Unlike its depiction in the films, the Cloak of Levitation had a very different origin in the Marvel comics.
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the cloak was essentially a gift from the Ancient One to Doctor Strange—a magical artifact with a will of its own, often acting playfully while still possessing formidable power.
But in the comics, Strange only acquired the Cloak of Levitation after defeating Dormammu, the ruler of the Dark Dimension.
And in that version, the cloak had no mind of its own. No quirky personality. No mischievous antics. Its use was based entirely on the user's control and synchronization of will.
At one point in the comics, Strange even expanded the cloak to cover the entire solar system. Compared to that, the version shown in the films was a pale shadow.
But that wasn't exactly the movies' fault. Even with modern visual effects, it was difficult to fully capture the sheer scale of Marvel's cosmic settings. And when you tried to put heroes with wildly different power levels into a single story, the studio had no choice but to tone some down and boost others up for the sake of balance.
That was especially obvious in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. A few narrative missteps, a few power inconsistencies—that was the price of balance.
By contrast, the Marvel comics operated on a far larger scale. Which naturally meant that the comic version of the Cloak of Levitation was vastly stronger and more versatile.
For someone like Senju Haruto, this was ideal. He had no interest in tools that thought for themselves. He wanted artifacts that obeyed him completely.
The moment he obtained the cloak, Haruto opened a portal to the Mirror Dimension and pulled every sorcerer present inside.
That way, the New York Sanctum itself wouldn't suffer any damage. And if worst came to worst… well, the Ancient One could always rewind time with the Time Stone.
Arthur and the other sorcerers looked around, confirming they were inside the Mirror Dimension. At the same time, they were struck by Haruto's audacity.
His power was unquestionable—but to challenge over a hundred sorcerers at once?
These were not novices. Each one had passed the Kamar-Taj trials. Each one had fought dimensional invaders in real combat. Their experience surpassed that of most sorcerers back in Kamar-Taj.
And more importantly, this was New York.
The center of Earth in the Marvel universe. The city where nearly every great event unfolded—heroes and villains alike born and broken here. Naturally, it was also the most targeted by dimensional invaders.
Even if one sorcerer couldn't hope to rival Haruto, what about all of them together?
A hundred voices chanting, a hundred spells weaving into one, their mana combined into a single fusion spell.
Whether for offense or defense, the combined might of so many was not to be underestimated.
"Use every method you like."
Haruto's words cut through the silence, calm yet absolute.
But he had no intention of fighting them with Susanoo, the True Thousand Hands, or even drawing his Zanpakutō.
He wouldn't use his magic. He wouldn't call on the Eye of Agamotto.
Unless they somehow forced his hand, he would hold back completely.
A faint, playful smile tugged at his lips.
From behind him, the Cloak of Levitation floated free, unfurling as if answering his unspoken command.
Arthur and the others froze. The sight immediately brought to mind the cloak once worn by the Ancient One herself.
Similar at first glance, yes. But Haruto's cloak was different—subtly, unmistakably so.
"Haruto… are you planning to use that artifact against us?"
Arthur's voice wavered. He had assumed Haruto, by allowing a hundred sorcerers to attack him at once, would meet them with Susanoo, or a Wood Dragon, or some technique of that magnitude.
He had never imagined this.
Against the combined might of the New York Sanctum's sorcerers—Haruto wouldn't even use magic.
Arthur swallowed hard. This wasn't "holding back."
This was letting the ocean flow free. No—more than that. It was like letting an entire galaxy pour forth.
And still, Haruto simply clasped his hands behind his back, standing calmly in place. No defensive stance, no spell prepared, no hint of worry.
Just unshakable confidence.
"If that's the case…" Arthur said at last, "then we have no choice but to accept."
He spread his hands, crimson runes flickering into existence before him.
One by one, the sorcerers followed, circles of power forming all around the Mirror Dimension. Their mana gathered, combining, rising into a single immense tide.
This was their strongest fusion spell. In Arthur's mind, it was the mightiest attack the New York Sanctum could muster.
Not a spell meant for ordinary battles. Not for minor invaders.
This was the kind of force you'd unleash against an end-of-the-world scenario.
If an outsider saw this scene, they'd assume Earth itself was under attack by some apocalyptic demon lord.
In less than ten breaths, the spell took shape—a colossal white sphere of energy.
It dwarfed Uchiha Madara's meteorite technique. A miniature star hanging in the Mirror Dimension, brimming with destructive force.
"What an impressive power," Haruto murmured, almost in admiration.
But all it took was a single thought, a single flicker of intent.
And the Cloak of Levitation responded.
In the space of a heartbeat, it expanded, swelling until it was larger than the sorcerers' "asteroid."
Arthur and the others stared in disbelief. Such a weapon… none of them had ever even heard of a cloak like this.
"Just how many artifacts does Haruto have…?" Arthur whispered.
He had already heard Mordo speak of the Zanpakutō. He had seen Haruto wield the Eye of Agamotto. And now, this—this impossible cloak.
Haruto's strength was monstrous beyond words.
And yet, though they were shocked, not a single sorcerer backed down.
They poured out every last drop of mana into their spell, determined to give this attack everything they had.
Even if it drained them to nothing, they would strike with all their strength.
"Go!"
Arthur roared, and the massive orb of energy hurtled forward, slamming into the cloak.
The impact thundered like a storm tearing the heavens apart, a booming echo that shook the Mirror Dimension itself.
Every sorcerer held their breath.
Come on!
Even if it's only his artifact—
We have to break through!
But then the truth revealed itself.
The brilliant white orb began to shrink. Its energy dissipated outward, scattering harmlessly into the Mirror Dimension.
No matter how they strained, no matter how much they poured into it…
Their combined might couldn't even scratch the Cloak of Levitation.
...
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