CHAPTER 34: Shadows Of War

Author POV: Sorry guys, work has got me so busy I can barely think to form a sentence but I had to grit my teeth and bring out some chapters before the day ends. Enjoy my fellow followers.

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Butcher's Hideout

Butcher stood in the dimly lit room, arms crossed, watching as M.M. adjusted the volume on the small listening device they had planted. It crackled softly, picking up snippets of conversation from the U.S. Military Command Center. They had been monitoring the military's movements ever since Marcus had blown that base sky-high, and now, it seemed like the brass were gearing up for something big. Homelander's name had come up more than once in the last few minutes, and that was never a good sign.

"They're going after him," M.M. muttered, shaking his head as he sat back. "Homelander, A-Train, the whole damn army… they're all getting ready to take down Marcus."

Butcher grunted, pacing the room. "Not surprised. The military always thinks they can solve their problems by throwin' more firepower at 'em. Idiots."

M.M. glanced at him. "You think Marcus knows?"

Butcher stopped pacing, his mind already running through the options. He had a direct line to Marcus—his brother, Lenny, even if Marcus denied it over and over again. Butcher couldn't shake the truth, no matter how much Marcus tried to sever the connection between them. And with the military's little plan now in motion, there was no way Butcher was going to let them catch Marcus off guard.

He pulled out his phone, dialing the number Marcus had given him. The phone rang once before the call was picked up.

"Butcher," Marcus's voice came through, calm and collected.

Butcher didn't waste time. "Oi, the army's got a little secret they're cookin' up against you. They're sendin' Homelander after ya. Just thought you'd want to know."

There was a brief silence on the other end, then a soft chuckle. "I already know, Butcher," Marcus replied, his voice holding a cold edge. "They think they can catch me by surprise. But trust me, it's them who'll be in a pinch very soon. This is nothing more than a child's game to me."

Butcher felt a strange mix of relief and frustration. Lenny had changed—no, Marcus had changed. This wasn't the brother he remembered. This was someone else, someone cold and detached. "Lenny—"

"Don't call me that," Marcus interrupted, his tone firm. "I've told you before. There's nothing between us anymore. Lenny's gone, Butcher. You need to accept that."

Butcher clenched his jaw, shaking his head. "You may be playin' all high and mighty now, but I know you. Deep down, you're still him. No matter what kind of power you've got, you're still the kid I ran away from."

Marcus's voice was colder now. "That boy is dead. I don't need family. I don't need anyone, especially you."

The line went dead before Butcher could respond. He stared at the phone for a moment before shoving it back in his pocket, sighing heavily.

M.M. watched him, concern etched across his face. "He's still not budgin', huh?"

Butcher shook his head. "Nah. That's not my brother anymore. He's cut me off, and whatever he's turnin' into… well, it's somethin' else."

M.M. leaned forward, folding his hands. "So what's the play? We getting involved in this?"

Butcher rubbed his chin, thinking for a moment before he answered. "Nah, mate. We stay out of this one. This fight with Marcus, it's bigger than we are. He's too powerful now. If the military wants to go ahead and get themselves butchered, let 'em. The Boys won't be stickin' our noses in this mess."

M.M. nodded, relieved. "Good call. I'll inform Frenchie and the others. We've got bigger fish to fry anyway."

Butcher's eyes narrowed. "Aye, we do. There's still Stormfront to deal with. That Nazi bitch ain't gonna just disappear on her own, and I've got a feelin' she's been quiet for too long. We need to figure out how to take her down, and soon."

M.M. grimaced at the mention of Stormfront. "She's a wild card, that's for sure. Doesn't give a damn about anyone who isn't part of her sick little vision for America. She's been rallying her supporters, keeping low, but she's still dangerous as hell."

Butcher nodded. "She's got to go. But we can't go after her like we did the others. She's got too much influence, too much of a following. We'll need to be smart about it."

M.M. stood up, straightening his jacket. "I'll get the team on it. We'll figure something out."

As M.M. left the room, Butcher stood there for a moment, running a hand through his hair. He wasn't sure what was worse—the fact that his brother was now some unstoppable superpower, or that the world was falling apart faster than he could put it back together.

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Another Secret Sanctuary, Manhattan

Marcus leaned back in his chair, the call with Butcher already a distant memory. He knew Butcher still thought of him as Lenny, but Marcus had long since buried that part of himself. There was no room for sentimentality in the world he was shaping. The Marcus of now was beyond human, beyond family, beyond ties that once bound him to a past he had outgrown.

Wang Ling stood across from him, watching Marcus carefully as the holographic projections of military movements and Vought's secret dealings flickered around them.

"You seem calm," Wang noted. "The military is sending their best after you. They've even called in Homelander."

Marcus smirked, his eyes gleaming with an almost predatory light. "Let them come. It'll be good for the world to see what happens when they try to challenge me. This isn't a fight, Wang. This is a demonstration."

Wang raised an eyebrow. "You're confident."

"I don't need to be confident," Marcus replied. "I've already won. What they're throwing at me… it's child's play. They're bringing toys to a battle they can't comprehend."

Wang leaned forward, intrigued. "And what's the plan? How do we use this to our advantage?"

Marcus's smile widened. "We let them come. I'll play along, let them think they've got a chance. And when the time is right, I'll crush them. Publicly. Visibly. The world needs to see their strongest forces broken."

Wang nodded, understanding. "A complete demoralization."

"Exactly," Marcus said, his voice filled with cold certainty. "The more they fight me, the stronger my position becomes. By the time this is over, they'll realize they never had any control to begin with."

Wang took a step back, his mind racing with the possibilities. "And if Homelander tries something reckless?"

Marcus's eyes darkened. "Homelander is nothing but an ant in my eyes. I know he'll come again to reclaim his lost dignity, his ego is his greatest weakness. He thinks he's invincible. He'll charge in, overconfident, and when I destroy him again, this time will people present, it will send a message to everyone—no one can stand in my way."

Wang nodded, his respect for Marcus growing. "Then we proceed as planned?"

Marcus rose from his chair, looking out over the icy expanse beyond his sanctuary. "Yes. Let the military think they're setting the trap. But soon, they'll realize they're the ones caught. The world is about to change, Wang."

Wang Ling smiled, feeling the weight of the coming events. "Understood, Marcus. I'll make the necessary preparations."

As Wang Ling left the chamber, Marcus remained standing, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. He had transcended the limitations of his former self. The coming battle would only be a formality. There was no stopping what was already in motion. And those who stood against him would be swept away like dust in the wind.