Crimson Code: Marvel's Vampire

Hulk let out a grunt, which Ethan took as agreement. There was no more time for conversation—the ground rumbled as Abomination rose, his hulking form shedding debris like a serpent's skin. His yellowed eyes fixed on them, a twisted smile revealing rows of jagged teeth.

"You two... think you can take me?" Abomination's voice was a gravelly rasp, dripping with malice.

Hulk responded first, launching himself forward with a roar that rattled windows blocks away. Abomination met him head-on, the impact of their collision sending a shockwave through the street. Asphalt cracked, and the air shimmered with dust and heat.

Ethan moved in the chaos, his blood manipulation springing to life. He formed crimson tendrils that lashed out, wrapping around debris and launching it toward Abomination's exposed flank. The monster barely registered the impact, but it was enough to throw off his balance and give Hulk an opening.

The green giant capitalized, delivering a haymaker that sent Abomination sprawling into the wreckage of a parked bus. Metal crumpled around him, and the vehicle exploded in a plume of fire and smoke.

"You know, you could say 'thank you,' big guy!" Ethan quipped, earning only a grunt from Hulk, too focused on his opponent to respond.

Ethan didn't waste time. He slipped through the chaos, using his blood to shield civilians still trapped in the rubble. His tendrils acted like a second set of hands, pulling people free and guiding them toward safety. Each life saved felt like a small victory, a reminder of why he was fighting.

Nearby, a group of civilians watched in awe and terror. One man, clutching his phone, muttered, "Is that another hero?"

"I don't know," a woman replied, pulling her daughter close. "But he's helping... that's good enough for me."

Ethan's focus sharpened as he spotted a young girl trapped under a fallen beam. His blood formed a crimson wedge that he used to lever the debris away. The girl's wide eyes filled with hope, and he gave her a quick nod before guiding her to safety.

Back in the fray, Abomination had risen again, flames licking at his scaled skin. His eyes zeroed in on Ethan, the smaller target who had dared to interfere.

"You," Abomination snarled. "I'll crush you."

"You can try, but I'm kinda slippery," Ethan shot back. "Just ask my high school gym teacher."

His blood sense flared, and he moved, a blur of shadow and crimson. Abomination charged, and Ethan met him halfway. His blood solidified, forming blades along his arms, and he struck—aiming for tendons and joints. Each cut was precise, driven by survival and a growing confidence in his powers.

Amidst the fight, more civilians gathered at the edge of the chaos, watching as the mysterious crimson-clad figure fought alongside the Hulk. Some recorded on their phones, the footage already destined for the internet.

Ethan unleashed his heat manipulation. The air around his fists shimmered, and when he struck, the heat seared Abomination's skin, leaving charred marks. The monster howled, more in anger than pain. He swung, and Ethan ducked, but the shockwave of the blow threw him against a wall. His blood hardened just in time to absorb the impact, but the force still rattled him.

"Okay, that hurt... a lot," Ethan muttered. "Note to self: Don't let the giant lizard-punk slap you around."

Hulk rejoined the fray, barreling into Abomination with a force that shook the ground. Ethan forced himself up, his vision swimming, the taste of blood sharp in his mouth—his own this time. He pulled on it, using the pain, the essence of his life, to fuel his abilities. His wounds closed, and his strength returned, the Crimson Code offering no words but a subtle, encouraging pulse.

"You hit like a truck," Ethan called to Abomination. "Too bad I'm not roadkill yet."

He surged forward, his blood forming a lance—sleek and deadly. As Hulk pummeled Abomination, Ethan leapt, driving the blood weapon into the creature's shoulder. The lance pierced deep, and for the first time, Abomination screamed in genuine pain.

The battlefield shifted. Abomination, now wounded and enraged, lashed out wildly. Hulk was knocked back, crashing into a building, and Ethan found himself face-to-face with the monster. His blood powers flared, readying for a desperate defense.

"Alright, big guy," Ethan muttered. "Let's see if we can make this a two-on-one."

The scene intensified. Civilians huddled behind makeshift barricades, their eyes wide as they witnessed the battle unfold. Some gasped as Ethan narrowly avoided Abomination's attacks, while others began to cheer as he and Hulk started to turn the tide.

"Who is he?" a boy whispered, clutching his mother's arm.

"A hero," she said softly, hope glimmering in her voice.

As Abomination swung, Ethan dodged, his movements a blur. He struck back, his blood blades slicing through the monster's thick hide. Each cut was precise, aimed at tendons and joints, but Abomination barely seemed to notice.

"You're tougher than you look," Ethan quipped, ducking under another swing. "But you're still ugly as sin."

The monster roared, and Ethan unleashed his heat manipulation again. The air shimmered, and when he struck, the heat left charred marks. The shockwave of Abomination's retaliatory blow threw him against a wall, but his blood hardened in time to absorb most of the impact.

Ethan didn't hesitate. He surged forward, his blood forming a lance—sleek and deadly. As Hulk pummeled Abomination, Ethan leapt, driving the blood weapon into the creature's shoulder. The lance pierced deep.

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