Bab 83: Chapter 81: The Secrets of Darkhold
The second dream was a labyrinth of enigmas, a cryptic puzzle that seemed to hold the key to the future. Jon found himself standing at the precipice of a mystery, the echoes of Doctor Strange's words reverberating in his mind. The dream was a message, a warning, a plea from the future. It was a beacon of light in the darkness, guiding him towards a path he was reluctant to tread.
"Why the Darkhold?" Jon questioned, his voice echoing in the empty room. The Darkhold, a tome of forbidden knowledge, was a dangerous dark magic book. Its power was evident in the transformation of Wanda, the Scarlet Witch, who had been seduced by its dark allure. Yet, Doctor Strange had insisted that he was immune to its corrupting influence.
"Am I truly immune?" Jon pondered, his gaze falling on the ancient book. Was it his identity as the Ghost Rider that shielded him from its effects? Or was it his status as a spacetime traveler, a soul unbound by the constraints of this universe, that made him resistant to the Darkhold's influence?
His thoughts were interrupted by the memory of Doctor Strange's parting words, "If you want to protect your family, you must learn from the Darkhold!" The words were a chilling prophecy, a foreboding hint of a future catastrophe. The safety of his loved ones, Annie and Ayla, hung in the balance. The fate of New York, the Earth, and perhaps the entire universe, seemed to rest on his shoulders. The Darkhold was the key, and he, Jon, was the only one who could wield it without succumbing to its darkness.
A shiver ran down his spine as he recalled the shadowy figure from his dream. Was this the enemy Doctor Strange had warned him about? The one he was supposed to stop? The fact that he tried to summon Dormammu in his dream, a being of immense power, to combat this figure was a testament to the gravity of the situation.
"What kind of existence can't even resist Doctor Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme, and instead places all his hopes on me?" Jon mused, his heart pounding in his chest. The thought was terrifying, the weight of the world suddenly too heavy to bear.
Questions swirled in his mind like a tempest, each one more daunting than the last. The pressure was immense, the stakes higher than ever. He was standing at the crossroads of destiny, the fate of the world resting in his hands. The path ahead was shrouded in darkness, the secrets of the Darkhold beckoning him towards an uncertain future.
Yet, amidst the chaos and uncertainty, Jon found a glimmer of resolve. He was the Ghost Rider, a spacetime traveler, a beacon of hope in a world teetering on the brink of disaster. He had faced insurmountable odds before, and he would do so again. The Darkhold was a challenge, a test of his will and determination. He would conquer it, not for himself, but for those he loved, for the world that needed him.
***
The day had been long and arduous, and as the sun began to set, Jon found himself yearning for the comfort of home. He locked up the shop, the familiar click of the lock echoing in the quiet street. The day's worries were left behind as he made his way home, the promise of a peaceful evening beckoning him.
At home, the aroma of a home-cooked meal greeted him. Annie and Ayla were waiting, their faces lighting up at his arrival. They sat down for dinner, the television playing reruns of Friends in the background. The familiar banter of the characters was a comforting backdrop to their meal, a slice of normalcy in an otherwise chaotic world.
Annie, ever perceptive, noticed the troubled look on Jon's face. She prodded him gently, her teasing suggestion that he had been rejected by a love interest bringing a reluctant smile to his face. Yet, the worry in her eyes was evident, a silent testament to her concern for him.
***
Retreating to the solitude of his bedroom, Jon found himself drawn to the Darkhold once again. He retrieved it from the system's dimensional pocket, the ancient book seeming to pulsate with a dark energy. He hesitated, the gravity of his decision weighing heavily on him.
"Am I really going to delve into this dangerous book just because of a dream?" he wondered, his fingers tracing the worn cover of the Darkhold. Yet, he found solace in the thought of the Ancient One. She was still alive, her presence a reassuring constant in his life. If he was in danger, she would surely intervene.
With a final glance out the window, he made his decision. "If I open this book, if I read the Book of Sins, and you don't stop me, I'll take it as your tacit permission," he declared, his voice echoing in the silent room.
