28. Mar-Vell

Arthur entered the Martial Hall, the echoes of training filling the vast space. Each section carried its own unique energy, and he made his way to Hua Mulan's area, where banners of crimson and gold hung proudly, their symbols representing honor and resilience.

Mulan stood in the center, her sword resting lightly in her hand, her posture calm yet commanding. She nodded in greeting as Arthur approached. "You're on time. Good."

Arthur smiled faintly. "I'm ready."

"Let's see how well you remember yesterday's lesson," she said, motioning for him to take his stance. "The battlefield is ever-changing, Arthur. Show me your adaptability."

Arthur raised his training blade, steadying himself. They began their sparring session, each exchange a test of his reaction to her fluid movements and calculated strikes. Mulan's lessons weren't just about combat—they were about reading the flow of a fight, adjusting in real time to unpredictable scenarios.

At first, Arthur struggled to match her rhythm, but gradually, he began to anticipate her moves, adapting his footwork and counters to meet her challenges. Mulan's sharp gaze softened as she saw his progress. He wasn't just learning—he was absorbing.

After a particularly well-executed counter on Arthur's part, Mulan stepped back, lowering her sword with a faint smile. "You've improved faster than I expected," she admitted, her tone carrying a note of approval.

Arthur relaxed his stance, breathing heavily but satisfied. "Your teaching makes it easy to learn."

Mulan chuckled, setting her sword aside. "Flattery won't win you the fight, Arthur. But your progress speaks for itself. It seems Brother Musashi's void lesson can be ahead of schedule."

Arthur blinked, tilting his head. "You think I'm ready for that?"

"Not quite yet," Mulan replied, her expression growing serious. "There is one more step. Tomorrow, you'll train with Brother Yu. His judgment will determine if you're prepared for another void session with Brother Musashi."

Arthur nodded, her words filling him with anticipation. "Thank you, Mulan. I'll be ready."

"That's enough for now," she said, gesturing toward the table nearby. "Join us for tea before you leave."

Arthur sat with Mulan, Musashi, and Guan Yu, their cups steaming as the tranquil moment unfolded. It was a stark contrast to the intense training and philosophical lessons he had received, and he cherished the camaraderie they shared.

Guan Yu sipped his tea, his deep voice breaking the silence. "You have impressed my sister," he said, his gaze steady on Arthur.

Arthur chuckled lightly. "She's a good teacher."

Mulan raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "And yet, I don't hear him saying the same about my brothers."

Musashi's calm expression didn't change, but there was a glint of humor in his eyes. "The path of the sword speaks for itself."

They shared a quiet laugh, the bonds between them evident in their lighthearted banter. Arthur felt a sense of belonging—a reminder that Avalon wasn't just a place of learning but a home shared by these remarkable figures.

...

After finishing tea and bidding the three warriors goodnight, Arthur made his way back to the lobby. The evening air was still, and the faint hum of Avalon's magic surrounded him. As he walked, his gaze fell on the front door—the portal that connected Avalon to the worlds beyond.

He stopped, staring at it, the pull within him growing stronger. He had felt it before—the desire to explore, to step beyond Avalon's safety and discover what lay in the connected worlds. But tonight, the feeling was almost overwhelming, a persistent call urging him forward.

Arthur clenched his fists, steadying himself. "Not yet," he murmured. "I need to be ready."

With a final glance at the door, he turned and headed to his room.

...

Inside, Arthur took a long, calming shower, letting the water wash away the day's exertion. He dressed for bed, his mind lingering on the challenges ahead—his next training session with Guan Yu, the lessons that would shape him further, and the growing call of the worlds beyond Avalon.

As he lay down, sleep came easily, the quiet hum of Avalon lulling him into rest. For now, he was content to prepare, knowing that when the time came to step beyond Avalon's doors, he would be ready.

...

