Demon King of Time in Marvel

Chapter 21 Hammers and Sculpting

Inside the Keep, Devon was training relentlessly.

On a desolate planet, cracks spiderwebbed across the ground, with the stars in space acting as a background, was Devon currently in confrontation with a copy of Paradox.

He felt the phantom wind on his skin, the subtle shift of the air as the Paradox's fist neared him. He saw it, not just the punch but the multiple possibilities of that single action. Ohma moved with practiced ease, dodging each strike by mere millimetres.

His [Pseudo-Precognition] had evolved. It wasn't just a vague sense of what might be, but a clear vision of the immediate future. The continued use of the ability and the increase in his temporal powers had made it possible. It was now [Precognition], its sole limitation being that, if he changed the future he would have to wait for time to catch up before he could use it again.

As the Paradox got closer, its movement started slowing down, then came to a halt near him. A field of crackling golden energy surrounded him, a domain where time bent to his will. It was a shield, a weapon, a testament to his growing power.

The fight with the Paradox still weighed heavily on him. He ended up destroying an entire timeline, just to deal with a single inexperienced minion. It was a chilling reminder of the threat he faced. How many more were out there? He kicked the holographic Paradox out of his domain, the force hurling it into the simulated sky.

Elsewhere in the Keep, the rhythmic clang of metal echoed through the laboratory. Sparks flew from her welding torch as she fused the Aethelian technology with her wakandan ingenuity. Unlike Devon, Shuri didn't 'borrow' them, but had been gifted them because of her commendable bravery and actions in saving the people, and maybe her connection to someone who single handedly destroyed an army.

Schematics lay scattered across her workbench, hunting at a project of human design, a project she has clearly been working on for some time. She had also sorted all the data she had taken from the TVA, making their travels that much easier.

Devon found her amidst the sparks and the scent of burning metal, "Shuri," he called out his voice echoing in the chamber, "Meet me in the Throne Room we need to talk."

Looking around the new laboratory, provided by the Keep, Devon could feel the scientist in him bubbling up. I might really need to make something for the one I am going to face.

Later, in the Throne room, Devon sat at the polished table, swirling the shimmering blue Aethelian fluid in his cup. It was a delicacy he had 'borrowed'. He took a sip, the taste exploding on his tongue, a perfect balance of sweet and tangy that reminded him of his childhood.  Just for this, he thought wryly, I'd save them again. If I ever run out… I am 'borrowing' more.

Shuri entered, her expression focused. She took the seat opposite to him, her gaze meeting his.

Devon gestured to the other cup,"Try some. Its from Aethel, truly unique."

Shuri hesitated,then took a sip, her eyes widening in disbelief. "That's," she breathed, a genuine smile on her lips, "incredible."

"Changes depending on the taster," Devon explained, his smile fading as he set down his cup. The clink echoed in the stillness. "But we're not here for a taste test."

Shuri's smile vanished, "You want to know my decision." she stated her voice steady.

Devon replied, a touch of coldness in his voice, "Yes, I would like you to be clear."

Shuri met his gaze, her eyes resolute, "I would like to stay with you. My world is gone. The enemy is still out there,hiding in the shadows. And you are the only one capable enough to stop them, or at least trying to."

Devon swirled the remaining blue liquid, "And why should I let you?" he asked, a hint of steel in his voice. "I could drop you anywhere. A world of sentient squirrels. A peaceful paradise. Why should I let you stay? Why with me?"

Shuri met his gaze, her expression unwavering. "Because I'm not a damsel waiting to be rescued, Devon," she stated, her voice sharp and clear. "I'm a survivor. I lost everything, but I didn't lose who I am. I'm a scientist. I understand energy on a fundamental level – from vibranium to the very fabric of space-time. I built a weapon that could disrupt dimensions, remember? It was only a prototype, but the principles are sound. And I analyzed the Paradox's temporal field. I know how it works, how it distorts time. You said yourself, the Keep has no record of it. That means my data, my understanding, is unique. I'm not asking for a free ride. I'm offering you help, and from the looks of it you can use some." She paused, her gaze softening slightly.

Devon's voice carried a subtle hint of threat, "But how are you going to protect yourself? And have you forgotten, I am not a hero. Just destroying your broken timeline made you angry. What would you do if we face such a situation again?"

Shuri's expression hardened. "I'll do what's necessary," she said, her voice low and resolute.

Devon's gaze intensified. "Necessity is a fickle thing." He conjured a holographic projection above the table, a swirling vortex of timelines, each a thread of light. One, brighter than the rest, pulsed with vibrant energy. "This timeline," he said, pointing, "stable. Thriving. Millions of lives." The image flickered, showing snapshots of families, bustling cities, lives lived in peaceful ignorance of the impending doom. Then, the image shifted, revealing the Paradox: a monstrous, shadowy entity, its form writhing and distorting, radiating temporal decay. It reached towards the web of timelines, its touch a blight.

