Marvel: My Sign-in System-Chapter 267: C259

The appearance of Leon is the greatest anomaly in this universe.

He is a singular outlier, unmatched and unreplicable. His rate of progress and growth is unprecedented, bordering on the absurd. Individuals like Leon are rare, even across the multiverse.

After all, Leon was born human.

Yet, in just a few years, his strength has reached the level of a Sky Father, and he carries countless secrets that even the Ancient One cannot unravel.

The Ancient One is not someone who enjoys excessive investigation. To be practical, even if she wanted to, she couldn't succeed. In terms of sheer power, she wasn't certain she could surpass Leon. Maintaining the current alliance was the wisest course.

Leon chuckled lightly and replied to her, "It seems even the great Master Ancient One has been keeping an eye on him."

"Because he is a man of destiny," she answered, her expression calm and measured.

"A man of destiny? That's an interesting way to put it," Leon mused.

"Of course, that's what he believes," the Ancient One remarked, shifting the conversation. "There are many such individuals in the universe. Thanos is one of them, but his ideals are too extreme, too self-righteous."

Leon understood Thanos' philosophy well. But he turned to the Ancient One with a question that made her pause: "Do you think his actions are truly driven by ideals? Or is there something more?"

The Ancient One's eyes flickered as she met Leon's gaze. "Do you believe he has ulterior motives?"

"Hm. I don't buy that he's some selfless savior. He's no god of fairness," Leon replied casually, his words laced with skepticism.

The Ancient One fell silent, the cold wind brushing past them and stirring the hem of her robe. In the distance, sunlight painted the clouds in hues of gold. After a long pause, she finally spoke.

"You seem to know more than I expected," she said quietly. "But, as you suggested, Thanos is no altruist. Behind him, there's an ancient and powerful god. I have only a partial understanding of this entity, but it must be connected to his actions."

Leon believed her. Still, he knew she was withholding something. Her vague statement only confirmed his suspicions: Thanos was not driven by selflessness or greatness but by the influence of an ancient deity—Death.

Death, one of the five cosmic entities of creation, represents the cessation of all life. She embodies the concept of mortality and serves as the eternal counterpart to Eternity. In her female form, she captured Thanos' obsession. He was hopelessly enamored with her, willing to do anything to earn her affection.

This god of Death, nearly omnipotent to ordinary beings, had unlimited power. She could end life or resurrect it across the multiverse. She controlled the souls of all living creatures and granted unimaginable strength to her chosen few. Only beings as powerful as the One Above All could challenge her.

But Death's love for annihilation drove Thanos' crusade. His vision of universal balance, the extermination of half of all life, was nothing more than a facade to mask his true motivation: pleasing Death.

Leon was now certain. Thanos was no savior, no philosopher-king. His actions, cloaked in rhetoric, were born from an obsession with destruction and a longing for Death's approval.

This revelation didn't alarm Leon—it only made him regard Thanos with a touch more seriousness. Ultimately, even Thanos' devotion to Death posed no direct threat to Leon. Death herself operated within the cosmic rules of life and death, unable or unwilling to break those laws.

Still, knowing Thanos' existence and his future plans gave Leon clarity. Yet, the Ancient One had not intervened, nor had she sought to eliminate him. It was likely because doing so would mean antagonizing Death herself.

As these thoughts swirled in Leon's mind, the Ancient One spoke again.

"Have you already planned for what's to come?"

"If they are to grow, they must endure these trials," Leon replied, understanding her unspoken reference to Wanda, Pietro, and the others.

The Ancient One nodded in agreement. "Struggle is the crucible of growth. Only in the crucible of life and death can they find their strength and witness new horizons. Wanda, Pietro, and the rest of them possess limitless potential. Once they reach maturity, they will become legends."

She paused, her voice taking on a solemn tone. "But for them to grow, time is needed—and during that time, countless eyes filled with malice will focus on them. Leon, are you ready?"

Leon spread his arms wide, as though embracing the sun breaking through the clouds. A small smile played on his lips as he declared, "I'll light the way for them."

...

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