"Sir, I'm here."
At that moment, a graceful figure swiftly approached and stopped before Fury and Coulson.
"Romanoff! Why are you only getting here now?" Fury frowned, displeased.
"Because of the mission you gave me, sir. If I hadn't needed to get that young girl to safety, I would've arrived sooner," Natasha shrugged as she gave her report.
"Oh? And how did it go?" Fury's expression relaxed a little. Though Natasha was one of his most elite agents, she was still just human — whether she arrived early or late wasn't that big a deal. The other task, however, was far more important, tied to his future strategic planning.
"Let's just say… I met her. But that little girl… she's not simple. The first time she saw me, she was already suspicious and wary." Natasha frowned slightly. Her renowned charm and acting skills had failed for the first time — and against a child no less. The four other kids she'd met seemed to like her, but not the target.
"That's just as expected," Fury nodded. He had witnessed Athena's brief awakening firsthand. No surprise — even in mortal form, she had shown the same unshakable faith. In the face of mortal danger, she hadn't faltered. She had placed unwavering trust in her husband and her allies. And then…
"It seems I'll have to establish a good relationship with this goddess," Fury murmured. "At a critical moment, she could serve as the perfect lock…"
He recalled how the furious Melin had been soothed with only a few words from Athena. Fury could swear by his own life — there was no known power on Earth capable of restraining Melin. But now… there was one.
Yet that lock was also a bomb. If anything happened to Athena, no one could predict what Melin might do in his rage. He had to ensure her safety — no matter the cost.
"Sir, is there something you're not telling me?" Natasha's tone turned sharp.
She didn't mind difficult missions — she'd carried out far worse. Nor did she mind Fury's lack of transparency; distrust was part of being a spy. But withholding intel? That, she couldn't accept. Even the smallest omission could lead to disaster.
"You just need to complete the mission, Agent Romanoff." Fury thought for a moment, then decided to hold back — at least for now.
"Fine, I get it." Natasha shrugged indifferently. It wasn't the first time. Still, she thought, Just because he won't tell me doesn't mean I can't find out. The incident had been far too big to keep under wraps. All she needed to do was dress up nicely, pay a few visits… and soon enough, she'd know everything.
Women are like cats — once curiosity is stirred, it won't rest until the mystery is solved.
…
"Cool! That was amazing! Were those really the legendary Saints?" Harry Osborn jumped excitedly.
"Huh? Harry, you know about them?" Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy, and Mary Jane all looked at him, eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"Yeah, my dad told me. There's an organization in this world that exists beyond normal authority — it's called the Sanctuary. Their warriors are the Saints. Each one supposedly possesses tremendous power. My dad's been trying for years to form an alliance with them, but he's had no luck so far.
Oh, and I heard the Sanctuary even launched an official website recently! I'm checking it out as soon as I get home!"
"An official website? I'm totally looking too!"
"They're so cool! The shining armor, the sheer strength… ugh, why do I feel my heart racing?"
"Gwen…"
Peter's face darkened with disappointment. He'd always thought he and Gwen were close — maybe even had a future together — but now, an unbeatable rival had appeared right before him.
"What are you thinking, Peter! I'm just admiring them!" Gwen, ever perceptive, noticed his expression and quickly smacked his shoulder, blushing as she explained with a flustered smile.
"Ow~" Peter rubbed his shoulder, wincing — but still grinning like an idiot. She actually explained herself to me? Heh!
"By the way, Athena — who was that man? He seemed to know you," Mary Jane asked curiously. Despite being terrified earlier, she still remembered everything. Athena's sudden transformation — and her affectionate interaction with that mysterious man — had been impossible to ignore. And those Saints had bowed to her, calling her "My Lady."
"I… I don't know…" Athena's face flushed red as she remembered Melin's face and the warmth of his embrace, though she truly didn't recognize him.
"Well, if you don't know, then that's fine. We're still friends, right?" Gwen sensed the awkward tension — Harry looked downcast, Mary Jane was clearly envious (and maybe a little jealous), and Peter… was still smiling dumbly. Gwen decided to step in and smooth things over.
"Yeah, Gwen's right!" Peter instantly agreed, ever the loyal supporter.
"Yeah, we're still good friends."
"Totally, hehe."
Though everyone had their own thoughts, their friendship — for now — remained intact.
Just then, the Osborn family's driver arrived.
