The visions in Thor's mind faded, leaving him with a grim expression.
"So, that's how he managed to sneak into the royal treasury unnoticed," Thor murmured. "He's using Dormammu's power. And to think, he's an old acquaintance."
"Who is this sorcerer?" Jean Grey asked, her curiosity piqued. "He looks like someone from Kamar-Taj, but I don't recall seeing him when we were there. It's rare for any sorcerer to have the ability to open such a portal, not even Wong."
Thor folded his arms, his tone heavy with realization. "The only person with that kind of skill is the Ancient One herself. Even Doctor Strange, the current Sorcerer Supreme, struggles with such precision. But this man wasn't drawing on his own power. That sorcerer is Mordo, the Ancient One's former chief disciple. He left Kamar-Taj, but I never expected him to join forces with Dormammu."
Jean tilted her head, puzzled. "And what does this have to do with you?"
Thor let out a bitter laugh and gestured to himself. "In his eyes, I'm the root of all his problems, the source of chaos."
Shaking his head, Thor reflected on how he had underestimated Mordo. In the past, he had considered the sorcerer a pale shadow of Wong, hardly worth his notice. But it was becoming clear he'd misjudged him.
The memories stirred another thought. Thor recalled an alternate timeline from a series he had once seen in his previous life—one where Strange never ventured into the mystic arts, and Mordo had ascended as Sorcerer Supreme after the Ancient One. Perhaps Mordo wasn't incompetent; perhaps Strange was simply extraordinary, overshadowing him with his brilliance.
In the main square of Kamar-Taj, a group of sorcerers was immersed in their training. Unlike the prodigious Shi Legend, most sorcerers were more content with steady progress, diligently practicing their craft. Their lives weren't glamorous, but they were essential to maintaining the balance of the mystical arts.
The square was bustling with activity, filled with hundreds of trainees. Each sorcerer present would be considered a formidable figure in the mortal world, a testament to the depth of Kamar-Taj's strength.
Among the Nine Realms, aside from Asgard, Kamar-Taj stood as one of the most powerful forces. Few dared to challenge its might directly. Even Thanos, who sought the Time Stone from Strange, had hesitated to provoke the entirety of Kamar-Taj.
Thor, however, was not bound by such caution.
A brilliant, rainbow-colored flame erupted in the center of the square, accompanied by the oppressive aura of a god's presence. Startled, the sorcerers prepared for battle, their weapons and spells at the ready.
A voice thundered from within the light. "Strange, come out!"
The assembled sorcerers collectively froze.
One muttered, "Let's just leave. This guy isn't someone we can mess with, and he probably won't destroy the place anyway..."
Strange emerged from a nearby corridor, his expression calm despite the uproar. "Thor, I assume you're here to settle things because of Mordo?"
Thor stepped out of the Bifrost, his face dark with irritation. "You already know everything, don't you?"
Strange gestured for Thor to follow him inside the sanctum, leading the way with unflappable composure. "Mordo left because he couldn't reconcile with the Ancient One's methods."
Thor smirked, his tone mocking. "The Ancient One's judgment seems questionable. How did she end up teaching a group of misfits?"
Strange didn't rise to the bait. "We could say the same about Odin's parenting, couldn't we? Between Hela and Loki, he's hardly the pinnacle of success."
The jab hit home, but Thor brushed it aside. "Fine. But since you clearly saw this coming, why didn't you warn me? Were you not concerned that Asgard might actually fall? Or did you think you could handle Thanos all by yourself?"
Strange sighed, his voice tinged with weariness. "Asgard suffered minimal damage in the end, didn't it? If I'd warned you, it would have altered the timeline, masking the threat and creating a disaster that would explode later. I can't foresee every outcome, but in the scenarios I witnessed, this was the least destructive path."
Thor considered this and gave a reluctant nod. He understood the logic. Mordo's grievances with the Ancient One were longstanding. His rigid nature had always clashed with her willingness to bend the rules, making his eventual defection almost inevitable. Now, allied with Dormammu, Mordo had become a thorn in both their sides.
And then there was Thanos. Dormammu's pact prevented him from directly targeting Earth, so Asgard had become his battlefield. Conversely, Thanos couldn't challenge Thor head-on, leaving Earth as his target. It was a tangled web of conflicting motives and fragile alliances.
"And Thanos?" Thor pressed. "Why did you let him have the Time Stone? Without it, he would've fallen on Vormir. As I recall, you and Stark weren't exactly best friends."
Strange's lips curved into a faint, enigmatic smile. "This war is far from over. Killing Thanos won't solve everything. Compared to the Time Stone, Stark's existence is far more critical."
Thor raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "As long as I'm here, this war will end in our favor."
"Perhaps," Strange said, his tone neutral. "But you cannot control the cost of that victory."
Thor frowned. "And you think Stark can?"
Strange nodded solemnly. "Yes. He can."