" And I say also this. I do not think the forest would be so bright, nor the water so warm, nor love so sweet, if there were no danger in the lakes. "

- C.S. Lewis

(NOME, ALASKA: 2:00 AM)

The Kree-Lizard boy spent sleepless, sat at the porch, and watched the rain ended when the skies returned to its clear and starry state. The moon was roaming around and watching the Earth in the wee hours of the morning. The boy kept thinking of the one whom he and his friends had saved along with the unfinished bridge at Port of Nome. He was very curious and wanting to have more conversation with the construction engineer.

" Zed Williams, " the boy curiously thought while looking at the moon and the stars. " Yet, I wonder what he would say about the bridge. Could he be the one who's also against those tyrannical races or something else? "

Just behind him, an Asgardian woman stood at the doorway as she sat beside the Kree-Lizard noticed her. Like him, Critika was also sleepless and keeping her remaining aura even she could not rest.

" Are you supposed to get to sleep? " she queried and shrugged. " Look, everyone has already met their slumber. How about you? "

" Sleep is very pointless to me, Critika, " he calmly answered and turned to her. " If I go to sleep, I would have so much trouble when you hear one."

" You mean, nightmares? "

" Yes. "

" You're not the only one who had struggles in life you know, " she seriously answered as the boy got intrigued in hearing that from her. " I was not always a warrior. "

" Why? "

" I was sickly and weak when I was child. I had no friends in Asgard before and spent being isolated and meeting a lot of wizards and mages to heal me. "

" So, you're like being experimented? "

" Well, you may say that, " she spoke. " When I visited Midgard for a medical treatment, I met someone named the Commissioner. He would offer to help me regain my condition and become stronger than ever. "

" So, what did he do to you? "

" He gave me an armor, so I could achieve my warrior status. I was so determined to have it, because my will allowed me to bond with the armor successfully. Then, I returned to Asgard and trained further before I returned again. "

" I see. So, that armor is part of your life. "

" Yes, it was very painful at first, but it was worth it when I got used to it. "

" Interesting, " he nodded.

" Say, you talked to the builder earlier. Am I right? " Critika changed the topic and asked.

" Yes, indeed. I gained another friend, " the Kree-Lizard boy replied. " Zed and his team were supposed to finish that bridge some years ago. "

" Our enemies had hindered it. "

" Well, that's what he said. "

" Right, " the Asgardian woman slightly smiled and yawned. " I think I need to have some rest. It's getting late. "

" Yeah, you should. "

" See you later, my friend! " 

(SEVERAL DAYS LATER)

The Kree-Lizard boy and his fellow friends from the Rebel Forces rescued some survivors from the docks and other streets of Nome. The people in the Cabin grew in number as Critika, Jared, and Enoch aided the new residents to live for the meantime. The few Rebel forces members secretly stole food from the docks and gave it to the new residents of the cabin despite of the uproaring tensions. 

From those days, the boy gained a new friend, Zed Williams, the former chief construction engineer of the Bering Sea Bridge. The two shared and exchanged their memories and experiences. The Kree-Lizard hybrid learned well from his new friend. He was very interested of his life before the invasion happened on Earth. Zed was able to tell of his stories in planning and building several structures of the world which he had been to several countries to be in-charge for creating them. The boy began asking questions of his works including the failed bridge.  Also, the engineer shared his life as a father and husband which he loved his family very much.

Just this late afternoon, the boy finished his tasks in rescuing the people along with his colleagues. He noticed his friend spent writing and sitting on the tree roots while looking at the seaside view from a distance. The hybrid boy headed his way to the forest and found Zed.

" I'm sorry for disturbing you, " he called the half-Asian man's attention. " Critika told me to return to the cabin with me. "

" Oh, right. I spent hours in writing my thoughts, " Zed slightly chuckled and stood up while holding his diary. " You know what Buddy? I have been thinking to help you out these coming days. "

" You mean you're joining with us? "

" Yeah, " Zed nodded. " I'm an Inhuman that makes fires. Since the Bering Sea Bridge is really postponed, I decided to be part of the Rebel forces."

