Marvel: Silver Hand

The acrid smell of smoke filled Alexander's nose as he awoke, coughing violently. His head pounded, and his vision blurred, but the heat against his skin forced him into awareness. He realized he was lying amidst the chaos of his burning home, the flames roaring around him. Gasping for air, he looked down at himself. His clothes were torn and bloodstained, but there were no wounds.

"What… what's happening to me?" His voice trembled, and his hands glowed faintly with a strange blue-silver light that pulsed with an otherworldly energy.

As the fire crept closer, his gaze shifted to the lifeless forms of his mother, Aunt Clara, and the baby. Their blood pooled on the ground, a grim reminder of the atrocities committed just moments before. A lump formed in his throat as he crawled toward them, his heart shattering with every inch he gained.

"No… no, no, no!" Alexander screamed, clutching his mother's body first. Her skin was cold, her eyes vacant. "Why? Why does this keep happening to me? Why is my life so cursed?"

His cries echoed in the inferno, but there was no answer. Trembling, he turned toward the baby—a life snuffed out before it had even begun. His tears fell freely as he held the child's fragile form, his grief suffocating him.

"Why did this have to happen?!" he roared, his voice hoarse. "What did I do to deserve this?"

As his anguish filled the air, a sudden coldness swept through the room. The flames seemed to dim, the oppressive heat replaced by an eerie chill. Alexander froze, his tear-streaked face twisting in confusion. A shimmering figure materialized before him, the glow of its ethereal form stark against the destruction surrounding them.

The figure was tall and regal, with piercing blue eyes that seemed to see through Alexander entirely. Its form was translucent, like smoke given shape, yet there was a commanding presence about it that made Alexander instinctively recoil.

"Who… who are you?" Alexander stammered, his voice quivering.

The wraith's voice was deep and resonant, carrying the weight of countless lifetimes. "I am Celebrimbor," it said. "I have been with you since the day you were born, Alexander Athos."

Alexander's blood ran cold. "You've been… with me? Since I was born? What the hell does that mean?!" He backed away, his movements frantic. "Stay away from me!"

Celebrimbor raised a hand in a calming gesture. "I mean you no harm. I am bound to you—connected to your soul. I have been your unseen guardian for sixteen years."

"Bullshit!" Alexander shouted. "Why should I believe you?!" His mind raced as he tried to make sense of the situation, his body trembling with a mix of fear and adrenaline.

Celebrimbor's expression softened slightly, though his voice remained firm. "Because I know things about you that no one else could know. I know about the scar on your left knee from when you fell off your bike at age six. I know about the lullabies your mother used to sing when you had nightmares. And I know about the time we first met, when you were only four years old."

Alexander froze. His eyes narrowed, suspicion warring with faint recognition. "First met? I don't remember anything like that…"

Celebrimbor nodded. "You do, Alexander. You called me 'Brimbor.' Does that name sound familiar to you?"

The name struck a chord deep within Alexander's memory. A hazy image surfaced—a dream, or perhaps a distant memory, of a glowing figure comforting him in the dead of night. "Brimbor…" he murmured, his voice barely a whisper.

"Yes," Celebrimbor said, his tone gentle. "That was me."

Before Alexander could respond, the distant wail of police sirens broke through the stillness. His body tensed, and panic set in as he looked at the bodies of his loved ones. "The police… they'll think I did this."

"They cannot find you here," Celebrimbor said firmly. "We must act quickly. There are items within the house that are vital to stopping Ryan and Vanessa."

"What items?" Alexander asked, his mind racing.

"The ingots," Celebrimbor replied. "They are infused with ancient power. Ryan may have left them behind, but they are critical to your revenge. Take them, and we will leave this place."

Alexander hesitated, looking down at his mother's body one last time. With a heavy heart, he nodded. "Fine. But I'm taking them with me."

Summoning newfound strength, Alexander lifted the bodies of his mother, aunt, and the baby one by one, carrying them out of the burning house. His steps were shaky at first, but with each passing second, he felt a strange energy coursing through his veins, making him faster, stronger.

After laying the bodies on the grass outside, Alexander turned back to the house, which was now fully engulfed in flames. Celebrimbor's voice echoed in his mind. "Focus your energy into your legs and move. We don't have much time."

Alexander felt a surge of power flow into his limbs as his body began to glow with the same blue-silver light. With a single burst of speed, he raced into the house, dodging falling beams and roaring flames. He reached the basement in seconds, his newfound abilities astounding him.

The three ingots lay on the ground, their surfaces gleaming despite the chaos around them. Alexander grabbed them, their weight surprisingly light in his hands. As he turned to leave, the ceiling began to collapse, the flames consuming everything in their path.

"Focus your power!" Celebrimbor commanded. "Channel it into your legs and jump!"

Alexander hesitated, fear gripping him. "Jump? Are you crazy?!"

"Trust me!" Celebrimbor urged. "Do it now!"

