The final beam of light streaked through the sky toward the distant sanctum of Kamar-Taj.
As it descended above the ancient stronghold of magic, the entire place was gently enveloped in a radiant glow. A profound tranquility settled over the sanctuary, as if the very fabric of reality was holding its breath.
Inside a deep meditation chamber, the Ancient One, Earth's longtime mystical protector, slowly opened her eyes—eyes that seemed to see through time, space, and every secret in between.
She gazed at the light descending upon the sanctum. A flicker of surprise passed through her ancient expression, followed by calm recognition. Then, a faint smile curled her lips.
"It seems this child Stephen is fated to face this disaster," she whispered to herself. "And perhaps... it is also his blessing."
Her voice was soft, but carried the depth of lifetimes. With that, she gently closed her eyes once more and returned to her meditation, as though all events, even this, were within the palm of her hand.
Far beneath Kamar-Taj, Stephen Strange was hidden away in a sealed chamber protected by ancient runes. He sat cross-legged, drenched in sweat, his brows furrowed in deep concentration.
He was in pain. Deep, spiritual pain.
In pursuit of mastering all forms of magic, Strange had pushed himself beyond reason. He had dispatched two astral clones to different dimensions—one to confront Dormammu, the other to commune with the Vishanti.
Dormammu, ever eager to corrupt, had granted him black magic. The Vishanti, seeing potential, had imbued him with white magic.
But both powers were fundamentally incompatible. As the energies clashed within him, Strange's body trembled. The internal war threatened to tear him apart.
That was when the final light entered him.
His consciousness was torn away from reality and brought to a strange plane—one not bound to the Marvel Universe.
There, a figure appeared: a bald, blue-skinned man with a massive scroll on his back. Ryze, the Rune Mage.
"You're facing a trial unlike any before you," Ryze said, his voice low, weathered, yet brimming with ancient might. "True power lies not in how many spells you master—but in how you wield them. Your belief. Your resolve."
Ryze stepped closer.
"Let me lend you my strength. Rune magic... it is ancient, it is dangerous, and I have never fully grasped it, not even after lifetimes of study. But perhaps you can."
"I only ask one thing—do not let my failure repeat."
With a laugh full of both pain and hope, Ryze faded into pure light and surged into Strange's chest.
The moment the energy entered him, Strange felt something change.
A harmony.
The chaos of white and black magic found balance—rune magic became the bridge between them.
Like rivers converging into a roaring torrent, the opposing energies fused inside him. The pain vanished. Power surged.
When he opened his eyes again, they were mismatched—one black, one white. Deep. Infinite.
A rune, ancient and glowing, appeared on his forehead like a third eye, pulsing with wisdom and command.
Even his appearance had changed—his hair had turned half black and half white, a perfect division mirroring the unity now within.
The transformation wasn't just cosmetic.
He had broken through a limit.
The force that pulsed from him shook all of Kamar-Taj. The skies rippled. The earth trembled.
And then, just as quickly, it vanished.
Only the most powerful within the temple—the Ancient One, Wong, and Mordo—felt the echo of that flash.
Strange rose slowly. His gaze fell on the Time Stone, once an object of immense power and reverence.
He scoffed.
"The Time Stone isn't even worth a dog now."
Then his eyes turned toward a far-off presence.
Toward Alex Ray.
"Looks like I owe you one again," he muttered. "How should I repay you this time...?"
As the chosen family members finished integrating with their assigned templates, Alex Ray received a feedback surge—a flood of power returning to him from the bonds he'd formed.
But it wasn't just the templated energy that reached him.
Something else was there.
A darkness, and another force he recognized instinctively.
"...Tai Chi?" he whispered. "So Strange is a genius after all."
Alex closed his eyes and let the returned energy settle into his body.
He could feel it—he'd stepped into the demigod realm.
But the power wasn't unified. It was raw. Chaotic. A beautiful mess of conflicting energies from across the multiverse.
Powerful, yes—but like loose sand in his hand.
Each template brought a different system. A different set of rules. Magic, technology, cosmic power, martial mastery—none of it played nice together.
"If I want to truly become a demigod," Alex thought, "I need to refine all of this. Unify the chaos. Make it one."
Only then could he break free from the cocoon and ascend.
He didn't yet know how.
Maybe he'd need ancient texts. Or answers from beyond.
Maybe... it was time to pay a visit to the God of Stories.
After all, he was the only god Alex had met who started from nothing.
And he had another goal in mind: to surprise Loki—and maybe even bring Thor, Loki, and the entire family into the fold.
"But how is Loki doing now?" Alex wondered. "I haven't checked in on him for ages…"
---------
🎇🎇 Check out new Fanfiction 🎇🎇
🎊 Naruto : Tsunade You're Really Drunk 🎊
---------
Bonus Chapter - 150 Power Stones
2nd Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
---------------
📚 Enjoying the Story? Get Ahead Now!
Can't wait for the next twist or epic moment?
Join my Patreon and unlock 40+ advanced chapters—read ahead of everyone else! 🔥
👉 https://www.patreon.com/UK21
Your support means the world to me—thank you so much! 💖
-------------