Judgment of the Endless (MarvelxDC)

Ororo's heart skipped a beat. She remembered their brief time together, the unspoken feelings that had lingered between them. "There were... circumstances that prevented me from pursuing a relationship. But things are different now."

Darius nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Indeed. So, that do you say we take this opportunity to see where things might lead?"

Ororo's eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and hesitation. "Are you suggesting we... date?"

Darius grinned, his eyes never leaving hers. "Why not? Life is too short to let opportunities pass by. And I must admit, I find the idea of us together quite... enticing."

Ororo laughed, a sound filled with both amusement and relief. "You're nothing if not straightforward, Darius."

He shrugged, his smile softening. "I've learned that honesty is the best approach. So, what do you say? Shall we give it a try?"

Ororo took a deep breath, her mind racing with possibilities. She looked into Darius's eyes, seeing the sincerity there. "Alright, Darius. Let's give it a try."

Darius's smile widened, and he reached across the table to take her hand. "You won't regret it, Ororo. I promise."

They continued to talk, their conversation flowing effortlessly as they shared stories and memories. Darius's flirtatious comments and playful banter kept Ororo laughing, and she found herself relaxing in his presence.

"So, Ororo," Darius said, a mischievous glint in his eye, "what's your most daring adventure? Besides asking me out, of course."

Ororo chuckled, shaking her head. "Daring, huh? Well, there was that time I had to take on an entire squad of Sentinels single-handedly. That was quite the experience."

Darius whistled, clearly impressed. "I would have loved to see that. You must have been magnificent."

Ororo shrugged modestly. "I had to do what was necessary to protect my friends. But what about you, Darius? Any daring tales to share?"

Darius leaned back in his chair, a playful grin spreading across his face as he began to recount one of his many adventures.

"You know," he began, his voice low and inviting, "there was this one time I found myself in the midst of an ancient quest in a realm far from here. It was intense, to say the least."

Ororo's eyes widened with interest. "An ancient quest? Do tell."

Darius nodded, his eyes twinkling with excitement. "Picture this: a forgotten kingdom hidden deep within an enchanted forest, shrouded in mist and legend. The kingdom was said to hold a legendary artifact known as the Heart of the Forest, a gem of immense power."

Ororo leaned forward, captivated by the tale. "How did you get involved?"

Darius chuckled. "Well, I was wandering through the mystical lands, exploring the hidden corners of the world, when I stumbled upon a village plagued by dark magic. The villagers told me about the Heart of the Forest and the curse that had befallen their home."

He paused for effect, watching Ororo's reaction. "As I ventured deeper into the forest, I quickly realized I wasn't alone. Creatures of shadow and darkness lurked in the trees, their eyes glowing with malevolence. They were guardians of the artifact, ready to protect it at any cost."

Ororo's eyes gleamed with excitement. "What did you do?"

Darius's grin widened. "I decided to have a little fun. Using my powers, I cloaked myself in shadows, moving silently through the forest. The creatures were on edge, sensing something was amiss, but they couldn't see me."

He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "One by one, I outwitted them. It was like a game of cat and mouse. I'd let them catch a glimpse of me, just enough to scare them, and then disappear. The fear in their eyes was priceless."

Ororo laughed, shaking her head. "You're incorrigible."

Darius winked. "I aim to entertain. Anyway, I finally reached the heart of the forest, where the Heart of the Forest was supposed to be. But, of course, the leader of the guardians was waiting for me. He was a massive, ancient tree spirit, with roots that could crush boulders and a gaze that could pierce the soul."

Ororo's breath caught. "How did you handle him?"

Darius's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Oh, it was quite the showdown. He summoned the elements, creating a whirlwind of leaves and branches. But I was faster. I dodged and weaved, using my agility to stay out of his reach. And then, with a well-timed strike, I severed his connection to the dark magic."

He mimicked the action with his hand, making Ororo smile. "With him out of the way, I finally laid eyes on the Heart of the Forest. It was beautiful, glowing with an ethereal light. But as I reached for it, I felt a strange pull, like it was alive and calling to me."

Ororo's eyes widened. "Did you take it?"

