Recently, while shopping in the interdimensional market of Vandalzar-Fo, Solomon heard troubling news about the Material Plane from the alchemy shopkeeper—a half-elf hybrid—he often visited. The news left many spellcasters concerned. No one was sure if this rumor would disrupt the delicate balance between the Material Plane and the Outer Dimensions. The shopkeeper, whose patron was the Maiden, Mother, and Crone of Monopol, Sovereign of the Twelve Moons and Twenty-Eight Stars of the Far Kingdom, wore a deeply worried expression as he questioned Solomon, hoping to get a response on the matter from the Sorcerer Supreme.
He prodded Solomon carefully, trying to discern whether Kamar-Taj had plans to convene a spellcaster summit in the Vishanti Trium Temple hidden within the jungles of Java, Indonesia, in the Material Plane.
Another concerned party was the spellcaster and interdimensional market protector, a descendant of a spiritual entity from the Far Kingdom of the Seven Suns and the Mystical Light of Wisdom, Sinibas, and His Seven Sons. Even the eternal starlight that flickered in his eyes dimmed as he sighed. As a divine hybrid, he couldn't survive in the conceptual-only existence of the Far Kingdom, so his family had stationed him in this interdimensional market—a place where he could survive while gathering intelligence for Sinibas and his family.
This matter was serious, and he needed more information.
Only a handful of magical beings possessed omniscience, and the Vishanti Trinity were among them. Solomon frequently relied on Agamotto's power to cast divination spells. Other patron spellcasters might glimpse fragments of the future, but they lacked the full picture. That's why the opinion of the Sorcerer Supreme—renowned for their divinations—was so crucial. Only they could guide the magical world through the looming disaster.
The market protector gently invited Solomon to sit in his stall and enjoy a drink, hoping for a candid conversation about the frightening implications of the Infinity Stones' reappearance in the Material Plane. They were convinced Solomon knew something—after all, Kamar-Taj was among the few organizations entrusted with the protection of an Infinity Stone, and not just any one, but the Time Stone. And Solomon, bearing Kamar-Taj's insignia and the Ancient One's public trust, clearly held a high position.
Thus, one moment Solomon was browsing for alchemical supplies with his dimensional bag and toolkit in hand, and the next, he found himself pulled into the market's quiet lounge area, sipping a strange fermented elixir brewed from spiritual beings native to Monopol's Twelve Moons. For some reason, the half-elf shopkeeper tagged along and joined the discussion with the market protector.
The alchemical wine was said to enhance perception, but to Solomon, the taste was unbearable—like mashed avocado fermented for a month with sugar and caviar. He nearly gagged.
These high-ranking spellcasters from well-known planes were still relatively calm, but many lesser-known dimension-dwellers were already preparing for apocalyptic celebrations. Few had faith in Xandar's ability to protect the Power Stone. Some even claimed that the Xandarian politicians, lulled by years of peace, were deluded to think they could safeguard such a cosmic artifact. Everyone knew of the Mad Titan's obsession with the Infinity Stones—comparable to Odin's in the past.
At least Odin had some sanity. Thanos did not. He was a cold, relentless believer in his own righteousness. Xandar would not be able to withstand his power.
Some spellcasters began discussing the idea of stealing the Power Stone from Xandar and hiding it where no one could find it. The obvious candidates? Earth or Asgard—both places capable of safeguarding an Infinity Stone. But Solomon flat-out rejected the idea, and later, even the Asgardian magi agreed. Kamar-Taj and Asgard both refused to store two Infinity Stones in the same place.
These artifacts, born of the Big Bang and existing as singularities in the Astral Realm, were higher-dimensional constructs of unfathomable power. No mortal had yet grasped their true nature. However, a few scattered clues suggested that the Stones might possess their own will.
The most recent and obvious example was Solomon's former physics professor's mentor: Dr. Erik Selvig, better known in tabloid circles as "the Naked Druid of Stonehenge." After the Battle of New York, Solomon had examined both Hawkeye and Selvig using enchantment detection spells. Both had been exposed to the Mind and Space Stones, respectively.
Selvig, after prolonged contact with the Space Stone, had gained exceptional breakthroughs in astrophysics and nuclear thermodynamics, though his mental state had taken a nosedive. The Mind Stone had also enhanced his intelligence. Hawkeye, by contrast, had experienced no such transformation—his post-war life was mostly unremarkable, barring S.H.I.E.L.D.'s tedious debriefing process. Solomon half-joked that the Mind Stone had simply found his intellect unworthy of tampering with.
However, later experiments involving the Maximoff twins and Polaris provided ample research material. As subjects awakened by the Mind Stone, their responses helped Solomon develop a working theory on the Celestials' genetic engineering. Whether it be mutants, Eternals, or their inferior Kree knock-offs—the Inhumans—all powers traced back to the Astral Energy, and since the Infinity Stones were born from that very energy, the connection was undeniable.
After being hassled all the way through the market, Solomon finally returned to the Material Plane. He collapsed onto his bed at Kamar-Taj like a man who'd just followed his girlfriend through ten hours of shopping. Sprawled out, his limbs dangling, he sank into the familiar softness of the mattress, the feeling slowly lulling him toward sleep.
Damn Guardians of the Galaxy, he muttered inwardly, cursing those idiots light-years away.
If the Power Stone had been in Kree hands instead of that decadent and complacent Xandar, even Thanos would think twice about attacking Hala.
But now, it was too late. The Mad Titan would act soon.
And Solomon felt the weight on his shoulders grow heavier once again.
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Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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