A shiver seemed to pass through the room as Void Shiki move her head forward. Her voice was low, almost as if she was narrating a dark fable. "Knull—the god of darkness. No one knows where he came from. He existed before light, in the void of the abyss, with a kingdom entirely his own. Though his realm was dark, it was whole. He was at peace… until the Celestials came. They used the space he occupied to forge the multiverse."
"So they just barged into his territory?" Rama asked, his tone dark.
"In a sense, yes," Void Shiki confirmed, her gaze distant.
Ophelia's voice was incredulous. "Wait… Are you saying the multiverse we live in was originally his domain?"
Void Shiki's nod was slow and ominous. "Yes," she repeated. "To him, we are merely intruders in a kingdom lost to light."
The group fell silent, absorbing this dark revelation. It was a sobering realization: even the familiar worlds they knew were born from forces and grudges older than they could fathom.
Napoleon crossed his arms, his gaze hardened. "So the void we're occupying used to be Knull's kingdom, and the Celestials just strolled in and claimed it. Why should we care? It's their mess to clean up."
Void Shiki's voice was somber as she clarified, "Ideally, yes, the Celestials should be the ones bearing this burden. But Knull doesn't see a difference between Celestials and us. We've 'defiled' his realm just the same, and he'll destroy everything in his path who loves Light. I can't say why, but the Celestials and even other gods won't interfere to stop him, and the reason is… complicated."
"Ah, for—another damn problem left by those Celestials," Nick Fury groaned, his tone laced with exasperation. "So now we're just their cleanup crew?"
Void Shiki's gaze shifted, her eyes narrowing. "And it's more than that. Knull has taken an interest in Ritsuka's life."
"Why?" The question burst from Ritsuka's lovers, their voices an uneasy chorus, even drawing a rare word from Hela.
Void Shiki shook her head. "I wish I knew. But my hands are tied… I can't just act against Knull without the Celestials or other gods stepping in, and let's just say they're… watching closely."
Tony's fist slammed into his palm, his frustration boiling over. "I'm with Fury on this. I'm sick of the Celestials dumping their problems on Earth."
Oberon, usually more reserved, surprised the group by nodding in agreement. "Indeed. They're revolting."
Breaking the tension, Mashu hesitantly raised a hand. "Forgive me for asking, but why is Senpai called the 'Prophecy One'? Does that mean there's a 'Prophecy Two' or even more?"
Kadoc blinked in surprise at her question, clearly curious himself, as everyone turned toward Yao.
With a chuckle, Yao explained, "Yes, there are other prophecies. The legends say different heroes would come to this world to save creation, but Ritsuka… he was always mentioned as the first—the one who would come when no one else could. And he has."
Ritsuka scratched his head, a bit flustered. "Well, that's a relief. If more heroes show up, all the better."
Ereshkigal shook her head, her voice gentle but resolute. "But we believe it will be you who saves everyone, Ritsuka." His other lovers nodded, their expressions unwavering in their faith.
Turning bright red, Ritsuka stammered, "A-Alright, guys, enough of that! Besides, we still don't know the last two apocalypse kings…"
Gaia's gaze was heavy as she spoke, her voice solemn. "I know the sixth apocalypse king. And he is the reason I summoned you here, Ritsuka… to defeat him."
Nick Fury's eyes narrowed, his tone blunt. "And who is he?"
Gaia's expression hardened. "My brother, Chthon—the Creator of Chaos Magic."
Ritsuka took a deep breath, nodding as he met Gaia's gaze with resolve. "I understand, Mother Earth. We'll do what needs to be done. I'm not alone in this—I have everyone here with me."
Scathach moved her head forward, her voice unwavering. "Yes, Ritsuka has all his friends and family by his side. We'll win. No matter what."
Ritsuka's face softened in gratitude before he turned back to Gaia. "Mother Earth, when is this Celestial supposed to be born?"
Gaia looked down, regret shadowing her face. "I'm not entirely sure. Perhaps ten years, give or take."
Nick Fury let out a groan, rubbing his temples. "Motherf—one thing after another. At this rate, I'm ready to retire."