Arthur awoke to the soft, steady hum of Avalon's magic, the sound familiar and grounding. He stretched and sat up, immediately noticing the absence of a system notification. No level up today. Still, that didn't bother him—there was plenty to accomplish without new milestones.

As he prepared for the day, washing up and dressing in his uniform, his thoughts drifted to yesterday's chaos surrounding Frank's arrival. The Thunderbird's condition had improved, thanks to their combined efforts, but Arthur couldn't shake the feeling that Avalon could have done more. The lack of a dedicated healing area had been glaringly apparent.

He paused for a moment, standing in the center of his room, as realization struck. There was one clear way to solve the issue. Avalon's voice echoed in his mind from yesterday:

"New areas can be unlocked when additional worlds are connected to Avalon."

Arthur's gaze sharpened. The marked world—the Marvel world—had been waiting on the edges of his awareness for some time. It was vast, brimming with potential, and undeniably dangerous. But Avalon wasn't just a refuge; it was a place of growth and connection. If they wanted to be ready for anything, expanding their reach was essential.

Before that, though, there were other responsibilities to attend to.

…

Arthur made his way to the kitchen, determined to prepare a proper breakfast for Newt and Frank. He selected ingredients with care, crafting a meal that was hearty yet gentle, suitable for both the wizard and his recovering Thunderbird. The process was calming, grounding him as he considered the day ahead.

Carrying the tray to their room, this time Arthur knocked lightly before entering. Newt was already awake, seated on the edge of the bed and jotting notes into a well-worn notebook. Frank rested nearby, his breathing steady, the stormy energy around him much calmer than the previous day.

"Good morning," Arthur greeted with a warm smile. "I've brought breakfast."

Newt looked up, his eyes lighting with surprise and gratitude. "Oh, that's… that's very kind of you. Thank you, Arthur."

Arthur placed the tray on the table, glancing at Frank. "How's he doing?"

"Much better," Newt replied, closing his notebook. "The environment here seems to be working wonders for him. It's unlike anything I've seen before—remarkably attuned to his needs."

Arthur nodded. "Avalon does its best to adapt. If you need anything else, let me know."

Newt smiled faintly, adjusting his bow tie. "You've already done more than enough. But… thank you."

…

With breakfast delivered, Arthur returned to the lobby. He stood in the center of the room, taking a deep breath as he prepared himself. "Avalon," he said aloud, "call the others. I'll need everyone's help for this."

The air shimmered faintly, and within moments, the three warriors and two mages appeared, each arriving with a sense of purpose. Guan Yu, Mulan, and Musashi stood in a loose line, their expressions calm and steady. Hecate and Taliesin flanked them, curiosity flickering in their eyes.

"What's this about, lad?" Taliesin asked, his harp resting lightly in his hands.

Arthur turned to face them, his resolve clear. "I've decided to connect the marked world—the Marvel world—to Avalon. But I'll need your help to do it."

The group exchanged glances, the weight of the decision settling over them.

Taliesin broke the silence, his tone serious for once. "That's no small task, Arthur. Connecting a world is going to drain your mental strength, more than you realize. You sure you're ready for this?"

"I am," Arthur said firmly. "We need this. Avalon needs this."

Hecate stepped forward, her piercing gaze locking onto him. "If you're going to do this, we'll guide you through the process. But don't push yourself too far. If the connection wavers or fails, it could backfire."

Guan Yu nodded, his deep voice steady. "We will assist in any way we can. Tell us what you need."

Arthur smiled faintly, grateful for their support. "Just be here. I'll need your strength, your presence, to ground me."

They moved to the center of the lobby, where Arthur sat cross-legged on the floor. The others formed a loose circle around him, their combined energy creating a sense of balance and unity.

Avalon's voice resonated gently through the space, its tone guiding and reassuring. "Arthur, focus your mind. The multiverse is vast, but you must direct your energy to the marked world. Let me guide you."

