Marvel: My Eyes Defies Fate.

Outside the Hydra base, Kurogai's figure emerged from the shimmering portal, his breathing slightly uneven.

Though it felt like time had stretched during Baron Strucker's final moments — from the madman's threat to his total annihilation — in reality, everything had happened in under two seconds.

Within that brief instant, Kurogai had constructed two spells simultaneously, killed Baron Strucker, and escaped the Hydra base before the Death Spore Virus could be released. It left a strain on him, but it was done.

"Even with the Death Spore Virus… what's destined to fall will still fall," Kurogai muttered coldly, his eyes fixed on the distant, silent Hydra base. The way things had turned out hadn't been part of his original plan, but the result was the same. Baron Strucker was dead, and nothing would change that.

Then, a frown tugged at his brow.

"Wait… I forgot something."

His expression shifted. "The Winter Soldier."

It hit him like a stray thought. In the chaos of the final confrontation, he'd completely overlooked the Winter Soldier. Given the circumstances, though — with the base now flooded with the Death Spore Virus — even someone as enhanced as the Winter Soldier wouldn't have survived.

"Forget it," Kurogai said with a shake of his head. He hadn't expected the situation to spiral like this. But truthfully, even if the Winter Soldier had escaped the outbreak, Kurogai wouldn't have spared him once Hydra was wiped out.

Kurogai had made it clear before: no matter what reason the Winter Soldier had, attacking those close to him meant facing his wrath. The only reason he hadn't eliminated him earlier was because he'd intended to use him as a pawn. Fate, however, had made that decision for him.

"I don't know if you're lucky or just cursed," Kurogai murmured, his expression unreadable. He dismissed the thought soon after. There were more pressing matters at hand.

"Enough of that. There's still one more problem to clean up."

His gaze returned to the Hydra base. Baron Strucker, in his final moments, hadn't been clear about the full extent of the Death Spore Virus's threat. The virus didn't just linger in the base; if left unchecked, it could escape into the atmosphere. In large quantities, it could become catastrophic.

Thankfully, Kurogai had already anticipated this risk.

Raising his hand, he activated his Sling Ring and summoned the magical barrier he had previously cast over the Hydra facility. The barrier flared to life, a massive dome of shimmering light encasing the ruined base. Under Kurogai's control, the barrier began to contract, compressing the virus-infected air within.

Slowly, the barrier shrank, condensing the Death Spore Virus into a single, dark sphere, black as obsidian. Its menacing aura pulsed like a cursed pearl in his palm.

"This… might come in handy someday."

Kurogai eyed the sphere thoughtfully. It was lethal, certainly dangerous to keep around, but power is power — and in the right circumstances, this could be a deadly trump card. If he ever faced an enemy too powerful to deal with conventionally, unleashing this sphere could turn the tide.

"I'll hang onto it."

He fortified the sphere with several layers of magical seals until no trace of the virus could leak out. Only when he was certain of its containment did he tuck it away.

"Now… time to deal with the Wanda siblings."

Another portal shimmered into existence as Kurogai traced their position and stepped through.

---

Not far from the base, atop a low hill, Wanda and Pietro Maximoff had waited ever since agreeing to follow Kurogai. Neither had left, and both tensed as a golden ring of light appeared before them — the same portal magic that had saved them once already.

Without hesitation, they stood, tense but resolute.

"My… my lord," Wanda stammered, while Pietro stiffened, managing a nervous nod.

"It seems you two are more reliable than I expected," Kurogai remarked with a faint smirk. Truthfully, he'd half-expected them to flee while they had the chance. The fact they hadn't was… satisfactory.

"Let's move. We're leaving."

Without further ceremony, he opened a portal with a flick of his wrist and gestured for them to follow.

That was it?

The twins exchanged uncertain glances. No questions? No warnings? Just leave?

But neither dared question him. They silently stepped through.

Moments later, they arrived inside a modest restaurant. Kurogai casually waved a hand, compelling the restaurant owner to provide a private room and their finest food.

As prisoners of Hydra, Wanda and Pietro had survived on scraps. Now, faced with a feast, they hesitated — until Kurogai gave a small nod of approval. Starving, they eagerly dug in.

Only once they'd eaten their fill did Kurogai finally lean back, his voice calm but firm.

"Now," he said, "let's get down to business."

---

Thanks for the Powerstones.