Why was the Ancient One so worried?
Because she knew that Cagliostro's book contained spells that opened a passage to the Dark Dimension.
With Alaric's understanding of magic, the Ancient One was almost certain that he could comprehend every chapter and every rune from that book.
She did not know exactly how he had entered the Dark Dimension, but one thing was certain, Alaric had disappeared along with the Eye of Agamotto, and the only explanation was that he had dared to enter the realm of Dormammu.
"That child!" the Ancient One gritted her teeth.
She would say that other dimensions were also dangerous, even Mephisto's hellish realm, but they were not the same as this place. She could step into those without hesitation.
But the Dark Dimension… That was something else. It wasn't a question of whether she could pass through, but whether she dared at all.
Because she guarded one great secret: in order to prolong her life and protect Earth until she found a successor, the Ancient One had drawn upon Dormammu's dark power.
Because of that, she dared to travel through various dimensions, but she had never set foot into the Dark Dimension. She knew that if she entered, her white magic would be greatly weakened, while the dark power in her body would immediately react to Dormammu's presence. In the worst case, she could fall under his control.
That would be deadly, not only for her, but for Earth as well.
If Earth were left without the protection of the Sorcerer Supreme, without her shield, demons from other dimensions, whom she had kept at bay for decades, would attack without hesitation.
They did not only want to conquer Earth, but they also carried hatred for the Ancient One.
Thus she hesitated.
Should she risk everything and go after Alaric, or close her eyes and hope he would return on his own?
The Ancient One sat in her chair, deeply contemplative.
Perhaps there was a chance that Alaric would return safe and sound. Perhaps he wasn't so reckless as to head straight into the heart of the Dark Dimension. But that was unlikely.
Moreover, the fact that he had taken the Eye of Agamotto meant that he might have found a way to manipulate the Time Stone.
If that was true…
Wong stood beside her, watching the Ancient One remain silent, frowning and sinking into thought. He had no idea what was happening, but he saw the seriousness on her face and did not dare to say anything. He only waited for her decision.
---
[You have gained certain understanding through deep comprehension and analysis of the powers of dark magic elements and acquired the ability: control of dark magic elements.]
[Through deep comprehension and analysis of the powers of dark magic elements, you gain insight into the essence of black magic, and in combination with the experience of creating the "God of White Magic," you create the "God of Black Magic."]
---
Alaric sat on a meteorite and closed his eyes.
Within his inner universe, as he continued to draw the dark elements from the surroundings, an enormous version of himself began to take form.
Moments later, the God of Black Magic, shrouded in powerful waves of black energy, appeared within that inner universe.
With the appearance of that being, the white magic that until then freely filled the inner universe began to recede. The black energy was conquering the space until half of the inner universe was engulfed in darkness, while the God of White Magic was pushed aside.
Fortunately, Alaric had complete control over his inner universe. He could simultaneously keep both white and black magic under control, two completely opposite forces, and prevent them from destroying each other.
It was like the balance of two opposing forces.
"If that's the case… perhaps I could try merging these two energies into one, so they coexist without conflict?" he thought.
He allowed the God of White Magic and the God of Black Magic to approach one another, to come to the center of the universe, where both raised their hands and touched palms.
At the same time, enormous amounts of energy that filled the inner space began to swirl and form a pattern of infinite circulation.
At first, the two forces strongly repelled each other, clashed, and it didn't seem they could merge. But Alaric realized something deeper: magic, in its essence, was merely a different manifestation of the same primordial cosmic energy.
He had already managed to create his inner universe by understanding this very essence. Therefore, when he began to merge black and white magic, their cores began to fuse, returning to their original form of energy.
Before his eyes, the God of White Magic and the God of Black Magic began to disperse, turning into pure, primordial force. From that force, a new deity was born.
It still had Alaric's form, but immense, sitting at the center of the inner universe, legs crossed, eyes closed. On his forehead appeared a mark, the fusion of a radiant sun and a black moon.
It was the symbol of perfect balance, Yang-Yin.
Alaric now simultaneously commanded both white and black magic.
Within his inner universe, the energies circled around him, forming two opposing yet connected forces that endlessly revolved, maintaining eternal balance.
[Through the combination of black and white magic, you have comprehended the path of perfect balance of yang and yin, understood the formation of all things composed of elements, and created Elemental Magic.]
[Elemental Magic: Complete control over the seven elements – earth, fire, wind, water, lightning, light, and darkness, enabling their transformation into powerful attacks and defenses.]
–––
Support me on Patreon:
patreon.com/_BlackRose
Enjoy 20+ advanced chapters for just $3.
Your support would mean a lot to me. ❤️