Arthur closed his eyes, steadying his breath as he felt the subtle pull of Avalon's magic enveloping him. He reached out with his thoughts, his focus narrowing on the faint pulse of energy that marked the Marvel world. It felt chaotic, alive, and immense—like a storm just beyond the horizon.

"Visualize the connection," Avalon continued. "The world is there, waiting. You must bridge the gap, drawing it to Avalon."

Arthur's mind swirled with images of the multiverse, countless threads of magic and energy weaving through an endless void. He felt the others' presence anchoring him—Guan Yu's strength, Mulan's resilience, Musashi's calm, Hecate's precision, and Taliesin's creativity.

Sweat beaded on his brow as he pushed deeper, the marked world growing clearer in his mind. The energy was overwhelming, a swirling mass of power and possibility, but he stayed focused, letting Avalon's guidance steer him.

"Almost there," Avalon murmured. "Steady yourself, Arthur."

Arthur clenched his fists, his breathing ragged as the connection solidified. A faint tremor ran through Avalon, and the air grew thick with magic.

Meanwhile…

Far away, in the vast expanse of the Marvel universe, a Kree ship roared across the skies, its engines burning bright as it pursued a smaller, nimble aircraft. Inside the fleeing craft, Carol Danvers, clad in a flight suit, gritted her teeth as she pushed the controls to their limits. Beside her, Dr. Wendy Lawson adjusted the ship's navigation with hurried precision.

"They're gaining on us," Carol growled, her hands steady despite the tension.

"They always do," Wendy replied, her voice calm but strained. "Focus on the terrain—stay low. It'll buy us time."

But time wasn't on their side. The Kree ship fired, a blast striking the rear of their craft. The console exploded in sparks, and the plane shuddered violently.

"We're hit!" Carol shouted, pulling back on the controls in a desperate attempt to stabilize the aircraft. It was no use. The ship spun out, careening toward the ground.

"Brace!" Wendy shouted as the plane slammed into the desert floor, skidding and tumbling before coming to a halt in a cloud of sand and debris.

When Carol opened her eyes, the world was spinning. Every part of her body ached, but she forced herself to move, fumbling with her harness until she broke free. She looked back and saw Wendy slumped in the seat behind her.

"Wendy!" Carol gasped, scrambling toward her. She pulled Wendy free, dragging her onto the sand. As she laid Wendy down, something caught her eye—blood. But it wasn't red.

Blue.

Carol froze, her mind racing. She stared at the strange color staining Wendy's face and hands. "What the—?"

But there was no time to process. Wendy coughed weakly, grabbing Carol's arm. "You have to save them… without me."

Carol's brow furrowed. "Save who? What are you talking about? How?"

Wendy didn't answer. Instead, she reached for a sidearm strapped to her waist. "I need to destroy the engine before they find it."

Carol's eyes widened. "What do you mean, destroy it? What's going on?"

Wendy's hand trembled as she raised the weapon toward the wreckage of the ship. But before she could fire, a sharp blast rang out. Wendy jerked, a red burn spreading across her chest as the gun fell from her hand.

"No!" Carol shouted, whirling toward the source of the shot. A Kree soldier, clad in dark armor, lowered their weapon and began advancing.

Without thinking, Carol grabbed Wendy's gun, aiming it at the soldier with trembling hands. Her instincts screamed at her to fight, to protect. But her breath caught as she noticed something else—a door.

It stood five feet away, inexplicably intact amid the wreckage. Its surface shimmered faintly, runes etched into its frame glowing with an otherworldly light.

"What the hell…" Carol muttered, her mind racing.

Wendy coughed again, barely able to speak. "The engine… destroy it… now."

Carol turned back to the wreckage, her grip tightening on the gun. Following Wendy's weak gaze, her eyes fell on the glowing engine core—it was a Tesseract, radiating with raw cosmic energy.

The Kree soldier shouted something unintelligible, raising their weapon again. But Carol didn't hesitate. She aimed and fired.

The Tesseract erupted in a brilliant explosion, a wave of energy tearing through the desert. The Kree soldier was thrown backward, and Carol was engulfed in the blinding light.

