In a dark underground chamber, strange symbols covered the ground as a group of hooded figures chanted in an unknown tongue. These were fervent cultists performing a mysterious ritual.
With a sudden flash of violet light, a spectral figure materialized within the summoning circle. The moment they saw him, the surrounding cultists hurriedly lowered their heads in reverence.
"Great Lord Dormammu, what are your commands?" The cultists gazed upon Dormammu with hopeful anticipation, yearning for entry into the Dark Dimension.
"You have disappointed me," Dormammu's piercing gaze fell upon Kaecilius. "After all this time, you still have not opened the passage to the Dark Universe."
Cold sweat dripped from Kaecilius's forehead. "Forgive me, my lord. The Ancient One is too powerful. My previous attempts have all ended in failure."
Dormammu was well aware of the Ancient One's strength. They had clashed multiple times in the Dark Dimension, and each time, she had managed to escape his grasp.
"I am here to inform you that I have already arrived in the Prime Universe. Your task now is to sabotage the planetary defense system being built by Azeroth Technologies. You must not allow its completion."
With these words, Dormammu's form vanished before them.
"Understood, Lord Dormammu." Kaecilius breathed a sigh of relief. At least Dormammu had not punished him.
...
A gentle sea breeze swept across the island, where massive stone monoliths stood tall. Some had been carved into imposing statues.
This was Easter Island, an enigmatic and ancient land. But today, it was a hive of activity. Helicopters roared overhead, and heavy construction machinery rumbled as workers excavated a deep pit at the island's center.
After the recent attack, security had been significantly tightened. Magneto and Dr. Mai Will were overseeing the progress of the project.
Dr. Will scrutinized a piece of silvery-white metal in front of him. Though unrefined, its purity was exceptional. "Gravitonium… truly a remarkable element."
"I'm more interested in the man who manipulates gravity," Magneto mused. He had spent years wandering this world, searching for mutants, before recently returning to the Mutant Academy.
"So, old man, whose power is stronger—yours or Talbot's gravity control?"
Magneto pondered before replying, "Both forces belong to the fundamental interactions of the universe. It's difficult to say who is superior. However, I have absolute mastery over my abilities. If he dares to challenge me, I will not be defeated."
As they spoke, space itself cracked like shattered glass before them, and several figures with dark-rimmed eyes emerged from the rupture.
Without hesitation, the intruders attacked, summoning crystalline blades more transparent than glass.
"Zealots of the Ancient Order?" Dr. Will recognized their combat techniques and frowned. "Why are they attacking us? Magneto, leave one alive."
At his command, the metal scattered around the site rose into the air under Magneto's control. Countless metallic daggers swarmed toward Kaecilius and his followers.
Dormammu's disciples scrambled to evade the deadly barrage.
"Aagh!" A chilling scream rang out as a cultist was impaled, his body riddled with holes, blood gushing from his wounds.
Panic set in among the zealots. In mere moments, two more had perished without gaining an advantage.
"Retreat!" Kaecilius shouted, stepping back as ripples formed in the air behind him. The surviving zealots vanished into the distorted space.
A direct battle against Magneto was a losing endeavor. They would have to find another way to complete their mission.
"This is a headache," Dr. Will muttered in frustration. "We've made no progress in spatial research, and now our enemies can come and go as they please."
"It has begun," Magneto remarked.
Dr. Will looked up. "What has?"
A distant figure approached, soaring through the air without any visible means of propulsion.
Magneto lifted himself into the air to intercept him. The two men stared at each other mid-flight.
Talbot's eyes locked onto the Gravitonium below. "Hand over the Gravitonium, and I'll leave immediately."
"After you attacked our base, you expect us to give you anything?" Dr. Will scoffed.
Talbot clenched his fists, his intent clear.
Sensing the shift, Magneto positioned himself in front of the doctor. Magnetism and gravity clashed in a confined space, distorting the very air around them.
Magneto had the advantage of mastery, while Talbot possessed sheer raw power. However, if Talbot managed to absorb more Gravitonium, even Magneto might not stand a chance.
As their battle intensified, Kaecilius observed from the Mirror Dimension, waiting for the right moment to strike.
"Everyone, evacuate immediately!" Dr. Will commanded.
Where magnetism and gravity collided, a raging vortex formed. The ground cracked beneath them, splitting apart in jagged fissures.
Workers scrambled to collect equipment and flee.
Seeing the Gravitonium being transported away, Talbot realized he had no time left.
A sudden shatter echoed as Kaecilius and his zealots were thrown from the collapsing Mirror Dimension, caught off guard by the instability of space around them.
Kaecilius made a split-second decision. "We want the technology here. You want the Gravitonium."
Talbot hesitated before nodding. "Deal."
A gravity-wielding adversary and a cult of dark sorcerers—Magneto felt a rare moment of genuine irritation.
"Pietro!" he called.
A gust of wind howled past, and in the blink of an eye, a silver-haired young man appeared beside Magneto, casually munching on popcorn.
"Father—er, Erik. Looks like you could use my help." Pietro Maximoff grinned, turning to Kaecilius. "Kaecilius, this time, you're not getting away."
Kaecilius scowled. He had crossed paths with Pietro before, and the speedster's uncanny agility had nearly led to his capture more than once. He wavered, considering retreat.
Before he could react, a gust of wind surged forth. In a blur, Pietro slammed into Dormammu's zealots, sending them flying and breaking Magneto free.
-----------------------
TN: This fanfic has been fully translated and is available on my Patreon —— PATREON.COM / PRIMALDEMON