Marvel - The Blood God

"Supreme Sorcerer, the Ancient One?" Director Fury asked, feigning knowledge he didn't possess. In truth, he had found nothing.

It's not that no one knew about the Ancient One, but those who did weren't willing to tell S.H.I.E.L.D.

"Yes, the Supreme Sorcerer—the Ancient One," Maverick confirmed. "The Ancient One and King Odin protect Earth like two colossal guardians. That's why we've been able to live in peace. The problem is, they're both aging. Once they're gone, we'll have to face not only aliens but also interdimensional demons."

Director Fury frowned. "Even if what you're saying is true, they must have successors, right?"

"There's no news about a new Sorcerer Supreme," Maverick replied. "As for Odin's heir, if you meet him, one thought will cross your mind."

"What thought?" Fury asked.

"'Asgard is doomed,'" Maverick said plainly.

Fury was momentarily speechless. "Have you met Odin's heir?"

"I haven't met him, but his reputation precedes him," Maverick answered. "Director Fury, you might not believe me, but everything I'm doing is to prevent humanity's destruction. I can tell you that in a few years, aliens will invade."

Fury was taken aback. "Alien invasion? What's your evidence?"

"I told you, I won't explain," Maverick said firmly. "In fact, you and I both know that aliens have already infiltrated Earth."

Fury's eyes narrowed. "You vampires know quite a bit."

Maverick replied calmly, "When you've lived as long as I have, you learn a thing or two."

Fury studied Maverick, this enigmatic young man he could never fully understand. After a moment, he said, "I want two of those suits, but one must remain confidential. Also, give me a discount."

"What do I get in return?" Maverick asked.

"The identities of Anton Vanko and Ivan Vanko will be fully legalized," Fury offered. "Additionally, I'll do my best to suppress the hostility toward you from the world's top powers. But only for two years. If there's no alien invasion within that time, I'll demand an explanation."

"I don't need you to suppress any hostility. The blood race fears no one," Maverick said, clearly not trusting Fury's promises. "Ten percent off, but you'll need to get Congressional approval yourself."

"Deal," Fury agreed without hesitation. A ten percent discount on a billion-dollar deal meant saving a hundred million dollars—enough to build numerous bases and safe houses.

The world was becoming too dangerous. With even Odin nearing his end, Fury felt the pressing need to strengthen Earth's defenses.

S.H.I.E.L.D. is the real protector of humanity.

What, you thought he wouldn't inform S.H.I.E.L.D. about the discount?

Oh, kid, you're too naive. Not only would he not report it, but he'd also inflate the original price—the extra funds were necessary to expedite their projects.

With the negotiations concluded, Fury stood up and left. Maverick watched him enter the elevator and sneered, "Not taking the stairs? I thought you'd vanish without a trace."

"An alien after all," Maverick muttered.

At that moment, the dragon soul within him stirred restlessly. He abruptly stood and gazed toward the southern pier. Another dragon soul was there.

"Danny Rand is back," Maverick narrowed his eyes. The power of his dragon soul surged, forming a fiery red dragon behind him. The dragon resonated with Manhattan's energy, causing a faint tremor in the southern dock area.

"New York, I'm back." Danny Rand stood on the pier, his clothes tattered and a bag slung over his shoulder. He looked at the city he'd been away from for fifteen years. Though happy, he felt a profound sense of loss.

Danny was the son of a billionaire. Fifteen years ago, his family's private plane crashed in the Himalayas. His parents died on the spot, and he was taken in by the people of K'un-Lun, becoming a disciple there.

For the next fifteen years, Danny trained diligently in K'un-Lun. A few months ago, he participated in the trial to become the Iron Fist, defeated his opponent, and earned the right to bear the title.

In a sacred cave, Danny received the dragon soul from Shou-Lao the Undying, becoming the Immortal Iron Fist.

Traditionally, after becoming the Iron Fist, one would stay to protect K'un-Lun. But feeling empty and confused, Danny chose to leave and return to New York.

