Marvel's Shendu: Dominating the Multiverse

Chapter 3 Temporary Allies

Deep inside the tunnel, the refugees gradually quieted down. The Holy Lord huddled in a corner, half-closing his eyes as he observed his surroundings.

A dozen or so civilians huddled together, sobbing softly and praying quietly, while many others just stared blankly at the tunnel ceiling, their eyes empty.

Captain America stood at the entrance to the shelter, his back to the crowd, one hand gripping his shield, the other pressed against his ear: "Hawkeye, report the situation."

A crackling sound came from the communicator, followed by Hawkeye's voice: "Stark blew up a mothership, but the portal isn't closed yet, and the Chitauri are still pouring out. How's it going on your end?"

"A group of civilians were escorted into the subway tunnel and are now safe for the time being."

Steve paused for a moment: "Also, I encountered a bit of... special circumstances."

"What special circumstances?"

Steve glanced back at the dragon curled up in the corner. Sensing Steve's gaze, the dragon immediately lowered its eyes, buried its head between its front paws, and made a harmless appearance.

"Never mind, let's talk about it when we get back," Steve said, turning his gaze away. "You keep an eye on things, I'm going to meet up with Natasha."

Communication ended.

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the crowd of refugees before finally settling on the Holy Lord. The Holy Lord could sense the scrutiny and hesitation in that gaze.

He remained curled up, motionless.

Footsteps sounded, growing closer and closer.

Steve knelt down in front of him, stared into his eyes for a few seconds, and suddenly asked, "Can you really understand me completely?"

The Holy Lord hesitated briefly. Should he nod or shake his head?

Nodding implies an admission of one's own high intelligence, which may arouse suspicion.

Shaking his head doesn't match his earlier behavior; he had already nodded several times.

Ultimately, the Holy Lord nodded.

Steve's expression didn't change much; his eyes narrowed. "Where did you come from?"

The Holy Lord raised his paw and pointed upwards.

"Up there? New York?"

The Holy Lord shook his head, thought for a moment, and then began to scratch the ground with his claws.

The subway tunnel floor is made of cement, and the claw tip left white marks when it scratched across it.

He first drew a rectangle, then placed a few dots inside it, and then drew an arrow pointing out of the rectangle.

Steve frowned at the rudimentary scene. "You mean, you suddenly appeared in New York from somewhere else?"

The Holy Lord nodded.

How did it appear?

The Holy Lord spread out his paws, tilted his head, and made a gesture as if to say, "I don't know either."

Steve paused for a few seconds, then asked, "Why did you save me?"

The Holy Lord was taken aback.

Save him? He pushed that trash can just to create chaos so he could escape and test Captain America's fighting ability.

But in the other person's eyes, was that helping?

The Holy Lord quickly adjusted his expression, and his eyes became sincere.

"You saved me, so I should help you. It's only right," he conveyed with his eyes, adding a touch of gratitude.

Steve stared at him for a long time, and Shendu thought his acting had been exposed.

The blond giant suddenly chuckled: "Alright then."

He stood up: "Although there are still many problems, now is not the time. Can you still leave?"

The Holy Lord stood up and moved his hind legs. The wound was still painful, but it did not affect his movement.

He nodded.

"Then follow me."

Steve turned and walked deeper into the tunnel: "It's not safe here. The Chitauri might search in. I know another, more secluded place."

The Holy Lord followed, pondering in his mind as he walked.

This Captain America is harder to fool than he imagined; that look he gave just now was clearly a test.

But the more it is like this, the more worthwhile it is to get closer.

A wary person, once they accept you, will become your most reliable ally.

After walking a few dozen meters, a fork in the road appeared ahead of the tunnel.

Without hesitation, Steve turned into the narrower passage on the left, with the Holy Lord following behind.

Just then, footsteps sounded from ahead.

Steve immediately raised his shield and leaned against the wall.

The Holy Lord also stopped and pricked up his ears.

The footsteps were light but hurried, and there was more than one person.

Then a female voice, slightly breathless, asked, "Captain, is that you?"

Steve relaxed: "Natasha."

Black Widow appeared from around the corner, her hair somewhat disheveled, her bodysuit stained with dust and blood.

She saw Steve and was about to speak when her gaze suddenly fell on the Holy Lord behind him.

She was stunned.

Even the Holy Lord was stunned.

Black Widow.

Natasha Romanov.

He had heard the name in the museum; he could hear it clearly from inside the glass case when the tourists were discussing Black Widow.

A super spy, ruthless and insightful.

The type of people who are hardest to fool.

The Holy Lord quickly adjusted his strategy.

You can't try anything funny in front of her.

He lowered his eyes, shrank behind Steve, and acted timid.

Natasha stared at him for two seconds, then looked at Steve and raised her eyebrows.

Do you have a pet?

"Not a pet."

Steve explained, "We encountered it on the road; it was being chased by the Chitauri."

"So you brought it with you?"

"It saved my life."

Natasha's expression became subtle: "It? Save you?"

Steve briefly explained what had just happened.

After listening, Natasha looked at the Holy Lord again, her gaze becoming even sharper.

The Holy Lord remained motionless, his head bowed and eyes lowered.

"Can it understand what we're saying?" Natasha asked.

"Yes, I just tried it."

Natasha was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly asked in Russian, "What is your purpose?"

The Holy Lord did not react.

It was another test, but he really didn't understand Russian.

Natasha switched to Chinese: "You're from China?"

The Holy Lord raised his head, looked at her, and then nodded.

Natasha's expression relaxed a little: "It understands Chinese."

Steve was somewhat surprised: "You speak Chinese?"

"Basic skills of a secret agent."

Natasha turned to the Holy Lord and continued in Chinese, "What's your name?"

The Holy Lord hesitated for a moment.

Valon.

He mentioned this name.

But now I can't write, I can only gesture.

Natasha frowned: "Vallon?"

The Holy Lord nodded, then pointed around and spread his paws, indicating that he didn't know how he got here.

Natasha and Steve exchanged a glance.

"It's a bit complicated."

Steve said, "But there's no time to ask in detail, where is that hidden place?"

Natasha looked away and pointed ahead: "Go another two hundred meters, there's an abandoned substation. I checked it, it's safe for now. Banner is there too."

"Banner?"

Steve was somewhat surprised: "What's he doing here?"

When he can't turn back into the Hulk, he can only hide underground.

Natasha said, "The Chitauri were chasing him too closely just now, so he was forced to transform once. He's exhausted now and is resting over there."

Steve nodded: "Let's go."

The three continued forward, with the Holy Lord following behind, his mind rapidly processing the information he had just received.

Banner, Bruce Banner, Hulk.

Is that green fat guy here too?

We've arrived at the substation.

It was a semi-circular, vaulted space, with electrical boxes and pipes covering the walls.

In the corner, there was a pile of abandoned equipment. In the middle of the open space, a man in a tattered shirt was leaning against the wall, his eyes closed, breathing heavily.

Bruce Banner.

He looked much more haggard than in the movie; his glasses were broken, there was a dried bloodstain on his forehead, and his hands were trembling slightly.

Hearing footsteps, he opened his eyes and saw Steve and Natasha, managing a weak smile: "You've come."

Then he saw the Holy Lord.

His expression froze.

"What is that...?"