The Battle of Nova Roma

Fidgeting slightly I try to hide my frown, standing next to Amara as a priestess blesses our marriage. I'm not displeased with this marriage at all, but we are standing in the middle of a garden... and it is very, very bright out.

The sunlight striking my face feels like a thousand tiny needles stabbing me over and over again, it isn't doing any damage, but it hurts quite a bit, and it's honestly hard to hide my pain. Thankfully, there aren't any outward signs of my misery... I'm not burning or crackling under the hot sun, and if I started sparkling, I think I'd just go find Dracula and commit death by daddy dearest.

Especially given just how many people are watching me... it seems like every noble in Nova Roma has shown up for this, including all the conspirators with the sole exception of the King himself.

Out of a small amount of spite, I focus on Titus's wife out of the corner of my eyes and use Phantom Hands, groping her ass as she jumps in her seat, her eyes widening. I like Titus, but I'm kinda annoyed he turned down my offer. I've been doing the same to Ilithyia as well, groping her breasts and pussy as she stands over to the side. Honestly, this is a lot of traditional nonsense, and the priestess just wouldn't shut up, so I've been amusing myself.

The wedding vaguely reminds me of a Christian one, but there are quite a few differences, the Priestesses praying to the Roman Gods to bless the marriage being one noticeable one.

From waking up, I've spent the entire day being dressed up and prepared, countless slave girls tending to me as I was pulled around non-stop... I didn't sleep at all last night, much to my reluctance, instead, I spent the night reading up on Light Magic, I don't need sleep, and I'm not in such a secure position that I can afford to spend hours every night resting when I could be training, it was easy enough to finish the quest for it.

[White Magic Proficiency (Adept)]

You are an Adept White Mage, bending the powers of Healing and Light to your whims.

All White Magic spells are much more effective and cost less MP.

All of my White Magic spells got boosts, whether it was Minor Heal becoming just Heal, with a much better cost value or my chains of light becoming stronger and harder to break.

Aside from the Upgrade, I managed to research a few more White Magic spells from the Grimoire, along with making one of my own.

[Healing Aura]

50 MP per minute to maintain

Release an Aura of Healing, regenerating any allies nearby

Effect - Heals all nearby allies for [INTx0.5] HP per minute

Range – Short

[Purify Imperfection]

500 MP to cast

Purify a target of any imperfections

Effect – Heals the target of any imperfections

Range – Short

[Purge Possession]

200 MP to cast

Purify a target, banishing anything possessing them (if the mage is stronger than the possessor)

Effect - Banishes Possessors

Range – Short

[Wound Transference]

500 MP to cast

Send wounds from the Target back to the one who caused them.

Effect – Transfers Wounds back to the one who caused them

Range – Short

They are all... interesting, but the one I am most excited for is the one I made myself, Wound Transference, the ability to just send my wounds back towards whoever caused them.

Paying attention again, I glance at Amara as she beams, dressed in a white dress and veil, her hand in mine.

"Quando tu Gaius, ego Gaia." she says in response to something the Priestess said, apparently I don't have to say anything, this is for Amara to show her consent? My consent isn't required apparently, I guess.

As the Priestess turns to me, I nod knowing my next task, The Queen tutored me on how this was supposed to go this morning. Turning to Amara, I raise her veil, smiling at her as I lean in and kiss her, not a particularly deep kiss but not exactly light either. She's already wearing her 'engagement ring' supplied by Selene of all people, which is apparently her wedding ring as well? I don't have to wear a ring.

Breaking the kiss, I smile at her deep blush, brushing a hand across her cheek gently.

+20 Reputation with Nova Roma [50/100] for respecting their customs.

[The Man Lost in Time] – Nova Roma [50]

People will mostly ignore how out of place you seem to be when you are in other time-periods, not growing suspicious due to your lack of knowledge of their customs and ways.

Watching a pig be brought in I resist the urge to roll my eyes in annoyance, I've been told about this as well, a sacrifice to Jupiter and Juno. Normally I'd scoff at it... but this is the Marvel World, and I can't remember if the Roman Gods are real, so I'm not going to risk slighting them over this.

Moving to the altar, I place a hand on the knife, Amara placing hers on top of mine. If killing a pig makes them happy, then I'll happily stab the beast. Plunging the blade into the squealing animal, I grip the knife slightly at the smell of blood. It isn't as... alluring as human blood, but I can feel my mouth start to water slightly.

+10 Reputation with Zeus Panhellenios [10/100] for making a sacrifice to him.

+20 Affection with Hera Argeia [20/100] for making a sacrifice to her.

+10 Reputation with Olympus [10/100] for showing them the respect they so rarely get any more.

...Huh.

The Roman Gods... are the Greek Gods? Wonderful... another group I'll need to avoid pissing off. Hera is the Goddess of Marriage and Birth if I recall correctly, but all I really know about her is that she really doesn't like Zeus's habit of sticking his dick into everything that stays still long enough. I'm sure that'll end well for me, me and Zeus share a few traits after all... and I can't smite people with lightning bolts.

The breaking of the bread comes next, which is quite literally me and Amara feeding each other bread. Something about showing commitment... honestly this all seems like a waste of time when I know we will be invaded by Hydra later on... but I can't risk alienating the nobles when a war is about to break out.

And with this... I'm a married man. All that remains is to carry Amara into my house... which was the King's mansion but fuck him, it's mine now.

Waiting for the priestess to finish her chanting nonsense, I pick Amara up making her giggle, there's some applause and cheering as I carry her away, and I make a note of the ones who seem less happy.