Yes, Danny had taken K'un-Lun's most prized possession and left. One could imagine how those who entrusted him with the Iron Fist might feel.

"What now? Does Rand Enterprises still exist?" Danny wondered aloud. Suddenly, the dragon soul within him grew restless. His chi and the dragon soul's power converged in his right hand, causing it to glow faintly with golden light. Fortunately, he was in a secluded spot, and no one noticed.

"What's happening?" Danny was startled. He tried to suppress the dragon soul's power but found it wasn't attacking him; it kept gathering in his right hand.

At that moment, he sensed a massive surge of chi rising from the ground ahead. Looking up sharply, he saw energy erupting from the trembling earth, forming a majestic, fiery red dragon over thirty feet tall.

This dragon, composed of pure chi and empowered by a dragon soul, could only be seen by those who had cultivated their chi. Even if they couldn't see it, people in the dock area felt the air grow heavy.

"A dragon soul? There's a dragon in New York, and it's this powerful?" Danny was stunned. If his chi was a pond, the other's was a vast lake—no comparison.

The fiery red dragon let out a challenging roar. Provoked, the dragon soul within Danny surged into his right arm, making his fist glow even brighter.

Why only his right arm? Simple: Danny could only channel the dragon soul's power there; he hadn't mastered using it elsewhere.

Overwhelmed by the immense power, Danny fell to his knees, clutching his right arm in agony. It felt like it was about to explode.

"Don't kneel. Stand up and face it." the dragon soul urged, but Danny lacked the will to fight. He didn't understand why he should, and the opponent was so strong—how could he possibly win?

Besides, if more dragon soul power accumulated, his arm might literally burst.

The dragon soul roared in frustration, but Danny refused to comply, focusing instead on controlling his own chi. He couldn't control the dragon soul's power, but he could manage his chi.

The fiery red dragon scoffed. "Is that all?"

Realizing its host was unprepared, the dragon soul within Danny subsided—not because it couldn't match the other dragon, but because Danny wasn't ready.

With the dragon soul calming down, Danny finally regained control. He quickly dissipated the golden light from his fist and gasped for breath.

The fiery red dragon gave him a contemptuous glance before gradually fading away. The ground in the dock area returned to normal.

Danny Rand looked ahead, bewildered. It seemed New York wasn't as welcoming as he'd hoped.

"Just as disappointing as the TV show," Maverick smirked in his office. The dragon phantom behind him transformed into red light and returned to his body.

"Hmm?" Maverick sensed a change in his dragon soul's power. With a thought, a red light ignited on his hand, expanding into a blazing crimson flame.

"Dragonfire." he exclaimed.

Maverick laughed. He hadn't expected Danny Rand's return to awaken his dragonfire. His strength had increased yet again.

After all, the dragon within Maverick was originally a fire dragon.

Just then, Carter entered with Anton Vanko and his son, Ivan. She seemed pleased to see Maverick and asked in surprise, "Maverick, what's going on?"

"Just having some fun," Maverick said, extinguishing the dragonfire. He turned and saw the Vankos looking furious. With a smile, he asked, "Let me guess—Tony got under your skin? Did you guys have a spat?"

"If I hadn't been there, they might've come to blows," Carter sighed. "They had a battle of wits, and Tony came out on top."

Anton and Ivan Vanko flushed but didn't argue. One had spent decades drinking heavily; the other had been imprisoned for over ten years. In terms of cutting-edge knowledge, they couldn't compete with Tony Stark.

Ivan gritted his teeth and said to Maverick, "I want to enroll in university to study advanced science."

"No problem. You can spend two days a week at MIT for further education and communicate with them online," Maverick replied. "I'll arrange everything. We have connections with several board members at MIT. By the way, should I get a degree too? I feel like someone's looking down on me for not having one."

"Thanks. I'll get back to my research," Ivan said, turning to leave. Clearly, Tony had provoked him. Anton followed, unwilling to believe that together they couldn't surpass Tony Stark.

"Russians—they have fiery tempers," Maverick remarked with a chuckle. He then asked Carter, "How did the discussion with Tony go?"

