Drift Of The Multiverse: [Marvel] [Resident Evil] [DC] [Bleach] [DB] Chapter 61

Almost instantly, the atmosphere turned tense.

Hippolyta's hand moved instinctively to the hilt of her sword, her posture shifting slightly. Though her armor appeared ornantal, it was far from ceremonial. The blade at her waist was no re decoration, it was a weapon ant to defend.

"Darkseid?" she asked, her tone sharp, her gaze fixed on Ethan.

Darkseid. The na alone was enough to send shivers down the spine. Known throughout the multiverse, the dark monarch brought annihilation wherever he went. His forces had once clashed with the Amazons, and though the won of Paradise Island had managed to repel his minions, it had been a bloody and costly victory.

The mory lingered, a grim reminder that Earth had long been on Darkseid's radar. The mother box safeguarded by the Amazons was one of the keys to protecting the planet from his grasp or so Hippolyta believed. But it was also a beacon that could draw his forces. If Ethan was here to scout for it on behalf of Darkseid, it would explain his sudden appearance and his interest in energy.

Ethan sighed, frustrated by the direction the conversation had taken. "No, I have nothing to do with that guy," he said, waving his hands in exasperation.

He couldn't believe his offhand comnt about needing energy had led to such a misunderstanding. If this escalated into a conflict, the training ti he had painstakingly secured would be ruined.

"My earlier words had no hidden aning," he explained. "I was just pointing out that my magic requires imnse energy to improve, but I have no intention of seeking that energy from you or your people."

Hippolyta's grip on her sword didn't loosen. Her sharp eyes narrowed as she studied Ethan's face, searching for any sign of deception.

"Are you certain you know nothing about it?" she asked coldly.

"I promise you, if I did, it wouldn't matter," Ethan replied helplessly. "And if I didn't know, you'd still be suspicious."

Ethan forced a weak smile, but the situation felt anything but humorous. If he could rewind ti like Doctor Strange with the Eye of Agamotto, he would have already undone the entire conversation.

Hippolyta's stance shifted slightly, her weight balanced, her body ready to strike at a mont's notice. "How do you know about the mother box?" she asked, her voice low and dangerous.

Ethan exhaled deeply. He couldn't backtrack now. "I am a magician capable of traveling the multiverse," he explained carefully. "I've gathered knowledge about many worlds. Once I realized which world this was, I could connect the dots to what I already knew."

To reinforce his explanation, he added, "For example, I know about the conflict between you and Ares. I even know Diana's true nature and her role in all of this."

That last statent struck a nerve. Hippolyta visibly tensed, her hand tightening on her sword. Every ti Diana was ntioned, the Amazon queen's composure wavered.

"How do you know that? No—what else do you know?"

Ethan raised a placating hand. "I know that Diana is the key to defeating Ares. But you don't want her to face that danger."

Seeing Hippolyta's agitation, he quickly added, "But I have no interest in ddling with Diana or with… that artifact. Honestly, even if I wanted it, I'm not powerful enough to use it. Trying to claim it would just bring trouble upon myself."

Hippolyta's grip on her sword loosened, if only slightly. Ethan took a quiet breath of relief. As long as the situation de-escalated, he wouldn't have to spend the next month dodging Amazon warriors.

"You truly aren't one of Darkseid's pawns?" Hippolyta asked again, her voice still laced with doubt.

"Do I look like I work for him?" Ethan spread his hands. "Think about it. What would Darkseid do if he discovered the mother box's location?"

Hippolyta didn't answer imdiately. She knew the answer all too well.

Darkseid wasn't the type to rely on subtlety or subterfuge. If he wanted sothing, he would send his forces to take it—openly and brutally. If his subordinates failed, he would co himself to obliterate any resistance.

Conspiracies and mind gas? Darkseid had no need for such tactics. His overwhelming power rendered them unnecessary.

And as for sending Ethan to confirm the mother box's location? That made no sense either. The mother box had its own tracking chanism. It could open a Boom Tube, an interdinsional gateway that disregarded spatial distance. If Darkseid wanted it, he wouldn't need to scout for it in such a roundabout way.

