91: Preparation

Darius stood in the grand hall of the Agency, his golden robes catching the sunlight streaming through the high windows.

A subtle hum of energy filled the room as he tapped into the vast expanse of his mind.

He didn't need a microphone or a communicator; his voice would carry directly to the minds of those he wanted to reach.

He closed his eyes, his presence radiating authority and calm. When he spoke, his voice resonated like a soothing storm, powerful yet reassuring:

"Leaders of Earth's defenders, hear me. A war unlike any other is on the horizon. Forces beyond your understanding are converging, and Earth stands in their path. I, Darius, summon you to the Agency. Bring your wisdom, your strength, and your resolve. Together, we will decide the course of this planet's fate. The meeting begins in three hours. Be here."

The message rippled across the globe, embedding itself gently into the minds of those he deemed worthy.

From the X-Mansion to Wakanda, from the Avengers Tower to Kamar-Taj and even the Justice league, leaders paused, their expressions shifting to determination.

Satisfied, Darius let the connection fade and sighed, stretching his arms as if he'd merely finished a casual task. "That should do it," he muttered.

Just then, a high-pitched giggle echoed from the adjacent room. His face softened as he turned toward the sound. Verity, his little daughter, was running in circles around Whimsy, the mischievous Cheshire Cat who floated lazily above her, flicking his tail.

"Catch me if you can, Daddy!" Verity squealed, her tiny legs carrying her with surprising speed.

Darius chuckled, his omnipotence melting away as he stepped into the room. "Catch you? You know I'm the fastest thing in existence, right?"

"But you can't use magic! That's cheating!" she called back, her voice full of glee.

Darius grinned, crouching down. "No magic, huh? Fine." He lunged forward, pretending to stumble and fall flat on the floor. Verity stopped in her tracks, staring at him in surprise.

"Gotcha!" he roared suddenly, scooping her up in one smooth motion. She burst into laughter, squirming in his arms. Whimsy hovered nearby, snickering.

"Well played, my lord," Whimsy said in his smooth, velvety tone. "Though I must say, you're going soft."

"Quiet, you overgrown house pet," Darius shot back, smirking.

As they played, the door opened, and Diana stepped in, her regal poise softened by the fond smile on her lips. Ororo followed closely, her white hair glowing faintly in the sunlight.

"Having fun without us?" Diana teased, crossing her arms as she leaned against the doorframe.

Darius turned to her with a boyish grin, still holding Verity aloft. "Always. But there's plenty of fun to go around."

Ororo stepped forward, her laughter like music. "Hand her over before you wear her out, Darius."

"Never!" Darius declared, spinning Verity in the air. She squealed with delight before Diana plucked her from his grasp, holding her close.

"You've had your turn," Diana said, pressing a quick kiss to Verity's forehead. "Now it's mine."

Ororo slid into Darius' side, her hand resting on his chest. "And what about us? Don't we deserve some attention, oh mighty one?"

Darius smirked, pulling her closer. "Always, my queen."

The three of them settled onto a luxurious couch, with Verity climbing onto Diana's lap. Ororo leaned her head against Darius' shoulder, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on his arm.

"This feels nice," Ororo murmured. "Moments like this remind me why we fight."

Darius tilted her chin up, his gaze locking onto hers. "You'll never need to fight alone. Not while I'm here."

Whimsy rolled his eyes theatrically from his perch. "Honestly, the three of you are nauseating. The world's about to implode, and here you are, making goo-goo eyes at each other."

Verity giggled. "Don't be jealous, Whimsy."

"I'm not jealous," Whimsy huffed, flicking his tail. "I'm above such trivialities."

Darius chuckled, leaning back as he peered out the window, his golden eyes glimmering. While his family laughed and talked around him, his gaze pierced through the galaxy, observing every move of Thanos, Darkseid, and their pawns.

"Let them come," he whispered under his breath, his smirk returning.

Ororo noticed and poked his side. "What's so amusing?"

"Nothing," Darius said, placing a kiss on her forehead. "Just thinking about the meeting later. It'll be… interesting."

"Hmm," Diana murmured, eyeing him suspiciously. "Don't cause too much trouble."

"No promises," he replied with a wink.

-

-

The massive meeting room of the Agency was abuzz with quiet conversation. Heroes from across the globe, and beyond, had gathered, filling the elegant chamber with a mixture of tension and camaraderie.

The room itself was vast, with high ceilings adorned with celestial murals, glowing softly with the light of countless stars.