I know the chief conspirators, but I'll make a note of the ones who seem vexed at my marriage... mostly men without spouses unsurprisingly, jealous men wanting to marry her themselves. Most of it will most likely fade after they get over their disappointment. They're just envious, nothing more.

"And with that... you're my wife." I say with a small smile as we walk over the threshold, kissing her again as she giggles.

"I am... husband." she replies happily, now that I'm out of the sunlight, my vampiric strength and powers are quickly returning, along with the pain vanishing.

Which is going to be a significant pain in the ass since my coronation is before sunset... I won't have my vampiric strength for the invasion. I'm going to have to abuse the fuck out of Light Arrows and Chains of Light for this fight. I can use my Weather Control to make fog and rain-clouds, but that won't be enough to entirely block the sunlight.

...I need to find a way to keep my super-speed and strength in the daytime.

Setting Amara down, I kiss her again, making her moan slightly.

"We can't... your coronation is soon, we'll have to wait until tonight." she says reluctantly as I kiss her again, my hands moving down to her ass, gripping it through her dress.

Despite her attempts to convince me, she doesn't even try and push me away, happily returning my kiss before we get interrupted.

"Your highness... you don't have time for this." Ilithyia says calmly getting my attention as I sigh, breaking the kiss and letting Amara go.

"Fine... I'll be back later to continue this, Wife." I say giving her one last kiss.

"And I'll be waiting, Husband..." she says with a smile before I follow Ilithyia with a frown, heading towards a side room. Time to get changed again.

"Thank you... the coronation is quite simple-" she starts before I hold up a hand, making her pause.

"You interrupted me... you can explain that later, for now, get on your knees." I order, undoing my belt as her eyes widen, going to object before I give her a stern look. "I know we don't have a lot of time... so you better be fast, let me help with that..." I say grabbing the front of her dress and pulling it down past her breasts making them bounce, before I place my hands on her shoulders and force her to her knees, gripping her hair as I look at her sternly, watching her mouth open after a moment, pulling her head closer I slide my dick into her warm mouth, letting out a groan. "That's it... get sucking 'mother-in-law'.

She was getting uppity while she was tutoring me, so I need to put her back in her place.

- Later -

As Ilithyia lowers the golden wreath onto my head, I smirk to myself. Usually, it would be the former king apparently, but obviously, he isn't here to crown me, so Ilithyia is doing it instead.

...While her tits are coated in my cum, not to mention the jizz leaking down her legs under her dress from her poor abused asshole.

"I apologise, Queen Ilithyia. But I must object." Titus declares loudly making her pause, her eyes widening as she watches him stay stood up while everyone else was kneeling. "I cannot stand by and accept an outsider to take the throne." he announces, his wife and son looking at him in shock before his son stands up as well, joining his father. His wife stays knelt as I stand myself, turning and looking down at him. "Nor am I alone in this." he said, before frowning.

As he glances at his fellow conspirator, his eyes widen seeing the nobleman stay knelt with a smirk on his face. Quintilius isn't quite as loyal to the king as Titus is, and faced with the threat of execution he switched sides immediately.

Staring at Titus, I watch as he sighs deeply, a look of understanding on his face.

Going to speak, I pause as an explosion goes off in the distance, making the nobles, so used to being safe and secure in their little hidden Kingdom, scream and panic before the Nova Roma soldiers enter the building, rounding them up.

Locking eyes with Crassus, one of the most powerful nobles in Nova Roma, I nod, watching him quickly take command of the soldiers...

It's time for the civil war to begin.

- Earlier that Morning -

Looking at the kneeling pair, I frown slightly.

"You requested an audience? Do make it quick, I have a wedding to prepare for." I say calmly. Honestly, I'm happy for the excuse to escape the hands of the servants. If I have to sit there and let them play with my hair for one more minute, someone is getting drained.

"I did, your Majesty... though, I must admit... it is my wife who wishes to speak with you, not me." Marcus Licinius Crassus says as he looks up, I've had Ilithyia put names to everyone's faces for me, Marcus is one of the most powerful men in Nova Roma, certainly the richest and probably the most respected.

"I see... and what do you want to talk about?" I ask, looking at the still kneeling woman.

"You told Lucretia to arrange a meeting with the Leader of the Cult, and I am here... as you ordered, My God." she says looking up at me with eyes full of worship.

Tertulla Licinius Crassus, Leader of the Cult of the Black King

LVL – 21

Faction – Cult of the Black King

Thoughts about you – Utter Worship

Unique Skill – Leadership, Cult Management, Indoctrination

Reputation – 100

Obedience – 100

[The Cult Leader] – Tertulla Licinius Crassus [50] already owned...

50 CHA added

[Suzerain – Superpower] – Tertulla Licinius Crassus [100]

By making eye contact with a target, you can turn them into an absolutely loyal servant, unless their will surpasses your own.

This effect is permanent and cannot be broken by anything but the target's death. You can only affect one person at once.

Well, well... isn't that interesting?

"I see... you work fast, I only told her to arrange that last night after all." I say calmly.

"When your God demands your presence, it would be a great insult to waste any time, what do you require of me, My God?" she asks, looking up at me with fanatical loyalty.

"Rise, both of you. I wanted to meet you so I could decide whether the Cult could be trusted... but it seems my fears were for nought, I'm very good at reading people, and your loyalty is real." I say as her husband rises, she hesitates before rising herself.

"Of course, the Cult was formed to serve the Black King, we have waited for you for generations. You can rely on us for whatever you desire." she swears, making me smile, that Obedience and Affection score tells me all I need to know.

