Tarot Town, David's House
Boom! Boom! Boom!
"Good news, Chief! Excellent news!"
The sound of enthusiastic knocking accompanied Strange's exuberant voice as he pounded on David's door, his face bearing an uncharacteristically broad smile. He seemed confident that his knocking would summon the leader of the fallen mages, regardless of where he might actually be.
This confidence wasn't misplaced. While the renegade sorcerers rarely remained at headquarters for extended periods, contacting them required only a simple method—knock on their designated door and call their name. Through specialized enchantments, they would be instantly teleported to their chambers upon being summoned. This system also served as an efficient way to gather all mages when necessary.
True to form, David's door swung open in response to Strange's persistent knocking.
"Master Strange," David said from his position at an ornate desk covered with arcane manuscripts, "what news brings you here with such enthusiasm?" Despite the measured tone, a glimmer of amusement played across his features, suggesting he had recently experienced something positive himself.
Indeed, David's mood was particularly favorable at present. His ongoing work with the concept of Dusk had further integrated with his magical core, resulting in a significant breakthrough at the spiritual level. This advancement had laid crucial groundwork for his longer-term schemes.
"Chief," Strange replied, barely containing his excitement, "I've received intelligence from our source within the Vientiane World. Lockhart and Asgard have severed relations!"
"What?" Genuine astonishment flashed across David's face as he leaned forward in his chair. "Are you certain this information is reliable? It seems almost inconceivable."
The skepticism was understandable. They had witnessed firsthand Lockhart's determined efforts to curry favor with Asgard. The topic had even become a source of derision among their faction of fallen mages, who had mockingly criticized Lockhart's apparent subservience to the realm they viewed as a cancer upon Earth.
And yet now...
"It's absolutely verified, Chief. I can personally guarantee its authenticity," Strange asserted, his tone brimming with conviction.
When first hearing the rumor, Strange himself had doubted its veracity. After failing to extract information directly from Lockhart, he had consulted Grindelwald—his mentor and guardian—who had confirmed the stunning development.
"Furthermore, based on our intelligence analysis," Strange continued, his voice dropping slightly as he moved to more speculative ground, "Lockhart must have uncovered some critical information that precipitated this dramatic break with Asgard."
He straightened, looking rather pleased with himself. "I suspect the entirety of Kamar-Taj will soon adopt a hostile stance toward Asgard. Lockhart lacks the boldness to make such a move independently."
As he finished speaking, a satisfied smirk played across Strange's features—there was unmistakable schadenfreude in his expression.
David absorbed this information with growing excitement, though he maintained a measured exterior. While inclined to trust Strange's report, the implications were far too significant to accept without thorough verification. If Kamar-Taj and Asgard had indeed become adversaries, their own strategic landscape would shift dramatically.
Previously, David had harbored concerns about a potential alliance between Kamar-Taj and Asgard—a combination that would prove nearly insurmountable. Now, however, an entirely new possibility emerged: aligning with Asgard against their common enemy, Kamar-Taj. After all, "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" remained one of the most enduring principles of strategic warfare.
"Strange," David said, his voice taking on a more authoritative tone, "I'm assigning you a critical mission. Determine the precise reason for this rupture between Asgard and Kamar-Taj."
He emphasized each word with careful deliberation. "This information is vital to our plans. We require both speed and absolute accuracy."
"Consider it done, Chief," Strange responded with military precision, standing slightly straighter. "I will begin arrangements immediately and guarantee the successful completion of this assignment."
David nodded approvingly at Strange's disciplined response. Compared to the other fallen mages who had defected alongside him—who, while obedient, often lacked true commitment—Strange demonstrated a level of dedication that proved genuinely refreshing.
Perhaps self-selected talent truly is superior, David reflected with satisfaction.
However, noticing Strange's hesitant expression, David's curiosity was piqued. "Strange? Is there something else?"
"Chief, I've received another piece of intelligence," Strange admitted reluctantly. "I cannot verify its accuracy, but its potential significance is... extraordinary." His usual confidence seemed temporarily replaced by uncertainty.
"Speak freely," David encouraged, gesturing casually. "What news could possibly render our typically decisive Master Strange so hesitant?"
David's tone shifted to one of unusual warmth, almost affectionate in its familiarity.
"Well, Chief," Strange began after a moment's pause, "I've received information from within Kamar-Taj itself."
He lowered his voice despite the privacy of their location. "Reports suggest the Ancient One sustained grievous injuries recently and... may be approaching death."
"What?" David's composure shattered completely, shock evident in both his voice and expression.
