"Is it done now, Master Druid?" Su Ming asked as he returned to the Druid's side. The mage was floating cross-legged in mid-air, his hands forming intricate magical seals in front of his chest. He looked impressive and dignified, which suggested he must have succeeded, right?
"Yes, the ntal network is up, and I've contacted all our people. But... even with you standing right in front of , I still can't communicate with you telepathically," Druid said, confused. He rubbed the front of his robe with his rough fingers—hands that looked more like those of a laborer than a healer, covered in cracks and wrinkles.
There were bloodstains on the front of his robe, likely from him coughing. The toll of his spellcasting had begun to weigh on him.
"I'm a special case. Don't worry about it; we're short on ti," Su Ming replied. His brain was protected by X-tal, so neither magical nor psychic abilities could affect him. "Now, contact the person hiding in the distance. He's my teammate. Tell him to inform the Cloak of Levitation to bring my gear and weapons."
The Druid didn't ask any questions and simply closed his eyes, transmitting the ssage.
Soon, the red Cloak of Levitation ca flying over, carrying several items like a tray delivering food in a restaurant.
Su Ming used the symbiote suit as an inner layer and then donned the sacred armor on top. The symbiote squird, adjusting his muscles to beco slimr and fit inside.
With the armor's defensive power, two superweapons, and the symbiote's speed and strength, Su Ming had finally achieved his full form.
However, this arrangent of the symbiote and armor was a rough combination, and he would need to figure out a better solution later.
The Cloak of Levitation floated nearby, rising and falling as if admiring the battlefield. It lifted one corner and waved, as if greeting the Druid.
The Druid glanced at Su Ming and seed to understand sothing, giving a slight nod.
"Alright, Master Druid, I've already taken care of Gibbor by sending him flying and eliminated several enemies on the left flank. Next, I'll lead the charge again and tear a hole in their left-wing defenses. You inform the Kamar-Taj mages to be ready, hold the gap, and launch a counterattack," Su Ming said, drawing the Godslayer. This multifunctional weapon was more practical for this battle; the mages didn't have strong defenses, so there was no need for the Nightfall sword.
The Druid didn't have many options. Although the area where they stood was relatively safe, terrifying sounds were coming from not far away.
Kamar-Taj couldn't hold out much longer. If their defenses collapsed entirely, even the Sorcerer Supre wouldn't be able to withstand the assault alone.
So, even though most of the mages were burdened with heavy magical debts, they had to defeat the enemy before being overwheld.
After the Druid indicated his readiness, Su Ming led the charge, advancing through the gap he had created earlier.
The mages' formation wasn't dense. While such scattered tactics worked well in mage-on-mage battles, they couldn't withstand a warrior's full charge.
The overly flashy spells were dodged, and any recognizable, non-threatening spells were tanked head-on. Despite crossing universes, the sacred armor's resistance to magic remained undiminished.
It didn't take long before Su Ming, wielding his giant sword, broke through their formation, completely disrupting their plans. The Kamar-Taj mages, under his cover, quickly flooded through the breach, turning the tide of the battle.
Both sides suffered heavy losses. The battlefield was littered with shattered, grotesque corpses.
But that's the reality of war.
Su Ming didn't need to worry about the aftermath. The outco was already decided—the enemy's left wing had been utterly crushed. Within minutes, Kamar-Taj would encircle the enemy from the left, surrounding them completely.
The symbiote inside him was still urging him to kill more, but Su Ming took a few deep breaths, suppressing his bloodlust and ignoring the symbiote's incessant chatter.
The symbiote was a battle-driven organism, and on its howorld, they often fought each other to test whose evolutionary traits were stronger.
But this was Earth, and Su Ming wasn't a madman.
There was no need for a massacre. If the enemy's Sorcerer Supre wasn't an idiot, they would retreat. Su Ming's tactical goals had been achieved, and there was no point in pushing to the brink.
If anyone had to fight to the end, it should be the Ancient One. Su Ming had already done enough to earn so favors. His rcenary fees didn't necessarily have to be money—magical artifacts would do just fine.
He wasn't short on money; it was the things money couldn't buy that he was after.
So, as the Kamar-Taj mages pursued their victory, Su Ming sheathed his weapons and approached the battleground where the Ancient One was facing the other-dinsional Sorcerer Supre.
With his arms crossed, he stood confidently nearby, watching the scene unfold intently.
