Multiversal Store - InteriorPresent: Marco, Sauron , and an increasingly worried AI assistant
The moment Sauron crossed the threshold of the shop, Marco felt the change.
The store rules were ACTIVATED.
It was as if an invisible barrier materialized around them both. Marco could FEEL it with his Nen —an absolute contract, unbreakable even by the One Ring.
Within these walls, no customer could harm the owner.
Sauron clearly felt it too. He stopped, looking around with what Marco could only describe as genuine surprise.
" This is... " Sauron 's voice had lost its menacing amplification. Now it sounded almost... normal. Deep, resonant, but without the weight of dark magic. " ...impossible. This space defies all the laws I know. "
"Welcome to The Multiversal Store ," Marco said, walking to his desk. His legs were shaking, but he kept his voice steady. "Where the impossible is just another inventory category."
Sauron took off his helmet.
Marco immediately wished he hadn't done it.
Sauron 's face was... beautiful. In a disturbing way. Perfect, almost elven features . Dark hair that fell to his shoulders. But the EYES—those eyes held millennia of malice, ambition, and an intelligence that made Marco feel like an insect under a microscope.
"You have constructed an absolute neutral zone," Sauron observed , walking slowly through space. "Not even with the One Ring can I break these rules. Fascinating. Who gave you such power?"
"That information is confidential," Marco said, sitting down in his chair. He was trying to project a confidence he didn't feel. "But I can say this: I have access to resources from countless universes. Worlds beyond Arda. Realities where magic works differently. Technologies that would seem divine here."
Sauron approached the desk, studying Marco with that penetrating gaze.
"You're mortal. Human. I can smell your fear. Your heart is racing. Your aura—yes, I can feel that strange energy in you—is trembling. And yet you invited me here. Courage or stupidity?"
"Pragmatism," Marco replied. "You're the most powerful being for 500 kilometers. Fighting you would be suicide. Running away would only delay the inevitable. So I do what I do best: I negotiate."
Sauron 's face . It wasn't a pleasant one.
"I like you, merchant. Most mortals kneel or flee at the sight of me. You offer me a business transaction." He sat down in the chair facing the desk. "Very well. You have my full attention. Show me what you have that's worth my time."
[Marco, be VERY careful. Sauron is a master manipulator. He has deceived even the wisest Númenóreans . It's tempting to offer him much, but everything you sell to Sauron makes him more dangerous.]
"I know, TARS."
Marco activated the interface. The screen behind him lit up.
"First, let me establish what I can offer you. Then we'll discuss price."
"Proceed."
"TARS displays relevant categories for an ambitious dark lord with a god complex."
[That's a dangerously honest description, but okay.]
The screen displayed:
╔═════════════════════════════════════════╗║ CATALOGUE - POWER FOR DARK ENTITIES ║╚═════════════════════════════════════════╝
CATEGORY 1: ARTIFACT UPGRADES
Divine Forging Techniques (Multiple Universes)Ring Power Multiplication MethodFusion of Magical Artifacts
CATEGORY 2: FORBIDDEN MAGIC
Grimoire of the Necronomicon ( Lovecraft Universe )Horcrux Techniques (Harry Potter Universe)Soul Absorption Magic ( Dark Universe) Souls )
CATEGORY 3: ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
Dominion Nanotechnology ( Warhammer 40k Universe)Controlled Mutation Virus ( Resident Universe) Evil )Military Strategy AI (Multiple Universes)
CATEGORY 4: STRATEGIC KNOWLEDGE
Dimensional Conquest TacticsMass Psychological ManipulationAdvanced Social Engineering
Sauron read the list, his eyes gleaming with growing interest.
"Intriguing. Especially Category 1. My One Ring is already powerful, but I admit... I'm always looking for ways to improve it." He glanced at Marco. "Do you have a method for making my Ring even more powerful?"
"Potentially. But before discussing specifications, I need to establish a base price."
"Of course. Everything has a price. Even for me." Sauron leaned back. "What do you want, merchant? Gold? Power? Immortality? I can provide all of those things."
"I don't want any of that."
Sauron raised an eyebrow. "No?"
"I want a permanent neutral zone. Guaranteed access to all regions of Middle-earth for my business operations. Protection from interference—from you or anyone else."
"Basically, you want me to leave you alone."
"Exactly. I'm a trader. I need to be able to operate freely. If I constantly have to worry about orc armies attacking my trade routes or customers being killed, I can't do business."