Minutes turned into an hour as he waited for a sign, a portal, a sudden transportation to Kamar Taj, anything that would signal the Ancient One's intervention. Yet, nothing happened. The room remained as it was, the world outside his window unchanged.
With a determined grit of his teeth, Jon opened the book. He waited, his heart pounding in his chest, but still, the Ancient One did not appear. Taking it as her silent approval, he began to read.
His surprise was evident as he realized the book was in English. "Damn, it's actually in English?" he exclaimed, a hint of amusement in his voice. "We Americans are really too arrogant? We make movies where everyone in the universe speaks English, and even ancient godly books are in English?"
***
The relief that washed over Jon was palpable. The Darkhold, despite its ominous reputation, was in a language he could understand. There was no need for cryptic translations or seeking help from others. Agatha, who could have been a potential translator, was no longer an option, and the thought of seeking help from Kamar Taj was not particularly appealing.
As he delved deeper into the book, he found his consciousness being drawn into the text. It was as if the words were alive, pulling him into their depths. He shook his head, breaking free from the book's hypnotic pull. The allure was strong, but Jon found that he could resist it, his thoughts returning to him with relative ease.
"This book can't affect me as much as it should," Jon mused, a sense of triumph in his voice. He turned the pages slowly, each word, each sentence revealing more about the Darkhold's secrets.
His dual identity as a spacetime traveler and Ghost Rider seemed to be his shield against the Darkhold's influence. His foreign soul diluted the book's power, while the Spirit of Vengeance within him resisted its spiritual erosion. It was a perfect balance, a unique combination that rendered him immune to the Darkhold's effects.
If he were merely a spacetime traveler, his ordinary mental power would not have been enough to resist the Darkhold. Similarly, if he were only the Ghost Rider, the Spirit of Vengeance would have struggled against the book's power. The god of the underworld, Chthon, from whom Mephisto derived his power, was a higher entity. The Darkhold's influence was a force to be reckoned with, even for beings of their stature.
But Jon was different. His spacetime traveler identity weakened the Darkhold's influence, and the Spirit of Vengeance resisted its effects. This was why Doctor Strange had called him a special existence, the only one who could withstand the Darkhold's power.
"Damn, this book is complicated!" Jon exclaimed, frustration creeping into his voice. The Darkhold was not a linear narrative. It was divided into separate chapters, each one a standalone story, each one a piece of the puzzle. It was a challenge, but one that Jon was ready to face.
Jon was certain that Doctor Strange had directed him towards the Darkhold for a reason. There had to be a chapter, a passage, a single line that held the key to stopping the looming threat. His initial plan was to skim through the book, hoping to stumble upon the crucial information.
However, the complexity of the Darkhold's content made this approach impossible. The magic system in this world was unlike anything he had encountered before. It was not like the magic in Harry Potter, where spells were cast with a flick of a wand and the right incantation. This was a different beast altogether, requiring him to start from the basics and build his understanding from the ground up.
There were also sections of the book that were beyond his reach. One such chapter detailed the power of chaos, a force that required the use of Chaos Magic to harness. This was the power that Agatha had sought to absorb from Wanda. It was a tantalizing prospect, but one that was currently out of his grasp.
Resigned to the enormity of the task ahead, Jon decided to take it slow. He would start from the beginning, learning and mastering the basics before delving into the more complex aspects of the Darkhold.
Time seemed to lose its meaning as he immersed himself in the book. It was only when the first rays of dawn filtered into the room that he realized he had spent the entire night studying. "I actually studied all night?" he mused, surprised at his own dedication. This was a far cry from his previous study habits, where he struggled to sit at a desk for more than a minute.