But Ritsuka stood tall, facing the group. His voice was steady, filled with both warmth and determination. "Listen up, everyone. I know we've had one challenge after another, and there's bound to be more. It doesn't matter how strong our future enemies are—we'll face them together. There may be losses; we'll have to face the truth that some of us might not make it. But we chose this path. We're here to protect Earth, and this? This is just a bump on the road. I believe in all of us. Together, we'll win."
The room was quiet, the weight of Ritsuka's words settling over everyone. Then Tony stepped forward, his gaze skeptical but searching. "And what if we're not strong enough? What if we lose? What if we don't even know what the Endgame looks like, Ritsuka?"
Ritsuka met Tony's gaze, unflinching. "Then we fail together, my friend."
A spark of something fierce and hopeful ignited in Artoria Avalon's eyes. "Together, we'll face whatever comes."
"Together." The single word echoed as each voice joined in, the word reverberating with a sense of shared resolve.
In that moment, no matter how many gods or monsters lay ahead, they were ready—bound by purpose, friendship, and a promise to face whatever came next.
Yao smiled gently, her calm voice breaking the lingering tension. "I don't know what the future holds, but now… I'm confident this world will survive."
Goredolf, trying to appear resolute, responded with a serious tone, "Definitely, Sorcerer Supreme. We will save this world—" but then he stumbled, his voice turning nervous, "—because, well, we… live here, so we have to save it!"
Several people chuckled, lightening the atmosphere as Goredolf's earnest words warmed the group.
Ritsuka gave a reassuring nod. "I know we're all exhausted. Go home, take some time to recover. We've earned it." He turned to Odin and Thor with a respectful nod. "King Odin, Thor… I'm sorry, but even we need a break."
Odin nodded knowingly, and Thor clapped Ritsuka on the shoulder with a grin.
With that, Ritsuka summoned portals to send everyone home. Those closest to him—Morgan, Ereshkigal, Karen, Archetype Earth, Artoria Avalon, Artoria Lancer, Tamamo Cat, Santa Martha, Karna, Rama, Sita, Oberon, Ortlinde, Hildr, Thrúd, Loki, Sitonai, Mashu, Fou, Scathach, Skadi, Ophelia, Napoleon, Kadoc, Director Goredolf, Hela, and Frigga—gathered, waiting for their turn. They would return to Ritsuka's apartment, a place of warmth and familiarity.
Before stepping into the portal, Gaia gently placed her hand on Rama's shoulder, stopping him and Sita. "Rama, Sita," she began, her voice gentle, "there's something you both should know. Hanuman is here, protecting Avalon."
Rama's eyes lit up, a mixture of excitement and gratitude filling his face. "Hanuman… my dear friend." He clenched his fist with a determined smile. "Even in this world, I want to meet him again. I know we will, one day."
Sita smiled as well, sharing Rama's sentiment. "Yes, we will see him again. I know it."
Gaia's smile softened. "You both are exactly as Hanuman described. He'd be overjoyed to see you as well." With a parting nod, Rama and Sita stepped through the portal, a sense of purpose renewed in their hearts.
As the others followed, Ritsuka felt a warmth and unity among them all.
As Ritsuka and the others gathered, Da Vinci and Bucky headed toward the portal leading to Tony's house. Da Vinci turned to Ritsuka and Goredolf with a purposeful look. "I'll catch up with you both later," she said, a determined glint in her eyes. "Tony and I have a mountain of work to tackle now. We've got to prepare for all the battles to come."
Goredolf, understanding the weight of her words, nodded with respect. "Do what you need to, Da Vinci. Just keep up and take care yourself, and you, yes, Bucky, she is a idiot please take care of her." Bucky Barnes nodded his head.
As they left, Nick Fury stood by, his expression twisted into one of pure frustration, almost as if he had swallowed something sour. "Listen, Fujimaru," he started, his voice gruff. "I've made a decision. You, your friends, your lovers, your family—heck, even your kids—are joining the Avengers. Consider it final. I don't want to hear about any prophecy nonsense or destiny crap. You're working for me, and there's no 'quitting' on my watch. I've got my eye on you—all of you," he added, pointing to his lone, glaring eye.