Strange hastily qualified his statement. "I must emphasize that I cannot confirm this information's reliability."
His analytical mind already working, he added, "However, I suspect the sudden shift in relations between Kamar-Taj and Asgard may be directly connected to this development."
The speculation hung in the air, filled with uncertainty yet undeniably plausible.
"How could this be possible?" David muttered, more to himself than to Strange.
Agitation overtook him as he began pacing the room, his hurried steps betraying his internal turmoil. The possibilities—both promising and terrifying—cascaded through his mind.
The Ancient One, dying? It seemed almost inconceivable. For millennia, she had safeguarded Earth, repelling countless extradimensional entities and maintaining sufficient stability for human civilization to flourish. If something had truly happened to the Supreme Sorcerer, who would stand against the incursion of hostile dimensional beings?
David recognized the complex implications for their own position. The Ancient One's demise would undoubtedly remove a significant obstacle to his ambitions. However, it would likely also dissolve the uneasy détente between various mystical powers who normally maintained their distance from Earth due to the Ancient One's reputation and power.
Mephisto and other dimensional entities might abandon their current agreements with David's faction, possibly even turning against them directly. When common enemies disappeared and alliances of convenience dissolved, internal conflicts inevitably erupted—and in such a scenario, David's position would be perilously weak.
His feelings were profoundly conflicted: the Ancient One's death represented both opportunity and catastrophic risk.
"What is your source for this information?" David demanded, his voice sharp with urgency.
"According to my contact, a senior member of Kamar-Taj's inner circle was overheard discussing the situation," Strange replied. "The information reached me through a novice who happened to be present and later sold this intelligence to our network."
He spread his hands in a gesture of caution. "However, I cannot personally vouch for its veracity."
David's gaze intensified as he stared directly into Strange's eyes. "We must determine whether this report is accurate," he declared with absolute conviction.
His decision crystallized instantly. "Apprehend this novice immediately. We'll examine their memories directly."
The implications hardened his voice. "I must know if this is true."
Bamboo Forest Tea Room, Kamar-Taj
The approach to the tea room stood conspicuously empty. The usual mages who might occupy nearby meditation spaces or gardens appeared to have received some unspoken instruction to vacate the area, leaving an unusual stillness in this normally active section of Kamar-Taj.
Suddenly, a portal manifested in the air—not the typical golden sparks of a sling ring, but a striking red-orange aperture resembling dancing flames. Through this mystical doorway stepped Lockhart and Thor, their expressions equally solemn despite their opposing allegiances.
"Thor," Lockhart said quietly, gesturing toward the tea room's entrance, "the Ancient One awaits within."
He took a step back. "You should enter alone. My presence would be... inappropriate for this conversation."
Hearing Lockhart's words, Thor instinctively tightened his grip on Mjolnir, the weapon responding to his tension with a subtle pulse of energy. Then, seeming to reconsider, the God of Thunder carefully secured his hammer at his belt, nodded once to Lockhart, and proceeded toward the entrance with measured steps.
Lockhart remained outside, maintaining a respectful distance. Though he appeared outwardly calm, his mystical senses remained sharply attuned to the tea room's interior. While not actively eavesdropping, he remained alert for any signs of conflict.
His primary concern was that Thor might act rashly. If the Asgardian prince were foolish enough to attempt any aggressive action against the Ancient One... Lockhart shuddered inwardly at the consequences that would inevitably follow such a catastrophic mistake.
As Thor disappeared into the tea room, silence descended. Lockhart waited, minutes stretching like hours as the fate of multiple realms potentially hung in the balance of the conversation occurring beyond his sight.
Then, unexpectedly, a voice resonated directly in Lockhart's mind—the Ancient One's unmistakable mental projection, bypassing physical space to communicate directly.
"Lockhart, return to your duties," came her serene instruction.
"Remember what I have entrusted to you," she continued, her meaning layered with significance beyond the obvious reference to Odin's tea.
"Also, I have wisdom to impart: What you relinquish now will become the foundation of your future strength."
The cryptic message settled in Lockhart's thoughts, its implications not immediately clear but undeniably profound. As always, the Ancient One's guidance contained depths that would reveal themselves only with time and reflection.
Whatever transpired between Thor and the Ancient One would remain their secret for now. Lockhart had played his part in facilitating this extraordinary meeting—now he must trust in the wisdom of powers greater than himself as events continued to unfold.
With a final glance toward the tea room's entrance, Lockhart turned and walked away, his mind already considering how best to prepare Kamar-Taj's defenses for whatever might come next.