Chapter 51 – The Emperor's Path
The night had settled heavy over the cliffside house, waves breaking softly against the rocks far below. Inside, the earlier tension had not quite faded. Gaius still sat in the reinforced chair Tony had arranged for him, his massive frame outlined by the faint glow of the lights. His armor gleamed in places, blue and gold catching the dim reflections. The giant looked as if he belonged to another age, yet here he was, silent in the center of Stark's modern home.
Director Fury, Natasha, and Coulson finally rose from their seats. They exchanged a last look at Gaius before turning toward the door.
"We'll be back at first light," Fury said, his tone even but carrying weight. "Rest while you can. Tomorrow we move."
Tony gave a half-salute with the glass in his hand. "Try not to crash any more parties on the way out."
Natasha gave a faint smile at that, while Coulson's polite nod served as their quiet farewell. The agents disappeared into the cool night, the sound of the closing door leaving behind a deep stillness.
For a time, no one spoke. The house was calm, the only sound the faint hum of machines deeper inside. Betty sat close to Bruce's still form, her hand resting lightly on his arm, as if willing him to wake. Tony leaned back on the sofa, his eyes flicking toward the armored figure across the room.
"You ever going to take that armor off?" Tony asked at last. His voice was light, though his eyes were curious, as this is a new armor compared from the first one, and it's material are unknown to him since gold can't be that Hard and Durable, so it shouldn't be gold, so he is curious. "Can't be too comfortable. You must feel like a walking tank twenty-four seven."
Gaius slowly turned his head, his expression unreadable but calm. He shook his head once. "There may be a fight tomorrow. I would rather not make a hassle of removing and putting it back on."
Tony tilted his head. "Why would there be a fight? We're just going to a place your Emperor asked for, right?"
"The Emperor does not send me to ordinary places," Gaius said. His voice carried no threat, only simple certainty.
Tony studied him for a moment, then gave a small nod. "Fair point." He pushed himself to his feet, stretching his back with a groan. "Well, whatever's waiting for us tomorrow, I'll be more useful after a few hours of sleep."
He started toward the hallway, pausing only to glance back once more. Gaius hadn't moved. "Don't stay up all night staring at the walls, big guy," Tony muttered with a faint grin before disappearing toward his room.
Gaius did not answer. Instead, he rose and walked with slow steps to the room he had used before, the simple space Stark had given him when he first arrived. He did not ask the Emperor what tomorrow would bring. He knew the answer would reveal itself soon enough.
The first light of dawn touched the glass walls of Stark's home, filling the rooms with a pale glow. Gaius stirred at once, rising with the kind of discipline that never faded, no matter the world. The house was quiet but alive, machines humming, the faint clink of tools, and the sound of a man at work.
When Gaius stepped into the living room, he found Tony bent over a workbench. The man's hands moved quickly, adjusting clamps and wires on a new suit of armor. It was sleek, smoother than his earlier models, with red and gold plating catching the morning light.
"Mark Six," Tony said without looking up, sensing the giant's gaze. "Been sitting half-finished for a while. Thought I'd get her running since the last few got wrecked."
Gaius watched in silence as Tony tightened a final piece into place. The arc reactor on his chest glowed, steady and strong.
Turning from the sight, Gaius moved toward the dining table. A full spread of food waited there, bread, fruit, eggs, and meat, enough for a giant like him. Pepper entered at that moment, balancing a tray with mugs of coffee. One was comically large, closer to a bucket with a handle. She carried it to Gaius with a faint smile.
"This one's yours," she said simply.
Gaius inclined his head. "My thanks."
She nodded and turned to hand a normal-sized cup to Tony, who accepted it gratefully. "You're a lifesaver, Pep," Tony said, taking a long sip before returning to his adjustments.
For a few minutes, the house felt almost normal. Gaius ate in steady silence, the sounds of cutlery soft against the large plate. Pepper busied herself near the counter, and Tony kept working at the armor with renewed focus.
"Sir," J.A.R.V.I.S.'s voice broke the calm, polite as ever. "Director Fury, Agent Romanoff, and Agent Coulson are at the door."
"Let them in," Tony said without hesitation, not lifting his head from his work.
