The Ancient One stood quietly beside Soren, the orange glow of her portal magic gently illuminating the wreckage around them.
She stared into his eyes…those calm, deep eyes…and for the first time in centuries, she felt awe.
"Doctor..."
"Is it truly resolved?"
Soren gave a small nod, his expression relaxed.
"Yes." He gestured lightly toward the sky, where the last remnants of the Nine Realms' alignment shimmered out of existence.
"The convergence is breaking apart. Each realm will return to its rightful path. The worst is behind us... thanks to everyone's help."
At his words, those gathered, heroes, warriors, and sorcerers alike, straightened up a little, pride flickering in their tired faces.
Thor stepped forward, looking almost sheepish. His armor was battered, and a gash ran along his arm, but none of it mattered now.
He bowed his head slightly toward Soren.
"You have my thanks. Twice over." Thor's voice was thick with sincerity.
"First for saving my mother... and again, for saving the realms. If not for my grandfather's negligence, this nightmare might never have begun."
Soren gave him a casual smile, waving a hand dismissively.
"No need for formalities. We all did our part."
"Now, let's get everyone back. You all need rest, and a proper healer's touch."
At his signal, the Ancient One opened a swirling golden portal. Without hesitation, they stepped through, returning to the relative safety of the Everlife Medical Hall.
Inside the Medical Hall, the atmosphere was calmer, peaceful, even. As the group arrived, a small commotion drew their attention.
Frigga, the Queen of Asgard, was waking.
Thor let out a stunned gasp and rushed to her side.
"Mother! You're awake!"
Frigga opened her eyes slowly, a soft smile touching her lips when she saw him. Thor knelt, clutching her hands tightly.
"It's alright, my son." She whispered, her voice weak but steady.
"I am here. Thanks to..." She looked past Thor, her wise eyes finding Soren and the Ancient One.
"Thanks to him."
Thor turned, pride shining in his eyes, and said in a loud voice.
"Thank you, Soren. I owe you more than I can ever repay."
"Don't mention it, Thor." Soren chuckled lightly.
"Just take care of your family, and keep an eye on your grandfather's 'souvenirs' next time."
The room rippled with laughter.
Frigga smiled warmly at Soren, and with Thor's help, she departed through another portal to recover in Asgard.
One by one, the others left to tend their wounds, their tasks, their lives.
A month passed.
The scars of Malekith's invasion remained, but the earth had survived. Life moved forward.
However, the world had changed in ways no government could entirely suppress.
Despite the best efforts of SHIELD and the authorities to cover it up, rumors of the Nine Realms' convergence and the cataclysm at Greenwich spread like wildfire among those with sharp eyes and sharper minds.
Those who really understood pieced together the truth: the name at the center of it all... was Soren Macaluso.
No one had seen the full extent of his battle, but the evidence spoke louder than any witness.
The colossal crater at Greenwich, wrought by forbidden magic and hyperorbital electromagnetic bombardment, became legend.
Every major force, government, corporate, supernatural, took notice.
Quiet, ironclad orders were issued behind closed doors.
"The Everlife Medical Center must be respected at all costs. Doctor Macaluso must not be antagonized. Befriend, support... but never offend."
And so, unknowingly, Soren's influence began to ripple through the world.
Meanwhile, Soren himself?
He was unconcerned with politics.
After a short rest, the Everlife Medical Hall reopened its doors, and Soren quietly resumed his true passion.
His newly acquired Dark Elf and Cursed Warrior genetics were a treasure trove of knowledge. And he had all the time he needed.
The world, however, buzzed with another explosion of news.
Osborn Industries, once an ambitious but middling tech company, announced a revolutionary new healing drug.
The medicine was staggering in its effects: it could heal nearly any wound, repair shattered bones.
The global frenzy was immediate.
Governments scrambled to acquire stockpiles. Corporations fought with tooth and nail to buy rights.
The U.S. government even attempted a full acquisition, sending negotiators and threats alike.
But the commissioners who approached Osborn's boardroom were left stunned when their meetings... mysteriously fell apart.
The moment he reported it to the higher-ups, a wave of shock rippled through the senior council.
But after their initial surprise, no further action was taken.
No congratulations.
No interrogation.
Only silence.
Soren smiled faintly at the non-response. That was exactly what he wanted.
The wise ones knew better than to meddle with him.
Days later, Soren found himself standing before the ancient stone steps of Kamar-Taj once more, the air thick with incense and the whisper of unseen winds.
Inside, in a hidden courtyard bathed in the golden light of the setting sun, Jean Grey sat cross-legged atop a floating stone slab, her crimson hair glowing like fire against the sky. Arcane runes spiraled lazily around her.
When Jean saw him, her whole face lit up.
"Soren!" She hopped off the stone like an excited bird.
"Teacher told me everything! You defeated Malekith! That's... that's incredible!"
She rushed over, practically bouncing on her toes, her bright green eyes filled with admiration.
Soren chuckled, resting his hand casually on the hilt of his coat.
"Malekith defeated himself, really."
"He rotted away in the Dark World so long, he forgot the first rule of power~"
"What's that?" Jean tilting her head curiously.
"Ambition without strength is just suicide." Soren finished with a shrug.
Jean laughed softly, bumping her shoulder playfully against his.
The warmth of her gesture reminded Soren why he had come.
There was something about Jean… something explosive and beautiful.
He eyed her carefully.
"So." His voice shifted, becoming lighter, teasing.
"Tell me, Little Flame, how's your magic practice coming along? Burning down the library yet?"
Jean puffed up proudly.
"The teacher says I'm the strongest she's ever seen."
Jean tossed her hair dramatically, pretending to look smug and failing because she couldn't hide her grin.
"Even Kaecilius—" She wrinkled her nose at the name, "—that jerk you wasted?"
"He's a snail compared to me. Everyone else needs months for spells I can learn in days!"
Soren blinked once.
That fast?
When he first taught Jean simple sigils, she had been good, but this was monstrous growth.
He narrowed his eyes thoughtfully, feeling the Phoenix Force humming within her, tangled with the raw weave of Kamar-Taj magic.
A perfect storm brewing under the surface.
An idea sparked.
"Alright, Flamebird."
"Let's put you to the real test. I'll teach you something... a little trickier."
Jean's eyes gleamed.
"Anything!" She said eagerly, practically vibrating with energy.
"What do I do?"
Soren smiled like a wolf and pulled a small, glowing green stone from the folds of his cloak.
"Hold this." He said, pressing the cool gem into her hand.
"Feel it. Let it breathe through you. Then, build this~"
He raised his hand, and slowly, a complex emerald magic circle bloomed into the air, spinning and pulsing with elegant, clock-like patterns.
Jean's breath caught.
She closed her fingers tightly around it, knelt down in the dirt without hesitation, and closed her eyes.
Energy surged up her arm, wild, untamed and for a moment, Soren wondered if she'd lose control.
Jean only smiled wider.
Her fingertips began to glow. Tracing the patterns in the air, her movements confident.
The stone flared once…DING!
And~
The exact same time circle hung suspended in the air above her hands, pulsing in perfect synchrony with Soren's.
Soren let out a low whistle, genuinely impressed.
"By the Ancients..." He muttered under his breath. "You are terrifying."
Jean opened her eyes, panting slightly but grinning wide.
"Did I do it right?!" She beamed up at him like a kid who just showed off their first painting.
꧁𓊈𒆜༺⚜༻𒆜𓊉꧂
Check out the new story: Garfield Across the Multiverse
PhantomDream