Long tables surrounded a circular dais in the centre, a reminder that this was a council of equals—though everyone knew whose presence dominated the room.

Steve Rogers stood near one of the tall windows, his arms crossed as he spoke with Natasha Romanoff.

"This place still takes some getting used to," he admitted, glancing at the endless horizon visible through the transparent walls.

Natasha smirked, adjusting her gloves. "What, the gravity-defying architecture or the idea that Darius could obliterate us all if he sneezed too hard?"

"Both," Steve said with a small chuckle. "Though it's hard to argue with the results. This place has done more for us than S.H.I.E.L.D. ever could."

Not far from them, Bruce Wayne stood in the shadows of a column, his sharp eyes scanning the room.

His dark cowl was pulled back, revealing his brooding expression. Clark Kent, in contrast, was all warmth and friendliness as he approached his fellow Justice Leaguer.

"Still not used to these gatherings, are you?" Clark asked, his tone light.

Bruce didn't bother to look up. "A room full of people with godlike power? No, I'm not used to it, and I don't think I ever will be."

Clark smiled faintly. "Well, try not to look so grim. We're here to work together."

"Until someone decides their agenda is more important than unity," Bruce muttered.

Across the room, Arthur Curry, King of Atlantis, was leaning casually against a pillar, sharing a laugh with Tony Stark, who had arrived only moments before.

"You don't even have a suit this time, Stark?" Arthur teased.

Tony grinned, holding up a small device. "This is my suit. Nanotech. State of the art. I don't need to clank around like the tin man anymore."

Arthur raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Yeah, well, try keeping up with a fight underwater. Let me know how that works out for you."

"Touché," Tony said with a smirk, raising an imaginary glass.

T'Challa, the Black Panther, sat with Shuri, the two Wakandans observing the room with quiet dignity.

Shuri leaned closer to her brother, her voice low but playful.

"You'd think with all these geniuses and warriors, someone would have invented a better way to pass time," she whispered.

T'Challa smiled faintly. "Patience, Shuri. Darius operates on his own schedule."

"Doesn't mean we have to like it," she replied, though she settled back in her chair with a resigned sigh.

Meanwhile Barry Allen was busy catching up with Hal Jordan near one of the smaller tables.

"So, how fast did you finish that training course?" Hal asked Barry with a grin.

Barry rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Let's just say… faster than anyone else."

"Still slower than Darius," Martian Manhunter chimmed in earning a laugh from both men.

"Everyone's slower than Darius," Hal said, shaking his head.

The hum of chatter grew as more heroes continued to exchange thoughts and opinions.

But the moment the double doors at the far end of the room opened, a wave of silence fell over the crowd.

Darius entered with an air of calm authority, flanked by Diana and Ororo, both radiant in their own right. Whimsy floated lazily above his shoulder, his glowing grin as enigmatic as ever.

"Good evening, everyone," Darius said, his voice smooth and commanding. "Thank you for coming."

His golden eyes swept over the room, acknowledging each figure with a subtle nod. "I trust you've all had time to settle in and... share your concerns."

Whimsy chuckled, breaking the heavy silence. "Oh, they've been doing plenty of that."

Darius smirked slightly but didn't comment. He walked to the centre of the room, his presence alone enough to command the attention of every soul.

Diana and Ororo took their seats beside him, their gazes equally composed and confident.

"We have much to discuss," Darius began, folding his hands behind his back. "But first, let me make one thing clear. The events that have begun to unfold will test this world like never before. Yet, there is no need for panic. You are not alone in this fight."

His words, though simple, carried a weight that seemed to lift the tension in the room. All eyes remained on him as he began to outline the challenges ahead. The meeting had officially begun.

Darius stood at the center of the massive circular table, the room glowing faintly with a soft golden light that seemed to emanate from the walls themselves. He leaned on the table casually, his piercing golden eyes sweeping across the room filled with Earth's mightiest heroes, mutants, and leaders. Despite the easygoing posture, his presence demanded respect and silence.

"Well," he began, his voice smooth and calm, "before we dive into anything serious, I'd like to know the faces—and voices—of those gathered here. It's not every day we assemble the most powerful beings in existence under one roof."

He gestured with a slight wave of his hand. "So, let's keep this simple. Name, position, role… whatever you feel defines you. Don't be shy."

The room was silent for a beat before Steve Rogers stood, his posture straight and dignified.

"Steve Rogers. Leader of the Avengers," he said, his voice steady. "I represent not just my team but the ideals we fight for: justice, freedom, and hope."

Darius nodded approvingly. "A symbol, through and through. Thank you, Captain."

