John had been in Kamar-Taj for quite some time.
Today, as the last of the ethereal green energy flowed into the final scroll-shaped bottle, he felt it. The Time Stone, once brilliant and eternal, was now a shade dimmer.
Without a change in his expression, he closed the Eye of Agamotto. Just a little, he thought. Not many people should be able to tell.
With no reluctance whatsoever, he took off the ancient artifact and handed it back to its keeper. Wong saw that he was no longer wearing the Eye of Agamotto and understood that the Wizard King's visit was nearing its end.
John waved at the librarian. "I'll just look around a bit, so the trip wasn't a total waste."
With that, he walked out of the library. After so many days spent buried in ancient texts, this was the first time he had truly explored the mystical sanctuary.
Kamar-Taj, nestled high in the Himalayas, was a world of biting cold and thin, crisp air. He saw mages wearing light jackets, practicing their combat forms by the roadside, and finally understood their ingrained urge to engage in close combat. With his hands clasped behind his back, John wandered curiously. This wasn't just a residence; it was a place where magic saturated the very atmosphere. He raised a hand, brushing past the chaotic particles that danced invisibly in the air. The reason this place could remain hidden, besides its remote location, was due to a powerful magical concealment.
"No wonder I couldn't find it before," he murmured, his eyes narrowing. "It was hidden."
Kamar-Taj was a nexus for mages. Though their levels of power varied, together they formed a considerable force.
There are still so many people who can use magic not under my watch, he thought, a flicker of dry amusement in his mind. He brushed away the swirling particles. I really am an unqualified Wizard King.
He watched an old man whose palm had been severed use a Sling Ring to draw a perfect, shimmering portal. John picked up a spare ring from a training rack and examined it. Its function was similar to a wand, an instrument to assist in casting spells. Just as some wizards could cast spells without a wand, some mages could do the same without a Sling Ring.
Mordo saw John and was about to step forward when the Ancient One appeared, walking toward the visitor.
"Wizard King, how is your research going?" she asked, unsurprised to see him wandering the grounds. She had said from the beginning that all of Kamar-Taj was open to him.
"I apologize," she added, her tone sincere. "I should have told Wong sooner." She was referring to Wong's initial misunderstanding that John had stolen the Eye of Agamotto.
John said indifferently, "Fighting against mages was a good experience. My research is complete. It's time to take my leave, Ancient One."
"I won't force you to stay, but the nights in Kamar-Taj offer sights you may not want to miss."
The Ancient One's words held a deeper meaning, and John's interest was piqued. "Then perhaps I can leave after tonight."
"I wonder, how is the Wizard King's research in astronomy?" she smiled slightly.
John replied modestly, "Just barely. I got an 'O' on the Hogwarts exam."
The Ancient One wasn't familiar with the Hogwarts examination system, but she knew the Wizard King's knowledge of the stars would be anything but poor.
Mordo's gaze was fixed on John, who was now talking cheerfully with the Supreme Sorcerer. As a mage trusted by the Ancient One, he didn't recognize John. John glanced back at him, and Mordo offered a polite nod in greeting.
Night fell.
As the Ancient One had promised, the night sky in Kamar-Taj, untainted by industrial smog, was exceptionally clear and bright. It allowed many things to be seen more clearly.
"Is this the reason you invited me, Ancient One?" John asked. He stood side by side with her on the Kamar-Taj observatory, his gaze locked onto the heavens.
"Convergence," he murmured.
"An erudite Wizard King," the Ancient One nodded. "I prefer to call it the Celestial Alignment. The Nine Realms align, and at that time, the worlds will connect with each other."
"You're worried about enemies from outside this world?" John glanced at her. "You're really giving me trouble."
"There's still some time until the alignment," the Ancient One said. "This is a natural occurrence; it cannot be changed."
John's expression was strange. A natural alignment? So, she had seen unnatural ones? Thinking of the celestial events he had caused in the past, John felt a flicker of discomfort.
"However, there is indeed cause for concern," he said, his eyes on the stars, a bad feeling rising in his heart. He thought of that mysterious letter, and the coordinate magic contained within it. Were they trying to use the time of the Convergence to cross worlds?
"I hope you will take it seriously," the Ancient One said, her expression turning grave. "Perhaps a greater disaster will arrive at this time. I once observed a White Wolf carrying a cold wind. It travels outside the world. It is a disaster, attempting to pursue something, to come here."
Hearing this, John said, "You observe a lot."
"Before the mist arrived, I could see more," the Ancient One replied cryptically.
John fell silent, her words echoing in his mind. The White Wolf? A prophecy he knew popped into his head.
"Know that the time of the sword and axe is nigh, it is the Cold Wolf Era of Blizzard."
His heart sank. He feared this was related to him. This world was becoming increasingly chaotic. No wonder the Ancient One couldn't see through the future. A chaotic world was like disturbed spring water; it was impossible to find the raindrops that had fallen into it before.
John observed the progress of the Convergence. When morning came, he bid farewell to the Ancient One and left. To show her respect, she escorted him all the way to the door leading back to the London Sanctum.
Wong and Mordo stood together, Mordo's curiosity about John's identity growing stronger. Wong watched John leave, thinking of the sheer number of forbidden magic books the Wizard King had read during his time here. If he hadn't seen any signs of John falling into fanaticism, Wong probably wouldn't have been able to sleep peacefully.
"Alright, no need to see me off," John said.
"Don't forget last night, Wizard King," the Ancient One reminded him.
John inwardly grumbled that she was really afraid he wouldn't contribute. He nodded. "I will keep it in mind."
With that, he walked towards the portal. The Guardian of the London Sanctum sensed him entering and immediately rushed over. Seeing it was John, he bowed respectfully. "Your Excellency, Wizard King."
Facing someone as noble as the Supreme Sorcerer's guest, the Guardian dared not be negligent.
John squeezed the bottles in his pocket that stored the Time Stone's power, his mood improving considerably. Amidst the Guardian's respectful bow, he walked out of the London Sanctum.
Smelling the unique exhaust fumes of the bustling metropolis, his mouth twitched slightly. "It seems I've been in Kamar-Taj for a while. I'm a bit unaccustomed to the air here."
John walked the streets of London. He felt it was necessary to buy some dog food to prevent Tom from going hungry every time Basil snatched his food.
At the department store, he browsed the plastic bags decorated with pictures of various dog breeds. His gaze lingered on a brand with a Border Collie on the front, wondering if Tom ate it, maybe he would become smarter.
While thinking, he glanced at the next shelf.
Cat food.
And out of the corner of his eye, he saw a flash of familiar brown hair that made him pause.
[Chapter Complete]
***
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