Chapter 32: Medusa's Wrath · The Hair That Binds the Heavens
The absurd interruption by Deadpool and the abrupt departure of Black Bolt left the battlefield in a state of surreal silence. The chaotic eddies of cosmic law still lingered in the air, yet were now overshadowed by an atmosphere of sheer, ridiculous awkwardness.The remaining heroes exchanged bewildered glances, momentarily unsure of how to proceed. Nick Fury's roar erupted from the comms once more, snapping them out of their daze: "Don't just stand there! Now! Reform ranks! Prepare to—"His command was cut short as another figure descended upon the battlefield's edge, radiating a distinctly different, icy, and resolute aura.The light of a quantum translocation faded, revealing a tall, statuesque woman with a cold, striking beauty. Her most prominent feature was her ankle-length hair, a deep, crimson mass that seemed to possess a life of its own, writhing slowly and shimmering with a dark, ruby energy. This was Medusa, Queen of the Inhumans, wife of Black Bolt.She had witnessed her husband's departure via the lunar base's monitors. It was not a retreat born of fear, but a tactical withdrawal after immense energy expenditure and severe disruption by the… nuisance. As his partner and fellow warrior, she would not allow the dignity of the Inhumans to be sullied, nor her husband's formidable reputation to be questioned by anyone!Her arrival was without preamble. Her cold eyes instantly locked onto the two figures in the sky: Sun Wukong, who was trying to shake off the chattering red pest, and the pest himself, Deadpool, hopping about like an hyperactive insect."Those who disrespect the King's majesty… will pay the price!" Medusa's voice was as cold and sharp as ice, a stark contrast to her husband's silence, yet carrying the same undeniable authority.Her dark crimson hair stirred as if alive, each strand imbued with a sinister intelligence. In an instant, it explodedoutward, lengthening and multiplying at a speed beyond visual tracking! The hair transformed from soft strands into energy-infused polymers with the tensile strength of vibranium, lashing out like countless dark red lightning bolts aimed simultaneously at both Sun Wukong and Deadpool!This was not an energy pulse nor a distortion of law. It was a feat of incredibly precise, hyper-fast physical binding and energy suppression! Each individual hair strand contained immense physical strength and power, capable of shredding tanks and restraining the Hulk!"Whoa! Queen-dom play! I'm into it!" Deadpool screeched, attempting to parry with his katanas. His blades sparked against the hair but failed to cut through! In the next moment, he was swarmed by dozens of strands, trussed up into a spreadeagled, red-and-black cocoon, only his mouth left free to complain. "Hey, gorgeous! Easy on the merchandise! This is a new suit!... Well, okay, it's always getting wrecked anyway…"Sun Wukong, already irritated by Deadpool's noise, frowned at the new attack. "Another hairy one? Why do all the strange creatures in this world obsess over hair?"He didn't underestimate it; he could feel the power contained within those strands, far exceeding their delicate appearance. His form blurred, executing the extreme speed of his Somersault Cloud, attempting to evade the vast, encompassing net of hair.Yet, Medusa's hair seemed possessed of a life and prescience of its own, anticipating his dodges and sealing his escape routes! Countless strands, like living tentacles, converged on him from all directions with terrifying speed!"Oh? Some skill after all!" Sun Wukong acknowledged with a grunt of surprise. He whirled his golden-hooped staff into a blinding golden shield, deflecting the incoming strands! The collisions rang with the sound of metal striking metal, spraying showers of energy sparks!Medusa's expression remained impassive. She raised her hands slightly, channeling even greater waves of dark red energy into her hair. The strands not only moved faster and hit harder but began to emanate a bizarre field that seemed to sap energy and induce neural paralysis!In moments, the sky seemed draped by an endless, dark red, ever-contracting web! Sun Wukong was like a dragon trapped within a net. Though his staff moved with impervious speed, batting away countless strands, more surged forward relentlessly, seemingly infinite! His space to maneuver was rapidly shrinking!"Tch! Endless pests!" Sun Wukong's patience wore thin. While the hairs couldn't truly harm him, they were incredibly tenacious, and the paralyzing field was becoming an annoyance. He decided to stop evading.He halted abruptly, allowing the multitude of strands to instantly envelop him, layer upon layer, wrapping him into a massive, dark red cocoon of hair!"Did she do it?!" someone among the distant heroes gasped."No… it can't be that simple…" Captain America gripped his shield tighter, his expression grim.A flicker of surprise crossed Medusa's eyes, but she immediately increased her energy output. The cocoon constricted violently, attempting to crush, bind, and paralyze Sun Wukong within!However, in the very next second—A muffled roar erupted from within the hair-cocoon!The incredibly resilient cocoon, capable of restraining planetary-level forces, exploded as if a star had detonated at its core! Countless severed hair strands, charged with terrifying energy, shot outwards like shrapnel from a bomb!"Ungh!" Medusa grunted as if struck a physical blow. She staggered, her face paling. Her magnificent hair was violently sheared off a significant length, the ends crackling with chaotic energy! This was something she had never experienced since her powers first manifested!As the golden light cleared, Sun Wukong stood completely unharmed, brushing non-existent dust from his shoulders. He curled his lip. "Not bad tensile strength. Pity the power behind it is too weak. Good for tying up flies, maybe."He glanced at the pale, hair-damaged Medusa, then at the wriggling, cocooned Deadpool on the ground, and felt a wave of boredom."Enough. Seeing as you're a woman, this old Sun won't make things difficult for you. Take your mute husband and return to your nest. Stay there properly, and don't come out to embarrass yourselves again."With that, he paid Medusa no further mind. He turned and delivered a swift kick to the Deadpool-cocoon, sending it flying like a soccer ball to parts unknown."Peace and quiet at last," Sun Wukong remarked, picking at his ear.Medusa stood rooted, staring at the severed locks of her hair on the ground, then at the back of the figure who so utterly disregarded her. Humiliation, fury, and a profound sense of powerlessness washed over her. In the end, she did not attack again. She merely cast one last, deep look at Sun Wukong, activated her quantum translocation device, and vanished in a shimmer of light.The King and Queen of the Inhumans had entered the fray, only to exit in a manner bordering on humiliation.Sun Wukong scanned his surroundings, his gaze passing over the heroes who stood ready for battle yet instinctively took a step back under his scrutiny. He yawned widely."Who's next? Come on, all at once! Save this old Sun the trouble of dealing with you one by one!"