That hidden alien tribe was the lineage to which Skye's mother, Jiaying, belonged—a once-isolated sanctuary of Inhumans that had avoided the conflicts of the outside world until recent years.
Upon seeing their kin being hunted live on broadcast networks, it wasn't surprising they dispatched their teleporters to retrieve them. It confirmed suspicions: this sudden operation wasn't random, and all the tangled threads surrounding the Inhumans and Skye's mysterious heritage had begun to interweave clearly.
"They must've been watching everything," Shen He murmured.
"What happened over there?" Jeanne asked, still lying in Shen He's arms in her relaxed travel attire. No longer clad in her ceremonial armor, her presence felt lighter—but no less dignified. Her slender form leaned gently into his, golden braid fluttering in the fierce wind as they soared across the sea.
"Well… something good," Shen He answered as his helmet retracted, the wind rushing against his face. "Though I probably should've let you into the armor compartment."
"This little breeze?" Jeanne grinned, not even raising her voice. "It's nothing to a Heroic Spirit."
Her voice reached him just enough over the gusts, her tone teasing and proud.
Shen He chuckled. "Still, this is Tony's male-class frame. The configuration's calibrated to my body—you couldn't wear it comfortably, Jeanne."
"Master!" Jeanne huffed, her tone indignant as her cheeks puffed slightly. "Teasing a woman's body… is that commendable?"
Shen He blinked, momentarily flustered. "H-Hold on, I didn't mean it that way!"
This particular modular combat armor—based on the Stark-Miyamoto hybrid frame—had been pre-calibrated for Shen He and was akin to a tailored suit. Still, his words had clearly hit a nerve.
"Is… that so…" Jeanne mumbled, now sounding genuinely apologetic, as if she had wrongly accused him.
"So, what kind of impression do I give you?" Shen He made a theatrical display of sorrow. "Yes, I tease you sometimes. But only because when you're flustered, you're too beautiful to resist. Have I ever teased Violet like this? Or Natasha? Or Skye?"
Jeanne's eyes went wide. Her blush returned with a vengeance, and she looked completely overwhelmed.
"Ah… attraction or something, oh dear…" she squeaked, twisting her head away as her face flushed from her neck to her ears.
This simple, direct country girl—who'd stood alone against armies and been enshrined as a saint—had no defenses against raw romantic praise.
"It's true," Shen He continued, his voice softening. "I don't see you as a 'saint.' What I see… is a kind, strong-willed, and earnest girl. You fascinate me, Jeanne. Not because of your history or your myth. Just… you."
He'd expected more blushing and panic. Instead, Jeanne turned to face him with serious, searching eyes.
"Master…" Her voice trembled. "Do you… truly not see me as a saint?"
Ah… so that's what's at the heart of it. Shen He's gaze softened further.
"No," he said firmly. "I know what the world says. That you're a miraculous maiden who heard the voice of God, led an army, and defied fate itself. But the reason I don't see you as a saint is simple—"
He paused. Jeanne leaned forward slightly, her hands curling with anticipation.
"—I don't believe in God."
Jeanne's eyes widened in shock.
"That's your reason?"
"It's the most important one," Shen He replied, his smile tinged with warmth. "You were called divine because people believed your miracles came from Heaven. But I don't. I saw a human girl with iron determination, overwhelming courage, and an unshakable heart. I don't admire you because of some divine guidance. I admire you because you did it yourself."
Jeanne's heart skipped a beat. She looked away.
"To me," Shen He continued, "you're not some untouchable being of myth. You're real. Flesh and blood. Vulnerable. Strong. And beautiful. And I…"
"Too cunning, Master," Jeanne whispered, eyes lowered.
"Huh?" Shen He blinked.
"You know everything about me," she said softly. "My flaws… my sins… my hands stained in blood. Yet somehow, I met you during this final summoning. And you—" her voice trembled, "you like me? Me, just a simple village girl from Lorraine?"
Shen He's heart slammed in his chest.
He'd been close to Jeanne before—fought alongside her, argued with her, protected her—but this moment… this was the first time he felt like they were finally on the same page.
Could this be the time to—
Maybe I could kiss her now and end the single life…
Shen He inhaled deeply and leaned slightly closer.
"Jeanne…" he said, voice low.
But before he could say another word, she turned her head sharply, pointing ahead.
"Crystal! I see Crystal!"
"…"
The atmosphere shattered like glass.
Shen He nearly face-planted into the dashboard.
Of course that would happen.
Still, there was no time to lament—because Crystal's condition looked dire.
Shen He reduced altitude fast. Jeanne didn't wait—she dove into the surf. Crystal had washed into the shallows, half-submerged and unconscious. Lockjaw, her faithful teleporting beast, had his massive jaws clamped around her cloak, dragging her from the tide despite his own injuries.
"Her temperature is dangerously low," Jeanne reported as she supported Crystal's limp body. "There's residual electricity trauma around the lower abdomen—someone used a high-voltage ability. She needs treatment. Now."
Shen He's hand went to his side compartment and pulled out a narrow vial of shimmering red fluid.
"I've got one bottle of Overlord-grade healing solution. Drew it from the daily lottery. Three-star gear." He crouched beside the dog. "We'll give this to Lockjaw—he's still conscious and can teleport."
Jeanne understood instantly.
Shen He gently fed the thick red elixir into Lockjaw's mouth. Moments later, the creature's wounds began to close, and color returned to his blackened tongue.
"We'll ride him back to HQ," Shen He said. "The Stark Foundation's medical division can stabilize them."
Lockjaw grunted softly in agreement and stood, tail wagging weakly as he prepared to teleport.
They couldn't afford to lose Crystal—or Lockjaw—not now.
And Shen He still had words left to say to Jeanne…
Once they got everyone home.