That kind of thing was not impossible.
At least, in Nolan's eyes, it was exactly the sort of thing the Ancient One would do.
Balthazar, of course, had no idea what Nolan was thinking.
"How could something like this happen?" he asked, his voice filled with confusion and concern.
The death of a Sorcerer Supreme was no small matter, no matter the cause.
At Balthazar's question, Wong's expression darkened with anger.
"There was a traitor in Kamar-Taj."
He then briefly explained what had happened.
Just as Nolan expected, not long ago, the Ancient One discovered that Mordo had been in contact with the Dark Dimension. While preparing to deal with the situation, Mordo erupted.
And not just emotionally. He unleashed everything.
From Nolan's perspective, the battle itself sounded absurd. In the end, the Ancient One fell from a great height.
A sorcerer, no matter how much stronger than an ordinary human, could not survive a fall like that.
So on the surface, her death seemed… reasonable.
Only Nolan knew better.
Reasonable? Not a chance.
He rolled his eyes inwardly.
The timing was far too perfect.
The Ancient One died just as he left Hogwarts to deal with Voldemort and the others.
"The new Sorcerer Supreme has already been appointed. Doctor Stephen Strange has taken the mantle."
"In that case, please take us to meet him," Nolan said calmly.
He did not seem angry.
Even if the Ancient One had played him, he had gained real benefits. The magic he learned was genuine.
"Please follow me," Wong said.
Led by Wong, they made their way to the library of Kamar-Taj.
Inside the vast hall, only one man stood.
His head moved rapidly, eyes scanning as the pages of the book in his hands flipped at incredible speed. Clearly, he was using some kind of acceleration spell.
Sensing their presence, Stephen Strange stopped reading.
"Nolan?"
He looked surprised.
After spending so long at Kamar-Taj, he was well aware of Nolan Locke. They had even kept in touch. One could call them friends.
"Stephen. It's been a while."
"It really has."
Strange sighed softly. The last time Nolan visited, he had been away training. Thinking about it now, it had been well over a year.
Looking at Nolan and Balthazar, Strange said,
"You're here for the Ancient One?"
"I'm sorry. She's gone. I'm afraid she can't answer any questions you might have."
"We've already heard from Wong," Nolan replied, shaking his head.
"We only came by in passing. Nothing urgent."
He paused, then added,
"Though you seem busy."
At that, Strange's already troubled expression grew heavier.
"My apologies. Kamar-Taj carries responsibilities that cannot be ignored."
"With the Ancient One gone, our defenses have weakened."
"But that has nothing to do with you. I'll handle it."
Nolan nodded, but Balthazar stepped forward, his tone serious.
"Is this about another dimension?"
Strange looked at him in surprise.
"You know about that?"
"Balthazar," he answered.
"Ah. A practitioner of Merlin's lineage."
Strange stood up, showing a measure of respect. Though he was now stronger, Balthazar's centuries of experience made him a living archive of magical knowledge.
Strange nodded.
"The traitor of Kamar-Taj was connected to the Dark Dimension. With the Ancient One's death, I'm certain they are already aware."
Another dimension.
Since ancient times, it had been the greatest threat faced by the world of magic.
To resist it, Earth's sorcerers established the three Sanctums, appointing the strongest among them as Sorcerer Supreme to protect the planet.
That explained why no sorcerers had appeared in previous battles.
It was not that they were unwilling.
They simply could not afford to move.
Countless dimensions watched Earth at all times. The moment its magical defenses faltered, invasion would be inevitable.
Balthazar suddenly turned to Nolan.
"Mr. Locke, what comes next concerns the affairs of the magical world. Could you step aside?"
"Private affairs?" Nolan repeated with a faint smile.
"Are you sure about that?"
"The existence of other dimensions is not a private matter. It concerns the entire planet."
"To be honest, I'm not convinced that the magical world, without the Ancient One, can hold the line."
Strange frowned slightly.
Though newly appointed, no one liked hearing their capability questioned.
"We will handle it," he said firmly.
But Nolan did not press further.
Perhaps in the original course of events, Strange could rely on the Eye of Agamotto to stop Dormammu.
But things were no longer the same.
It was hard to say whether the Ancient One's death was connected to his presence.
"I hope so," Nolan said before turning and leaving the library.
