The flames around the image gradually extinguished, and the visions scattered like ripples on water.
Everything returned to normal.
The Avengers, still reeling from the horror of Jackson Chen's actions, now felt a growing sense of awe toward the powerful abilities of the Ancient One.
"I'm sorry, but my powers can only show so much," the Ancient One said, her voice laced with concern. "This man doesn't seem to be tied to any timeline. His past and future are shrouded in mystery."
"I attempted to foresee this man's future, but when I crossed the river of time, all I could glimpse were vague fragments."
"Yet even those fragments were shocking."
The Ancient One shook her head, a hint of worry etched on her normally serene face. It was as though Jackson Chen's very presence had caused the fabric of reality to warp, blurring everything around him.
It was like a drop of ink spilled into crystal-clear water, his mere existence clouding the world.
Had circumstances been different, the Ancient One might have gone to New York herself to confront this enigma. But bound by her duties in the temple, she could not act so hastily.
The Avengers were left stunned. Although they had only recently met the Ancient One, her vast abilities had already left them in awe. But now, even she seemed shaken by the mystery surrounding Jackson Chen. How terrifying must his origin be?
"I still don't understand why he did it," Steve Rogers muttered, still trying to grasp the reason behind Jackson Chen's attack on their base.
The others shared his confusion. Why would someone carry out such an elaborate and devastating act without a clear motive?
The Ancient One floated gently above the ground, hands behind her back. "I can sense an emotion from him," she said softly. "It's not malice. It seems he simply wanted to say hello."
"Say hello?" the group echoed, baffled by the explanation.
Blowing up an entire base just to say hello? Could such a thing be possible?
"Master, are you saying all of this was just a prank?" Black Widow asked, her voice skeptical.
The Ancient One shook her head. "No, it wasn't a prank. He simply views all of this as a game."
"A game?" Tony repeated.
"Yes, a game of hunters and prey," she confirmed. "I believe he's already given you a clue."
Her words stirred something within the group. They remembered the cryptic lines from the S.H.I.E.L.D. conference room.
Was this the game?
But in this game, were they the hunters? Or were they the prey?
"You now know what you need to. This man's presence may alter the world," the Ancient One said, her eyes reflecting a deep worry as she scanned the faces of the Avengers. But when her gaze landed on Steve Rogers, her expression changed.
"Your future... it has shifted dramatically."
Steve blinked in surprise. "Me?" he asked, pointing at himself.
The Ancient One nodded. "Yes. Though the vision was unclear, in your future, I saw the man you just witnessed."
The room grew tense. The mere mention of Jackson Chen now sent waves of unease through the Avengers.
"Perhaps you should see for yourself," the Ancient One said, approaching Steve. She extended her finger toward his forehead.
"Hum—"
Time seemed to freeze. Steve felt himself being pulled into a strange, ethereal space.
And then...
He saw New York in ruins. Explosions rippling across the city. Flames consuming everything.
Screams filled the air, mingling with the sounds of suffering and despair. Bodies lay discarded in the streets, buzzing with flies, littered in trash cans.
A wave of helplessness and horror overwhelmed Steve.
"Save me, someone… anyone, help me!"
"No... No, this madness is... madness!"
Then he heard it. A voice.
"Hey, Steve, you're just a soldier. You can't change the world. You can't change people's hearts."
"Kill me! Kill me!"
A piercing cry of agony spread through the void as the man in the white cap, with that same shallow smile, plunged a knife slowly into his own chest.
"No—!"
As Steve's desperate roar echoed, the illusionary world around him began to crumble.
"Steve, Steve!" Hawkeye's voice snapped him back to reality.
Steve Rogers, still disoriented, felt beads of sweat rolling down his forehead as he opened his eyes to see the concerned faces of the Avengers around him. They were back on the streets, the sounds of the bustling town filling the air.
"Steve, what did you see?" Tony asked seriously, his tone cutting through the lingering haze of the vision.
Steve stood up slowly, feeling weak. The vivid images from the vision were already slipping from his memory, becoming hazy fragments. "Sorry, I... I can't remember."
"So, was it just a dream?" Steve asked, his voice laced with uncertainty.
Black Widow shook her head firmly. "No, it was real. The Ancient One told us we should leave, but she also said that she saw that man in your future."
She turned toward Steve. "Think, Steve. Have you ever crossed paths with someone like him? Or... could he be targeting you?"
Her words sent a chilling realization through the group. Could Jackson Chen be aiming for Steve?
Steve raised a hand, waving off the growing tension. "During World War II, I never fought on the Chinese front. And after that, I was frozen for seventy years. I never had the chance to meet anyone like him."
"As for what you're suggesting..." Steve clenched his fists. "If that bastard shows up in front of me, I'll take him down the moment I see him!"
"But clearly," he added, his tone shifting, "this isn't someone who uses brute force. His strength lies in his planning and execution. He's calculated, methodical—dangerous in ways we can't predict."
Steve looked around at the team. "So, instead of speculating, our priority should be getting back to New York and setting up our defenses."
As he finished speaking, they all looked up and saw the S.H.I.E.L.D. plane descending from the sky above them, ready to take them back to the heart of the fight.