章 22: Chapter 22: Kamar Taj.
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(General P.O.V)
Kamar-Taj stood silent, its mountainous surroundings layered in mist as sorcerer apprentices trained under the watchful eyes of their instructors.
Among the apprentices, a man with silver hair streaked at the sides stood in a sparring circle, his sharp gaze locked onto his opponent.
He was no ordinary apprentice; his movements bore a precise, deliberate quality. Despite that, his skill with the pole in his hands, showed he was a newbie at fighting.
Across from him, Instructor Mordo—clad in green robes, staff in hand—advanced, weaving a series of fast attacks, the last of which was designed to trip his student up.
"Focus, Strange!" Mordo barked as the silver-haired apprentice dodged the attack, countering with a pole whip that Mordo easily deflected. "The art must flow through you, don't force it!"
Before the lesson could continue, a blue portal erupted behind them, a swirling doorway that hummed with infernal energy.
A rugged figure leaped through, landing heavily on the stone floor.
He was dressed in a leather jacket and boots, his long blonde hair tousled, and a beard framing a face that seemed both weathered and dangerously handsome.
The apprentices gasped in surprise.
"Who—?" Mordo's eyes narrowed immediately at the intruder. "Strange, go! Fetch the Sorcerer Supreme. Now!"
Noting Mordo's urgency, Strange didn't hesitate. Nodding to his instructor, he sprinted toward the temple halls.
The rest of the sorcerers formed a loose circle around the newcomer, warily observing his every move.
Mordo advanced cautiously, his staff raised.
-Michael's P.O.V-
As soon as my senses returned, I was standing in a courtyard, surrounded by robed figures.
My body tensed, something about this place felt... familiar.
The robes, the energy in the air—it was just like that sorcerer I absorbed from hell. The energy here was thick, almost suffocating.
I barely had time to process it before a black-robed figure stepped forward, staff in hand, his eyes cold and calculating.
'No mistaking the hostility in that stance.'
I observed his tense body and in turn flexed my fingers, preparing for whatever came next.
"You." His voice was like ice, eyes narrowed in heavy suspicion. "How did you bypass the shielding spells of Kamar-Taj?"
'Kamar-Taj?' It clicked. That's where the Sling Ring had brought me. Though, looking at the way it flared with hellflames, it was no longer just a Sling Ring, but more.
'Maybe I should name it something else? I have a feeling I've barely scratched the surface...'
The man's, Baron Mordo, as I came to learn later, eyes locked onto the enhanced Sling Ring, and his expression twisted into fury.
He pointed the staff at me, practically spitting the words. "That ring reeks of Hellfire. A demon wielding such magic? You dare invade this sanctum!"
I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could get a word out, he attacked, launching constructs of eldritch energy.
His fellow sorcerers followed suit, surrounding me with glowing shields and blades.
Instinct took over. I didn't hesitate.
The Yellow Lantern ring flared to life, its fear-fueled light blazing as I threw up a barrier of yellow energy, blocking the incoming attacks with ease.
Their suspicion turned to dawning fear, amplifying the yellow energy flowing through the Lantern Ring. It was almost too easy.
"Let me show you how it's done," I said, smirking at Mordo.
Energy surged through me, and I conjured massive serpents—yellow constructs that slithered toward the sorcerers. Their fangs bared, hissing as they closed in.
"He can use eldritch energy too?!" one of the sorcerers shouted, wielding a greatsword.
I laughed, enjoying their confusion. "Better. I don't need fancy moves or spells to pull this off. And I can do it all day."
The serpents wrapped around their limbs, binding them tight. Mordo was struggling in the coils of a particularly thick python, rage burning in his eyes.
He muttered something under his breath, a spell most likely, as the Python construct turned into sand. So magic can affect my constructs? Good to know.
"Abomination!" Mordo yelled, using his Boots of Levitation to rise above the battlefield. He swung his staff, unleashing a torrent of magic.
But I was ready. A flick of my wrist, and a giant fly swatter construct smashed him out of the air, pinning him to the ground. I couldn't help but taunt, "Dude, did you forget what I just said? I can make multiple constructs."
The fly swatter reformed into a second python, only this one was covered in an Hellfire aura- hopefully shielding it from magic.
It worked and opened up more possibilities of synergizing my powers.
The serpent squeezed around Mordo until he was practically choking. He writhed under the snakes' weight, surprised that none of his spells seemed to be working.
So what does he do? He runs his mouth.
"Kamar-Taj will never fall to a low-rank demon with fake magic," he spat. "When the Sorcerer Supreme arrives, you will die!"