"And you, Marcus? Can I rely on you?" I ask with an idea forming in my head as he frowns slightly before nodding.

"I gained my position and power through the Cult, using my wife's position to my benefit... when I did this, I knew if the Black King ever appeared, I would be honour bound to repay that debt. You have my loyalty and service, My King, that I swear." he answers... he has an obedience score of 65, so he is actually telling the truth, mostly.

"Then I have a task for you..." I start, smirking slightly, setting a Law on him.

- Back to the Present -

Heading out of the building, I frown deeply... they brought some tanks.

They brought tanks, and all I have are men with swords and bows (that I have enchanted with light, but still...), it's Civilisations all over again, only this time I'm the one who didn't put enough focus on science.

Thanks to my vampiric vision, I can see them from where I am despite the distance, as long as I stay in the shadow of the building at least. Aside from the Hydra grunts with high-tech guns and their tanks, I can't see any Nova Roma troops or gladiators, but I can hear fighting from here, swords striking swords, occasional shouts.

Hmm... not sure what's happening over there.

There's a pale Asian man with a pair of sunglasses on barking orders at the troops, a dangerous looking sword resting in his hand, a pair of blondes one male and the other female... twins? They look similar enough, a cloaked woman with yellow energy coming from her eyes...

Is that... white cloak, black suit, skull mask. Yeah, that's the Taskmaster, he's going to be a problem.

...but not as much as a problem as the other one I can recognise. Young woman, pale skin, black hair, a blank look and... a pair of claw-like blades coming from each hand. How the fuck am I supposed to deal with X-23? She's almost as resilient as Wolverine himself. I can block her healing, but that needs me to be fairly close to her, and I get the feeling that would end badly for me...

First things first... it's time to change the weather to something more... suitable for me. Focusing my powers, I watch as a thick, dense fog settles over the city, my senses are sensitive enough to track people through it, and I'll take any advantage I can get... as I try and summon rain clouds to at least somewhat block the sunlight, I pause watching far larger and darker ones than I can summon start to form, the fog becoming so dense even I can't see more than a few feet in front of me.

...I didn't do that.

Heh... I think Elizabeth might actually like me.

Stepping out of the shadow of the building, I grin to myself as the sunlight fails to penetrate the fog and clouds, my vampiric powers untouched.

"Kuro... what's happening?" Amara asks as she joins me.

"We're being invaded by a cult of Nazis your father invited here to try and keep his throne." I deadpan, making her eyes widen. "I need you to stay with the nobles... if those tanks come here you're the only person who stands a chance against it, and your power is too destructive to use in a battle anyway." I say giving her a quick kiss as she hesitates before nodding.

"What are you going to do?" she asks after a moment, making me smile at her concern.

"Protect my kingdom... I've just got the throne after all, and I'm not about to sit back and watch my shiny new city be destroyed. Don't worry, I'll be fine." I promise, giving her another kiss before I turn back to the city.

Time to get to work.

- Oenomaus -

Watching his master fall to the ground, a blade sticking out of his chest, he took a step back looking down at his hands in horror.

"Oenomaus... what have you done you mad bastard?" Barca shouted, he had no answer... the moment he was handed a sword his mind went back to last night, to watching his master force himself on his beloved wife and he just... snapped.

"Batiatus wanted us to act as fodder for the soldiers in a rebellion against the new king... if we didn't die in the fight, we'd have been executed for treason anyway." Gannicus said, backing him up.

Watching his fellow Gladiators break down into arguments, two clear sides forming he had to stop himself from laughing maniacally. He wasn't thinking about that, it wasn't some loyalty to a king he'd never met that made him cut down Batiatus.

As the far more armoured troops of the Nova Roma military reached them, the arguments turned to violence, Ashur striking at Gannicus catching him off guard before he ran towards the approaching forces.

That was enough to spark a full-blown battle, those loyal to Batiatus clashing with those who didn't want to rebel against the new king.

Still looking down at his hands in shock, he heard Ashur saying something to the commander they were supposed to be supporting, but he was too distracted to listen to the words.

"Oenomaus, snap out of it." Gannicus said, shaking him. "Grab your sword, we have to fight." he said quickly, making her shake his head before he rose up, his actions had started this... the least he could do was protect those who he had put in danger.

Preparing to fight the approaching soldiers to the death, if necessary, he froze in confusion as the backline of soldiers suddenly turned on allies, stabbing the unsuspected men in the back, killing them before they'd even realised they were under attack.

"Now men, for the Cult, for the King!" one of them bellowed as they set upon their former allies with fanatical zeal.

"If we get out of this, tell whoever questions us that you did it out of loyalty to the king... it might just be the only thing that stops us all from being crucified." Gannicus half-whispered to him before he joined the others in battle, making him hesitate for a moment before he did the same.

- Kuro -

Heading through the fog, I pause as I consider my best course of action here... the Asian man seems to be the leader, and X-23 if probably the biggest threat... so it makes sense to me to pick of the others, I can hear them separate and head in different directions...

The cloaked woman's scent has vanished, along with Taskmasters. A portal probably, it's the only thing that explains the sudden disappearance. The Asian man is just... stood there, waiting.

The twins are heading straight to the Royal Palace... where I've had Marcus lead the people who were at my coronation, along with anyone else they could evacuate. To make things worse, they are taking a tank with them...

I need to deal with that... they have a few grunts with them, but I think I can deal with them.

- Andrea von Strucker -

Heading to the largest source of people their scans had picked up she frowned to herself, her and Andreas were meant to be the second in command for this mission, but Gorgon had just... sent them off on a minor task.

