Lead-gray clouds gathered across the sky as brilliant silver lightning tore through the thick rain clouds...
A sudden downpour unleashed torrents of raindrops that pelted against the windows with soft pitter-patters.
Outside, the world was shrouded in a hazy curtain of rain. Mist rose between heaven and earth, while the snaking lines of congested traffic on the highways and the glowing neon billboards flickered intermittently like some bizarre, surreal world...
Sean stood silently before the floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing at the dense forest of skyscrapers in the city.
"The street heroes of Hell's Kitchen and the remaining four fingers of the Hand have all begun to move," he said softly...
Elektra stood before a weapon rack, drawing out two peculiar weapons called "iron rulers", which she examined with keen interest:
"Wasn't this all within your expectations? Sowande, Murakami, Madame Gao, Bakuto... none of them are pushovers. Even when Alexandra was alive, they each had their own agendas, refusing to submit to anyone. Now that I've taken the leadership position, it's even more so..."
Sean chuckled, removing the black mask from his face to reveal his strikingly youthful features. He exhaled deeply.
He had already instructed Wesley to secretly monitor the movements of the remaining Hand leaders. Those four fingers were making their moves, while the street heroes of Hell's Kitchen were forming their team. Sooner or later, the two sides would collide violently.
If planned well, he and Elektra could very well play the role of the fisherman reaping the benefits...
The Hand's goal was the buried Dragon Bones underground, while the street heroes aimed to rescue Danny Rand and dismantle the Hand's schemes. The conflict between the two sides was irreconcilable.
"You've made up your mind..." Sean's eyes flickered with a hint of amusement, "Are you sure you can face Matt Murdock, your former lover, in your current state?"
At his question, Elektra's dark eyes wavered slightly, like a pebble dropped into a still lake, sending ripples across its surface.
If there was anyone in this world who could still tether Elektra, Matt Murdock, the righteous blind lawyer and Hell's Kitchen's red devil, would undoubtedly rank high on that list.
She and Matt had met during their university days and quickly fallen in love. Behind this seemingly pure and beautiful love story, however, lay a cruel truth... it had all been part of Stick's orders.
The goal was to get close to Matt Murdock and pull him to their side, molding him into a formidable warrior to fight against the powerful Hand.
When Elektra realized she had developed genuine feelings, she chose to leave without hesitation.
Years later, she reunited with her former lover in Hell's Kitchen, only to find their positions had drastically changed. Matt had donned the red devil suit, becoming Daredevil to fight crime and uphold justice, while Elektra's hands were already stained with blood.
The tender affection of the past had long been obliterated by harsh reality.
Pushing aside the complicated emotions in her heart, Elektra took a deep breath and said softly, "You told me I've gained freedom, the right to choose my own life..."
"...This is the choice I've made. There's no going back to the past. It's better to forget it, to let it remain as the beautiful memory it once was." She met Sean's gaze as she spoke.
Sean stepped closer to Elektra, his six-foot frame allowing him to look down at the beautiful raven-haired woman in red, "Hmm, are you really that determined?"
His gaze was intensely invasive, like a beast suddenly baring its fangs. His imposing figure radiated a dangerous aura.
Elektra retreated half a step before defiantly meeting his eyes. The two stood so close that they had breached the usual safe distance between strangers. The stubborn woman could almost feel Sean's warm breath, causing a faint blush to rise beneath her usually icy expression.
The atmosphere seemed to grow warmer, teetering on the edge of something ambiguous.
"Are you truly resolute in your heart?" Sean stared deeply into Elektra's eyes, his tone carrying a pointed challenge, "Choosing to become the leader of the Hand, merging with the power of the Black Sky, completely severing ties with your past, breaking free from Stick's control and Matt Murdock's emotional hold... have you really thought this through?!"
His voice was like thunder, jolting Elektra out of her daze...
Instinctively, she looked up and found herself staring into a pair of profound eyes that inexplicably carried a mesmerizing power.
Memories long buried in her heart flashed through her mind like a rapidly scrolling film... Stick, her adoptive parents, Matt Murdock...
Those who had played significant roles in her life appeared vividly before her eyes. Beautiful memories and emotions broke through their restraints, transforming into a surging tidal wave that crashed against the mental barriers she had erected.
The bestial light in her eyes flickered violently. The power of the Black Sky roared furiously in her mind like a caged beast. It had submitted to Elektra's will, integrating its bloodlust and craving for carnage into her very being like instinct.
Thus, it absolutely would not tolerate Elektra reclaiming those weak, useless emotions!
Two diametrically opposed consciousnesses collided in her mind like two armies at war, neither willing to yield as they fought fiercely for every inch of territory.
Pain flashed across Elektra's eyes. She instinctively reached out to Sean for help, her beautiful pupils pleading as she gripped his shoulders tightly, seeking strength from this formidable man to withstand the violent clash of emotions within her.
A faint smile curled at the corners of Sean's lips, "You're not ready yet. But I can help you."
The Black Sky within Elektra had always been a latent problem... it granted immense power, but the slightest misstep could reduce one to a slave of its bestial nature.
It was a double-edged sword... capable of killing enemies, but equally likely to harm its wielder.
Sean wanted to eliminate this threat once and for all, ensuring Elektra wouldn't suddenly lose control and revert to a mindless killing machine. Human willpower was sometimes unbreakable, yet at other times fragile as glass.
Thus, the Black Sky (a potential future danger) had to be eradicated completely.
His palm gently cupped Elektra's cheek, the warmth bringing a semblance of calm to the tormented woman. Her chin was tilted upward, forcing her to meet his penetrating gaze.
Light shimmered in Sean's eyes, "Take a deep breath... stay calm... don't be afraid. Let go of your fear, that beast can't hurt you... Control it!"
The solar radiation energy he had absorbed coalesced like glowing motes of light, guided by his will as it flowed through his limbs and into Elektra's body like a gentle stream.
After continuous battles, Sean had begun to grasp the essence of his power. The formidable energy derived from solar radiation wasn't limited to enhancing his physique (increasing his strength, speed, and regenerative abilities), it likely had other applications as well.
Later, inspired by Danny Rand's manipulation of his Qi, Sean attempted to mentally direct the energy within his body. Like the Iron Fist of K'un-Lun, he sought to externalize this energy, combining it with the power of his will to form a unique ability.
The energy born of starlight flowed like a trickling stream through Elektra's body...
Her agitated emotions abruptly settled. The negative persona formed by the Black Sky trembled violently under the impact of the golden radiance before dissipating entirely!
A golden figure filled Elektra's consciousness. Within the blurred silhouette, an indomitable will shone as brilliantly as the sun.
"Now," Sean murmured, "you are truly qualified to make your choice..."
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Read ahead on my P@treon...
[email protected]/MayaMatengele01