Chapter 6: A Pact Forged in Sokovia
The air in Sokovia thrummed with a tension that had nothing to do with the war-torn surroundings and everything to do with the girl before him. Wanda Maximoff's eyes, usually haunted, now held a flicker of intense focus, fixed on the shimmering invitation only she could perceive. Pietro, who had returned a moment ago, a loaf of stale bread clutched in his hand, stood protectively beside her, his super-speed an almost visible hum of nervous energy. He couldn't see the system prompt, but he could sense the profound shift in his sister's demeanor.
Adam kept his posture open, his expression earnest. He wasn't Stiles the goofball right now; he was Adam the desperate visionary, speaking from a place of deep, terrifying knowledge. "This isn't a trick, Wanda. No government program, no Hydra, no one else looking to put you in a cage or turn you into a weapon. This is… an opportunity. To master what's inside you, to use it for good, on your terms. To protect Pietro, to protect this city. To be truly free."
Wanda looked up, her gaze piercing. "Free? No one is free here. We are just… survivors."
"Survival is the first step," Adam countered gently. "But it doesn't have to be the last. Imagine: control. Not fear. Not random bursts of power. But true command. And the means to feed your people, rebuild your homes, without waiting for scraps from others." He gestured to the invisible invite. "That's what this offers. A way to convert what you have – your strength, your will, even your material possessions – into power. Into Guild Points. Points you can use to buy skills, enhancements, even food and medicine from a hidden store. A store that grows as we grow."
Pietro, ever impetuous, finally spoke. "What is this? Magic? Some kind of… con?" His voice was quick, laced with suspicion. "How can you give us such things? And why?"
Adam turned to Pietro, meeting his gaze squarely. "No con, Pietro. No magic, not really. Think of it as a tool. A powerful, neutral tool. And why? Because this world is heading for some very bad times, and people like you – like us – need to be ready. Ready to stand up, ready to fight, ready to protect those who can't protect themselves. And I've seen what you can do. You deserve to control it. Both of you."
He then addressed Wanda again, his voice dropping slightly, recognizing her profound empathy. "You feel things, Wanda. More than most. The pain of this place, the suffering of your people. This system… it can help you channel that. Turn that overwhelming empathy into strength. Not a burden."
Wanda's eyes, though still wary, were now tinged with a desperate hope. She remembered the bombing, the fear, the helplessness. The raw, uncontrolled energy that sometimes burst from her when her emotions became too much. Control… it was a seductive idea. And this man, this strange, earnest man, somehow understood.
"And Pietro?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper, her loyalty to her brother absolute.
"Pietro gets the same opportunity," Adam affirmed. "To be faster, stronger, more resilient. To be the protector you both deserve to be. Together. Always."
That word, together, seemed to seal it. Wanda's resolve hardened. She looked at the invitation, then at Pietro, who, despite his skepticism, nodded almost imperceptibly. If Wanda trusted it, he would too.
With a deep breath, Wanda reached out and, in a motion invisible to Pietro, touched the shimmering prompt.
[Guild Invitation Accepted: Wanda Maximoff!]
[New Guild Member: Wanda Maximoff. Loyalty: 90%]
[Guild Invitation Accepted: Pietro Maximoff!]
[New Guild Member: Pietro Maximoff. Loyalty: 88%]
[Congratulations! Guild Member Count: 3!]
Adam felt a rush of exhilaration, tempered by the immense responsibility that had just settled on his shoulders. He now had two of the most powerful, and tragically fated, individuals in the MCU under his guidance. This was the true beginning.
"Excellent," Adam said, a genuine smile replacing his careful earnestness. "Welcome to the Guild. Now, let's get you properly introduced."
He quickly brought up their individual Guild Member interfaces for them. Wanda stared at hers, a mixture of awe and bewilderment on her face as she saw the "Guild Store" and "Attributes" tabs. Pietro, ever the speedster, was already swiping through his.
"What is this 'Guild Points'?" Pietro asked, pointing to his zero balance. "And 'Skill Books'?"
Adam launched into a simplified explanation of the Guild System, focusing on the Member side. "GP is your currency here. You can convert any money, any valuables you find, into GP. The system takes a small tax, but the rest is yours to spend in the Guild Store. And those Skill Books? They teach you abilities. Hacking, combat styles, or in your cases… how to control that incredible power you both have."
He quickly navigated to their respective Guild Stores. He had to prioritize. Wanda needed control more than anything.
[Guild Master Store – Item Available: Psychic Control Skill Book – 15 GP][Guild Master Store – Item Available: Emotional Regulation Skill Book – 10 GP]
Adam grimaced. He only had 3.85 GP. Not nearly enough. He couldn't just give them money, not yet. They needed to earn it to understand the system's value. But he could provide starting capital. He still had the $50 he started with
"Alright, first things first," Adam said, pulling out a handful of the local currency, which he'd converted from some of his meager USD supply earlier. "This is your initial investment. Convert this." He handed Wanda 500 units of local currency. "This will give you a start. Pietro, you too." He gave Pietro 500. It wasn't much, but it was a tangible start.
[Wanda Maximoff converted 500 Local Currency. Guild Master Tax: 30%. Wanda gained: 3.5 GP. Adam gained: 1.5 GP.][Pietro Maximoff converted 500 Local Currency. Guild Master Tax: 30%. Pietro gained: 3.5 GP. Adam gained: 1.5 GP.]
[Adam Stiels – Guild Points (GP): 6.85]
Adam's GP total now stood at 6.85. Still not enough for the truly essential skill books. He cursed the brutal conversion rate.
"Wanda, for you, your absolute priority needs to be the 'Psychic Control Skill Book' and the 'Emotional Regulation Skill Book'," Adam instructed, pointing them out on her Guild Store interface. "They're pricey, but they are crucial for what you do. For Pietro, 'Agility Potions' and 'Stamina Potions' will boost your natural speed and endurance, making you even faster, even tougher."
He knew they would need more than just his paltry initial funding. They needed a source of income.
"Your first mission, both of you, is resource acquisition," Adam stated, mentally creating a mission. "Novi Grad, this city. There are abandoned buildings, hidden stashes, even black market deals. Find anything of value – jewelry, old electronics, anything that can be converted into GP. The more you find, the faster you get the skills you need. Focus on what's safe, and prioritize anything that can get GP."
[New Mission Created: 'Sokovian Scavenge'][Objective: Acquire salvageable items/currency in Novi Grad for GP conversion.][Reward: Variable GP based on value. Adam's cut: 50%.][Assign to: Wanda Maximoff, Pietro Maximoff? Y/N]
Adam selected 'Y'. Both twins looked at their interfaces, then at each other, a shared understanding passing between them. They had a purpose. A direction. And the means to gain power.
"We will do it," Wanda said, her voice firm, a newfound determination in her eyes. Pietro nodded, already buzzing with anticipation.
Adam knew this was just the beginning. The seeds were sown. Now, he had to leave them to grow, while he moved on to the next piece of his ever-expanding chessboard.