Three days inside the Vigil, I was starting to have a sense of deja vu, y'know - that feeling where you've been through this shit before? Everything looked the same, and I started to blend into the walls due to the color of my suit. I had two suits for special occasions: my regular suit with the cape for battles and stealth and my business suit for detective work. Because I didn't know what the hell I was about to get into, I put on my detective suit, I had a feeling I was going to need it.

"As you can see, the Vigil Council is missing a member ever since we suffered an incident that left us broken and battered."

"Incident? Did he die?"

The Vigil member nodded. What happened here? And why did they need me to fill their spot? Because I died in the last battle with the Rebellion?

Wait a second. If they found out I was with the Rebellion, they could use that against me to attack. Shit, that was probably the case.

"Our cause is of grave importance, Marc Spector. In order to cleanse the world of The Eternal Circle, we must first start by rebuilding the Council. Our citizens, whom we call the 'Unbounded', seek our advice and guidance. They are scared of what the Circle may do. The Rebellion... they mean well, but they could fail in this coming fight. If Thanos were to arrive, it could spell ultimate doom for all of us, including our citizens. Your death and arrival was no accident. You must bring X here when it is time and convince him to work alongside Thanos and the Council."

"Yeah, I'm going to have to stop you riiiight there, bud. I know X, and he ain't going to go for that shit. I don't know much about this Thanos character, but he seems like a very bad guy, and I've fought against the Eternal Circle. And besides, X doesn't even know about this place. Unless he dies, he can't come here."

Me and my big mouth, huh? I just gave this bastard the idea to send his "council" to the Rebellion's base and slit X's throat.

"I know of X's Sentinel powers. X and Zero cannot be killed so easily. But we've had... dark premonitions of X falling in battle to Thanos... it is... a very disturbing thought we hope doesn't come true, but if it does - it is your job to convince him to do this. It could make the difference between everlasting peace or permanent damnation."

After pondering over what the hell was just said to me, I was faced with a dilemma.

I could wait for X to die and plead my case. I know that sounds cruel, but if this Vigil member was telling the truth, maybe this war we're fighting might finally come to an end. But then again... If this Thanos leads the Eternal Circle, we would be majorly screwed in more ways than one...

"If the Eternal Circle get too serious, we could have an intergalactic, universal war on our hands... This changing of the guard they're going through is very concerning, not just for us, but for the fate of the world as well... I'm at a crossroads here, Marc..."

I listened to X. This is the first I've seen him this stressed. He has every reason to be, of course. The Circle is preparing for something big, something bad.

"I know you are, X. I wish there was something I could do to help, but to be honest... I'm concerned as well. The Circle have never been this quiet before, which means that they are preparing for something horrifying..."

X shifted in his chair in thought.

"I hate to say it, but you might be right... Usually when they're this quiet, they're planning another attack. Our shields can't really take a full-scale assault of that magnitude... their last visit almost broke through our shields..."

"I'm surprised they held together so long, if we didn't push back as hard as we did that time, we might have been for a world of trouble..."

X nodded gravely. I could tell he was becoming worn down from their constant attacks. He didn't want to admit it, but this lull in the fight is the only time he's able to breathe.

"I know that look, Marc. Polaris gives me the same one. Zero, too."

I chuckled lightly. First time i actually let out a laugh in years. It felt good.

"We worry about you, X. This war has taken a toll on all of us, but you the most. Can I offer some advice?"

X chuckled and nodded.

"Even if i say no, you would offer it anyway."

I sat back, as if in thought.

"That girl? Polaris? Hold onto her. Don't make my mistake. I had a girl back in the day, and I screwed it all up. I don't want that to happen between you two. I can tell you can like her, and she likes you, too. Hold onto that. For as long as you can."

X nodded in agreement.

"I don't plan on letting her go. Thank you, Marc... I needed this conversation."

My mind snapped back to the present again. God, I missed the Rebellion like no-one's business. I pinched my nose and closed my eyes and glanced at a letter beside me. When did this get here?

"Congratulations, Marc Spector. You have completed your initiation into the Vigil Council. Your first test begins tomorrow. Then we shall continue our quest to protect the universe."

Initiation? Something odd was going on here, and I had to get to the bottom of it as quickly as possible.

I explored the outer halls of the Council, but nothing seemed too out of the ordinary... until I nearly got caught by two of the members. I hid into a wall carving and overheard their conversation.

"Are we sure we can trust Marc Spector to take over the void Argon left behind? Citizen V is placing too much trust in this newcomer."

"You seem to have forgotten your place, Masters. You were once a member of the Rebellion."

Anthony Masters. I've heard of him in my travels. He called himself the Taskmaster and had personal grudges against Peter Parker, Natasha Romanoff, Clint Barton and S.H.I.E.L.D.

"I was a part of the Rebellion, we ALL were! And look where it landed all of us, Osborn!"

"You and I can leave the Vigil if we so please. The portal is open to all. Except for Marc. He must not be allowed to leave. If he brings X here, we might finally see an end to this war between the Circle and the Rebellion. By breaking down the members, starting with their leaders, we shall become the saviors of this pitiful world."

Bingo. My suspicions were correct. I dipped out of there before they could catch on and returned to my room.

So, they were planning on taking down the Rebellion like I knew they would be. That's why they wanted me to convince the two leaders. By trapping them here and killing them, they could lie to the people and crush them underfoot. Become tyrants, worse than the Circle.

But I could tell Citizen V wasn't the true leader of this Vigil. He was answering to someone higher.

Finding out who the true leader was, would be a little bit more difficult. Especially in this massive place.

But I was a detective, finding out the difficult shit was literally my job. I would have to be very careful though.

If they really were trying to take down the Rebellion, it would really be awkward for me... If X found out about this place, and found out I was here of all places, who knows what that would do for our friendship. I thought of James and swallowed hard.

"Wish you could've changed your mind, Marky-boi. What I have planned for us all, we might never have to work again. But since you want to be a Mr. Goody-Two-Shoes, you're going to miss out. You might've even been able to win Steph back."

I balled my fists. I wanted to hit him, to beat him senseless for mocking me with Stephanie. James and I never saw eye to eye, but the fact that he's dangling Steph in my face is beyond unforgivable.

"Catch ya on the flip side, my former friend."

My mind returned to the present. I sighed, before adjusting my tie, preparing myself for tomorrow's bullshit.

"Alright, Marc. Let's keep playing their game..."

To Be Continued...