Bronsky, battered by Esdeath's brutal assault, managed to recover in record time, as always. Thanks to the trifecta of the Extremis Virus, mutant regeneration, and the Red Giant Serum running through his veins, his healing abilities bordered on miraculous. Even Wolverine would struggle to match his resilience.
Meanwhile, Zod had opted to take a rare pause from his usual focus on power and strategy. Esdeath, who had recently asserted herself, quickly found him outside by a blazing grill, where he was meticulously barbecuing a large cut of beef. For someone who had been an "otaku" back in his previous life—lacking much interest in worldly pleasures or recreational hobbies—this new pastime seemed almost out of character. Krypton had certainly provided no such diversions, and he hadn't cared for sports, cars, or figures in his previous human life, either. It was only in this new Marvel Universe, after inheriting Kryptonian powers, that he'd stumbled upon what might actually qualify as a relaxing hobby: cooking.
Zod poked at the beef with a curious satisfaction, carefully attending to the meat's juices as they sizzled and popped in the flame. This was his personal farm-raised beef, richly marbled and of the finest quality. As he turned the meat, oil dripped onto the hot coals, releasing a tempting aroma into the air.
Esdeath approached him, unable to resist the mouth-watering smell, her gaze fixated on the barbecue as the sizzling intensified.
"Care for a taste?" Zod asked, his voice unusually casual. With precise movements, he sliced off a small piece, revealing a bright red center with perfectly charred edges. Esdeath took the piece with a nod of thanks, biting into it with a little trepidation. The moment the meat touched her tongue, however, her worries vanished. The blend of flavors exploded, a symphony of saltiness, spice, and seared sweetness that made her involuntarily sigh with pleasure.
Zod watched her with a faint smirk but decided to improve his preparation. A surge of high-energy electromagnetic waves pulsed from his hand, heating the beef from the inside and changing the remaining pink hues to a more uniform brown. Now, it was cooked to his specifications, and he tore off a piece with his hands, throwing it into his mouth.
"Delicious," he said, savoring the complexity of flavors. His senses, sharp beyond the ordinary, could have easily discerned each individual seasoning, but he dialed down his perception, preferring to experience the meal as an average person would. It tasted much better that way.
They shared the meal in silence, unbothered by formality. Zod's hands, to Esdeath's astonishment, remained clean throughout; while her fingers were greasy, his looked freshly washed.
"BOSS, how did you do that?" Esdeath asked, curiosity clear on her face.
"Grease is merely a molecular structure," Zod replied with a slight smile. "I can break it down at the molecular level when necessary."
Without further explanation, he took her hands in his own and used his ability to dissolve the greasy film, leaving her skin clean and smooth. She gazed at him, a mischievous spark in her eyes, and leaned in for an impromptu kiss. Zod didn't resist; he returned her kiss with the kind of composed intensity that made her heartbeat quicken.
Later, Esdeath lay sprawled on the bed, spent from their time together. She nestled her head on Zod's lap, finding a strange but welcome comfort there as his hand absently stroked her hair and cheek. Zod, lost in thought, mused on the odd connection he felt with her. Despite knowing she wasn't the original Esdeath and that her creation involved some realities different from her source, he couldn't deny the satisfaction that came from watching her peaceful expression as she lay in his arms.
Esdeath shifted slightly, sensing his touch even as fatigue weighed her down. She'd felt drawn to him from the beginning, her ambition to prove herself matched only by the sense of security he provided. The feeling surprised her, this strength he radiated—a quality she had sought since her earliest memories.
They remained like that for a while, each immersed in their own thoughts. For Zod, the outside world gradually came into focus. It was now 2001, giving him nine years before Thor's arrival on Earth, and fifteen years before Doctor Strange would pursue the mystic arts. Gu Yi, the Ancient One, would live until 2017, giving him sixteen years before her passing. He had time—years, even—to prepare for whatever lay ahead.
He considered extending his reach into the cosmos. But with a shake of his head, Zod dismissed the thought. His strength might border on the level of a Heavenly Father, but in the vastness of the universe, power alone wouldn't be enough. The Shia Empire's military prowess was intimidating, and he still hadn't determined whether this reality was modeled after the cinematic or the comic universe. The appearance of Gwen's Spider-Man had unsettled him, casting doubt on his initial certainty.
It was a sobering thought. He had seen Wade Wilson, who had not yet become Deadpool, participating in a recent fighting tournament. Despite Wade's unassuming presence, Zod remained cautious, ordering the Black Queen to keep a close eye on him. The last thing he needed was a universe where Deadpool was gender-swapped or Gwen was Spider-Man—any deviation from the known timeline might herald even greater, unexpected changes.
Then there was the matter of the Venom symbiote. Venom and Eddie Brock's brutal appearances had drawn a surprising number of admirers, though they instilled equal amounts of fear in the general public. The Black Queen had monitored them closely, but no evidence of Venom's reproductive plans had surfaced yet, much to Zod's relief.
As Zod pondered these factors, Esdeath shifted again, curling closer to him. He returned his focus to the present, reaching for a glass of ice water. His body, built of near-indestructible Kryptonian strength, viewed their earlier "sparring session" as nothing more than a mild warm-up, though Esdeath was a Kryptonian herself. For him, it had barely even registered as exercise.
Esdeath, despite her exhaustion, tilted her head to look up at him. She felt a renewed sense of challenge, now understanding that defeating Zod would be no easy feat—whether in battle or in other aspects. The sense of security she felt around him wasn't passive; it was a respect born from strength and challenge.
She closed her eyes, content in this newfound trust, and Zod continued to stroke her hair absentmindedly. His gaze drifted back to the stars, where greater challenges awaited. While Earth had much to offer in the coming years, he knew his ultimate aim would require far more than patience. The Marvel universe held formidable foes, and he'd need every advantage possible to achieve his goals.
In the meantime, however, this quiet contentment suited him well. He leaned back, his thoughts once again lingering on potential cosmic ventures, but he knew the danger they entailed. The swordmasters of the Shi'ar Empire were reputed to be peerless, and he couldn't overlook that challenge. For now, he decided, he would stay grounded, building his power and gathering allies—keeping a watchful eye on Earth, Wade Wilson, and Eddie Brock's symbiotic activities alike.
They were small players in the grand scheme of things, but each had the potential to throw his plans off course.