chapter 53

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The teleporter hummed faintly, its glow dimming as SHIELD personnel disappeared one after another. Adrian stood silently in front of the portal, his narrowed eyes fixed on the dwindling number of survivors being transported to safety.

Fury stood nearby, his last cigar smoldering between his fingers. Despite his rugged demeanor, his single eye betrayed exhaustion. Smoke curled around him like a cloak, an ironic symbol of solace amidst chaos.

"Can you believe it?" Fury muttered. "Just days ago, I was arguing with the President about next year's budget. Steve was talking about retiring, becoming a farmer after training the new Avengers. Xavier had plans for another speech on mutant harmony." He exhaled deeply, his frustration evident. "And now this... this is all that's left."

The teleporter's light faded, leaving only silence. Adrian and the remaining group—Thor, Iron Man, Banner lying unconscious on a gurney, and the Fantastic Three—watched solemnly. Beside Adrian stood Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, and the Punisher, their loyalty evident.

This was the final group to leave.

Adrian turned to Doom, his tone calm but firm. "Doom, is everything prepared for the surprise you mentioned?"

"Of course," Doom replied, his metallic voice tinged with arrogance. "The portal is programmed to self-destruct once we leave. My Doombots will dismantle any remaining components. Latveria will not fall prey to these monsters."

Adrian nodded, then glanced at the glowing portal. "Let's go," he said, stepping forward with his group. In his hand, the Book of Death pulsed faintly, almost as if it were alive.

"Finally," the Book hissed, its voice dripping with mockery. "We leave this miserable place. These creatures will never catch us."

Adrian frowned, glancing at the artifact. "We?" he questioned, his tone laced with suspicion.

The Book's glowing eyes blinked mischievously. "Of course. We're a team now, aren't we? Surely you wouldn't leave me behind..."

Adrian smirked. "You're right. I almost forgot something."

The Book's grin widened, but its smugness was short-lived. With a sudden flick of his wrist, Adrian hurled the artifact against the stone wall. It struck with a dull thud, its glowing eyes dimming as cracks formed along its surface.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" the Book screeched, its voice trembling with panic. "You swore to the Vishanti you'd take me with you!"

Adrian leaned in, his voice cold. "Did I? Funny thing about promises—I don't make them to cursed objects."

The Book's panic escalated. "Wait! I can give you power! Unimaginable power! Don't leave me here!"

Adrian chuckled darkly, turning away. "Thanks, but no thanks. I'm not in the market for broken promises and bad vibes." With that, he stepped into the swirling blue vortex, his form vanishing into the unknown.

The Book of Death wailed in despair, turning its pleading gaze to Doom.

"Doom! Surely, you wouldn't abandon me. I could—"

Doom cut it off with a harsh laugh. "You? Aid Doom? Pathetic. Doom relies on no one, let alone a sniveling, cursed relic."

The Book desperately shifted its attention to Fury. "Please, Fury! I can fix your eye—make it stronger, better—"

Fury stared at the Book, his expression unchanging. "No."

The artifact shuddered, its once commanding presence reduced to a pitiful shadow.

---

Outside the castle, chaos reigned. A massive black zombie, standing over ten meters tall, pounded relentlessly on the magical shield protecting the fortress. His colossal fists rained down with deafening force, sending cracks spiderwebbing across the energy barrier. Smaller zombies swarmed the perimeter, their grotesque forms scrambling over the remains of Adrian's fallen undead army.

"Smash it, Bill!" a voice roared.

The towering zombie, Goliath, snarled and slammed his fists again. With a final, thunderous blow, the shield shattered. The energy barrier dissipated, and Goliath's fist struck the stone walls with earth-shaking power, sending debris flying in all directions.

Behind him, Gambit King grumbled. "I'm tired of this! We've been following you for days and haven't eaten a damn thing!"

The American Captain turned, his expression murderous. "Shut your mouth," he growled. With a flick of his wrist, he hurled his shield. It spun through the air like a deadly buzzsaw, cleaving Gambit King in two before embedding itself in the ground.

The zombies fell silent, their rotting gazes fixed on the Captain.

"Stop staring!" the Captain barked. "Move! There's meat in that castle—fresh, breathing meat!"

As the horde surged forward, the massive Goliath tore through the weakened walls, opening a path into the once-impenetrable fortress.

Inside, the last remnants of SHIELD's team braced themselves. Thor tightened his grip on Mjölnir, his eyes blazing with lightning. Iron Man's suit hummed to life as he prepared for one final stand.

Doom, ever composed, glanced at Fury. "It seems we're out of time. Shall we?"

Fury lit another cigar, his lips curling into a grim smile. "Let's make it count."

The battle for survival had begun.

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