Demon King of Time in Marvel

Chapter 3: Glimpse of the Eternals

As Devon woke up, he noticed that the kids were already gone. He went outside to look at his prisoners – they had rolled themselves some distance away, but he didn't care about them either way. He made his way back to the city square. He was going to buy some equipment.

As Devon was browsing through some bows and arrows, the little girl from yesterday found him. Devon noticed but continued his shopping. He picked up a bow and gestured to the shopkeeper that he would like to buy this bow, a quiver, and 20 arrows. The girl, understanding him, started to bargain with the shopkeeper, then took her own pouch and paid for it.

Isn't she a clever little devil, Devon muttered to himself.

Her intentions were simple: a mutually beneficial arrangement. The girl was smart enough to see that Devon was better than the adults she originally worked for, so while she helped him communicate, he would provide her protection. Devon understood her intention and accepted this mutually beneficial relationship because he desperately needed a way to communicate. Afterward, with her help, he sold the two extra daggers and bought a small shield.

They made their way to the city's entrance, Devon needing to rent a small house, preferably near the forest. He had seen some houses there; surely someone could rent him one.

Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream pierced the air. Running through the fields towards them were monstrous figures, their bodies contorted, tentacles of hair lashing out. They looked like something out of a Japanese adult anime. Devon even saw one flying.

The monsters slaughtered any humans they saw, it was a scene of massacre. Panic erupted as people scattered, fleeing towards the city gates. Devon, grabbing Lily's hand, joined the line. He might have powers now, but he wasn't invincible, and he certainly wasn't a hero. Survival would come first.

For a split second, he considered using [Rewind], just to get a head start, but 30 seconds would not be enough. As they ran, a group of ten people, dressed in unfamiliar attire, emerged from the city. What happened next left Devon speechless.

One of them, a man, soared into the air, unleashing a beam of energy from his eyes that incinerated a nearby Deviant. Another, a woman with flowing blonde hair, moved with agility, her spear flashing as she dispatched the creatures with brutal efficiency.

"What in the…?" Devon muttered, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Is that…a cheap copy of Superman? And is that a blonde Wonder Woman?"

He even saw a man who simply punched the ground, creating a shockwave that sent several Deviants flying. And that woman… she seemed to be healing the injured with a touch.

"That is just a knock-off hulk who punches. This couldn't be the original timeline. I call bullshit. Time travel I can understand. But what is this? Superheroes. Monsters. What's next, a megazord?"

Suddenly, Devon felt himself being lifted off the ground. He looked up to see a woman, her face a mask of concentration, carrying him effortlessly through the air. He had been transported inside the city, just as the gates were closing. He looked back to see what he assumed was a female version of Flash, her speed a blur as she moved through the panicked crowd.

Clearly, these people were experienced in fighting these monsters. So, he left the area and started walking back to the city square.

After some time, when everything had calmed down and the city gates reopened, he noticed that while people were afraid, they were not overly alarmed. It seemed like they were used to such scenes. It meant that monster sightings were actually normal. He had a lot of questions but decided to deal with that later, and focus on his current objective.

Afterwards, they went and rented a small house near the periphery of the forest. Devon had decided to call the little girl Lily. As they familiarise themselves with their new home, Devon had already decided his next course of action: gather money and learn this new language with Lily's help. Also find a safer place for them. Being around heroes was surefire way to get yourself killed. He would hunt from morning to evening and learn the language at night, while Lily would manage the household chores.

Lily's POV

Life has been hard recently. Well, it was always hard, but the adults nowadays were asking for more money. I wanted to stay here, but it looked like I would not have a choice in this regard.

Orlando's voice, rough and demanding, echoed through the cramped room. "More tonight, girls. The clients are getting impatient." Lily huddled closer to the other children, her stomach twisting. She knew what "clients" meant. It was always the same. The older girls would disappear for a few nights, returning with vacant eyes and trembling hands. Lily had overheard whispers – words like "sold" and "price." She knew her time was coming.

Today was also supposed to be such a day: steal from people, give it to the gang, then make some food and sleep. Repeat this again and again. I had already decided to run away and had already made plans on how I was going to do it. I had started saving some money, hidden from Orlando's goons.

It was then that HE happened. He arrived like lightning in a clear sky. We were cooking food while two goons were chatting about today's haul, and another one was outside guarding the house. Suddenly, a guy was inside the house, and he used his wooden stick (It's a spear…really) to smack the head of one of the sitting goons.

Afraid, we huddled together, not understanding what was happening. The guy then went ahead to knock the other one out, tied them up, took their belongings, and left them outside. In all my life, I had never seen someone take out three people so fast. He must surely be after money if he left them alive.

