The dusk in New York carried the smell of gunpowder.
The setting sun shone on the shattered glass covering the ground, dazzling the eyes.
In front of that Shawarma Shop with only half a wall remaining.
This rather unpalatable meal was finally finished.
"Alright, it's about time to go."
Thor wiped his mouth and hoisted the weakened Loki onto his back.
He still clutched the metal box containing the Tesseract tightly in his hand.
Loki was unusually compliant this time, offering no resistance.
That sacrificial ritual in Bayam, which nearly cost him his life, seemed to have genuinely worn away something within him.
Lin Huai stood up, brushing the dust off his trench coat.
"Wait."
He stopped Thor, who was about to call for Heimdall.
His fingertip traced a line in the air.
Two tarot cards with intricate Cosmos patterns on their backs materialized just like that.
"You called me mentor. Before you leave, I should give you something."
He handed the first card to Thor.
On the card, an armored king drove a chariot, holding no reins, relying solely on will to control the black and white Monsters before him.
"[VII. The Chariot]."
Looking into Thor's eyes, Lin Huai recited the poem:
"Black and white lions pull The Chariot of fate,
The road ahead is long, strewn with thorns and hardships.
Abandon the false image of thunderous roars,
Grasp the reins of will, you are the direction, and the king."
Thor took the card; its surface still held warmth.
He nodded.
"It wasn't the hammer that chose me; I lifted the hammer. I'll remember that, wise one."
Then, Lin Huai turned to Loki.
He walked up to Loki.
This was the guy who, with him on the shores of Bayam, had faced down an Angel.
"For you."
He offered the second card.
On the card, a Devil was bound by chains, yet within the shadows, a power to break free from everything was hidden.
"[XV. The Devil]."
Looking into Loki's green eyes, Lin Huai's voice was low, as if speaking a fate long since decided:
"Desire is a chain, yet also the rope to ascend the steps,
Sink into the Abyss, or sing triumphantly amidst the flames of karma.
Do not let jealousy consume the last remaining emerald in your eyes,
When the shackles are shattered, even the Abyss becomes a divine throne."
Loki's pale fingers twitched, and he accepted the card.
He glanced at Lin Huai, said nothing, and tucked the card into an inner pocket.
"We're leaving."
Thor waved to Lin Huai.
"Next time you come to Asgard, I'll treat you to the finest mead."
"Heimdall!"
With a shout, a rainbow light pillar descended from the sky, crashing onto the ruins.
The light faded, the people were gone, leaving only a scorched, complex pattern on the ground.
Having seen off the two brothers, the expression on Lin Huai's face turned cold.
"Since you're here, show yourself."
He didn't even turn his head.
"Hiding and skulking about is unbecoming."
The screech of brakes.
Several black SUVs blocked the street.
Fully armed Agents jumped out. Maria Hill, clad in black combat gear, strode over.
"Consultant Lin."
Hill's tone was formal.
"Director Fury requires an explanation for many things. Regarding the Asgardians, and that nuclear warhead that nearly fell on Manhattan."
"Explanation?"
Lin Huai turned around, smiling at Hill, though the smile held no warmth.
"What Nick Fury should be doing now isn't looking for me. It's checking what kind of monstrosity he's sitting on top of."
Hill frowned. "I don't understand your meaning. Please cooperate with our work. This is an order from the World Security Council."
"The Council?"
Lin Huai scoffed.
He walked towards Hill.
One step.
Another step.
The aura around him changed.
Hill and the surrounding Agents watched as Lin Huai's face, his features, began to twist and reshape.
In two seconds, that youthful face transformed into an old face they knew all too well, yet one that absolutely should not be here.
An upright posture, meticulously groomed silver hair.
Alexander Pierce.
Hill's hand went to her gun.
Wearing Pierce's face, Lin Huai leisurely adjusted his collar.
Using Pierce's distinctive tone, he addressed Hill:
"Go back and tell Nick, if his One-eyed Cat can't catch the rats in his own house, I don't mind taking care of them myself."
"If you don't tear down this rotten building, the light can't shine in, isn't that right?"
As soon as the words fell.
Lin Huai's figure exploded with a 'boom' into a mass of orange-red flames.
The heat wave forced Hill back several steps.
As the flames dissipated, only a half-burnt Playing Card remained on the spot, bearing the HYDRA symbol, fluttering down... Half an hour later.
Brooklyn, a safe house.
Lin Huai was in no hurry to contemplate any power.
The power of the Faceless was, after all, part of him.
With his memories awakened, the power followed, already an integral part of his body.
The fusion of power and body proceeded naturally.
Sitting in the shadows, he took out that ancient silver mirror.
Arrodes.
His finger traced across the mirror's surface.
Ripples spread, and blood-red words twisted into view.
"Great, supreme Master, your humble servant Arrodes is ever ready to serve you~"
The sycophantic tone was palpable even through the mirror.
Lin Huai's expression remained impassive as he asked directly:
"The main ingredient for Sequence 5 'Marionettist', [Dust of an Ancient Wraith], where is it located?"
The bloody light on the mirror's surface shifted, and the answer appeared immediately, without a single wasted word.
"Location: Washington D.C., Potomac River, Theodore Roosevelt Island."
"Specific Position: S.H.I.E.L.D. Triskelion Headquarters building, underground level 17, Zone D 'Cold Storage', within encrypted safe box number 084."
Lin Huai looked at the address on the mirror.
S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D. again.
He snorted.
It wasn't hard to guess why HYDRA was collecting such things.
A new line of text appeared on the mirror's surface.
"Answer complete. Now, it is your humble servant's turn to ask a question."
"Great Master, why do you allow those insects called HYDRA to complete that Insight Project? You could easily crush them."
Lin Huai stood up, walked to the window, and looked towards the direction of Washington.
"Because only when a Festering Sore ripens fully can it be cut out along with the rotten flesh."
His voice was very soft.
"Besides, I need to send a big gift to the Captain's old friend."
"A gift big enough to wake him from his nightmares."