Whirr—CRACK!
With a synchronized motion, they activated their Sling Rings. Portals blossomed like fiery halos, and in the blink of an eye, they were gone, fading into the unknown.
But just before the last portal shut, Soren caught a glimpse of the leader's face.
Kaecilius. Corrupted veins running like ink beneath his skin.
A victorious smile. "Not if you can't catch me.
Ancient One's rage was like a dam wave held barely in check.
Without any hand movement, she willed space apart, and a portal appeared. She disappeared through the summoned portal and vanished.
Soren blinked. That was fast.
He could feel the difference in her aura had evolved.
Where before it was subdued and restrained by corruption she had to constantly suppress, now it surged freely. Untamed.
"So that's what happens when she lets loose…"
Soren crouched beside the librarian's body and placed two fingers to the stone floor, blood still warm.
A page of a magic array had clearly been torn from a hidden grimoire shelf. He recognized the scorch marks, the lingering scent of dimensional magic.
Dormammu's ritual circle.
So it begins…
Not long after, Mordo guided Soren out of the library. The once-calm courtyard felt heavier now, blanketed with tension. Wind whistled through the mountain air like a warning.
"Was that Kaecilius?" Soren asked as they walked slowly.
Mordo's fists clenched. His voice was bitter. "Yes. Once the Sorcerer Supreme's most gifted student… now a traitor."
"He twisted our teachings, grew impatient with our limits on forbidden knowledge. The loss of his family broke him, and in his desperation, he turned to promises of immortality and power."
"He stole a fragment of a forbidden array… A ritual meant to tear open the veil between our world and the Dark Dimension."
"To summon Dormammu." Soren finished his monologue for him.
Mordo froze. "How… do you know that name?"
Before Mordo could press further, the familiar sound of a portal shimmered behind them. Ancient One emerged, her robes torn at the edge, her expression grim.
"He escaped."
"Slipped through a portal laced with cloaking runes. He has the page."
"So now what?" Soren asked quietly.
"We wait for him to open a gateway for Dormammu to devour the world?"
Ancient One didn't answer immediately. Instead, she studied Soren, really studied him. Her gaze wasn't curious anymore… it was cautious.
As if trying to discern whether the man before her was a blessing… or another danger.
"Doctor Macaluso." She said slowly.
"How do you know about Dormammu? That name is not known to most. Even within Kamar-Taj, we speak of it with care."
Mordo narrowed his eyes as well, his hand twitching near his Sling Ring.
"Let's say… I know a thing or two." Soren smiled gently and left it at that.
Despite her growing suspicion, Ancient One held back her questions. Soren had his secrets, and while part of her longed to unravel them, centuries of wisdom taught her the value of patience.
For now…
"There are three Sanctums across the world."
"New York, London, and Hong Kong. They are the culmination of Agamotto's life's work, interconnected nexuses of arcane protection. As long as they stand, Dormammu cannot breach our realm."
Yet, the worry creasing her brow betrayed her inner doubts.
"A defense can only last so long. Sooner or later, something slips through." Soren smiled faintly.
Ancient One blinked. "You propose attacking Dormammu?"
"Yes." Soren said plainly.
"Strike first. End it once and for all."
Mordo scoffed under his breath, but Ancient One's was listening.
"Dormammu is not a mortal foe." She said slowly.
"He is eternal. A god of chaos and entropy. Not bound by time or flesh."
"But he is bound." Soren countered. "By rules. Even cosmic ones. And that's where my method comes in."
Now both Ancient One and Mordo were looking at him with guarded interest.
"You're confident." She observed him again with the eyes of a seer.
"Too confident for a man we know so little about."
Soren's expression did not waver.
"I can end Dormammu. But I need something in return."
Ancient One straightened. "Name it."
"The Time Stone."
"…"
"…"
Ancient One's eyes narrowed. Mordo stiffened.
"No! The Eye of Agamotto is sacred. It's not a weapon for an outsider to wield! You came from nowhere, and now you want to take what Agamotto entrusted to us?"
Mordo's voice echoed across the courtyard.
Then Soren turned his gaze toward him, and his existence changed.
It was only a glance.
But it felt like the weight of eternity pressed on Mordo's soul, a freezing cold clawed up his spine. He stepped back involuntarily, lips parting, but no sound escaping.
"Ancient One, what do you think?"
꧁𓊈𒆜༺⚜༻𒆜𓊉꧂
Fellow Phantoms and aspiring Phantoms to be, if you seek to access advanced parts of this story procced to my shadowy realm of p@treon.
PhantomDream