They were to capture the Queen and Princess of Nova Roma, the princess was a mutant, but her powers were too destructive, they could use her people as human shields while they were all so grouped together.

As her brother paused, she went to question him before his sword lashed out, cutting a glowing arrow from the air.

"We are under attack." he said calmly. " glowing white arrows... aren't you going to come out... your Highness?" he asked mockingly, staring into the fog from where the arrow had flown from.

"Nope." a voice replied, making them both pause as they looked at each other in confusion... she couldn't think of anyone who would actually answer such a rhetorical question.

Before she could speak, a scream drew her attention to the tank, her eyes widening as she saw the gunner using the machine gun be ripped from his seat, just a glimpse of a man as he landed on top of the armoured vehicle, grabbing the soldier and jumping away, taking the man with him.

Another scream filled the air, before dying off quickly, a primal sound of terror. She hoped the soldier was dead because no HYDRA agent should be making such a pathetic noise...

Staring in the direction of the scream, clutching her pistol as she gripped her brother's hand, their power only working when they were in contact, she barely had time to dodge as the agent was flung at her with unnatural force, flying over her head and hitting one of the buildings with a sickening crunch.

Glancing at the body, she scowled seeing how... pale the man was, his face twisted in horror and agony as he seemingly stared at her.

"You're good... fast reaction times." the voice mocked, coming from one of the rooftops. By the time she had managed to turn towards the voice, a disintegration blast ready to be fired, she barely caught sight of the shape of a man in the fog before he was just... gone.

"Show yourself!" she shouted, getting a mocking chuckle from the fog, the source of the sound moving around them at baffling speeds.

"His file said nothing about super-speed." her brother said with a scowl, a sword in his hand.

"My file... it appears you guys are working on... out of date information. My information is more up-to-date, however. You both are powerful... but you have one big glaring weakness." he laughed, as she went to shout back her eyes widened seeing him appear in front of her at incredible speeds, a fist striking her chest hard enough to break her armoured suit as she went flying, smashing into the wall painfully.

As she rose, she realised her hand was empty, her gun snatched from her hand as he hit her. Painfully standing, she managed to look up just in time to see her brother be backhanded away from the amused looking target.

"You are both at baseline human strength... and you are powerless when you aren't in contact. You're a good swordsman... but you're just so... slow." he laughed moving out of the reach of her brother's sword before he closed the distance, despite her years of training her eyes failed her as the target... and her brother both vanished into the fog.

- Kuro -

Gripping the struggling man tightly, I bite down on his neck, draining him to the last drop. He was a good fighter, but without his powers, he was basically a well-trained human, and I am far faster and stronger than an average human.

The grunts in the tank are fast asleep, courtesy of a little Dream Magic. Induce Sleep only works if they fail a WIS/INT check, but if they were smart then they wouldn't be working as grunts for HYDRA would they?

Skills Drained

[Martial Arts Proficiency (Expert)] (Passive)

You are close to mastering the Martial Arts, learning styles far faster than normal.

Greatly Increased Damage to Unarmed Attacks

Increased Resistance to Unarmed Attacks

Martial Arts Related Skills learned and upgraded far faster.

[Swordsmanship Proficiency (Expert)] (Passive)

You are almost a master Swordsman, far more talented than any mere adept.

Greatly Increased Damage to Sword Attacks

Increased Resistance to Sword Attacks

Sword Related Skills learned and upgraded far faster.

...Well, well, well. Isn't that interesting?

As I drain him I can feel his memories, they go by too fast for me to focus on any exact details though... that didn't happen with the grunt I fed on moments ago. Does it only go into effect on named characters? The grunt was just called grunt after all.

His struggles start to fade, his hands slowly but surely stopping their feeble attempts to push me away as he pales, the blood leaving him.

Skill Drained

[Sympathetic Bio-Blasting (X-Gene)]

Allows you to create plasma-based concussive force blasts while you are in contact with your pair, Andrea von Strucker

Upgrades – None Currently

Hello there... my path to unlimited power.

Letting him go I watch him flop to the ground, barely able to move... I just stole his X-Gene, and it didn't kill him. My Observe says he doesn't have it any-more, but that's fine... lifting him up by the throat I pause for a moment before I simply snap his neck.

He's outlived his usefulness, and the less of the invading forces that are alive, the better. Jumping up onto a rooftop, I take the corpse of the fool with me, staring down at his sister before I decide to be a dick.

Aiming it perfectly I hurl the drained corpse down at his sister, making her dodge back before a horrified scream leaves her mouth, they came here expecting a comfortable victory... and I'm going to bleed them for it.

Jumping down in front of the girl, I watch as she grabs her brother with one hand and attempts to fire her disintegration blast at me... only for it to fail.

Even if she could use her powers, they'd be nullified when they got too close, but she's trying to use her brothers X-Gene in synch with her own, only... he doesn't have it any more. It's me she needs to be in contact with.

A catch-22, if she's touching me I can nullify her... but if she isn't, she can't use her powers. Damned if you do, fucked if you don't.

"You know, I was worried when I heard HYDRA were planning to invade... clearly I was overestimating them if you and your brother are examples of what I can expect." I say walking towards her with a smirk, this isn't close too over but mocking the Nazis is always fun.

As she grabs a gun from her brother's body, I close the distance grabbing her and slamming her into a wall, holding her against it by the throat, taking the gun and tossing it away as my fangs start to lengthen again, her eyes wide as she struggles in my grasp.

