Chapter 16: chapter 16
Wong was about to say something when he heard Dr. Strange remark, "The structure of this interference spell isn't complex, but it will take a few days to undo. Unfortunately, time is the one thing we don't have."
He turned to Adrian and said, "Adrian, I don't know why you need that book, but I believe it must be for something important. I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help. And thank you for saving Wong's life. He's my closest friend, so please accept this."
Dr. Strange extended his palm, and a stream of magical energy coalesced into a golden necklace. It had a round pendant with four intertwined golden curls—the symbol of Kamar-Taj.
The pendant looked familiar to Adrian; it reminded him of the circular skylight in the Sanctum Sanctorum, as seen in the Doctor Strange movies.
"Don't underestimate this," Strange said. "It symbolizes that you have earned the Sorcerer Supreme's gratitude and Kamar-Taj's friendship. It can also store various spells; right now, it contains the spells of invisibility and astral projection."
He pushed the necklace toward Adrian, who took it with a smile and put it around his neck, feeling a warm sensation spread through his body.
It was almost like a one-button remote control that didn't require magical knowledge to use. It had authentication abilities and would work only for him. Marvel was full of treasures like these—items like the Bone Sword of Agamotto that could heal the wounded or the Hand of the Vishanti, which enabled dimensional travel.
Saving Wong had merely been a friendly gesture for Adrian, but this reward was a pleasant surprise.
Adrian suppressed a grin as Wanda looked at him curiously. "Ahem, Doctor," he said, "Wong mentioned something about an app?"
Dr. Strange frowned slightly and sighed. "I went to SHIELD's spaceship twenty minutes ago to research the virus. The scientists were at a loss. If technology can't fix this, maybe magic can. I'm considering casting a spell over the city to try to cure the zombie virus."
Adrian thought for a moment. "Doctor, I understand your determination, but I'm afraid magic alone can't solve this."
Dr. Strange's expression grew serious. He let out a sigh and nodded. "You're right. But I still have to try."
Adrian remained silent, lost in thought. Strange's approach wasn't unreasonable, but Adrian knew it wouldn't work.
Marvel's zombie universe had seen a few major viruses: the voodoo curse, the giant virus, and now this hunger virus. There was an antidote for the hunger virus, but in this alternate universe, all the superheroes had perished before it could be developed. In another universe, years later, an antidote would eventually be created, but that was of little use here.
Seeing Adrian's silence, Strange nodded, understanding. "Alright, I suppose you don't plan to stay here in the Sanctum forever, do you? The druid broke the wards, and zombies will soon start roaming in."
"Yes, we're planning to head to SHIELD's spaceship for now," Adrian replied. He turned to Wong, who was gazing intently at a bookshelf. "Wong? You should come with us. The Sanctum isn't safe anymore."
Before Wong could respond, Dr. Strange interjected. "As I asked, Wong. Go with them to the spaceship. That's an order from the Sorcerer Supreme."
Dr. Strange's astral form shimmered and faded, his projection dissipating.
With a sigh, Wong replied, "As you wish, Sorcerer Supreme."
Adrian placed a hand on Wong's shoulder. "Wong, I know this is a tough choice, but we have to go."
Wong's loyalty to the Sanctum was evident, but he also knew his duty to Strange. After a moment, he sighed and agreed, "Since the Sorcerer Supreme ordered it, I must obey. I'll go with you to the spaceship."
Dr. Strange's voice echoed faintly in the wind, "You've made a wise choice, Wong."
Wong nodded, suppressing his reluctance. "So, how are we getting to the spaceship?"
Marvel comics didn't have as many convenient portals as the MCU, but there were other ways, albeit more complex.
Adrian reassured him, "A Quinjet is on its way. Let's go; time is running out."
The group set out, carefully navigating the narrow, winding streets. The eerie silence around them was unsettling, with only occasional distant howls and the sound of the wind.
After about ten minutes, they finally reached a basketball court where a Quinjet was parked. A few scattered zombie corpses lay around it, presumably regular civilians.
A group of soldiers stood guard by the Quinjet, waving them over. One soldier, likely a captain, stepped forward, eyes sharp and focused.
"Welcome," he greeted them. "Are you Adrian? We've been ordered by the Director to bring you safely to the spaceship. We need to leave immediately."
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