Chapter 72: Cohen Stone
Many people might not know much about the Malik Family. To explain this, we first need to talk about the origin of HYDRA.
The history of HYDRA dates back to a time before Christ; the exact year is unknown. Back then, the Kree were conquering various parts of the universe to expand their empire, and they soon faced a shortage of soldiers, especially powerful warriors.
To replenish their forces, the Kree dispatched scientific teams to different planets to capture locals for genetic experimentation. Earth was one of them.
The Kree were known as "blue angels" by ancient humans. They experimented on Earthlings by infusing them with Kree blood, creating enhanced beings known as Inhumans, similar in concept to the X-Men.
When the experiments on other planets failed, the Kree dropped the project. The Earthborn Inhumans were left behind.
Among the earliest modified, one individual stood out—Hive. His ability was parasitism. His true form was a type of living parasite that could jump from one host to another, provided the host was dead. He could control other Inhumans through fine, sand-like spores—killing, spreading, multiplying. That power made him dangerous, even among his own kind.
Eventually, the Inhumans turned against him. Using a device called the Cohen Stone—a kind of portal—they banished Hive to another planet.
But Hive's followers remained. Still loyal, still fanatical. They kept sending sacrifices through the stone, hoping someone would come back—or at least keep Hive alive.
Over the generations, this effort evolved into an organization: HYDRA. Its mission was passed down like a family heirloom. And at the center of it stood one powerful bloodline: the Malik Family.
They didn't just support HYDRA. They led it.
George landed near the Malik estate under the cover of night.
Once he reverted to human form, he cast an Illusion Charm—blue light shimmered across his body and then vanished. A full-body cloak of invisibility, more reliable than any enchanted garment. No folds, no flickers. Just a clean disappearance.
He walked casually through the estate. According to the map his men had provided, the underground chamber he was looking for could be accessed through the main house, specifically from the study on the first floor.
He passed two guards at the front steps without so much as a blink. Inside the hall, he could hear voices coming from behind the study door.
"Jerry, is this your choice?" A woman's voice.
"Yes," came the reply. "You know I've already named my successor."
"John Schmidt? That one doesn't even believe in our god."
"It's not about belief. He's capable. And you'll be watching him anyway, won't you?"
"He's reckless, Jerry. You know that."
"What we're doing has never been sane," Jerry said, voice sharpening.
"Ah. So it's fear, then?" she pressed. "Because of the boy?"
"This has nothing to do with Freddy," Jerry replied flatly. "I just don't think this country has anything left to offer us."
"You're leaving it behind, then? And the portal?"
"It stays. That part's not coming with me."
"Well. I hope you're ready to explain that to the others," she said with a laugh.
"Just let me get my family out," Jerry said. His tone had dulled.
Footsteps followed. George moved aside, clearing a path to the door. The study opened. A sharp-dressed woman, followed by an older man and a teenager, walked into the hallway. George waited until the three disappeared around the corner, then slipped inside the study.
He walked straight to the fireplace and tapped it with his wand. "Alohomora."
The stone front gave a soft click and rotated, revealing a staircase behind it.
George descended quickly.
The underground room wasn't large. But there it was—the stone, standing in the center like a monument. Old and rough-edged, humming faintly. The Cohen Stone.
He didn't linger.
This portal wasn't safe. It had been known to activate without warning. There was no telling what would happen if it did that here.
George pointed his wand, opened the Chaos Space, and with a short gesture, swept the stone inside. Sealed.
He turned back the way he came.
As he reached the top of the stairwell, the study door clicked again.
George stayed perfectly still, hidden by the Illusion Charm.
Jerry entered with Freddy at his side. The two sat down and lit cigars. After a long silence, Jerry spoke.
"Freddy, I don't know if I made the right call. But I won't let our family end the same way your grandfather did."
"Can we really leave?" Freddy asked.
George glanced at the boy. He looked like he wanted to say more, but didn't. That said, enough.
"Don't worry. Even with Schmidt in charge, we still have power. As long as we hand over the stone, they won't push us into a corner. But you need to take your brother and get to the States. Koenig will help once you're there. I'll follow once this is wrapped up."
"Is it that urgent, Father?"
"Yes, yes, it is, if we wait too long, then it'll be too late, son."
Jerry waved his son off. Freddy hesitated, then left.
George followed soon after, walking quietly back through the corridors and out of the house, his presence unnoticed. Whatever consequences came from taking the stone, he had no plans to stick around and find out.
That wasn't his concern. Hive was.
If Hive ever made it back—if he gained control over the Inhumans still scattered across Earth—that was a problem George didn't intend to leave unresolved.
For now, though, there was no need to act. Not yet.
At the edge of the estate, George paused, then cast Apparition. With a quiet pop of air, he reappeared in his suite at the Hotel Adlon Kempinski.
He adjusted his cufflinks and returned to the ballroom, switching places with the clone he'd left behind.
His glass was waiting. A fresh laugh circled the room.
To anyone watching, George Orwell hadn't gone anywhere at all.