Wanda's lips moved.
After a moment, she averted her gaze awkwardly. "Almost... I guess."
Her training with Malrick had involved receiving secret manuals on illusion and psychokinesis, which she studied independently. Malrick would periodically check her progress and spar with her using powers that mimicked her own.
In just under two months, Wanda had made immense progress—though the process was anything but smooth. Injuries were common during these intense sessions. Her punk haircut and the bruises scattered across her body were clear signs of the battles she'd endured.
Moments ago, she had still been frustrated by how harsh Malrick was during training. But after hearing about Pietro's experience, she suddenly realized how fortunate she'd been.
Compared to her brother, Malrick had actually been gentle with her.
So when Pietro asked how she managed, she gave a guilty smile.
"Pietro, hang in there," she encouraged. "We both got through it, and look how much stronger we are."
Pietro, however, now found himself full of doubt.
He stared at Malrick blankly. "Am I just… too weak?"
Malrick smiled gently. "Everyone has moments of doubt. The difference is you trained alone. It's normal to feel overwhelmed. But don't let that shake your confidence."
"So... this is normal?" Pietro muttered, glancing at Malrick. He suddenly felt like a fool.
Malrick had placed so much trust in him—spent time training him, helping him unlock his abilities—and here he was, crying and second-guessing everything.
Was he really worthy of that kind of effort?
Pietro clenched his teeth, then wiped away his tears with his tattered sleeve. His eyes were still red, but now they burned with determination.
"I get it now. Malrick, don't worry. I'll use everything I've learned these past two months to help protect the Sanctum Sanctorum."
Malrick's expression softened with relief. "I knew I could count on you. Go with Wong to the Hong Kong Sanctum. The Earth needs you."
Pietro, energized by Malrick's trust, shouted, "Yes!" and stepped beside Wong with pride.
Young adults like Pietro—especially in their late teens or early twenties—were easily swayed by emotional appeals. Mentioning duty, heroism, or saving the world was enough to get them charging into battle with unwavering courage.
In those moments, they felt like heroes, willing to sacrifice everything.
Malrick knew that feeling all too well.
After all, in a previous life, his own heroic impulse had cost him everything.
That's why he knew how to reach Pietro—and why he poured so much of himself into Pietro's training.
In the movies, Pietro was a speedster who could be taken down by a bullet.
Without proper training, Malrick feared he'd fall to the first minion of a Dimensional Demon God.
Then Malrick turned to Wanda.
"Wanda, stay here in the Sanctum with Banner. Like him, go wherever the situation is most dangerous."
After two months of training, Wanda's growth was staggering—almost absurd. When Malrick faced her in battle, he had to use psychokinesis at mid-to-late planetary level strength—tens of thousands of tons of force.
However, her true power lay only in her Chaos Magic.
Her physical strength, even after receiving the SS1 serum, capped at around 30 tons. That wasn't enough to hold off most threats in close quarters.
Anyone on Malrick's team—aside from Wong and Mordo—could still easily overpower her if they got close.
Wanda's magic also required an activation gesture. Though unnecessary, it was a subconscious habit she hadn't broken. That delay was all a skilled opponent needed.
"I understand," Wanda said with a nod.
She and Pietro had been recruited by Malrick to protect the Sanctums, awakened to their powers, and trained for that purpose. Obeying orders was part of the job.
Malrick then turned to the others. "Is everyone ready?"
Wong answered confidently. "All three Sanctums are prepared. We can begin."
"We'll hold them off," Mordo added. "But Malrick—be careful."
"I will," Malrick said, walking toward Kaecilius, who was restrained nearby. "I'll handle this one… But something's missing."
He paused, realizing what it was.
"Right—Kaecilius's accomplices."
Activating both super-vision and enhanced hearing, Malrick scanned the city in an instant.
From the group's perspective, his form blurred momentarily.
A second later, eight unconscious sorcerers appeared on the ground—dressed in matching robes, their eyes marked with the same smoky imprint of the Dark Dimension as Kaecilius.
"These the ones who attacked the London Sanctum with him?" Malrick asked.
Wong examined them with surprise. "They're all here. Plus five extra."
"Consider it a bonus round," Malrick quipped.
Using psychokinesis, he levitated the unconscious figures and brought Kaecilius to him with a wave.
"I'm off to say hello to Dormammu. Whether anything happens or not—stay alert and ready."
He carried the nine captured sorcerers toward the World Ring, now installed in place of the Eye of Agamotto, and stepped through.
Malrick vanished.
Silence settled over the Sanctum.
Everyone remained tense, each quietly preparing for what lay ahead.
Suddenly, Pietro spoke up. "You know, Malrick's powers are kind of insane."
The others looked at him.
He explained quickly, "Think about it—in a DC comic, Batman would need like two issues just to track down one of those followers. Malrick? He just blinked and found them all."
"And don't even get me started on his speed. He brought them back before we could even react."
He sighed. "Super speed was supposed to be my thing."
"No wonder the comics always show Superman getting taken out early in a story—if he were around the whole time, they'd only need a few pages."
The room burst into laughter.
They'd all been thinking the same thing—Malrick was just absurdly overpowered.
Worse, he never stopped pushing himself.
It was maddening.
"Alright, super boys—and girl—enough talk," Tony said, stepping forward. "Time to take our positions."
Despite his worry for Malrick, Pietro's little rant had lightened the mood and reminded Tony of something important.
Malrick's strength was beyond what they could comprehend.
There was no point in worrying.
It was time to face their own battles.
Iron Man couldn't falter—not even in the face of a Dimensional Demon God.
"Stay sharp, Tony," Wong and Mordo reminded him, stepping through their respective portals.
"Let me know if anything goes sideways," Banner added, flexing his arms. "Hulk's not holding back this time."
"Copy that!" Tony gave a salute and vanished through a portal.
Wanda called after her brother, who followed Wong through his own gateway. "Be careful, Pietro! Let me know if anything happens."
"Relax," Pietro grinned, wiping his nose. "Those two months of training weren't for nothing. Even if ten thousand enemies charge in, I've got this."
In the infinite threads of the Marvel multiverse,
The first battle between Kamar-Taj and a Dimensional Demon God was about to begin.
---