Sauron considered this.
"And in return?"
"I'm selling you knowledge that will make your Ring significantly more powerful. Specifically..." Marco took a deep breath, "...I'm selling you information about Horcruxes ."
[MARCO, ARE YOU CRAZY? That's exactly the kind of magic Sauron SHOULDN'T have!]
"Trust me, TARS."
Sauron leaned forward, intensely interested.
"Explain these... Horcruxes ."
Marco chose his words carefully.
"In another universe, there is a form of magic that splits the soul. You place fragments of your soul into objects. As long as those objects exist, you cannot truly die. It is literal immortality through multiple anchors."
Sauron 's eyes lit up.
"I've done something similar before. My essence is linked to the One Ring. As long as I exist, I cannot be permanently destroyed."
"But that's the problem. You have ONE anchor. Horcruxes allow for MULTIPLE. Imagine: your soul split into seven fragments, each in a different object. To kill you permanently, someone would have to destroy all seven. And if you keep their locations secret..."
"I would indeed be immortal. More so than I am now." Sauron drummed his fingers on the desk. "But dividing one's soul comes at a cost. What is it?"
"Mental instability. Loss of humanity. Although..." Marco smiled slightly, "...considering your current state, I doubt that worries you."
Sauron laughed. A genuine, almost appreciative laugh.
"You're right. My humanity, if I ever had any, died ages ago. What else?"
"Each division weakens your total power. Seven divisions would mean that each fragment has only 1/7 of your power. Though combined with your Ring..."
"...the Ring amplifies every fragment. Yes. I see the potential." Sauron stood, pacing around the tent. "This is exactly the kind of knowledge I seek. Information Morgoth himself never possessed. Otherworldly techniques that would give me the ultimate advantage."
"So you accept my terms?"
"I have a counter-proposal."
Marco felt his stomach sink. Of course Sauron would have a counter-proposal.
"I'm giving you a neutral zone. I'm allowing you to operate freely. I'm even providing formal protection—any creature under my command won't touch you. But in return..."
Here I came.
"...in return, you become my EXCLUSIVE trader. Any sales you make to my enemies—elves, men of Númenor , dwarves—you report to me. You give me information about what they buy, their plans, their weaknesses."
[THAT'S CHEATING. It would make you a spy.]
"I can't accept that," Marco said firmly.
Sauron 's voice turned cold. "And why not?"
"Because it would ruin my reputation. If people find out I'm your spy, no one will do business with me anymore. My business would collapse. And without a business, I have nothing to offer you either."
"Valid point. Then another suggestion."
"Heard."
"No exclusivity. But you also won't sell my direct enemies anything that could be used against me. No weapons specifically designed to prevent Sauron . No information about my weaknesses. No tools designed to destroy the One Ring."
Marco considered this.
It was more reasonable. It didn't make him a spy, it just set limits on what he could sell.
But...
"How do we define 'direct enemies'? Does it include ALL elves? All men?"
"Only those actively at war with me. Gil- galad and his army, for example. Or Elendil when he eventually rebels. But neutral elves, dwarven traders, human settlements that ignore me—those are fine."
"And what about Gandalf? The Istari ?"
Sauron frowned.
"The mages haven't arrived yet. But when they do..." he paused, "...I consider Mithrandir a personal enemy. So yes, nothing for him."
Marco did quick mental calculations. It was a significant constraint, but not impossible to work with.
"And how do I verify that you're keeping your end of the bargain? How do I know you won't send orcs against me when it suits you?"
"We shall take a binding oath. In my language—Black Language—with the One Ring as witness. Such an oath is absolute even for me."
[Marco, he's being surprisingly reasonable. That worries me MORE than if he were aggressive.]
"Why are you being so cooperative?" Marco asked directly.
Sauron stopped, looking at him.
"Because I recognize opportunity when I see it. You are an anomaly. Access to other worlds. Knowledge that doesn't exist here. If I kill or enslave you, I gain momentary gratification. If I let you operate freely under reasonable terms, I gain long-term access to unparalleled resources."
He leaned forward.
"I'm not an irrational monster, Marco Antonio Durán. I'm a strategist. I play the long game . And in the long game, you, alive and cooperative, are worth infinitely more than you, dead or terrified."
It was perfect logic.
Cold. Calculated. And completely sincere.