I leaned down, having had enough of his bullshit, my voice growing cold. "Firstly, you attacked me. I only defended myself, don't get it twisted. And secondly, if any of you so much as twitch, these snakes are going to prove how real they are by sinking their fangs into your necks."
The hellfire Python hissing at his face was a nice touch to the intimidation. Mordo sealed his lips, glaring bitterly at me.
A sigh broke out of me. Lately, I seemed to be getting into fights alot. But I wasn't at fault here.
My patience with idiocy was just extremely low these days.
'Next time, I'll let J'onn handle the talking.'
Which reminds me, I needed to pull him out of the Hope-Eater now that we were no longer in Hell.
That said, the show of power was effective, as silence fell in the Courtyard. For a moment, I had them all frozen with fear. But then, a voice broke through, calm and steady.
"You're feeding off their fear, aren't you, Michael Anders?"
I turned, startled. A bald woman, dressed in flowing orange robes, had stepped into the courtyard through a portal. Behind her was that silver-haired guy who had been sparring with Mordo. He was dressed in trainee robes. A bit old for an apprentice...
My gut told me I knew him.
The bald woman's eyes flicked to the Yellow Lantern ring now back on my newly restored finger.
A knowing smile touched her lips. I was tense, having realized who she was.
The Ancient One.
"You can sense that?" I asked, still thrown off by how casually she'd called me out.
She nodded, serene. "The fear you're absorbing is potent. But you don't need to be afraid. We can discuss your... situation, perhaps over tea?"
I blinked, caught off guard by her calm demeanor. This was not what I expected. Unlike Mephisto's act, her offer felt genuine. Besides I wasn't here to fight her. Mordo started it, I simply ended it.
Cautiously, I exhaled. "Maybe over tea," I said, loosening the tension in my stance. "I wouldn't mind a little wisdom from the Sorcerer Supreme."
She smiled, motioning toward the building. "Follow me, then."
"Wait!" Mordo's voice was strained from beneath the python construct. "Inviting a demon into Kamar-Taj is against every rule we have!"
The Ancient One shot him a sharp glance. "Michael Anders is no mere demon. What he carries within him is the power of a Dark Angel."
She not only knows my name but about the Rider too? Interesting.
Mordo scowled, silenced by her words. Lost in thought, I followed her into the sanctum, absentmindedly releasing my constructs.
Inside the ancient looking building, we passed through dark hallways lit up with lanterns. The whole structure was dripping with magical power.
A single glance with the Rider's soul gaze showed streams of energy woven into the very stone. There was also a presence. One that made me shiver.
'VISHANTI.' The Rider whispered.
The Silver haired man walked beside me, giving me a sideways glance.
"You feel eyes on you?" he asked, voice casual but friendly.
"Yeah," I replied. "You get used to it?"
He chuckled. "Eventually. It's like the whole mountain's watching."
I gave him a once-over. "You're Strange, right? Ex-surgeon?"
A surprised expression appeared on his face,
"Stephen Strange, yes," he confirmed with a smirk. "How'd you know?"
"Good guess?"
I shrugged.
"You're famous."
The Ancient One, overhearing, glanced back without slowing her pace. "Strange is like you, Michael. A man in search of something. You seek a place to belong, while he seeks to heal his hands."
I frowned. "I'm not looking for a place to belong. I'm looking for a way to bring my family back."
Right behind more Power and finding a way back.
She raised an eyebrow at that, but didn't press. I changed the subject, not wanting to linger on the thought. "So... where are we going?"
She smiled slightly. "To my office. Or did you think only billionaire vigilantes get corner offices?"
I chuckled, despite myself. "You're starting to get scary with how much you know."
She giggled softly as we stopped in front of a large door, which swung open on its own.
The room beyond was dim, filled with artifacts that gave off an air of ancient power.
I hesitated, feeling a weight pressing on me as I stood at the threshold.
Strange noticed. "Something wrong?"
I shrugged, glancing at him. "Just wondering if I should use a portal and get the hell out of here."
He smirked, entering with a remark, "You're smarter than you look. But sometimes curiosity wins over wisdom."
I took a deep breath, steadying myself. I didn't know what awaited me here. The Ancient One was an enigma, and I couldn't predict what she knew about my circumstances or what she might do next. But there was only one way forward.
"Man can learn nothing except by going from the known to the unknown," I muttered, stepping inside. Then, with a smirk, I added under my breath, "Or as Sarah used to say, 'Don't be a pussy.'"
With that, I walked through the door, readying myself for whatever Marvel had to offer. Just please please, keep that 4th Wall breaking Maniac far away from me.
And if he shows up, he's getting a dose of the Rider.
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