It had been a long time since the American government started breaking its promises. Most superheroes were already wary of them.
Even the mutants, if not for their numbers and the presence of powerhouses like the Phoenix and Scarlet Witch, would have quietly disappeared after returning to the experimental base.
Still, no one lingered for long. Even a capitalist like Tony Stark held no trust in the military or the government.
Shin, along with Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, and Jessica Jones, quickly returned to New York.
The city was still in ruins from the recent battle with the Firelord and was undergoing reconstruction.
Worse yet, that battle had seemingly stirred up many masked individuals.
The entire city had fallen into chaos, with new masked figures frequently appearing and disappearing. Crime and vigilante activity had clearly spiked.
"I feel like New York's gotten a lot more dangerous. When I was a kid, I don't remember seeing so many masked freaks around," Jessica Jones muttered, visibly annoyed as they passed by their third superpowered skirmish in two blocks.
Despite being considered a hero herself, Jessica had long since retired. Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver had never even bothered to wear masks during their missions.
It made sense. In this modern era, masks were mostly symbolic. Surveillance cameras, satellites, social media, and government records could track anyone, anywhere. Between facial recognition, data logs, and smartphones, anyone with the resources could uncover your identity.
The masked superhero trope had simply persisted due to comic book tradition. Decades ago, a mask might have truly protected one's identity. Now, it was little more than psychological armor, offering comfort, not real protection.
Veteran heroes knew their identities were already compromised. Those who should know already knew.
"Maybe we should live somewhere else," Shin said, glancing around. "At this rate, New York might turn into a warzone year-round."
Of the group, only Jessica was a born-and-bred New Yorker. She was used to the chaos and didn't show much attachment to the idea of leaving.
"…Wait, what's going on over there?" Shin's eyes narrowed, focusing on a burst of golden light in the distance. "Since when did Kamar-Taj start doing street justice?"
In the distance, an elderly man wielding a battle axe and a glowing golden whip was engaged in fierce combat with several twisted figures men with sunken eyes and black cracks etched across their faces.
"Master Daniel!" Wanda exclaimed. She immediately took off, red chaos energy flaring in her hands.
The cracked-faced enemies shrieked and crumbled under Wanda's power.
"Oh, it's you, Wanda," Master Daniel said, wiping sweat from his brow. "Much appreciated. These followers of Dormammu always seem to crawl out of the shadows whenever something big shakes the Earth."
"Hello, Master Daniel," Shin greeted him politely. "Are Dormammu's followers becoming that active again?"
"Ah, Mr. Kevin," Daniel replied, using the name he'd learned from the Ancient One. In truth, only the Ancient One knew Shin's true identity and appearance. Still, word had spread within Kamar-Taj that this mysterious visitor had a close relationship with their leader.
Shin had shared considerable knowledge with them, sealing techniques, chakra theory, and ninjutsu, opening the eyes of Kamar-Taj's sorcerers to new paths of arcane mastery. The respect shown by the Ancient One made it clear to all that Shin was no ordinary visitor but a sorcerer on par with the Sorcerer Supreme himself.
Master Daniel's tone was courteous. "Yes. Ever since the incident in New York two days ago, Dormammu's followers have been relentlessly attacking the Three Sanctums."
"Is that so? Then may I visit Master Ancient One?" Shin asked without hesitation.
He had many questions weighing on his mind. Why had Galactus targeted Earth specifically? The planet had always held cosmic importance being the location of the Eternal Heart, for one.
Moreover, where did the magical realm stand in all of this? Kamar-Taj had remained surprisingly neutral during the planetary threat. They hadn't intervened while Galactus nearly consumed the Earth. Did they truly care only about threats from demon gods?
Shin couldn't believe that the Ancient One was unaware of what had transpired. With the Time Stone in his possession, little on Earth could escape his notice.
Master Daniel didn't know Shin's inner thoughts but made no objection. While Kamar-Taj was closed to outsiders in the eyes of the general public, those versed in the mystical arts knew that any practitioner who followed cosmic order and balance would be welcomed without resistance.
"The gates of Kamar-Taj will always be open to a wizard who respects the order of magic," Daniel replied solemnly.
Shin didn't bother clarifying that he wasn't a traditional magic user. The group stepped into the New York Sanctum and, through a swirling portal, arrived at the mystical home of Kamar-Taj.
Of the four, three had been there before. Only Jessica looked completely awestruck.
The recent events had already been mind-blowing for her saving the Earth, fighting alongside mutants, and even seeing cosmic entities. But discovering that there was a hidden magical civilization right on Earth That was something else entirely.
Was this really the same Earth she grew up on?
"Long time no see, Master Ancient One." Inside a quiet meditation room, Shin bowed politely as he addressed the familiar, white-bearded sorcerer.
"It hasn't been that long," the Ancient One replied with a faint smile. "Merely a moment of distraction."
Shin didn't waste time. "Then I won't beat around the bush. I think you already know why I'm here. Can you give me an answer?"
Still smiling, the Ancient One calmly poured him a cup of tea. "The answer is simple. For Eternity, being devoured by Galactus was his destiny."
Shin frowned. "What kind of answer is that? Even if Eternity is a conceptual being, a rule-bound cosmic entity, it must still have some instinct for self-preservation. Otherwise, why would the universe even need a Sorcerer Supreme to guard it?"
"Are you saying Eternity was seeking death?"
The question lingered in the air, heavy with implications.
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