The room inside Stark's mansion was quiet after the storm of revelations. Fury's one eye kept watching the giant armored figure before him, his mind working through everything he had seen. Gaius stood like a statue, the light from the glass windows glinting off his blue and gold armor.
Fury's instinct scread at him to press harder. He wanted answers. Answers about where Gaius ca from, what war he fought in, and if Earth was in danger because of him.
But before he could speak, Gaius's gaze grew distant. His body remained still, yet it was clear he was no longer fully present.
Inside his mind, the familiar voice of the Multiversal Chat System appeared.
[Mission Report]Primary Target: Obadiah Stane – Eliminated.Objective: Save Tony Stark – Achieved.Sub-objective: Cure Palladium Poisoning – Achieved.Reward Unlocked: Postal System.
A new prompt appeared in glowing text.
Will you return now? Yes/No. Ti Limit: 1 year.
Gaius's eyes narrowed slightly. A choice. Remain longer in this world, or return to his duty in the Imperium. He thought of the peaceful skies he had seen, the open laughter of civilians, and the simple joy of people living without the shadow of constant war. For a heartbeat, he allowed himself to feel the weight of it.
But he knew his answer. His war was not here.
When his focus returned, Fury noticed the change in his expression. "You're going to tell what happens next, big guy?"
Gaius's voice was calm, asured, and solemn. "My mission here is finished."
Tony, leaning against the counter with a half-finished glass of water, raised a brow. "Finished, huh? Just like that? You save my life, take down Obie, heal up, and then… you just leave?"
The armored warrior looked at him. "Yes. My duty was clear. You are alive, Stark."
Tony opened his mouth to argue, but then stopped. Deep inside, he felt it too, the mission window that only mbers of the Chat Group could see. It was clear. Gaius had done what he ca to do.
For once, Tony Stark didn't crack a joke. He set down his glass and crossed the room. "Listen, Gaius… I don't know what kind of soldier you are, or what kind of war you're fighting out there. But you saved . And that's not sothing I take lightly." Even though he had seen the Live Feed of what were Gaius was fighting, But as he said, he doesn't understand it.
He extended his hand. It was small compared to the giant armored gauntlet before him, but he held it steady.
Gaius looked at the hand for a mont, then clasped it with careful strength. The gesture was simple, but it carried weight.
"You owe nothing," Gaius said. "Live well. That'll be enough."
Tony gave a short, tired smile. "That might be the hardest mission of all."
In the corner, Fury didn't move. His mind was running. "So you show up out of nowhere, wearing armor that no one on Earth can build, and then disappear once your 'mission' is done. You expect to accept that?"
Gaius turned his helt toward him. "What you accept does not change truth. My duty was here, and now it is not."
Fury clenched his jaw. He wanted to push harder, to demand details, but he could see it in Gaius's bearing, the man would not speak further. Not because he was hiding so trick, but because his path was already set.
The silence stretched. Then Gaius broke it.
The armor began to hum softly, golden light tracing across its surface. Small arcs of energy rippled along his fra, filling the air with a low vibration.
Tony took a step back, eyes widening. "You're really going back, huh?"
"Yes."
"Then… try not to die in that hellhole you're walking into." Tony Stark, used the most accurate Word he can say, about the World of Gaius.
"I do not intend to."
Tony smirked faintly, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of sadness. "Figures. Guy like you doesn't intend anything less."
And then the light grew brighter. Streams of radiance wrapped around Gaius, breaking his form into pieces of brilliance. In seconds, the giant warrior was gone, leaving only silence.
Fury exhaled through his nose. "Well… damn."
Coulson, who had stayed quiet until now, murmured, "So it really was… a mission."
Fury crossed his arms again. "No. It's more than that. And I don't like not knowing what it ans."
For Gaius, the light faded as quickly as it ca. His boots t the cold tal floor of the Oath of Rectitude once more. The faint hum of the ship's engines filled his ears, familiar and grounding.
He took a breath. Despite what felt like days spent in Stark's world, here only hours had passed. The strange difference between realities never failed to unsettle him, but he has more important duties than worry.
his war waited.
He opened the interface of the Chat.
Naruto's avatar was glowing, ssages already scrolling.
Naruto: "Oh! The mission's complete! That's aweso!"
Saeko: "I'm glad. Tony Now should be healed then."
Monts later, Stark's icon lit up, joining the feed.
Tony: "Alive and kicking. And thanks to our knight in shining armor, I'm better than ever. Oh, and apparently we've unlocked sothing called a 'Postal System.' Sounds like interdinsional mail. We might be able to send each other supplies."
Naruto exploded with excitent.
Naruto: "Supplies?? You an food?? PIZZA?? ICE CREAM?? Count in!!"
Saeko: "Of course, Naruto. Though you'll have to learn patience if it takes days to arrive." as it was nad postal, it might take ti to even arrive, if soone ever delivered supplies.
Tony: "Patience isn't his strong suit, is it?"
Saeko: "Not at all."
Their laughter, even through text, ward the cold edge of Gaius's world. He didn't type anything, only watched. For a mont, he let the feeling linger. Then he closed the chat.
The ship's corridors stretched long and dim. The scent of incense and steel lingered, a mixture that felt like ho. Servitors moved in silence, carrying out their endless tasks, while mortal crew mbers bowed their heads as he passed.
A Navigator approached him, bowing low. "Lord Gaius. We will reach the designated system in a few hours. Perhaps a day at most."
Gaius inclined his head. "Good. Inform the mont we arrive."
"Yes, my lord."
The Navigator stepped back, disappearing into the flow of the ship's crew.
Gaius walked on, each step a reminder of who he was: a son of Guilliman, a warrior forged for endless duty. The peace he had glimpsed in Stark's world lingered in his thoughts, but he knew such peace was not for him.
Still, a part of him carried it forward, like a spark in the dark.
End of Chapter 17
(Sorry for the latesy, My Exam is now today, but i kept writing in my spare ti, now finish it today. -I.T Student - Zander.)
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