Marvel : The Summoning System

In the abandoned factory, Hunter, flanked by the group of Skrulls, continued his exploration of the shadowy corridors. The air hung heavy with tension, anticipation for the impending encounter with Darkstar. As they delved deeper into the heart of the facility, a sense of foreboding crept over Hunter.

The Skrulls, guided by the flickering glow of emergency lights, moved with a blend of caution and desperation. Their collective objective: to reclaim their stolen lives and safeguard their captive children. The resonance of footsteps echoed through the metallic labyrinth, underscoring the gravity of their mission.

As they approached a cavernous chamber, the distant hum of machinery reverberated, a discordant symphony accompanying their journey. Hunter, attuned to the subtleties of his surroundings, felt a subtle shift in the atmosphere, a prelude to the confrontation that awaited them.

Suddenly, the group came to a halt, and Hunter raised a hand, signaling for silence. The Skrulls, eyes wide with fear, adhered to the unspoken command. In the dimness, the outline of a figure emerged, a silhouette amidst the shadows.

Darkstar, a formidable presence draped in enigmatic darkness, stood before them. The ambient light seemed to recoil from his ominous aura, casting an eerie glow on his twisted visage. His eyes, pools of malevolence, locked onto Hunter with a chilling intensity.

"So, you've come," Darkstar's voice echoed, dripping with disdain. "I didn't expect the famed Hunter to play hero for these pitiful creatures. What brings you to my domain?"

Hunter, undeterred by Darkstar's taunts, stepped forward, his gaze unwavering. "You're targeting innocents and manipulating these Skrulls. Your actions won't go unnoticed. But that's the secondary reason for my presence. Where is Hiroshi?"

Darkstar chuckled, the sound reverberating through the chamber. "Your pet is alive for now and Innocents you say? Hunter, my dear hell bringer, in this vast universe, innocence is a mere illusion. These Skrulls, like any other race, are pawns in a grander game. Besides, I am just a messenger, aren't you the proprietor of this whole scene. Wasn't it you who brought me into this world"

A tense silence enveloped the chamber as the two adversaries locked eyes. The Skrulls, caught between the conflicting forces, watched with bated breath. The confrontation had reached its zenith, poised on the precipice of revelation and conflict.

Hunter, fueled by a sense of responsibility, spoke with unwavering determination. "Release the Skrull children, and surrender peacefully. Then I might consider going easy on you."

Darkstar, however, had no intentions of acquiescing. With a sinister grin, he raised a hand, summoning tendrils of dark energy that coiled around him like serpents. The air crackled with dark energy, signaling the commencement of a confrontation that echoed through the corridors of the abandoned factory.

The Skrulls, witnessed this struggle, held their collective breath, yearning for a resolution that would secure their freedom.

As the battle raged on, Hunter's determination faced the crucible of Darkstar's malevolence. The outcome of this clash would not only determine the fate of the Skrulls but also unveil the deeper machinations at play in this chessboard.

Darkstar, drawing upon his malevolent powers, absorbed the life force of skrulls around him, the darkness swirling in a macabre dance of power.

Hunter, nimble and determined, launched a series of attacks, each strike infused with the chakra. Yet, Darkstar, fueled by the stolen life force, deflected each blow with a dark resilience. The stalemate hung in the air, a testament to the strength both of them possessed.

In a decisive moment, Hunter gathered chakra, preparing to unleash the Fireball Jutsu. The air crackled with anticipation as he inhaled air to fill up his lungs. However, Darkstar, cunning and ruthless, seized the opportunity. In a swift motion, he conjured a shield, using the captive Skrull children as an impromptu human barrier.

Hunter, faced with an impossible choice, halted his jutsu, unwilling to harm the innocent lives caught in the crossfire. Darkstar, reveling in his tactical advantage, sneered at Hunter's momentary hesitation.

"Ah, the famed Hunter, brought to a standstill by the plight of mere children. How sentimental," Darkstar mocked, the dark tendrils of energy pulsating around him. He launched them towards Hunter, to which Hunter dodged it with nimble movements.

Hunter, his resolve unbroken, shifted tactics. With a swift movement, he closed the distance between himself and Darkstar, opting for hand-to-hand combat. The clash intensified, each blow resonating with the echoes of their cosmic struggle.

As the battle raged, Hunter, recognizing the futility of a direct confrontation, spoke with authority. "Skrulls, your children are no longer pawns in his game. Rescue them and leave this place."

The Skrulls, spurred by Hunter's command, mobilized to free their captive kin. Darkstar, momentarily distracted, focused on maintaining his stolen life force, leaving an opening for Hunter to kick him with chakra infuse kick, which sent Darkstar crashing to the walls of factory.

Meanwhile, in the shadows, Jiraiya navigated the labyrinthine corridors of the abandoned factory. His senses attuned to the unfolding events, he communicated covertly with Hunter, gathering intelligence on Darkstar's abilities and weaknesses.

Jiraiya, the master strategist, recognized the delicate balance of power in play. "Hunter, keep him occupied. I'm on my way. We need a coordinated effort to bring him down."

Hunter, engaged in the visceral struggle against Darkstar, acknowledged Jiraiya's counsel. "I'll hold him off. Just make it quick. The Skrulls need our help."

As the cosmic clash persisted, Jiraiya approached the chamber, his steps masked by the ambient chaos. The stage was set for a convergence of forces, a battle that would decide the fate of the Skrulls and unveil the true depths of Darkstar's schemes.

As Jiraiya stands amidst the room which seemed to be former control room of the factory, he becomes aware of a hidden chamber within the abandoned factory – a place where Hiroshi was being held captive.

