Chapter 10: Chapter 20 - The meeting
Vorrak felt a sense of satisfaction regarding his status. He was proud of his accomplishments and grateful for the opportunity to be in Wakanda, which allowed him to acquire numerous green entries. His true power relied on both blue and green entries, while his red entry had been with him from the start, making it the most significant.
"Now that I have completed your basic training, I must leave to find Howard Stark. Remember to use this war as a chance to grow your business. Take care, Kirabo."
With that, Vorrak transformed into his eagle form and departed, reaching speeds of 1,000 km/h. Kirabo watched as Vorrak flew away, clenching his fist, uncertain of his thoughts. He made his way to the woods, carrying a part of Vorrak within him.
Vorrak arrived in New York City, maintaining a standard eagle flight speed as he gazed downwards. Despite the presence of advanced technology, he was capable of confronting anyone there at that moment.
He should remember that the Ancient One still exists somewhere, keeping watch. As an extraterrestrial being on Earth, he needs to exercise caution.
After thoroughly familiarizing himself with New York City, Vorrak entered an alleyway, a well-known location for many heroes to demonstrate their abilities.
Iron Man, however, is an exception; he enjoys displaying his skills.
Upon his arrival, in a scenario reminiscent of many others, he observed a young man with rare blue eyes and black hair.
The young man could be of mixed heritage or possibly a result of a genetic mutation—it's uncertain.
Vorrak continued to watch as the young man was severely beaten by a taller individual, who ridiculed him.
Vorrak felt he could not intervene; as an adult, the young man should be capable of defending himself.
While observing, Vorrak's thoughts wandered to the future, contemplating the uncertainties that lay ahead.
Even though he has the potential for longevity, he remains vulnerable to death. Therefore, he must proceed with caution and avoid antagonizing even seemingly insignificant individuals.
They might belong to the Sanctuary, simply going about their everyday activities, such as grocery shopping.
An extraterrestrial being like him might enjoy traversing the universe, utilizing shapeshifting abilities or holographic technology.
Numerous scenarios could allow for such occurrences. As he pondered this, the confrontation concluded, with the young man severely injured, lips cut and face badly bruised, his eyes shut.
His breathing was slow and labored, indicating he was near death, while his assailant had fled in a state of panic.
This time, Vorrak chose to exert control over the individual before him, showing no mercy as he had with Kirabo.
The young man paled in comparison to Kirabo, who had demonstrated a remarkable will to survive.
Without hesitation and recognizing the individual's broken state, Vorrak swiftly invaded the young man's mind, seizing control over both mental and physical faculties, leaving him in a near-comatose state.
As Vorrak took over, the young man's injuries began to heal, and he appeared even more attractive than before.
Upon inspection, Vorrak noted that this individual could rank among the top 5 or 10 most handsome people on Earth, depending on individual preferences.
"Mark Kenner, born in Manhattan, New York. Both parents are employed in the military, status unknown. Age 18, eligible for recruitment."
"This child appears to be an orphan, and being part of the military entails a continuous struggle for survival in this conflict."
Vorrak noted with interest that every time he connected with humans, they were orphans, similar to Kirabo and Kedu Okonjo.
However, Vorrak found this situation to be convenient, as it allowed him to maintain his anonymity through his behavior.
In theory, he could still behave like the original Mark Kenner, but it would be uncomfortable for him.
After assuming the identity of Mark Kenner, Vorrak made his way to his apartment in Manhattan. The walk took him a full hour to complete.
This was his reason for wanting to experience the streets up close and take the time to appreciate them.
At times, a slower pace in life can be more beneficial for mental well-being, providing a chance for the body to alleviate stress.
It is a good approach to relaxation, he thought.
Consequently, Vorrak preferred not to hurry. He had ample time to move at a leisurely pace.
Whatever events unfolded, he accepted that this was part of life.
Upon arriving at the apartment, Vorrak chose not to immediately search for Howard Stark's location and instead opted to take a nap.
It had been a long day, and given this opportunity to relax, he planned to make the most of it.
Hours went by before Vorrak awakened, feeling revitalized and full of energy.
While he requires sleep, Vorrak does not wish to remain dormant at all times; monotony would set in if there was nothing to engage him or if he felt exhausted by life.
Upon waking, Vorrak promptly returns to his tasks, sifting through the memories he acquired from Mark Kenner.
Mark Kenner is a young individual who attended Flushing High School, where his academic performance and athletic skills are both average; overall, his life has been marked by mediocrity. The only distinct aspect of him is his physical appearance.
However, being attractive without strength presents challenges, leading to consistent bullying by his peers.
He lacks friends and does not even recognize the names of his classmates, positioning him as a social outcast devoid of interpersonal skills. This insight left Vorrak feeling misled by the company that created such a product.