I need one of them alive, so I can find out why HYDRA is after me... and she's the weakest of the non-grunts... trying to put her to sleep I frown as her eyes start to droop before she shakes her head, glaring at me.

"Fine... we'll have to do this the-" I start before my own eyes widen, a grunt of pain leaving me as I drop her, looking down at the two claws sticking out of my chest.

Spinning quickly, I backhand X-23 away from me with a growl.

"Well aren't you a sneaky one..." I snarl, I was too distracted... I need to work on that.

"Remember 23, they need him alive." a woman in a black and red bodysuit says calmly with a smirk, a dagger in her hand.

Not wasting any-time I close the distance between us, ignoring the burning pain from my wounds as I rip her dagger away from her, going for a neck-bite, I need to heal and draining someone of blood sounds like an excellent way to do it.

As my fangs pass straight through her neck, she smirks, drawing a pistol and shooting me twice in the stomach before I can move away.

"You're tough enough to survive a few bullets, right?" she asks mockingly as X-23 comes to her side, glaring at me like a particularly hungry attack dog.

"I'm going to enjoy hurting you." I growl, hissing in pain at the bullet wounds, they are both better fighters than me... even with the skills I stole from... what was his name again? Whatever

Kimura, Handler of X-23

LVL – 78

Faction – H.Y.D.R.A

Race – Human (Mutate)

Thoughts about you – You're her target

Unique Skill – Molecule Manipulation, Density Invulnerability

Reputation – 0

Still... I have something they don't. Smirking, I watch as she raises the gun again before her eyes widen, looking down at her stomach in pain. She can make herself so dense than even my fangs are useless against her skin or pull a Kitty and let my attacks pass through her... but that doesn't mean I can't hurt her.

Wound Transference is a powerful tool... X-23 shrugs off the wounds immediately as she just heals them, but Kimura isn't so lucky.

As she goes to shoot, she pauses, before she smirks again.

"The bullets came to me... and the stab wounds to 23..." she says before she lowers her gun. "Well, aren't you tricky? But I wonder if you can hurt me if I don't hurt you first?" she asks making me hesitate, she's a mutate not a mutant... so I can't nullify her... catching onto my hesitation she smirks. "I thought as much, 23, get him." she orders making the little berserker rush me at inhuman speeds, lunging at me with a snarl.

Putting my newly stolen knowledge to use, I let myself fall backwards, grabbing her as she flies over me and tossing her away as I form my own claws, not Adamantium but they'll carve through my foes skin all the same.

I can't beat her outright, even with her regeneration nullified she's just... too dangerous. Her claws don't just go back in when I nullify them, I tried that with Logan... it just stops her from sheathing them, and despite her almost animalistic actions … she isn't stupid.

Any time I manage to cut her, she simply moves out of the range of my nullification for a moment, and if I try and pressure her, then I end up getting shredded.

While any time she hurts me, I just use White Magic and heal my wounds, or simply reflect them back onto her.

I'm bigger than her, stronger and faster as well not to mention that vampires can't be killed by mortal means... but she is a far more talented fighter than I am. I can't put her to sleep or hypnotise her either, which is enough to keep this at a stalemate, both of us using our own methods to heal whenever we are hurt...

Kimura can't get involved, not without me turning any damage she does to me back onto her... and she doesn't have any way of healing.

I notice Andrea sneak away, carrying her brother's body, but I don't have time to chase after her...

I know how I could finish this... my new power. One look into her eyes and I can use Suzerain to make her my loyal servant... but it's a one-use power. I want to use it to it's greatest potential, and I'm not convinced this is it.

The funny thing is, even as her claws impale my stomach again, my claws slashing at her throat, making her kick me away... neither of us is a danger to the other. I can't kill her... and she can't kill me.

This is a stalemate... but I have another problem. The Asian man is watching the fight, he's just stood on one of the rooftops, staring down at us...

I need to deal with this quickly... even with Andrea running away, there's still Taskmaster and the unknown woman around here somewhere...

- Selene -

"Did you really think it would be that simple, Daughter of Belasco?" she asked mockingly, shattering the cuffs that the masked man had managed to place on her. "I am seventeen thousand years old... do you think you are the first to think you could bind my powers?" she taunted, dropping the highly enchanted cuffs to the ground and stamping on them.

In truth, this was closer than she would ever admit... the powers she stole from her fellow externals had proved to be highly useful, Crule's strength allowing her to simply break the cuffs that had bound her magic, Burke's precognition enabling her to avoid most of the attacks with ease... still the masked man was very, very good, managing to avoid her magic and bind her arms despite her precognition.

"Ananym... you said they would stop her powers." the man growled, making the woman grimace.

"They should have, I got them from my Father himself... she has more powers than her file claimed." she admitted making Selene sneer.

"And yet, you are not your father, girl. If Belasco came crawling out of Limbo I might actually have to work for this..." she cut in calmly, a ball of black magic hovering above her hand as the girl flinched, a look of panic on her face... she did so like the fear and despair that occurred when her enemies realised how outmatched they were.

Launching it at the girl out of her league, she frowned as she watched the half-demon grab the man and simply vanish. Teleportation... and she didn't care about some irrelevant half-demon and a mildly talented human enough to chase after them.

So HYDRA wanted her, did they? So be it... she'd outlived a thousand secretive organisations... she'd outlive them as well.

Perhaps she should go and see how Kuro was doing? It would be highly annoying if she died because she'd left Kuro to his devices. He was now a glaring weak-point for her, if he died he would take her with him... and he was far less powerful than her.

Using a simple scrying spell, she prepared to teleport to him if it looked like he was going to die. She wasn't an attack dog, he could fight his own battles as long as he didn't get killed doing it.

