Clang, clang!
The phoenix takes flight, its cry echoing through the heavens!
At the very moment Hawk closed his eyes, a phoenix formed of pure flame and light manifested behind him, glorious and unmatched.
The next instant, the blazing phantom surged forward, merging into Hawk's battered body.
Boom—
Wings of fire unfurled at his sides. Then, like a gentle mother, the phoenix folded them inward, carefully cocooning Hawk as though afraid to disturb his slumber.
Even Malekith, whose face had not flinched when it was half-destroyed, froze in disbelief. His pale eyes widened with shock.
Thor too was stunned. "That's…"
"Thor," Natasha said, stepping up beside him, equally dazed as she stared at Hawk, who was embraced within the fiery wings, his aura vanishing as though lifeless. "That's… what?"
Thor's mind raced.
"Rebirth!"
"Rebirth?" Natasha echoed, eyes narrowing.
Thor clenched his jaw. "He isn't a demigod… He's a god."
Their words, and Malekith's shock, all happened in a heartbeat.
Meanwhile, Hawk felt his consciousness shift.
A moment ago, he remembered closing his eyes. Now, he opened them—only to find himself not revived, but seated in a dimly lit tavern.
A slow country tune drifted from the jukebox. Lone Star paraphernalia hung on the walls.
"What the hell… where am I now?" Hawk muttered inwardly.
From a nearby table came the clink of glasses.
Turning, he saw someone who hadn't been there before.
A man in a flawlessly tailored dark suit lounged in the booth. Long black hair fell messily about his face, but it was his narrow golden eyes, glinting with amusement, that drew Hawk's focus. With a smirk, the stranger lifted his glass in a silent invitation.
Hawk frowned, then walked over and sat opposite him.
The man pushed a glass of amber bourbon across the table. "Kentucky. Thunder Distillery. Bourbon. Try it."
Hawk glanced at the drink, then at the man's smile.
He raised the glass and drained it in one go.
"Hello, Mephisto," Hawk said flatly.
The stranger laughed, but the sound twisted as his disguise fell away.
The suit writhed like a living thing, splitting to reveal a body of black tar and molten rock. His face warped into a demonic skull, skin charred crimson, nostrils flaring with sparks, eyes blazing with hellfire.
"Welcome to Hell," Mephisto rumbled, voice echoing like a chasm.
Hawk's expression didn't change. "Can I see my sister?"
Mephisto blinked, then smirked. He snapped his fingers, his form shifting back into the guise of a charming Texan drifter. He poured more bourbon, slid a glass toward Hawk, and raised his own.
They drank.
"I want to see my sister."
"Sorry," Mephisto said simply. "She's in Hell. You aren't. You're on the edge—between life and death."
Hawk frowned. "Then revive her."
"Of course I can," Mephisto said smoothly.
"Then—"
"No."
Hawk's gaze hardened. "Not afraid I'll storm Hell itself to take her back?"
Mephisto chuckled. He leaned back lazily, crossing his legs. "You might, someday. You do have the strength… in the future. Not now. Isn't that true?"
Hawk didn't answer—because it was true.
So instead, he offered calmly, "Revive her, and I'll grant you three requests—anything. Refuse, and when I gain that strength, I'll break into your Hell myself. Out of respect for today, I'll leave you alive. Once."
It was his sincerest offer—one he hadn't even given Hydra's Anna, who had aided him greatly.
But Mephisto only smiled and shook his head. "No deal."
Hawk's eyes narrowed. Inside, his resolve sharpened. Fine. If not talk… then war.
But then Mephisto raised a hand. "I've no reason to earn the hatred of a future god-king. Not when I hope to rule over the souls who die under your reign. Your kingdom will thrive, teeming with life—meaning more souls for me. Why risk that over one mortal girl?"
Hawk scowled. He was about to snap back when golden flames began to rise from his feet.
"What's this?"
Mephisto smirked. "Your time here is over." He raised his glass in farewell.
The flames engulfed Hawk, turning his form translucent.
"Take care of my sister," Hawk said quietly.
Mephisto smiled thinly, lifting his empty glass. "Until we meet again, Hawk."
"Goodbye, Mephisto."
The last of the fire consumed him, and Hawk vanished like sparks on the wind.
The tavern dissolved.
And Hawk's voice echoed in the void—
"Where the hell am I this time?"
…
(End of Chapter)
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