"Young master, thank goodness you're safe. I'll take you home now."
"Alright. Mary, your place is in the same direction, right? I'll take you home too."
"Yes, thank you." Mary Jane almost jumped with excitement. Finally, some alone time with Harry — her dream come true.
"Peter, Gwen, what about you guys?" Harry asked. Peter and Gwen lived in different directions, but he didn't mind taking a detour if they needed it.
"No need, Harry. Athena and I live the same way — she can walk me home."
"Same here," Gwen added.
"Alright, see you tomorrow."
"Yeah, see you."
After Harry and Mary Jane left, the Saints — Crateris of the Crater, Dardi of the Cerberus, and Algethi of the Hercules — arrived, now without their Cloths.
"Apologies for keeping you waiting, Miss," Crateris said respectfully.
"It's fine, Crateris. Dardi, Algethi, don't worry — you were saving lives. I don't mind waiting a little longer," Athena said warmly.
"Miss, allow us to escort you home. You must be tired from today," Crateris replied.
"Alright. Let's drop Gwen and Peter off along the way."
"Yes, Miss."
The two teenagers lived nearby, so it didn't take long to see them home. Once Athena was alone in the car, she turned to the Saints.
"Crateris, Dardi, Algethi… you're all Saints, aren't you?"
They fell silent. After a long pause, Crateris finally nodded. "Yes, Miss."
"Then… can you tell me who that man was?" Athena asked softly.
"I'm sorry, Miss," Crateris said after a moment. "You shouldn't know that yet. Please trust us. We're here only to protect you. And please — keep our presence a secret."
"I trust you," Athena said sincerely.
The three exchanged a knowing smile. Even without her full awakening, she was still unmistakably their Lady Athena.
"Then… can you at least tell me his name? Just his name?" Athena asked, her tone gentle and pleading.
"…Melin."
"Melin… Got it. Thank you, Crateris. Hehe."
…
"Ugh…"
Banner opened his eyes again, finding himself back on a soft couch. The familiar ceiling above, the small warm hand in his own — he immediately knew he'd been saved once more.
"You're awake?"
"Professor Mu… thank you."
"It's nothing. Saving you was merely a coincidence," Mu replied calmly.
It was hard to imagine that this elegant, soft-spoken man — with his scholarly poise and gentle demeanor — was the same one who had annihilated the Abomination.
"So…"
"General Ross has been dismissed. The Abomination is dead. Your blood samples and all copies have been destroyed. What you do next is up to you," Mu said.
"I see… You still refuse, don't you?"
"That's right." Mu's tone didn't waver.
"Alright then."
Banner's expression fell. Aside from Mu, his only other hope had been Mr. Blue — and now that, too, was gone. All he could do was continue running. There were too many who coveted his power. And then there was…
His eyes fell on Betty, asleep by the couch. He couldn't bear to drag her into this any longer.
"Professor Mu, I have a request."
"Go ahead."
…
Half an hour later, Betty slowly woke up to find her hand empty. Startled, she sat up — Banner was gone. Only Mu remained, and on the table, a letter.
"Professor Mu, where's Bruce!?"
"He's gone."
"Gone? I—"
"Calm down, Dr. Ross. Banner left you a letter. Read it first — then decide what to do." Mu said gently.
"…Alright."
Betty picked up the letter and began to read. As her eyes scanned each line, her vision blurred with tears. By the end, she couldn't hold them back anymore and began to sob uncontrollably.
Mu said nothing — he simply waited quietly for her sorrow to run its course.
After a long time, Betty wiped her tears and looked up. Determination shone in her eyes.
"Professor Mu, I have a request."
"Go ahead."
"I want to join the Sanctuary. Bruce hasn't given up — so I won't either. One day, I'll bring him back." Betty's tone was firm.
"Hmm… I'm sorry. That's not something I can approve," Mu said, shaking his head. The Sanctuary wasn't his to open to outsiders. Neither S.H.I.E.L.D. nor the X-Men truly belonged to it — they were subordinate allies at best. The true Sanctuary was composed only of Saints and their trainees. Figures like Howard and Peggy, nominally high priests, only counted as half-members.
"Professor Mu, no matter what the conditions are, I can—"
"There's no need to rush, Dr. Ross. You can't join the Sanctuary… but I have another suggestion — one I think you'll like."
"What suggestion?"
"That is…"