Random Woman

Once the Saint had finished examining the Advent Core, he carefully returned it to the small metal box and locked it. He knew this object held unimaginable value—both for their god and the organization's ultimate purpose. Not wanting to waste even a moment, he prepared to return to headquarters immediately, every instinct urging him to deliver the Core with utmost urgency.

"Hold this," the Saint said, extending the metal box to Fritz.

Fritz took the box with a raised eyebrow, watching closely as the Saint prepared for their journey. He wondered just how they would get back. After all, this wasn't exactly a casual stroll.

Without warning, the Saint grabbed Fritz firmly with one hand. Then, clenching his other hand into a fist, he pointed it sharply downwards. Suddenly, the peculiar bracelet on the Saint's wrist began to glow with a strange energy. A powerful force blasted downward, creating a massive reverse thrust that launched them both into the air.

With a deafening whoosh, they shot upward through the underground tunnel, twisting sharply to avoid the walls. In an instant, they soared through the exit, rocketing into the open sky like a human missile.

The Saint's expression was one of calm focus as he gripped Fritz tightly with one hand, his other fist continuing to channel energy through the bracelet. The invisible force propelled them rapidly, keeping them hurtling through the sky at high speed.

Wind whipped against Fritz's face, making it almost impossible to breathe. He tilted his head to shield himself from the brunt of the wind, gasping for air as he struggled to form a question.

"So…is this how you travel between branches?" he managed to shout, barely audible over the roaring wind. "Just…flying like this? Aren't you afraid someone will see us?"

The Saint let out a dry, humorless chuckle. "You think human radars and their little observation stations could ever detect me? This power is a gift from God, far beyond human understanding."

Fritz forced a nod, though he wasn't entirely sure he bought into the Saint's overconfidence. "Right…if you say so," he muttered, turning his gaze back to the vast expanse of sky.

In an attempt to learn more, he began asking questions about the organization's headquarters and the mysterious "god" they followed. But the Saint answered each question with cold indifference, refusing to share any meaningful details. Fritz soon gave up, resigning himself to silence as they continued their journey.

The flight took longer than he'd anticipated. They traveled for two to three hours, crossing bustling city skylines, open landscapes, and vast stretches of ocean until they approached a distant, uncharted island. The location was so remote that it seemed to fade into the horizon, a tiny speck hidden in the vastness of the sea.

At last, they began their descent toward the island. The Saint guided them down into a dense forest, skillfully navigating between towering trees until they landed in a small clearing surrounded by thick foliage. Fritz stumbled slightly as he touched the ground, but quickly regained his balance, shifting the box from one hand to the other to ease the strain.

The Saint glanced at him, a flicker of recognition in his gaze. He noted Fritz's endurance and physical resilience, both marks of a skilled operative. Though he kept his thoughts private, the Saint silently acknowledged Fritz's strength, considering that he might indeed have the potential to become a Saint—if he could prove himself fully.

They moved deeper into the forest, where Fritz noticed a well-concealed entrance hidden within the rocky landscape. The Saint approached a solid wall of rock, extending his hand toward it. A quiet hum filled the air, and the stone wall began to shift, revealing a hidden doorway. The two of them stepped inside, entering a long corridor lined with armed guards who eyed Fritz with wary suspicion.

Normally, lower-ranking members were strictly forbidden from entering the headquarters—an area reserved only for those of the highest rank. However, seeing that Fritz was accompanied by a Saint, none of the guards dared to question his presence. Instead, they greeted the Saint with a strange salute, which Fritz watched closely.

Each guard placed their right hand above their head, palm facing left, while holding their left hand near their navel, palm down. The gesture was unlike any traditional salute, and Fritz made a mental note of it, keeping his expression neutral as he continued to follow the Saint through the corridors.

After navigating a series of winding passageways, they reached a vast, dimly lit chamber deep within the headquarters. The room was so large that Fritz could barely make out the walls in the shadows. At the center of the chamber stood an imposing altar, illuminated by an eerie light that seemed to radiate from nowhere.

The rest of the room remained cloaked in darkness, except for a single shadowy figure that loomed near the altar. From the figure's direction, two piercing green lights glowed, resembling watchful eyes staring out from the shadows.

"You bring something of great importance," the shadowed figure spoke, his voice resonant and powerful, filling the chamber with a chilling presence.

The Saint bowed deeply, his tone filled with reverence. "Yes, great Lord. This artifact…we believe it holds unimaginable significance."

He nodded to Fritz, signaling him to open the metal box. Fritz took a steadying breath, unlocking the box with a swift click. As the lid opened, the Advent Core lay inside, its presence alone seeming to hum with latent energy.

For a moment, Fritz thought he saw the shadowed figure shift, as if caught off guard by the sight of the Core.

"At last…the Advent Core," the figure murmured, his voice heavy with anticipation.

Without moving a muscle, the figure somehow levitated the Core from the box, drawing it through the air toward him. It floated above the altar, suspended as though held by invisible hands.

"This is the moment we've awaited," the figure proclaimed, his voice swelling with excitement. "This marks the beginning and the end. With this, we shall complete our mission and bring about our god's arrival!"

The Core began to emit a low hum, vibrating softly as though responding to the figure's energy. The sound grew louder, filling the chamber with an intense, electric thrum that seemed to pulse with life.

"Finally, the time has come!" the figure cried, his voice rising with fervor. "We, the faithful, shall open the way! We will usher our god into this world!"

The Saint, standing beside Fritz, bowed his head even lower, as though bracing himself for a momentous event. The Core's hum intensified, the sound now a deep, resonant roar.

And then, suddenly, the noise ceased.

With an anticlimactic clatter, the Core dropped from mid-air, tumbling across the floor in silence.

For a brief moment, the entire room was frozen in stunned silence. The shadowy figure remained still, his grand proclamation hanging awkwardly in the air. The Saint, still bowing, glanced up uncertainly, clearly unsure how to react to the sudden turn of events.

The tension was thick, the silence stretching uncomfortably.

After a long pause, the figure in the shadows spoke again, his tone sharp and accusing. "This…this is not the true Advent Core. It's an imitation!"

His glowing green eyes shifted, narrowing as they settled on Fritz with an intense glare. "You…you're not one of us. Who are you?"

The Saint reacted immediately, his hand shooting out to grab Fritz. But Fritz was quicker. In a swift motion, he twisted to the side, dodging the Saint's grasp and flipping backward to create space between them.

As Fritz landed, something remarkable happened. His face began to ripple, as though it were melting and reshaping. Within moments, the rough features of an older man transformed, revealing the face of a striking woman with flowing red hair cascading down her shoulders.

The woman's lips curled into a confident smile. It was none other than Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow.

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