The Guardian Of The Multiverse: A Hero's Burden

Borrowed Peace

(Marvel, DC, images, manhuas, and every anime that will be mentioned and used in this story are not mine. They all belong to their respective owners. The main character "Karito/Adriel Josue Valdez" and the story are mine)

When Adriel stepped through the portal, he expected—at most—a small cluster. Maybe Peter and Ace, maybe Artoria, a handful of champs easing into the idea of fun again.

Instead, he walked into a scene that looked like someone had ripped a page out of a different life and stapled it into Ixtal.

Half the surviving champions were already there.

For a second he just... paused. Not because it was wrong—because it was right in a way that felt unfamiliar. After a year of running, hiding, watching the world get carved up by things they couldn't fight... laughter didn't feel like something you were allowed to hear. It felt like a luxury.

And yet here they were, taking it back anyway.

Good, he thought. Let them have it. Let them breathe.

The pool area had been transformed into a full-on event. Smoothies and cut fruit passed around like it was a holiday. Someone—multiple someones—were posted up near the grill, turning ribs and steaks with the kind of focus usually reserved for war councils. A kiosk line was handing out towels, sunscreen, plates, utensils... like Qiyana had decided, If you people are going to relax, you're going to do it correctly.

Of course she went all out.

Adriel's eyes swept the crowd slowly—measuring, cataloging, half-habit and half-instinct. His mind wanted to keep counting exits and threats even here, even now, like his body hadn't gotten the memo that this was allowed.

Then he spotted Artoria.

She wore a white halter bikini edged in deep sapphire blue, the fabric smooth and clean against her skin. Blue straps crossed neatly over her upper chest before fastening around her neck, giving the simple top a more refined, eye-catching shape. Matching bottoms sat low on her hips, each side adorned with large blue bows whose ribbon tails draped down her thighs. The design was simple at first glance, but the contrast of stark white and vivid blue made it feel graceful, playful, and carefully styled.

Adriel didn't even try to pretend he didn't notice.

She looked... yeah. Gorgeous. Like it was unfair.

But he didn't move toward her.

Because he also noticed Ace—how his attention always found her lately, even when he tried to play it cool. Adriel wasn't about to be that guy. Not with his own people. Not with his own team.

So he angled his path away on instinct, keeping out of her peripheral vision like a decent human being, and let Ace handle whatever slow-burn situation he was building with her.

Before Adriel could get much farther, a shadow blocked his path.

Darius.

That alone would've been enough to put most people on edge. Even now, even in a pool setting, Darius had that gravity—like if he decided to start a war, the universe would just... politely make room.

But he wasn't radiating menace.

He was... smiling.

And that was how Adriel knew the world was healing in ways that didn't make sense yet.

Darius approached with a beer in hand—cold bottle, condensation running down his fingers.

Adriel's gaze landed on the label.