Thanos's private cabin was empty.
The massive and intimidating purple figure had vanished without a trace, leaving behind only the cold, ominous throne.
The five members of the Black Order had gathered here.
Supergiant, a cosmic-level scout, began a detailed examination of every particle of energy and trace in the room.
After exhaustive analysis, the conclusion was clear:
Thanos had disappeared.
Based on the residual spatial disturbance in the cabin, Supergiant concluded that a spatial rift had opened, but without a defined destination.
Most likely, Thanos had entered that rift and was teleported somewhere extremely far away, so far that even quantum communication could not establish contact.
"Well… what do we do now?"
Black Dwarf, a giant with immense physical strength and durability, almost like a space version of the Hulk, was the first to speak.
Unlike the other members of the Black Order, his loyalty to Thanos was more a matter of the survival of his entire race than conviction.
Corvus Glaive, the leader of the five generals, did not share his concern.
"Calm yourself," said Corvus, his piercing gaze sweeping over all present.
"No matter where he went, Thanos will return. Do not forget, our master is a man who cannot die."
He paused for a moment, then continued firmly:
"Even if he is absent for now, we continue with the plan. Our task is to find and seize the Infinity Stones."
His words resounded like a command.
"Supergiant, continue tracking the traces of the Soul Stone. We must accelerate the search!"
"Understood," replied Supergiant briefly, nodded, and wordlessly left the room. Her slender figure disappeared into the corridor.
Corvus then turned his attention to the others: Black Dwarf, Ebony Maw, and Proxima Midnight.
"The fall of the Ancient One's power has become a fact," he said coldly.
"We no longer have any reason to fear her. Odin has also been gone for some time. No one on Earth can stop us anymore."
He raised his long, spear-like weapon and continued:
"The four remaining unrefined Infinity Stones will soon be within reach. We must complete the mission before Thanos returns."
Corvus's message was clear: even if the leader was gone, their mission was not over. They had to keep advancing and accomplish the task entrusted to them, so that Thanos would be satisfied upon his return.
"Thanos will return," said Corvus, and there was not the slightest hint of doubt in his voice.
"With the Power Stone in his hands, he will be invincible wherever he goes. It is on us to fulfill our tasks and be ready for his return."
He raised his hand and decisively commanded:
"Raise the army! Course – Earth!"
The massive fleet of the Black Order's warship moved through the darkness of space, like a coming storm, determined to conquer its target.
This coming battle, they believed, was already won.
…
Meanwhile, on Earth.
Aron and Wanda, after a long search and traveling across the world, had finally found the trail they sought.
In a small Eastern European country, in a remote village on the edge of a dense forest, lay the hideout of the witch Agatha.
Before reaching her, the two had encountered many solitary and reclusive sorcerers and mystics on their journey.
One of them was a wizard named Dakeem, an old man with a long white beard and a cloak reminiscent of Santa Claus's clothing.
There was also a priestess, Jennifer, specializing in illusions, hypnosis, and explosive spells.
Another mystical figure was the witch Topaz, known for her healing magic and her ability to remove fear and hatred from people's hearts, even to breathe life force into lifeless lands and make deserts bloom.
Each of these hermits and recluses had their unique abilities, and Aron carefully observed all he could learn from them.
However, the encounter that remained most vivid in his memory happened in a distant city in Great Britain.
An old man who introduced himself as Merlin claimed to be the guardian and overseer of the cosmos, a being that had witnessed the birth and death of universes.
"You speak as if you are even more powerful than the Living Tribunal itself," said Aron coldly, looking at the old man with disbelief.
But whenever Aron so much as slightly raised his hand, Merlin would immediately go into defense, begging for mercy, claiming that he was only an astral double, giving nonsensical excuses and explanations.
Aron did not believe a single word.
Upon leaving that place, he decided not to hide his displeasure, kicked Merlin's staff, and even took a lighter to burn the ends of his long white beard.
"You, guardian of the universe?" said Aron coldly, his voice dripping with irony.
"I don't believe a word you say. If you truly have that power, then come yourself and face me."
…
And now, the reason Aron and Wanda so quickly found Agatha's hideout was thanks to the witch they had encountered earlier – Topaz.
Topaz had once belonged to an organization known as the Witches, in which Agatha herself had been a member.
With her guidance, Aron and Wanda didn't have to waste time guessing or searching; Topaz led them straight to the goal.
Before them rose an old medieval European castle, with elements of Gothic architecture.
When they opened the rusty, creaking courtyard gates, they were met by a yard overgrown with dry grass and covered in leaves. Ivy climbed up the stone walls, and everything looked as if it had been abandoned for hundreds of years.
"Be careful, there are Lunar runes here," Wanda whispered as soon as she stepped into the yard.
Aron looked in the direction she was watching and noticed a wall covered in ivy. Beneath the thin, green tendrils, an engraved symbol could be faintly seen, faintly glowing.
"Why are you so cautious?" he asked.
He waved his hand.
BOOM!
In an instant, the entire courtyard shook and exploded under the force of his power. The fence was turned to dust, the lawn flattened to the ground, and the earth split open, revealing a dark, fresh surface.
But in the place where the wall had once stood, several glowing runes still floated in the air.
These were the Lunar runes Wanda had spoken of.
"These runes restrict the use of magic," she explained quietly. "Within their range, only the one who set them can use magic. But… clearly, that doesn't work on you."
"The Ancient One taught me how to break those runes," she added after a brief pause.
Aron smiled and gently ruffled her hair.
"My clever Wanda," he praised her.
Unlike the Wanda from the movie universe (Earth-199999), this Wanda, thanks to the Ancient One's training, deeply understood chaotic magic and mastered knowledge that was often neglected elsewhere.
"What do you say I leave this opponent to you?" asked Aron, with a barely noticeable note of challenge in his voice.
He did not get an answer.
BOOM!
The heavy castle doors suddenly burst open and slammed against the walls, and from within leapt a massive black panther, growling softly.
Behind it stepped a woman in a dark cloak, her gaze cold, with her hand extended forward, a dark purple, ominous energy flickering in her palm.
"Who are you?" asked Agatha, her eyes fixed on the two intruders.
The moment her gaze fell on Wanda, she saw the red glow in her eyes, a sign of Chaos Magic.
Agatha's expression changed dramatically: surprise was quickly replaced by a greedy gleam.
Inside, she knew: she possessed a forbidden spell that allowed her to absorb others' magic.
And now…
Before her stood a girl who carried the most powerful source of magic she had ever desired – Chaos Magic.
If she succeeded, Agatha could absorb that force and become the most powerful sorceress in the entire universe.
Her lips curled into a wide smile, and a deep, almost classical witch's laugh burst from her throat.
"Hahaha…"
As she laughed, her gaze fell upon Aron.
At first, she barely noticed him; he seemed to her like an ordinary man, without any special aura or recognizable power.
But then…
She felt something that made her suddenly grow serious. She couldn't precisely define what it was, but her instincts screamed a warning.
She tried to look at Aron once more, but felt an overwhelming pressure, almost as if just one more moment of staring could destroy her.
She froze, held her breath, and unconsciously took half a step back.
For the first time in many years, Agatha felt a spark of true fear.
–––
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