THE RAVEN | avengers

[61]

ACT 1
Chapter 61
I Couldn't Leave

Everyone took their seats in the grand hall, the low murmur of conversation fading into an expectant silence. Raven and the Winter Soldier sat next to each other at one of the long, polished tables, her eyes catching sight of Erik, Ingrid, and Lena at a table not too far from theirs. She gave them a small, almost imperceptible smile, which they returned with eager nods. Their bond had grown over the past weeks of gruelling training, and seeing them here, alive and standing tall, was a small victory in itself.

At the head of the room, Strucker moved to the center stage, his presence commanding attention. The Hydra emblem gleamed behind him, bathed in dramatic red lighting, casting long shadows across the hall. He waited for complete silence, then began his speech, his voice booming and confident.

"Comrades of Hydra!" Strucker began, his gaze sweeping over the room. "Tonight, we stand on the edge of greatness. The accomplishments we have achieved together — the advancements in science, the forging of warriors — are the foundation upon which we will build our future!"

His words hung in the air like a battle cry, the room tense with admiration. Raven shifted slightly, casting a glance at Winter beside her. He sat, as still and unreadable as ever, his eyes focused on Strucker but his mind likely miles away.

Strucker continued, his voice gaining momentum. "It is not just through strength of arms that we triumph. It is through innovation, through the brilliance of minds dedicated to our cause. With each experiment, each breakthrough, we step closer to perfection. We have created soldiers that rival the strongest in the world. Look around you — the future of Hydra is here, and it is unstoppable!"

Raven clenched her jaw, knowing exactly where this was going. Strucker turned his gaze towards her and the Winter Soldier.

"We have perfected the art of war!" Strucker declared, his voice rising. "Thanks to the relentless efforts of those among us, like our esteemed Raven—" he gestured towards her, and every pair of eyes in the room shifted in her direction "—who has shaped not only the Night Blades but also molded a new warrior, one who will strike fear into the heart of our enemies."

Raven forced a tight-lipped smile, feeling the weight of the room's attention, her skin crawling under the spotlight. Strucker's praise continued, highlighting the success of the Night Blades as the future of Hydra's elite force.

"We have combined science with strength," Strucker said, his voice swelling with pride. "And what you see before you — the soldiers of tomorrow — are proof of our power. Our enemies should tremble, for Hydra's future is invincible!"

The room erupted into applause, but Raven's mind was elsewhere, her thoughts swirling around the Winter Soldier and the path she was carving for him. She glanced at him, catching the smallest flicker of something in his eyes — something that told her he was processing it all, though what conclusion he'd come to was a mystery.

As the applause died down and Strucker resumed his place at the head of the table, Raven leaned slightly towards Winter, her voice barely audible above the murmur of the crowd. "How's it feel to be the star of the show?"

His eyes flicked to hers, a shadow of a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Not a fan of the attention. You?"

"Not one bit," she whispered back, but her gaze lingered on him, knowing this was only the beginning.

As the formalities ended, the grand hall shifted from tense anticipation to the casual hum of conversation. High-ranking Hydra elites mingled with soldiers and scientists, all toasting to the future Strucker had promised. Raven's recruits were already deep in conversation with some of Hydra's most influential figures, their eyes wide with awe and ambition. It was a sight she had hoped for — their confidence building, their purpose solidifying — but right now, all Raven wanted was to be anywhere but here.