Marvel: The Foundation

Justin road alongside the man, the cart creaking softly as they made their way down the road. The sun had shifted, casting long shadows across the path, the trees forming a thick canopy overhead. The man introduced himself as Darrin, a merchant from a small village called Avelford, and as they journeyed west, he talked—a lot. Justin didn't mind; in fact, he welcomed the distraction, the chance to learn about this world he had been thrust into.

Darrin had a lot to say. He spoke of Avelford, a place nestled near the edge of a wide river, known for its fertile farmland and simple but hardy folk. He spoke of the nearby town of Caldon, where traders gathered, and where, apparently, the "Knight of Stars" was set to visit soon. Justin had no idea who the Knight of Stars was, but he nodded along, trying to absorb as much information as possible.

"You know," Darrin said, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone, "they say the Knight of Stars is the one who'll end the curse of the Red Mountains. Or at least, that's what the elders think. Some prophecy or other." He waved his hand dismissively. "I don't put much stock in prophecies, but folks seem pretty taken by it."

Justin raised an eyebrow. "A curse, huh?" He glanced at Darrin, his curiosity piqued despite himself. "What kind of curse are we talking about here?"

He had read that book to become a hero, so be showered with praise for his noble deeds, to get the girl, the riches and everything. So he was naturally on the lookout for anything that could lead to that.

Part of his preparation before using the magic book again had been to look up classic fantasy tales, learning about what kinds of plots he might encounter.

Now, a curse that needed to be broken was something that fit right in line with those plots, a knight of prophecy come to save the day. He could very much be that very knight, and it made him feel excited already. 

Darrin shrugged, his brow furrowed as he considered Justin's question. "Oh, you know how these things are. They say the mountains are haunted. No one who goes in comes out. Strange lights at night, beasts howling in the dark—all that nonsense. They say a great evil sleeps there, and only a true hero can break the curse."

Justin's mind whirred as he took in Darrin's words. A great evil sleeping in the mountains? It sounded almost tailor-made for his desires. Wasn't this exactly what he was waiting for—an opportunity to become the hero? Now it only needed a great reward, and it would be perfect.

"And this Knight of Stars," Justin asked, trying to keep his excitement from showing too much, "who is he supposed to be? Some famous warrior?"

Darrin shook his head with a half-smile. "Oh, nobody knows, mate. Could be anyone. Some say he'll come from the west, bearing a star-shaped sigil. Others say he'll be someone who doesn't even know his own potential yet." Darrin gave Justin a sideways glance, almost as if he were sizing him up. "Prophecies are fickle things, you know? People put too much faith in 'em if you ask me."

Justin grinned. "And maybe that's why they need someone like me, right? Someone not weighed down by prophecies, someone just ready to get things done."

Darrin chuckled, shaking his head. "Aye, maybe. Though if you're serious, I hope you're a damn good fighter. The stories say the Red Mountains are filled with dark magic—only the bravest knights dare tread there."

"Bravery, huh?" Justin muttered, more to himself than to Darrin. He wanted to be brave. He wanted to feel that thrill of stepping into danger, the weight of the world depending on him. Maybe this was his chance to live that out again, to prove to himself—and maybe even to Stark—that he could be more than just a businessman chasing after the latest gadget.

Darrin, oblivious to Justin's internal musings, pointed ahead to the horizon where the tops of distant hills were just visible through the trees. "There, see those hills? Caldon's on the other side. We should reach the town by tomorrow evening if we keep a good pace."

Justin nodded, leaning back in his saddle as the cart bumped along the uneven road. The thought of Caldon excited him. A town meant people, information, and maybe—just maybe—his first real lead on this so-called curse of the Red Mountains. If there was any truth to the stories Darrin was spinning, he would find it.

But for now, he let Darrin's chatter wash over him as they continued on their journey. He listened as the merchant spoke of the people he traded with, the towns and villages they would pass, and the rumors that seemed to fill every road. It felt oddly comforting, a reminder that in this strange, unpredictable world, he could still rely on one thing—people loved to talk, and talk they did.

As the day wore on and they made camp for the night, Justin found himself staring into the fire, the flames flickering and dancing, their light illuminating the clearing. He glanced over at Darrin, who was busy preparing something that smelled delicious over the open flame.

"So, Darrin," Justin said, his voice a bit quieter, more contemplative. "Do you believe in heroes? Like the ones in the old stories?"

Darrin paused, glancing at Justin with a raised eyebrow. "Heroes, eh? I suppose I believe in people doing the right thing when they have to. But those grand tales of knights and dragons and saving princesses?" He shook his head.

"A lot of those stories are just that—stories. They give people hope, sure, but the real world's a lot messier than that. Sometimes the hero's not the one with the shining armor. Sometimes it's just the guy who decides to stand up when no one else will."

