Bab 46: Chapter 45: Baron Karl Mordo

The sun had set, and the world was bathed in the soft glow of twilight when Annie returned. Her face was a mask of sorrow, her eyes red-rimmed from the tears she had shed. Jon, who had been waiting anxiously for her return, felt a pang of dread in his heart. He knew something was wrong, something terrible had happened.

"Alberton is gone," she said, her voice barely a whisper. The words hung in the air like a death knell, echoing in the silence of the room. Jon felt as if the ground had been pulled from under his feet. Alberton, the jovial, kind-hearted member of Chris's band, was no more.

Jon had never been one for sentimentality. He was a man of few words, preferring to keep his thoughts and feelings to himself. But Alberton's death hit him hard. He had been more than just a band member; he had been a friend. Despite their limited interactions, Alberton had always treated him with kindness and respect. His loss was a blow to the heart, a stark reminder of the fragility of life.

Days later, Jon found himself standing in a cemetery, the cold wind biting into his skin. He was surrounded by familiar faces, all gathered to bid their final farewell to Alberton. Annie stood beside him, her hand tightly clasped in his. Her eyes were dry now, but the sadness in them was palpable. They stood there, united in their grief, as the priest said his final prayers.

Alberton's death was a wake-up call for Jon. He realized that his protective measures for his family might not be enough. The world was a dangerous place, and he could not afford to take any chances. He spent the following days fortifying his home, using every trick in the book. He used spells from the world of Harry Potter, installed cameras in every corner of the house, and even set up magical traps in Annie's convenience store. He was determined to keep his loved ones safe, no matter what.

Chris, on the other hand, was a different story. The man was a nomad, never staying in one place for too long. Protecting him was a challenge, but Jon was not one to back down. He decided to use a magic mark, a traceable spell that would allow him to keep tabs on Chris. It was a risky move, but it was necessary. He cast the same spell on Annie and Ayla, ensuring their safety.

The days turned into weeks, and life slowly started to return to normal. But the memory of Alberton's death lingered, a constant reminder of the tragedy they had faced. Alberton's death was a tragedy, but it was also a reminder. A reminder to cherish every moment, to fight for what they believed in, and to protect those they loved.

Alberton's death was a tragedy, but it was not the end. It was a new beginning, a chance to fight harder, to love deeper, and to live better. And Jon was ready to take on the challenge. For Alberton, for his family, and for himself.

***

The dawn of a new day was breaking, casting a soft, golden light over the world. Jon, standing in front of his shop, was preparing to open the doors for another day of business. The morning was peaceful, the air filled with the scent of fresh bread and brewing coffee.

"Good morning, Jon! Thank you for helping me fix the oven last time," Mrs. Gisen, a regular customer, greeted him warmly as she passed by. Jon nodded in response, a small smile playing on his lips. He was about to open the door when he froze, his hand still on the doorknob.

Inside the shop, a man in a strange costume was standing, his presence an anomaly in the otherwise ordinary setting. He was a black man, dressed in a green robe, with long braids cascading down his back. Two similarly dressed men stood behind him, their faces stern and unyielding.

"Hello, Mr. Vinson! I think we need to talk!" The stranger's voice was cold, his words echoing in the silent shop. Jon's heart sank. He recognized the man. It was Baron Karl Mordo, a disciple of the Ancient One, and a member of the Masters of the Mystic Arts. He was also a future villain. But for now, he was still on the right path, still loyal to his master.

A dimensional portal, still shimmering with residual magic, was closing behind them. It was clear that they had used it to enter the shop. Jon's mind raced. The Ancient One had taken notice of him.

"So, the Ancient One has her eyes on me?" Jon asked, his voice steady despite the turmoil within him. Mordo seemed taken aback. The mages of Kamar-Taj often used their teleportation abilities to appear suddenly and intimidate their targets. But Jon was not easily intimidated.

Mordo stepped forward, his voice icy. "You are not qualified to call the Sorcerer Supreme's name!"

