[Current Balance: 380 Merit Points]
[Option 1: Peak Human Conditioning]
Upgrades the Host to the top physical limit of a trained, non-enhanced human — elite athlete level.
No superhuman strength or durability.
Cost: 320 Merit Points
[Option 2: Control — Power Stabilization]
A permanent modification to the Bonded Heir’s ability, granted through the Host’s bond.
Allows the Heir limited voluntary control over activation — the ability can be suppressed or engaged at will, rather than triggering purely on contact.
Does not remove the underlying power or its risks.
Cost: 500 Merit Points
[Option 3: Life Safety Card — Emergency Evacuation]
A single-use fail-safe.
Instantly teleports the Host and a Bonded Heir to a previously marked safe location when in immediate, life-threatening danger.
Consumed upon activation.
Cost: 250 Merit Points
“…”
Wow.
Ten seconds passed before he moved on to reread the other options.
The first one was clearly the best fit right now — two or three years of martial arts baked into his muscle memory, but none of the strength or body to actually back it up.
Peak Human would pair perfectly with that.
Control wasn’t urgent, but it mattered — it would go a long way toward improving things with Marie.
And the third option was, without exaggeration, a genuine lifeline.
The shop just upgraded one tier, and it’s already handing me things this useful?
Three hundred and eighty points sat in the corner of his vision.
Enough for either the emergency card or Peak Human.
Not both.
Control stayed out of reach for now — not really a problem.
Shop wouldn’t refresh for a month, plenty of time to earn more and grab it later, before these options disappeared for good.
Alright.
Option one.
Buy.
The transaction hit differently this time — not the sharp, icy spike from before, but something slower, like being dunked in warm water and pulled back out.
[- 320 Merit Points] This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
[Current Balance: 60 Merit Points]
[Peak Human Conditioning: Active.]
Eyes open.
The room looked the same.
Hands looked the same.
Fingers flexed, then curled into a fist, tendons shifting under the skin.
Standing now, he crossed to the counter and picked up the room’s water bottle, testing its weight in his palm.
Just a water bottle.
Down it went, shoulders rolling, muscle responding a little cleaner than it had that morning.
Guess I’ll find out how much this actually did the next time somebody points a gun at me.
…
Coulson stood at his desk, a duffel bag already packed by the door.
He grabbed it and headed down the corridor toward Fury’s office, badge swiping him through two security doors along the way.
Fury was waiting, arms crossed, staring at a live satellite feed of a small New Mexico town — nothing but flat desert and a single crater visible from orbit.
“You wanted to see me before I left, sir.”
“Something came down in Puente Antiguo.” Fury didn’t look away from the screen.
“Not sure what yet. Doesn’t match anything in our database.”
“And you want me there personally.”
“I want eyes I trust on the ground before every three-letter agency in the country shows up and makes a mess of it.” Fury finally turned to face him.
“You’re the best I’ve got for handling something we don’t understand yet.”
Coulson nodded, adjusting the strap on his shoulder.
“What about Frost?”
“Still a priority. Just not the only one anymore.” Fury’s expression didn’t change.
“Sitwell can handle surveillance while you’re gone.”
“Understood.” Coulson paused at the door.
“Any read on what we might be looking at out there?”
“None.” Fury turned back to the screen, to the crater sitting alone in the desert.
“Which is why I need someone there who can think on their feet.”
Coulson gave a small nod and headed out, the door sealing shut behind him.
…
Asgard’s throne room was quiet, the golden light of the hall stretching long shadows across the floor.
Loki stood near the base of the throne, arms folded, watching the empty seat where her brother should have been sitting by now. New chapters come out on g.com first.
A guard’s footsteps echoed against the marble.
She turned.
“My lady. The council awaits your word on the border patrols.”
“Let them wait.” Her voice stayed even.
“I have matters to attend to first.”
The guard bowed and left.
Loki climbed the steps, slow, one hand trailing along the armrest before she sat.
It suits me better than it ever suited him.
Somewhere on a realm she’d never bothered to learn the name of, her brother was stranded — powerless, mortal, furious, and completely unaware of how he’d gotten there.
Let him learn a little humility.
He’s never had reason to before.
A chime sounded from deeper in the palace.
The council, growing impatient.
Loki rose, straightening her robes.
Soon.
…
One week later
The heavy punching bag swung back violently, chains rattling against the reinforced beam overhead.
Marcus worked through the combination — jab, cross, hook — sweat soaking through his shirt.
The gym doors hissed open.
Marie stepped in, a paper bag in one hand, two coffees balanced awkwardly in the other.
She stopped just inside, watching.
Her face went a little warm.
She looked away fast, suddenly very interested in the coffee lids.
Marcus threw one last combo and stepped back, wiping his face on his wrist.
“Hey.” He spotted her.
“How long you been standing there?”
“Not long.” She held up the bag.
“Here — I brought you some food. You know, in case you forgot to eat again.”
The coffee slid across the bench toward him, her eyes not quite meeting his.
He sat beside her, unwrapped the burger, and took a bite.
“…Okay, this is really good.”