The front door opened, and the three agents stepped inside. Natasha offered Pepper a polite greeting, her sharp eyes drifting toward the dining table. Coulson gave a short nod of respect, his gaze landing on Gaius, who continued eating without hurry. Fury walked in last, as composed as ever, his attention fixed firmly on the armored giant.
Natasha helped herself casually to a seat, while Coulson accepted a plate Pepper offered, thanking her politely. Fury, however, remained standing, hands clasped behind his back as he waited.
When Gaius finally set down his fork and picked up the oversized napkin, soft like a towel in his massive hand, the room quieted. He wiped his mouth with deliberate care, then rose smoothly to his full height.
"Are you ready to go, Gaius?" Fury asked, his tone leaving no room for misunderstanding.
Gaius met his gaze, gave a single nod, and replied, "Yes."
Tony closed the chest plate of his new suit, the locking mechanisms snapping into place with a hiss of servos. The glowing reactor lit the gold and red plating with renewed power. "Then let's get this road trip started," he said, stepping forward.
The Quinjet waited on the lawn, sleek and ready. The group boarded quickly, Gaius towering in the cabin, Tony armored at his side, Fury at the controls with Natasha and Coulson seated behind.
Once airborne, the cityscape stretched out beneath them. Gaius stood near the cockpit, raising one gauntleted hand to point ahead, his voice calm. "This way."
Fury glanced at the instruments, his eyebrow arching. "New York?"
Gaius did not answer. He simply kept his hand raised, guiding them with silent certainty.
The flight was long but uneventful, tension simmering in the silence. Natasha's sharp eyes shifted often to Gaius, as if studying a puzzle she couldn't solve. Coulson made notes quietly on a tablet. Tony leaned against the cabin wall, arms folded, letting his new armor settle around him. Fury focused on the controls, though his gaze flicked often to the giant behind him.
Finally, the Quinjet dipped lower, sliding into a holding pattern above Manhattan.
"There," Gaius said at last, pointing toward a quiet street.
Fury guided the jet down, setting it neatly on a rooftop before they disembarked.
They walked down to street level. Before them stood an ordinary brownstone, small and plain among the taller buildings.
Coulson glanced at the address and read aloud, "177A Bleecker Street. Greenwich Village."
To the agents and Stark, it was just another Manhattan building. But Gaius saw through the veil. The power woven around the place was clear as day to him, a faint shimmer against the Emperor's pull.
He strode forward, his bulk dwarfing the simple door. Before he could knock, the door swung open on its own. The frame stretched impossibly wide, bending reality so that even his massive frame could pass without effort.
The others froze in shock. Natasha's brows lifted slightly, Coulson's mouth tightened in surprise, and Tony muttered, "Well, that's new."
The interior was vast, far larger than the outside suggested. Strange relics lined the walls, faint golden light spilling from runes etched in the wood and stone.
A man waited there, tall, dark-skinned, clad in yellow robes. His presence was calm, his tone steady as he spoke.
"I am Drumm, protector of the New York Sanctum. The Sorcerer Supreme has been expecting you."
With a practiced wave of his hand, golden sparks flared into a spinning circle of light. The air shimmered, and within seconds, a towering portal opened before them.
The group stared. Natasha's eyes narrowed, studying the energy. Coulson shifted uneasily. Tony leaned forward, fascinated despite himself. Fury, for once, lost his composure and muttered, "What the hell…"
Inside Gaius, the direction of the Emperor's command shifted again. The pull pointed clearly toward the portal. He understood. Without a word, he stepped forward.
The others hesitated only a moment before following.
They emerged into a grand temple. The air was thick with calm energy, the walls glowing faintly with shifting patterns. At the center sat a figure, bald, serene, her robes simple yet regal.
The Ancient One opened her eyes as they entered. Her gaze moved first to Gaius, then lingered on him with quiet recognition.
"I was expecting you, Gaius," she said, her voice calm but certain. "And the Emperor of Mankind."
The words hit the room like a stone in still water.
Fury's one eye widened slightly. Natasha drew in a quiet breath. Coulson's hand froze mid-motion, as if caught in thought. Tony muttered under his breath, "…Emperor of what now?"
~~~
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