Iron Man to the rescue?

Chapter 42: Iron Man to the Rescue?

What does the afterlife look like?

Coulson had never known, but today, he understood.

Coulson lay on the cold ground, and everything around him seemed to have lost its color, time frozen at that moment.

His consciousness gradually cleared from the chaos, but his body couldn't move, as if bound by an invisible force.

The scene before his eyes began to distort, no longer the familiar real world, but a bizarre new dimension.

He found himself in a vast, boundless void, dotted with stars like the most brilliant gems in the night sky, yet free from gravity, floating freely.

Light here became soft and changeable, sometimes bright as day, sometimes dim as dusk, creating a tranquility and mystery beyond the mortal realm.

In this void, Coulson felt an unprecedented peace and freedom. Free from the constraints and responsibilities of his former life, he felt like a wisp of wind, able to weave through the stars at will, exploring 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 delved deeper into the void, he encountered a blurry figure.

Although he couldn't see the figure's appearance clearly, he felt that the figure was so sacred, so great.

Am I in heaven? Is that an angel, or Yahweh?

An indescribable sense of awe surged through Coulson's heart. He tried to speak, but found his voice seemed to have lost its substance in the void, unable to be transmitted.

Just as he was feeling confused and lost, the figure slowly moved forward, surrounded by a soft, warm light that seemed capable of dispelling all darkness and cold.

As the figure approached, Coulson felt an unparalleled sense of peace and guidance.

"Coulson, it's not your time to be here yet."

A gentle yet profound voice echoed in his mind, a voice he had never heard before, yet it felt extraordinarily familiar and intimate.

He wanted to ask if the person before him was an angel or Yahweh, but it was as if he had no mouth, unable to utter the words he wanted to say.

"You have a greater mission. The messenger of the Lord has descended, and he will lead you to save this world. You must help him complete this mission. Now, go back, wake up!"

As the words fell, the surrounding scenery began to blur, the stars and the void seemed to slowly rotate, finally converging into a dazzling light that enveloped Coulson.

"Look at yourselves now, so weak."

Kaecilius's voice boomed in everyone's ears, laced with disdain and contempt.

"Sorcerer Supreme, for all your years and all the mages you've taught, warning us never to draw power from the Dark Dimension."

Kaecilius walked, scanning his surroundings, and everyone he looked at couldn't help but feel a chill.

"But you? You secretly drew power from the Dark Dimension all by yourself, living all these years."

Kaecilius slowly raised his hand, a ball of green energy condensing in his palm, possessing a power that seemed to devour everything.

"From that moment on, I understood that the so-called Sorcerer Supreme is nothing more than a hypocrite, unreliable in the end. Only power is something one can truly rely on. Since we mages gain power through borrowing, why can't we find a more generous and benevolent Sovereign Lord?"

At this point, Kaecilius's face was filled with piety.

"Now, I have found our Great Father, He is the true God who loves us! As long as you follow Him with me, you too can become as powerful as I am, and even attain eternal life!"

Kaecilius extended his hand to the crowd, and at the same time, a large group of priests and followers emerged from behind him.

They wore strange and solemn robes, their faces pious, their eyes gleaming with fanatical devotion to the "Great Father" Kaecilius spoke of.

"Look at this power," Kaecilius's voice grew impassioned as he waved the ball of green energy in his hand. The light leaped among the crowd as if alive, causing whispers and unease.

"This is not just power, it is salvation, freedom beyond life and death! What are you waiting for? Join us and welcome the arrival of a new world! I am far stronger than that Ancient One; you're better off asking me than her!"

The S.H.I.E.L.D. agents exchanged glances, seemingly swayed. Kaecilius smiled, but a second later, his expression fell.

"Take that look off your face. We will not pledge allegiance to your false god!"

Just then, a calm and firm voice cut through the noise, shattering Kaecilius's illusion.

The voice came from Brock Rumlow, an elite agent who seemed to have been slacking off the entire time and finally couldn't help but step forward.

Brock Rumlow slowly walked out from the crowd, his steps firm and powerful.

"We are here to eliminate you and your false god. Your honeyed words are useless against us!"

Hearing such blasphemy against the Great Father, not only the followers and priests but even Kaecilius, who had been smiling all along, had an ugly look on his face.

He stared grimly at Brock Rumlow, but unexpectedly discovered the anger in the latter's eyes. The target of his anger was the Great Father?

Kaecilius frowned, a flicker of confusion and disbelief in his eyes. He had thought Brock Rumlow's anger was directed at him, but he hadn't expected the man's fury to be more focused on the "Great Father" he spoke of.

This unexpected turn of events made the situation even more subtle and complex.

"Hmph, it seems you don't understand what I believe in."

Kaecilius sneered, trying to mask his inner wavering with contempt.

"How do you know the Great Father isn't the true salvation? How much of the truth about power do you understand?"

"You lie, only Yahweh is our only salvation!"

Brock Rumlow was about to retort when he heard a familiar voice, but it was Coulson?

Brock Rumlow looked at Coulson in surprise, only to see his colleague standing there completely unharmed, the gaping hole in his chest already healed.

"Fine, another heretic."

Kaecilius laughed in anger. What era was this? How could someone still worship that outdated old god in front of the true God?

A god like Yahweh, who couldn't be seen or touched, should have ceased to be long ago. He never existed!

Just as the atmosphere between the two sides grew more menacing, a figure arrived at high speed.

"Haha, your daddy Tony Stark has returned once again, folks, did anyone miss me?"