Chapter 6: Chapter 6
With the Hulk now in the fight, I shifted my focus. I didn't need to engage the Abomination head-on anymore—my job was to assist and minimize collateral damage. The two titans clashed, their blows shaking the ground and sending debris flying in every direction.
Instead of summoning my shadow soldiers, I relied on my bow. From my high ground, I scanned the battlefield, looking for opportunities to support. When Abomination tried to grab a streetlamp to use as a weapon, I fired an arrow straight through his hand, forcing him to drop it. When he attempted to throw a car at Hulk, I shot at the tires, altering its trajectory so it crashed harmlessly into an empty street.
At the same time, I kept an eye on the civilians still trapped in the chaos. Some were hiding behind overturned cars, too afraid to run. Others were pinned under debris. Every chance I got, I moved quickly, helping people get to safety while Hulk kept the Abomination occupied.
One woman was stuck under a collapsed metal beam. With a flick of my wrist, I reinforced my arms with magic and lifted it just enough for her to crawl out.
"Go! Get out of here!" I urged, and she wasted no time running.
Another man was frozen in fear as a chunk of a building threatened to collapse near him. I fired a precisely placed arrow at the structure, knocking it down in a safer direction before it could crush him.
Despite all my efforts, the battle was growing more destructive. Abomination was relentless, and Hulk was the only thing keeping him from leveling the entire block. But the longer this fight dragged on, the worse it would be for Harlem.
I needed to prepare for the final step. My shadow mouse was still inside the abandoned warehouse, waiting for my command. As soon as this fight ended, I would teleport the Abomination away before anyone could stop me.
For now, I kept firing, supporting the Hulk however I could, waiting for my moment to act.
Abomination roared as he swung a devastating kick, sending Hulk flying through multiple buildings. Glass shattered, walls crumbled, and debris rained down onto the streets below. Civilians screamed and ran for cover as the battle continued its destructive path through Harlem.
Hulk barely had time to recover before Abomination was on him again, charging through the wreckage like an unstoppable force. I kept my distance, staying on the rooftops, watching for my moment to strike.
Soldiers had regrouped, setting up a perimeter, but their weapons were useless against this kind of power. I could see some of them hesitating, unsure of whether to engage or retreat. Good. At least they weren't stupid enough to get themselves killed.
I pulled back on my bow, summoning an arrow. I had to be precise—anything too destructive could hurt civilians. As Abomination prepared to slam Hulk into the pavement, I released the shot.
The arrow struck his wrist, just enough of a sting to throw off his attack. Hulk took the opening and smashed his fist into Abomination's face, sending him staggering backward.
That's when the helicopter arrived.
Gunfire rained down, but as expected, it barely scratched Abomination's thick hide. Instead, it only made him angrier. With a furious growl, he turned and sprinted toward a nearby building, scaling it with terrifying speed.
I followed, leaping across rooftops to keep up.
This is about to get even worse.
He reached the top, his monstrous frame silhouetted against the city lights. I already knew what was coming next.
The helicopter adjusted its course, trying to evade, but it was too late. Abomination leaped.
Hulk lunged after him, grabbing his leg mid-air.
For a moment, all three were suspended in the sky—the helicopter, the monster, and the hero.
And then gravity took over.
The helicopter spiraled out of control, smoke trailing behind it as it crashed into what looked like an old, abandoned building. The impact sent a shockwave through the area, debris flying in all directions. Flames flickered to life as the wreckage groaned under its own weight.
I landed on a nearby rooftop, eyes locked on the scene below. The place was deserted—just a crumbling structure long forgotten by the city. At least there won't be civilians caught in the crossfire.
Hulk pushed himself up from the rubble, his breathing heavy. He looked exhausted—probably feeling the strain of the fight. Abomination, on the other hand, was already rising, shaking off the impact like it was nothing.
This isn't good.
If Hulk didn't get a second wind soon, this fight would be over, and I'd have to step in. Not to win—I knew I didn't stand a chance in a direct fight—but to keep Abomination distracted long enough for Hulk to recover.
I gripped my bow tighter, shadow energy swirling around the string as I prepared my next move.
The battle wasn't over yet
I rushed toward the wreckage, dodging falling debris and flames licking at the remains of the helicopter. The metal groaned under its own weight, threatening to collapse at any moment. I didn't have time to waste.
Peering inside, I saw a couple of injured soldiers, General Ross slumped against the wall, and Betty struggling to wake him up. The soldiers looked dazed, but alive.
I grabbed the nearest soldier and shook him. "Can you move?"
He groaned but nodded. "Yeah…"
"Good. Help the others."
I turned to Betty. "We need to get out of here. Now."
She looked at me, eyes scanning my masked face. "Who are you?"
"Not important. Move."
No more time for talk. I reached inside and used my shadow constructs, forming tendrils that wrapped around the heaviest debris, holding it in place. With the weight lifted, I helped pull the soldiers out one by one. Betty guided Ross as best as she could while I cleared a path.
Just as we got clear, the wreckage caved in with a loud crash, flames bursting into the air.
"Get as far away as possible," I told Betty and the others. "This fight isn't over."
Betty hesitated, her gaze shifting between me and Hulk, who was staggering back to his feet. But she knew there was nothing more she could do. She nodded, gripping her father's arm and leading the soldiers away.
With them safe, I turned back to the battle. Abomination was grinning, barely winded, while Hulk was breathing heavily, his massive chest rising and falling.
I summoned my bow, shadows curling around it like smoke. A sharp, black arrow formed at my fingertips, ready to fire.
If I played this right, I could give Hulk the opening he needed to finish this.
Hulk staggered as Abomination's massive fist slammed into his ribs, sending him crashing against the crumbling wall. Dust and debris rained down as the jade giant slumped, panting heavily. He was exhausted—pushed to his limit from the fight.