"Then we have a basis for negotiation," Marco said. "But I need to add my own conditions."
"Speaks."
"First: If I sell to someone who later becomes your enemy, that doesn't count as a violation of terms. I don't have a crystal ball."
"Reasonable. Accepted."
"Second: If I ever feel that my life is in direct danger because of you—whether by direct action or intentional negligence—the deal is immediately broken."
"Also reasonable. Accepted."
"Third: This neutral zone extends to any location where you establish permanent business operations. Not just this mobile store."
Sauron considered this for a longer time.
"That could be used to establish sanctuaries for my enemies."
"Therefore, I add: I cannot provide permanent refuge for your active enemies. Only temporary trading zones. Maximum 24 hours."
"Acceptable."
"So," Marco extended his hand, "do we have a deal?"
Sauron looked at the hand. Then he smiled.
Horcrux knowledge . How much?"
Marco consulted with TARS mentally.
Basic Horcrux knowledge would be worth approximately 800,000 MC. But you're selling to Sauron. The risk is immense. You should charge at least double that.]
" 1,600,000 multiversal credits . Equivalent in your world to..." Marco thought, "...enough elven gold to build a fortress. Or equivalent information about artifacts of power in Middle-earth that I could collect and sell."
"I don't have that gold available here."
"Then information. Tell me the locations of three artifacts of power that are currently lost or hidden. Things I can recover and sell."
Sauron considered this for a long moment.
Finally, he nodded.
"Very well. I will give you the locations of: the lost Sword Gurthang in the ruins of Nargothrond , the Elessar kept in the hidden hoard of Gil- galad , and the Ring of Barahir currently in the possession of the House of Elendil ."
"And you'll let me get them back without interference?"
"Yes. However," Sauron smiled maliciously, "if you decide to sell any to my enemies, remember our terms."
"Understood."
"Then we have a complete deal."
Sauron extended his hand.
Marco took it.
The moment their hands touched, Marco activated his Hatsu . Coins of golden aura exploded around them both.
Sauron tried to retreat—
But the store rules kept him in his place.
"WHAT IS THIS?" he demanded.
"Contract Formalization," Marco explained quickly. "My unique ability. It creates a magical bond between us. If either of us breaks the agreed-upon terms, we suffer severe penalties."
"WHAT KIND OF PENALTY?"
"Extreme psychological distress. Temporary loss of power. And ruined reputation—everyone in the multiverse will know you broke your word."
Sauron processed this.
Then, surprisingly, he relaxed.
"Interesting. I've never seen magic like this. It's not from Arda. It's..." He studied the gleaming coins, "...it's something else entirely. Very well. I accept your magical contract."
The coins dissolved, splitting between them. Marco felt the bond forming—it was different from the bond with Elrond . This one was darker, colder, but just as absolute.
[CONTRACT ESTABLISHED WITH SAURON][WARNING: This is an EXTREME risk client][Continuous monitoring enabled]
"Now," said Sauron , sitting down again, "teach me about Horcruxes ."
And Marco, feeling the weight of what he had just done, began to explain.
He told her about the Harry Potter universe (without naming him specifically). About Lord Voldemort and his quest for immortality. About how to split the soul through acts of murder. About the specific ritual—though he omitted darker details.
Sauron listened with absolute attention, asking technical questions that showed his immediate understanding.
"Fascinating," she murmured when Marco finished. "I've already committed enough acts to split my soul a thousand times. The process itself seems simple compared to the complexity of the One Ring."
"Simple but dangerous," Marco warned. " Voldemort , the wizard who invented this method, eventually became so unstable that he lost."
"Because I was mortal playing with immortal magic. I AM already immortal. This simply... diversifies my immortality." Sauron stood up. "You have fulfilled your part of the bargain. Now I will fulfill mine."
He raised his hand. The One Ring glowed.
And he spoke in Black Language:
" Ash" nazg durbatulûk , ash nazg gimbatul , ash nazg thrakatulûk , agh burzum-ishi krimpatul . "
Marco didn't understand the words—his multilingualism apparently had limits with languages of pure evil—but he FELT the power.
The air grew heavy. The promise was etched into reality itself.
"It is done," said Sauron in Westron . "I swore by the One Ring. Marco Antonio Durán, multiversal merchant , has a permanent neutral zone. Any creature under my dominion that attacks you without provocation will be destroyed. You may operate freely in my lands under agreed terms. And I will have priority access to your services for future purchases."