Darius nodded. "I did. And as soon as I touched it, I felt a surge of power like nothing I'd ever experienced. It was exhilarating and terrifying all at once. But I knew I couldn't keep it. The gem's power was too great for anyone to wield."

He leaned back, his expression thoughtful. "So, I decided to hide it in a place where no one would ever find it. I sealed it away, deep within the roots of an ancient tree, protected by powerful wards. And then, I lifted the curse from the village, ensuring their safety."

Ororo let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. "That's quite the story, Darius."

Darius's grin returned. "Just one of many, my dear Ororo. Just one of many."

[A/N Do note that this was when Darius was very very young, newborn in fact, so his use of power wasn't that broad and outlandish. Just a modest concept in the mortal world]

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As the night wore on, they lost track of time, completely absorbed in each other's company. The café had emptied out, the staff giving them curious glances but not interrupting their conversation.

Eventually, Ororo glanced at her watch and sighed. "I suppose we should probably head back. It's getting late."

Darius nodded reluctantly. "I suppose so. But I've enjoyed this evening more than I can say."

Ororo smiled, feeling a warmth in her chest. "So have I, Darius. We should do this again soon."

Darius's eyes sparkled. "Absolutely. How about tomorrow night?"

Ororo laughed. "Eager, aren't you?"

Darius grinned. "Always, when it comes to you."

They stood up, and Darius paid for their drinks, insisting on treating her. As they walked out of the café, the cool night air hit them, and Ororo felt a sense of contentment she hadn't felt in a long time.

Darius walked her back to the mansion, their conversation still flowing effortlessly. When they finally arrived, Ororo turned to him with a sincere smile.

"Thank you, Darius. Tonight was... perfect."

Darius took her hand, pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles. "The pleasure was mine, Ororo. I look forward to our next meeting."

With a final smile, they said their goodbyes, and Ororo watched as Darius disappeared into the night. She headed inside, her heart light and her mind buzzing with thoughts of their evening together.

Back at the mansion, the team was waiting, their curiosity evident. Ororo could only smile at their eager faces.

"Well?" Cyclops prompted.

Ororo chuckled. "It was a good evening. And yes, we caught up on a lot of things."

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Darius strolled up the driveway to his mansion, a grand estate surrounded by lush gardens and towering trees. Acquiring the house about three weeks ago, shortly after his arrival in the city, had been a stroke of luck and clever negotiation.

The previous owner, a reclusive millionaire with a passion for the arcane, had been more than willing to sell it to someone who understood its hidden secrets and potential.

[A/N A lil help here, which city should he be in.]

Once inside, Darius made his way through the opulent halls, his footsteps echoing against the marble floors. He bypassed the numerous rooms filled with artifacts and relics from his countless adventures in the past year, heading straight for the expansive garden at the back of the mansion.

Each piece he collected held memories of his escapades, a testament to his curiosity and his desire to experience the mortal world.

Under the night sky, Darius lay on the soft grass, his eyes gazing past the stars and into the vast cosmos. The tranquility of the moment allowed him to reflect on his journey and the many worlds he had visited. The garden was his sanctuary, a place where he could momentarily escape the weight of his power and responsibilities.

As he continued to stare into the infinite expanse, a knowing smile crept onto his lips. He felt a familiar presence approaching, one that he had not sensed in a long time.

The sensation was both comforting and exhilarating, a reminder of the bonds that transcended time and space.

Without shifting his gaze from the stars, Darius murmured, "Hello, my dear sister."

The air seemed to shimmer around him, hinting at the arrival of someone powerful and significant. The anticipation of the reunion stirred the stillness of the night, making the atmosphere electric with suspense.

His thoughts wandered to their last encounter, eons ago, before he descended to the mortal plane. Now, the prospect of reconnecting with a sibling who understood the vastness of existence as he did filled him with a rare sense of excitement.

The night seemed to hold its breath, the stars twinkling a little brighter as if acknowledging the significance of this moment.

Darius remained still, waiting for the inevitable appearance of the one person who could share in his cosmic perspective, the sibling who had been with him since the beginning of time.

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