" Are you sure about that? "

" Yeah, that's the only way I could regain everything. I can always return to my job soon and then I could reunite with my family. "

" I see, " he smiled and understood. " So, you're still remembering them." 

  " Yeah, I missed them so much ever since I got assigned here for the construction, " Zed sadly sighed. " I wished to bring them here and live. " 

" Truly, you cherished them, didn't you? "

" Right. If I were with them here, I could have brought them to see the humpback whales at the middle of the ocean, " he calmly replied. " You know, Bud, when you become a father in the future, you will surely understand how important your family is. Even you're all alone and far away from them, you will feel too homesick. "

The boy scratched his head and got baffled at his friend's words. He couldn't grasp the thought of having his own family in the future since he got an appearance of the dreaded 682. Perhaps, some people got terrified to meet him before he joined the rebel forces. Zed looked at him with a concern and noticed his friend's long silence.

" Hey, Bud? Are you okay? "

" I'm not so sure if I can have my own family in the future, " the boy broke his silence. " Everyone has thought I'm..."

" Bud, " Zed called him and gently patted his shoulders. " You saved me from those people who would kill me three weeks ago. You helped your friends in rescuing the others and brought them here. If everyone sees you as 682, well they're wrong. You're different than him and becoming one of us. You act and behave like a normal human being, although you have told me you have some serious mental health issues. It's not impossible for you to have a family one day and share to them your experiences. For now, you're just beginning to be a real man. Yet, you don't really know what's in store for you. "

" I see, " he nodded.

" Just like little humpback calf over there, " Zed pointed at the spot where he saw a pod of humpbacks. " He's trying to join himself with his family and swim in great distances. Just like you, you're getting the hang of the human society. "

" I understood now, " the Kree-Lizard slightly smiled and saw the young whale swimming along with his other fellow aquatic giants. Then, he thought of something and called his friend's attention. " Zed, I have a question. "

" Yeah, go ahead. "

" Of all your works, you told me. Why did you decide to continue the bridge? "

" Oh, that..." Zed muttered and sadly sighed while looking at the view of that unfinished structure. " Well, some years before the Kree-Lizard invasion, the Russian and American presidents and other leaders planned to have a bridge that would connect the two countries. It took years to push through, until the invasion happened. It was untimely when me and my team started this project, however we got hindered by the same people who made this mess. "

" You mean you got hindered? "

  " Yeah, " he nodded. " We were ten to twenty miles from the coast of Nome. The steel and cement pillars were formed as you can see it from here. We were struggling to finish it when the Kree and the Lizards ceased our operations, but my people protested to resume, but they killed my people. I thought of fighting back, but I failed to do so. " 

" Why? "

" They're not gonna let us continue building the bridge. They don't want our people to work on our own activities and think our jobs are against the Kree Empire and its allies and subjects. "

" That is really dark. "

" Indeed, it is, " Zed seriously replied. " All I have seen these days is being imprisoned, seeing other people being captured, enslaved, and starved and drowned to death. That's why I need to fight back. "  

 " Is your family worried about you? "

" I think so. I risked my life to get here and continue this long-term construction, but everything failed. "

" I'm sorry to hear that, " the Kree-Lizard hybrid calmly empathized. " I understood you want to finish that bridge, so badly. It never came true. Then, your family always thinks of you. If there's a way I can help, I'll try my best to make it up. "

" How? "

" I'm a member of the Rebel Forces. I can make ways to fulfill that dream and then you can return to your family afterwards. "

Zed raised his eyebrows in doubt as he started to think further. The words seemed optimistic and promising as he heard. It took him minutes to perceive and compose his thoughts. The Kree-Lizard hybrid waited for him to speak-up.