"Priority access?" Marco didn't remember agreeing to that.
"Small addition. If two clients want the same item, I have first option. Not exclusivity—just priority."
It was minor manipulation, but Marco let it go. It was a small price to pay for Sauron 's protection .
"Accepted."
"Excellent." Sauron donned his helmet once more. "Now, I have an army waiting outside and a half-empty city to symbolically plunder. Though without Celebrimbor , the victory is hollow." He glanced at Marco. "I suppose that was your plan. To empty Eregion before my arrival."
"Successful commerce requires live customers," Marco said simply.
"Pragmatic to the end. I like you, merchant." Sauron walked toward the door. "We shall meet again. When I have established my Horcruxes , I will return to purchase more knowledge. Until then..."
He stopped at the threshold.
"...take care of that Asgardian god . He has a talent for irritating me. But also for impressing me. He could be a useful client for you. Or a dangerous enemy for me. Make sure you choose wisely which one."
And with that, Sauron left.
Marco waited until the door closed.
Then he collapsed in his chair, trembling.
"TARS..."
[You just made a deal with Sauron . With. SAURON. And you didn't just survive—you THREW. That's... I'm speechless.]
"Good words or bad words?"
[Both. You secured your survival in Middle-earth. You gained protection from the greatest military force of the age. But you've also just made Sauron potentially MUCH more dangerous. Horcruxes in the hands of someone who's already nearly immortal...]
"I know. But it was that or die. Or worse, see all the elves die."
[Valid justification. But Marco... the consequences of this will be felt for centuries.]
"Then I'd better make sure I'm there to help manage them."
Marco stood up, still trembling but functional.
He opened the shop door.
Outside, the sun had set. It was sunset.
Sauron 's army was... retreating?
The orcs were marching back east. The Uruk-hai were in orderly formation.
And Sauron , mounted on a massive black horse, raised his hand in an almost mocking greeting before disappearing over the hills.
Elrond ran towards Marco.
"What happened? What did you say to her? Why is she leaving?"
"We made a deal. I sold him forbidden knowledge. He gave me a permanent neutral zone and left me alone."
"What kind of knowledge?"
Marco hesitated.
"The kind of guy who could make it more dangerous. But also the kind of guy who keeps me alive and keeps you and your people safe. For now."
Círdan appeared, holding Loki —who looked terrible but was smiling.
"That... was... fun," Loki gasped . "Let's do it again... never."
"Are you okay?" Marco asked.
elven healing chamber can't fix. Are you alright? Did you really just negotiate with Sauron ?"
"Yeah."
"You're officially crazier than me. And I tried to conquer Manhattan with an alien army ."
"It's a gift," Marco murmured.
Celebrimbor appeared, still holding the Starforge Hammer.
"Marco Antonio Durán. You saved me. You saved my people. And apparently you just negotiated a temporary peace with the Dark Lord. I'm..." he searched for words, "...speechless."
"Then don't say anything," Marco said wearily. "Just... let's go to Rivendell . I need to sleep for a week."
"Agreed," said Elrond . "But Marco... eventually we need to have a long talk about exactly WHAT you sold to Sauron ."
"I know. But not today. Today I just want... to exist without almost dying."
[Interesting stat: You've been in Middle-earth for 5 days. You've nearly died 7 times. You've negotiated with a god, a daemon, three elven legends , and the Dark Lord. Your chaos rate per day is impressive.]
"Thank you, TARS. That makes me feel much better."
[That wasn't my intention.]
As the group began their journey to Rivendell —now with a full caravan of refugees, a legendary elven smith , an injured Asgardian god , and a merchant who had just changed the course of history—Marco looked back toward Eregion one last time.
The city was still standing. Partially empty, but standing.
In the original timeline, it would have been completely destroyed. Celebrimbor would have died a horrible death.
Now... now everything was different.
"I changed the future," Marco murmured.
"Did you say something?" Elrond asked .
"Nothing. Just... thinking about cause and effect."
"The future is a flowing river," Círdan wisely said. "You can change its course, but water always finds a way."
"I hope he finds a better path than before."
"We'll know in time."
And as they rode off into the setting sun, Marco Antonio Durán— multiversal merchant , changer of destinies, and seemingly a magnet for absolute madness—couldn't help but wonder:
Had he saved the future?
Or had he simply made it more complicated?
Only time will tell.
[END OF CHAPTER 11]