Chapter: Conversations with the Creator — The Healing, the Threats, and Global Expansion
On a quiet night, high up in a skyscraper in New York, Akira gazed at the starry sky, the glow of city lights blending with the constellations. But his mind was on another plane — literally.
"You call me a lot, boy,"the familiar voice rang out, as the space around him distorted. Suddenly, the friendly old man, God in his favorite form—a gentleman with disheveled white hair, crooked glasses, and a ridiculous Hawaiian shirt—appeared holding a steaming cup of green tea.
Akira, unsurprised, crossed his arms. "It's just that certain things… just
God snorted, sitting down in a chair conjured of light.
"If it's about your company's taxes, don't count on me. But… something tells me that's not it."
Akira didn't smile. The matter was serious.
"The Elder Master. Dormammu is still going to kill her, you know that. Technically she dies defending the planet. Can you stop that? Cure her? Change the cycle without screwing up the timeline?"
God swirled the tea in his hand thoughtfully. "Hmmm… her death is… flexible. One of those chess pieces that can fall or not, depending on the moves."
Akira stared at him intently. "What if I intervene? What if I create a breach? Will you interfere?"
The old man laughed. "Kid, you interfere all the time. But in a gentle way. I like that. You can save the Elder, but don't overdo it. Every life saved weighs in on another part of the scale."
Akira nodded, satisfied, but his expression
"What about Odin? Will you give me a message? Or I swear, I'll send his Eight Kingdoms to hell. I'm too busy to deal with some omniscient Viking."
God almost choked on his tea laughing so hard.
"Hahaha! Take it easy, boy… old Odin is a pain, but he has his uses. I'll give him a heads up, tone down his ego a bit. But don't threaten to send kingdoms to limbo… yet."
Akira raised his eyebrows. "Then we're set."
God winked, concluding:
"Agreed. Take care of your companies, save whoever you can, and remember… the greatest chaos is yet to come."
With that, the plan returned to normal, and Akira was back on the terrace, but his teacup was mysteriously full.
Global Breakthrough — AstraTech and Stark Industries
While divine conversations were taking place behind the scenes, in the real world, Akira and Howard Stark were strengthening their alliance.
New joint projects emerged:
1. Project Horizon — Advanced MaterialsUse of light
Aviation
Civil construction
Prototyping of new vehicles
Stark, then
"It's not yet time to show the world what we can do in combat,"Akira warned."First, we gain trust. Then, we choose the right ones.
2. Verdant Trade — The New Wave of Expansion
Verdant supermarkets advanced with:
Innovative Logistics:Warehouses equipped with food preservation magic. No one understood exactly how, but products lasted three times longer than normal, reducing waste.
Exclusive Products:
Fruits and vegetables grown using improved methods, are pest-resistant and more nutritious.
Pre-cooked food with unusual flavor and quality for the time.
Mineral waters with mild revitalizing properties (sold as "energy tonics" without raising magical suspicions).
Anchor markets in:
Mexico and Canada, strengthening its presence in North America.
United Kingdom, France and Italy, even with the pre-war climate.
Start of discreet negotiations in Brazil, South Africa and India.
3. The Containment Project — Technology Control
AND
Created "technological braking" departments within AstraTech.
He monitored patents and research to ensure that nothing advanced beyond what was allowed (5 years beyond Earth's natural line).
He used his network of informants—part human, part magical clones—to keep tabs on rival conglomerates.
Preparing for the Future
With God's silent support, Odin's retreat, and the Elder's vigilance, Akira took a stand:
Verdant Trade was shaping global eating habits, logistics and food security.
AstraTech e Stark Industries, em particular
Akira was already plotting the next leaps: clean energy, improved medicine, and the founding of partnerships that would one day influence the Avengers and beyond.
He raised his teacup (now understanding the divine allure of the drink), looking at the illuminated city below.
"We are still at the beginning."
And the Marvel universe… I had no idea how deep the Akira game would go.