Abomination sneered, grabbing Hulk by the throat and lifting him up. "You don't deserve this power," he growled, tightening his grip.
I moved.
Before Abomination could crush Hulk's windpipe, I loosed a volley of arrows, each one striking his back in rapid succession. They didn't pierce deep, but they were enough to make him flinch.
"No," I said, my voice cold and sharp. "You don't deserve this power."
Abomination turned his head slightly, eyes narrowing as he finally noticed me. "You again?" He scoffed, dropping Hulk and stepping forward. "Annoying little rat."
I ignored his taunts and summoned another arrow, this one crackling with energy. I had to be smart—direct combat wasn't an option, but I could keep him off balance, make openings for Hulk.
Abomination lunged at me. I leaped back, using my shadow constructs to create platforms midair, keeping distance as I fired arrows at his knees and shoulders. He swiped at me, but I was faster, dodging across the battlefield.
Below, Hulk coughed and groaned, starting to push himself up.
Come on, big guy, I thought. Just a little longer.
Abomination, growing frustrated, slammed his fists into the ground, sending a shockwave that cracked the pavement and forced me to retreat further up.
"Hiding won't save you," he growled, his monstrous eyes locked on me.
I smirked slightly. "Who said I'm hiding?"
From the corner of my eye, I saw Hulk move. His breathing steadied, and a new fire burned in his eyes.
Good. It was time for round two.
Hulk got up, shaking off the pain, his rage rekindled. His eyes burned with fury as he glared at Abomination.
"HULK SMASH!"
With a thunderous roar, he slammed both fists into the ground. The sheer force cracked the pavement, sending shockwaves through the battlefield. The ground beneath Abomination crumbled, opening a massive crater.
Abomination lost his footing and tumbled in, roaring in frustration. Before he could climb out, Hulk seized a heavy metal chain from the wreckage—probably from the destroyed construction site—and leaped after him.
With monstrous strength, Hulk wrapped the chain around Abomination's thick neck and pulled tight.
Abomination thrashed, trying to break free, but Hulk only tightened his grip, his muscles bulging with raw power.
I watched from above, my bow ready. This was the moment I had been waiting for.
I took a deep breath, nocking an arrow infused with energy. This shot wasn't meant to kill—it was to weaken him just enough.
Thwip!
The arrow struck deep into Abomination's exposed chest. His movements slowed, his body weakening under the combined force of Hulk's strangling grip and my precise attack.
Hulk tightened the chain around Abomination's neck, his rage pushing him to the edge. His muscles flexed as he prepared to end it, but then—
"Stop!"
Betty's voice cut through the chaos like a blade. Hulk's eyes widened, his grip loosening just slightly. He hesitated, his deep breaths slowing.
Abomination was already unconscious, his massive form limp in the crater. But the Hulk's fury wasn't entirely spent. With a frustrated growl, he lifted a massive foot and kicked Abomination's body across the broken pavement, sending him sliding into the rubble.
The fight was over.
I stayed in the shadows, watching as soldiers, police, and emergency responders swarmed the area. The scene was chaotic—people shouting, guns raised, medics rushing in. Some of them saw me standing near the wreckage, my bow still in hand.
"Who the hell is that?" One soldier muttered, pointing in my direction.
I could hear whispers among them. My name was starting to spread. Umbra Archer.
Betty rushed toward Hulk, placing a gentle hand on his massive green arm. His ragged breathing slowed as he looked at her, his rage fading into exhaustion. The chaos around them seemed to pause—everyone watching as the monster calmed at the touch of the woman he loved.
That was my chance.
I activated my power, shadows wrapping around Abomination's unconscious body. In an instant, he vanished, transported to the abandoned warehouse I had prepared earlier. The whole thing happened in a blink—one moment he was there, the next he was gone.
"Where is he?!" General Ross's voice cut through the stunned silence. He spun around, his soldiers just as confused. "Abomination was right there! Where did he go?"
As the sound of approaching helicopters filled the air, Hulk's head snapped up. The distant whir of blades grew louder—news crews eager to capture the aftermath of the battle. Spotlights flickered through the night, scanning the destruction.
Hulk didn't wait. With one last look at Betty, he turned and leaped away, disappearing into the city's skyline. The soldiers were too focused on the missing Abomination to chase after him.
That was my cue to leave as well.
I vanished into the shadows, reappearing inside the abandoned warehouse. The air was damp, the walls crumbling, but it would serve its purpose.
Abomination lay sprawled on the cold floor, still unconscious from the fight. His massive form barely fit in the space, his breathing ragged but steady. I walked closer, summoning my black katana.
"Time to end this," I muttered.
I stood over Abomination's massive, unconscious form, gripping my black katana. His chest rose and fell with slow, heavy breaths. He was vulnerable—helpless.
I didn't hesitate.
With one swift motion, I drove my katana straight through his heart, reinforcing the blade with my magic to make sure it pierced his tough hide. His eyes snapped open, glowing with rage and confusion. He let out a deep, guttural growl, but his body was too damaged to fight back.
I twisted the blade. His growl turned into a strangled gasp, then silence.
Stepping back, I took a breath and raised my hand over his corpse. Shadows swirled around his body, seeping into his skin like living tendrils. The room darkened as my power took hold.
"Arise," I commanded.
The Abomination's corpse shuddered, his form dissolving into pure darkness before reshaping itself. His glowing yellow eyes reignited, but this time, they weren't filled with rage—they burned with loyalty.
He knelt before me.
"I serve," he rumbled, his voice distorted by the shadows that now made up his very being.
I smirked. Emil Blonsky, the Abomination, was mine.
With this, my army had gained its most powerful soldier yet.