"They're Amazon warriors from Paradise Island," Malrick explained to Wong, who stood nearby with a puzzled expression.
"From now on, Paradise Island will exist within this pocket dimension, right beneath that lake. Make sure everyone knows not to disturb them."
Wong nodded, though his brow furrowed slightly. This world had been created by Malrick — the Sorcerer Supreme — and if there was one rule in Kamar-Taj, it was simple: when the Sorcerer Supreme speaks, you listen.
"I'll inform the others tomorrow. Anything else?" Wong asked, already glancing toward the academy, clearly eager to return to his work.
Malrick raised an eyebrow. "Why are you still awake at this hour? You're the only one on the island."
"I'm finalizing the curriculum for the academy," Wong replied. "Almost done — I'll have the proposal ready in two weeks at most."
He waved as he hurried off. "If there's nothing else, I'm heading back to the Kamar-Taj library for my shift. I'm already late."
Malrick shook his head as Wong vanished into the distance.
"Still the same old Wong. Works himself half to death, yet the weight loss results never show."
Turning back to Diana and Kara, he smiled. "Come on. Let's take another walk through the academy."
They left the fire dragons resting by the river that cut through the island and toured the gleaming halls of the half-built Mage Academy. Later, the dragons carried them back to Paradise Island, soaring through the starlit sky.
After exploring the breathtaking scenery of Malrick's world, even Queen Hippolyta had to admit — it wasn't a bad place to stay.
Her warriors were thrilled. As soon as they landed, they surrounded Diana, volunteering to help carve protective runes that would seal the island from outsiders. They moved quickly, anxious that the Queen might change her mind.
Working together, the Amazons finished inscribing the runes in just over an hour. Diana then channeled her divine power, activating the glowing sigils.
Golden light rippled across Paradise Island, washing over the trees and cliffs. From that moment on, only those present at the activation could freely enter or leave the island.
When Hippolyta made no move to rescind her decision, cheers erupted among the Amazons.
As night fell, the world grew still. Though only a single night had passed in the DCEU universe, Malrick, Diana, and Kara remained on Paradise Island.
"Kara and I each have our own rooms?" Malrick asked, grinning. "That's unnecessary. We can just rest in your chambers, Diana — no need to disturb anyone else."
With that mischievous glint in his eye, he pulled both Diana and Kara close — a wolf among lambs.
The ever-trusting Diana, pure as always, didn't see the trap in his smile. She agreed without hesitation.
That night, neither she nor Kara got much sleep.
From outside, Queen Hippolyta sighed deeply, hands on her temples. Her daughter was walking the same path she once had — falling deeper by the hour.
---
By morning, the three sat together at the edge of the floating island, gazing at the mirror-like lake below. Diana and Kara curled close beside Malrick like contented kittens.
Even with Diana's divine physiology and Kara's Kryptonian resilience, both looked tired but serene.
"So, you both really want to come with me to New York?" Malrick asked, brushing a strand of hair from Kara's cheek. "It's not exactly paradise."
Diana tilted her head. "It can't be worse than Gotham. Wonder Woman told me it's the darkest city on Earth." She smiled faintly. "I want to see what human life is really like. You promised me, remember?"
"If possible, I'd like to study, maybe work at a museum — like my counterpart did."
Malrick nodded. "I can pull a few strings at Columbia University. I graduated from there not long ago — the dean still likes me."
Diana's lips curved in amusement. "Does he like your intellect, or your bank account?"
He chuckled. "Probably both." Then he looked to Kara. "And you?"
"I want to get stronger," Kara said softly. "I can absorb sunlight anywhere, but I want to train — to push myself. I'll go to New York too."
The morning light painted her features gold. She looked almost ethereal — and for a moment, Malrick saw a reflection of his younger self in her determination.
"If you want to grow stronger," he said, "you could use the spacecraft I used to train in orbit. It gets pure solar radiation up there. You can go during the day and return at night."
Kara nodded thoughtfully. "Then I'll sunbathe by day and come back to see you at night."
Malrick grinned. "Perfect. The three of us together again at night."
Diana shot him a sharp look. "Not happening. Last night was the only time."
He raised a brow. "I see. So when tomorrow comes, tonight becomes 'last night'... that means—"
"Don't push your luck," she interrupted, though her laughter broke through despite herself.
The three laughed together, warmth and sunlight filling the morning air.
Then, a familiar voice called from behind them.
"Oh, Malrick, why are you with Natasha and Yelena here...?"
The voice trailed off as its owner froze mid-sentence.
Malrick turned — and his heart skipped.
It was Wanda Maximoff.
Morning in Kamar-Taj meant it was still deep night in New York. She held a worn leather-bound spellbook in her hands, clearly returning it after a long day of classes and patrols.
Kamar-Taj had recently begun lending non-restricted tomes, copied by Wong himself. Wanda must have just finished reading one.
"Wanda? You're back early," Malrick said, voice careful.
But her expression had already shifted — her bright eyes darkening to a deep, smoldering red.
The color reminded him of something dangerous. Her gaze... it wasn't right. It had the same unsettling calm he'd once seen in unstable souls — the kind that whispered "If I can't have you, no one can."
(Bro got himself a Yandere, lmao)
Malrick felt a chill crawl up his spine. Wanda wasn't that unstable, was she?
"Wanda... are you okay?" he asked quietly, slowly releasing his arms from around Diana and Kara.
Something was off. Very off.
Wanda had always known he was a flirt — it had never seemed to bother her before. But now, her reaction was... extreme.
Diana leaned closer and whispered, "Is this the Wanda you told me about?" Her hand drifted protectively toward Malrick's waist.
Wanda tilted her head, voice calm but trembling with emotion. "Who are they?"
Her eyes dropped to Diana's hand resting against Malrick's side.
The spellbook in Wanda's other hand pulsed with red light — the Chaos Magic flaring to life.
Malrick's enhanced vision caught the faint shimmer of energy forming in her palm.
His instincts screamed.
Something was very, very wrong.
__
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The code will be active from that day until the end of the month.
Stay tuned