What was the world like after death?
Coulson had never known, but after today, he understood.
Coulson lay on the cold ground. Everything around him seemed to have lost its color, and time itself appeared to have frozen.
His consciousness gradually cleared from the haze, but his body remained motionless, as if bound by an invisible force.
The scene before him began to warp. It was no longer the familiar world of reality; he had entered a strange, dazzling new dimension.
He found himself in a vast, boundless void. Stars glittered like the brightest jewels in the night sky, yet floated freely, unbound by gravity.
The light here was soft and ever-changing, sometimes bright as day, sometimes dim as dusk, creating a peace and mystery beyond the mortal world.
In this void, Coulson felt a peace and freedom he had never known before. Free of the constraints and responsibilities of life, he seemed to have become a breeze, able to drift among the stars and explore the mysteries of the universe.
But he also realized that this was not true death, but a wondrous state between life and death.
As his consciousness sank deeper into the void, he encountered a hazy figure.
Though he could not make out the figure's features, he felt that it was sacred, so very great.
Could I have gone to heaven? Is that an angel over there—or Yahweh?
A hard-to-describe reverence welled up in Coulson. He tried to speak, but his voice seemed to have no substance in the void and could not reach anyone.
Just as he was growing confused and lost, the figure slowly moved closer, a gentle, warm light surrounding it, as if it could drive away all darkness and cold.
As the figure drew near, Coulson felt a sense of peace and guidance unlike anything he had ever known.
"Coulson, it isn't your time to come here yet."
A gentle, profound voice rang in his mind. He had never heard it before, yet it felt strangely familiar and comforting.
He wanted to ask the figure before him whether it was an angel or Yahweh, but it was as if he had no mouth. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get the words out.
"You have a greater mission. The Lord's messenger has arrived, and he will lead you in saving this world. You must help him fulfill this mission.
Now, go back. Wake up!"
As the voice faded, the scenery around him began to blur. The stars and the void seemed to slowly spin, finally converging into a dazzling beam of light that enveloped Coulson.
"Look at you all now. So weak."
Kaecilius's voice rang in everyone's ears, edged with disdain and contempt.
"Sorcerer Supreme, you've lived for so long, taught so many Mages, and warned us never to draw power from the Dark Dimension."
As Kaecilius walked, he surveyed the people around him. Everyone he looked at shivered with cold.
"But what about you? You secretly drew power from the Dark Dimension all by yourself, and that's how you've lived for so many years."
Kaecilius slowly raised his hand. A mass of green energy coalesced in his palm, seemingly capable of devouring everything.
"From that moment on, I understood. The so-called Sorcerer Supreme was just a hypocrite, one person to your face and another behind your back. She couldn't be trusted.
Only power is something people can truly rely on. Since we Mages have to borrow power to gain it, why not find a more generous, more compassionate Sovereign Lord?"
As he spoke, Kaecilius's face was filled with reverence.
"Now I've found our Great Father. He is the true God who loves us! If you worship Him with me, you can become as powerful as I am—and even enjoy eternal life!"
Kaecilius reached out to the crowd. At the same time, a large group of Priests and followers appeared behind him.
They wore strange, solemn robes. Their faces were devout, and their eyes blazed with fervent faith in the "Great Father" Kaecilius had spoken of.
"Look at this power." Kaecilius's voice grew fervent. He waved the mass of green energy in his hand, its light leaping through the crowd as if alive, stirring whispers and unease.
"This isn't just power. It's salvation, freedom beyond life and death! What are you waiting for? Join us and welcome the coming of a new world!
I'm far stronger than the Ancient One. You'd be better off asking me for help than her!"
The S.H.I.E.L.D. agents exchanged glances, seemingly tempted. Seeing this, Kaecilius smiled, but less than a second later, his expression fell.
"Drop that act. We'll never pledge ourselves to your false god!"
Just then, a calm, resolute voice cut through the din, shattering Kaecilius's fantasy.
The voice came from Brock Rumlow, an elite agent who had seemed to spend the whole time sitting back and doing nothing, but had finally lost patience and stepped forward.
Brock Rumlow slowly emerged from the crowd, his steps firm and sure.
"We came here to destroy you and your false god. Your brainwashing speeches won't work on us!"
Hearing someone blaspheme the Great Father, not only the followers and Priests but even Kaecilius, who had worn a smile the whole time, looked grim.
He glared at Brock Rumlow, then noticed the fury in his eyes. But that anger was directed at the Great Father?
Kaecilius furrowed his brow, confusion and puzzlement flashing in his eyes.
He had assumed Brock Rumlow's anger was directed at him, but the man's fury seemed focused more on the "Great Father" he had spoken of.
This unexpected turn made the situation even more delicate and complicated.
"Hmph. It seems you don't understand what I believe in."
Kaecilius sneered, trying to hide his inner uncertainty behind contempt.
"How do you know the Great Father isn't true salvation? How much do you really understand about the truth of power?"
"You're lying. Only Yahweh is the one true salvation for us!"
Brock Rumlow was about to argue, but then he heard a familiar voice. Only—it was Coulson?
Brock Rumlow looked at Coulson in astonishment. His colleague was standing there unharmed, the gaping hole in his chest already healed.
"Well, well. Another heretic."
Kaecilius laughed in anger. In this day and age, how could anyone still worship that outdated old god in the presence of the true God?
A god like Yahweh, unseen and untouchable, should have been—no, had never existed in the first place!
Just as tensions between the two sides grew more dangerous, a figure shot toward them.
"Haha! Your daddy, Tony Stark, is back again! Anyone miss me, guys?"
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