Upon entering the chamber, Jiraiya discovers Hiroshi in a weakened state, the effects of both physical and psychological torment evident on his face.

Jiraiya seeing the state of Hiroshi, spoke, "It will be all right my friend, I will make sure that you are safe from here on."

Hiroshi, grateful for the rescue, begins to share fragments of information which he seemed to have collected.

"I managed to collect some pieces of intel. Darkstar is not working alone. Some organization is backing him. Something related life force, immortality and dragon bones. The reason he abducted me was because of the possible intel of dragon bones. Maybe they are in New York that's why."

Jiraiya sensing something big asked, "Does this organization know about 'Aegis'?"

Hiroshi replied, "Most probably not. Darkstar is cautious type, and he will not reveal his cards. But this is just my point of view. Maybe they know, can't say for sure"

The revelation brings a sense of urgency to Jiraiya and his team of widows stationed in the periphery. They now understand that Darkstar's motives extend beyond regular boundaries, hinting at a large conflict that could have far-reaching consequences.

Meanwhile on Red room, Ezio's Study.

The report from Haytham flickers on the screen in Ezio's dimly lit study. The glow of the monitor casts shadows on his face as he absorbs the information. He leans back in his chair, fingers steepled in thought.

Haytham via communication device, "Master Ezio, we've detected unusual activity in an abandoned warehouse outside New York. Our assassin's tried to gain some intel by moving close but some well-trained assassins are posted there, our assassins couldn't get close but we have managed to capture an image I have sent it to you. It seems that those assassin's are following the orders of an elderly woman with a cane."

Ezio opened up the image and was surprised with the image on the screen, "Madame Gao? Her involvement is never without purpose. What could she be planning in such a location?"

Haytham with questioning tone asked, "You know of her Master Ezio?"

Ezio sighing replied, "Some time ago, I received an exclusive contract from Wilson Fisk through the underworld. The target? Madame Gao herself."

Haythem, raising an eyebrow: "A contract to kill Madame Gao? This complicates matters. Why would Fisk want her eliminated?"

Ezio replies, "Something related to his drug business, but let it be, just ask our assassins to be more careful. The old lady is not be taken of lightly."

Haythem replied, "Yes master Ezio. I will personally keep the watch over the area."

Ezio, leaning forward, "Fisk leading an assassination attempt against Madame Gao, and she commands assassins under her? There's more to this than meets the eye. Nobody would bring assassins with them just to do some physical labour in a warehouse. Keep a close eye on that warehouse, Haytham."

Nodding, Haythem acknowledges the order and goes to execute them.

Sometime later, Ezio, alone in his study, contemplates the unfolding events. His fingers tap rhythmically on the table as he weighs the implications of the conflicting information.

Ezio's inner monologue, "Madame Gao, a name synonymous with power and intrigue. Fisk's involvement adds a layer of complexity. If I intervene, I risk exposing my and possibly 'Aegis' power and existence. But turning a blind eye to Gao's actions may unravel the delicate balance."

Haytham interrupts Ezio's contemplation with another report, his holographic image appearing before Ezio.

Haytham, "Master Ezio, there's more. The assassins under Madame Gao's command are highly skilled, and they seem to be guarding something. It's not a usual criminal operation."

Ezio, tapping his fingers on the table: "Guarding something? This could be more than a simple confrontation. I need to tread carefully. Keep me updated, Haytham."

Ezio, donning his Assassin attire, goes to Aizwa, "I am going to ground. Some things came up."

Aizawa, "Hiroshi?"

Ezio, "No. Something just outside New York. I will just take a look there; something doesn't feel right. If you want more detailed info, I have updated a file on our secured server, you can refer to that. The sooner I go the earlier I come back."

Aizawa nodded and went to read on new report.

Ezio took the retractable hover board enough to carry one person, a new invention of Azmuth and arrived at the location where Haythem was stationed.

Ezio asked, "So what's the situation?"

Haythem surprised but quickly adjusted his expressions and replied, "Nobody has come out or went in since I have been observing from here."

Ezio said, "Okay. Be more cautious. I will go in and see for myself."

Ezio made his way undetected and landed just behind Madame Gao and said, "Madame Gao, I've received reports of your activities in this abandoned warehouse. Care to enlighten me on your intentions?"

Madame Gao, her voice calm and measured, "Assassin Auditore, I was wondering when you would show up, I feel creeped out when someone watched over me. But it seems my resilience was worth it, since I got to meet with you. What do you think of joining my side? I can offer you wealth, power and immortality"

Ezio replied with unimpressed face, "As tempting as they may sound, I would like for you to stick to the topic."

Madame Gao replied, "My actions are beyond your concern. The affairs of the underworld are not always visible to the naked eye aren't I right?"

Ezio, with a wry smile, "Yet, when those affairs intersect with an exclusive contract issued to me, they become my concern. What game are you playing, Gao?"

Madame Gao, cryptically, "The games we play, Assassin, are merely reflections of a grander design. I suggest you tread carefully, for even the shadows have eyes. Seeing the flower bloom is preferable than plucking off a bud."

As Madame Gao's cryptic words lingered in the air, Ezio remained vigilant. The atmosphere in the dimly lit warehouse seemed to thicken, and a sense of impending conflict hung in the balance.

Madame Gao, her eyes revealing a glint of amusement, raised her hand, and her silent command echoed through the warehouse. The trained assassins under her control shifted, assuming defensive positions, their movements, formation synchronized and precise, waited for a signal to launch an assault.