Ron barely had time to catch his breath.
The moment he stepped off the SHIELD helipad, his wrist device pulsed with golden light—Kamar-Taj's emergency beacon. A portal opened before him without warning, shaped like a swirling lotus flower. The air shimmered, heavy with interdimensional energy.
> "That's new," Ron muttered.
Elara and Liliane flanked him instinctively. "Kamar-Taj magic," Elara confirmed. "But… altered. Someone else is pulling the threads."
Ron stepped through the portal.
He emerged inside the Chamber of Reflections—a place even masters of Kamar-Taj feared. Mirrors floated midair, each reflecting different universes, moments, destinies.
In the center, surrounded by broken thread-like runes, stood her.
A woman—tall, ethereal, and radiant. She wore a sleek battle robe made of interwoven starlight and black silk. Her silver hair flowed like liquid moonlight, and her eyes shimmered between galaxies.
> "Ron," she said, voice like a song echoing across dimensions. "You don't know me yet. But I know you. In all timelines."
He blinked. "Do I… know you from the future?"
> "From many futures," she replied, stepping closer. "Name's Asteria. I was your guardian. Your ally. Your…" She paused, then smiled faintly. "Your wife. In one reality."
Ron's brain did a backflip.
Elara stepped forward, blades humming. "You're not from this timeline. Why are you here?"
Liliane's eyes narrowed. "Another rival?"
Asteria shook her head. "I'm here to warn him."
She waved her hand, revealing a broken mirror. Inside, Ron saw himself—facing off against a monstrous figure cloaked in chaos. A being that looked like… him, but corrupted. Silver power twisted into crimson and black.
> "That is you—if the Spiral Magic fully consumes you. You're not invincible, Ron. Your soul is still human."
The vision vanished.
> "You need training. Balance. And allies who can anchor you."
Her gaze swept over Elara and Liliane. "These two… they care. But more are coming. You must choose carefully."
Ron steadied himself. "Then help me. If you know what's coming, guide me."
Asteria smiled gently. "I will. But know this—every version of me… fell for you."
Liliane stepped beside Ron, protectively. "Of course she did."
Elara groaned. "Here we go again…"
Ron sighed.
> "Fate's giving me powers, threats… and now dimensional girlfriends."
He looked at Asteria. "Welcome to Earth, I guess."
And just like that, his journey gained a new thread—one woven by destiny and desire alike.
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