Jon smirked, his eyes twinkling with defiance. "Hey hey~! Take it easy. Your tone is really aggressive, Mr. Mordo! This is not a conversational attitude!"

From the moment Mordo had appeared in his shop, Jon knew that he was not here for a friendly chat. The mages of Kamar-Taj were known for their politeness, but Mordo's intrusion was a clear provocation. Jon was ready for a fight. He reached for his hidden wand, his fingers closing around the familiar handle.

Mordo's eyes narrowed. "It seems that you don't intend to cooperate!" He slowly pulled out an iron staff, his fingers tracing the intricate runes etched on its surface. "In this case, then I have no choice but to tie you up to see the Sorcerer Supreme!"

Boom!

With a swift movement, Mordo slammed the staff on the ground. A whip of fire erupted from it, cracking the floor beneath. The Staff of the Living Tribunal, Mordo's special magic weapon. He also wore the Vaulting Boots of Valtorr, a magical artifact that allowed him to walk in the air.

The peaceful morning had turned into a battlefield. Jon stood his ground, his eyes locked on Mordo. He knew that this was just the beginning. The Ancient One had taken notice of him, and his life was about to change forever. But he was ready. He would face whatever came his way, for he was not one to back down from a challenge.

"Hey~! You will have to pay for this," Jon said, pointing at the damaged floor. His voice was light, but his eyes were hard. "Although I can repair it in an instant, you still have to pay for the maintenance fee!"

Mordo ignored him, instead choosing to launch himself into the air with his magical boots. His staff transformed into a whip of fire, slashing through the air towards Jon. But Jon was ready. He caught the whip, his hand unscathed by the flames.

"Attack me with fire, are you kidding me?!" Jon's voice was laced with amusement. He activated his Spirit of Vengeance form, his body engulfed in ethereal flames. Mordo's eyes widened in surprise, his voice a low growl. "With such a powerful dark force, are you really a follower of Dormammu?"

Jon laughed, the sound echoing in the silent shop. "Do you only know the dark dimension in your superficial cognition? Sorry, I don't bother to be with guys like Dormammu, because my power comes from a dimension called Hell!" As he spoke, a chain of fire materialized in his hands, his clothes transforming into a leather suit adorned with steel thorns.

The hellfire split into dozens of tendrils, flying towards Mordo like a swarm of serpents. Mordo reacted quickly, using his staff to shield himself. But he was not fast enough. A flame shot out from Jon's palm, hitting Mordo square in the chest. He was thrown back, landing hard on the ground.

Jon, now in his Ghost Rider form, advanced slowly. Mordo scrambled back, his hands glowing with magical energy. He thrust his palms forward, and the world seemed to shatter. Jon felt as if he had walked into a mirror, the world around him fragmenting into a million pieces.

"Mirror Dimension, here in this dimension, you have no chance of winning!" Mordo's voice echoed around them. The world shifted, the roof and walls of the shop collapsing as the indoor scene transformed into an outdoor one.

Jon looked around, taking in the altered reality. He deactivated his Spirit of Vengeance form, his body returning to its normal state. Mordo smirked, a triumphant glint in his eyes. "Why, you're afraid now?"

Jon shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "No, I'm just too lazy to play with you here!" His voice was calm, but his eyes were filled with determination. He was not going to back down, not with his pride as was at stake.

So, Jon didn't waste any time. He swiftly pulled out the Elder Wand, his voice ringing out in the altered reality. "Carpe Retractum!" The words echoed in the air, and to Mordo's surprise, his mage ring flew out of his hand and into Jon's.

Mordo's eyes widened in shock. Without the ring, he was trapped in the mirror dimension. "Give it back to me!" he demanded, his voice echoing around them. But Jon was not listening. He had a different plan.

"Let's get out of here first!" Jon said, slipping the ring onto his finger. He began to mimic the movements he had seen Doctor Strange make in the movies, his hand drawing circles in the air. He was trying to summon a portal, to escape the mirror dimension.

