3. Something Extraordinary
2008, California — Stark Mansion
The warm morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the Stark Mansion. Inside the dining hall, Tony Stark was seated at the large marble table, casually sipping his coffee while engaging in a conversation with his AI assistant.
"Jarvis, why haven't I seen John this morning? Is he still sleeping?" Tony asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
"Sir, young Master John is currently in his laboratory. He's been working on something all night," Jarvis replied.
Hearing this, Tony's expression shifted to concern. "Is that experiment more important than his health? Tell him to come out and have breakfast."
"Message delivered, sir," Jarvis confirmed.
Tony sighed and nodded, silently waiting for John to appear. A few minutes later, the sound of footsteps echoed from the staircase. A figure, around 20 years old, walked into the room. His appearance was disheveled—unkempt hair, dark circles under his eyes, and a lab coat that looked like it had seen better days.
John took a seat next to Tony, his exhaustion evident in his voice. "Good morning, brother."
Tony didn't reply immediately, instead scrutinizing John with a mix of worry and disapproval. Noticing this, John let out an awkward laugh.
"You're always worrying, brother. Can't you trust me to take care of myself?" John said, trying to lighten the mood.
Tony remained silent for a moment, then sighed. "John, you need to prioritize your health. Whatever you're working on can wait."
John knew Tony was right, but he had been on the verge of a breakthrough, and time had slipped away from him. "I'm sorry, brother. I'll keep your advice in mind next time."
Tony shook his head but changed the subject. "I'll be heading to Afghanistan today for a week. Make sure you take care of yourself while I'm gone. And where's Pepper? I haven't seen her this morning."
"Miss Potts is waiting for you outside the mansion with Happy, sir," Jarvis informed him.
Tony nodded, then turned back to John. "Alright, I'm off. Don't forget to rest after breakfast."
John nodded, but inside, his heart was in turmoil. Afghanistan... The mention of the location sent a wave of unease through him. He knew this was the beginning of Tony's journey—the pivotal moment that would lead to his transformation into Iron Man. As much as John wanted to stop him, he held back. He understood that Tony needed this experience, a necessary step for his 'rebirth.'
---
Once Tony left, John quickly descended to his underground laboratory, a space filled with advanced technology and mysterious symbols glowing faintly on multiple screens.
"Jarvis, create a secure server and upload all files related to the Eye of Truth," John instructed.
"Task completed, sir," Jarvis replied.
John stared at the primary screen, which displayed a complex symbol—a mix of intricate lines and geometric shapes. It looked almost like a rune from ancient texts, something both familiar and alien.
John had discovered this symbol five years ago when his body underwent a mysterious change. After consuming multiple bottles of a spiritual enhancement potion—a project he and Tony had been working on—his body didn't just grow stronger. Instead, something awakened within him.
His eyes had turned a brilliant shade of gold during the awakening, and for the first time, he saw the symbol. It appeared in the most unexpected place—a fireplace. At first, he thought it was a hallucination. The symbol would only manifest in the presence of fire and vanish once the fire was out, making it incredibly difficult to remember. But after a year of relentless effort, John memorized it perfectly.
Over time, two more symbols revealed themselves—one in water and the other on the bark of a tree. Each symbol seemed tied to an elemental force, and John believed they were part of something far greater. He called them Elemental Runes, the foundation of a power he had yet to unlock.
The Fire Rune: A swirling pattern that represented destruction and rebirth, always appearing in flames.
The Water Rune: Fluid and ever-changing, it embodied adaptability and flow, seen only in rippling water.
The tree Rune: A symbol of stability and life, it was etched into tree bark and represented growth.
John named his newfound ability the Eye of Truth, a reference from a novel he had once read. These symbols, he believed, were the key to unlocking hidden knowledge—possibly even a path to magic.
---
That night, John lay in bed, flipping through a novel on wizardry. He was convinced that these symbols had a connection to the arcane arts. The novel described the requirements to become a wizard:
1. Mental Power: The ability to focus and expand one's consciousness. John believed he already possessed this, thanks to his enhanced intellect.
2. Particle Energy: A mysterious form of energy that wizards harnessed to cast spells. John theorized it could be found everywhere in the Marvel universe, where anything was possible.
3. Meditation Method: A technique to channel and refine one's mental power and energy. This was the missing piece of the puzzle.
"Where can I find a meditation method?" John murmured, frustrated. "I've been stuck at this bottleneck for so long. Even Tony thinks magic is a myth. but I know magic is real but at this moment telling tony about it would be detrimental to Tony. Alas, It's all up to me now."
He considered seeking help from the Ancient One, the Sorcerer Supreme. But the risk was too great. What if she sees me as a threat? John thought.' I'm an outsider in this world. One wrong move, and she could eliminate me.'
For now, he would continue his research in secret, hoping that one day the symbols would reveal their true purpose. Until then, John would watch over Tony from the shadows, ensuring that his brother's path to greatness remained intact.
And so, with a determined heart, John continued his quiet quest, knowing that the Eye of Truth would one day change the world—and his destiny—with it.