She screamed as the energy surged through her, every fiber of her being overwhelmed by the raw power. It seared into her, reshaping her, filling her with strength even as her consciousness began to waver. All she could think of was survival.

Half-dead, her vision blurred and her body wracked with pain, she turned toward the door. Staggering forward, she reached for the shimmering frame as the explosion's shockwaves raged around her.

The moment her hand touched the door, it pulled her in, and the chaos of the desert gave way to an all-encompassing stillness.

…

The threads of the multiverse shimmered as Arthur reached out, the Marvel world growing clearer in his mind. Within Avalon, the air grew heavier, charged with an unfamiliar energy.

"Almost there," Avalon murmured, its guiding presence steady.

The threads snapped into place, and a faint tremor ran through Avalon as the connection was solidified.

[System Notification: Connection Established – Marvel World]

As Arthur exhaled, exhausted but triumphant, the ripple of energy reached the lobby. A glowing portal formed at the far end of the room, its surface swirling with cosmic light.

From within the portal, a figure stumbled forward, collapsing onto the floor with a heavy thud.

It was Carol. Her flight suit was scorched, her breathing labored, and her body still crackled faintly with the energy of the Tesseract.

Arthur stared, his heart racing. "Who is this?"

Taliesin strummed a cautious note on his harp, his eyes narrowing. "Something powerful… and something broken."

Hecate stepped forward, her hands glowing as she prepared to stabilize the new arrival. "Arthur," she said sharply, "get ready. This isn't over."

Arthur took a deep breath, steeling himself. Avalon had opened its doors to another world, and its first guest from the Marvel universe was already here.

The glow from the door faded, leaving the lobby dim except for the faint crackle of energy radiating from the unconscious figure sprawled on the floor. Arthur and the others approached cautiously, the weight of the moment thick in the air.

The figure was clad in a scorched pilot suit, the insignia on her chest barely visible through the damage. Her blond hair was matted, and her body emitted a faint hum, like the distant echo of a storm. Taliesin crouched nearby, his sharp eyes narrowing as he plucked a soft, questioning chord on his harp.

Hecate moved forward, her glowing hands poised above the woman, her expression tense. "There's something unusual about her," she said, her voice steady. "The energy of her world… it's within her. It's not natural."

Arthur stepped closer, kneeling beside the woman as his gaze took her in. There was something about her face—something familiar. His breath caught as recognition struck.

"Captain Marvel," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "Or… Carol Danvers, at least for now."

Taliesin tilted his head, curious. "Captain Marvel? A hero of her world, is she?"

Arthur nodded slowly. "One of its most powerful. But she's also human… or at least she was." He gestured toward the faint energy flickering around her. "Something's changed. That energy—it's not just from her. It's part of her."

Hecate's brow furrowed, her hands moving in a slow, deliberate motion over Carol's body. "She's unconscious, but stable. That energy is keeping her alive, even as it overwhelms her. She's… adapting to it."

Arthur stood, his expression firm. "Whoever she is, she's our guest now. It's Avalon's duty to care for her." He looked toward the ceiling, addressing Avalon directly. "Avalon, let's unlock a new area. No need to show the list—I already know what to add: Sanctuary Spa and Healing."

The air shimmered in response to Arthur's command, Avalon's magic pulsating gently through the space. The group watched as the lobby seemed to resonate with new energy, its very fabric shifting to accommodate the expanding sanctuary.

[System Notification: New Area Added: Sanctuary Spa and Healing]

[Lobby Upgraded by Host]

[New Area Managers Have Been Summoned]

A faint, melodic hum filled the air as the announcement echoed in their ears, followed by a brief tremor that rippled through Avalon. Arthur's gaze flicked toward the far side of the lobby, the elevator. A new button had appeared, softly glowing with a golden hue.

Before anyone could comment, Hecate's sharp voice broke through. "We need to move her now. There's no time to waste."