Mordo scoffed, his voice filled with disdain. "You haven't learned magic before! Don't waste your time, it takes a long time to learn how to summon a portal for the first time..." His words trailed off as a portal appeared in front of Jon.

Jon turned to Mordo, a smug smile on his face. "See, this is called extraordinary talent!" With that, he jumped into the portal, leaving Mordo trapped in the mirror dimension.

Moments later, Jon reappeared in his shop. He let out a sigh of relief, his heart still pounding from the encounter. "Huh~! I never thought I could actually apply what I have seen in the movie!" He had been prepared to use the Imperius Curse to control Mordo if his attempt to summon a portal had failed. But he hadn't needed to.

Just as he was catching his breath, another portal opened at the entrance of the shop. A woman in a yellow robe stepped out, her presence commanding and serene. But what caught Jon's attention was her head, which was as bald and as bright as the sun. It was the Ancient One, the Sorcerer Supreme herself. She had come to his shop, and Jon knew that his life was about to take another unexpected turn. But he was ready. He had faced Mordo, and he would face the Ancient One. He would do whatever it took to protect himself, and his loved ones, no matter the cost.

--------------------

A/N: I know this work is still very new, but your opinions matter a lot to my progress, please write a review 🙏.

-----------------------

(A/N: If you want to see more chapters, go to my Patreon to see more chapters ahead.

patreon.com/TheMightyZeus

komentar 9 komentar

Pilih

Bab 47: Ch. 46: The Ancient One

"So, you've chosen to grace me with your presence, Sorcerer Supreme?" Jon's voice echoed in the repair shop, his words directed at the bald woman standing before him.

Her identity was unmistakable. She was the Sorcerer Supreme, the Ancient One, the guardian of Earth for seven centuries, a figure who instilled fear in the hearts of the lords of all dimensions.

The Ancient One remained silent, her face impassive. With a wave of her hand, she summoned a portal, from which emerged Mordo, recently imprisoned by Jon in the mirror dimension.

"Master!" Mordo's voice was filled with reverence as he caught sight of the Ancient One. He bowed deeply, his respect for her evident.

"Proceed," the Ancient One commanded, her voice soft yet commanding, resonating with an authority that was impossible to ignore.

"As you wish," Mordo replied, his voice filled with deference. He led the other two mages into the portal, disappearing from sight.

The Ancient One turned her gaze to Jon, her eyes filled with an unreadable expression. With another wave of her hand, the surroundings blurred and morphed, transforming into a simple, austere hall.

"Please, take a seat, Ghost Rider, and... the soul that does not belong to this world." The Ancient One's voice was calm as she gestured towards a chair. She prepared a cup of tea for Jon, her face adorned with a serene smile.

"What is it that you wish to discuss?" Jon asked, his voice direct and to the point as he took a seat opposite her.

"Firstly, I must apologize for my disciple's actions. He misunderstood my instructions, believing your power to be derived from the dark dimension," the Ancient One said, her voice filled with sincerity.

"You should have foreseen this," Jon retorted, his voice laced with a hint of accusation. He knew the Ancient One had the ability to observe the future using the Eye of Agamotto, the time stone, and had used this power to protect Earth from harm.

"I apologize, but I usually do not concern myself with such trivial matters," the Ancient One replied, her voice filled with amusement. She was implying that she only focused on events that posed a significant threat to Earth, and did not bother with minor disturbances.

The Ancient One took a sip of her tea, her movements graceful and deliberate. She placed the teacup back on the table and waved her hand, conjuring a curtain of light in front of Jon.

The light curtain revealed a room, within which a man was bound to a bed, his body writhing in a futile attempt to free himself. His eyes were wild, his mouth spewing incoherent words as if he was on the brink of madness.

Jon's eyes narrowed as he recognized the man. "This man... is he the thug who attempted to assassinate Chris?" He remembered the man from the incident at the time square, where he had used the Penance Stare in his human form to subdue him. The man had been left half-mad, his soul damaged, and had been confined to a mental institution.

