Alex clapped his hands once, getting everyone's attention.
"Before we begin, listen carefully," he said. "Summoning a familiar is simple, but not casual. This thing will become part of you — and you will become part of it."
May, Fitz, and Simmons nodded, still nervous but curious.
Alex pointed to the glowing magic circle under their feet.
"You don't need to chant anything or cast spells," he said. "Just follow the instructions."
He raised one finger.
"Step one — stand still at the center of your symbol. The circle will adjust to you."
The circle shifted on its own. Three smaller rings appeared — one under May, one under Fitz, one under Simmons.
They froze, watching silently.
"Step two," Alex continued. "Make a small cut. A bite on your thumb or prick your finger — doesn't matter. You only need one drop of blood."
Ward stepped forward, worried. "Blood? Is this safe?"
Alex didn't even look at him. "If it wasn't safe, I wouldn't be doing it."
That shut Ward up.
Alex raised three small silver needles from the air — floating without him touching them.
"One prick. One drop. That's it. The rest happens automatically."
The needles hovered in front of May, Fitz, and Simmons.
They exchanged tense looks.
"Once the blood hits the circle," Alex continued, "it will choose your familiar based on your soul — not your job, not your skills, not your fear. What you are."
Simmons swallowed. Fitz looked pale. May looked unreadable but ready.
"When it appears," Alex said, "do not run. Do not fight. Do not talk. The familiar will test you. If you accept it, it will bond with you. If you don't… it will disappear."
Skye whispered, "No pressure…"
Alex ignored her and took a step back — far away from the circle.
"I won't help once it starts," he said. "Nobody can."
The entire room fell quiet.
"May," Alex said. "You first."
May didn't hesitate. She pressed her thumb against the floating needle. A small drop of blood formed and fell onto the glowing ring beneath her feet.
The magic circle flashed.
The lights dimmed.
A low sound rumbled through the room — like something huge moving in the dark.
Skye grabbed Ward's arm without realizing it.
Coulson didn't blink.
Alex watched calmly, hands in his coat pockets.
The circle pulsed again.
A shape began forming in front of May — dark at first, then clearer, then massive…
The shape sharpened — the shadows pulling together like liquid metal.
A tall figure rose from the center of the circle.
Eight feet tall.
Black chitin armor.
A long narrow head with glowing red eyes.
Four blade-like arms.
And behind it…
A weapon — no, an extension of its body.
A massive, curved death-scythe the length of its entire height, attached to its right forearm. The edge shimmered like it could cut through steel with no resistance.
Skye gasped. Ward stepped back without thinking. Fitz and Simmons froze in shock.
The creature clicked its mandibles once.
CLACK.
Every instinct in the room screamed danger.
But May didn't move.
The mantis slowly looked down at her — its scythe raised. Not threatening… not attacking… testing.
It tilted its head, studying her.
The lights flickered again. The circle glowed brighter beneath May's feet.
Alex spoke quietly from the side, not interfering.
"It's reading your heart. Not your mind."
The mantis leaned down, inches away from May's face. Their eyes locked.
Everyone else held their breath.
May didn't.
She stood exactly where she was — steady, fearless.
The mantis raised one scythe, sharp enough to split atoms, and brought it close to her neck. Any flinch, any hesitation, and the bond would fail.
May didn't move.
Not one muscle.
Ten seconds passed like ten minutes.
Then the creature lowered its weapon.
A rumbling sound vibrated through the room — not a roar, not a shriek.
A bow.
The mantis kneeled.
The magic circle flashed gold.
A symbol — shaped like a mantis silhouette with a scythe — appeared on May's right forearm, glowing for a moment before fading into her skin.
The creature stood up and shrank instantly into a smaller form — still mantis-shaped, but now only a meter tall, and floating slightly behind her like a silent guardian.
Alex nodded with approval.
"Congratulations, May," he said. "You have bonded with the **Reaper Mantis — a familiar of precision, stealth, and execution. It chooses only those who don't fear death… or themselves."
May didn't react outwardly, but her eyes softened for a split second — pride held behind discipline.
Skye exhaled shakily. "Holy crap… okay… that was… insane."
Ward looked shaken but impressed. "That thing almost killed her."
Alex shrugged lightly. "The familiar summoning circle never summons anything that can kill anyone."
"Anyway, May — what powers did you get?" he asked.
May looked back at him. "I'd like to keep it a secret," she said.
Alex shrugged again. "Suit yourself."
Then Alex looked at Fitz and Simmons. "Alright — who's next?"
Fitz stepped forward. "I… I would like to go next."
Fitz took a deep breath and stepped into his circle. His hands were shaking a little, but he didn't back away.
Alex nodded. "Same as before. One drop of blood."
The silver needle floated toward Fitz.
He hesitated for half a second, then pressed his thumb against the needle. The sting was quick. A small drop of blood fell onto the glowing ring under his feet.
The reaction was instant.
The circle around Fitz flashed bright blue this time — not dark like May's.
The air started to feel different. Lighter. Faster. Like static electricity building up.
Simmons whispered, "Fitz…"
But she didn't move. No one was allowed to move.
The light gathered and formed something in front of Fitz.
At first, it looked like a floating shape with circuits running through it… then it slowly turned solid.
A floating mechanical cube appeared — with blue lines all over it, shifting like digital code. Metal plates rotated, opened, and rearranged continuously, like it was alive.
Skye stared. "Okay, that is way less scary than May's."
The cube spun slowly, scanning Fitz with a pale blue beam of light.
Alex watched closely. "It's a Golem Familiar, more like Captain's Devil armor but more Rare. Very rare."
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