Levi, the giant, stood still, watching the figure of Iron Man disappear into the distance. His massive frame seemed frozen, his glowing eyes locked on the speck of red and gold that grew smaller and smaller until it was no more than a black dot in the vast sky. Even after the dot vanished completely, he kept staring, as if willing it to return.
A strange feeling began to swell in Levi's chest—an unfamiliar mix of admiration, sadness, and a sense of abandonment. He felt like a child left alone by his parents, standing on the side of the road, unsure of where to go or what to do. For the first time in his life, the vastness of the universe seemed cold and unwelcoming.
He stood like that for a long time, his thoughts circling endlessly. This "new father," as Levi had already started to think of him, was the strongest being he had ever encountered. The fight had lasted mere moments, but Iron Man's overwhelming power had left an impression that would not fade. Levi knew that he had only seen a sliver of Iron Man's true strength. In comparison, his own abilities felt pitifully small, like a candle trying to outshine the sun.
For Levi's people, strength was everything. From the time they were born, they were taught to respect and worship the powerful. This reverence for strength ran so deep that it had become a defining trait of their race. Yet Levi had always been a little different, even among his own kind. His unusual way of thinking and acting often made him an outlier. But even he wasn't immune to the awe inspired by Iron Man. In just a few minutes of battle, Levi had come to revere this man as though he were a god.
And yet, despite his admiration and his decision to recognize Iron Man as his "father," it seemed the feeling was not mutual. Levi's shoulders slumped as he thought about how weak and insignificant he must have appeared. It was no surprise Iron Man had left him behind. After all, what use could a bumbling giant be to someone so powerful?
Levi sighed heavily, his massive chest rising and falling like a mountain. He glanced around, unsure of what to do next, when his eyes fell on the body of the Cantel army commander lying on the ground. This was the very enemy Iron Man had defeated and left behind. Levi's heart clenched as he realized what this meant.
The Cantel commander was no ordinary soldier; he was a notorious fugitive, a wanted criminal whose capture would bring immense rewards. Iron Man must have spent considerable time and effort tracking him down. Yet, instead of claiming the prize for himself, he had left the body behind—as if it were a gift for Levi.
Levi's throat tightened, and tears welled up in his eyes. This was no ordinary gift; it was a sign of trust, a gesture of incredible generosity. To leave something so valuable behind spoke volumes about Iron Man's character. Levi wiped at his tears with one massive hand, his heart swelling with gratitude and determination.
"No," Levi muttered to himself, his voice rumbling like distant thunder. "I can't just stand here and do nothing. I have to find a way to repay him."
Levi thought back to what he knew about the temple. It was said to hold ancient secrets and unimaginable power, but it was also guarded by challenges that had turned away even the strongest warriors. Levi had given up hope of ever entering the temple himself, but now he saw a new purpose. If Iron Man's goal was the temple, then Levi would do everything in his power to help him get there.
With renewed determination, Levi hoisted the limp body of the Cantel commander onto his shoulder and began walking. He didn't know exactly where the temple was, but he would find it. For his "new father," he would find a way.
---
Charlie, controlling the Iron Man suit, soared through the sky, his mind focused on his next steps. The mission he had come here for was complete. The Cantel commander, the runaway leader of a rogue legion, had been neutralized. Most importantly, Earth's location—the Pole Star of humanity—remained a secret. That was the main goal, and it was accomplished.
Still, Charlie couldn't shake the feeling that something could go wrong. There was always the chance that the Cantel forces had some other way of learning Earth's coordinates. If that happened, he would have no choice but to fight back with everything he had. And if even that failed, well, he had a backup plan.
The Green Lantern system had expanded his options significantly. If Earth ever became indefensible, he could load his loved ones onto the Green Lantern spaceship and leave. The universe was vast, full of unexplored planets where they could rebuild and grow stronger. Charlie had no illusions about how difficult such a path would be, but it was better than being cornered.
Still, he hoped it wouldn't come to that. For now, his priority was the temple. He needed to find out what was inside and whether it posed any threats—or opportunities.
The fight with the Cantel commander and Levi had taken less time than expected, leaving Charlie with a window of opportunity. He decided to approach the temple ahead of his allies, scouting it out in his Iron Man armor.
As he flew closer, the temple came into view, and Charlie couldn't help but marvel at its beauty. It was enormous, a palace that seemed to defy the limits of architecture. The design was unlike anything human, yet it was stunning in a way that resonated deeply. The intricate patterns and flowing lines seemed to vibrate with energy, filling him with a sense of peace and awe.
It reminded Charlie of music. Just as a beautiful melody could transcend language and culture, the temple's design seemed to speak directly to the soul. He wondered if this was intentional—if the architects had designed it to appeal to all beings, regardless of their origins.
Around the temple, a bustling market had sprung up. Aliens from countless species milled about, creating a scene that was both chaotic and vibrant. Stalls lined the open spaces, offering everything from exploration tools to exotic foods. Some vendors even sold trinkets and relics they claimed were connected to the temple. The air buzzed with the hum of conversations in dozens of different languages.
Charlie landed quietly on the outskirts of the market, switching his armor to transparent mode.
Tony Stark, dressed in casual clothes. Blending in with the crowd, he strolled toward the nearest stall.
The vendor was a strange creature with a mouth shaped like a suction cup and several long tentacles. When it saw Tony, it waved one of its tentacles enthusiastically. "Welcome! Come, take a look at this rare artifact! Freshly unearthed from the temple itself! Completely authentic!"
The alien held up a small green object that resembled a petri dish made of emerald. Its surface shimmered faintly in the light.
Tony raised an eyebrow, scanning the object discreetly with his hidden Iron Man tech. The scan revealed no energy signatures or unusual properties. It was almost certainly a fake.
Still, Tony smiled and picked up the artifact, examining it closely. "Interesting," he said, his tone casual. "So, what's been happening around here? It seems busier than usual."
The vendor's sucker-like mouth curled into something resembling a smile. "Oh, absolutely! There's a big conference happening. Traffic has gone up tenfold!"
Tony tilted his head, feigning surprise. "A conference? What's it about?"
The vendor leaned in conspiratorially, lowering its voice. "I don't know all the details, but it's something big. Word is that the Aval United are involved. Some bigwig from their group announced that there might be a breakthrough in the temple soon."
Tony nodded thoughtfully, storing the information in his mind. 'The Aval United. Noted'