" How can you be so certain? " the engineer asked. " This situation is getting worse than ever. Are you sure you're able to find help from your colleagues? "

" It will take time, but I'm going to ask Jared in how to deal with your concern. If this pushes through, I know you will be happier to see what you have dreamed of. "

" Okay, " Zed nodded and held his diary. " Thank you, but I have some blue prints installed in my nanochip attached at the back of my diary. You need a device that reads it. Then, you can ask your friends and then the others to continue the construction. My greatest achievement will be the Bering Sea Bridge. I hope this will come true and someday, I will be the first person who can cross Russia and return to Alaska. Then, the people will eventually go there. I hope I can see you going, too. "  

  " Honestly, I can't read it, " the boy said. " But I will ask help from everyone to make it happen. "

" It doesn't matter, " he smiled. " As long as you and your friends can work. "

" Thanks. "

" You're welcome. " 

(LATER THAT NIGHT)

" We got some more bad news, " Jared Coulson finished helping Critika in washing the dishes and turned to the others. " Aside from our enemies, we have an anomaly lurking around the Bering Sea and North Pacific Ocean. "

" Don't tell me, 682 has returned, " the Kree-Lizard hybrid boy anxiously spoke.

" No, it is not, " Enoch added. " I have seen that unknown creature emanating from the two bodies of water, waiting for any prey to be killed. "

Everyone remained silent as they heard of the entity being mentioned at the conversation. The others got terrified and some got intrigued as they murmured. Zed scratched his beard and looked at the ceiling which he got puzzled to hear.

" Did you have an idea of this mysterious creature? " the Inhuman engineer curiously asked.

" That remains a mystery, " the bald Chronicom man emotionlessly answered. " That being caused some shipwrecks, drownings, disappearances, and deaths to some of your people and resident alien races. "

" Oh, for Odin's sake, " Critika heavily sighed and shrugged. " Maybe, we can fight that sea creature and bring it into ashes. By the way, does it belong to the Kree or Lizards? "

" NO, UNKNOWN. "

" Yeah, right. Thanks, Enoch. "

  " Perhaps, this is the reason why the bridge is postponed? " the Kree-Lizard hybrid whispered. " What do you think, Zed? "

" I don't know, Bud, " Zed answered. " If I witnessed a sea monster before, definitely we could have reported that to the authorities. But the Kree and Lizards both hindered, there's nothing else we can do, unless you and your friends have thought of an intervention. "

" Yeah, let's see. " 

 " Perhaps, we should ask for Captain Marvel's help or any remaining heroes, " Jared suggested. 

" Right, good idea, " the Asgardian woman snapped her fingers.

" We don't know where the half-Kree woman is right now, " Enoch added. " But I believe someone has to go to the seaside and investigate. " 

The Kree-Lizard hybrid remained silent and thought of doing night patrol, since he decided not to sleep every evening. That would be an opportunity for him to figure out what kind of creature that was found within the Bering Sea. He turned to the window and stood up. His friends looked at him with a concern.

" Hey, Bud! " his fellow Lizard friend called his attention. " What are you gonna do? "

" Jared, I have to go there, " he seriously replied.

" What?! Are you out of your mind? What if the enemies find you and get killed again, you're gonna be dead for real! "

" Jared, please! I have to do this! I need to find the real reason behind the unfinished bridge. There must be something else aside from our enemies. "

" Bud, please don't go..."

" You know, he's right, " Zed added and warned. " It's dangerous to go there at night. The blue-skins and the reptilians will get or drown you if you dare. "

" I'm sorry, guys, " the hybrid replied. " I really need to go. "

" Oh no, you don't! " Critika grabbed his tail as the boy struggled to break free. She had no choice, but to do it.

" Hey! Let me go! "

" You are our friend. We can't let you go! " she seriously spoke.

