On a floating platform in the central hall of the Void Fortress, a golden scanning beam swept Owen Reece from head to toe.
With each completed pass, Tony Stark's frown deepened.
Dense streams of data flickered across the holographic display. Every string of numbers represented an energy reading beyond conventional understanding.
Clark stood beside the scanner with his arms crossed. His X-ray Vision pierced Owen's body, locking onto the abnormal energy nodes pulsing through his blood vessels and neural network.
His expression shifted from concentration to concern, then settled into an unease he could not name.
Thor leaned against the wall, gripping Stormbreaker. Lightning raged around its blade three times more fiercely than usual.
His Asgardian blood told him that this harmless-looking middle-aged man held enough danger inside him to tear a world apart.
Strange hovered above the hall, his hands forming a seal as he maintained a defensive stance.
The Third Eye on his forehead shone gold as he tried to analyze Owen's energy through magic.
But whenever his consciousness touched the core of those energy nodes, a higher power threw it back.
Wanda sat in a floating chair in the corner, Adam fast asleep in her arms.
A contented smile hung on the little boy's lips. His extra meal of Beyonders' energy had clearly pleased him.
A thin layer of dark-red Chaos Magic surrounded her, protecting her son while suppressing the discomfort she felt from being near Owen.
The scan lasted a full three minutes.
Tony Stark shut off the holographic display and turned toward Chu Hang, who stood by the energy barrier.
"The results are in."
Tony pointed toward Owen.
"This guy's energy readings are thirty-seven percent higher than the Infinity Stones at their peak. Worse, look at how those energy nodes are connected."
He drew an