- Kuro -

"Finally got bored of watching, huh?" I ask mockingly as I dodge a blade from the man as he leaps down. X-23 momentarily backing away from our stalemate.

"I've seen enough." he says dismissively. "You have far more powers than our reports said, but it is of little concern." he says calmly, readying himself.

"Big words for a coward who only stopped hiding when he had a three-on-one advantage." I say back, my claws ready.

Master, don't let him cut you... you won't be able to heal any wounds that sword does...

Tomi Shishido, The Gorgon

LVL – 125

Faction – H.Y.D.R.A

Race – Human (Homo Superior)

Thoughts about you – You're his target, nothing more

Unique Skill – Transmutation (Can turn anyone who makes eye-contact to stone), Telepathy, Empathy

Reputation – 0

Glancing at his weapon, I focus again... it must be special if Isis felt the need to warn me off it.

The Godkiller Sword

A legendary weapon forged for Zeus himself, Godkiller had passed into many hands, having killed Kings, Emperors, and even made a God bleed in a mortal's hands before the Legendary HYDRA agent Kraken gave it to Gorgon.

Oh.

Fuck.

"A childish taunt... but very well, Kimura get your weapon under control. This is my fight." he says calmly as he takes his sunglasses off, staring me dead in the eye.

"Again, HYDRA is dumber than I thought... sending a mutant against someone who can nullify mutants? It's no wonder Captain America kicked your asses." I say with a smirk, I'm honestly in danger, but angry enemies are stupid enemies.

"I can't turn you to stone, but I have my methods... I will give you an opportunity to do the smart thing. Surrender. You will be treated well, HYDRA has use of your talents." he says coolly, ignoring my insults.

"Right... because that's what HYDRA is known for, benevolent treatment of its prisoners." I say preparing myself.

"We have no need for torture... with obedient subjects, but I see your point, very well... you are coming with us, one way or the other." he says as he grips his blade, glancing towards X-23 to make sure I'm not about to be shanked I notice her standing emotionlessly next to the women, surprisingly he doesn't try and take advantage of my momentary distraction, only charging when I look back at him.

Jumping back I barely dodge a sword swing at my legs, he doesn't want to kill me... but that's little comfort when he is clearly trying to take my limbs, whatever they want me for apparently doesn't need me in one piece.

I have an idea of how to cheat my way out of this fight... how to just end this whole farce so I can go back to my day without HYDRA... but I'm just hesitant to use it.

Lunging forwards, I barely have time to drop as his blade moves unnaturally fast, his confidence proving to be well deserved as he easily keeps me at a distance, blocking the occasion light arrow and cutting through my chains with ease making me scowl.

He's... fast, not superhumanly fast but enough to handle my faster speed, and his reaction times are... terrifying, anytime I am within sword-range he's already started swinging his blade in an attempt to take off a limb.

As I back away from another blade swing, I flinch, snarling as I swing at Kimura just missing as she extracts the bloody knife from my back.

"And here I thought you were smart." I growl, sending the wound back to her with a scowl, making her wince.

"Kimura... know your place. I told you to stand down." Tomi growls, seeing him distracted I decide that honour is for dumbasses and rush towards him at my full speed, a set of razor-sharp claws aiming for his exposed neck.

As my claws slash at his throat, I catch his smirk just a second too late, his blade lashing out, carving through flesh and bones as I roar in pain, leaping back clutching my ruined stump, my right arm severed just below the elbow.

"Predictable. You stole Andreas's fighting style, but you lack his experience." he says calmly, wiping the blood from his blade. "Last chance, come with us willingly, or be taken by force." he says calmly. "We are not the only organisation after you, even if you managed to escape you would never have a quiet moment, from both HYDRA and the many other groups seeking you." he says as I fall to one knee, growling in pain as I try and heal my arm, my spells failing to do anything but stop the bleeding... I'll need to go heavy into White Magic to fix this. Wound Transference does equally little, simply failing as I try and cast it. Clearly, it has its limits.

...he's a better fighter than me. I already knew that, I'm not a fighter at heart after all. I was always happier behind an army of undead than on the front-lines.

"Why are you coming after me?" I ask, buying time to think. I have a way to end this immediately... but I just didn't want to... oh wait. Never mind, I've won this.

"You can ask our leader... now-" he starts, walking towards me before he freezes, looking me dead in the eye, his steps pause as he struggles, clutching his head before he suddenly stops struggling. "Master, are you okay?" he asks worriedly, his tone completely changed, helping me back up as I smirk to myself.

I didn't want to waste my one Suzerain servant on some HYDRA agent I hadn't even heard of before... but then it hit me, I can only have one servant... at once.

"I'm fine... can you do me a favour and pass me your sword." I ask, holding out my remaining hand, taking the immediately offered sword. "Now, you can wait right here... X-23, let's pick up where we left off." I say giving a few test swings with the immensely dangerous sword

If I can't heal from it, let's see if she can.

"Gorgon, what the hell are you-" Kimura starts before I close the distance between us, maybe it's a bit of bitterness that drives my actions, but with a lightning-quick slash, her own right hand drops to the ground, a horrified scream leaving her as she clutches the stump.

"I told you I'd enjoy hurting you." I said calmly, dodging back as she orders X-23 to protect her.

The clone of Logan lunges at me, while Kimura starts to run from the battle, even with my arm missing the difference this sword makes is... noticeable, slashing at my opponent's chest, she growls in pain before pausing, looking down at the large cut along her chest with a confused frown.

It's closing... very, very slowly.