_____________________
(A/N: If you want to see more chapters, go to my Patreon to see +20 chapters ahead.
patreon.com/TheMightyZeus
_____________________
A/N: 👋 Hey, fans of the Multiverse's Ghost Rider! I'm delighted to announce the launch of our Discord page, dedicated to all things related to our thrilling story. This platform will serve as a central hub for exciting announcements, engaging discussions, and a place for fans to connect with one another. Feel free to share your thoughts, theories, and fan art here. Let's come together and delve deeper into the captivating world of our Multiverse's Ghost Rider. Enjoy your time on the Discord page!
https://discord.gg/BK8zdjeT
Bab 84: Chapter 82: Ayla's Birthday Gift
The day was just like any other in Jon's repair shop. The door creaked open, and a young man, no older than twenty, stepped in. He was a picture of modern youth, with a schoolbag slung over his shoulder and a pair of headphones around his neck. His eyes scanned the room, but found no one behind the counter.
Undeterred, he sauntered over to the counter, his backpack thudding against the worn wood as he set it down. He cleared his throat, his voice echoing in the quiet shop, "Hello, anyone here?"
His words hung in the air, unanswered. He called out again, his voice growing louder with each attempt. Just as he was about to give up, assuming the shop was deserted, a sound from the back room caught his attention. A voice, gruff yet friendly, rang out, "Coming."
Jon emerged from the back room, wiping his hands on a rag. His face was a map of apology as he said, "Sorry, I was in the back room just now."
The young man nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "That's alright," he said, his voice carrying a hint of relief. He unzipped his backpack and pulled out a laptop, its sleek surface reflecting the overhead lights. "Can this laptop be repaired?" he asked, his voice laced with hope.
Jon took the laptop, his fingers tracing over the cool metal. "What's the problem?" he asked, his eyes never leaving the device.
"The screen blacks out within minutes, and I don't know what went wrong! I've cleaned up the storage, even bought a new Ram some time ago!" the young man explained, his frustration evident.
Jon opened the laptop, his fingers dancing over the keys. But before he could delve deeper, the screen went black. He looked up at the young man, his eyes mirroring the screen's darkness. "Repairable, right?" the man asked, desperation creeping into his voice. "The screen goes black all the time. It used to last ten minutes at first! Now it can't even last half a minute."
Jon remained silent, his mind already working on the problem. He flipped the laptop over, his tools clicking against the keyboard surface as he removed it, revealing the circuit board inside. His eyes scanned the intricate network of circuits, his mind processing each detail.
He pointed to one of the circuits, his voice steady as he said, "See this? This circuit is broken. Did you accidentally bump it before?"
Ever since he read the Darkhold the previous night, Jon felt a change in himself. His concentration and observation skills were heightened, his thinking sharper. He hadn't slept a wink, yet he didn't feel the slightest bit of fatigue.
"I don't recall bumping it anywhere," the man said, his brow furrowed in confusion. "I took a flight back to New York a few days ago, and I put this laptop in my suitcase. It was fine before, but it started acting up a few days after I got home."
"Well, in the future, it's advisable not to put the laptop in the suitcase. It's safer in a backpack. Suitcases can get jostled around, especially during flights, and that can damage the laptop," Jon advised, closing the laptop with a soft click. He looked up at the young man, his eyes serious. "Leave this with me. I'll need a deposit of twenty dollars, and you can pick it up in two days."
The man nodded, a look of relief washing over his face. "Just repair it," he said, placing the money on the counter before turning to leave. The bell above the door jingled as he exited, leaving Jon alone in the quiet shop.
Jon pocketed the money and turned back to the back room, his mind already on the task ahead. The back room was a stark contrast to the front, with its cluttered workbench and shelves lined with spare parts. In the center of the room was a small round table, and on it, a pendant lay, its surface gleaming under the overhead light.
Jon approached the table, his heart pounding in his chest. He extended his hands towards the pendant, his fingers trembling slightly. As he waved his hands, the pendant was enveloped in a weak flame, lifting it into the air. Jon's hands then sprayed flames towards the pendant, but instead of being consumed, the pendant absorbed all the flames.
This was a technique Jon had learned from the Darkhold. He could infuse his own energy into an object, transforming it into an amulet. It was a skill that required immense concentration and control, but Jon was determined to master it.
Ayla's birthday was just around the corner, and Jon had been racking his brains for the perfect gift. When he stumbled upon this technique in the Darkhold, he knew he had found it. He would give her this amulet, a token of his affection and a symbol of the bond they shared.