Nevertheless, he feels reassured knowing that no one is aware of Mark Kenner's true character.
Satisfied with this, he decided to stop attending school, which he detests, as he considers it unnecessary given his ability to acquire knowledge directly.
He could approach one of the notable figures to gain their knowledge through a temporary bond but preferred to remain in the background, avoiding the spotlight.
With his plan in place, Vorrak resolved to locate Howard Stark by inquiring about his residence.
Additionally, he formed temporary bonds with several individuals in an alley before killing and consuming them, ensuring that there were no traces left while extracting their knowledge.
People in alleyways often possess valuable information that may go unnoticed. They have the ability to gather insights about you and behaviors that you may overlook, being observant of everything you wear daily and on formal occasions.
Vorrak covered a considerable distance in his search for Howard Stark until he encountered a building that had no human activity.
This was unusual, as he had seen people entering and exiting various buildings along his route. However, this particular structure was empty until he felt a hand on his shoulder, alerting him, as his senses had failed to detect the individual's presence.
Consequently, he became extremely cautious, stepping back and turning to see a seemingly youthful, ethereal woman with a calm demeanor, typically dressed in simple, flowing robes, her head shaved and eyes a striking green.
However, this only increased Vorrak's anxiety, as he hadn't anticipated encountering this individual so soon. His mind raced as he sought an escape route.
Before he could make his move, the woman addressed him.
"Mark Kenner, I believe? Or perhaps I should say, Vorrak?" she said with a gentle smile, though there was a hint of caution in her expression that triggered his instincts, akin to an emergency signal.
Vorrak found himself immobilized, unaware that he was perspiring.
"I have been monitoring your presence since your arrival. Who would have guessed you would appear right in front of my location?" she said with a smile, observing Vorrak's stunned reaction.
'What? I've been under surveillance from the start. This doesn't bode well.' Vorrak thought as he swiftly shifted into his combat form.
Despite knowing he stood little chance against her, he felt compelled to attempt an escape.
"Please, relax. I have been wanting to speak with you for some time. Now that you're here, be my guest," the woman offered, extending her hand.
Vorrak hesitated momentarily before accepting her hand, opting not to speak for fear of offending her.
The woman led Vorrak inside, where he noticed various types of weapons and artifacts on display.
"It appears that you are aware of my identity based on your response. Allow me to formally present myself. I am the Ancient One, the current Sorcerer Supreme and Master of Mystic Arts. I have come to inquire about your purpose for being on Earth." At this point, the Ancient One adopted a serious demeanor and created the Mirror Dimension.
Vorrak felt nervous and swallowed hard as he attempted to steady himself.
"I... I don't know. I arrived here without a specific objective, only in search of a sword. It is both dark and bright, reminiscent of an eclipse," Vorrak stated honestly, revealing all without concealing any details. He understood that any dishonesty could lead to dire consequences from the Ancient One.
"I understand... Based on your previous actions, I have observed that you are quite ruthless in combat, often tearing opponents apart. However, what is crucial is whether you pose a threat to Earth," the Ancient One remarked, narrowing her eyes as she awaited his response.
"I will not pose a threat, I assure you. You may detain me if that would make you feel more secure," Vorrak promptly suggested, indicating that he intended to grow stronger as long as he remained alive.
With his inventory containing DNA from Wakandan animals, he estimated that it would take only a few hundred days or less for him to be able to compete equally with the Ancient One.
However, if he were to die at this moment, it would signify an unfulfilled dream. Therefore, making a logical choice, he resolved to surrender immediately. While some may label this act as cowardice, it was of little consequence as long as he remained alive.
"I don't wish to be cruel by keeping you captive; I simply wanted to understand your intentions. Now that I am aware, you are free to depart. Just know that you are welcome to return if you have any inquiries. Welcome to Earth, Corruptor," the Ancient One said with a smile, allowing Vorrak to breathe a sigh of relief, indicating he would survive another day.
"Thank you, Ancient One. I assure you I will not harm Earth and will strive to avoid any trouble," the Corruptor stated matter-of-factly.
The Ancient One nodded as she extended her hand, and Vorrak shook it in return.
"May I request a favor? Could you provide me with a small piece of your skin? I collect DNA samples from various individuals and animals," Vorrak asked, adopting a bold approach given the Ancient One's demeanor.
"Hmm… I can accommodate that, as it poses no risk. You certainly have an unusual interest, Vorrak," the Ancient One stated, accompanied by a brief laugh, before skillfully cutting a small piece of her skin.
With care, she removed a thin layer roughly the size of a finger and handed it to Vorrak, who appeared pleased.
"Thank you, Ancient One. I owe you one," Vorrak responded as he promptly placed it in his inventory.
This situation could also serve as a test for the Ancient One concerning her knowledge of his system. It appears she is unaware, which is beneficial for Vorrak as his system represents his source of strength.