Everyone was stunned.
A three-legged Solar Harbinger.
And not just one.
Ten of them—ten blazing entities like miniature suns—appeared in the sky at the same time.
The entire world froze.
Inside S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters, Nick Fury's one good eye narrowed sharply as he stared at the projection. His expression darkened instantly.
"Ten suns…" he muttered.
This was no illusion.
The Solar Harbinger summoned by the merchant was clearly not the same weakened specimen currently held by the Foundation. These were near-complete manifestations, each radiating terrifying heat and authority. Ten Solar Harbingers shining together was no different from rewriting the laws of nature itself.
Nick Fury had no doubt—if such an event occurred in the modern era, the Foundation would immediately classify it as a K-Class Doomsday Scenario.
But what shocked him even more was something else.
"How could the Ebony Blade kill nine Solar Harbingers in a single strike?"
That question echoed through every mind watching the broadcast.
---
Natasha Romanoff crossed her arms and sighed softly.
"What a waste," she said. "The First Empire was such a powerful civilization… and yet it still fell to those god-worshippers."
Nick Fury shook his head slowly.
"The First Empire relied on knowledge and technology they earned themselves—even after inheriting fragments of the Broken God's legacy," he said calmly. "But the merchants relied entirely on divine power. They borrowed strength they didn't understand."
A cold smile crossed his face.
"And every borrowed power comes with a price."
Natasha glanced at him. "What do you mean?"
Fury gestured toward the screen.
"The First Empire lasted thousands of years and is still remembered. But the merchant civilization?" He scoffed. "Almost erased from history. That alone tells us everything."
---
The screen shifted.
A Foundation document appeared, accompanied by dense classification markings.
> [After comparing SCP-2481-3 with data related to SCP-1428, the subject confirmed the identity of the Solar Harbinger.]
The text scrolled further.
> "I escaped once in the past, but now I am finally caged. The Solar Harbinger is trapped, and the Way of the Serpent is complete. The spirits of the kings may finally rest."
The recording ended there.
But instead of calming the audience, it ignited even more curiosity.
The First Empire—its kings, its technology, its war against gods—everything about it now felt more mysterious than ever.
Fortunately, the file wasn't finished.
At the bottom of the screen, a final attachment appeared.
> [05-Level Clearance Required]
The audience collectively held its breath.
---
James froze for a brief moment.
His eyes flickered, as if something clicked in his mind.
Without hesitation, he moved the mouse and clicked the attachment.
The file opened.
Just like that.
The livestream erupted.
Only then did everyone realize the truth—James had already obtained 05-level clearance when he previously accessed SCP-001, the Broken God.
The screen flashed again.
> ["Sunk into the Abyss, Beasts Devour God" — Access Approved]
This wasn't just a report.
It was an application submitted directly to the 05 Council.
---
> [Based on data recovered from SCP-2481-1 and SCP-2481-2, the research team has concluded that the First Empire itself may qualify as an anomaly.]
The words hit like a thunderbolt.
Across the world, people stared in disbelief.
Inside S.H.I.E.L.D., Natasha slammed a hand on the table.
"What?!" she snapped. "They're calling an entire civilization an anomaly? That's insane!"
Even Nick Fury's composure cracked.
An entire dynasty… classified as anomalous?
It sounded absurd.
But as the report continued, his expression slowly changed.
---
> [The First Empire possessed advanced anomalous technology, and a majority of its population underwent partial anomalous transformation.]
At Stark Tower, Tony Stark leaned back and rubbed his chin.
"When you think about it," he said slowly, "they practiced reality manipulation, magic-tech hybrids, and even biological alteration. Half-serpent physiology, enhanced cognition… yeah, that does sound abnormal by modern standards."
He frowned.
"But still—labeling an entire civilization like that feels extreme."
Colonel Rhodes folded his arms.
"You're looking at it from today's perspective," he replied. "Back then, gods and immortals were fighting openly. Humanity only survived because civilizations like the First Empire forced evolution."
He paused.
"In today's world? A country where everyone has supernatural traits would absolutely terrify the Foundation."
---
The document continued.
> [SCP-2481-1 is confirmed to be part of a larger machine. However, SCP-2481-2 is of greater importance.]
New lines appeared.
> [Experts have identified SCP-2481-2 as structurally similar to a Scranton Reality Anchor.]
The livestream exploded.
"An ancient reality anchor?!"
"You're telling me the First Empire had this tech thousands of years ago?!"
"So the Ebony Blade isn't just a sword—it's a one-time reality-distorting weapon?!"
The realization hit hard.
The Ebony Blade wasn't simply a divine weapon.
It was a causal correction device, designed to overwrite reality itself.
> [Analysis indicates SCP-2481-2 served as the core stabilizer. Its damaged state allowed SCP-2481-3 to survive despite fatal injuries.]
Silence followed.
Then awe.
Then fear.
---
Nick Fury stared at the screen.
So many questions had answers now.
And yet, even more questions appeared.
If the First Empire possessed such overwhelming technology…
How did it fall?
The answer arrived moments later.
> [Despite extensive searches, no major ruins or cities of the First Empire have been located.]
> [We hypothesize that multiple activations of SCP-2481-2-class devices caused large-scale reality collapse, erasing most traces of the First Empire from existence.]
The room felt cold.
> [SCP-2481 may be the only surviving remnant due to partial failure of its core.]
---
At Kamar-Taj, the Ancient One stood motionless.
Her expression wasn't shock alone—it was grief.
"The First Empire… destroyed by its own weapon," she whispered.
She finally understood.
The Ebony Blade's power didn't just kill the Solar Harbingers.
It erased history itself.
---
Somewhere beyond time and space, Uatu the Watcher observed silently.
"Technology is always a double-edged sword," he said softly.
Had the First Empire survived, their understanding of reality manipulation would have surpassed even the modern Foundation.
They had thrived in an age of gods.
And yet…
They erased themselves.
---
The final section of the report appeared.
> [While direct use of SCP-2481-2 is too dangerous, analysis may greatly advance reality-manipulation research.]
> [Most components remain intact. SCP-2481-2 may be repairable.]
The world froze again.
> [Repair will destabilize SCP-2481 and likely result in the death of SCP-2481-3. Requesting 05 Council deliberation.]
> —Chief Researcher Claire Snow
The livestream erupted into chaos.
"They want to repair the Ebony Blade?!"
"Did they forget how the First Empire ended?!"
"But imagine controlling a weapon that can kill gods!"
The audience split instantly.
One side believed repairing the Ebony Blade would give the Foundation an ultimate counter to divine entities.
The other feared it would repeat the same catastrophe.
---
At Stark Tower, Tony smirked.
"I say try it."
Rhodes shot him a look. "You're serious?"
"Of course," Stark replied. "Progress always carries risk. If it works, the Foundation gains a Thaumiel-class SCP capable of neutralizing gods."
He leaned forward.
"That changes everything."
Rhodes sighed. "Or destroys everything."
---
James remained silent.
He stared at the screen, chin resting on his hand.
For the first time, uncertainty showed on his face.
Then—
His phone rang.
He answered.
A familiar, cold voice spoke.
"Are you reviewing SCP-2481?"
"…Yes."
A pause.
Then, quietly:
"Interested?"
The question lingered in the air.
Because if the Ebony Blade was repaired…
The next Solar Harbinger wouldn't be the only thing erased.
------------------------------
🕷️ End of Chapter
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