Chan Ho Yin was still catching his breath, sweat beading on his forehead, but he could not stop grinning. He flexed his hands, marveling at the surge of power coursing through his veins. For the first time, he felt truly formidable—his flames were now ten times stronger than before.
"Try it out," Su Zhan encouraged, his voice calm but expectant.
Chan Ho Yin nodded eagerly. He raised his hand and unleashed a fireball at the far wall. The blast struck with a thunderous impact, scattering gravel and leaving a charred crater in the concrete.
"Incredible!" Chan Ho Yin exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement. "I've never felt this strong before!"
Su Zhan, however, remained composed. "It's a good start. But remember, strength is always relative. You might feel powerful now, but compared to others, you still have a long way to go."
The words landed like a splash of cold water, tempering Chan Ho Yin's enthusiasm. He nodded, chastened. "Yes, boss."
Su Zhan watched him for a moment, satisfied that the lesson had sunk in. He knew from experience that newfound power could easily lead to arrogance and carelessness. It was vital that Chan Ho Yin stay grounded and aware of his limits.
Nearby, Raina observed the scene with a mixture of disbelief and fascination. "How is this possible?" she murmured, staring at Chan Ho Yin. "How can he integrate the Extremis virus so easily?"
Su Zhan turned to her, a faint smile on his lips. "You want to know why? If you join me, I'll tell you the secret."
Raina shook her head, skepticism in her eyes. "That's impossible. No one can integrate Extremis without risk."
"Is it because of the clairvoyant?" Su Zhan asked, his tone light but probing. "You think the Clairvoyant is omniscient, omnipotent? That's just an illusion. He's only human, and so are you. But I can help you become something more."
Raina's expression hardened. "I don't believe you."
Su Zhan's smile didn't waver. "You do believe me. You're just afraid to admit it. I'll give you time to see the truth for yourself. For now, everything here—people, equipment, research—it all belongs to me. I assume you have no objections?"
Raina hesitated, then shrugged. "Even if I did, what difference would it make?"
"Exactly," Su Zhan replied, his tone gentle but firm.
He turned to Chan Ho Yin. "Contact Blink. Have her teleport these people and all the equipment to the spaceship. Get everyone settled in and make sure the researchers know their value is in continuing their work."
"Yes, boss!" Chan Ho Yin replied, his loyalty now absolute. Su Zhan had given him strength and proven he could deliver on his promises.
Raina approached Su Zhan quietly. "May I leave now?"
"Of course," Su Zhan said, his voice kind. He had no intention of forcing her to stay. Raina was a brilliant scientist and a master manipulator, but the more intelligent someone was, the harder they were to control. He preferred to let her make her own choice; he knew she would come around eventually.
The researchers, meanwhile, were anxious but compliant. They understood that Su Zhan's power was absolute and that their only value lay in their knowledge and skills. As long as they remained useful, they had nothing to fear.
With the laboratory emptied and the team relocated to the ship, Su Zhan took to the sky, leaving the details of the transition to his subordinates. He could now focus on more important matters: absorbing the Aether's energy, studying the fear crystal, and planning his next moves.
As he approached the base, he noticed a S.H.I.E.L.D. aircraft preparing for takeoff. He flew ahead, waving at the cockpit. Melinda May, the team's pilot, spotted him and signaled for the hatch to open. Su Zhan landed gracefully and stepped inside.
The familiar faces of Skye, Jemma Simmons, Phil Coulson, and the rest of the team greeted him. As soon as the door closed, Skye rushed into his arms, hugging him tightly. Su Zhan smiled, holding her close and nodding to the others. After a moment, Skye stepped back, her eyes shining with relief.
"You're back! Is it really you?" Coulson asked, approaching with a grin.
Su Zhan laughed. "Of course. Who else would it be?"
Skye grinned at Coulson. "Don't worry, I'll let you borrow my boyfriend for a while."
"Thanks, Skye," Coulson replied with a wink.
As Su Zhan followed Coulson toward his office, he passed Simmons, who looked up in surprise. Su Zhan leaned in and whispered, "I'll visit you later—I have something special for you."
Simmons' eyes widened with curiosity. "Really? What is it?"
"You'll find out soon," Su Zhan replied, giving her a reassuring smile.
In Coulson's office, the two men sat down; the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly.
"I heard your vacation was quite eventful," Coulson said, his tone teasing. "You even brought back an alien spaceship. When can I see it? I've always wanted to check out alien tech up close."
Su Zhan grinned. "Anytime you want. Just say the word."
Coulson chuckled. "I heard you turned down Tony Stark's request to study it. I'm surprised you'd let me take a look."
Su Zhan shrugged. "Tony is Tony, and you're you. I trust you."
Coulson's smile broadened. "I'm honored. So, is this ship related to the recent crisis in London? Dr. Erik Selvig's readings showed major spatial instability, but it all vanished as suddenly as it appeared."
Su Zhan nodded. "Let's just say, if the person inside that ship hadn't left Earth, you might not be sitting here so calmly."
Coulson nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Understood."
Su Zhan changed the subject. "I saw Thor this time and spent some time in Asgard. The palace is beautiful—you should visit if you ever get the chance."
"I'd love to," Coulson replied, his eyes lighting up. "By the way, you once told me S.H.I.E.L.D. wasn't what I thought it was. I've been thinking about that ever since. What did you mean?"
Su Zhan smiled mysteriously, rising from his chair. "You'll find out soon enough, Coulson. Just be ready."
As he left the office, Su Zhan felt a sense of satisfaction. His team was growing stronger, his resources expanding, and his influence spreading across worlds. But he knew the real challenges were still ahead. Hydra lurked in the shadows; the Aether's power was still untamed, and the multiverse was full of unknown threats.
For now, though, he allowed himself a moment of peace—surrounded by friends, allies, and the promise of new adventures just over the horizon.