2014, Vormir.
This barren planet, known as the "Land of Exile for the Soul Stone,"
was forever shrouded in an unsettling orange-red glow.
Jagged rocks and howling winds formed the eternal theme of this place.
Not far from the altar that symbolized sacrifice and gain,
the air twisted, and three figures appeared out of thin air—
Clint Barton (Hawkeye), Bruce Banner (in Hulk form), and James Rhodes (War Machine).
"Wow... this place is really... distinctive."
Dr. Banner looked around,
feeling the coldness and deathly stillness permeating the air, and could not help shuddering.
Even in Hulk's body, he instinctively felt uncomfortable.
"Creepier than a horror movie set."
Colonel Rhodes activated his armor's environmental scan, his brow tightly furrowed beneath his helmet.
"Life signs are extremely faint. Other than us, this planet is practically dead."
Clint said nothing.
His gaze remained fixed on the faint outline of the altar atop the distant mountain.
His eyes instantly reddened, and his hands clenched into fists.
His knuckles turned white from the force.
Natasha... she should still be lying down there,
beneath that freezing cliff...
And the bastard who had taken the stone she traded her life for was up there!
"That skull-faced bastard is creepier than this place."
Clint's voice was hoarse with barely restrained hatred.
He warned his two teammates,
"His methods are bizarre. I fell for his tricks last time.
Be careful. He could show up anywhere."
Banner, in Hulk form, and the fully armed Rhodey immediately entered combat mode.
Their expressions turned grim.
The three moved toward the mountaintop altar in a guarded formation.
However, when they stepped onto the open platform at the summit,
they unexpectedly found it completely empty.
Only the howling wind swept across the rocks, as if mocking their futile efforts.
"Red Skull!"
Clint could not