Palmer nodded. "That's right. There are many other ways to save lives."
"But I chose the hardest one."
Strange spoke gently.
"Or maybe… the strangest one."
Palmer had already guessed what he was about to do. From what she had seen before—and the kind of injuries Strange had suffered—this was clearly no ordinary matter.
"Yeah… the strangest way…"
Strange chuckled softly. Just as he was about to continue, an announcement suddenly came over the intercom, calling for Dr. Palmer.
She rolled her eyes. The moment was completely ruined. If she found out who had called her at a time like this, she'd crack their head open.
"Do you really have to go? I don't want you to…"
Strange's voice was as soft as water.
Palmer looked at him with affection and leaned in to kiss him.
"You're a doctor too—you know I can't ignore this."
She didn't want to leave either, but her job allowed no delay.
After she left, Strange stood in front of the mirror, his expression turning serious. The blue Cloak of Levitation slowly draped itself over his shoulders, fastening at the collar with two golden clasps.
—
Hong Kong.
At the end of a bustling street stood a four-story building. At its top was a circular skylight engraved with runes.
This was the final Sanctum—the Hong Kong Sanctum, located in Kowloon.
The streets were alive with nightlife. Restaurants on both sides were filled with diners enjoying late-night meals.
Suddenly, a golden ring appeared in the street, drawing everyone's attention. Three figures stepped out—
Kacilius and his two zealots.
The New York Sanctum had not been destroyed, and Kacilius knew attacking it again would come at a great cost. So he had come here instead—to destroy the Hong Kong Sanctum first.
Of the three Sanctums maintaining Earth's defensive barrier, destroying any two would render it mostly ineffective. Even if Dormammu himself could not fully descend upon Earth, his power would flow in freely.
And once his dark energy began to corrupt the planet, the barrier would be meaningless.
Kacilius led his men straight toward the Sanctum.
Inside, Wong was organizing defenses. The New York Sanctum had survived—but at the cost of the Ancient One's life. Now, with Kacilius targeting Hong Kong and no Sorcerer Supreme to hold the line, everyone had to be fully prepared.
Wong took out a short-handled magical weapon, its ends shaped like sharp claws. The others followed suit, readying their own artifacts.
Soon, Kacilius arrived at the entrance.
Wong was already waiting.
"Kacilius, turn back now and you may still have a chance. Otherwise, you'll be beyond redemption."
He stood alone, the Sanctum behind him.
"You're the one who chose the wrong side, Wong."
Kacilius was fully under Dormammu's influence now. Even the Ancient One couldn't bring him back—let alone Wong.
"Then you truly are beyond saving."
Wong said no more, taking his stance.
—
At Kamar-Taj, in the stone chamber—
The area had been cleared, but ruins still surrounded it. The doors leading to the three Sanctums had all collapsed. Only the central platform, where the Eye of Agamotto once rested, remained intact.
The Eye itself had been entrusted to Karl by the Ancient One, to be passed on when the time was right.
Mordo stood alone on the platform, staring at the devastation.
A portal opened.
Strange stepped out.
"Mordo… the Ancient One is dead."
Mordo showed no reaction. He simply turned to look at him.
"The Dark Dimension is incredibly dangerous. And yet she drew power from it. What if she had been consumed? How could we follow someone like that?"
He paced back and forth, unable to accept what had happened.
"She told us never to touch it. Yet she broke that rule herself—used it to prolong her life."
His voice grew more agitated.
"She did what she believed was right."
Strange tried to defend her.
But Mordo cut him off immediately.
"Didn't you see? Her actions created followers for Dormammu! Kacilius is the result of her mistakes—and that's not all…"
He stepped closer, his face filled with pain and confusion.
"Even we… we were just pieces on her board. She claimed she wouldn't interfere in our lives—but she forced us onto this path!"
"Mordo—the London Sanctum is gone. The New York Sanctum has been attacked twice. You know their next target."
Strange saw clearly that Mordo's beliefs had collapsed—but there was no time for that now.
"Mordo, you once swore to protect the Sanctums with your life. And now they're under attack—and you're standing here doing nothing? I need you with me!"
He opened a portal.
Mordo hesitated, conflicted. But when he saw the Hong Kong Sanctum on the other side, he finally stepped through with Strange.
—
The moment they emerged—
It was as if the sky had fallen.
The Hong Kong Sanctum was already in ruins. Civilians fled in all directions.
Above, a vast, shapeless mass of dark energy spread rapidly—black and purple currents gathering and expanding.
"The Dark Dimension!!"
Strange and Mordo looked up in shock.
The energy coalesced into a vision of space—countless planets suspended within it. But under eternal darkness, they had become lifeless, frozen worlds.
Ahead of them, Kacilius approached with several zealots.
—
Meanwhile, Karl and Wanda were rushing toward Hong Kong at full speed.
Wanda's flight was still limited, so Karl had the cloak carry her while he rode on Onion.
"Karl—I can feel an immense, cold energy!"
Wanda, wrapped in the cloak, streaked across the sky like a crimson meteor.
"Yeah, I feel it too. Looks like that noseless big-headed Dormammu is making his move."
Karl's expression was grim.
He had to get there fast.
Without the Eye of Agamotto, Strange had no way of stopping Dormammu.
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