Chapter 4: Exploring

Without missing a beat, Ethan raised his hand and willed a portal to open, but this time, he didn't just reach out aimlessly. He focused, imagining a clothing store nearby. With a quick flick of his fingers, a black portal swirled into existence, and through the inky void, he saw racks of clothing displayed in a high-end boutique.

His hand shot through the portal, stretching far beyond the normal limits of reality. On the other side, his fingers deftly began rummaging through racks, yanking items off hangers with precision. He grabbed a pair of dark jeans, a fitted black shirt, and a jacket. His hand returned, pulling the clothes through the portal and snapping it shut with ease.

Ethan quickly dressed himself, tugging the jeans into place and adjusting the jacket. As he slipped on the shoes he'd also snatched, he gave himself a quick once-over. It wasn't fancy, but it was comfortable and far more suitable than walking around in his current form.

But there was still one thing missing.

He smirked to himself, deciding he needed some cash as well. Another flick of his wrist, and a new portal opened. This time, it led directly into the secure vault of a bank, his mind already visualizing the stacks of cash piled inside. The portal widened just enough for his hand to slip through again, fingers grabbing fistfuls of money without the slightest resistance. Thick bundles of bills were pulled through the void, disappearing into Ethan's jacket pockets as the portal sealed shut once more.

Dressed and financially secure, Ethan stepped out of the alley and onto the bustling streets of Manhattan.

The city greeted him with a wave of sound, car horns blaring, people shouting, and the distant hum of construction equipment. The streets were packed with pedestrians, each one in their own world as they moved through the concrete jungle. Tall skyscrapers rose on every side, their windows reflecting the glow of neon signs and advertisements. The air smelled faintly of hot dogs from nearby vendors, and the hustle and bustle of city life buzzed around him.

Ethan took it all in, a small grin forming on his face as he walked casually down the street. This place... this world... it was nothing like the one he remembered. But that suited him just fine. He had no plans, no obligations, and now, no limitations.

For the first time in a long while, Ethan felt something close to freedom. And with his newfound powers, that freedom would stretch further than this city, or even this world.

He had all the time in the world.

....

Ethan strolled casually down the crowded streets of Manhattan, blending in perfectly now that he looked human again. The buzz of the city felt alive, a constant hum of activity that pulled him into its rhythm. The smell of sizzling street food wafted through the air, mingling with the occasional puff of exhaust from a passing cab. It had been a long time since he'd been around this kind of atmosphere, and the smells triggered something deep within him, a hunger.

His stomach growled, and he smirked to himself. Food hadn't been on his mind since his... rebirth, but now it felt like a pleasant distraction. A nearby food stall caught his eye, the vendor grilling skewers of meat over an open flame, the rich aroma filling the small corner of the street.

Ethan approached the stall, nodding to the vendor as he surveyed the options. "One of those," he said, pointing at a skewer.

The vendor grinned, tossing one onto a plate and handing it over. Ethan took a bite, savoring the burst of flavor. The meat was seasoned perfectly, the smoky char mixing with the sweetness of the sauce. It was simple, but for a man who hadn't tasted real food in what felt like lifetimes, it was a satisfying experience.

He continued walking, nibbling on the skewer, his eyes drifting from one stall to the next. He passed vendors selling everything from falafel to pretzels, each one with its own unique draw. Ethan eventually stopped at a food truck selling tacos, intrigued by the sight of others eagerly devouring their orders. He bought one, curious, and took a bite. The burst of spices and heat was unexpected, but delightful.

Time passed as Ethan wandered the streets, exploring the city in a way that was both familiar and alien to him. As the day stretched on, the sky began to change. The sun, which had once hung high above the buildings, now dipped lower, casting long shadows across the streets. The golden hues of late afternoon painted the city in a warm glow, and Ethan could feel the energy of the day begin to shift as the city prepared for evening.

As he finished his last bite, he spotted a newsstand across the street. His curiosity piqued, he crossed the road, weaving through the sea of people, and grabbed a journal off the stand. After tossing a few bills at the vendor, more than enough for the paper, he flipped through it, his eyes scanning the headlines.

One article caught his attention immediately.

"Avengers' Victory Over Ultron Marks One Month Anniversary"

Ethan frowned, his mind turning as he read the details. The article described the battle between the Avengers and the artificial intelligence known as Ultron, who had nearly wiped out humanity with his robotic army. The destruction of Sokovia was mentioned, along with the efforts of the Avengers to save as many lives as possible. The battle had happened exactly one month ago, marking a significant moment in the timeline of this world.

He lowered the paper, glancing up at the skyline as he processed the information. "Avengers," he muttered to himself, testing the name on his lips. It didn't trigger any deep recognition, but it added another layer to the puzzle of where, or rather when, he was.

The sun was setting now, casting deep reds and purples across the sky as Manhattan's lights began to flicker on, one by one. The world was changing before his eyes, both in the sky and in his understanding of it.

He folded the paper under his arm, his mind racing with possibilities.