Chapter 109: New Journeys

After issuing his challenge, Cain stomped his foot and charged toward Marcus.

Marcus rushed forward to meet him, swinging his stone-encased fist. Their second battle erupted with even greater intensity than the first.

Both combatants were fully immersed in the fight. Though Marcus had mastered numerous combat techniques, Cain was no novice—years of battlefield experience had honed his fighting instincts to razor sharpness.

The two powerhouses collided repeatedly, each impact more violent than the last. The once-pristine lawn turned to churned earth beneath their feet as they destroyed everything around them.

The stone armor covering Marcus's body continuously shattered under Cain's relentless assault. However, Atlas's powers allowed him to draw fresh rock from the ground, the material flowing up his legs and reforming his protective shell.

Cain fared worse. Unlike Marcus, he lacked the ability to replenish his defenses. He could only rely on his own incredible durability.

Though his body withstood Marcus's punishing blows, his clothing couldn't survive the onslaught. Between Marcus's attacks and the shrapnel from shattered stone, Cain's outfit was reduced to tatters, giving him a truly disheveled appearance.

BOOM!

Their fists collided once more, the impact sending Cain flying backward.

This time, he didn't immediately charge back. Rising slowly from the ground, he assessed Marcus, who stood waiting with his stone armor reforming.

"You've won this round," Cain conceded, "but next time we meet, I will defeat you!"

With that declaration, he turned and rushed away across the landscape. He would continue strengthening himself until he could overcome this worthy adversary.

As Cain disappeared into the distance, everyone gained new respect for both combatants' power. Had Marcus not intervened, subduing Cain would have required the entire team's combined effort—and likely resulted in significant injuries.

Now the school grounds lay in ruins, the battle having transformed the meticulously maintained campus into a wasteland of displaced soil and broken stone. Repairing the damage would require considerable work.

Everyone surveyed the devastation with concern.

Marcus released his Atlas transformation, a small amount of crimson energy swirling in his palm.

This was power he had absorbed during the fight—energy signature of the Juggernaut's unnatural strength. Marcus recognized its source: the power of a cosmic entity.

"If I recall correctly, the Ancient One mentioned spells related to this particular entity," he mused.

He was familiar with several of Kamar-Taj's mystic teachings—the Mirror Dimension, the Book of Vishanti, and the power drawn from the Crimson Cosmos.

"I should visit the Avengers' world soon and consult with the Ancient One. She'll likely have answers about this energy."

He had been resting for quite some time. Now it was time to resume his quest for more Aya Stars and investigate the Void Fissures he'd encountered.

As for whether Cain would return to challenge him again—that wasn't his concern. Marcus wasn't anyone's designated sparring partner, waiting around for challenges.

Storing away the crimson energy sample, Marcus turned to address the group.

"That's settled. Now the students' final assessment can continue!"

As he spoke, he transformed one foot back into Atlas. The surrounding ground began rapidly reconstructing itself, soon returning to a smooth, flat surface.

Seeing Marcus restore the terrain, everyone nodded appreciatively.

Though Cain's interruption had been dramatic, the damage was now repaired. The bare earth could be replanted with grass later.

The assessment resumed with students facing their teachers once more. This time, however, the students understood why they needed combat skills.

They had witnessed the battle between Marcus and Cain—both displaying exceptional fighting prowess beyond their enhanced strength. The students recognized that without similar training, they would stand no chance against such opponents.

Those familiar with Charles's teaching philosophy now better understood his intentions.

Though peaceful relations between mutants and humans had persisted for some time, public fear of mutant abilities remained widespread.

Compared to overtly using mutant powers, these conventional fighting techniques could help them integrate more seamlessly into society without triggering the fear and rejection that often accompanied displays of mutation.

After all, there was a fundamental difference between mastering mutant abilities and developing superior combat skills.

Several days later, Marcus packed his belongings and bid farewell to everyone at the school.

"I must leave—there are matters requiring my attention. I hope to see you all again when I return."

With a wave to the assembled group, Void energy surrounded him as he transformed into Limbo.

A Void rift opened behind him, and he stepped toward it. After partially entering the portal, Marcus suddenly poked his head back out for a final message.

"I've left a gift for you in my room. I think you'll find it useful."

With that, he closed the Void rift and vanished completely from their sight.

Charles and the others exchanged curious glances, wondering what Marcus had left behind.

As for his destination, they didn't speculate too deeply. All would be revealed in time.

In truth, Marcus had left enhancement modules calibrated to augment their abilities. When equipped and connected to energy sources, these devices could increase their powers significantly.

Though the amplification wasn't dramatic, it provided a means to strengthen themselves—a parting gift from their enigmatic ally.

Within the Void, Marcus didn't venture to any unfamiliar realm. Instead, he located coordinates stored in Limbo's memory, opening a passage to a world he'd visited before.

Regarding the crimson energy he'd absorbed and stored in an Arcane—now named "Crimson Power"—he needed to consult with the Ancient One about its origins.

Returning to the Avengers' world, Marcus materialized before the Statue of Liberty, taking in the familiar skyline.

"New York has changed considerably," he observed.

When he'd left, though New York had been a global metropolis, it didn't have the same character it now displayed.

The city had clearly prospered in his absence. The vehicles traveling along the streets were far more advanced than those he remembered.

"Now this is the era I recognize," Marcus said with satisfaction.

His previous time travel had sent him too far back. Finally, he had returned to the period he knew best.

Rather than rushing directly to Kamar-Taj, he strolled through the city streets, absorbing the sights and sounds of modern New York.

Massive screens mounted on buildings caught his attention, broadcasting recent news.

"Has Tony just defeated Whiplash?" he wondered, recognizing familiar faces.

The broadcast detailed the restructuring of Hammer Industries following a disastrous demonstration where their militarized suits malfunctioned, attacking civilians at a press conference.

The incident had landed Justin Hammer in prison, his company subsequently divided among competitors. Stark Industries had absorbed most of Hammer's civilian technologies, while various defense contractors acquired the military divisions.

"He seems to have done well for himself," Marcus observed, watching Tony Stark address reporters on screen. "I wonder what expression he'll have when he sees Howard and Maria again. After all, his 'dead' parents have quite a story to tell."

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