Mulan stepped forward, determination etched across her face. "I'll carry her."

Arthur nodded, stepping aside. "Thank you, Mulan."

The warrior knelt carefully, her crimson-lined armor gleaming faintly as she lifted Carol's unconscious form. Though Carol's body still crackled with faint energy, Mulan showed no hesitation, her movements steady and precise as she cradled the woman in her arms.

"Follow me," Hecate instructed, leading the way toward the newly unlocked Sanctuary Spa and Healing.

As they crossed the threshold into the Sanctuary Spa and Healing, the air transformed instantly. It was warm and soothing, filled with a sense of profound peace. The walls shimmered with gentle light, their colors shifting softly like the ripples of a calm lake. Pools of glowing water lined the room, each imbued with magical energy that hummed faintly, promising restoration and balance.

Two figures stood near the center of the room, their presences commanding yet calming.

The first was a woman dressed in flowing white and silver robes, her hair cascading like golden silk. Her expression was serene, her movements precise as she turned toward the group, her eyes immediately locking onto the unconscious figure in Mulan's arms.

The second was a dark-haired woman in a deep violet cloak, her gaze sharp and penetrating. Her aura was quieter but no less potent, her hands already moving as though preparing for action before a word was spoken.

Neither introduced themselves, and the group didn't question their sudden appearance. The two figures exchanged only a brief glance before stepping forward, their focus solely on Carol.

"Lay her here," the golden-haired woman said, her voice soft yet commanding, motioning toward a central platform bathed in golden light.

Mulan moved swiftly, placing Carol down gently on the glowing surface. As she stepped back, the two newcomers surrounded Carol, their hands moving in synchronized patterns as they began their work.

Arthur watched closely, a mix of awe and curiosity filling him. These two women had clearly been summoned by Avalon to manage the new area, but their identities remained a mystery. He glanced at Taliesin, who shrugged lightly, his harp resting against his shoulder.

Hecate stood nearby, her sharp eyes narrowing as she observed the healers. "They know what they're doing," she said quietly. "Whatever energy this woman carries, it's no small thing to stabilize."

Arthur nodded, his gaze returning to Carol. Her body seemed to respond to the golden light enveloping her, the erratic energy from the Tesseract slowly calming under the healers' care.

The golden-haired woman moved with methodical precision, her hands glowing faintly as she infused Carol with a soft, restorative light. She turned briefly to her dark-haired companion, who handed her a vial of shimmering liquid. Without hesitation, she poured the contents over Carol's chest, the liquid absorbing into her skin and glowing faintly as it worked.

"She's stabilizing," the dark-haired woman said, her voice calm and measured. "But it will take time for her to recover fully."

Arthur couldn't hold back his curiosity any longer. "Who are you?" he asked, his tone polite but firm.

Neither woman looked up from their work.

"The patient comes first," the golden-haired woman said simply, her voice unwavering.

Arthur exchanged a glance with Hecate, who crossed her arms and smirked faintly. "Looks like you'll have to wait for answers, Arthur."

Taliesin plucked a soft, curious note on his harp. "Mysterious and dedicated—quite the pair, wouldn't you say?"

Mulan stepped beside Arthur, her gaze fixed on the healers. "Whoever they are, they're here to help. That's all that matters for now."

As the golden light around Carol grew steadier, the two healers stepped back slightly, their work for the moment complete. The golden-haired woman glanced at her companion and nodded.

"She will recover," she said, her voice tinged with quiet satisfaction. "For now, she must rest. This space will sustain her."

Arthur took a deep breath, a wave of relief washing over him. "Thank you," he said sincerely. 

Arthur understands the weight of their words. Avalon had expanded once again, and with it came new challenges and responsibilities. As he turned to leave, he cast one last glance at Carol, her form resting peacefully on the platform.

The threads of destiny had brought her to Avalon, and Arthur knew her presence was only the beginning of what the Marvel world would bring.