Chapter 56: Golden Radiance and First Blood
Under Ajak's patient guidance, Ryan slowly learned to channel the cosmic energy within him.
He opened his eyes, and the two golden orbs condensed in his palms began to shift and transform.
Initially, they formed a simple dagger, then gradually extended into a rapier. The blade continued to lengthen and broaden as energy from both hands merged, ultimately creating a magnificent golden greatsword reminiscent of ancient ceremonial weapons.
Curious about its effectiveness, Ryan casually swept the blade through the air, instantly cleaving the coffee table—and its solid oak base—completely in half.
"It's similar to Thena's weapon manifestation ability, both offering tremendous combat versatility."
Ryan was stunned by this comparison. He hadn't wanted weapon conjuration—he'd hoped for flight capability. He quickly dismissed the golden blade and asked urgently, "What if I want to fly using cosmic energy?"
Ajak shook her head apologetically. "I can only explain how cosmic energy functions in general terms. Each Eternal manifests it differently based on their nature."
"Damn it!"
Weapon transformation felt useless to someone who could simply acquire vibranium and forge superior armaments. What he desperately needed was aerial mobility!
Ryan remained at the farm for two additional days before returning to the military installation. During this time, Ajak shared comprehensive Eternal history, including accounts from other worlds throughout the cosmos.
Ryan briefly considered altering Ajak's predetermined fate, but ultimately abandoned the idea after careful deliberation.
Ajak hoped to preserve Earth while finding compromise that wouldn't prevent Tiamut's Emergence. However, such a solution was fundamentally impossible. Once Tiamut awakened, Earth's destruction became inevitable.
When forced to choose between Celestial emergence and Earth's survival, Ajak would undoubtedly choose the Celestials—as she had on countless worlds before.
Ajak alone knew the complete truth. If she genuinely intended to save Earth, she wouldn't still be hesitating. Therefore, her death was necessary, and it must occur at Ikaris's hands—the Superman-wannabe who remained fanatically loyal to Arishem.
Only then would Sersi align with humanity and take the desperate measures needed to stop Tiamut.
During these two days, Ryan also mastered basic cosmic energy manipulation.
With focused concentration, he could manifest various weapons. These energy constructs possessed incredible durability—even exceeding vibranium—and maintained impossibly sharp cutting edges.
Their golden luminescence was genuinely beautiful. As Ryan's proficiency increased, he began incorporating intricate patterns and runic designs into his conjured weapons, giving them increasingly sophisticated appearances.
Three days after Ryan's departure, Ajak received another unexpected visitor.
Ikaris—the pseudo-Superman among the Eternals—possessed flight, devastating eye beams, superhuman strength and endurance. He was arguably the most powerful of their group.
He transported Ajak to a remote location where Deviants, supposedly extinct for millennia, had mysteriously reemerged.
Only then did Ajak realize Ikaris had brought her there with lethal intent.
His reasoning was coldly simple: Ikaris, utterly devoted to the Celestials, would tolerate no interference with divine judgment—not even from fellow Eternals.
Their philosophical differences had reached an irreconcilable impasse, and the extremist Ikaris chose the most direct solution.
Rather than kill her personally, Ikaris abandoned Ajak to the savage Deviants, who tore her apart without mercy.
During the return flight, Ryan continued experimenting with cosmic energy manipulation, hoping to develop additional superhuman capabilities.
According to Ajak's teachings, cosmic energy permeated all existence. Eternals who could harness it served merely as conduits, transforming invisible forces into visible, tangible power.
Midway through their journey, just before entering Ohio airspace, the aircraft suddenly experienced violent turbulence and began an uncontrolled descent toward the ground.
Alarms shrieked throughout the cabin as the pilot frantically radioed ground control for emergency assistance.
Just as the plane was about to impact, its descent miraculously slowed, allowing a surprisingly gentle landing in an abandoned farm field.
CRASH!
The cabin door suddenly exploded outward, its twisted remains hurtling dozens of meters away.
A woman radiating brilliant golden energy floated through the breach.
Captain Marvel surveyed the interior before fixing her gaze on Ryan. "We're not on a military base now. Let's see what you're really capable of."
Ryan's lips curved into a cold smile. "Technically, the interior of a military transport constitutes federal territory. Congratulations, Carol—you've just created a major diplomatic incident for your friends."
Ryan unbuckled his harness and approached Carol, his expression unchanged. "There's something else I should clarify. I've never been afraid of you. Please don't mistake tactical caution for fear."
Carol frowned and snorted dismissively, raising her hand to grab him.
Ryan moved with such explosive speed that Carol couldn't even register the motion before his fist connected with her sternum.
The impact launched Carol backward through the cockpit windshield before she could even attempt to block.
While Carol possessed considerable combat training, enhanced durability from her powers, and devastating energy projection capabilities, her raw reaction speed remained disappointingly average.
THOOM!
Ryan leaped upward, smashing through the cabin ceiling and emerging into open air.
Carol had already recovered and risen from the ground. Seeing Ryan emerge from the wrecked aircraft, golden energy flared around her body as she accelerated into a high-speed aerial charge.
Ryan remained perfectly calm, standing motionless until Carol's attack was nearly upon him—then a gleaming golden greatsword materialized in his grasp.
WHAM!
Carol, moving at tremendous velocity, was instantly reversed and sent hurtling backward, carving a deep furrow through the earth.
Ryan's expression showed only disdain. "That's all you've got?"
Carol, bewildered by the reversal, scrambled to her feet only to find Ryan's hands completely empty.
Now more cautious but equally determined, Carol charged again. With a subtle thought, Ryan's greatsword reappeared.
As Carol closed distance, Ryan raised his weapon and rushed forward to meet her.
CLANG!
This time, prepared for the attack, Carol blocked the blade with her forearm while simultaneously firing an energy blast from her other hand.
As the brilliant beam erupted, a massive golden tower shield instantly materialized in Ryan's free hand.
FOOM!
Energy beam and golden barrier collided, dissipating in spectacular fashion with only scattered afterglow remaining.
"Carol, what made you think you could defeat me single-handedly?"
SNAP!
Ryan clapped his hands together, merging two streams of cosmic energy into a colossal sword with a blade exceeding two meters in length.
Seeing this escalation, Carol quickly retreated through the air. Ryan proved even faster, his legs propelling him in pursuit. Despite Carol's backward flight, the distance between them remained constant.
With a thunderous battle cry, the massive blade descended, slamming Carol into the earth.
Not satisfied with a single strike, Ryan raised the weapon for another devastating blow.
BOOM!
BOOM!
Carol attempted to escape, but the greatsword pinned her down with each impact. After several crushing strikes, her energy field flickered unstably as Ryan's blade blasted a crater over three feet deep.
Dirt and debris flew in all directions as Carol lay battered at the bottom.
Ryan stood at the crater's edge, smiling coldly. "You're completely outmatched."
While Ryan's base physical strength hadn't increased since integrating the Celestial Gene, he'd gained tremendously versatile offensive capabilities. No longer a mere brawler dependent on fists alone, his tactical options had expanded dramatically.
Captain Marvel felt as though every bone in her body was fracturing. Just as Ryan's massive sword prepared for another crushing blow, she gritted her teeth and forced her hands together, unleashing a desperate energy shockwave.
Though she failed to repel Ryan, she managed to deflect the incoming blade. Carol seized this momentary opportunity to rocket out of the crater, not daring to pause for even an instant as she climbed rapidly beyond the greatsword's effective range.
End of Chapter 56
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