A City Beset by Calamities

Fear, confusion, and bewilderment mingled on Tony's face, making him look utterly grim.

The book had even predicted his palladium poisoning. Taken together with everything that had happened recently, all the evidence pointed to one thing: the book's contents weren't made up. They were genuine prophecies.

If he was going to die of palladium poisoning, was there any way to change that fate?

As it turned out, there was. Tony kept reading and found the answer.

"Howard Stark's death is inevitable, a death decreed by fate. But Tony Stark's isn't. If he can find Yahweh's messenger, he may yet be saved."

Yahweh's messenger?

Tony's head began to ache. Never mind whether Yahweh even existed—where was he supposed to find his messenger?

He shook his head, trying to dispel those thoughts, then patiently continued reading.

"The powers of the Old Ones will awaken. Lord of R'lyeh will no longer be content to slumber. His gaze will turn toward the land, and perhaps insignificant mortals will bask in his glory.

"Perhaps his brother will not stand idly by. When the two of them clash, will the city of New York survive?"

The book ended abruptly there. The contents of this volume were finished.

There wasn't much to it, but every word made Tony's skin crawl.

This wasn't some vague, grandiose prophecy. It plainly stated that two terrifying deities would awaken, and that New York might be destroyed in their conflict.

It had also mentioned his death. If he couldn't find Yahweh's messenger, he might not survive.

For his own sake and the city's, Tony had to find Yahweh's messenger as soon as possible. The book hadn't said so, but surely that person could resolve the feud between the two deities, too.

Or perhaps the next volume of The Gh'gth Revelations would explain how?

At the thought, Tony took out the Magic Conch, intending to seek guidance from this miraculous object that seemed capable of solving all his problems.

After all, The Gh'gth Revelations had just come into his possession exactly as the Magic Conch had said it would, without him doing anything.

"Magic Conch, how do I resolve the feud between these two ancient deities? Or how can I protect New York?"

After he pulled the cord, the Magic Conch quickly replied, as usual. Only...

"Nothing you can do. Just wait to die. I'm out!"

Tony froze. He never would have expected such a blunt and cold response from the Magic Conch.

Magic Conch, you've changed. You weren't like this before.

Tony steadied his emotions and prepared to ask a second question.

"Then, Magic Conch, tell me where I can find the second volume of The Gh'gth Revelations. What do I have to do to get it?"

With that, Tony pulled the cord again. This time, the Magic Conch didn't tell him to give up.

"Do nothing."

Tony felt his blood pressure rising. The veins in his forehead threatened to bulge. It was the same answer as last time: if he did nothing, the book would naturally come to him.

But there was no time for that now. Who knew when those two deities might start fighting?

Besides, waiting around wasn't his style. Tony preferred to take the initiative and find a way to solve the problem.

"Then how do I find Yahweh's messenger?"

After a moment's thought, Tony pulled the Magic Conch's cord for the third time. He could only hope its answer would be more sensible this time.

"Go be Natalie's dog."

"What?"

Tony could hardly believe his ears. He wondered if he'd heard wrong.

But the Magic Conch's familiar, faintly mocking voice echoed clearly in his ear, forcing him to face the utterly absurd answer: "Go be Natalie's dog."

Tony's mouth twitched. He looked at the Magic Conch in his hand, as if checking whether the miraculous object was really joking with him.

But the Magic Conch lay there quietly, without the slightest movement. It was clearly answering his question in earnest.

"You mean I should go be her dog, and then I can find Yahweh's messenger with her help?"

Trying to ignore the tension tightening across his brow, Tony pulled the cord again.

"Yes."

This time, the Magic Conch's answer was brief and clear, without a hint of hesitation or humor. Tony had no choice but to take this seemingly absurd advice at face value, since it pointed so directly toward the answer.

"Fine."

Tony sighed. Though he still hated the idea, he knew this wasn't the time to be stubborn. The city was in grave danger. Thinking of all the lives at stake, he couldn't accept letting them all die just to preserve his dignity.

"Then what should I do? I can't actually go over there and be her pet, can I?"

The moment he said it, Tony had already given in halfway.

Still, his pride kept him from overcoming the mental barrier and actually becoming that Natalie's dog.

Gritting his teeth, Tony pulled the cord again, hoping the Magic Conch would at least leave him some dignity.

"If you don't want to be her dog, you could try licking her feet."

"What?"

He was supposed to lick his secretary's feet?

What kind of joke was that?

Tony Stark was a super-genius, a billionaire, a Playboy, a philanthropist, and a superhero—the Iron Man!

Even if he died of palladium poisoning, got beaten to death by a monster, or died at the hands of terrorists, he would never lick her feet!

Tony's face turned livid. Anger and shame warred within him, and he nearly crushed the Magic Conch in his hand.

"Magic Conch, are you... are you deliberately humiliating me?" Tony's voice was low and hoarse as he forced the words out through clenched teeth, then pulled the cord.

"No. I'm helping you."

Shameless!

Tony was so furious he laughed. The Magic Conch was rubbing his pride into the dirt.

But when he thought of the people of New York who were about to suffer, he hesitated. Maybe there was another way?

"Magic Conch, is there any other way to resolve this crisis?"

As he spoke, Tony pulled the cord again and again.

"No."

The Magic Conch's reply was curt and decisive, leaving Tony at a loss.

"Fine." Tony finally gave in, though his tone carried a stubborn resolve.

"I'll try talking to Natalie, but not like that. I'll find a more dignified way to ask for her help."

He put away the Magic Conch and went up to the top floor, where he gazed out the window.

The city lights still blazed, but beneath the calm lay an unknown danger.

He had no idea what it would look like when the crisis finally struck.