"This is the Paradox," Devon stated, his voice cold. "It consumes time, growing stronger with each timeline it devours. If we do nothing, it takes them all. But if we sever this one," he pointed to the bright thread again, "we contain it. We stop it." The projection vanished, leaving a heavy silence. He looked at Shuri, his eyes unwavering. "Now, Shuri. Knowing what you know, seeing what you've seen…could you make that choice?"

Shuri's breath caught. The weight of his words settled on her, crushing. She saw the faces in the projected timeline, the lives about to be extinguished. Then, she saw the alternative: countless more timelines, consumed by the Paradox, an unimaginable scale of destruction. Her own world's fate echoed in the stark choice before her.

Her voice was barely a whisper, strained with the weight of the impossible decision. "If…if it's the only way…" She looked up at Devon, her eyes filled with a desperate plea for understanding. "...Then yes."

Devon smiled, a hint of amusement in his voice. "We shall test your resolve then, but till then, welcome aboard." He paused, his smile fading slightly, a flicker of something darker in his eyes. "Though I should warn you…my next move might not sit well with your morals. I intend to…'borrow' some things. And that might put me at odds with the Ancient One."

Shuri's brow furrowed. The name was familiar, wasn't she the previous sorcerer supreme. "The Ancient One?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. "You're planning to fight her?"

Devon shrugged, a nonchalant gesture that belied the gravity of the situation. "Not necessarily fight," he corrected, though the glint in his eyes suggested otherwise. "Let's just say I need something she has. And she's not exactly known for her…generosity."

Shuri studied him, her sharp mind quickly assessing the implications. Confronting the Ancient One was no small matter. The sorceress was a force to be reckoned with, a master of mystic arts with centuries of experience. Even with Devon's temporal abilities, it was a dangerous undertaking. "Do you think you can defeat her?" she asked, her voice cautious.

"No," Devon said, sounding almost helpless, a rare moment of genuine vulnerability breaking through his usual sardonic demeanor. "As I am currently, I'd get my ass handed to me on a silver platter."

"Really?" Shuri said in disbelief, raising a skeptical eyebrow. "You can destroy a timeline and defeat a Paradox, yet you can't defeat her?"

Devon sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's a case of a bad matchup, Shuri. My abilities lie in raw power and temporal manipulation, but she…she's different." He paused, searching for the right words, a flicker of genuine concern crossing his features. "Magic is different. It's not just about energy, it's about intent, about manipulating the very fabric of reality through structured incantations and focused will. And not to forget," he added, a wry smile touching his lips, "she can trap me in a dimension. Or several. She counters me on too many points."

Shuri tilted her head, her brow furrowed in thought. "But you can control time," she pointed out. "Surely that gives you some advantage?"

"It gives me some advantage," Devon conceded. "I can disrupt the timing of her spells, create openings, maybe even buy myself a few precious seconds. But I can't stop the magic itself. Imagine trying to stop a flood by slowing down the flow of individual water molecules. You might delay the inevitable, but you're not going to stop the flood." He paused, his gaze becoming distant, as if replaying a hypothetical encounter in his mind. "She could trap me in the Mirror Dimension, for instance. And she would definitely be using the Eye of Agamotto to counter my time manipulation. Actually now that I think about it, she might only be able to resist it now, I have become far more powerful."

He shook his head slightly. "My powers are effective no doubt. But against the Ancient One…it's like bringing a hammer to a sculpting competition. I might be able to smash things, but I can't create art."

Shuri considered his explanation, her analytical mind piecing together the information. She understood now. Devon's powers were powerful, but they were not a universal solution. They had limitations, especially against something as nuanced and versatile as magic. "So What are you going to do? And why even fight her?"

Devon's gaze hardened, a resolute glint in his eyes. "Because it's personal," he said, his voice low and firm. "I need to learn to sculpt. Or at least learn enough about sculpting to defend myself against a master sculptor's tools." He paused, a thoughtful look crossing his face. 

"There are two major reasons: to understand magic…and this Time Stone." He gestured vaguely, encompassing the Keep around them. "The Keep has a vast library, yes. It contains more knowledge of magic than most universes could dream of. But some things…" He trailed off, shaking his head slightly. "Not everything can be learned by just reading a book."

 "Couldn't you get a Time Stone from somewhere else?" Shuri persisted. "Somewhere…easier? There are infinite realities, after all."

"No," Devon said, his voice laced with a quiet intensity. "It has to be this one. It's not just about the Stone itself; it's about its connection to this universe. It's…crucial for what I have planned."

While Devon would like to keep this as civil as possible. He wouldn't shy away from a fight either. Because he was confident that even if he did not win, the Ancient one would never be able to kill him. 

He looked around the Throne room, a hint of melancholy in his voice. "It's time to go back home,"