Beneath Sokovia Castle, in the fully enclosed warehouse, only a single row of lights remained lit. Their beams cut through the darkness like surgical incisions, each illuminating one of the "Little Darlings."
Thirteen nuclear warheads stood in perfect formation. Though varying in size and design, their collective presence pressed down with identical, suffocating weight.
"Did you bring us here to show us this," a wary voice cut through the shadows, "or are you planning something?"
Hong Fei answered with theatrical exasperation, "I invite you as honored guests to witness something remarkable, and this is the thanks I get? Such suspicion!"
Frank emerged from the darkness. The harsh overhead light carved sharp angles across his face, leaving the rest in deep shadow. He stopped before one of the warheads, brow furrowed.
"All thirteen accounted for?"
"They're all here."
"You live directly above these things."
Frank's voice flattened.
"You've got no sense of self-preservation."
Hong Fei spread his hands.
"Why worry? They won't explode—"
"What if they do?" Frank interrupted.
"Proper storage requires regular inspections and maintenance. What's your protocol?"
Hong Fei glanced around the warehouse.
"It's spotless. Not a speck of dust."
"If I die young," Frank muttered, "it'll be because you blew me to kingdom come."
"Slander!"
Hong Fei turned abruptly.
"Wenwu, back me up here."
Xu Wenwu stepped forward. His gaze had locked onto a particular warhead from the moment they entered. Without looking away, he asked, "Will you sell me one? I can pay in antiques or gold."
"No need for payment," Hong Fei said. "I'll gift it to you. But find separate storage—if that mountain of gold in your home gets vaporized, it'd be a cultural tragedy."
Xu Wenwu nodded. Frank shook his head.
"You're all insane."
Hong Fei studied the warheads with visible melancholy.
"One detonated. You know about that?"
Both men nodded.
Xu Wenwu observed Hong Fei's expression. After a pause, he said bluntly, "No need for regret. Fourteen warheads total, and you secured thirteen. That's miraculous by any standard. Even my wife and children praised your work. Half the world must worship you now."
Frank snorted.
"You think he regrets not saving everyone? He's upset HYDRA didn't stash these on some uninhabited island."
Xu Wenwu blinked.
"I assumed he mourned failing to collect the full set."
They exchanged glances—both realizing they'd pegged Hong Fei correctly. Turning in unison, they demanded, "So what's really bothering you?"
Hong Fei approached one of the warheads. He raised his hand and pressed his palm against its curved surface.
The polished metal felt improbably smooth beneath his touch. Cold radiated through his skin, shooting up his nerves to explode in his skull. Hong Fei's head tilted back involuntarily, eyes fluttering shut, lips parting as a shuddering moan escaped him.
"Ah~"
The rising and falling tone became exceptionally obvious in the dim, secret room. Frank and Xu Wenwu took simultaneous steps backward, identical looks of revulsion twisting their features.
Hong Fei observed their expressions before shaking his head. He continued stroking the little creature beside him as he spoke.
"It's hard for you to understand. Nuclear weapons may be terrifying—even condemned since their invention—but what do their only two actual uses in warfare really mean to me and billions of others?"
His fingers stilled.
"Without them, I might not be who I am today. I might not even exist at all."
Frank's brow furrowed.
"I know what you're saying. I understand that history. It was undoubtedly one of humanity's wisest decisions."
Xu Wenwu interjected dryly, "If you want, I could help detonate them all together."
"Hmm."
Hong Fei's lips quirked.
"Good idea. But not now."
He leaned forward, eyes intent.
"An old saying goes: 'Not having a sword in hand is different from having a sword but choosing not to use it.'"
"Philosophical," Frank nodded.
"And correct."
Xu Wenwu grunted agreement.
"I respect scholars and gentlemen. But in the end, decisive power comes from force."
Warm satisfaction spread through Hong Fei's chest. These were his true comrades—their thoughts and methods aligned almost perfectly. The minor divergences had been gradually smoothed away through their partnership. Now they moved together like interlocking gears.
"The Foundation needs force," Hong Fei stated abruptly.
He spread his hands.
"I may be the sharpest blade we have, but I can't solve every problem alone. That's why I need you."
His gaze shifted between them.
