Malrick shrugged. "Tony, stay put. I'll update you once we've sorted this out."
With that, he and Wong exited the inner hall, Mordo following quietly behind. Tony's holographic projection protested from behind, shouting, "Wait!" but none of them looked back.
"It's okay, Tony," said Banner kindly. "I'll take you with me." He picked up the communicator and followed with the projection.
Wong led Malrick into the Kamar-Taj library. Familiar rows of ancient books lined the space, casting long shadows in the dim, warm light. Past the outer shelves, a chilling sight came into view.
Suspended upside down in mid-air was a man wearing a faded brown robe. Dreadlocks hung downward, his face tightly clenched in a silent grimace. His eye sockets were ringed in necrotic black flesh, as though permanently scorched by some dark force.
Malrick narrowed his eyes, already guessing who it was.
"That's Kaecilius," Wong confirmed.
"Not long ago, he attacked the former librarian and... beheaded him. Then he led a group of disciples away from Kamar-Taj. He's extremely dangerous."
Tony's projection examined him, expression wary. Even unconscious, Kaecilius exuded menace—like a serpent lying in wait.
"I don't need magic to know this guy's bad news," Tony muttered. "But you said he's dangerous, yet you knocked him out? Little full of yourself, aren't you?"
Wong shook his head gravely. "He underestimated us."
"A few hours ago, Kaecilius and his followers stormed the London Sanctum. He must've learned of the Ancient One's death. With full preparation, he came to destroy the Sanctum Sanctorum."
Malrick frowned. The timing wasn't surprising.
"Thankfully," Wong continued, "Tony's upgrades to our communication and alarm systems alerted us the moment they attacked. Mordo and I responded immediately."
Wong shot a glance at Tony. "Kaecilius didn't see me as a threat. While he battled Mordo, I hit him with a stunning spell—didn't even expect it to work. But it did."
"We defeated his followers and brought him back here. He's been contained with the Inverted Bell and immobilized by magic ever since."
Malrick nodded. Wong had played a crucial role, and even Tony's technical enhancements had proven their worth.
Two weeks earlier, Wong and Mordo had drafted a reform plan for Kamar-Taj's magical education. At Malrick's suggestion, Tony had modernized their systems, installing projection devices and learning aids throughout the Sanctum. Now, masters could access recorded training sessions at the tap of a wrist.
A data-driven cultivation system was even in place, matching each practitioner with the spells most compatible with their energy signature.
Mordo and Banner had also finalized plans for a magical beast breeding facility to supply necessary materials for potion crafting. It was a new age for Kamar-Taj—organized, futuristic, and thriving.
"Well done, Wong," Malrick said, clapping him on the back. "But if Kaecilius is subdued, what's the current threat?"
"Nothing immediate," Wong admitted, his pride barely contained. "But your absence from the Sanctum unsettled us."
Mordo chimed in, face troubled. "Kaecilius's allies will return. Their goal will be to free him."
"And we can't risk that," Wong added.
"Our best course of action is execution," Mordo continued, though the words clearly weighed on him. "But that's your decision, Malrick."
Malrick crossed his arms. "No. I have a better plan."
He looked to the two sorcerers, his tone sharpening. "After the Ancient One's death, the attacks from Dimensional entities have only increased. They're testing Earth's defenses."
Mordo nodded grimly. "The Hell Lords, the lesser Demon Gods, they're all sending scouts."
Malrick's expression hardened. "Then we can't just sit back and play defense. That only drains our strength. It's time we take the offensive."
"Offensive?" Mordo asked, stunned. "You want to counterattack?"
"Exactly. Show overwhelming strength so they think twice about targeting Earth."
"This attack by Kaecilius is a gift," Malrick added, voice low. "It's the perfect opportunity."
Though careful and methodical by nature, Malrick didn't hesitate when decisive action was needed. The Ancient One had warned him the Multiverse war had already begun. In other universes, Earth's heroes were already facing variants of Kang.
And worse.
With Mephisto and other Hell Lords likely eyeing Earth, Malrick knew his ascension to Sorcerer Supreme meant more than guarding against Dormammu. He had to confront multiple cosmic threats.
The only option was to strike first—send a message no entity could ignore.
"Okay," Mordo said cautiously. "But who exactly do we strike? Dormammu? In his own dimension?"
"That's suicide," Banner added from the side.
"In their home dimensions, the Demon Gods are omnipotent," Mordo explained. "They are the dimension. That's what makes them so powerful."
Malrick nodded. "I know. Dormammu's power comes from the Dark Dimension. In that realm, he could defeat even an avatar of Eternity. His strength there borders on godhood."
he added, "Dormammu is still no pushover—especially not at home."
"So we don't fight him there," Malrick continued. "We lure him out. Then seal the exit and crush him here."
Mordo looked confused. "How do we lure Dormammu to Earth without risking everything?"
Malrick reached into his pocket and held up a shimmering ring—the kind used to open portals between worlds.
He glanced at Kaecilius, whose face remained twisted in unconscious defiance.
"We've got the bait," Malrick said. "And the summoner. Time to ring the devil's doorbell."
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