The Hong Kong Sanctum, one of the three holy sites of Kamar-Taj, stood as a bastion of mystical defense. Five years ago, this sacred place, alongside the London Sanctum, had been destroyed during the early chaos of the War. Only the desperate defense of the New York Sanctum had prevented Dormammu's emergence, an event that could have altered the outcome of the war entirely.
Now, the Hong Kong Sanctum was under threat once again.
A man in a green robe, his face pale and ghostly, stepped into the hallowed halls. Under normal circumstances, such an intrusion would be impossible. The Sanctums were heavily protected, their wards designed to repel unwanted guests. Even amidst a bustling city, the holy sites remained undisturbed by the mundane world.
To force entry into a Sanctum was an act of aggression.
The sorcerers within reacted instantly. Magic weapons materialized in their hands as they rushed to confront the intruder. Yet, it was clear from the outset that they were no match for him. Their spells fizzled against his defenses, and one by one, the sorcerers fell.
When Wong arrived at the scene, his heart sank at the sight of his fallen comrades. His gaze locked onto the green-robed figure standing amidst the chaos. Recognizing the intruder, Wong's voice trembled with both fury and heartbreak.
"I refused to believe it when Strange told me you'd betrayed us," Wong said, his voice rising. "You were one of the teacher's most promising disciples. Why, Mordo? Why have you done this?"
The man in the green robe—Mordo—met Wong's gaze with calm defiance. "I have not betrayed anyone," Mordo said, his tone resolute. "I am merely restoring balance to this chaotic world."
Wong's fists clenched. "Balance? By aligning yourself with Dormammu? Do you realize the cost of your actions? The entire world will be plunged into darkness!"
Mordo sneered. "And what's so wrong with darkness? It's not as terrifying as you imagine. Our great teacher—the Ancient One—preached vigilance against the dark, yet she herself drew power from Dormammu."
The accusation cut deep, but Wong refused to waver. "Enough! Whatever your reasons, I won't let you desecrate this Sanctum. As long as I stand, you won't succeed!"
Mordo chuckled darkly. "I'm afraid you won't be able to stop me."
With that, Mordo launched himself forward, and the two clashed in a flurry of spells and strikes. Their battle raged for half an hour, but the outcome was inevitable. Mordo, once one of the Ancient One's finest students, was a formidable opponent even before drawing power from Dormammu. Against his newfound strength, Wong stood little chance.
As Wong lay defeated, struggling to rise, Mordo loomed over him. "I won't kill you," Mordo said coldly. "You'll live to see the truth—that I was right all along."
With those parting words, Mordo turned and left. Minutes later, the Hong Kong Sanctum crumbled in a violent explosion, its mystical defenses shattered.
At the same time, a group of fallen sorcerers infiltrated the London Sanctum. Unlike Hong Kong, no battle erupted here. When the intruders arrived, the sorcerers were already unconscious, sprawled across the floor as though in a deep slumber.
Yet their slumber was far from peaceful.
"No… don't… help me…" one sorcerer whimpered, his face contorted in terror.
"Please… don't kill me…" another murmured, their voice trembling with fear.
The sorcerers' cries of distress sent shivers down their spines. Sorcerers were known for their exceptional mental fortitude and unwavering willpower. What horror could reduce them to this state of abject fear?
None among the fallen dared to voice their thoughts.
Moments later, the London Sanctum, like Hong Kong, was obliterated in a burst of energy.
At the Avengers Base in New York, a fierce battle raged. Two colossal figures—one green, one red—clashed amidst a storm of shockwaves and debris. The green figure was the Hulk, his raw power shaking the ground with every step. His opponent was the Anti-Hulk Armor, a towering red suit designed to counter the gamma powerhouse.
"BOOM!"
The two figures collided again, the sound reverberating like thunder. After another earth-shattering impact, the Anti-Hulk Armor gave way. Metal fragments scattered across the battlefield as the suit crumbled under the Hulk's strength.
From within the wreckage, Tony Stark emerged, dusting himself off with a disgruntled expression. "Damn it, you big green wrecking ball," he muttered. "That's another set of armor you've totaled!"
The Hulk began to shrink, his hulking form receding until Bruce Banner stood in his place. Rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly, Banner said, "Uh… Hulk didn't mean to."
Tony rolled his eyes. "Yeah, sure. By the way, have you noticed something? Hulk's strength seems to be increasing. It's like he's getting stronger every day."
Banner nodded hesitantly. "I've noticed. It's… concerning."
Tony sighed, his usual bravado giving way to a rare moment of solemnity. "Thor's been warning us that another crisis is coming. Says it's not time for us to rest. The question is—are we ready?"
Banner hesitated before replying, "Maybe… almost."
"Same here," Tony admitted quietly. His voice trailed off as the atmosphere around them began to darken unnaturally.
"What's happening?" Banner asked, his voice tense.
Both men looked skyward, their eyes widening as a massive fortress emerged from the shadows above. The colossal structure blotted out the light, casting the base into an ominous gloom.