" No, please! "

" Critika, let him go, " Enoch spoke as she followed his instruction. " He has to do it, even it will cost his life. "

" But why? "

" I asked Jared earlier to help Zed in bringing back the bridge, " the hybrid replied. " So, he has to do it on my behalf. Me, I will figure out how to stop those enemies and find that mysterious creature from the sea. If something happens to me, please help Zed to make his dreams come true and reunite with his family. "

" I will, Bud, " Jared understood and nodded as he turned to the half-Asian engineer.

" Are you sure about that? " Zed sadly asked.

" Yes, " he smiled and waved. " I'll see you soon, my friends. " 

His friends felt sorry for him leaving the group as they waved good-bye. The Kree-Lizard hybrid had been an asset to the rebel forces and worked for around two decades. For them, he was a faithful and helpful friend. They were very uncertain if he could return. The boy left the cabin and headed towards the forest.

Walking around the darkness, he heard some rustling sounds from the trees. Hooting of the owls, and loud howling of the wolves were heard all over the place. The Kree-Lizard hybrid was terrified, but he ignored those strange animal sounds and kept walking. Going his way to the seaside, he saw a group of blue-skinned and reptilian people which they finished their bloody tasks of drowning the escapees and retaliating slaves. He peeked behind the pine tree and recognized a familiar Inhuman whom they were talking to. The boy was terrified to see him again as he remembered that day he almost lost his life. He took a deep breath and waited for them to leave the spot. 

" This will take a long time for them to go away, " he anxiously thought while seeing that dreaded Inhuman from a distance. " Hollow's with them, I can't go out in the open and find out what's going with that bridge. "

He waited for some time, until they went away. Finally, he was able to go to the seaside and check the unfinished bridge near the Port of Nome. The hybrid boy kept walking and searching for something. From there, he got surprised to see some human skulls and bones scattered on the ground. The boy became terrified and quickly ran away. Reaching the docks, he saw some deceased people of different races floating around the saltwater. He became more terrified than ever as he never wanted to see deaths.

" Zed was indeed right, " he thought and sighed. " He has seen a lot of deaths in the sea. Yet, I wonder why. "

Just behind him, a long-dark purpled-haired man knocked him down as the boy fell on the ground. He saw him and planned to retaliate, but his foot got stepped by the Inhuman, almost crushing his bones. The hybrid loudly yelled in excruciating pain as the Inhuman mercilessly watching him.

" YOU AGAIN! " he angrily moaned.

" Oh, yes. It's long time, no see 682..." the Inhuman blandly spoke. " I have been following you for weeks ever since you got brutally killed. "

" Look, I'm not the one you're thinking of, Hollow! I'm more different than that demon! "

" How did you my name? " Hollow crossed his eyebrows and defiantly asked.

" I got information from my friends! You tremendously killed your family for your powers! Now, you let these people suffer and die! "

" Verily, you are totally different from that monster, " he answered and sharpened his dark metallic claws. " You are indeed right, but I am following 682's footsteps and obeying the Kree's objectives. You are one of those disgusting rebels who fight against my masters! You deserve to die! "

" Not this time, Hollow! "

" The name's Darkvile, now..." the Inhuman dragged and pushed the Kree-Lizard hybrid into the sea, watching him drown and lose his life. 

Going farther and deeper into the cold sea, the hybrid boy struggled to swim-up and return to the surface. The air became too scarce for him to breathe, he tried to waddle his arms, legs, and tail to make strokes, but he couldn't. He realized he was drowning until some object grabbed him. It was a long and large dark tentacle. The boy couldn't break free and then he turned around. It was a male green-skinned being with pointed ears and wrinkles on his face. He had a long white blade on his right arm.

The boy widened his eyes in fear and opened his mouth as the bubbles released. He wanted to break free from the creature, but his legs got pinned down and bled blue blood. Then, he impaled the hybrid's abdomen as the boy struggled to fight back.