Ritsuka chuckled, giving Fury a relaxed salute. "Understood, Director. Wouldn't dream of trying to dodge that 'only eye' of yours."
Fury grunted, though a hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
As the exchange ended, Dantes stepped forward. "Ritsuka," he said, his voice low and a little mysterious. "Don't forget to see BB. She deserves to know about all of this."
Ritsuka nodded, understanding the gravity of the request. "Of course. I'll find her and make sure she's in the loop."
With a quiet nod, Dantes melted back into Ritsuka's shadow, leaving Ritsuka with a full heart, strengthened by the thought of all those who stood beside him. It was going to be a long, difficult journey, but he knew they were all in this together.
As Tony watched Dantes vanish, he scoffed and muttered, "Disappears like a damn ghost. Not even a 'see you later,' and I thought we were friends."
Ritsuka, noticing the frustration simmering on Tony's face, walked over. "Still upset?" he asked, a slight smirk on his lips.
Tony shook his head, his anger clear. "I'm still pissed about all of this—these future battles, this whole thing about humans being nothing but glorified chargers for these cosmic… parasites."
Ritsuka placed a steadying hand on Tony's shoulder. "I get it, Tony. Knowing what lies ahead is overwhelming, even dangerous. But you've got to understand that if we dig too deep into all the threats out there, if we let every secret consume us… it's a trap of our own fears. I can already see in future that You'll barely be able to spend any time with Pepper, let alone yourself. Do you really think overworking yourself now will solve future problems?"
Tony opened his mouth to argue but fell silent, considering Ritsuka's words.
"We're not gods, Tony," Ritsuka continued softly. "You've already learned that no matter how much power you hold, it'll never be enough. There'll always be another apocalypse, another villain waiting in the wings. Do you think these seven apocalypses are the end? No… it's only the beginning."
Ritsuka's gaze turned serious. "This knowledge has already started to weigh on everyone. Some might stop sleeping, some might throw themselves into training until they break, and others may just spiral. But letting our anger and fear of the future consume us? That's no way to live, and you know it."
Tony's anger softened, and he sighed, the weight of everything sinking in. He looked away, nodding slowly as he processed what Ritsuka had said. "You're right," he admitted quietly. "It's a tough pill to swallow, though."
Ritsuka placed a reassuring hand on his friend's shoulder. "Go home, Tony. Be with Pepper. These fights will always be there. We've come this far, facing everything from terrorists to gods in future, and we'll face the Endgame together. We may not all make it through, but at least we'll know we did everything we could." He paused, then added firmly, "If we fail, then we fail together, my friend."
Tony looked up at Ritsuka, the weight in his gaze softened with gratitude. After a moment, he pulled Ritsuka into a quick, solid hug. "You're wiser than you look, Fujimaru. Maybe you've got a side career in therapy or politics after all."
Ritsuka chuckled, clapping Tony on the back.
Before leaving, Tony glanced over at Thor and the Enchantress. "Bye, Point Break," he called with a smirk. "Let's catch up soon."
With one last nod to Ritsuka, Tony turned and stepped through the portal, heading back to his world, to his responsibilities, and, most importantly, to the people he loved.
As Tony's nickname echoed in the room, the Enchantress glared, her eyes narrowing at Thor, who merely shrugged. Ritsuka, noticing the tension, quickly stepped in. "Tony's got a habit of giving nicknames," he explained with a soft smile. "Sorry about that."
After a moment, the Enchantress relaxed and waved it off. "I suppose I can forgive… this once," she said, eyes still flashing slightly but softened.
Now, only Sigurd, Brynhildr, the Enchantress, Thor, Yao, Odin, Void Shiki, and Ritsuka remained.
Sigurd stepped forward, his expression determined. "Master," he said, looking at Ritsuka, "Brynhildr and I would like to remain in Asgard a while longer. The other realms are rebelling, and we want to be here to support Thor."
Brynhildr nodded, her face filled with both purpose and warmth. "Thor is brother to me. I want to help him protect Asgard—and our people."
Ritsuka looked at both of them with pride and a tinge of sadness but smiled. "Of course. You're both exactly where you need to be."
