Antony withdrew his heat vision, staring at the strange object that continued to glow with blue light even while submerged in molten lava. His expression darkened.
"Don't tell me… this thing just absorbed my energy?"
"Not yours specifically," the Ancient One explained calmly.
"It is a fragment of Ego's true body. In this dimension, it represents the 'effect,' while Ego himself is the 'cause.'"
"No matter how much damage you inflict on it here, Ego's core consciousness will continuously channel energy through higher-dimensional pathways to repair it."
"Unless…"
"Unless we destroy the original body," Antony finished her sentence.
"Yes." The Ancient One nodded. "As long as Ego remains alive, this seed is indestructible."
"And there's another problem…"
She lifted her hand and traced several patterns through the air, attempting to sever this section of space with spatial magic and relocate it elsewhere.
But the surrounding space behaved like hardened cement.
It didn't move even slightly.
"…It has already locked itself to Earth's core."
The Ancient One lowered her hand and shook her head regretfully.
"I cannot teleport it away. Nor can I exile it into the Mirror Dimension. It has become a fixed singularity within Earth's presence in this dimension."
"Is there really no other way?" Wanda finally grasped the seriousness of the situation. "We just… leave it here? Wait for it to consume the entire planet?"
"Sealing it," the Ancient One said.
"We can use the Seals of the Vishanti to temporarily suppress the energy channel connecting it to its original body and slow its growth."
"But only temporarily."
She looked down at the restless blue seed.
"Against the power of a Celestial, the seal will not hold for long."
"After all," she added quietly, "we must also divide our attention to resist Dormammu."
Antony remained silent for several seconds.
"Alright then…" he finally said.
"If we can't solve the problem…"
"…we eliminate the one who created it."
His gaze lifted toward the vast sky.
"Looks like I'll have to take a little trip."
"Where?" Wanda asked.
"Ego's planet."
"It's the only way."
After saying that, Antony turned to the Ancient One.
"Master, interested in a little interstellar travel? Your magic could help."
But the Ancient One slowly shook her head.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Starr."
"I cannot leave Earth."
She pointed upward toward the sky… then downward toward the ground.
"The Sanctum barriers require my constant maintenance. Dormammu has been watching from the Dark Dimension. He can sense my presence."
"If I leave Earth… even for a moment…"
"Dormammu will not hesitate to devour this world. That would be a catastrophe we cannot afford."
Antony nodded. He knew she was telling the truth.
The Sorcerer Supreme was Earth's final defense against mystical invasions. She couldn't simply abandon her post.
"Antony, I'll go with you!"
Wanda suddenly stepped forward and grabbed Antony's hand tightly.
"Take me with you, Antony! I can help—"
Antony gently squeezed her hand and smiled.
"Thank you, Wanda. I really do want to bring you with me. With you by my side… I'd feel like I could do anything."
"But…"
"You can't go."
"Why?!" Wanda protested anxiously. "I've gotten stronger! Even Master Ancient One said I have talent!"
"And precisely because you've grown stronger," Antony said softly, "I have a more important mission for you."
He pointed toward the pulsating Celestial Seed.
"The Ancient One can't guard this place constantly. She must maintain the Sanctums. Conventional forces are useless against this thing."
"If the seed activates…"
"…this will become the front line."
Antony pressed his forehead gently against Wanda's.
"This is my home."
"And it's your home too."
"I need someone I trust the most—someone strong enough—to stay here and hold the line for me."
"Wanda… you are my anchor."
"As long as I know you're here guarding this place, then no matter where in the universe I'm fighting… I won't be afraid."
I'm… his anchor?
That's right.
I'm the person he trusts most.
I'm the one watching over Earth for him.
"I… I understand."
Wanda sniffed quietly. When she lifted her head again, her eyes were filled with unwavering determination.
"I'll hold this place, Antony. Until you return… or until I die!"
"Don't say stupid things," Antony said with a chuckle, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "You're not going to die. When I come back, we'll go eat cheeseburgers together."
"Mm!"
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Antony smiled in satisfaction.
He then turned toward the Ancient One again.
"Even if you can't come with me… you'll still help with this, right?"
"Of course."
The Ancient One smiled faintly.
"I will mobilize the Kamar-Taj sorcerers to establish multiple sealing formations in this area."
"And also…"
She produced a golden Sling Ring and handed it to Antony.
"This Sling Ring contains my magical power and is attuned to Earth's coordinates."
"No matter which corner of the universe—or which dimension—you find yourself in… it will guide you home."
Antony accepted the ring and slipped it onto his finger.
"Thanks."
"Well then…"
"See you."
He hugged Wanda one last time.
Then, under her reluctant gaze—
Antony shot into the sky.
And vanished into the heavens.
"He always manages to surprise people, doesn't he?" the Ancient One said, glancing at Wanda, who was still staring blankly into the sky.
"This is a dangerous decision… He's trying to shoulder a responsibility even the gods would rather avoid."
"Of course," Wanda said, finally lowering her gaze. Pride filled her eyes.
"He's Homelander."
"He's… the only one."
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(From the Ancient One)
At that moment, a powerful gust of wind descended from the sky, bending the surrounding trees violently.
BOOM—!
A figure slammed into the ground with a wild landing, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Jessica Jones.
She stood up and brushed the dirt off her clothes.
"I heard the emergency summons from Skynet," she said. "Came to check things out."
"You're here too, Wanda."
Her gaze swept across Wanda and the Ancient One before finally settling on the latter.
"And this lady?"
"This is Ancient One," Wanda quickly introduced with respect. "She's the Sorcerer Supreme and my teacher. I'm currently studying magic under her."
"A sorcerer?"
Jessica looked the Ancient One up and down, eyeing the simple monk robes with growing seriousness.
"Well, if even a wizard is involved, then the situation must be serious. Care to fill me in?"
Wanda paused for two seconds, organizing her thoughts.
Then she carefully explained everything—the Celestial Seed, Ego's plan, and Antony's decision to travel to Ego's planet.
As Wanda continued speaking, Jessica's expression grew darker and darker.
"You're telling me…"
"He's going alone?"
"To fight… an entire planet?"
Jessica's voice jumped nearly an octave, disbelief written all over her face.
"Yes." Wanda nodded. "He said it's the only way."
"Damn it…"
Jessica muttered under her breath and kicked a rock violently across the ground.
"He's always like this…"
"Always turning himself into some tragic hero."
She stood there silently for a few seconds before lifting her head.
Her expression hardened, as if she had made a major decision.
"If he's going to risk his life like that…"
"…then I'm done waiting."
"Jessica? Where are you going?" Wanda asked, watching her turn to leave.
"Back to New York."
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