A deal

Viole traversed the path, his steps leading him to a colossal gate. Standing nearby was an unknown "Ales," observing Viole's worn appearance.

"Ah, Viole, what has befallen you?" the unfamiliar Ales remarked, concern lacing their voice.

Viole cast a lifeless gaze upon the gate, his mind consumed by a singular purpose.

"I must undertake something. Could you kindly open the gate for me?" Viole requested, his eyes fixed on the imposing entrance.

"Polite as ever, Viole. Of course, I shall grant you passage. after all it's the only thing I can do," the gatekeeper responded.

The gate swung open, allowing Viole to enter, while the portal gradually closed behind him.

"Now, I shall return to my mundane routine. Oh, how I wish we could have had a more extended conversation. I suppose I shall take a nap instead," the gatekeeper mused.

Within the confines of the gate, a cascade of azure lights illuminated the chamber, enveloping Viole in their ethereal glow. Standing at the center of the room, he encountered one of the higher entities.

"What is your purpose, defender?" the entity queried with a booming voice.

"Your incessantly loud voice still vexes me, as always. And why do you ask when you already know my intentions," Viole retorted, his tone devoid of warmth.

"And you remain the same arrogant, lifeless-eyed boy... No, your eyes seem even more lifeless than our last encounter, defender."

"I did not come here to entertain your mockery of my eyes. Give me the seal, or shall I inquire about what you desire in exchange?" Viole stated, his voice laced with impatience.

"The way you unraveled defender Stark's ability secret is impressive. Your intellect continues to evolve with each battle you undertake. But what manner of seals do you seek from us?" the entity responded.

"Are you feigning ignorance now? Fine. Time holds no sway in this place. As you have witnessed, the secret behind Stark's ability lies in the sun's rays. The more sunlight present in his surroundings, the stronger he becomes, rendering his abilities unstoppable. That is why Catlin chose the desert—a scorching terrain with an abundance of sunlight. I require a seal that can transport Stark to a place devoid of any sun rays. Do you comprehend?" Viole explained.

"The seal shall cost you half of your lifespan. Furthermore, you must accompany him until his powers are completely nullified. Do you accept these terms?" the entity proposed, a hint of greed in its voice.

"How insatiable you are. I accept your conditions. Additionally, I request one more thing: unleash the remaining half of Tony's power. Five minutes are all what he needs," Viole negotiated.

"You shall have it," the entity consented.

Meanwhile, in Egypt, Tony, utterly drained, stood face to face with Stark, both combatants battered and wounded. Tony clenched his metal hand, while Stark brandished his sword. With a burst of adrenaline, the defenders charged towards each other, their battle cries reverberating through the air. However, Tony faltered and collapsed.

"Damn it! I haven't even touched him. The bastard draws nearer to delivering the final blow. I cannot perish now, not before he returns. What can I do?" Tony exclaimed, his desperation palpable.

As Stark prepared to thrust his blade into Tony's visage, a miraculous transformation overcame Tony's body.

"What? It can't be..." Tony gasped, a mix of astonishment and horror etched across his face.

The entirety of Tony's skin metamorphosed into a lustrous black metallic hue, his grip instinctively seizing the sword before it could pierce him.