Mordo's already feverish mind burned hotter as he stared at the ring, the heat of realization making him light-headed.
Was this some sort of Supreme Artifact? One so powerful that even Dormammu would abandon the Dark Dimension for it?
"Inside this is a world," Malrick said simply, offering no further explanation as he led the group into the ring's domain.
A moment later, they were staring out at a vast continent stretching beneath them, with distant galaxies shimmering in a dark, endless sky. After giving them a brief glimpse, Malrick returned them to the library.
"The length, width, and height of that world are each one trillion kilometers—roughly 0.1 light-years," he explained.
"I believe that with a temptation like this, Dormammu won't be able to resist."
Malrick tossed the ring into the air casually.
"While Earth has always held a unique attraction for Dormammu, this ring should be just as alluring."
He conjured several glowing chains of magic to anchor the ring in place, then cast layers of defensive runes from the Book of the Vishanti around it.
"The world inside the ring is a self-contained dimension. Think of it as a microcosm embedded within our universe."
"So, I'll take Kaecilius into the ring to perform the summoning ritual."
"At that moment, Dormammu will bypass the protection of the Sanctum Sanctorum and enter directly into the world inside the ring."
Malrick clapped his hands lightly, brushing off invisible dust. "And that's where I'll face him. If I can drive him away, the plan will succeed."
He wasn't sure he could defeat Dormammu—not entirely. But he was confident he wouldn't lose.
Mordo and the others were still dazed from witnessing the ring's internal world. Now, as Malrick spoke, they gaped in stunned silence.
Their gazes shifted toward him, as if they were 19th-century villagers seeing a steamship roar into the harbor for the first time.
"A... personal world?" Mordo muttered in disbelief.
Wong's heart twisted with a pang of grief. "You're really going to sacrifice something so priceless?"
Dr. Banner scratched the back of his head. "Is Dormammu really worth using a treasure like that?"
Only Tony Stark seemed disconnected from the conversation, his translucent projection flickering in and out.
"What world? What the hell are you all talking about?" he asked, glancing around. "I've been trying to follow this whole Sanctum, Dimensional Demon God, Dormammu stuff... but what even is it?"
Tony hadn't yet learned the mystic arts of Kamar-Taj. His grasp on these otherworldly topics was nonexistent.
Wong looked at Tony with a sigh. As expected, ignorance really was bliss.
"You haven't grasped it yet, but Kamar-Taj's real responsibility is to defend Earth from beings that don't belong here—from entities in other dimensions."
"Political issues and wars aren't our concern. Our true enemies are beings like Dormammu—Dimensional Demon Gods who want to devour Earth."
"And our strongest defense is the Sanctum Sanctorum, created by Agamotto, the first Sorcerer Supreme."
"There are three Sanctum: in London, Hong Kong, and New York. Together, they form a protective shield over the entire planet."
"If those Sanctum fall, nothing will stop these demons from entering Earth."
"What Kaecilius wants is exactly that—he wants Dormammu, the ruler of the Dark Dimension, to consume this world."
Wong had explained all of it in a single breath, mostly to ground himself. He was still shaken by the world ring. But facing an entity like Dormammu... even sacrificing something that precious felt justified.
Still, it hurt.
He clenched his robe behind his back, the ache sharp. It wasn't even his, yet seeing it risked brought him a strange pain.
Across the room, Tony and Dr. Banner were quiet.
Both were still only beginners in magic, and this was the first they were hearing of this cosmic war.
In New York, Tony sat down in his office chair, staring out at the city. The night skyline burned red with neon, casting long shadows in the haze.
Behind all this life and energy, he now saw how close the world stood to disaster.
He used to think S.H.I.E.L.D.'s database had all the real secrets. Super-soldiers, aliens, world-ending threats—it was enough.
But this? This was a whole new level.
And now, he was part of it.
"I want in," Tony said suddenly, standing and slapping the desk. "Malrick, take me to Kamar-Taj. I want to help!"
Malrick raised an eyebrow. "Actually, I was planning to."
With a flick of his right hand—no Sling Ring needed—he opened a shimmering portal connecting Tony's office to the courtyard at Kamar-Taj.
One side showed the nighttime glow of New York; the other, the bright, cloudless sky of Kathmandu.
Tony grabbed his wand from the drawer and stepped through without hesitation.
Dr. Banner hesitated, his brow furrowed. "Malrick, are you really taking Tony? We're talking about Dormammu here. He might not make it back."
"Besides the big green guy inside me, most people wouldn't stand a chance."
"I want to come too. Let's go together."
He put down his briefcase—inside it were the magical creatures he cherished most.
If this was his final journey, he wanted someone to take care of them.
"Hold on, Dr. Banner," Malrick said, waving a hand. "Don't put that down just yet."
He gave a strained smile. "I'm not taking you with me. Against Dormammu, I'll manage. I'm only taking Kaecilius and his followers into the ring to summon him."
"You all have a different job."
He glanced at each of them in turn. "When Dormammu exits the Dark Dimension, it won't just be him. Other entities from beyond may notice the breach."
"And if they do, they'll use the distraction to strike the Sanctum."
"That's where you come in."
Malrick didn't ask for input—this was an order.
"Wong, head to Hong Kong. Lead the sorcerers there and defend the Sanctum."
"Mordo, go to the London Sanctum. Take Grandmaster Daniel and Grandmaster Hamir with you."
"Tony, you'll handle the New York Sanctum. You can coordinate with the Men in Black."
"Dr. Banner, stay here at Kamar-Taj. Move wherever you're most needed when things go bad."
Wong and Mordo exchanged a glance. This was a Sorcerer Supreme's command.
They bowed in unison. "Understood."
Then Malrick turned to Tony, pausing. "By the way... are the Maximoff twins still giving you a hard time?"
Tony waved it off. "They're doing okay. They said, 'Let time prove everything.' Sounds civil enough, right? No threats or anything. Why?"
"Good. Then I can bring them here safely." Malrick stepped through a new portal.
"Wait—bring them? You're serious? What for?" Tony called after him, confused.
"Because they're talented," Malrick's voice echoed back.
"And they can help defend the Sanctum."
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