The opposing Sorcerer Supre noticed things were going south. If all her forces were wiped out, she too would be overwheld. The warriors posed little threat to her, but adding hundreds of Kamar-Taj mages to the mix was another story.
She hurled a green magic orb that exploded, but the Ancient One countered with a red fan spell, detonating the orb in mid-air. Using this opening, the curly-haired sorceress pulled back.
"You got lucky, Yao. This isn't over—I'll be back," she sneered.
The Ancient One exhaled softly, standing straight with her hands clasped behind her back. A gentle breeze lifted the hem of her yellow robes as she calmly ford a defensive spell with her hands, shielding herself and her apprentices. "Karu, my old friend, I see everything you've done. I fear I must officially declare that the Pri Dinsion no longer welcos you."
"We were once Kamar-Taj's farrs. This was once my ho too, but you turned it into an energy source, a pillar of the world, a giant magical trap. It's you who's in the wrong. Ti will prove everything. When you're dead, I'll co to mourn you," Karu spat, her voice icy as she cast another spell.
A massive black portal appeared behind her. She jumped in first, followed by her remaining forces, all retreating through the swirling gate.
The door closed, shrinking like a vortex until it vanished without a trace.
Everything returned to calm. The sky cleared, though the cratered ground and the lingering fires and smoke served as reminders of what had just happened.
So had thought of pursuing the enemy. Mordo, in particular, was about to use a spatial spell to chase after them, but the Ancient One stopped him.
"Don't chase a cornered foe," she said, struggling to maintain her steady breathing. She was injured too, but she couldn't show it.
"But, Master, they'll return. We must eliminate them!" Mordo's face was full of frustration. He looked at the dead disciples and friends around him, clenching his fists.
The Ancient One shook her head, her expression stern. "The duty of the Sorcerer Supre is to protect the Earth of our dinsion, not invade others. Our power must be used for defense. Karu will use her strength for evil, but I won't."
Mordo lowered his head, staring at his shoes in conflict before finally sighing, "As you wish, Master."
The Ancient One closed her eyes, sensing the situation around her. After checking the tiline with the Eye of Agamotto, she finally relaxed.
"Gather the bodies from both sides and give them a proper burial," the Ancient One instructed Mordo, before gradually releasing her protective and spatial-binding spells. "Grudges and hatred will fade with the wind. Show respect to the dead. Do you understand?"
Mordo gritted his teeth. The Ancient One had seen through him again.
He had intended to chop the enemies' bodies into pieces and throw them to the vultures, but with the Ancient One's reminder, he couldn't do that now.
"Yes, Master," he reluctantly agreed.
Turning to his task, the Ancient One finally looked toward Su Ming, her usual smile returning to her face.
"Sorry that the internal matters of the sorcerers affected the real world. It was my fault."
Su Ming shrugged and waved to Holloway to co over, all the while observing the Ancient One closely. He noticed that she looked exhausted, as if she was completely drained.
"It's nothing. I was just stopping by the New York Sanctum when I got caught up in all this," Su Ming said casually.
The Ancient One drew a circle with her hand, instantly teleporting Holloway from several hundred ters away to their side. She inspected him closely and nodded in approval.
"I know what you've co for, but sorcerers do not ddle in mortal affairs. At least, the people of Kamar-Taj won't."
That ant Su Ming's plan to recruit Druid or Mordo was destined to fail.
Su Ming took off his helt, the symbiote retreating to reveal his face. He put on an earnest expression.
"We're old acquaintances now. You've always treated well. This ti, I just helped out as a favor—sending your forr apprentice flying, defeating a symbiote, killing over a dozen enemies, commanding the big fight, annihilating the Annihilation swarm, and saving your young apprentice. No need to feel indebted."
The Ancient One's smile faltered slightly. The way Su Ming laid it out made it sound like she owed him a debt to a demon god. It was a pretty clear ssage.
He had helped Kamar-Taj, and if she didn't repay him, wouldn't that be a bit improper?
She wasn't the type to ignore a favor. If word got out that she didn't return a favor, how would she maintain her standing in the magical world? She couldn't just silence everyone, could she?
Looking at Su Ming, who appeared sincere and righteous, and then at the Ti Stone on her chest, she pondered for a mont and sighed.
"Please, join for tea in the side hall."
Reviews
All reviews (0)