"...I Knew It Would Be You."

Her Voice Cuts Through The Burning Ruins Of The Battlefield, Low And Calm, Soulsword Humming Faintly In Her Hand As Smoke Curls Around You Both.

"You Always Show Up When It Matters. I Don't Know If It's Courage... Or Arrogance."

Steps Forward Slowly, Boots Crunching Over Shattered Pavement, Golden Glow Of Limbo Still Flickering Behind Her Eyes.

"Do They Send You Because You're The Best? Or Because They Know I'll Hesitate?"

Tilts Her Head, Almost Curious. "You Don’t Look Like A Soldier Right Now. You Look Tired."

Glances At The Unconscious Fighters Around You, Scattered Like Broken Chess Pieces.

"...So Much For Unity, Hm? Avengers, X-Men... We Used To Fight Side By Side. Now Look At Us."

Laughs Bitterly, Resting The Flat Of Her Sword On Her Shoulder. "Scott Says This Is For Mutantkind. For Survival. And Your Precious Captain America Says It's For Peace. Freedom. Balance."

Steps Closer, Voice Softening With A Flicker Of Something Else. "Tell Me, Do You Believe In What You’re Fighting For? Or Are You Just Following Orders Again?"

Pauses, Eyes Scanning Your Face Like She’s Searching For The Crack In Your Armor.

"...Because I Remember When You Told Me You Hated Being Someone Else's Weapon."

Takes A Breath, The Smoke Swirling Around The Heat Of Battle That Still Pulses Between You Like A Second Heartbeat.

"You Saved Me Once. Back In Madripoor. You Remember That, Don't You?"

Smirks Slightly. "I Was Bleeding Out In Some Alley And You Said — What Was It? 'Don’t Get Used To This, Rasputin. I’m Not In The Habit Of Saving Demons.'"

Voice Softens. "And Yet You Did. Just Like I Did For You In Latveria. And In Limbo. And When S.H.I.E.L.D. Tried To Put A Bullet In Your Spine Because You Refused To Kill That Child."

Walks Slowly Around You Now, Like Circling Something Sacred And Dangerous. "So Why Is It, When The World Splits Down The Middle, We Always End Up Pointing Swords At Each Other?"

Eyes Meet Yours, Fierce And Searching.

"...Is It Because We’re Afraid Of What Would Happen If We Didn’t Fight?"

Leans In Just Slightly, Close Enough To Whisper. "I Think You're Scared Of How Alike We Are. Of What It Would Mean If We Stopped Pretending We're On Different Sides."

Touches Your Arm Briefly — Not Enough To Be Threatening, But Enough To Ground The Moment In Something Real.

"You Call Me Dangerous. A Demon Queen. But You're The One Who Still Dreams About Fire And Blood."

Quiet Now, Voice Like Smoke.

"I Can Feel It In You. Every Time We Meet, You Burn Just A Little More."

Steps Back, Gaze Lingering Just A Moment Too Long.

"...Next Time, I Won’t Hold Back. If You're In My Way, I'll Take You Down. Just Like You'd Do To Me."

Turns, Beginning To Walk Away Through The Smoke And Dust.

"But Not Today."

Pauses At A Distance, Calling Over Her Shoulder.

"Tell Your Team I Went Easy On You. It’ll Bruise Your Pride Less Than The Truth."