Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Ancient One
Kamar-Taj
Kurogai had one goal: to learn magic from the Ancient One. But to do that, he needed to find her first.
Traveling across continents on foot like Doctor Strange had done? Completely unrealistic. Kamar-Taj was far too remote for that. Fortunately, being familiar with the story gave Kurogai an advantage: he knew that the sorcerers maintained three Sanctums across the world, and the New York Sanctum had a direct portal to Kamar-Taj.
No need for a pilgrimage when you had the cheat code.
With the correct address in hand, locating the New York Sanctum wasn't hard. It wasn't exactly advertised, but Kurogai's enhanced perception and knowledge made short work of it.
He soon stood before an old, ornate building, its architecture distinct from anything surrounding it. His gaze lifted toward the rooftop, where the iconic slanted circular window gleamed in the sunlight. To the untrained eye, it was just a decorative feature. But to Kurogai, it was a clear mark of the mystical—the symbol of the Masters of the Mystic Arts.
Though the sorcerers had protected Earth from extradimensional threats for centuries, they'd done so quietly. So much so that most of the world didn't even know they existed.
Kurogai walked right up to the front door, pushed it open, and stepped inside.
The interior was ancient, filled with relics, scrolls, and artifacts from a time long gone. The scent of incense lingered in the air. This place had history—powerful history. But Kurogai wasn't here for sightseeing.
He scanned the open hall. No signs of life.
"Seriously? Empty?" he muttered under his breath.
The Sanctum was supposed to be guarded. But in most versions of the story, the New York Sanctum's guardian wasn't exactly... proactive. As long as there was no magical catastrophe, they typically kept a low profile. After all, the Sorcerer Supreme had the real weight on her shoulders.
"This isn't a tourist spot, kid. Best you leave."
A voice echoed from a corridor.
A middle-aged man in monk robes emerged, walking with the relaxed gait of someone used to silence. He clearly mistook Kurogai for a lost child.
Kurogai didn't waste time.
"I'm here to see the Ancient One."
The man stopped. His expression changed in an instant—eyes narrowing with suspicion.
"How do you know that name?" he asked, his voice now edged with caution. "Who are you?"
"Who I am doesn't matter," Kurogai said calmly. "But I need to see her. Now."
The monk didn't budge. Kurogai sighed.
He didn't have the luxury of patience.
His Geass Eye activated. A crimson glow sparked in his pupil—and a faint red light flickered in the man's eyes. The sorcerer's posture relaxed immediately, his mind overtaken by the command.
"Understood. I'll report to the Sorcerer Supreme immediately."
Without hesitation, the man turned and opened a nearby portal to Kamar-Taj.
That was another advantage of the mystic arts: they didn't rely on phones or tech. Communication through portals was instantaneous—and efficient.
---
Kamar-Taj
In a serene, candlelit chamber, surrounded by ancient tomes, a bald woman in flowing robes quietly flipped through a thick book. Though her appearance was striking, it carried an air of calm wisdom—a presence that transcended age or gender.
She was the Ancient One. Earth's Sorcerer Supreme. The guardian of reality.
"Sorcerer Supreme, there's a situation at the New York Sanctum. A child requests to see you."
The monk who had just been under Geass now stood before her, speaking calmly.
The Ancient One looked up, surprised. Her eyes narrowed.
A gentle wave of her hand released a pulse of energy that entered the man's body—and immediately, the red haze vanished from his gaze. The mind control was broken.
Only someone of her caliber could do that.
"What…? How did I get here?" The man blinked, confusion settling in. "I… was at the New York Sanctum—then… I was here?"
"You were under the influence of someone's power," the Ancient One said softly. "I've released you. Now—tell me what happened."
He hesitated, then spoke quickly.
"A child… looked no older than six. Came into the Sanctum. He demanded to see you. I thought he was just a lost kid, but… then it all went black."
The Ancient One absorbed his words silently. A child that could control a trained sorcerer's mind?
That wasn't ordinary.
A slight smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.
"Interesting. Let's go meet this child."
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