Inside, the three remaining men stood in silence, their expressions heavy.
After a long pause, Balthazar spoke.
"He may be right. With the Ancient One, we could hold back other dimensions. But now, we are at our weakest."
"We need reinforcements."
"The man outside is the strongest ally we can possibly bring in."
He could not forget what he had witnessed in the battle against the Dragon Emperor, Voldemort, and Morgana.
That level of power would be decisive in the war to come.
Strange hesitated.
He understood Nolan's strength. He also knew the influence of Locke Technology.
But for generations, magic and the mundane world had remained separate. Threats from other dimensions had always been handled by sorcerers alone.
Still…
After a long moment, he spoke.
"You're right. We need help."
He had a plan to deal with Dormammu.
But it was a gamble.
He could not stake the entire Earth on uncertainty.
Not long after Nolan stepped outside, Strange followed him.
"Where's Balthazar?" Nolan asked.
"He's gone to gather other practitioners," Strange replied.
"So, what do you want to say?"
Seeing Nolan's faint smile, Strange sighed.
"You were right. This is not just a matter for the magical world."
"Perhaps before, we could have handled it ourselves. But now, we can't guarantee that."
"We need your help."
Without waiting for a response, Strange continued.
"In this universe, beyond our reality, there are countless dimensions."
"You already know this."
"Nearly all of them watch our world."
"Because our dimension is the most complete. Others are flawed in one way or another."
"Dormammu, lord of the Dark Dimension, is unimaginably powerful."
"Even the Ancient One required the support of the three Sanctums to oppose him."
"I am not her equal."
"I have methods… but they don't guarantee victory."
"Nolan, Earth needs your help."
Nolan listened quietly.
He had already made his decision.
Even if Strange had refused him, he would not have stood by and done nothing.
"I understand," he said.
He turned, gazing toward the distant snow-covered peaks of the Himalayas.
But this world was more than frozen mountains.
It held warmth. People. Everything he cared about.
"No one takes this from me."
He clenched his fist slightly.
"I don't care about the Dark Dimension or whatever rules the other worlds fear."
"This is my territory."
"And here, I decide what happens."
After a brief silence, he continued,
"Locke Technology will mobilize."
"But I need to understand the battlefield. Where does this war take place?"
Strange's gaze grew distant.
"In the cracks of space-time. At the intersection of dimensions."
"It is a stage visible to countless worlds."
"This is not just a war between us and the Dark Dimension."
"It is a demonstration."
"If we show weakness, other dimensions will unite and devour Earth."
Nolan let out a quiet breath.
"So it's that serious."
A dimensional war was never just about two individuals.
Beyond what was shown, there were countless battlefields.
Even if Strange could stall Dormammu, that alone would not be enough.
Victory elsewhere was what truly forced a retreat.
Now…
Everything had changed.
Nolan took a deep breath.
"No matter how strong Dormammu is, no matter how many forces he commands…"
"At the lower battlefields, I decide the outcome."
"Dormammu?"
He smirked.
"Nothing special."
Without hesitation, Nolan returned to New York.
Preparing for war required resources.
Massive resources.
"Sharon, notify all production divisions. Shift to full output of combat machinery. Civilian orders can be delayed if necessary."
"What?" Sharon Carter stared at him in shock.
"What are you planning?"
Locke Technology already produced an enormous volume daily.
To prioritize weapons now…
Was he preparing for war?
Nolan saw the conflict in her expression and smiled.
"Don't worry. I'm not starting a war here."
"I have no interest in ruling the world."
"I rather enjoy being a businessman."
"No one dares to challenge me anyway. What would I gain from ruling everything?"
Sharon hesitated.
"But you…"
"This won't stay secret," Nolan said calmly.
"You can report everything I've said to the White House or any agency you like."
"Yes, I'm preparing for war."
"But not on Earth."
"At least, not the Earth you understand."
She frowned, confused, but committed his words to memory.
She had to report it.
If she didn't, others would.
There was no hiding something at this scale.
"I understand," she said quietly.
"I won't ask what you're planning."
"But remember… you're not alone."
She stepped closer, leaned in, and kissed him.
War.
As she left the office, her thoughts churned.
Whatever Nolan was facing, she would not let him face it alone.