Thor clapped Sigurd on the back with a hearty grin. "Your loyalty and strength mean a lot to me, friends, Sister, and I know that with them here, Asgard will stand strong."
Turning to Ritsuka, Thor's expression grew more serious. "And Ritsuka Fujimaru, I swear, I'll become stronger—strong enough to be there when you need me most. You've helped me more than I can repay. I'll return the favor, one day."
Ritsuka met his gaze, his words sincere. "I know you will, Thor. And as for your sister Hela… I'll take her under my wing. I'll show Hela the world beyond her past—whatever choices she makes now are her own."
Thor nodded in appreciation, but at the mention of Hela and her new freedom, Odin's face tightened briefly, though he remained silent. Ritsuka noticed but didn't press him, letting the weight of unspoken regrets rest on the Allfather's shoulders.
Yao smiled warmly at Ritsuka, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Ritsuka, I know we will meet again soon. I promise to train you, but I also want to invite you and your friends to Kamar-Taj or the Sanctum Sanctorum. Personally, I prefer Kamar-Taj." She handed him two addresses, her expression earnest.
Ritsuka grinned back, feeling a sense of excitement. "I'll definitely visit to train under you. I'm looking forward to it," he replied, appreciating the gesture.
With a nod, Yao stepped through her portal, her energy radiating with hope and purpose.
Once she vanished, Ritsuka and Void Shiki moved to the last portal he had created, preparing to return to his apartment. As they stepped through, Void Shiki broke the silence. "Ritsuka, why did you tell me to wait to go last with you? It's not that I'm against it."
Ritsuka paused, grabbing her arms with a serious expression. "Void, I remember Yao's words in the prophecy: Remember, it's pointless to save, because nothing can escape from what is coming to this creation, just like others."
Void Shiki looked deep into his blue eyes, sensing the weight behind his words.
"I don't want to say this in front of everyone," Ritsuka continued, his tone somber, "but does it feel like this Multiverse is trying to commit suicide? Something dangerous is coming to destroy everything."
Void Shiki's expression shifted, her concern evident. Void Shiki gazed into Ritsuka's blue eyes, searching for answers, and her expression grew more serious. "Yes, in a way. I can feel something dangerous looming over all multiverses. We don't know what it is either, but it has instilled fear, causing this multiverse to act as if it's committing suicide. All these apocalypses are results of it."
Ritsuka nodded slowly, understanding the weight of her words. "I see," he said quietly. He stepped inside the apartment and closed the door behind them, sealing off the outside world.
"Are you not going to tell everyone?" Void Shiki asked, concern etched on her face.
Ritsuka wrapped his arm around her slim waist and began to move with her toward the living area. "I don't want to burden them more than they already are. They've faced enough after hearing about the future battles. I want them to enjoy their time, even if it's difficult right now. If we can stop all the apocalypses, then the future versions of everyone will be much stronger. By the time we face whatever is coming to this multiverse, we will do it together, as one."
Void Shiki smiled at his determination. "You're right. We need to protect their happiness as much as we can."
As they entered the living room, Ritsuka's ears perked up at the sound of his daughter's voice. "Papa, save me! These stepmoms are gonna eat me alive!" Karen exclaimed, her tone playful yet dramatic.
Ritsuka chuckled, the stress of their conversations momentarily fading as he saw Karen nestled between Scathach, Skadi, and Artoria Avalon, who were doting on her with motherly affection.
"Looks like you're in good hands, Karen," he teased, walking over to join them. "What's this about being eaten alive?"
"Oh, nothing! Just a little playtime," Karen replied with a grin, her eyes sparkling with joy. "They were pretending to be fierce monsters!"
"Fierce monsters, huh?" Ritsuka said, pretending to look serious. "Well, I hope you're ready to defend yourself, because I'm not saving you from your stepmoms if they try to gobble you up!"
The room erupted in laughter, and for a moment, the weight of impending danger seemed to lift. Ritsuka felt a warmth spread through him as he watched his daughter play with them, knowing that these moments of happiness were just as vital as preparing for the battles ahead.
"Together," he whispered to himself, a promise that echoed in his heart.
-to be continued...
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A/N: how is this chapter guys, i hope you guys like this.
So please 🥺 give me infinity stones