"Told you, I have received new abilities," Liam said.

  "You o introduce me to yanization. I o meet them." Tony was now incredibly jealous. Liam smiled at him and replied,

  "Actually, all of you are invited ime to see the power of anization," Liam said. This made everyone do a double take. Until now, Liam had procimed that the anization was incredibly secretive, but suddenly, they were open to recruitment.

  "So I get abilities if I join?" Barton asked.

  "You are thinking too much. It's not a recruitment. The anization just wants to open a path for you, and it depends on you what you will achieve," Liam said.

  "So this is kind of a trial, like yours?" Rogers asked.

  "You think of it that way," Liam said.

  "Then we will take the trial. I've had enough of secred want to see what kind of two-headed mohis trial would be," Tony said.

  "Be careful what you wish for," Liam could only murmur under his breath. "But I need rest before we take the trials," Liam said.

  Fury had been silent, watg Liam. He never liked the idea of an anization so secretive that he had no knowledge of it. But he couldn't pin. Hydra had seeped into his own home, and though he was rooting them out bit by bit, it was taking time. He couldn't say a word. Still, it was good that Liam had opened a way for unication with them. He could learn more about what this secret anization was.

  Rogers then asked about the fight, and Liam described it. But he was embarrassed while reting it—he had been incredibly wasteful itle against the man, maybe due tanaybe his stant fighting in the game world had made him impervious to the fear of death.

  His brain hadn't been able to properly judge the enemy. Otherwise, he would have used the power of Realm Shift (time slow) to ehe man and wield Hofue, the on of Heimdall, since swords were his bread and butter. His arrogance had made him think he could use the spear of Draupnir and magic to take the uy down.

  Though when Liam went into Spartan Rage, he was sure he would have won in the end, it had only activated when Fenrir was wounded. He shouldn't have allowed that to happen in the first pce. But now, he was thankful that Fenrir didn't bear the wound anymore, though he could still feel the scar.

  "I will go and check the pce for clues," Fury said.

  Liam just shrugged his shoulders—he didn't care what Fury did.

  "So how are you gonna expin to your parents what happeo your hand?" Tony teased, now that everything had settled. Liam's parents had no idea what their son to, and Tony could already see Olivia blowing up at Liam ohe truth came out.

  "I think I'm ready to lose another hand rather than face her," Liam almost had tears in his eyes, thinking about how he was going to expin this to his parents—especially Dad, to whom he had promised he was safe. "I will not visit my parents and wear gloves at all times."

  "You run, but you 't hide forever," Natasha joined in, making jokes.

  Thor had never spent much time versing with all of them together and thus decided to stay for the night before leaving fard.

  "Alright, enough with the doom and gloom. I say we take a break before we all collectively lose our minds," Tony cpped his hands together and decred.

  "What are you suggesting?" Rogers asked, raising an eyebrow.

  "I'm throwing a barbecue," Tony announced. "You know, a good old-fashioned, all-Ameri grill-and-chill session. Burgers, steaks, ribs—you . Even you, Blondie, enjoy some old-timey war rations or whatever you people used to eat ba the day."

  "You know, we did have real food back then, right?" Rogers said.

  "Debatable," Tony said, already walking off. "Anyway, you're all invited. Even you, Fury. I know you love a good spiracy, but maybe try a burger instead for once."

  Fury gave him a deadpan stare but said nothing.

  A few hours ter, the Avengers, Thor, and even Fury found themselves on Tony's rooftop, where the smell of grilled meat filled the air. JARVIS had taken care of everything—high-end grills, premium meats, and even some alien liquor Thor had generously provided. The god of thunder had insisted it would "bring strength to mortal hearts."

  Liam sat at the far end, watg as Barton flipped a burger with surprising expertise.

  "Didn't take you frill master," Liam ented.

  "Spending years in the field means you learn how to cook with whatever you've got. A barbecue is nothing pared to making a meal in the middle of nowhere." Barton said as he trated on the grill again. Steve also joined in to help. Barton looked at Liam who seemed normal and thus whispered.

  "How is so calm after losing a fight and even cheer up quite easily. I would be fuming and throwing things around if I lost a hand."

  "Maybe in his trials he had lost a lot and thus failures came natural to him." Steve said.

  "How are you so sure?" Barton asked.

  "Because I know that look. I was him when I was young. I got bullied left and right, but I used to get back up always and have the same attitude. I see that he does the same, though I feel it is for different reasons. His trials must have ged his perspective to the world." Steve replied as he pted a bit.

  "I am more curious now about these trials." Barton said. Meanwhile, Liam walked on to Natasha and the others who were busy talking.

  "So, how long before your parents figure out what happened?" Natasha asked.

  "Why do you all keep bringing that up?"

  "Because we're waiting for the explosion," Tony chimed in. "It's gonna be legendary. Olivia's gonna rip you a new one."

  "Don't remind me," Liam muttered.

  "Speaking of reminders," Rogers cut in, "how serious are you about that trial thing? You really think we should do it?"

  "I don't know much about the trial, but from the hints I've been given, it involves monsters, vampires, ghosts, and magic. We will be given a specific task, and we do it together. It's only because of my previous results irial that I've been allowed t my friends in," Liam said.

  The word "magistantly raised everyone's hopes. While the others thought about magic, Thor was excited about monsters.

  " I join in?" Thor asked.

  "Of course, buddy. I take it your father came to save me too, so this is the least I do." Liam said.

  "A test of strength! I wele such a challenge. Perhaps I shall emerge even mightier!" Thor ented.

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