Marvel's Druidic God ♾️

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Ethan wandered through the city, his mind still tangled with the thoughts of everything he had seen and felt. The encounter with the shadowy presence lingered at the edges of his consciousness, but for now, he needed to focus on something tangible—something normal.

His stomach growled, reminding him that, despite everything, he still had basic human needs.

"I haven't eaten since I got here…"

Glancing around, he spotted a row of food vendors lining the street near a small plaza. The air was rich with the scent of sizzling meat, spices, and freshly baked bread. The sight of people casually chatting, grabbing a quick bite, and going about their daily lives felt almost surreal compared to what he had been dealing with.

As he debated what to eat, a voice broke through his thoughts.

"You look lost, kid."

Ethan turned to see a middle-aged man standing beside him, holding the hands of two young children—twins, judging by their identical features. The man had a kind face, dressed in a simple button-up and jeans, his expression a mix of curiosity and mild concern.

Ethan blinked before shaking his head. "Just… figuring things out."

The man chuckled. "That's a fancy way of saying 'I have no idea what I'm doing.'"

Ethan let out a small, reluctant laugh. "Yeah… something like that."

The twins, a boy and a girl, tugged on their father's hands impatiently.

"Dad, food!" the boy whined.

"Alright, alright," the man sighed before glancing back at Ethan. "Have you eaten yet?"

Ethan hesitated. "Not yet."

"Well, we're about to grab some shawarma. Best in the city," the man said with a grin. "How about you join us? My treat."

Ethan opened his mouth to decline out of instinct, but something about the man's easygoing demeanor made him pause.

A moment of normalcy. A chance to breathe.

"…Sure."

The man led him to a small, cozy shop tucked between two larger buildings. The scent of warm spices and grilled meat filled the air as they stepped inside.

As they sat down, the twins immediately dove into their food, their conversation turning into an excited blur of nonsense and laughter. Ethan found himself watching them, an odd warmth settling in his chest.

The man must have noticed. "Got any siblings?"

Ethan hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah. A little sister."

"Ah," the man smiled knowingly. "They drive you crazy, don't they?"

Ethan chuckled, looking down at his food. "Yeah. But… I'd do anything for her."

The man nodded, his expression thoughtful. "That's how it should be." He gestured vaguely around them. "Life moves fast. Cities like this? They don't stop for anyone. But family… family is what keeps you grounded."

Ethan's grip tightened around his fork. "Yeah… I know."

They ate in comfortable silence for a moment before the man glanced at him again. "You here alone?"

Ethan swallowed, debating his answer before settling on a half-truth. "Yeah. Just got into town."

The man nodded. "New York can be overwhelming at first. But you'll figure it out."

Ethan looked at him, searching for some kind of deeper meaning in his words. But the man was already distracted, laughing as his daughter tried to steal some of her brother's food.

A reminder that life still moved forward.

After finishing their meal, Ethan stood up and gave the man a grateful nod. "Thanks. I appreciate it."

"Don't mention it, kid." The man ruffled his son's hair before looking back at Ethan. "Whatever you're figuring out, don't overthink it too much. Sometimes, you just have to take the next step and see where it leads."

Ethan exhaled slowly. "Yeah… I think I needed to hear that."

The man gave him a final nod before leading his kids out onto the bustling street. Ethan watched them disappear into the crowd, his mind a little clearer than before.

Then, he turned and stepped back into the flow of the city, ready to take his next step—Wherever, whatever it might be.

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A Name for the Future

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Ethan walked with purpose, though his mind was anything but settled. The weight of the Tome within him felt more tangible than before—not physically, but in a way that made its presence undeniable. It wasn't just an object of power—it was something more, something alive in its own way.

And for the first time since his arrival, he was beginning to understand what it meant.

He wasn't just some random outsider thrown into this world. He had a purpose here. A reason.

But what was it?

He needed direction. A goal.

His eyes drifted to the towering skyline of New York, the mirrored glass reflecting the golden hues of the afternoon sun. Somewhere out there, heroes were rising. Villains were plotting. The universe was already moving toward its inevitable chaos.

And yet, here he was.

For all his newfound power, for all the potential he could feel thrumming beneath his skin, Ethan was still an unknown. An anomaly in a world that had no place for him.

His hands clenched at his sides.

He would have to carve that place out himself.

That thought sent a shiver down his spine—not of fear, but of anticipation.

Then, as if responding to his resolve, the Tome stirred.

A single word surfaced in his mind.

"Archdruid."

Ethan inhaled sharply as something deep within him shifted. A pulse—not of magic, but of understanding. Knowledge poured into his mind in scattered fragments, images and sensations that painted a picture far larger than himself.

He was an Archdruid—one born with an intrinsic connection to nature, to life itself. Not merely a magician, nor a simple practitioner of nature's will, but something more. A force of balance. A guardian of the world's natural order. A guide.

And… a protector.

A flicker of resistance formed in his mind. But what does that mean for me?

The Tome gave no direct answer. Only silence, weighted with expectation.

His breath came slow and measured. He had no mentor, no one to guide him through what this truly meant. But one thing was clear—his role wasn't passive. He wasn't meant to stand aside and watch.

Not when something had already noticed him.

His thoughts flickered to the shadow he had sensed earlier—the unseen force that had been watching, testing. That alone confirmed it. There was something wrong in this world, something lurking beneath the surface.

Was that why he had been brought here?

Or had his arrival caused it?

His stomach twisted at the thought. What if he wasn't supposed to be here? What if his presence was an anomaly that disrupted the balance rather than upheld it?

Ethan clenched his fists. No. That kind of thinking wouldn't get him anywhere.

The why of it all could wait. What mattered now was what came next.

He had power. He had knowledge.

And now, he had purpose.

Even if it wasn't entirely clear yet.

Ethan exhaled and forced himself to keep walking. For now, he needed a safe place—a moment to stop, to think, to understand. He had no real money, no ID, nothing to his name. Finding a way to support himself was step one.

A hotel, maybe? Or an apartment he could pay for under the table? Something temporary until he figured out his next move.

As he walked, his mind continued to churn. He didn't just need shelter—he needed information.

Because if this world wasn't exactly like the MCU he knew… then what was different?

And who—if anyone—could he trust?

The Tome pulsed once more, a subtle nudge in the back of his mind. Not a command, not even a direct message. Just… a feeling. A path waiting to be taken.

Ethan straightened his shoulders.

He didn't know how yet.

But he would find his place in this world.

One way or another.

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