MARVEL: TOAA

Ravion repaired the shelter, restoring it to a semblance of normalcy.

With the children gone, the shelter was finally quiet. John and Reina could rest undisturbed. The constant noise from the children had left John frazzled, and now, for the first time in days, peace returned.

Ravion, however, seemed preoccupied. He sat still, his metallic form radiating an air of deep contemplation. John, curious about his guardian's unusual behavior, asked, "What's on your mind, Ravion?"

"I'm wondering how to sustain hope," Ravion replied in his monotone voice, yet tinged with a hint of uncertainty. "From my observations, humans need hope to survive. I'm trying to figure out what kind of hope I should foster for you and Reina."

Ravion's clumsy attempt to act like a parent was almost endearing.

John smirked. "Do you want my advice?"

Ravion's blank stare suddenly lit up. "Oh, yes. I should have asked for your opinion first. Apologies."

"First off," John began, "a guardian's main responsibility is to ensure the child grows up healthy and learns how to survive independently. You don't need to plan every aspect of our futures, Ravion. We'll form our own goals as we grow. You have your own consciousness now, so stop acting like a robot programmed to follow instructions."

The dynamic between John and Ravion was peculiar yet symbiotic. John relied on Ravion for protection, while Ravion, despite his immense power, relied on John's wisdom to navigate the intricacies of sentience. One was a physically vulnerable infant; the other was mentally akin to a child.

"So, what should I do?" Ravion asked.

John leaned forward. "Train Reina. The Void is full of dangers. If anything happens to you, she should be able to fend for herself. And you, Ravion, must learn that reading minds isn't enough. Humans can be deceptive, and the darkness of their nature often hides beneath the surface. You'll need to adapt to that, even if it's disappointing."

Ravion seemed to process this. "It's... complicated. But I feel something strange—an odd sensation of anticipation."

"That's hope," John explained. "It's because your mind has already painted a picture of success. You're imagining the outcome while ignoring the struggles of the journey."

The next morning, after breakfast, Ravion placed a meticulously crafted training schedule on the table. Alongside it, he unveiled a newly constructed training room filled with various equipment, designed with Ravion's telekinetic precision.

Reina groaned. "Oh no. This looks like hell on earth."

Meanwhile, 100 miles away, the Avengers had established a temporary camp in a ravine, desperate to avoid Alioth's wrath.

For days, they had been on the run, conserving their dwindling resources. Food and water were critically low, and morale was at rock bottom. Alioth—a massive, devouring entity—hovered in the distance, an ever-present reminder of their fragile situation.

The team had learned to live under Alioth's watchful gaze. Fires were forbidden, singing was silenced, and even the faintest cry could draw its attention.

Tony Stark had attempted to survey the Void from the air, but the sight crushed his spirit. The land stretched endlessly, and Alioth's true form seemed even larger than the continent itself. For the first time in his life, Stark felt utterly insignificant. His genius, which had always been his strength, now seemed useless against the vastness of the threat.

The tipping point came when a refugee died of thirst. Chaos erupted as desperation gripped the camp. The survivors, a mix of elites who once enjoyed luxury, descended into savagery. Fights broke out over scraps of food. A man, once dignified, beat a woman senseless for a crust of bread.

Steve Rogers climbed to a high vantage point, shouting for calm. "Stop! This isn't the way!"

But his words fell on deaf ears. The chaos below mirrored a vision of hell. Elegant men brawled like animals, and refined women clawed at each other for morsels. Steve's unwavering faith in humanity wavered for the first time. Dr. Erskine's words echoed in his mind: "The serum amplifies what's already inside—good becomes great, and bad becomes worse."

The sight was almost too much for him to bear. His shield, a symbol of hope and justice, felt heavier than ever.

Nearby, a wealthy man shrieked as a woman bit into his hand to steal a piece of bread. Blood spilled as the camp descended further into madness. A self-proclaimed doctor claimed to help but instead sucked blood from the man's wounds to quench his own thirst. Others joined in, turning the scene into a macabre frenzy.

Thor, standing apart, clenched Mjolnir tightly. His frustration boiled over. With a roar, he summoned a violent storm, lightning crashing indiscriminately.

"Enough!" Thor bellowed. "You are worse than the monsters I've faced across the Nine Realms. This is not humanity—it's madness!"

Thor's voice cracked with emotion—anger, guilt, and despair. "I can't save you. I don't belong here. Father, I understand now... please, take me back to Asgard!"

Unable to endure the sight any longer, Thor swung Mjolnir and disappeared into the skies, leaving the Avengers to face the horrors of the ravine alone.

Back at the shelter, John observed Reina struggling through Ravion's rigorous training. Despite her complaints, she persevered.

"Do you think we're too hard on her?" Ravion asked, his metallic face betraying an unusual hint of concern.

John shook his head. "No. She'll thank us one day. Better she suffers now than face the dangers of the world unprepared."

Ravion glanced at the horizon, where the faint outline of Alioth loomed. "Do you think they'll survive out there?"

"Some will," John replied grimly. "But when they return, they won't be the same. The darkness of desperation changes people. Let's hope they remember who they were."

Ravion sighed. "It's hard to be a parent."

Reina, panting from exertion, managed a weak smile. "Don't worry, Ravion. Your gentleness makes even hell seem bearable."

The three of them stood together, a strange but enduring family, bracing for the challenges yet to come.