Jon was puzzled as to why the Ancient One was showing him this. He turned to her, his eyes filled with questions, but she remained silent, gesturing for him to continue watching.

The man's struggles grew more frantic, his words becoming more disjointed. "The devil...it's a devil...get out of the way...stay away from me... ..Get out~!" His voice echoed in the room, a chilling testament to his torment.

However, the scene that unfolded next caused Jon's face to darken further. The man, in the midst of his frenzied shouting, suddenly spewed flames from his mouth. The flames rapidly engulfed his body, his screams echoing in the room as he writhed in agony. Eventually, his struggles ceased, leaving behind nothing but ashes.

"This is..."

"Do not fret, S.H.I.E.L.D. has taken care of this matter," the Ancient One reassured him, her voice soft. "Agent Coulson, in particular, has been instrumental in this."

Jon exhaled a sigh of relief. It was clear that S.H.I.E.L.D. had discovered his secret, but he felt a sense of gratitude towards Coulson for helping him suppress the incident. Although he was unsure of Coulson's motives, he was certain they weren't malicious.

"This incident occurred over a month ago," the Ancient One continued. "At the time, you were still struggling to control the power of the Ghost Rider. You used the Penance Stare on him without transforming, which damaged his soul and drove him to madness. He was confined to a mental institution, and a few days later, the hellfire you had planted within him consumed him."

Jon gasped, taken aback by the revelation. He had acted out of desperation at the time and hadn't anticipated such a severe consequence. He was grateful to Coulson for helping him cover up the incident.

"You didn't come me here to hold me accountable for this minor incident, did you?" Jon asked. The Ancient One had previously stated that she didn't concern herself with minor issues. The death of an unknown killer was a trivial matter, one that even S.H.I.E.L.D. wouldn't bother with. It seemed unlikely that the Ancient One would interrogate him for such a reason.

"So, you consider a death to be a trivial matter?" the Ancient One queried.

"Heh! At least I didn't draw my power from the dark dimension!" Jon retorted, his words laced with sarcasm. He was clearly criticizing the Ancient One for drawing power from the dark dimension. Having seen the movie, Jon was unafraid of revealing each other's secrets.

The Ancient One merely smiled, choosing not to engage in the argument. She waved her hand, dismissing the light curtain, and continued, "The power of the Ghost Rider has not been seen in this world for decades. Your recent actions, using this power to kill numerous individuals, have set off a chain reaction."

Jon frowned, his attention focused on the Ancient One's words.

"Firstly, the gangsters you killed were associated with a local gang boss, Parker Robbins, who wields the power of Dormammu. The reason they kidnapped Chris was to uncover who was protecting him, and to expose you," the Ancient One explained.

Jon nodded in understanding. It now made sense why Hood's gang had targeted Chris, who was otherwise uninvolved.

However, he was familiar with the villain Parker Robbins. He was a minor character in the comics, hardly significant enough to warrant the Ancient One's attention.

"Simultaneously, your actions have drawn the attention of another formidable individual," the Ancient One added, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jon swallowed hard. If the Ancient One described someone as formidable, they must truly be a force to be reckoned with.

Or perhaps, the Ancient One was referring to someone who posed a significant threat to Jon himself?

"Your power, derived from Hell and bearing a striking resemblance to dark magic, has caught the attention of a witch who dabbles in the dark arts. Her name is Agatha Harkness!" the Ancient One revealed.

"What?!" Jon exclaimed, taken aback by the revelation.

Agatha Harkness was a name he recognized all too well. She was the antagonist in Marvel's recent series, "WandaVision". She had been on a relentless quest for the elusive Chaos Magic. Why would she suddenly take an interest in the power of the Ghost Rider?

"Agatha, one of the most powerful witches on Earth?" Jon echoed, his voice filled with disbelief. "But hasn't she been in pursuit of Chaos Magic? Why would she suddenly take an interest in my power?"

The Ancient One shook her head, her expression solemn. "She is not solely interested in Chaos Magic. Her interest lies in any power that is documented in the Darkhold," she clarified.