章 82: Chapter 81: Ancient One Defeated Before Fighting, Mystique’s Beauty Collection
Mystique, also known as Raven, was intrigued by the name Ancient One. She had never heard of this individual before.
"Do you have a photo?" she asked, mentally preparing for whatever strange request might follow.
Ethan Hayes sighed at the question. Ancient One, a being who had lived for more than five centuries, was the Sorcerer Supreme—granted powers from the Eternal God. The Eye of Agamotto, which housed the Time Gem, had come from this divine being. After death, Ancient One's spirit traveled the multiverse, a power far beyond most could imagine.
The power of Doctor Strange, who would later succeed the Ancient One, could never compare, except in complexity. Doctor Strange's strength would grow exponentially once the multiverse opened. However, there was still something eternally captivating about the Ancient One.
Magic in Marvel had long held ties to gods—often borrowed from powerful entities. Even Scarlet Witch's abilities came from the Darkhold, a book rooted in the dark magic of the Old God, Chthon. The Darkhold was the cornerstone for Chthon's eventual return to Earth, a remnant of ancient, godlike entities.
Ethan stood up and motioned toward Raven. "Sorry, Raven, you'll want to sit this one out. Ancient One isn't someone you can handle right now."
Raven's curiosity grew as Ethan's tone became more serious.
Smiling provocatively, Raven said, "Fine, I'll take a shower while you figure things out. Don't keep me waiting too long."
Ethan ascended to the top floor of his penthouse, his thoughts full of the legendary Ancient One. Outside, the Sorcerer Supreme stood, gazing over Central Park. The reflection of the ice sculptures shimmered, their coldness fading in the rising sun.
"The ice is starting to melt," Ancient One said softly, her voice calm but filled with centuries of wisdom.
Ethan stood next to her, observing the landscape with his arms behind his back. He smirked. "Sorcerer Supreme on my rooftop, eavesdropping on my personal life? How undignified."
Ancient One didn't acknowledge his sarcasm. Instead, she stated, "The girl, Raven, in your arms earlier—her powers will one day lead to the destruction of the world. The future I've seen is only one possibility, but that doesn't make it any less dangerous."
Ethan's smirk deepened. "Are you worried I'll unlock her full potential, and that this bleak future you've seen will come true?"
Ancient One nodded slightly. "The future is always fluid, always changing. Even the smallest action can trigger countless possibilities. However, certain changes bring about inevitable destruction."
Ethan's eyes flicked to the Eye of Agamotto hanging on Ancient One's chest. "Time is indeed powerful, but those who wield it are often cursed by its consequences. I don't know what the future holds, but I can shape the present—and that is enough for me."
His response made Ancient One uneasy. "And what future do you plan to create?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity but also concern.
"The future?" Ethan's smile faded as he responded with cold certainty. "I don't believe in predicting the future. I only believe in controlling the present."
Ancient One's expression tightened, her worry deepening. She could sense the immense power radiating from Ethan, a power that might unravel everything she had fought to protect. For the first time in centuries, she felt the stirrings of genuine fear. Should she eliminate this threat before it was too late?
Ethan's eyes sharpened. "You're thinking about attacking me, aren't you? New York would be a fine battlefield for us. You might be able to control your magic, but if I retaliate at full strength, who knows what could happen?"
The Sorcerer Supreme stared at him, her thoughts racing. She could feel his raw strength, and she knew that if they fought here, the collateral damage would be immense. "Your power has caused ripples through the world. I can't see the future anymore—only chaos. What worries me most is that I can't find the source of your strength. It came from nowhere, and now you're as powerful as a god."
Ethan's expression darkened. "There's darkness in your own magic, Ancient One. You've drawn from powers that shouldn't belong to you, turning them into your own. You should be more concerned about that than about me."
A faint smile tugged at Ethan's lips as he continued. "Besides, I'm not here to destroy the world. I'm here to build my future—one where I rule."
Ancient One summoned a golden disk in her hand, shaping the space around them into a mirror dimension. She was preparing to trap or banish Ethan, her face calm but her intentions deadly. The air shimmered with magical energy as the battle began.
"She wants to bind me here, or worse, exile me," Ethan mused. The Ancient One of yore might have been able to pull it off, but she was weakened now, much like Odin in his twilight years. Still, the thought of facing her made Ethan smile—this would be a true test of strength.
Ethan's powers surged, freezing the air around him. The magic mirrors reflected the icy blast, but Ancient One wasn't easily shaken. Her mirrors held firm.
"Stop." Ethan's voice cut through the frozen air like a blade, and his body glowed with a faint, mysterious rune—water magic flowing through him. "You're not the only one with magic."
Ancient One stared at him, stunned. "You can control magic too?"
Her surprise was genuine. The depth of Ethan's magic was immense, like an ocean without end. It wasn't borrowed from any dark entity—it was his own, pure and powerful.
"Is it really so shocking that I know magic?" Ethan asked, his grin returning. "Be careful. If your mirrors break, my magic will drain every last drop of moisture from your body, leaving you a dried-up husk."
Ancient One's expression tightened as she contemplated her next move. She could activate the Eye of Agamotto, but doing so could break the fragile balance they had created. Ultimately, she decided against it and restored the mirror dimension.
Seeing her withdraw, Ethan allowed his icy magic to subside, the frozen rain turning into harmless droplets. The battle that could have been never came to pass, leaving Ethan both relieved and disappointed.
"Looks like you've decided to back down," Ethan said, his voice tinged with mockery.
Ancient One looked skyward. "There are deeper forces at play, forces beyond the Vatican and the Holy See. If you continue down this path, you will face trouble in the future. Just be mindful of what you unleash."
Ethan laughed loudly. "Trouble? Look around—everything you see belongs to me. The people in this city are my customers. Do you think I'd destroy my own investments? I bought the Osborn Group, and now I control New York's entire power grid. Every watt they consume is money in my pocket. I'm not here to destroy the world—I'm here to make a fortune."
Ancient One gave him one last look. "I hope you remember what you've said. The world can still be saved."
With a flick of her hand, Ancient One opened a portal of golden light and disappeared through it.
Ethan watched her leave. "Teleportation that can cross worlds in an instant… such a convenient magic."
As he pondered the immense power of the Ancient One, Raven emerged from her room, now fully dressed but still curious. "That energy I felt just now—who was that?"
"A Guardian of Earth," Ethan replied, not wanting to delve into details.
Raven smirked, walking toward him with seductive intent. "Well, I hope you're ready for something more… immediate."
Ethan could hardly resist. And soon, the two were entwined in another battle—one far more intimate and exhausting. Raven's ability to shapeshift into over a hundred different forms was both thrilling and overwhelming. It felt as though he had experienced every possible version of beauty.
When Raven finally left, Ethan lay in bed, lost in thought. She would be back—he was certain of it. But for now, he was content, though his mind raced with the possibilities of Raven's powers.
"Where will you take me next?" he wondered. But for now, he would enjoy the spoils of the present, knowing that the future was his to mold.
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