I could send Gorgon after Kimura, but I need answers from him, and I don't want him to get captured by his own forces, so I'm keeping him close to me.

"You can understand me, can't you?" I ask getting her attention as she hesitates, before nodding. She isn't in a rage from the scent they've conditioned her to react to... so I might just be able to talk with her. "I don't want to hurt you... but if you attack me or try and run, I will. This sword can seriously hurt you... even kill you, stand down." I order, getting a slight growl from her as she looks back towards where Kimura is running. "Your handler has fled, leaving you behind. Do you really want to die just to give her a chance to run away? There's no need for us to fight." I say soothingly, watching the indecision on her face before her claws retract slowly.

"...What do you want?" she asks after a moment, her voice rough from lack of use.

"For now? My city back under control. What do you want?" I ask, making her pause.

"...I don't know." she admits hesitantly.

"Well... do you like your handler? The people you came here with?" I ask, watching her hesitate before she shakes her head with a frown. "They won't just let you go, and they already want me dead. Why don't we stick together? We'll stand a better chance that way." I suggest hesitantly, if I can get X-23 on my side, I'll happily let the others escape.

"...Like a pack? You aren't a very good fighter." she says bluntly making me wince. "But you have weird powers... so sure? I guess. What about him?" she asks gesturing at Gorgon, watching us from a distance silently, making me pause.

"First, I need to find out what he knows, then I'll decide what to do with him." I say, walking back over to him. "Tomi... why is HYDRA after me?" I ask immediately.

"They want-" he starts before he clutches at his chest, moaning in pain as his body starts convulsing. Oh for fuck's sake... he didn't do that, but evidentially HYDRA has taken... lengths to keep their men silent.

Rushing forwards, I grab him and bite down. I'm not just going to stand by and lose this opportunity. Draining him I try to focus on the memories as they rush through my head... but again they go by far too fast for me to get any details.

That doesn't mean I don't get anything from this, however...

Skills Drained

[Gorgon Transmutation (X-Gene)]

Allows you to turn those you make eye contact with into stone, if they fail an END check.

Upgrades – Toggle

[Telepathy (X-Gene)]

Allows you to read the minds of those nearby, and mentally communicate with them.

Upgrades – None Currently

[Empathy (X-Gene)]

Allows you to read the emotions of those nearby

Upgrades – None Currently

As I consume him, my arm starts to grow back... very slowly. By the time I let him go, with no blood left to drink, it's maybe grown back a tenth of what was cut off, at best.

More importantly, as he dies, my Suzerain is released, allowing me to use it on someone else.

"...Do you need more blood?" X-23 asks after a moment staring at my stump.

"Yeah, I'll get it la-" I start as she holds her arm out.

"As long as you aren't too close, I'll get my blood back." she says simply.

"Are you sure?" I ask after a moment.

"We're teaming up... right?" she asks, making me chuckle.

"That we are... thank you." I say taking the arm and biting into it. I don't want to drain her completely, even if I'd love her healing factor, but the moment the blood touches my tongue, my arm starts to regrow... far, far faster than before.

Reluctantly pulling away, releasing her arm, I look down at my fully regrown arm with a smirk.

"Thanks, X-... do you have a real name or just a number?" I ask after a moment, I know her name is Laura in the comics, but I can't rely on that knowledge with Shiro's fuckery.

"My... mother called me Laura. Laura Kinney." she answers after a moment, before a feeling of despair overcomes me, quickly being suppressed... that would be my newly stolen Empathy.

"It's nice to meet you, Laura... I'm Kuro, Kuro Tepes. I'd like to talk more but... we should probably try and catch your former handler." I say making her hesitate before I feel her rage... which is also quickly suppressed.

Her emotional state is pretty... messy, any strong emotions she feels are quickly crushed, and I can't tell if that's a side-effect of her cloning (Emma mentioned that clones of Mutants had side-effects after all), a part of her training or just how she is.

"I can smell her... not that she hasn't left a trail of blood." she says, pointing to the red trail along the road. "We should kill her, or she'll come back for revenge later." she says after a moment.

"Agreed, let's go." I say setting off along the trail, I could catch up in seconds... but when you have an ally like X-23 on your side you don't leave her behind.

Turning the corner, I barely manage to jump back in time to avoid the ball of fire the cloaked woman from earlier threw at me, the survivors gathered together.

Her cloak is torn, and Taskmaster looks like he's been through the wringer.

As they teleport away, I catch both Andreas and Kimura glaring at me furiously.

"...They got away." Laura adds, helpfully.

"And worse... Sire Hate damaged the Time-Loop while helping them escape. You have a few days at most before it falls." Death adds, making me sigh, there goes that advantage. "I needed to call in a favour with Infinity to create it, I won't be able to do it again... certainly not so soon.

"They did. Looks like I've made some new enemies..." I mutter after a moment. I can still hear fighting in the distance... "I need to go and put a stop to the last of the fighting, you coming?" I ask getting a nod as we head through the streets.

Spotting a large battle of Gladiators and Roman Soldiers, I scowl. I can't tell who is on my side and how are fighting for the former King. The Gladiators are fighting each other, and the Soldiers... and the Soldiers are doing the same.

But... I can see the commander from last night, and I know whose side he is on.

Rushing through the fighting troops, I don't even slow down as I use my claws to rip his throat out, killing him before he even had a chance to spot me, standing amidst the battle as everyone freezes.

"I've had a long and annoying day. In case you don't know, I am King Kuro Tepes, your new ruler. And this little rebellion is over... kneel, all of you." I order, watching them.

