The group followed his gaze upward, but there was nothing there—just the clear blue sky stretching endlessly above them.
Yet, Geralt, Vesemir, and Ciri tensed.
"I can feel something," Ciri muttered. "There's something above us… but it's—silent." All of the three tensed because only they could sense the object. Geralt and Vesemir could because of their senses and Ciri could because of her attunement to space and time.
"A ship, no, what is it called here? Ah yes. Airplane." Geralt confirmed
"A very advanced airplane," Vesemir added.
"Not our headache. Let's leave. Fenrir." Liam said, and Fenrir barked for a second before opening a portal. The group were confused about this behavior of Liam as they thought, they would have to fight the invisible airplane. And this was just anti-climactic. But they were happy to not get into more blood bath. Many people had died in this small war and thus they didn't want to dirty their hands more.
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After returning, Liam went back to the garage, he was greeted by the rhythmic sound of hammering, the distinct hum of welding arcs, and the faint scent of burnt metal.
"You're still at it?" Liam asked, stepping further in. The garage was filled with half-finished suits, holographic schematics projected in mid-air, and pieces of tech scattered everywhere. A mess of organized chaos, classic Tony Stark.
"Still at it? Kid, I never stop." Tony replied. But one could easily tell that Tony was restless. Beside him, Yinsen was carefully adjusting something on a half-assembled chest plate.
"Liam," Yinsen greeted. Yinsen looked tired but he still had a warm smile. "You're back."
"Yeah, and I brought souvenirs," Liam smirked, setting down a heavy metal crate with a thud. The lid slid open, revealing the dark ingots of pure vibranium, faintly gleaming under the fluorescent lights.
"Wait… hold on, hold on—is that—" He pulled up his goggles, stepping closer. "Is that actual vibranium?!"
"Yup," Liam grinned. "And I was hoping you could put that genius brain of yours to work. We need better weapons and armor for the upcoming war."
"Liam, you had me at vibranium." Tony asked Liam to brin him the whole bunch of the metal that Liam had found, he didn't ask where he got them as it was not his concern. His only concern was to work upon it and make themselves powerful, besides he wanted to see if Vibranium was a good conductor of magic.
But Yinsen wasn't happy that Tony, instead of finishing one and taking some rest, he had started to work on another project immediately.
"You've been working non-stop," Yinsen said quietly.
"Yeah, well…" He exhaled, glancing toward Liam. "I should've seen it coming. What happened to Barton… It's on me."
"It's not your fault, Stark." Liam said.
"Yeah? Feels like it." Tony replied.
"On the contrary, Natasha said, you saved his life." A voice came from the door. Everyone turned around to see Fury standing on the doorway, with his iconic overcoat and eye patch.
"JARVIS, who allowed him to enter?" Tony didn't like it at all that this man just casually just walked in.
"He has the highest clearance, Sir." JARVIS replied.
"I seriously need to change some codes around here." Tony mumbled.
"I think having a back door is good, for the safety of yours. After all, your equipment does create problems for me, from time to time." Fury replied.
"Why are you here?" Tony was in no mood to talk. Fury meanwhile looked at the stacks of Vibranium, his eyebrow lifted seeing that and then looked at Liam. He would have loved to have some of these materials, but he knew that this wasn't the time to ask, especially when the war on the horizon against the so called Wild Hunt, as Natasha had briefed him.
"Imagine my surprise when one of my prized agents came back turning into a monster. You didn't think I would let the enemies just roll away. Do you? Natasha had already briefed of what had happened. I have a suggestion." Fury said.
"What is it?" Liam asked.
"I want to suggest to allow some SHIELD agents to go alone with..." Fury replied.
"No." Tony and Liam spoke at the same time.
"That was fast." Fury replied with a small sigh. He was expecting that.
"You think we're gonna babysit a bunch of agents who have no idea what they're up against?" Liam scoffed. "The Wild Hunt isn't some terrorist organization, Fury. It's a pack of eldritch warriors from another world, led by a king who's been conquering realms for centuries. Your guys won't last five minutes against them."
"And I suppose your new found team is?" Fury shot back.
"More than your men," Toy replied. "No offense, but they wouldn't even see the attack coming before they're frozen solid and cut down."
"Fine. No SHIELD agents. But don't come crying when you're outnumbered." Fury gave up. "Speaking of problems, we have brought Banner in."
Liam was surprised that Fury was able to bring in Banner. But it was good for them.
"The big green guy? I thought he was off the radar." Tony was surprised.
"Not anymore." Fury exhaled. "Took some convincing, and an access to a high level project. But knowing about Barton, I think he will be a massive asset or helping Barton come back to normal."
"When Barton returns to us, and if he needs assistance, send Banner over. If Barton is treated, I would like to see with my own eyes." Tony replied. And that was his only condition. Fury nodded. They might not even need their help as the magic side could take care of it, but if they needed, they would be ready for it.
Fury and Tony chatted a bit more while Liam left for his own home. He had been away from his beloved home for a very long time and it was time for him to take some rest and get to his own cozy bed. After bidding goodbye to the team and with Elie and Fenrir, he was back in his own room.
"I missed you." Liam muttered, looking at his bed which was exactly the same as he left it.
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Read 80+ chapters ahead on my p@treon.com/thelightedghost