When Everything Comes Together

[[Weeks Later]]

Larry was done for. The Stallion Corporation had hit rock bottom after many other allegations came to light.

Disposal of biochemical waste, forced labour, underpayment, physical and mental abuse of workers and most importantly the link with Hydra.

But because of him, I was able to spot the black monolith… and it's in the middle of the Pacific. Which means… I will have to spend a fortune to retrieve it. 

However, that's something I must get my hands on at any cost. So, I decided to note down the coordinates and once I am done with my other projects— I will retrieve and destroy it.

And last week I had to deal with the military because of the Internet. I am surprised that it took them so long before putting those restrictions on the internet… but unfortunately for them— no matter what they do, I will still receive every single piece of information that goes on the internet. Essex did a great job modifying the pathways and there is no person that can overwrite my authority… unless someone uses extremis— which is very unlikely.

"So how long before the Sentry serum is completed, Lennon?" I asked as I went through the files that my assistant prepared.

Lennon cleaned his glasses and smiled. "Thanks to your and Mr. Essex's help— I will be able to finish it within two months." 

Now that's the best news I have heard all day long. 

"Brilliant!" 

My excitement made the man laugh but what Lennon was about to create could make a human god— and even he didn't know the full extent of Sentry's abilities.

Yet the thing that is bugging me is that I still haven't unlocked the ability that I received from Infinity… which I think won't awaken unless I go through some life or death situation.

Sentry has a lot of powers… even limited reality manipulation but the ability bestowed upon by an abstract being will still be stronger than Sentry's abilities. 

But that's something I will have to worry about after two months… for now, I need to find a certain someone.

…

…

[[Nathaniel Essex]]

"The melody of a violin is one of the greatest forms of music, isn't it?" I asked the man that was sitting before me and calmly sipping his tea.

Violinists played music in the background— unwillingly, but mind control does wonders. No matter how much hatred they have, mind control prevents them from making that hatred apparent in their music. Despite the pain— they are still playing the sad and soft melody without any pause.

"It is." Marcellus answered. "But tell me Mr. Essex… what have you been up to?"

"Something that is going to make you very happy." 

This made him raise a curious eyebrow but he realised instantly as I pointed towards one of the spoons that were on the table. 

"So you succeeded." He asked with a small smile. "I am impressed. I expected you to take longer than that… after all, it was a project that shouldn't have been possible."

"But it did succeed." I answered with a smile of my own. "Anti-metal is poisonous but it is still purifiable, and I did just that. Instead of adding another element to neutralise its poison, I managed to change its composition to be compatible with a human."

Placing the cup down, he sighed. "You are a genius, Mr. Essex— a once in a million genius." 

A genius… I remember being called that by a man that ruined my life and my family. But this kid's different… No, he is not a kid anymore. He has grown. 

"I heard that Lennon's project is about to be completed." I asked and he nodded. "Are you sure about the serum?"

Lennon doesn't know the true worth of the serum— but I do. Yet I do not have the confidence that my body would be able to handle the serum. I have seen the formula and there are not many in this world that are compatible with it. If a person who is not compatible forcefully injects the serum— that person would be dead before they know it. And even with my ability to manipulate my biology, I won't be able to handle the serum 

It is surprising that Marcellus has agreed to test it on himself— but then again… he is built different. His DNA has the greatest genetic adaptability that I have ever seen yet it is locked. I don't know what the lock is hiding… but it's something that even Marcellus doesn't know about. 

Not that it would do me any good to tell him about it, he will have to figure it out on his own.

"I am. I asked Lennon to create the serum to inject myself with it. I know the risk but I am willing to take it." He smiled. "And without it… I won't be able to keep my promise to you."

The promise… the only reason I agreed to help him. Our partnership is neither built on friendship nor trust— it's built of necessity.

I need him to revive my family and he needs me to grow stronger. We are merely helping each other for our own needs.

If I betray him, I will not be able to reunite with my family and if he betrays me— he will never be able to grow stronger.

But not everyone is bound by such needs.

"So." I looked at him. "What are you going to do about Lennon."

He paused and smiled— but it was not a smile that one puts when happy— it was a crafty and wicked smile. 

A smile that is often on my face.

"Mr. Essex… Have you heard of Shah Jahan and the myth of the forty thousand hands?" He asked as he leaned comfortably on the chair.

Shah Jahan… a Mughal Emperor who ruled during the golden times. He had commissioned some of the greatest workers to build a tomb for his wife— which they did… in the form of the Taj Mahal. A monument that is often praised as the greatest token of love in the history of romances.

But the myth of forty thousand hands is the exact opposite of romance— it is a fable of cruelty.

While the story is nothing more than a hoax… a lie passed down through generations to emphasise the love Jahan had for his wife.

But that is not the point… In that myth, Jahan chopped the hands of every single worker that took part in the construction of the Taj… so that the monument could never be mimicked. And it doesn't take a genius to figure out what Marcellus meant.

His methods are cruel but they are necessary. 

A smile appeared on my face as I would have done the same. 

"I believe that I don't have to make any more payments… now do I?" Marcellus asked and I shook my head.

"No, you don't."

The sample that he had previously provided has had my hands full and before I crack that sample… there is no point in looking at something else.

"Well then… I should get going." He said. "I have a certain someone that I need to meet."

I nodded as he got off the chair and started making his way towards the exit.

"Marcellus." I called and he paused at the doorway. "You might be growing at a rapid pace, you might think that you are smarter than the rest… and you might think that you are better than the rest. But remember— there is no perfect being in this world, not even you." 

Perfection is what we both are striving for— but have yet to achieve it.

"I know." He said.

With that, he left the room. 

He is smart but he underestimates a lot. And that might cause his downfall. But that is also good. He is nearly flawless… but that little imperfection is what gives me an edge over him.

And if he betrays me, I know what to do.