The New York skyline glittered under a blanket of stars as Sebastian Shaw stepped onto the rooftop of his apartment building. Night had fallen, cloaking the city in shadow. He peeled off the mask Tony Stark had given him, its sleek metal cool against his skin, and slipped out of the heavy boots, their faint hum fading. With practiced ease, he descended the stairwell, his steps sure as he returned home.
Inside, Sharon Carter sat with Alisha Shaw, her posture alert but calm. Sebastian met her gaze and nodded. "Sharon, thank you."
Sharon's shoulders eased at his arrival. "It's fine. It's my job. You should stay with Alisha. I'll head out."
"I owe you one," Sebastian said. "If you ever need me, just call."
Sharon gave a curt nod. She knew Sebastian was aware of her role as a SHIELD agent—why else would he have entrusted Alisha's safety to her? With no need for further words, and seeing the Shaws' warmth unchanged, she dipped her head and left.
Sebastian closed the door, his eyes settling on Alisha. She clutched a coffee mug, her knuckles pale, her face etched with lingering shock. He sighed, a dull ache blooming in his temples, and sat across from her.
"Mom, you okay?"
Alisha nodded, setting the mug down with a soft clink. "I'm… fine. Rumno—or whatever his name was—how is he?"
Sebastian reached out, gently clasping her hands. His voice was steady, resolute. "Mom, he'll never hurt you again. You're safe. But don't give up on finding someone. You deserve a good person who truly cares for you."
Alisha's eyes searched his, sharp and knowing. She'd felt something for the man who called himself Rumno, but it hadn't run deep enough to shatter her. Sebastian's words hinted at a finality she didn't dare probe. Wisely, she let it drop, asking nothing more.
Then, her voice softened. "Sebastian… what's with your… magic?"
There it was. Sebastian had braced for this. He flashed a warm smile. "Mom, it's a long story, going back to when I was a kid. Remember that bad fever I had?
In my dreams, I met a white-bearded wizard. He said his name was Merlin. Then he appeared as that homeless man I used to help—you remember him, right? The one who vanished later.
He wasn't just a drifter. He was a sorcerer, his life nearly spent. Because I showed him kindness, he chose me to inherit his magic. That's how I got it."
The truth? The homeless man was no mage—likely just sick or moved to a shelter. Sebastian didn't know. Merlin? Pure fiction, cribbed from the web novels of his past life. A beggar, a dream, a magical legacy—it was a trope as old as time.
Alisha blinked, stunned. Her first instinct was to call it nonsense, but the memory of Sebastian's spells flashed in her mind. The impossible became plausible. The more she turned it over, the more it felt real. Slowly, she nodded, accepting his tale.
"I see," she said softly. "But you didn't have to hide it. Carrying that alone… it must've been heavy."
Sebastian stared, bewildered. Alisha's hand squeezed his, her eyes brimming with concern. She'd bought the story—hook, line, and sinker. He'd prepared a litany of details to sell the lie, but she'd embraced it without question. Was his mother this trusting?
He cleared his throat, masking his surprise. "Thanks, Mom. I'm okay."
They talked a while longer, Sebastian's words gentle, coaxing Alisha's tension away. As the hour grew late, she washed up and retreated to her room, her steps lighter. Sebastian, however, returned to his own room, settling at his desk. The Ring of Harnessing Power gleamed on his finger, its surface catching the lamplight. He turned it over, studying its intricate design.
Sebastian spent the night poring over the Ring of Harnessing Power, its faint hum a constant undercurrent. By dawn, he'd unraveled its secrets: the ability to project energy in countless forms—shockwaves, sound, electromagnetic fields—and to manipulate gravity or repulsion. A plan took shape, its versatility complementing his magic in ways his Frost Ring never could.
Fresh from Asgard, Sebastian had no intention of diving back into school just yet. He'd decided to apply to the State University of New York, close to home. With his stellar grades and a nudge from Tony Stark's influence, admission was all but guaranteed.
Morning brought a quiet breakfast with Alisha. The clink of dishes and soft chatter filled the kitchen, a grounding contrast to the chaos of the previous day. After Alisha left for work, Sebastian powered on his computer, ready to tackle the backlog of emails that had piled up during his absence.
The inbox loaded, and one name stood out: Victor.
Since their parting, Sebastian had kept in touch with Victor, a fellow sorcerer. Few secrets stood between them—magic bonded them in a way mundane friendships couldn't. Sebastian had even shared his journey to Asgard, describing it as a "secret mystic realm" for further study.
Victor's recent email caught Sebastian's eye. Sent days ago, it mentioned his acceptance to the State University of New York and his imminent move from his homeland to the States. Between the lines, Victor hinted at wanting to reconnect.
Sebastian leaned back, a wry smile tugging at his lips. Fate was a strange beast. He and Victor, choosing the same university, the same moment to enroll? Whether it was fortune or trouble, only time would tell.
He typed a quick reply, confirming his own plans for the same university, and hit send.
Barely a minute passed before Victor's response arrived—a single phone number, unmistakably New York-based. Sebastian raised an eyebrow. The original email was days old; Victor must already be in the city. Hardly surprising, given the time lag.
He dialed the number. Victor picked up on the second ring.
"Sebastian?" Victor's voice carried a familiar lilt, tinged with excitement.
"It's me," Sebastian replied. "Welcome to New York."
"It's a world apart from home," Victor said, a laugh in his tone. "My hometown's a shadow compared to this place."
"Your home needs you," Sebastian said, his voice earnest. "Learn what you can here—tech, ideas—and take it back. You could reshape it for the better."
Victor chuckled, clearly buoyed by the thought. Then his tone shifted, eager. "Sebastian, let's meet up. I'm at a café near Times Square. You'll find me easily, right?"
"Give me a bit," Sebastian said, grinning. "I'll be there soon, and we'll catch up properly."
He hung up, already reaching for his jacket, the promise of reunion sparking a flicker of anticipation.