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"Do you even need to ask?" Nolan's voice was calm, but the power behind him was anything but.
Knull, already bound under his contract, had given Nolan mastery over the Abyss. Now the Abyssal Core burned in his possession, a dimension unto itself. And beside it, spinning like a twin star, another dark core pulsed violently.
The Dark Dimension.
Dormammu's terror was absolute. Nolan was stripping him of his bond, severing him from the very essence that made him immortal.
In the past, he might have laughed. He might have waited gleefully for Nolan to be consumed by the Dark Dimension's corruption.
Even Dormammu himself had nearly died attempting the fusion. It was luck alone that had made him the Dark Lord.
But Nolan wasn't guessing. With the Abyss already under his control, he wasn't just capable he was inevitable.
The Dark Dimension had a new master.
Dormammu thrashed, but Wanda's chaos magic bound his power, Odin's lightning caged his form, and the Ancient One's spells severed every attempt at renewal.
His colossal body collapsed, leaving behind only the soul of a sorcerer once mighty, now fragile.
"You're insane!" Dormammu roared. "Why risk your own soul just to steal what's mine? One slip, and you'll shatter, body and spirit alike!"
The Ancient One appeared beside Nolan, her voice quiet but absolute. "Dormammu, it's over."
For her, this was the culmination of centuries of defense, a war fought in shadows and bargains. And at last, with Odin, Wanda, and Nolan, the nightmare was finished.
The moment stretched. Then a simple gesture ended it.
A lash of soul magic crushed what remained of Dormammu's essence. The Dark Lord, who had menaced Earth and gods alike for millennia, screamed once more then dissolved into nothing.
Dormammu. Dead.
---
Odin let out a weary sigh, lowering Gungnir. "Impressive… but don't forget our bargain, Sorcerer Supreme."
His armor dissolved, godly power fading. His face paled, the toll of calling upon Odinforce too heavy for his ancient body. He was barely holding himself together, burning the last of his life to delay Ragnarok long enough to pass his power to Thor.
Nolan inclined his head. "I always keep my word, All-Father."
Truthfully, he had been tempted to study Asgardian genetics. But Odin had bled for this battle.
That alone earned restraint. Still… Hela would be fair game. Promises had limits.
Odin gave a grim nod and stepped through the dimensional corridor, returning to Asgard.
---
The Ancient One turned to Nolan, her expression calm yet tired. "Nolan. From this day forward, you are Earth's new Sorcerer Supreme. The mantle of Kamar-Taj is yours."
He bowed his head. "Understood."
Her composure faltered just slightly, the weight of centuries catching up. "My body cannot endure more. This battle drained the last of what remained."
"You're leaving?" Nolan asked. "With the Dark Dimension under my command, you could draw from its energy, extend your life—"
She smiled faintly, shaking her head. "The enemy is defeated. My time is done. Before we left, I told Wong and the Masters this battle might claim me. If I did not return, you would take my place. Now, that promise is fulfilled."
Her gaze softened, her voice almost playful as she winked. "Keep it secret for now, would you?"
Silence hung heavy. Finally, Nolan nodded. "…I hope to see you again, Master."
"When you walk far enough down this path, you will."
Her body shimmered with golden light, scattering into radiant motes that drifted skyward, dissolving into eternity.
"Farewell."
"Goodbye, Master."
And just like that, the Ancient One, guardian of Earth, slayer of countless dimensional gods, liberator of mankind from divine chains, was gone.
---
For a long moment, Nolan said nothing. Wanda stayed beside him quietly, her presence steady.
At last, he laughed softly, shaking his head. "Trust her to leave so cleanly. No regrets. No attachments."
"Yeah," Wanda murmured. She opened her hand. "She left this for you."
The Darkhold.
Nolan didn't take it. "If she gave it to you, then it's yours. She trusted you."
"But she said she trusted you—"
"That's the bond between Sorcerer Supremes," Nolan smirked. "And now, that includes you. Take it."
He turned toward the corridor, the weight of a dimension newly bound to his soul anchoring his steps. "Come on. Let's go."
The Dark Dimension was his now.
And Earth had a new guardian.
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