But then he proceeded to take our food. The three of us only had one bowl before but it looked like we would be sleeping hungry if we slept at all. But what happened next? He gave each of us a bowl. We have never eaten a full meal but that day we did. He then made us a bed and went to sleep himself. Is this guy an idiot? Does he not fear one of us killing him in his sleep or worse one of the goons from outside being free and killing him. I understood by the way he relaxed he wasn't afraid if something like this did occur he was confident in his ability to stay safe.

I envied him to be able to do what he does. To be free and not care about your enemy even when you are sleeping in their turf, surrounded by them. I decided that I will be one day like him and that starts with following him. He could surely easily take care of me and the little trouble with Orlando. I slept while my other companion, too afraid, decided to leave.

As dawn broke, I went to get my hidden stash of money and came back quickly, but the guy was gone. Making my way to the city square and browsing some stores, I finally saw him again. Thank the heavens he hadn't left. But why would he take care of me? Trying to think of something, I followed him to the city square.

As I saw him try to buy a bow without talking, the idea hit me: maybe he was a traveller or a mute. This was my chance. I made my way to the shopkeeper and bought what he needed on his behalf, using my money. Thankfully, he understood my intention and let me follow him. Afterward, at the entrance, they saw a deviant attack, but the guy was surprised. Looks like he saw them for the first time.

He took me to the periphery of the forest and gestured for a house. Looks like the equipment he bought was to hunt, and he needed a nearby house. Was he a hunter? Or a mercenary? After getting a house, life had become easier for me. All he wanted from me was that I teach him our language but I also decided to help with the house chores. And just like that time passed, turning days into weeks.

I have gotten used to the fact that Devon would be away from morning to evening hunting. So, I either cleaned the house or went outside to play. In a new place where hardly anyone knew me, I was easily able to make friends. At night, I would teach Devon our language. While not fluent in it, he had already started to grasp it, understanding nearly all of it but speaking only broken words.

I had learned from him that he had named me 'Lily', which was a flower. While not my real name, I have decided to go with it because I had already left my earlier identity. Truthfully, I was quite afraid that now that Devon had learned our language, he might abandon me. I had to show that I was useful but he hadn't said anything, so I did not bring the topic up.

Devon, true to his words, would be busy either hunting or making strange 'devices' he called them. He had made a 'water filter' using sand and charcoal claiming that the river water shouldn't be directly consumed. A 'soap' , which she really liked and that dreaded thing, the 'toothbrush' he called it.

Today was also supposed to be a normal day. After Devon left to hunt, I went to the city square to buy some fruits and vegetables when I met a friend from my thieving days. I learned that after their incident, Orlando's group had tightened their security and bought better weapons. They even increased a normal group size from three to five, and deserters were swiftly dealt with.

My friend had come to warn me that if I were to be seen by any from the gang, I would be captured. Learning about this, I decided to leave immediately. My friend wanted to help me and told me about a hidden passage out of town.

I, cautious as ever, have my own plans. I hitched a ride in a merchant's cart and was cleanly escorted out of the city, taking detours to confuse any followers.

But as it turned out, I was already being followed by a man who recognized me. Trying to capture me, the man followed me till I reached a secluded spot. I was already alerted by my friend, and soon found out that I was being followed. To throw the trail off, I ran towards the forest. The man quickly followed me, not ready to lose sight of me, bringing me back would certainly guarantee a reward.

I was still a child being unable to outrun an adult man and was swiftly caught. But before anything could happen, a swift kick to the man's head had him knocked out. The assailant was none other than Devon King, her benefactor. I quickly made her way to him and hugged his leg. I was very afraid of what might have happened should I had been caught.

Devon later told me that I wasn't home by my usual time, so he went out in search of me trying to find me.

Devon, understanding my situation, comforted me by petting my back.

As we reached our home I was still shaking from the encounter. I suggested we draw on the wall, it always helped me calm down and it was easier for Devon to learn new words. He agreed and we spent the rest of the evening sketching simple pictures and practicing words. As we grew closer, I thought this might be what family must feel like, and drifted off to sleep.

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Lily's "Things I've Learned from Devon" List:

* * Big sticks are good for hitting bad guys.

* * Stew tastes better with… something. (Must investigate spice situation.)

* * Water from the river is scary. Water from Devon's weird box is safe.

* * Toothbrushes are… weird. But my teeth feel cleaner.

* * Devon is strong and fast. But he can't throw a stick very well. (He's getting better, though.)

* * He calls me Lily. I like it.

* * Maybe… maybe this is what having a family is like.

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