" What kind of creature is this?! " he thought. " This is worse than 682 or any of the SCPs! This is getting too skirmish...."

" So, this freaking lizard is also a Kree by blood and some physical appearance, " the creature menacingly grinned and pondered. " He's an interesting mix, but he's gonna die like the others! " The being was about to puncture the boy, but he suddenly changed his mind and saw the boy began regenerating, " Yet, I wonder if he's related to the Kree Eternal Methu-Selah. His green eyes and face look similar to him. This is getting peculiar. Oh, well. I'm gonna let him drown until he dies. Besides, I don't have any use for full-blooded and part-Kree people. They're my long-term enemies just like my previous victims here. " 

The sea creature released the hybrid boy and watched him losing his life. The boy became hopeless in saving himself. Thinking of his friends, future, and everything, they were deemed worthless as he was facing death. The hopes of breaking free from his mental bondage and meeting the Kree Eternal had diminished as his time was running out. He finally closed his eyes and had to let go when death had come to take his pure soul out of his monstrous shell. 

(Providenya, Russia: 12:00 AM)

The Kree-Lizard hybrid was unconsciously lying on the seashore ground. Suddenly, he started coughing out water from his lungs and slowly opened his eyes. He managed to sit up where he moved his head to and fro. He got confused as he ended up in an unfamiliar fishing village nearby.

" What is this place?! " he widened his eyes in surprise and thought. " This is not Alaska anymore! How did I get here in the first place?! Did the Kree Eternal pop out of nowhere and saved me?! I've got to find him, but what about my friends?! Jared, Critika, Zed, Enoch, Gladius, Peter, Christopher, Winter, Pyrrha, Jaune, and everyone?! I should have gone back to where I came from! "

Suddenly, he noticed his legs and abdomen were healed after the creature punctured him under the sea. The boy got astonished to see his sudden recovery. He tried to stand up and moved his head around.

" Wait, I'm supposed to be dead! How come I am alive?! I don't get this?! What am I doing here?! "

" You don't belong here, American, but I found you earlier, " a deep male voice with a strong Russian accent echoed.

" Hello, is anybody here? Hello?! Hello?! " the boy responded as the burning skull man dressed in black appeared in front of him. He got terrified to meet him and sat on the ground. " P-Please d-don't hurt me! I-I'm just..."

" You are not one of the enemies, " the man replied. " I rescued you, but you almost died first. "

" What do you want from me? Who are you? What place is this?! Please tell me! "

" Don't worry, American Lizard. I am not going to hurt you. "

" American Lizard?! "

" Da. "

" Look, I need to return to my friends in Alaska, " the Kree-Lizard boy pleaded. " Please sent me back to the other side! "

" You are not going back there anymore, because the supposed bridge is no longer existent. There is no turning back. "

" What are you talking about?! I need to come back! "

" So, you have come from the other side. Welcome to Russia, my friend...." 

   " Russia? "

" Da. "

" I don't understand..."

" I have a lot of things to do, my friend, " the burning skull man sternly replied. " I have no time to explain everything. You have to set on your own even it's dangerous. Dasvidanya! "

" Hey, wait! Please come back! Hey! "

The man took his hover cycle and rode his way farther from the point. He ignored the boy's yelling. The Kree-Lizard heavily sighed and watched the man leaving. Then, he looked at the other side of the Bering Sea.

" That skull guy is a jerk, " he thought and sighed. " He just left me here. What if the creature or those Kree-Lizard appear out of nowhere and get me? I can't fight back without my friends! Now, what am I going to do?! How about Zed? I promised him to help out his wishes! That can't be! "

The Kree-Lizard hybrid looked at the bright yellow star positioned at the sky going to the Russian mountains. He slightly smiled and kept looking at it as he continued walking to that direction.

" Maybe, he's right. I should set on my own. Perhaps, I'll meet them anywhere soon. Now, I have to find the Kree Eternal and ask for help. I can do this. "