Chapter 21: Shadows of Betrayal

Chapter: Shadows of Betrayal

Amidst the chaos and the clash between the Defenders and Death Dealer, a new wave of darkness descended upon the battlefield. Bakuto, the leader of the Hand, arrived, summoned by Madame Gao to ensure the completion of their mission. The Defenders now found themselves fighting on multiple fronts, their attention divided between the relentless assault of the Hand and Blake's weakened state as he faced off against Death Bringer.

Blake summoned every ounce of his remaining energy to mount a valiant effort against Death Bringer, but the toll of the battle began to weigh heavily upon him. Recognizing his dwindling strength, he made the difficult decision to retreat, knowing that his chances of survival grew slim. As he tried to gather his remaining energy, pain seared through his body, causing him to cry out in agony.

The Defenders halted their battle, their attention drawn to Blake's anguished cry. Shock washed over them as they witnessed Gorgon's hand, stained with Blake's blood, protruding from his stomach. Time seemed to slow as Blake's gaze fell upon his mortal wound, the realization of his impending demise etched upon his face. He collapsed to the ground, seemingly lifeless.

Elektra's heart-wrenching scream filled the air, fueling a fiery rage within her. Unleashing her fury upon the Hand, she cut through their ranks without mercy, catching everyone off guard. Iron Fist rallied the Defenders, urging them to press forward and reach Blake's side in the hopes that he could still be saved.

However, Madame Gao, seizing the opportunity, signaled for more Hand ninjas to join the battle. Gorgon and Bakuto, following her orders, leaped into the fray, adding to the overwhelming odds against the Defenders. The fight intensified, with each member of the Defenders pushing themselves to their limits, desperately fighting to save their fallen comrade.

Amidst the chaos, Death Dealer, seemingly unperturbed by the mayhem, calmly walked towards Blake's lifeless body. Just as he was about to make his escape, another figure emerged, creating a clearing in the midst of the battlefield. It was Shang-Chi, the master of martial arts, who confronted Death Bringer, determined to avenge the fallen Street Fighter.

Shang-Chi locked eyes with Death Dealer, issuing a challenge to leave Blake's body behind and face him in combat. Death Dealer, a twisted smile hidden beneath his mask, revealed that he had found a new pupil, taunting Shang-Chi with his claim. With a swift motion, he threw down a smoke bomb, obscuring his retreat and disappearing with Blake's lifeless form in his grasp.

As the smoke cleared, reinforcements arrived. Thor, Black Widow, Vision, Iron Man, SHIELD agents, and even the X-Men joined the scene, their arrival marking a shift in the tide. However, the Hand, their mission accomplished, heeded Madame Gao's orders to retreat.

Elektra, consumed by guilt and a sense of failure, turned away from her teammates and disappeared into the shadows, leaving them to grapple with the aftermath of the battle. Daredevil, freshly arrived on the scene, attempted to stop her, pleading for her to stay, but his words fell on deaf ears.

Meanwhile, Iron Man and Agent Coulson halted the Defenders, urging them to provide a detailed account of the events that transpired. Their focus shifted to understanding the depths of the Hand's plans and the mysterious circumstances surrounding Blake's abduction.

In a hidden laboratory nestled within a mountain in China, the Mandarin stood before a large case filled with an otherworldly blue liquid. Next to the case, he perused Death Dealer's report, studying the surveillance videos of the battle up until the chilling end. A malevolent smile spread across the Mandarin's face as he spoke aloud, envisioning his dark designs for Blake.

"Yes," he murmured, his voice laced with sinister intent. "He will make the perfect test subject for my new ring which I call 'Remaker,' to manipulate his molecules and accelerate his healing. And with my other ring, 'The Liar,' I will bring him under my control."