"Pepper agreed to let us use the Arc Reactor technology for the suits, but they won't share their energy business," Carter replied. "The Stark Group's main focus is energy now; they can't give that up."

"I see," Maverick mused. "I'll find time to talk to Pepper. Outside the U.S., I can give her the market. But within the U.S., competition should be fair."

"You want more leverage? I think Pepper will concede," Carter nodded. Then she added, "Once I wrap up some things, I'll take leave to head to the Arctic and find Steve."

"Go ahead. But we need to arrange the affairs of the Council of Blood first," Maverick nodded. "This big ship can't sail without you at the helm."

"With today's technology, I can manage the council's affairs even from the Arctic," Carter smiled. "By the way, the situation with the blood race is improving. Everything's developing well, and order is gradually stabilizing."

"Yes, the blood race has basically returned to stability. Those unwilling to abide by the new order have either left or... well, they're gone," Maverick said. "However, the population registration is still lacking. Those willing to register now are mostly doing so for the subsidies."

"It's understandable. If you put it nicely, they're advocating for freedom; if not, they're being uncooperative," Carter said. "To get them to register, besides offering billions in subsidies, we need to find other incentives. Take it slow; you can't rush these things."

"Maybe we can offer a referral bonus—reward those who bring in others to register," Maverick suggested. "In any case, we need comprehensive registration to protect the common interests of humans and the blood race."

"Also, the registration information will be fully encrypted. Only you, me, Mercury, and Blade will have access. And the subsidies will be issued through our own bank."

Maverick and Carter discussed further. After a while, Carter stood up to leave. "I should get going. This is the Osborn Group, and that woman won't be pleased if I stay too long."

If it weren't for her special relationships with Anton and Tony, she wouldn't have come this time.

"The future of the blood race still depends on technological advancement," Maverick sighed quietly.

Meanwhile, at Stark Industries, Tony officially handed over the position of CEO to Pepper Potts.

"Are you serious? Just like that, you're making me CEO?" Pepper asked, flustered. "When this news gets out, Stark Industries' stock price will definitely drop tomorrow."

"With your capabilities, that's a minor issue," Tony said confidently. "Pepper, I don't have much time. The Vankos are aggressive, and I need to focus all my energy on research. Otherwise, they'll surpass me sooner or later."

Pepper was puzzled. "Are those two really that formidable? Didn't you outsmart them before?"

"I won because they had weaknesses, but they're overcoming those now," Tony explained. "Their intellect isn't much less than mine. Plus, they have a certain someone backing them. I don't want to be overshadowed for the rest of my life."

Pepper sighed. She knew that Tony, with his arrogance, couldn't stand someone always being ahead of him—even if that person had done a lot for him.

Because he's Tony Stark.

"I'll manage Stark Industries," Pepper said decisively. "You focus on your research. In the future, I'll earn the money for you to spend."

Tony blinked, feeling like something was off.

In a room at the Osborn Group, Betty was caring for the recently awakened Bruce Banner. "Betty, who was the man who took down the Abomination?" Banner asked. "He's so powerful; even the Hulk seems a bit afraid of him."

"He's a billionaire, richer than Iron Man. Some say he's a vampire," Betty replied.

Banner was stunned. "A vampire? That's scientifically impossible."

"Your Hulk isn't exactly scientific either," came a voice from the doorway. Maverick entered the room with Dr. Stern. Betty and Banner quickly stood up to greet them.

Maverick waved them off with a smile. "No need for formalities, Miss Ross, Dr. Banner. Allow me to introduce myself: I'm Maverick, leader of the blood race."

"So vampires are real?" Banner couldn't help but ask. "Why do vampires need to drink blood? Is it transmitted by a virus? And—"

"Why does this scene feel familiar?" Maverick mused. Compared to others, Banner was a true scholar—he held seven doctorates.

It was a pity that such a brilliant mind had become a monster known only for brute force.

---

Want to read ahead? Support this work at [email protected]/OneSword