Above the square of Kamar-Taj, a spatial rift suddenly opened.
Dark energy, thick and ominous, seeped through it and spread like poison.
On the ground, ready and tense, stood a group of sorcerers led by Wong, Mordo, and the other masters.
The magical circle of protection of Kamar-Taj immediately reacted, forces intertwining as the rift violently opened and closed, fighting against the dark invasion.
The Ancient One stood in the middle of the square, watching the scene, her brow slightly furrowed.
"This power… it feels like the Dark Dimension."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Could it be that Dormammu is resentful and has come for revenge?"
She thought aloud, but quickly remembered, Kamar-Taj was covered by layers of ancient magic. Even if Dormammu personally tried, the rift would not be able to remain open.
"Could it be that he is so blinded by rage because of Alaric that he is ready to make such a foolish mistake?"
This thought brought her a certain calm.
If that was truly the case, then the conflict seemed inevitable.
Although Dormammu could not step onto Earth, he could send dark creatures to wreak havoc.
And he was not the only one. There were other demonic beings from countless dimensions that might try to test the defenses.
But today's Kamar-Taj was not the same as before.
The sorcerers were now stronger, more experienced, more prepared.
Yet, as they waited, nothing happened.
There was no enemy.
Instead, the rift began to shrink, its appearances becoming rarer and weaker.
"Supreme Sorceress?"
Wong looked at the Ancient One with concern.
"It seems he gave up," she said calmly. "But do not lower your guard."
"Yes!" Wong replied without hesitation.
The Ancient One observed the vanishing rift. Her expression slightly changed, she even felt a trace of disdain.
Someone dared to challenge Kamar-Taj, but without true power.
Only noise and smoke.
Yet, she could not deny, the space behind the rift belonged to the Dark Dimension.
A place where not even she herself dared to step without serious preparation.
But one thing was clear: it was not Dormammu himself.
Most likely, he only sent a demon to deliver a message.
A reminder, a warning, that Dormammu had not forgotten the defeat.
He had not forgotten the humiliation when his energy was taken from him.
At that thought, the Ancient One quietly smiled.
If you are so powerful, then come personally.
Won't you? Then you are left only to threaten through rifts and hope to appear intimidating.
Such courage is worthless.
...
Meanwhile, in the Eternal Night World.
"Hhh…"
Alaric sat, breathless, his body exhausted.
After countless attempts to open a dimensional portal, he was at the edge of his strength.
"No… it can't be! How can there exist a dimension you can enter, but cannot leave?!"
His voice echoed in the dark space.
"I am the master of this dimension! How is it possible that I am trapped in my own world?!"
Confusion swallowed his thoughts.
Why couldn't he open the passage to Kamar-Taj?
"If the passage to Kamar-Taj cannot be opened…"
He stood up, clenching his fists.
"Then I'll try the Dark Dimension."
He raised his hand, activated magic, and focused.
"Come on… succeed!"
This time, the resistance disappeared. The portal opened smoothly, dark energy gushed from it.
"Finally!"
His eyes shone. Without hesitation, he stepped forward.
At last, an exit.
But one thing he knew for sure: he would never lightly step into the Eternal Night World again.
If he were trapped inside once more… maybe there would be no return.
Perhaps, when Thanos snapped his fingers one day, Alaric would still be locked inside, powerless to do anything.
When he stepped into the Dark Dimension, the dark horizon distorted.
And at that very moment, Dormammu suddenly opened his eyes.
"Who dares to invade!!"
Boy!
I just drove away one troublesome guy, now another comes!
"I am the master of dimensions… You again?!"
When he saw the familiar smiling face, Dormammu's mood shifted. Even the huge face before him darkened.
His eyes were full of disgust and loathing.
Disgusted by the demonic god, Alaric was quite satisfied.
"Cough… how are you~"
Alaric, who originally wanted to use the Dark Dimension as a transit station, had no time to open a portal before Dormammu appeared at the same moment.
Alaric immediately grew nervous and instinctively glanced at his wrist.
No time for BUFF!
However, perhaps because he had faced Dormammu too many times, or because he had defeated him too many times, Alaric now almost naturally went to greet him.
"What are you doing here?" Dormammu asked angrily.
"Hm, do you believe me if I say I made a mistake?"
"I believe you."
Dormammu replied. As long as he wasn't here to drain his energy, if he said he had no business and just came by accident, he would believe him.
"Great, then I'm leaving!" Alaric said and opened a portal.
"Wait!"
Dormammu's words made Alaric's heart leap.
But Alaric did not show it at all.
"What's wrong? Do you want to keep me for dinner?"
"I already told you, there's nothing to eat here!"
Dormammu gritted his teeth.
This brat!
Are you a reincarnated hungry ghost?
Do you have nothing else but to eat?!
"It's not that I can't eat, that last time—"
"Shut up!!" Dormammu quickly cut off Alaric's words.
Last time you sent me so much energy, you didn't really think that was enough?
My skin crawls when I think of it!!
"So what are you trying to say?" Alaric asked impatiently.
"I feel like you… well, have become different?"
Dormammu groaned.
Alaric, who stood before him now, gave him the feeling of a dimensional lord.
But his power was nowhere near that of a true lord.
Moreover, he seemed to carry power that belonged to the Dark Dimension.
What was happening?
"This mortal… why does he look just like I did when I had just become the lord of the Dark Dimension?"
He has the authority of a dimensional lord, but not the power of a dimensional lord.
The same as what happened to Dormammu when he was young.
"What do you mean?"
Alaric was confused.
"Nothing, maybe I was mistaken." Dormammu said.
"Oh, so, I'm leaving?"
"Go, leave!"
"Goodbye!"
Alaric said, opened a portal, and disappeared.
"Why is he in such a hurry to leave?"
Dormammu felt something was wrong.
"Wait! There was no magic on his hands!!"
"Damn! I should have stopped him immediately!!"
Later, Dormammu realized that Alaric's hand had not been covered with that cursed time magic at all!
That's why he was in such a rush to vanish!
"Alaric!!
"Bastard!!!"
Dormammu felt he had missed an invaluable chance for revenge.
Kamar-Taj.
"Hm? What's going on here?"
Alaric, who stepped out of the portal, found himself in a square with a completely different atmosphere than before and became confused.
"Where have you been?" asked the Ancient One.
"I went into my own dimensional world, but what happened here?"
"There was a demonic invasion."
The Ancient One explained to Alaric as she spoke.
Then he listened carefully and realized something was wrong.
Indeed, everything looked as if he himself had attacked Kamar-Taj.
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