Chapter 40: Darkness Arrives- A Betrayal Unveiled
Abandoned city of Vanir, Vanaheim
As Thor turned around and exchanged words with Wong, a sudden burst of green energy illuminated the area, revealing two imposing groups.
The Mandarin, flanked by Cyburai, his son Temujin, and Death Dealer, stepped through the portal, which promptly closed behind them. Their presence sent shockwaves through the assembled heroes.
Luke Cage, boiling with anger, stepped forward, his voice laden with fury. "You have the nerve to show up here after murdering our friend? Explain yourself before I give you a taste of the real meaning of 'Sweet Christmas!'"
Amidst the tension, the Mandarin laughed sinisterly, seemingly unconcerned by the hostility directed his way. "Darkness is coming," he cryptically stated, a sinister smile tugging at his lips.
Silence descended upon them, and the tension was palpable as they awaited what would happen next. The ground trembled, and a red ring formed, spinning faster and larger until it stopped, revealing a new portal.
With a deafening boom, Madame Gao and her Hand assassins Fahd Alireza, Lady Bullseye, Gorgon, and the enigmatic Silver Samurai emerged from the portal. The Defenders braced themselves, ready for the confrontation.
Gao, who had accompanied the Mandarin, looked skeptical. "Old fool, what are you babbling about?" she asked, her eyes narrowing with suspicion as she also heard his darkness line.
All of a sudden, the Mandarin's group stepped aside, darkness abruptly consumed the entire area, and a dark red kanji symbol materialized in the air. It grew larger and larger, looming ominously over the heroes, reaching a staggering height of ten feet.
The Defenders bristled with hostility, ready to face these new adversaries. However, Thor urged restraint and raised Mjölnir, urging his comrades to remain cautious. "Hold your ground! The portal has yet to open. We do not know what it may bring," he warned, his voice resolute.
In the midst of the darkness, footsteps could be heard approaching. Everyone's gaze shifted toward the sound, and from within the shadows, Evil Blake emerged with Elektra by his side.
A collective gasp escaped the Defenders. They had mourned their fallen friend, believing him to be dead, but there he stood, miraculously alive and now aligned with their enemies.
Luke stepped forward, his voice a mix of surprise and anger. "How is this possible? We witnessed your death!"
The heroes were in disbelief, questioning their own senses and the reality before them. How could their trusted comrade have betrayed them?
Evil Blake's glowing red eyes scanned the assembled heroes, and a wicked smile played on his lips. "Death is just an inconvenience," he replied cryptically. "I have returned, stronger than ever."
Jessica Jones stepped forward, her voice tinged with suspicion. "What game are you playing, Blake? How can we trust you after everything?"
Evil Blake shrugged, his enigmatic demeanor still intact. "Trust has never been my strongest suit," he said. "But I believe you all share a common enemy now."
"In this Nine Realms Tournament you should fear not only the so called villans and heroes, but also ME!" he added, with a hint of malice in his voice and at the same time a seemingly murderous red aura started appearing from Blake.
The heroes and villains alike were caught off guard by Blake's statement. All the while, high up in the air, the mighty Njord observed the unfolding events, muttering to himself, "This should be interesting."
As the darkness faded, leaving them in shock, the chapter comes to a close, leaving the heroes grappling with the ramifications of this shocking revelation. The lines between friend and foe were blurred, and the fate of the Nine Realms hung precariously in the balance. With Blake now on the enemy's side, the battles to come became even more unpredictable and treacherous. The heroes could only wonder how this unexpected turn of events would impact the looming clash of forces, leaving them questioning what lay ahead in this high-stakes and perilous conflict.