Ch-2: Alma Eterna

Sitting inside the office, frowning at the sudden information. Tobi asked, "When is the meeting with Stark Industries?" Although he looked completely normal on the surface, there were various possible scenarios and possibilities regarding this situation inside his mind.

"Mr. Stark has invited you for a weekend party at his Malibu Mansion. Would you like to go, Sir?" His secretary, a woman in her mid-thirties, asked in a polite tone. Tobi looked at the documents on his desk and then at his secretary and said, "I am not talking about parties."

"Your meeting with Mr. Stark is three of noon. Also, Mr. Obadiah seems to be anxious to meet you." Luna informed. With a smile, Tobi said in a cunning voice, "It seems that there will be quite a disturbance in power-balance and internal structure of Stark Industries in future. I want you to take it to our advantage."

"I will make sure that everything stays to your advantage, Sir," Luna said and asked for her leave. Tobi dismissed her and closed the cap of the pen, and thought. ("What was that? I am sure that it was not my imagination.") Looking at the ceiling, he carefully observed and continued his work.

("Hmm. A shadow, no! a humanoid shadow.") He hid his frown and thoughtfully looked at the wall with laziness. Ensuring that his work is complete, He looked at the watch to see time only to find something amiss.

("Did my watch got broken? Why is it still showing one 'o clock?") But that was not possible as the watch was one of the collector's items. It cost him more than 56 million dollars.

Tobi looked at the clock on his right and rushed towards the window. He looked at the road near his building and flinched. His eyes widen in surprise, and his fingers start shaking.

("Calm down! It must be someone's prank.") Tobi forcefully calmed himself down and once again checked.

("IMPOSSIBLE!") He exclaimed in his mind. In front of him, Everything was slow. It was like the world itself has slow down and was moving at a minuscule rate.

Tobi could see that the cars stopped moving between the road, but he could see that they were moving with his keen eyes at plodding speed. It almost looked static. He turned his head and saw a hummingbird flapping its wings at a slow pace. This further confirmed his deduction.

The time did not stop, but it became slow. OR, He was the one who became fast.

Tobi was about to touch the bird, but a voice stopped him. A female voiced said, "It seems that you have guessed your current condition. Also, it would be best if you didn't touch that poor mammal. With your condition, it will shatter into atoms." Tobi turned around and saw a female wearing a monk outfit. The most distinctive part of that female was that she had no hair on her head. A portal appeared behind her, big enough for them to enter.

Tobi opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted, "Shh. How about we introduce ourselves? You go first." The monk said and looked at him.

"It is polite to introduce yourself before asking others?" Tobi responded with a polite smile. The female chuckled and said, "You are a polite person with good manners." The female smile and closed the portal. She took a seat in front of his desk and gestured him to sit.

Tobi sat in his chair and observed the person before him. She also looked at him with curious eyes. She broke the silence and introduced herself, "I go by the title of Ancient One, I, along with my disciples, protect the Earth from dimensional threats." She smiled and took off her wooden sandals.

("…The what?!") Tobi was calm on the surface, but inside he was excited. He smiled and responded, "So you mean…"

She once again interrupted him and said, "Yes. I know what you wanted to ask. After all, It was one of the things that I foresaw before coming here." Tobi looked at her with even more questions than before.

"So, that means you can see the future?"

"Yes, I can."

"Also, Magic does exist?"

"Hmm."

"That also means that the supernaturals and gods even exist?"

"Add Aliens to that list."

Tobi opened his mouth to retort but wisely shut up and let her continue. She said, "Normal people look at the world through a keyhole. They spent their entire lives trying to widen that keyhole …To see more, to know more. But, when they find an answer that they can't imagine. They reject it."

"But you are strange, Mr. Remington. Instead of rejecting it, you accepted it." She stared into his eyes and said, "Unlike your predecessors, you have a broad mind. You accept the possibilities instead of rejecting it or denying it."

Tobi interrupted her and asked, "Wait! My predecessors?" The ancient one smiled and answered, "The previous patriarch of Remington family. Your ancestors."

Tobi was stunned at the answer. He did not expect that the women in front of him have a connection to his family. Silence once again enshrouded the room. She gave him some time to digest the information.

After a while, Tobi looked at the clock and asked, "So how did you stopped the time? Isn't it fundamentally against nature?" She replied, "It is one of my abilities." She did not give any further information.

"It seems that there is no need to introduce myself. You knew my name." Tobi put his hands on his back and said.

"I do know you: Tobias Remington, current patriarch of the Remington family and one of the holders of Alma Eterna. Wielder of Ajula and Adera. There are many things that I know about you. That also includes the things that even you don't know about yourself." She said and looked at Tobi for his reaction.

("Calm down, Tobi! Calm down.") Tobi took a deep breath and calmed himself. He stared into her eyes and asked, "Does it mean that my family has a connection to supernaturals since ancient times?���

"Yes." A short and simple answer.

Taking a deep breath, He asked, "What is Alma Eterna? Also, I am the wielder of Ajula-something?"

She moved her hands in a pattern, and an ancient book appeared out of nowhere on top of his desk. She opened the book and gestured him to look at it.

Looking at some random scribbles and drawings, Tobi asked the Ancient One for answers. With a smile, she explained.

"Alma Eterna, Spanish for Eternal Soul. But, I cannot tell you about any of its power as I have made a promise to someone. But I can tell you about Ajula and Adera." She explained and continued.

"Ajula and Adera, representative of Light and Darkness, respectively. They grant their wielder the power of light and Darkness. Ajula is mainly associated with the yang element and gives you the ability to heal and longevity."

"While Adera gives you the power of yin. Although Its abilities and limits are unexplored, Adera grants her wielder the authority of Darkness and souls."

"But you, Tobias. You have both of them inside of you."

"...What?!"

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[Author's notes:

- I know that this chapter is small, but the next chapter will be more than 1500+ words. Also, I know that the Ancient One is acting very familiar with him. But there is a reason behind it. She will act as a concerned mother with Tobi while she will be just like her counter-part in the movies.

- Also, Tobi's powers will be a mix-up of various other anime powers. There will be many OC characters and powers. That is why this novel is Marvel AU.

- There will be many clans and families in this novel, but the Remington will be most influential and powerful in both the mortal world and the moon-light world/ supernatural world.

- The MC is a very calm person because you can't be hot-headed while there are thousands of workers under you.

- No, This novel is not YAOI or Harem. MC will be a serious person uninterested in Romance. But, he is not dense. He has a very high EQ and IQ.

- - - - - - - Notes over - - - - - - -]