Kamar-Taj.
The Ancient One calmly stepped into the library.
"Supreme Sorcerer." Magus Emir quickly rose from his chair and bowed respectfully.
"Emir," she nodded without stopping. Her steps were light yet decisive as she walked between the shelves, heading toward the back of the library.
"Has the Supreme Sorcerer come to use the Eye of Agamotto?" Emir asked, hurrying after her.
"Something like that," the Ancient One replied.
The truth was simple — she was bored. She wanted to take a brief look at the flow of time, perhaps visit her future student, Stephen Strange. Besides tea and quiet reflection, this was her favorite way to spend a peaceful moment.
Together they arrived at the stone platform where the Eye of Agamotto rested. The Ancient One reached out and carefully lifted it.
But at that very moment, her expression changed.
Something was wrong.
This was not the real Eye of Agamotto.
"Supreme Sorcerer, what's the matter?" Emir asked, seeing her freeze.
"This… is fake."
"What?!" Emir was stunned. "Fake!? You're saying the Eye of Agamotto is fake!?"
His voice echoed through the library, distorted by shock and disbelief.
"Impossible!" he continued quickly. "I've been here the whole time! No one except a few magi coming for books has approached this place! I haven't noticed anything unusual!"
"Yes, I know," said the Ancient One quietly, tightening her grip on the object in her hand.
The sound of breaking filled the room.
The artifact shattered in her palm, turning into worthless fragments that clattered onto the stone floor.
Emir's jaw dropped. "By the gods…"
The Ancient One slowly lowered her gaze. By appearance, the copy was perfect, identical shape, same aura, same energy. But just a moment of holding it was enough to reveal the truth.
The real Eye of Agamotto carried the power of the Vishanti within it, true, raw energy that could not be imitated. No known magic, no trick, could replicate such an artifact.
"Supreme Sorcerer…" Emir stammered, staring at the fragments. "Who would dare…?"
"I know who," said the Ancient One, exhaling slowly.
In the entire world, there was only one person in Kamar-Taj who had both the courage and the skill, to do such a thing.
Alaric.
Of course.
He came back today. He borrowed a pile of magic books today. And today, the Eye of Agamotto vanished.
The Ancient One brushed her hand across her forehead.
"That boy…" she murmured. "You've done something again, haven't you?"
It was almost as if she could hear him somewhere far away saying, "I didn't do anything!"
"Who is it? Who took the Eye of Agamotto?!" Emir shouted, anger boiling over.
"It was Alaric," replied the Ancient One calmly.
"Whoever it was—" he began, but stopped suddenly. "Wait… Alaric?"
The change on his face was immediate. His angry tone vanished, replaced by an awkward smile. "Ah… then it's fine."
The Ancient One looked at him from beneath her brows. "Why aren't you angry anymore?"
"Well, Master Alaric is the future Supreme Sorcerer, isn't he?" Emir said sincerely. "He has the right to use the Eye of Agamotto."
The Ancient One just sighed. "I hope you're right."
She raised her hand and activated her Sling Ring, wanting to open a portal to the New York Sanctum.
Sparks appeared… then immediately went out.
She tried again. Nothing.
She looked at the ring, then at the space before her.
"…What?"
The golden light flickered once more and then vanished.
The Ancient One raised her eyebrows.
"My magic failed?!"
In disbelief, she stared at her own hands.
She, the Supreme Sorcerer, guardian of Earth, master of space and time, could not open a basic portal.
"Supreme Sorcerer, what's happening?" Emir asked in confusion, watching as the Ancient One tried again to open a portal.
Was it really possible? That even she, the Supreme Sorcerer, couldn't create a portal?
"I'll try again!" said the Ancient One through gritted teeth and raised her Sling Ring. Sparks appeared but immediately went out.
Another attempt, again, nothing.
Even the most powerful sorceress on Earth couldn't open a portal to the New York Sanctum.
"Emir! You try!" she shouted in frustration.
"R-right away, Supreme Sorcerer!" he answered, jolted by her tone.
He prepared himself, raised his hand, and focused on the magic.
"Uh, what's the destination?" he asked hesitantly.
"The New York Sanctum," the Ancient One replied, frowning.
"Oh, the New York Sanctum…" Emir murmured, but quickly corrected himself. "Ahem, I mean, no problem!"
When he saw the Ancient One didn't react, he took a deep breath and activated the spell.
The result, same as hers.
Sparks appeared, flickered, and vanished without a trace.
"What?! Why isn't it working?!" Emir shouted in shock. "Supreme Sorcerer… my portal failed too!"
"Try the other sanctums," the Ancient One said firmly.
Emir immediately tried again, this time toward the London Sanctum. And the portal opened.
"It can open!" he said with relief. "But only the New York Sanctum isn't responding! Did something happen there?"
The Ancient One fell silent, thinking.
"There shouldn't be a problem," she finally said. "I know exactly what's happening."
Her expression darkened, her gaze sharpening.
She rolled up her sleeves and started toward the library exit.
"Alaric! Wait for me!!"
Her voice, full of anger and determination, echoed through the halls of Kamar-Taj.
Because now she realized, Alaric had actually done what he said he would. He had managed to create magic that blocked portals inside the sanctum!
"Well done, boy," she muttered under her breath. "Did you really think you could block me?"
But now was not the time for jokes. If the portals were sealed, the only way to reach him was physically, through the magic doors.
"Have you forgotten, Alaric," she said angrily as she left, "that sanctum is my territory?!"
Emir remained standing there, utterly bewildered, staring into nothing.
"What did Alaric do to make the Ancient One this angry?" he whispered to himself.
Then he tried to open another portal out of curiosity and again, it failed.
---
Dark Dimension.
"You truly want to invite me to join the Dark Dimension?" asked Alaric, looking at Dormammu with genuine surprise.
Could it really be that someone like Dormammu, proud and immensely powerful, wanted to ally with him?
"You are exceptionally powerful," said Dormammu, his voice echoing like thunder.
"Your talent for magic surpasses anything I have ever seen. You are wasting your time in Kamar-Taj. You should come to me!"
His words echoed through the darkness.
"In the Dark Dimension, you won't be bound by mortal rules. You can use any magic you desire. You can become immortal!"
He paused, then added, "You can even learn from me. Abandon your fragile human body and gain true power!"
Alaric laughed. "Then can I become the ruler of the Dark Dimension?"
Dormammu fell silent.
That question cut through his speech like a blade to his pride.
Yes, he wanted Alaric on his side, but not as an equal. As a weapon. As a tool he could use to expand his dominion and destroy other dimensions.
His silence was answer enough.
"I can offer you a future no mortal could ever imagine," he said finally.
"I'm sorry," replied Alaric calmly. "I don't trust you."
Dormammu's face twisted in anger. "Then there's no choice, Alaric… if you won't serve me, then you'll give me your power!"