At the vast circular plaza of Kamar-Taj—
With the coming of dawn, young apprentices stood upon the rune-carved stone floor, already immersed in their morning practice.
Some cheered when their spark portals finally formed.
Others, after yet another failed attempt, looked disheartened—only to quickly steady themselves and resume.
From the library corridor, Gwen leaned on the railing, chin propped in hand, watching the apprentices below.
After Hawk's explanations, she no longer envied them.
Well… she still envied them a little.
But the thought of selling one's soul as the price, and the risk of becoming leverage against her fiancé—
That shattered the rosy filter of "sorcerers" completely.
She couldn't be his weakness.
Still—
Is it really that hard? Just drawing a circle… how can they fail so much?
She smirked to herself, then turned toward the library door, closed tight since Hawk had gone in. Worry crept into her eyes.
A whole day. Still no sign of him.
Just then, the doors opened.
Her eyes lit up—
Only to see Wong stride out, impassive as always.
Her expectation dimmed, but she smiled politely.
"Good morning, Wong."
"Good morning."
He gave a small nod, then glanced back at the library. He was about to say Hawk would not be coming out soon, when his gaze caught a presence behind Gwen.
"Ancient One."
"…"
Gwen turned—and nearly jumped. She hadn't noticed the Sorcerer Supreme appear behind her at all. She steadied herself.
"Supreme Sorcerer, when will Hawk come out?"
The Ancient One didn't answer right away. She acknowledged Wong with a nod.
Wong took the hint and quietly departed.
Only then did she step beside Gwen, both gazing out at the plaza.
"When he wishes to emerge, he will."
That was as good as no answer at all.
Gwen's lips twitched into a Hawk-like grimace, but she let it go with a sigh.
"…Alright."
"If you're bored, you could learn Kamar-Taj's arts yourself."
"No, no!" Gwen waved both hands. "It looks way too hard. I'd never get it."
The Ancient One's serene eyes fell on her, a faint smile forming.
"For you, if you truly wished, it would be effortless."
"Forget it." Gwen shook her head firmly.
The Ancient One didn't press further. Instead, she shifted topics:
"Join me for tea. Hawk will be a while longer."
Gwen glanced at the quiet library door, hesitated, then nodded.
…
Inside the library, in the chamber of the Vishanti.
Hawk floated cross-legged in midair, the Eye of Agamotto glowing between his palms, spilling its emerald light.
Time—swift, yet slow.
Within time, meaning itself unraveled.
In his Microcosm, all was still but a single breath.
The Underworld was born.
With the Time Stone's acceleration, structures vast enough to suffocate the mind rose in an instant.
The aura of life-and-death law spread outward, saturating his Microcosm, binding it wholly.
When life finally appeared, all souls would pass through his Underworld for judgment and rebirth.
For now, lifeless.
Silent.
Cold.
The newborn Underworld mirrored that emptiness.
A colossal gate of black-crystal metal loomed at the only entrance. Beyond: a wasteland plain of ash-gray gravel, jagged rocks, and a sky forever choked in stormclouds.
At its end, a cliff—
And below, a broad river, slow yet heavy with dread.
Its banks bare, with black reeds and twisted trees. And far downstream, sprawling citadels rose:
The Court of Judgment.
The Eight Prisons.
The Blessed Fields of Elysium.
Everything.
Why waste the chance? With the Time Stone in hand, Hawk built his realm to perfection.
It felt like playing a cosmic version of Minecraft, and when he raised a grand Hades' Palace in the center of Elysium, the satisfaction was divine.
And as he stepped into the palace—
The black-flamed Phoenix burst forth, merging into the temple.
Its body etched across the floor.
Its burning wings carved into the towering pillars.
Its eyes fused with the high throne—two dark jewels glowing at either side.
Hawk raised his gaze.
Above, within the black flames, countless Nether Crystals fused, melting, reforming.
And there—
A Surplice was born.
Crystal and metal.
Dark, sinister, majestic.
The Black Phoenix Surplice.
Hawk's lips curled into a cold smile.
Mephisto… I hope you'll appreciate this gift of mine.
…
His eyes snapped open.
At once, the Vishanti's power sealed the Eye of Agamotto, returning it to its pedestal.
Hawk arched a brow, glancing at the stone faces on the wall.
"Petty. No wonder you three need to fuse into one just to rule a dimension."
He smirked.
"Tell you what—give me the Time Stone, and when my Phoenix Universe is born, I'll let you reign there."
"…"
The stone carvings remained as silent as ever.
He shrugged.
"Worth a shot."
His cosmos flared, and he vanished.
…
Outside, Gwen was laughing softly with the Ancient One over tea when Hawk appeared.
The Ancient One fell silent at once.
Gwen glanced at her, guessed why, then turned to Hawk. Her eyes widened with joy, and she leapt up, throwing her arms around him.
"Do you know how long you've been gone?"
Hawk nodded. "Two days."
Time's flow had told him the moment he stepped out.
A good trade, though.
Two days for a perfected Microcosm, and the early birth of his Underworld.
Still—an apology was owed.
He held her gaze seriously.
"Sorry."
Her worry dissolved into radiant relief.
"You're forgiven."
They smiled, embraced, kissed.
Then Hawk looked past her, to the tea table where the Ancient One sat, and inclined his head.
He'd accomplished everything he came to Kamar-Taj for.
Now—
It was time to see what surprise Mephisto had prepared for him.
And also—
To show Mephisto the surprise he had prepared.
…
(End of Chapter)
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