"Even with your help—even adding those former Avengers—we still lack sufficient deterrence against certain parties. And future threats remain unpredictable. The Foundation requires more bargaining chips. These"—he gestured vaguely—"will serve that purpose."
Frank considered this before asking, "You'll need delivery systems too."
"Already handled. They'll be secured shortly."
"Where'd you acquire them?"
Hong Fei's smile turned feline.
"Did I say 'acquire'? Let's just say I... found them during a stroll."
Silence stretched uncomfortably until Hong Fei broke it.
"Heroes remain heroes. Ordinary people stay ordinary. Racial identity is subjective—even if we consider ourselves human, others may disagree."
His voice hardened.
"Whether from jealousy or conflicting interests, trouble will come. Our solution? Elevate the Foundation to their level. Remove any possibility of them dictating terms."
Both men nodded silently. Frank added, "Your logic holds. But this time you overplayed your hand. You saved the world, yes—but you killed a 'god' before billions of witnesses."
Hong Fei scoffed.
"That wasn't a god. Their pantheon only has one true deity. He was just a particularly vicious attack dog."
"You realize those words will spark riots? Public sentiment already turns against you. Hundreds of millions accuse you of blasphemy—they demand—"
"I know."
Hong Fei waved impatiently.
"Haven't checked the feeds, but I can guess the rhetoric. That's why I gave all three pairs of wings to Big Head."
Frank's eye twitched.
"What fresh madness is this?"
"Specimens."
Hong Fei's grin turned predatory.
"Humanity's first successful hunt of a mythological angel. Priceless collector's items, don't you think?"
"You're baiting them."
"Exactly."
Hong Fei's laughter held an edge.
"Anger clouds judgment. When enemies lose rationality, the game tilts in our favor."
"That's not my responsibility," Frank said with a shrug. "I'll point the direction, but the specifics are up to you."
He shook his head decisively.
"I've got no interest wasting time with those idiots, and I don't hold any position in The Foundation." Turning to Xu Wenwu, he added, "So it's your call."
Xu Wenwu arched an eyebrow at Hong Fei.
"Was this your plan all along? Using this incident to strengthen The Foundation's cohesion?"
Hong Fei snapped his fingers. "Smart man. We really do make good partners. Religious movements evolve alongside human civilization. Civilizations crumble, but faith always finds ways to survive and get passed down. That's terrifying when you think about it."
His expression turned serious.
"But their fatal weakness is obvious—modern society's eroding belief in deities."
"Originally, this miracle should've caused a surge in religious fervor. Unfortunately, their prophet died, and his agenda directly contradicted humanity's survival instinct."
Hong Fei leaned forward.
"More importantly, gods craving worship fundamentally clash with the rise of superheroes. People used to pray during crises—now they call for capes."
Both men frowned simultaneously. Xu Wenwu cut straight to the point, "So we'll be fighting gods eventually?"
"Very likely."
Frank let out a dark chuckle.
"Novel concept. I could've become a god millennia ago if I'd wanted."
"Are you two done flexing?" Frank growled.
Hong Fei burst out laughing.
"Relax, you'll get stronger too—I guarantee it. Not all gods are equal. Take Asgardians—they don't need mortal faith to sustain their power or existence. But for beings like Angels?"
He mimed drinking.
"Faith is their oxygen. The simplest way to cripple them? Cut off their worship pipeline."
"We tell believers the hard truth: your god was never all-powerful. Might never be. The real kicker?"
Hong Fei's smile turned razor-sharp.
"He doesn't love you because he's benevolent. He pretends to love you so you'll feed him power and call it benevolence."
Xu Wenwu waved a dismissive hand.
"Everyone knows this already. Modern society preaches science—or did. Yet people still treat gods as philosophical constructs, dressing up superstition as spiritual fulfillment."
"Which makes it even more absurd," Hong Fei scoffed.
"Now that gods are provably real, those armchair theologians should just go to bed. Preaching's the simplest yet hardest method to show results. Killing an Angel forces true doubt into hearts—that's why they're rioting. And we all know their outrage isn't about defending divinity."
His voice dropped.
"It's about protecting the power structures built in god's name."
Frank rubbed his chin.
"Still don't get why you're fixated on faith-based gods as targets."
Hong Fei's eyes gleamed.
"I'm not targeting gods. I'm targeting an ideology."