This time, Fenric had come to subdue the Scarlet Witch without carrying the Soul Gem.
After all, the powers of both Wanda and Pietro Maximoff originated from the Mind Stone. Because of this, the siblings were naturally immune to its influence, rendering the gem useless for controlling them.
(Note: The comic settings differ from the movie settings.)
Fenric had originally expected a difficult battle—perhaps even a dangerous one. After all, in Avengers: Endgame, the Scarlet Witch's performance had been terrifying. Her Chaos Magic was powerful enough to overwhelm even someone as formidable as Thanos.
But reality was far different from his expectations.
To his surprise, the Scarlet Witch seemed inexperienced—almost like a rookie who had yet to learn how to fight.
And that was the truth.
When Fenric restrained Pietro with telekinesis, Wanda froze, not knowing what to do. With one hand holding Pietro and the other pinning Wanda, Fenric had them both under control like two helpless children.
It had been his plan from the start—disable Pietro first, making his speed useless, and then seize Wanda in the moment of panic.
"Your brother's life is in my hands," Fenric whispered near Wanda's ear. "So tell me, Wanda. Will you watch him die, or will you swear allegiance to me? How will you choose?"
As he spoke, Fenric tightened his grip on Pietro's throat.
The speedster struggled, his face flushing red as his airway was cut off. Pietro's body was stronger than the average human, but compared to Fenric, he was like paper before steel.
"No! Let him go! Please—let go of Pietro! I…I'll swear loyalty to you!"
Wanda's voice trembled. She looked less like a warrior and more like a frightened girl—and indeed, that was what she still was.
In the original timeline, Wanda's true power only awakened after Pietro's death. Until then, her timidity and fear kept her potential locked away.
Pietro tried to speak, to tell his sister not to give in, but with Fenric's grip choking him, he could hardly breathe, let alone talk.
Fenric released Wanda and ordered coldly, "Swear your allegiance to me."
For a brief second, she hesitated, her eyes flashing as though she considered using her powers.
"You'd better hurry," Fenric warned sharply. "Your brother is already on the verge of death."
Indeed, Pietro's eyes were rolling back, his body convulsing.
Wanda's face went pale. Terrified, she raised her hand and swore quickly.
"I, Wanda Maximoff, swear my loyalty to…" She faltered, realizing she did not know his name.
Fenric smacked his forehead and interjected smoothly, "Ronan Anderson."
Wanda repeated solemnly, "I, Wanda Maximoff, hereby swear loyalty to Mr. Ronan Anderson. From this day forward, I will never betray him."
The moment her words fell, a strange resonance stirred between them, as though some unseen contract had taken root within their hearts.
"You have subdued a subordinate. Current task progress: 1/10."
The system prompt echoed in Fenric's mind.
When he looked at Wanda again, her expression had changed. Her gaze, once filled with hatred and fear, now overflowed with devotion. It was as though she were looking at a god.
"Master, Wanda awaits your command." She bowed deeply before him, her movements accentuating her graceful figure.
"..."
Fenric was taken aback. He hadn't expected the contract's effect to be this absolute.
Satisfied, he finally released Pietro.
The young man collapsed, coughing violently like a drowning victim finally breathing air.
"Thank you, Master," Wanda said quickly, rushing to Pietro's side.
Fenric noted with relief that she wasn't a puppet. Despite the binding contract, Wanda still retained her emotions and will—she simply could not betray him. That made things far more interesting.
"You…what did you do to Wanda?" Pietro demanded, glaring at Fenric with fury.
Fenric ignored him. Instead, he reached out to stroke Wanda's head. She obediently lowered her gaze, allowing him to do so.
"You bastard, don't touch my sister!" Pietro roared, his figure blurring into an afterimage as he lunged.
But before he could reach Fenric, red energy wrapped around his body, freezing him mid-stride.
It wasn't Fenric who had acted—it was Wanda.
Fenric chuckled at the sight, amused. Pietro, however, was dumbfounded.
"Wanda?! What are you doing?" he shouted in disbelief.
Wanda's face was solemn, her crimson eyes unwavering. "Pietro, I can't let you harm the Master."
Her words struck him like lightning.
"Wanda! Are you insane?!"
"No, brother. I'm protecting you—from throwing your life away."
Pietro struggled furiously. "Let me go! No matter what he's done to you, I can defeat him!"
But Wanda only shook her head, neither releasing him nor hurting him.
Fenric laughed. "Wanda, let him go."
"But Master—"
"Don't worry," Fenric interrupted. "He's still your brother. I won't hurt him."
Reluctantly, Wanda released her magic.
Fenric turned to Pietro and said evenly, "Pietro Maximoff, I'll give you a fair chance. Defeat me, and you can take your sister away. Lose, and you will swear loyalty to me—just as she has."
"Fine!" Pietro snarled without hesitation. "You bastard, I'll crush you!"
He had no real choice. He could never abandon Wanda.
"Wanda, stand aside," Fenric ordered.
Obediently, she moved to the side, her silence only fueling Pietro's rage.
"You bastard! What did you do to her?!" Pietro spat.
Fenric smirked and gestured. "Defeat me, and I'll tell you."
"You asked for it!" Pietro vanished in a blur, his figure leaving only a streak of afterimage in the air.
Fast.
So fast that even Fenric's enhanced perception struggled to keep up.
As expected of Quicksilver—his speed was already at an incredible level.