Justin stared into the fire, mulling over Darrin's words. He didn't want to just be a "guy standing up"—he wanted the armor, the recognition, the accolades. But maybe Darrin was right. Maybe it wasn't just about the title of being a hero—it was about what you did when the time came. And maybe that was what he needed to prove to himself.

He quickly shook his head, nahh, that wasn't possible, after all Darrin was just some random guy, how could he understand the thoughts of successful people.

Stark had been after this book, and he was already a Hero. Flying around in his suit, making everyone cheer for him. He might not have a fancy suit, but he did have this book. So it was only right that he would be a hero, and get rewarded for it.

The journey continued. The early light filtered through the trees, casting a golden glow over the road ahead. Darrin whistled a jaunty tune as the cart rolled along, and Justin found himself feeling restless, the anticipation of the adventure to come gnawing at him. He needed to get to Caldon—needed to learn more about this prophecy, this supposed Knight of Stars. Maybe, just maybe, he could make himself into that hero everyone talked about.

The day passed in much the same way as the previous one, Darrin talking, Justin listening and nodding when needed. Justin learned more about the kingdom they were in, which Darrin referred to as Valeria, ruled by King Aldric—a just but aging ruler whose power was slowly waning, much like the rest of his kingdom.

Bandit attacks had grown more frequent, and rumors of dark magic spreading from the Red Mountains had many villages on edge. Justin felt a thrill at every mention of the Red Mountains, knowing that, eventually, he'd have to make his way there.

By late afternoon, the landscape began to change. The road widened, the trees thinning out to reveal gentle rolling hills. Darrin pointed to the west, where Justin could see a distant plume of smoke—evidence of a town in the distance.

"Caldon," Darrin said, his tone pleased. "A good place to trade and get some news, especially with all the talk of the Knight of Stars. They say the town's preparing for his arrival."

Justin's curiosity flared. "So, what do people think about this knight? Is he some kind of celebrity?"

Darrin chuckled. "Aye, you could say that. People are desperate for hope, and nothing's better for that than a knight who's destined to save everyone, right? The townspeople will celebrate anything if it means believing in something greater than themselves."

Justin nodded, half-listening, as his eyes focused on the approaching town. The idea of a hero who people cheered for, celebrated, and placed their hopes in—it was exactly what he wanted. And maybe, just maybe, it was within his grasp.

They reached Caldon as the sun began to set, the town bathed in the golden light of early evening. The streets were bustling—traders with carts laden with goods, townspeople heading home after a long day, children playing near the town square. Darrin steered the cart through the narrow lanes, heading for the market.

"Alright, lad," Darrin said, pulling the reins to bring the cart to a stop. "I'll be trading in the market here. Feel free to explore the town. If you're serious about this 'Knight of Stars' business, there's bound to be someone who can tell you more."

Justin climbed down from the cart, dusting himself off. He looked around, taking in the sight of the bustling market, the tall stone buildings, and the townspeople going about their lives. He felt a strange mix of excitement and apprehension. This was it—the start of his adventure. He had to make this count.

"Thanks, Darrin," Justin said, giving the merchant a nod. "I think I will look around. Maybe I'll find someone who knows more about this curse."

Darrin grinned, shaking his head. "Good luck, lad. Just don't go getting yourself in trouble, alright?"

Justin waved him off, already making his way through the crowd, his eyes scanning for anything that looked like it could provide information—an inn, a group of people talking, anything. He needed leads, and he needed them fast.

He soon found himself in the town square, where a crowd had gathered around a small raised platform. A man stood there, dressed in simple but well-made clothing, his voice carrying over the crowd.

"Friends! People of Caldon! The Knight of Stars will arrive soon! The prophecy is upon us! The time has come for the Red Mountains to be cleansed, for our kingdom to be restored to its former glory!"

Justin pushed his way closer, his heart pounding with excitement. This was exactly what he was looking for—something to kickstart his adventure, to put him on the path to becoming a hero. He listened as the man continued, his voice full of conviction.

"The knight will need allies—brave souls willing to join him in his quest, to stand against the darkness that has plagued our land for too long! Who among you will answer the call? Who will stand with the Knight of Stars?"

Justin felt a surge of determination. He didn't know how this world worked, didn't know if this prophecy was real or just some story people clung to—but he didn't care. He was going to make himself part of this. He was going to be the hero, no matter what it took.

As the man on the platform continued to speak, Justin stepped forward, his voice ringing out over the crowd.

"I will!" he called, his heart pounding with both fear and exhilaration. The crowd turned to look at him, murmurs spreading as they took in the sight of him—an outsider, a stranger with a determined look in his eyes.

The man on the platform paused, his gaze locking onto Justin. A slow smile spread across his face, and he gestured for Justin to step forward.

"Well now," the man said, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "It seems we have our first volunteer. What is your name, stranger?"

Justin swallowed, stepping up to the platform. He took a deep breath, a grin spreading across his face as he looked out at the crowd.

"The name's Justin Hammer," he said, his voice steady. "And I'm here to be a hero."