Taking a deep breath, Alexander bent his knees and pushed off the ground with all his might. To his amazement, he shot upward like a rocket, bursting through the collapsing building and into the open air. The world below became a blur as he soared hundreds of feet into the sky.

For a brief moment, he felt a sense of peace. The cool air brushed against his face, and the chaos below seemed like a distant memory. But then gravity took hold, and he began to plummet.

"Celebrimbor!" he screamed.

"Focus again!" the wraith instructed. "When you're close to the ground, jump again!"

Terrified but determined, Alexander followed the advice. As he neared the ground, he concentrated his energy and pushed off once more, launching himself back into the air. The cycle continued until he reached the clearing where he had left the bodies.

Hours later, Alexander stood in a remote forest, miles from the town. He had climbed to a secluded mountain peak with the bodies of his mother, aunt, and the baby. The sun was setting, casting a golden hue over the landscape.

Using his bare hands, he dug graves for each of them, his muscles fueled by sorrow and the strange power that now resided within him. When the last grave was filled, he collapsed to his knees, his chest heaving with sobs.

He lingered the longest by the baby's grave. Though she had been created by a madman, she had been innocent—a life stolen before it had even begun. "You never even got to feel love," Alexander whispered, his voice breaking. "You didn't deserve this."

Tears streamed down his face as he let out a scream of anguish. The raw emotion caused the blue light within him to flare, shaking the mountain and blasting away the rocks and dirt around him. The force of the scream echoed for miles, a testament to his pain.

Celebrimbor appeared beside him, his expression somber. "Your grief is true, Alexander. But do not let it consume you. I am here to guide you."

Alexander wiped his tears and nodded slowly. "I'll make them pay. Ryan and Vanessa—they'll pay for everything they've done."

"You are not ready," Celebrimbor said. "Ryan is experienced in dark magic. Charging in recklessly will only lead to your death."

"Then what do I do?" Alexander asked, frustration evident in his tone.

"Patience," Celebrimbor replied. "We must train. I will share my knowledge and memories with you, but it will take time. Months, perhaps longer."

Alexander hesitated, the idea of waiting gnawing at him. "Months? I can't wait that long!"

"Would you rather rush to your death, or prepare and succeed?" Celebrimbor asked, his tone firm.

After a moment of silence, Alexander sighed and nodded. "Fine. Where do we go?"

Celebrimbor's gaze shifted to the mountain. "This place will suffice. But first, we must secure it."

Guided by Celebrimbor, Alexander began climbing down the mountain. The wraith instructed him to channel his energy into his hands and feet, allowing him to move with inhuman agility. Halfway down, Celebrimbor suddenly stopped him.

"Raise your right hand," the wraith instructed.

Confused but obedient, Alexander lifted his hand. A glowing light began to form in his palm, materializing into a sleek, elegantly designed hammer. Its surface shimmered with the same blue-silver light, and intricate carvings adorned its head.

"What… is this?" Alexander asked, awestruck.

"Túrann," Celebrimbor said. "A weapon forged from my essence, imbued with the power of the wraith. It is an extension of you now."

Alexander gripped the hammer tightly, marveling at its weightless feel. "What can it do?"

"Strike the mountain and see for yourself."

With hesitation, Alexander raised the hammer and swung it against the rock. The impact was immense, creating a massive hole in the mountain. Dust and debris filled the air as Alexander stood in awe of the weapon's power.

"Use the rubble to seal the entrance," Celebrimbor instructed. "This will be our sanctuary."

With his enhanced strength and speed, Alexander quickly moved the rocks, sealing himself within the hollowed-out mountain. Once inside, he leaned against the wall, exhaustion finally catching up to him.

As Celebrimbor began to share his memories, he suddenly stopped, his presence flickering.

"What's wrong?" Alexander asked.

"There's something blocking me," Celebrimbor said, frustration evident in his voice. "Your memories… they are incomplete."

"What do you mean?"

Celebrimbor delved deeper into Alexander's mind, uncovering the lock Emma had placed years ago. "Of course," he muttered. "Emma. She sealed part of your memories."

Alexander's eyes widened as the name triggered a flood of emotions. "Emma… she was a mutant. She kissed me, and then she… she made me forget."

"Yes," Celebrimbor said. "She was young and afraid, but her actions have left you vulnerable."

Alexander's fists clenched. "She had no right—"

"Enough," Celebrimbor interrupted. "You can be angry later. Right now, we have work to do."

Taking a deep breath, Alexander nodded and sat down again. This time, Celebrimbor successfully began sharing his memories.

Alexander opened his eyes to a breathtaking sight. Before him stood two colossal trees, one radiating a golden light, the other a silver glow. Their beauty was indescribable, their presence awe-inspiring.

"What… is this?" Alexander whispered, his voice filled with wonder.

Celebrimbor's voice echoed in his mind. "These are the Trees of Valinor, symbols of life, creation, and power. Their light will guide you."

As Alexander stared at the trees, he felt a sense of peace for the first time in days. But deep within, a fire burned—a determination to rise stronger and claim the justice he so desperately sought.