Almost immediately a considerable amount of the soldiers drop to their knees... that would be the cult infiltrators in the Rebel Commanders forces, I imagine. A few moments later many of the Gladiators do the same, including the one whose dreams I fucked with.

"Last warning... kneel... Now." I order again, making some of the soldiers fall to their knees. The remaining troops and few gladiators who remained standing ready their weapons making me sigh. "Fine... just remember, you chose this." I say after a moment, my claws lengthening.

- Amara -

As the door opened, she readied herself before she let out a sigh of relief, seeing her husband and King walk in. They'd been attacked by the soldiers a couple of times, and she'd had to ruin the gardens to destroy the tank that had tried firing on the Palace.

As she rushed towards him, she paused, seeing the blood covering his body.

"Amara... you're okay. Good... I'd hug you, but as you can see, I could really use a bath first." he chuckled, before sighing to himself. "Sorry... it's been a long day."

"Your Majesty.. the nobles have been secured, we were attacked several times but Princes- No, Queen Amara helped to deal with them. Titus Calavius is under close watch by my men, once the city has been reclaimed, he will be imprisoned for your judgement." Marcus Crassus reported as he knelt to Kuro.

"Good... the battles over. I've hunted and killed the last of the invaders, along with all those serving Glaber that would not surrender. As for the King himself, I haven't seen him." he admitted.

"Not surprising... he's here. In the throne room to be exact." Crassus said hesitantly, glancing at her with a strange look.

"...I see." Kuro replied with a strange look, his nose twitching slightly.

"We should go see him, he has a lot to answer for." she said, making them both glance at each other before Kuro sighed.

"Are you sure you want to come along?" he asked, making her nod quickly. "Very well... you aren't a child, I don't need to coddle you." he said calmly before he headed off towards the throne room, a girl she hadn't noticed following him silently. "This is Laura, she's a Mutant like us... she was being used as a weapon by HYDRA, but she's switched sides. Be nice." he said semi-teasingly.

Before she could answer, they reached the Throne Room... Kuro hesitatingly glancing at her before he pushed the doors open and walked inside.

Following his she looked up at the throne with a sigh. She wasn't a fool... she'd known what she'd find her from the moment Crassus had glanced at her.

Staring up into the throne, she was surprised at how... calm she was as she stared at the corpse of her father... a goblet of wine spilt onto the floor.

Her father was a prideful man... too prideful. He'd never have submitted to Kuro's reign, and he wouldn't let himself be imprisoned either.

"For what it's worth... I'm sorry." Kuro said, hesitating to hug her due to his... messy state. Moving forwards herself, she wrapped her arms around his waist as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"It's... fine. I knew this was coming." she said, her voice quivering slightly but otherwise staying steady.

"Let's get everything under control... I think we could both use a bath and some rest." he said calmly, stroking her hair gently.

Today had certainly been a day of ups and downs...

- Bonus Scene – Hail HYDRA (When the Time-loop is Broken) -

"You all failed." their leader said coldly, glaring down at the survivors.

"Selene proved... stronger than we had expected." Ananym reasoned before going silent as he glared down at them.

"Excuses, nothing more... and the mutant mage?" he asked, turning his glare towards Andreas and Kimura.

"He... we had him outnumbered, but Gorgon ordered us not to get involved in his fight. If Gor-" Kimura started, Andreas barely realising she was being spoken too as she stared at the floor in despair, having broken down after they escaped. The realisation that her brother was gone had hit her hard once they had gotten away from the battle. Though if the rumours about the pair's relationship were true, it might not be a just a sibling she was mourning.

"Silence! You failed to bring back your target... and you even lost the precious weapon you were tasked with keeping under control. Tell me, Kimura... why shouldn't I kill you where you stand? You failed to control X-23, you failed to complete your mission... and you have been crippled. What good are you to HYDRA?" he asked harshly, glaring down at her.

"I... I couldn't capture Kuro himself... but I did get something HYDRA can use." she said in a panic, reaching into her pocket with her remaining hand and pulling a small vial of blood out. "I stabbed Kuro while he was fighting Gorgon... with this sample we should be able to-" she trailed off as their leader's eyes narrowed at her.

"More cloning? Pathetic... I ask for you to bring me the mutant, and you bring a few drops of blood? Leave... all of you. Kimura, take the blood to Zola. It isn't enough to escape your punishment for failure, but it has saved your life. If this... endeavour fails, your life is forfeit." he ordered, watching them leave with cold eyes.

Once he was alone, he sighed in annoyance. His minions were failures.

S.H.I.E.L.D was attacking them constantly, led by the good Captain himself. The 'Serpent Society' had proven a bigger thorn than he had anticipated, giving S.H.I.E.L.D the intel on HYDRA was a genius move on his daughter part, he was almost impressed.

He didn't have the resources to make another attempt on Kuro Tepes, not with Captain America and Nicholas Fury slowly chipping away at his organisation.

The Mutant Mages powers were off little interest to him, except one... Fury had discovered something... astounding. Kuro Tepes appeared throughout history in many forms, which implied he was either a time-traveller or an immortal.

But he was too... inexperienced to be an immortal, Gorgon had easily bested him in combat, but the Kuro that appeared throughout history was a skilled warrior, a veteran of many wars.

He was said to have bested Achilles himself in combat after he betrayed the Greeks. The Kuro of the present could barely control his own strength.

That confirmed what he had hoped... Kuro either had the power to travel through time, or he would get it in the future. That was a power that belonged in HYDRA's hands.

He demanded it, Captain America might have beaten him before, but the Red Skull would never die.