Natasha Romanoff was next, her tone sharp and matter-of-fact. "Natasha Romanoff, former spy, now an Avenger. I specialise in strategy, infiltration, and eliminating threats."

"You excel at making danger look effortless," Darius said with a smirk, earning a subtle nod from Natasha.

T'Challa stood, his movements regal yet humble. "T'Challa, King of Wakanda. Protector of my people and custodian of Vibranium, one of Earth's most valuable resources."

His sister Shuri interjected from her seat with a playful grin. "And I'm Shuri, the brains behind most of Wakanda's tech. Let's be honest, without me, he wouldn't have half his gadgets."

Darius chuckled. "A kingdom as advanced as Wakanda owes its brilliance to both its ruler and its innovators. Well done, both of you."

Bruce Wayne's turn came next, and he spoke curtly. "Bruce Wayne, also known as Batman. Strategist, tactician, and protector of Gotham."

"You forgot 'paranoid billionaire,'" Tony Stark quipped, drawing a smirk from Bruce.

"Tony Stark," Tony continued, standing. "Genius, billionaire, philanthropist, and self-made Avenger. You're welcome, by the way, for keeping the planet in one piece."

"I'm sure the rest of the room would beg to differ on that last part," Darius joked, prompting soft laughter.

The introductions continued around the room. Arthur Curry announced himself as King of Atlantis with a casual bravado that earned amused glances. Barry Allen's nervous energy was palpable as he introduced himself as the Flash, while Hal Jordan's swagger as a Green Lantern made a strong impression. Carol Danvers, blunt and confident, declared herself as Earth's cosmic defender, while Jean Grey spoke softly about her role as a protector of mutantkind.

Finally, the introductions circled back to Darius, who remained silent for a moment, letting the weight of their words linger.

"Thank you," he said at last, straightening. "Now that I've had the pleasure of hearing from all of you, allow me to share a bit of my own perspective. As most of you know, I am Darius, Primordial of Judgement. I've existed far longer than any of your histories, and my role has always been… complicated."

He paced slowly, his tone shifting to something more serious. "I've brought you here because the storm on the horizon will challenge every single one of you. You've all felt it, haven't you? The growing tension, the shadow of war looming above this world."

There were nods and murmurs of agreement.

Darius stopped and faced them. "You're right to be concerned. Thanos and Darkseid are threats unlike any you've encountered before. Their ambitions, their strength… they are unmatched in their ruthlessness. And yet, I must tell you this."

He paused, letting the gravity of his next words settle. "I will not intervene in this conflict—not fully."

The room erupted in murmurs of confusion and concern. Diana raised an eyebrow at him, though her faith in Darius remained steady.

Darius raised a hand to silence the crowd. "Hear me out. My involvement will only come when it is absolutely necessary. I will not stand against Thanos or Darkseid until the very end, and I will not clean up every skirmish or battle that comes before. This is not because I lack the ability or the will, but because I believe this war serves a greater purpose."

Carol crossed her arms, her tone skeptical. "And what purpose would that be, exactly?"

Darius gave her a knowing smile. "Training."

The room fell silent, his words sinking in.

He continued. "In eight years, the tournament to decide the fate of this universe will begin. Many of you will participate, and it will require more than raw power to prevail.

Strategy, unity, endurance—these are things that cannot be taught overnight. This war, as dangerous as it may seem, is the perfect crucible to forge you into what you must become."

Bruce leaned forward, his eyes sharp. "So, you're using this conflict as a test?"

Darius nodded. "A necessary one. The tournament will not allow for weakness or hesitation. Consider this a preparation for what lies beyond."

Peter Parker, seated quietly beside Tony, finally spoke up. "But what about the people who get caught in the crossfire? The ones who can't fight back?"

Darius turned to him, his gaze softening. "And that, Peter, is where all of you come in. You're here to protect them, to fight for those who cannot. This is not just a battle for survival—it's a chance for you to prove why this world deserves to endure."

The room sat in contemplative silence.

Darius spread his arms. "I will oversee this conflict. I will intervene if absolutely necessary. But this is your war to fight, your victory to claim."

Whimsy, floating lazily beside him, added with a chuckle, "And don't worry. If things get too messy, he'll step in. He's got a soft spot for you lot, even if he pretends otherwise."

Darius smirked but didn't deny it. "Now, if there are no further objections, we can begin strategizing."

The room remained quiet, though the weight of Darius' decision hung heavy in the air.

The meeting had only just begun, and already the stakes felt insurmountable.