As he watched the pendant absorb the flames, Jon couldn't help but smile. He was excited to see Ayla's reaction, and he hoped she would love his gift as much as he loved her.
***
In the following days, Jon found himself immersed in the Darkhold, studying its pages under the cover of night. During the day, when the shop was devoid of customers, he would work on the amulets, infusing them with his power. As the Ghost Rider, his power was limitless, and he felt no drain from pouring his energy into the amulets.
Ayla's birthday arrived as expected, and Jon closed the shop early to join the celebration. His house was a riot of color and laughter, filled with Ayla's friends and classmates. The air was thick with excitement, and the sound of music filled the room.
Chris was the center of attention, his fingers strumming a guitar as he entertained the crowd. "One more song, Chris!" the children shouted, their faces alight with joy. Chris, a rising rock star, was a source of pride for Ayla, a talking point she loved to share at school.
"Hey, Chris!" Jon greeted as he entered the room. Chris' expression faltered at the sight of Jon, his hand instinctively reaching up to touch his face. For some reason, seeing Jon stirred a strange sensation in him, a phantom pain that felt like a punch. "Uh hi, Jon!" he managed to say, his voice slightly shaky.
Before Jon could respond, a blur of movement caught his eye. Ayla, wearing a birthday hat, ran towards him, throwing herself into his arms. "Hey, Ayla!" Jon said, ruffling her hair affectionately.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small gift box, handing it to her. "Look what I brought you," he said, his voice filled with anticipation.
Ayla's eyes lit up as she opened the box, revealing the sparkling pendant. "Oh my God, it's so beautiful!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with awe.
Jon smiled, squatting down to her level. "Yeah, but not prettier than you," he said, his voice soft. He looked at her seriously, his eyes meeting hers. "Promise me, Ayla, you will always carry this with you. You can wear it on your schoolbag when you go to school, and don't let it leave your side when you go out to play."
Ayla nodded, her eyes filled with understanding. She subconsciously knew this was more than just a gift; it was a symbol of Jon's protection.
"What about Annie?" Ayla asked, her eyes curious. "Will you give her such a thing?"
"Of course!" Jon replied, a sense of relief washing over him at Ayla's acceptance. He ruffled her hair affectionately, saying, "Your sister's is also done, I'll find the right moment to give it to her."
Ayla's face lit up with a relieved smile. She held up the pendant, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Can I show it off to my classmates?" she asked, her voice filled with anticipation.
"Of course, go ahead!" Jon encouraged her, his heart swelling with affection. The pendant would only reveal its true power when Ayla was in danger. Otherwise, it was just a beautiful ornament, a secret hidden in plain sight.
***
As the day wore on, Ayla's birthday party came to an end. The house, once filled with laughter and music, was now quiet. Jon, Annie, and Chris, who had stayed behind, began the task of cleaning up.
Jon could have easily used his powers to clean up the mess, a few waves of his wand and everything would be back in order. But he chose not to. He relished these ordinary moments, these glimpses of normalcy. He had seen too much violence, caused too much harm. These moments grounded him, reminded him of his humanity.
As he picked up discarded cups and plates, Jon couldn't help but smile. This was his life now, a blend of the extraordinary and the mundane. And he wouldn't have it any other way.
_____________________
(A/N: If you want to see more chapters, go to my Patreon to see +20 chapters ahead.
patreon.com/TheMightyZeus
_____________________
A/N: 👋 Hey, fans of the Multiverse's Ghost Rider! I'm delighted to announce the launch of our Discord page, dedicated to all things related to our thrilling story. This platform will serve as a central hub for exciting announcements, engaging discussions, and a place for fans to connect with one another. Feel free to share your thoughts, theories, and fan art here. Let's come together and delve deeper into the captivating world of our Multiverse's Ghost Rider. Enjoy your time on the Discord page!
https://discord.gg/BK8zdjeT
Status Power Mingguan
200+ Peringkat
Power 
5 Power
stone Anda mungkin juga menyukai
Komentar Paragraf