The road leading to the New Orleans checkpoint was half-drowned in ash and silence. Burned cars lined both sides of the cracked highway, their skeletal frames covered in vines and rust. Every so often, a gust of wind carried the faint scent of salt and decay—remnants of what used to be the southern coast before it all fell apart.
We rode in a small formation—Yelena in the front with Kate, Blade Knight, and Kamala silently scanning the perimeter, and me with Shalltear at the back. Our bikes rumbled against the empty road, the noise echoing off the desolate ruins. After what felt like hours of travel, we finally spotted a structure in the distance—a checkpoint made of stacked cargo containers, barbed wire, and gun towers that overlooked what used to be New Orleans.
The checkpoint was manned by what looked like military remnants—soldiers in patched gear, some even wearing mismatched armor from scavenged S.H.I.E.L.D. bases. They stopped us immediately at the entrance, guns raised, their wary eyes flicking between Shalltear and me. I could already sense their unease; even without using detection spells, their fear was practically radiating off them.
Before anyone could start asking questions, I muttered a few words under my breath and subtly waved my fingers. The faint shimmer of [Charm Person] spread outward like a soft breeze. Instantly, their eyes softened, suspicion fading into mild confusion.
"Go ahead," one of them said, lowering his weapon. "You'll find the dock further in."
We entered without further trouble.
Kate stretched her arms and groaned. "Finally. I swear my back's going to fuse to that bike seat if we ride any longer."
Kamala chuckled beside her, brushing some dust off her jacket. "Don't relax yet. This is just the checkpoint. Ocean City's supposed to be further out on the water."
I nodded. "Then let's get moving. The sooner we get there, the better."
Just then, Kate suddenly crashed into someone.
I know who it was.
Shang-Chi.
He stood with his group—Death Dealer, Katy Chen, and Jimmy Woo—all of them worn out but still alert. Kamala's eyes widened in recognition, her hand half-lifting in a wave before freezing mid-air.
But it wasn't the reunion that drew attention. It was Kate's sudden gasp.
"Wait… his arm."
Everyone turned. The sleeve of Shang-Chi's right arm was torn, revealing a deep wound pulsing faintly with blackish veins.
But it was covered in ten rings, well, five at least. The other five were in Katy's arm.
Kate immediately raised her gun. "He's infected!"
Before I could even move, Blade Knight's sword was out, glowing faintly as he took a stance.
Shang-Chi raised his hands. "Wait—WAIT! It's not what you think!"
Death Dealer stepped forward, ready to counter. "Lower your weapons, or I'll make you regret it."
Tension spiked like a drawn bow. Katy was caught between both sides, shouting, "Stop! He's not infected—he got scratched, but he's fine! He's immune!"
Still, the distrust was thick in the air. Just one wrong move, and someone was going to bleed.
And then—
"Enough."
The new voice was calm, sharp, and cold.
From behind the barricade, two figures appeared—Baron Helmut Zemo, wearing a tattered fur-lined coat and his familiar purple mask, followed by a broad, stiff man in tactical gear—John Walker, the former U.S. Agent.
Walker immediately stepped between the two groups, hand resting on his pistol. "Everyone put their weapons down. Now."
Zemo's gaze swept over us, studying each face with detached calculation. His voice was even. "This checkpoint was built on order and discipline. Not chaos. If you want to stay here, you will respect that order."
Kate lowered her weapon first, reluctantly. Blade Knight followed suit, though he kept his hand near his sword. Shalltear only stopped when I nodded, her expression sour.
Zemo continued, his tone polite but icy. "I do not trust heroes. Every world that fell did so under their watch. However…" His eyes lingered briefly on me before moving to Kamala. "I am not unreasonable. You may enter, but cause no trouble. My people have built something worth preserving here."
He gestured toward the docks beyond the checkpoint.
There, rising out of the mist-covered bay, was the Raft—the old prison complex turned into a floating fortress city. Massive walls of steel surrounded it, floodlights shining across the waves. Boats and small rafts ferried survivors between the dock and the city itself.
Zemo's voice carried over the sound of the waves. "Welcome to the City on the Sea. My sanctuary from the end."
~~~
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