Making Moves

Selene asked not to make the room dirty but it looks like she will have to work with this. 

Absalom was a tough nut to crack. He didn't want to reveal anything about the plans of Saul or Gideon… neither did he want to reveal their locations.

Selene can manage Absalom's sudden disappearance but the Externals have a special link that over the years got strengthened. And Nicodemus being a genius developed and turned it into a binding pact.

There are some rules that each External needs to follow— revealing their plans to an outsider, revealing their location to an outsider and revealing their history to an outsider are strictly forbidden.

If someone breaks any of those, then the rest will be informed immediately. But that doesn't mean there are not any plot holes.

While direct mind-reading— prying deep into their heads will trigger the pact, using it while the person is barely conscious… won't. 

Nicodemus created the pact through years of research. But while he was a genius creator… he was no genius of the mind. So the plot holes were expected and quite welcoming for me.

Through torture, I was able to get him in a state where his mind was nearly broken… and by using my telepathy— the pact wasn't able to pick up my tinkering with his mind.

Additionally, Selene won't be in trouble either as the link was not broken. The Externals are arrogant and Nicodemus will never agree to the fact that his technique had faults. 

Well… not that it matters since Selene can handle them all on her own. But that's the problem… I need them alive and if Selene fought, she would suck out their life force. 

At least, I got the location of Saul, Gideon and Nicodemus.

I only need one of them as the fourth immortal will be delivered by James.

Now, I need to find Selene.

…

…

[[Selene Gallio]]

"So, do you know what you did wrong?" I asked as Amara looked at the ground— ashamed.

"The entirety of Nova Roma spotted you sneaking out and if not for Nova Roma being a safe haven— you would have gotten into a lot of trouble." I explained. "And don't go out with any men that you just meet. Thankfully it was Marcellus, if it was any other man in his place… You might have been in trouble. You are a princess, Amara. You need to remember that."

As the heir to Nova Roma, she has to be careful of her every move. She cannot act like a child but she doesn't understand that.

"Did… did the guy get into any trouble?" She asked with worry in her eyes. 

She is naive and too kind for her own good. If there is any man that she shouldn't be worried about… it's Marcellus. 

He was the one that conquered both Hellfire and the underworld.

And he has gotten stronger. 

I can sense it. There is no magic involved, but he has achieved a strength that should have been impossible to achieve without the involvement of magic.

And he is continuing to grow stronger.

"Erm… Gran- Lady Selene, who exactly is that man? He is stronger and faster than most of the other men that I have met— and that involves people who are… different." Amara asked.

She is gullible but she has sharp instincts… something that needs to be honed.

"He is special. But you don't have to worry about him."

Getting Amara involved with Marcellus is not a good idea.

"Okay…"

I looked at her and sighed. "Just be careful from now on." 

"I will." She answered with a sweet smile. 

It will take a lot of time to teach her royal traditions…

.

.

.

.

"So, who are you going after next?" My question made Marcellus scratch his chin.

"At the moment? None of the Externals." He answered, confusing me.

"Didn't you need another one? I can say this for sure that Gideon would look for Absalom everywhere and you can easily track him during that time." 

He smiled at my suggestion.

"Don't worry about it, Lady Selene. I have it under control. But for now… I am going to hunt another group." 

He takes a lot of risks. And it doesn't surprise me that he has made another enemy.

"Who are they?" I asked but he shrugged. 

"They are just a bunch of fools that overestimate their capabilities." He said. "You don't have to worry, I will be taking care of them. And they are going to be important for your… immortality."

That made me frown. He is planning something serious and sinister. But the fact that I am unable to read his mind is annoying. 

He looked at me and chuckled.

"Don't worry, Lady Selene. Those are mere insects— necessary insects. Once I have them, it's only a matter of fact before I am able to fulfil my promise to you." 

I cannot sense any malevolence from him and he has shown me what he is capable of.

I sighed. "Very well… I will be waiting for you to fulfil your end of the deal."

He smiled.

…

…

[[Marcellus Hanley]]

Two down, two more to go.

Well, one more since Romulus will be brought in by James and I am confident enough to let him fight the ancient savage.

As for me… I need to hunt a few morons.

"So, have you all read the files that I gave you?" I asked as the members within the room nodded.

It doesn't take much to figure out the name of the fools that I am talking about. 

The Hand… 

A group of wannabe saviours that turned evil pretty quick. But the leaders of the Hand are special and they are one of the two reasons I am bothering with the group. As for the second reason… They caused quite the trouble in Joe Miller's run of Wolverine.

"What is so special about these ninja rejects?" Deadpool asked, juggling the files in his hand.

"I have heard of them… but I don't think they are anything special." Sable added. 

"Five core members and a bunch of underlings." Ulysses muttered. "That's it?"

I nodded. "Yes. That's why I only asked you five to participate. Mr. Bloodstone, Moonknight, Sable, Deadpool and Domino." 

And they are the most suitable ones. They are small fries but if any of my members get caught by them… the entire table will flip.

The current members of the hand do not have anyone amongst them that can cause much trouble.

"The current members of the hand are— Yuki Makoto, Yagyu Kojiro, Yutaka, Hiroshi and Takashi." I said, pointing at each of their pictures. "Each of them are elite assassins and masters of different forms of martial arts. So, do not underestimate them too much or you will be in trouble."

A grin appeared on my face. "Consider this to be your first major fight as members of the Order." I looked at their faces. "Good luck everyone."

The resources of the Hand will be under me… including the 'Secrets of Resurrection.'

__________________________________________________________________________

[[A/N: I am not proud of this chapter… in the least. It feels lacking.

And… Sheeeesh! Sentry coming soon. I just finished writing the Sentry chapter.

Marvel Facts: (1) There is a character called Marcus (son of Immortus) who was stuck in limbo for a long time. So he devised a plan to escape and… Well he brought Captain Marvel from her time and space into his— made her fall in love and she ended up pregnant. 

And later when she gave birth to a son, that son grew up in a few days into an adult. 

It was revealed that the son was Marcus… who used his powers to implant his 'essence' inside of her to escape Limbo. 

Yeah…

(2) Once… Iron Man's armour fell in love with him.