The Neighbor

Chapter 92***

The cold, infinite expanse of outer space stretched endlessly, a black canvas dotted with distant stars. A large, ominous ship glided through the emptiness, its sleek surface reflecting the faint glow of nearby stars. Inside, the hum of advanced machinery echoed through the metallic corridors. The ship was a quiet beast of war, poised and ready, its purpose unknown to the outside world.

In the heart of the ship, a figure stood tall, his silhouette casting a long shadow across the cold floor.

His hands were large, each finger thick with strength, and his grip was steady, controlled. He reached out toward the Tesseract, which was cradled in a cold, metal container. The stone, glimmering with an otherworldly light, pulsed rhythmically, almost as if alive.

With deliberate care, the figure took the Tesseract in his hands. The stone glowed brighter as he twisted it free from its container, the cosmic energy humming around him. As the Tesseract split open, revealing the Space Stone within, the figure's large hands closed around the stone. He held it for a moment, savoring the power it promised.

The figure's face remained hidden in the shadows, but the gleam in his eyes was unmistakable an insatiable hunger, a thirst for control. The Space Stone had been a key piece of the puzzle, and now that it was his, the final pieces would soon fall into place.

He turned, his hands folding the Tesseract back together, but the Space Stone was no longer inside. Instead, it rested comfortably within the glove on his hand a massive metal gauntlet, its slots now filled with the glowing stone. He marveled at the sight, a smirk curling at the edge of his lips as he admired his prize.

The gleam of satisfaction in his eyes spoke volumes. The universe would soon be his. He would use the stones to bring balance, to bring the end of things. And there was no one who could stop him.

The smirk lingered as the figure turned, walking away from the console, leaving the Tesseract's empty shell behind. The cold vastness of space enveloped him once more, but the burden of his purpose weighed heavily, each step measured and inevitable.

Your eyes snap open.

A rush of cool air fills your lungs as you jolt awake, heart pounding against your ribs.

The silk sheets beneath you feel impossibly soft against your bare skin, a stark contrast to the heavy weight pressing against your chest the glow of the stone pulsing faintly beneath your skin. The dim candlelight of Kamar-Taj flickers around you, shadows dancing across the stone walls.

Wanda stirs, her head resting lightly on your chest, her slow breaths warm against your skin. The silk sheet barely covers the lower half of her bare body, her presence grounding you as your mind races to piece together the events of the past few hours.

Her eyes fly open, sensing you, sharp green scarlet irises flicking up to your face. In an instant, she cups your cheek, her touch firm yet impossibly gentle.

"What's wrong, baby?" she murmurs, eyes darting over your features before trailing down to the stone embedded in your chest.

You swallow hard, trying to steady your breathing. "My chest...it feels tight. Like I can't breathe."

Wanda's fingers brush away a stray strand of your hair before she presses her palm against the stone, her brows knitting together in concern. The pulsing glow beneath your skin flickers erratically, its rhythm unsteady.

Her lips part slightly, her expression darkening with realization. A fresh symptom. Another sign that whatever is happening to you is getting worse, creeping closer to the point of no return.

Her fingers glow red, magic sparking as she focuses. The warmth of her energy spreads over your skin, an attempt to ease the wild pulse of the stone. She doesn't know if it will help, but she has to try.