Tony didn’t drop the wrench. But he did raise an eyebrow.“A fan?” he muttered. “That’s... a new one. Not that I don’t love groupies, but you showed up in a cave during a kidnapping. Bit of a weird flex.”

  Aditya tried to ugh, but it came out as a wheeze. His body still hurt like hell, muscles sore and brain buzzing from the system notifications ticking faintly in his peripheral vision.

  [Scan complete: Mild internal bruising. No major injuries. Strength: average. Intelligence: Unverified. Charm: Debatable.]

  He ignored that st one.

  “I know this is going to sound insane,” he said, “but I’m not from this universe. And I know how your story goes. You build a suit, blow up a cave, escape, become Iron Man… and eventually—”

  Tony raised the wrench again. “How do you know that?”

  “I told you. I’m a fan. From another version of Earth. In my world, you’re... you were… fictional.”

  Tony’s eyes narrowed. “You’re saying I’m a comic book?”

  “Movie, actually. You starred in it. Killed it, too.”

  Tony stared at him in silence. It wasn’t disbelief—he’d seen enough strange tech and read enough sci-fi to consider the possibility. But accepting it was a different beast.

  Finally, he lowered the wrench.

  “Well, shit. I always figured if I was a fictional character, I’d at least be better looking.”

  Yinsen chuckled from the side. “He has your sarcasm, at least.”

  Aditya smiled, finally able to rex a little.

  “I’m not here to hurt you, Tony. I was... sent. I don’t fully know why, but I think it’s to make sure things don’t go off the rails.”

  Tony gnced around the cave. “Kid, things are already off the rails.”

  Aditya shrugged. “Then let’s put them back on.”

  Another system prompt fshed:

  [Bond Established: Tony Stark - Trust Level: 12%][Temporary Shelter Recognized: Ten Rings Facility]

  Yinsen approached with a small, curious look. “If you are truly here to help, you’d better get to work. We only have so many parts, and Tony has already started on a design.”

  Tony crossed his arms. “You any good with machines, kid?”

  Aditya looked around at the scattered tools, the makeshift forge, the piles of scrap.

  “Well... I will be hopefully."

  Just as Tony opened his mouth to retort, Aditya focused on the faint, hovering light only he could see.

  System Command: Open Status.

  The world dimmed around him for a heartbeat—and then a clean blue interface slid into view, hovering translucent in his field of vision.

  [SYSTEM STATUS - USER: ADITYA]

  Race: Human (Unregistered Dimensional Signature)Age: 24Strength: 10Endurance: 10Intelligence: 10Reflexes: 10Charm: 10Willpower: 10

  Skills:? Basic Combat Instincts (Passive)? Dimensional Stability (Passive)? Unlocked: [Third Eye - Stage 1]

  System Title: Dimensional DrifterCurrent Objectives:? [Survive]? [Protect Tony Stark - Priority: CRITICAL]? [Alter the Timeline: TBD]

  He focused on the Third Eye entry.

  [Third Eye - Stage 1: Perception Initiate]

  Core Functions:— See (Analyze truth beyond physical yers)— Comprehend (Interpret powers, skills, intentions)— Obtain (Copy traits , skills and stats of target once per cycle)— Evolve (Unlock higher stages of power as soul develops)

  Note: Overuse may cause cognitive strain or synaptic burnout.