No other cost?
Mordo and the apprentices were filled with doubt.
They wanted to dismiss it, but Stephen Strange's actions were undeniable.
Could there be a hidden price they weren't aware of?
Or was the deity simply luring Strange in with temporary benefits?
These thoughts were all they could muster to reconcile what they had witnessed. Otherwise, if it were true...
As they wrestled with their skepticism, Stephen Strange spoke again, turning to Mordo. "Providing faith alone to gain the power of a dinsional deity... I don't see an issue with that."
"Even the Ancient One draws energy from the Dark Dinsion. If I can gain this power by simply offering my faith, how is that any worse?"
Mordo froze at Strange's words.
He had nearly forgotten this uncomfortable truth.
However, since the Ancient One was still alive, and Mordo had never seen the Dormammu mark on her forehead during battle, he couldn't confirm his suspicions.
In his heart, the image of the Ancient One remained unshattered.
Mordo gritted his teeth and said, "One day, you'll regret this."
"I won't," Stephen Strange replied, shaking his head as he dispelled the Form of Ikonn and the energy whips, releasing Mordo.
Then, Strange turned to leave.
Watching him walk away, Mordo frowned. He suddenly felt the need to bring Strange before the Ancient One.
Without thinking further, Mordo instinctively swung his staff, the artifact of the Staff of the Living Tribunal, attempting to stop Strange by force.
Whoosh!
The sound of wind howled sharply.
Sensing danger, Strange instinctively channeled the remaining divine energy granted by the deity and cast one final spell.
A flash of radiant golden light appeared-a golden staff that seed vaguely familiar collided with Mordo's dark artifact.
Boom!
To the astonishnt of Mordo and the onlooking apprentices, the mont the two weapons clashed, Mordo's staff was cleaved cleanly in two.
Mordo stared in disbelief at the broken staff in his hands and the golden staff in Strange's grip.
"This... is the Staff of the Living Tribunal?"
"You managed to summon it without an artifact? How?"
"And how can your spell be stronger than mine, even with my artifact?"
Mordo sensed the divine energy radiating from Strange's golden staff and suddenly realized the truth.
Strange had used the deity's divine power to enhance his magic.
Was this why it felt so different?
It was just like Kaecilius back then...
Looking at Strange from a distance, Mordo was left speechless, his emotions a mix of shock and inner turmoil.
Even in his own heart, he felt the faint stirrings of temptation.
Faith in this mysterious dinsional deity could grant such overwhelming power?
As Strange departed, leaving the apprentices and Mordo behind, Mordo couldn't resist heading directly to the Ancient One.
When he arrived at her chamber, he recounted everything in detail.
The Ancient One listened, her expression montarily still.
"So, the future has shifted once more..."
She sighed softly and said, "Let things take their course."
"This is Strange's choice. All I can do is guide him."
Mordo was incredulous. "Supre One, we're just going to let this happen? Strange...!"
The Ancient One shook her head.
Mordo fell into silence, questioning whether he had misunderstood everything and whether his decisions had been wrong.
If even the Ancient One didn't see this as an issue, why was he so insistent?
Perhaps... he too could try placing his faith in this deity?
The thought lingered in Mordo's mind.
...
Ti passed.
Under Syd's watchful gaze, a few apprentices discreetly sought out Kaecilius.
This didn't surprise him.
What did catch him off guard, however, was the appearance of Wanda, Pietro, and Stan, led into Kamar-Taj by a mage.
Syd was startled to see them arrive so soon; he had expected it would take them several more days to reach Kamar-Taj.
Using the power of the Mind Stone, Syd delved into the mage's mories and understood what had happened.
It turned out that Wanda and her companions had encountered this mage en route, who brought them directly to Kamar-Taj.
Their arrival quickly drew the attention of the other mages, particularly Kaecilius, who gave them a curious glance.
Perhaps these three could also beco followers of the Master?
Seizing an opportunity, Kaecilius approached Wanda and Pietro in private, explaining the difficulties of mastering magic and the benefits of becoming a follower of the deity.
After his pitch, Kaecilius left.
Wanda and Pietro exchanged words, and finally, Pietro hesitated. "Do we really have to do
this?"
Wanda nodded firmly. "If we don't, how else will we defeat Tony Stark?"
According to the mage who brought them here, mastering magic required significant ti-
ti Wanda couldn't afford. She wanted her revenge on Stark as quickly as possible.
With the deity's power, they could achieve that vengeance sooner.
Pietro fell silent, unable to refute her logic.
That very night, the siblings sought out Kaecilius and asked him to teach them.
Kaecilius didn't refuse and imdiately began teaching them how to pray.
anwhile, in a secluded corner, Syd turned his attention elsewhere.
He retrieved a black stone from his spatial ring.
"I wonder, what vision of death will I face this ti?"
"Will it be the true form of an old God, or Arishem the Judge of the Celestials?"
"Or perhaps sothing else?"
With these thoughts, Syd gripped the Power Stone in one hand while channeling energy into
the black stone in the other.
Soon, a familiar ripple of energy erged.
Without resisting the ripple, Syd's vision blurred, and a scene unfolded before his eyes.
(End of Chapter)
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