Free Web NovelChapter 287: Chapter 287: Fighting on Five Fronts (Part 1)
At the Avengers Base, the massive training ground was overflowing with an unprecedented amount of energy.
Five grand magic arrays made entirely of pure light ignited one after another across the floor. Complex runes flowed like stars, radiating a power capable of shaking the very foundations of space-time itself.
Levi stood silently at the center of the formation. His right hand was loosely clenched, and within his palm, a miniature galaxy continuously formed and collapsed—the projection of the universe within him. With a single thought, he guided the power of his inner cosmos outward. Space in front of him tore apart in response, revealing five bottomless rifts leading to unknown dimensions.
"Coordinates locked. All channels calibrated."
Standing before the control console, a golden time rune glowed brightly on Nathaniel Richards’ forehead. Within his vision unfolded an immense map of multiversal timelines rendered in holographic light. Countless streams intersected, representing infinite possibilities. His long fingers moved rapidly through the air, fine-tuning each spatial passage to maintain stability.
"Group One: Core Node. Void-7 Universe. Thirty-seven thousand light-years from the main universal barrier," he reported solemnly.
Levi exchanged a glance with Superman, Clark Kent. Determination filled Clark’s blue eyes as he gave a firm nod. Without hesitation, the two stepped side by side into the first spatial rift. Golden light instantly swallowed them whole, and the fissure quietly sealed behind them.
"Group Two: Northern Star Sector. Andromeda Hazard Zone Nine. Unprecedented density of Shadow Demon clusters detected."
Thor gripped Stormbreaker, and all six Infinity Stones—Power, Space, Reality, Soul, Time, and Mind—erupted simultaneously with dazzling brilliance upon the axe blade, forming a rainbow-colored storm of energy around him.
Standing beside him, Jean Grey’s eyes had already turned pure gold. Behind her unfurled a pair of enormous phoenix wings forged from crimson-gold flames, the heat warping the surrounding air itself.
"My lady, are you prepared to compose a magnificent symphony of thunder and fire with me?" Thor grinned broadly, heroic spirit overflowing from him.
A cold, elegant smile curved Jean’s lips. Raising one hand, she unleashed the Phoenix Force into a pillar of light that nearly burned through the base’s ceiling.
"Try not to slow me down, Asgardian."
Before the words had even faded, the two transformed into streaks of lightning and fire, vanishing into the second rift.
"Group Three: Dimensional Interstice. Third Chaotic Layer. Spatial structure extremely unstable. Chaos energy levels exceeding safe limits."
The Eye of Agamotto on Doctor Strange’s forehead abruptly opened. The holy power of the Vishanti formed a golden spherical barrier around him, composed of countless magical sigils.
Beside him stood Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch. Scarlet threads of chaos magic coiled around her fingertips. Her expression was terrifyingly calm, yet deep within her beautiful eyes burned a fury capable of incinerating all creation—a rage she was forcibly suppressing.
"I’ll support you, Wanda. Keep your mind steady." Strange’s voice was gentle yet resolute.
Wanda gave no response. She didn’t even look at him.
She merely turned and walked toward the distorted rift step by step. With every footfall, the solid ground beneath her cracked apart, unable to withstand the escaping chaos magic. This was not loss of control, but rather the silent manifestation of the inferno raging inside her heart.
Strange sighed quietly and followed after her.
"Group Four: Border Universe. Border Universe Two. Farthest distance. Estimated one-way jump time: seventeen minutes."
Tony Stark was already suited up in his armor, sleek metallic lines radiating power while the repulsors in his palms glowed with steady blue light. He turned toward Starlight, who was tightly cradling the sleeping Adam in her arms. Anxiety and unease were written all over her beautiful face.
"Relax, I’m here." Tony tapped the Arc Reactor on his chest and boasted casually, "This little beauty’s developed self-awareness now. Plus, it’s integrated with a fragment of the Phoenix Force. Smarter than all my old AI assistants combined."
A slightly cold synthetic voice immediately sounded from within the armor:
"Mr. Stark, based on the current mission’s danger level, I recommend reducing unnecessary verbal communication during combat to conserve energy and maintain focus."
Tony blinked. "Hey, are you lecturing me?"
"It is an optimization suggestion, sir."
Starlight couldn’t help laughing at the exchange, her nervousness easing slightly. She lowered her head and kissed Adam’s forehead before tightening her hold on him and following Tony toward the final rift.
"All teams, final confirmation."
Levi’s voice echoed simultaneously within everyone’s minds through the quantum communicators.
"Our objective is to destroy the Void Nodes the Anti-Monitor is using to siphon energy. These nodes are connected directly to his origin. Once destroyed, withdraw immediately. The backlash from the Void Source will not give you a second chance."
"Understood."
Four responses rang out—steady, determined.