Hippolyta didn't completely understand the situation, but she knew one thing—if Darkseid beca aware of Earth, he would act imdiately. And now, thanks to Ethan, she couldn't forget that fact.

Understanding this, Hippolyta's trust in Ethan rose slightly.

"So, you didn't co to Paradise Island to take that thing…"

"Of course not," Ethan replied calmly.

Hippolyta was silent for a mont before looking at Ethan again. Then, without another word, she turned and walked away in a hurry, as though wrestling with so internal conflict.

Ethan waited until Hippolyta disappeared from sight before turning around and wandering aimlessly through the forest, pretending to search for sothing, mainly as an excuse when questioned by Diana.

When he returned, Diana was practicing basic combat movents under Arthur's guidance.

Diana's talent was truly exceptional. In such a short amount of ti, her sword techniques had beco sharp and precise. Compared to Ethan's own clumsy beginnings, her progress was staggering.

Arthur caught sight of Ethan and silently questioned him with a glance. Ethan's helpless expression said it all.

Sensing the tension, Arthur gestured toward so food nearby. "Diana and I have already eaten. That's your breakfast." At the sa ti, his gaze asked if the situation was serious.

Ethan subtly signaled back, "Don't worry," before sitting down to eat. Once he was done, he went back to reinforcing the small wooden house they were staying in. He didn't leave Paradise Island imdiately with Arthur, nor did he act anxious.

Now wasn't the ti to flee, it would only make him look guilty. If he stayed calm and carried on as usual, Hippolyta's suspicions might eventually fade. Right now, he needed to be steady.

For the next few days, life for Ethan and Arthur was peaceful and uneventful. They stayed on the island for nearly a month without any incidents.

During this ti, Diana continued her daily lessons with Arthur, training in swordsmanship and hand-to-hand combat.

She progressed at an astonishing rate. What had started as fumbling beginner's moves had transford into sharp, practiced techniques. She could now spar with Arthur on equal footing, a developnt that left even Arthur stunned.

"Is this what it ans to have divine blood?" Arthur muttered to himself, unable to hide his amazent.

Ethan had known from the start how powerful Diana could beco, so he wasn't particularly shocked. Arthur, on the other hand, was seeing this kind of rapid growth for the first ti and was struggling to wrap his head around it.

"First, advanced technology I didn't think existed, and now the raw potential of demigods…" Arthur sighed, overwheld by the sheer scale of what he had witnessed recently.

Recognizing Arthur's confusion, Ethan stepped in to reassure him. "Look at ," he said, clapping Arthur on the shoulder. "I don't have even half your talent, but I'm still managing just fine. You have to believe in your future. Who says normal people can't surpass demigods?"

Arthur gave him a doubtful look, so Ethan added with a grin, "We're bound to visit all sorts of incredible worlds in the future. Who knows? Maybe you'll stumble upon so life-changing opportunity and end up stronger than Diana one day."

The idea made Arthur laugh. "Stronger than Diana? I'd be unstoppable."

"That's right," Ethan teased. "If that happens, you could walk into any world like you own the place. Even if your entire Knights of the Round Table rebelled, they wouldn't stand a chance against you."

Arthur chuckled but quickly sobered. "Thank you," he said earnestly.

Despite being so young, Arthur had a strong mind. His montary confusion gave way to clarity after Ethan's words.

"I won't chase after power for its own sake," Arthur said thoughtfully. "If I can't beco as strong as Diana, that's fine. All I want is to be a good king."

His words were mature, the mark of soone beginning to understand true leadership. Ethan noted that this was sothing rlin had always wanted Arthur to grasp but the Arthur from the original tiline never had.

And that was understandable. The original Arthur had always been confident in his strength. Though so mbers of the Round Table were stronger than him, the difference was small. His personal power had always been sufficient to back his authority.

This Arthur, however, had grown up witnessing feats and powers that completely shattered his worldview. As a result, he no longer held the sa unwavering belief in the supremacy of individual strength.

rlin, if he could see this, would no doubt be thrilled by Arthur's transformation.

As Ethan mulled over what the future might hold for Arthur, Hippolyta appeared before him again, catching him off guard.

"I want you to co with to see that thing," she said, her tone serious. "I want to know if it can help with your teleportation magic."

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