"You're here."
Before Malrick could even take in his surroundings, an ethereal voice echoed through his mind.
The voice was neither male nor female. It didn't even sound as though it came from a throat or any physical form.
But what startled him most was that the voice spoke in English.
That meant whoever was speaking understood who he was and where he came from.
In a universe as chaotic as this one, filled with cross-dimensional beings and cosmic travelers, that wasn't entirely impossible.
Even if someone's identity as a dimensional traveler was exposed, the higher cosmic entities—like the Living Tribunal—wouldn't bother with it.
Still, it caught Malrick off guard. Whoever this was had clearly been aware of him since the moment he entered the Marvel Universe.
He looked down, and realization dawned.
He stood in a world of absolute purity.
The sky above was a flawless white, endless and seamless. The ground below was not solid earth but a vast expanse of crystal-clear water that mirrored the heavens.
It was as if the sky and the water had merged into a single boundless realm of light.
The sight was both dreamlike and divine—like standing within the very essence of creation.
At the center of that reflective sea were two figures.
One sat cross-legged, four or five meters tall, neither human nor alien.
His form was translucent, his body a tapestry of swirling galaxies and constellations.
He had no flesh—no blood—only the vast cosmos shimmering beneath his skin.
Malrick recognized him instantly.
"Eternity," he whispered, eyes narrowing slightly.
Eternity—the embodiment of the Marvel Universe itself.
To look at him was to gaze directly at the universe that Malrick currently existed within.
Of course, this wasn't the true Eternity, who represented the entire Multiverse.
This one was merely an M-body—a manifestation of Eternity within a single universe.
Each universe had one, like a fragment of a much greater being.
Eternity's head lifted, galaxies swirling to form a face.
"It is I," he said, the faintest smile curving his cosmic lips.
"So that portal earlier—was it opened by you?" Malrick asked.
His colossal, ninety-thousand-kilometer form knelt cross-legged, eyes glowing like twin suns as he stared down at Eternity.
"It was I, and also you," Eternity replied cryptically, tilting his head as if amused.
"But before I explain further, I think you'll want to speak with your friend first."
Malrick turned his gaze and froze.
Beside Eternity stood a bald figure in flowing yellow robes, hands folded calmly behind their back.
Recognition flickered across his face.
"Ancient One… it's been a while."
Indeed, it was the soul of the Ancient One, former Sorcerer Supreme.
She smiled warmly. "Half a year is hardly a long time, Malrick. But you've grown far beyond even what I imagined. I've seen all you've done for Earth—and for Kamar-Taj."
Even though the Malrick before her towered like a celestial being, she showed no fear or surprise.
Her gaze pierced through his immense form, seeing not the body but the soul within.
Malrick grinned. "And here I thought you'd retired early and left the mess to the rest of us."
"I didn't abandon my duty," she replied with a serene smile. "It was simply my time to pass on—and I found a worthy successor."
Malrick chuckled. "Then you must be enjoying your peace. Maybe I should change Kamar-Taj's Wi-Fi password when I get back. Something classy—like hhhhgysl."
The Ancient One blinked, momentarily speechless. "If you deem it necessary, I won't object."
"You really don't care about anything anymore, do you?" he teased lightly.
"Oh, by the way—Kamar-Taj is setting up an academy. Wong's idea. He wants portraits of all past Sorcerer Supremes. Mind if I take a wisp of your soul for the painting?"
"Of course," she said gently. "It's a fine idea. You truly are the most fitting Sorcerer Supreme, Malrick."
With a wave of her hand, a faint wisp of ethereal light floated across the water into Malrick's palm.
He stored it carefully, his mind already wandering.
Maybe he really would program her portrait to tell new recruits the Wi-Fi password.
He smirked at the thought of the Ancient One's serene face in a frame saying, "The password is hhhhgysl."
Barely holding back a laugh, he turned back to Eternity.
"You'll be glad to know, Master, the academy's grand opening will be spectacular."
He straightened. "Now, Great Eternity, tell me—why am I here?"
Eternity's voice deepened, resonating across the luminous world.
"Because of your current form."
"My body? You mean… the Rege Duo form?" Malrick asked, puzzled.
Eternity didn't answer immediately. "I have been waiting for you a long time, Malrick."
"Waiting for me?" Malrick frowned. "Why?"
Eternity's cosmic smile widened. "Half a year ago, didn't you proclaim that you wished to meet the One Above All—and that you wanted me to call you a friend?"
Malrick froze.
If he hadn't been in a celestial body, his face would have gone bright red.
He had said that—half-jokingly—while visiting Tony Stark and paying respects at Howard and Maria's graves. He hadn't expected Eternity himself to overhear.
He cleared his throat. "Yeah… I might've said something like that. But how did you even know? Were you watching me?"
"Both," Eternity said simply. "When you returned from beyond the universe, you reached out unconsciously through your abilities. Since then, I—along with Infinity and Death—have been observing you."
Malrick blinked. "So… what you're saying is, I sent you a friend request months ago, and you're just now getting back to me?"
Eternity actually seemed amused. "You could say that. But I brought you here today for another reason. Your current form has earned the right to ascend—to become a Concept Entity."
He pointed at Malrick, the light of galaxies swirling around his hand.
"Your body holds the qualification to embody the concept of Order and Justice. I grant it to you now."
A wave of pure cosmic energy surged through Malrick's massive frame.
The same mysterious fluctuation he'd felt earlier—the one that had changed his Rege Duo form—returned stronger than before.
Now he understood. That energy represented his qualification to become a Concept God, and it had come directly from Eternity himself.
Eternity's voice reverberated like the heartbeat of the cosmos.
"I am the Universe. I am the first flame, the flowing waters, the winds that howl, and the soil that births all things.
My offspring, represent aspects of my being.
They are creation and decay, life and dissolution. Each holds dominion over a fundamental truth of existence."
He paused, galaxies flickering across his face.
"And now, my friend Malrick… your new form shall stand among them, not as my child, but as something born apart from me.
From this moment forward, your body embodies Justice and Order."
Eternity's voice grew solemn.
"But unlike my offspring, who were born with their power, you must live your concept. You must witness and uphold Justice and Order to truly become their manifestation."
The reflection of Eternity's cosmic form rippled across the white water, mirrored by Malrick's towering figure.
A profound silence settled over the luminous realm, broken only by the faint hum of cosmic energy that radiated from both Eternity and Malrick.
Malrick felt the weight of responsibility descend upon him, yet it was not oppressive—it was invigorating, as though the universe itself had entrusted him with its balance.
He inhaled deeply, feeling the energy of the cosmos intertwine with his Rege Duo form, his consciousness expanding to accommodate the gravity of his new purpose.
Slowly, he lifted his colossal hand, observing the swirling galaxies that now responded instinctively to his slightest motion.
Each movement sent ripples across the white expanse, a visible testament to the harmony between his being and the universal order.
The Ancient One observed silently, her calm smile a reassurance that even in this overwhelming moment, guidance and wisdom would accompany him.
Malrick straightened fully, his towering silhouette casting a luminous reflection across the mirrored waters.
"For the sake of Justice and Order," he murmured, "I will not falter."
_______
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