As the final rift sealed shut, silence returned to the training ground.
Nathaniel stood alone before the massive holographic display, staring fixedly at the five points of light moving rapidly into the dark depths of space. His fists clenched tightly. This was the first time he had ever carried such responsibility. The fate of the entire multiverse now rested upon every movement of his fingertips.
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Border Universe Two
The instant Tony and Starlight emerged from the spatial passage, the sight before them left them stunned.
This was a dead starfield.
No stars. No planets.
Only countless floating meteorite fragments and spatial tears violently ripped open, as if some cosmic beast had feasted here and left behind only ruins.
"This place..." Tony’s armor immediately began a full-spectrum scan. "Looks like something took a bite out of the universe itself. Energy readings are wildly abnormal, spatial structure is fragile, and—oh. Looks like the party’s already started."
Before he even finished speaking, hundreds of shadow creatures surged from behind the asteroid belt like a tidal wave. They possessed no physical bodies, their forms constantly twisting and shifting while radiating pure malice that sought to devour all life and light.
Starlight instinctively hugged Adam tighter and took a step back. Her platinum-white battle suit automatically generated an energy shield.
"Relax. Small-time stuff." Tony raised an arm, his repulsor instantly fully charged. "Time for my signature move."
A massive crimson-gold energy beam roared forth, instantly piercing through three Shadow Demons. Yet the shattered shadows merely writhed for a moment before reforming within the surrounding darkness. At the same time, more Shadow Demons closed in from every direction.
"They regenerate too fast! There are too many!" Starlight gritted her teeth as brilliant light burst from her eyes. Beams of energy shot from her hands, blasting groups of Shadow Demons into fragments, but the effect was minimal.
"Don’t panic. Time for the heavy artillery."
Tony’s voice became steady.
The nanotech across his armor rapidly reconfigured, forming countless magnificent crimson-gold patterns. The Arc Reactor on his chest blazed brighter than ever as sacred, blazing Phoenix Fire erupted from within.
He slammed his hands together.
The crimson-gold flames exploded outward, transforming into a massive ring-shaped wall of fire that swept across the battlefield. Every Shadow Demon touched by the flames released a shrill scream before being reduced completely to ash, unable to regenerate.
Within three seconds, hundreds of Shadow Demons had been annihilated.
Starlight stared in shock. "What... what kind of power is that?"
"Phoenix Fire." Tony smirked proudly. "Exclusive Levi-approved upgrade package. Pretty awesome, right?"
"Energy reserves reduced by twelve percent. Output exceeded recommended levels. Suggest conserving usage," the armor AI interrupted at the worst possible moment.
"Yeah, yeah, got it, you little backseat driver." Tony waved dismissively before his gaze shifted toward Adam in Starlight’s arms.
At some point, the little boy had awakened. His pure golden eyes stared curiously at the crimson-gold patterns flowing across Tony’s armor. Suddenly, he reached out a tiny hand. Golden runes emerged from his fingertips and lightly touched the armor’s surface.
BZZZZT—!
The armor emitted a violent hum as the nanotech began restructuring itself frantically.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! He’s doing it again!" Tony shouted.
In just three seconds, the crimson-gold patterns across the armor became even brighter and deeper, as though infused with new life.
"Armor performance increased by three hundred seventy-two percent. Phoenix Force affinity corrected. Energy efficiency optimized. Analysis complete... This lifeform’s talent level exceeds the computational limits of the database."
For the first time, the armor AI’s voice carried something akin to shock.
Tony stared at Adam speechlessly for several seconds.
Starlight quickly pulled Adam back into her arms, apologizing repeatedly.
"Sorry, Tony. He’s still little. He didn’t mean to—"
"Don’t apologize."
Tony interrupted her. Slowly crouching down, he met Adam’s gaze directly, unprecedented light shining in his eyes.
"This kid... he’s a monster-level genius. Smarter than I was as a kid... no, smarter than I’ve ever been."
He looked at Adam solemnly.
"Kid, when you grow up, come find me at Stark Industries. I’ll teach you how to build the coolest armor in the world."
Adam blinked, seeming to sense something. In a soft childish voice, he said:
"Uncle... stopped crying."
Tony froze.
Subconsciously, he touched the armor on his chest, as though only now realizing that within the lingering energy purified by the Phoenix Fire, there truly remained the faint trace of sorrow. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
Then he burst into loud laughter.
"Ha! I like this kid! He can actually sense emotions inside energy!"
At that moment, Nathaniel’s voice sounded through the communicator:
"Group Four, node activity detected three kilometers ahead. Shadow Demon density is increasing exponentially. Please accelerate."
Tony immediately stood up as the thrusters on his back erupted with dazzling light.
"Roger that. Starlight, stay close. We’re about to blow up something big."
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