"Rat-a-tat-tat-tat, "
After unleashing a barrage of firepower, Bren emptied the clip, leaving the lizard-like monsters decimated, their remains scattered across the floor.
Inside the Oscorp Tower, now shimmering with crystalline brilliance, the air was thick with the metallic tang of blood and the stench of decay, a nauseating miasma.
Thankfully, Bren didn't need to breathe.
Reverting his hands to their original form, he prepared to return to Connors' lab to retrieve the serum. But just as he turned, a golden arc of light flared behind him.
Kamar-Taj?
The Sorcerer Supreme?
Bren froze for a moment, a mental image of a bald figure flashing into his mind.
In the Marvel Universe, two bald individuals were widely recognized, one black, one white. The former was Nick Fury, affectionately nicknamed "Motherfucker Man."
The latter...
Bren's gaze narrowed on the thin figure cloaked in a yellow robe, cautiously emerging from the golden portal.
The Sorcerer Supreme, Ancient One.
Renowned for immense magical prowess, she was the most formidable protector of Earth's mystical defenses, tirelessly guarding against threats from other dimensions.
It was said that as long as either the Ancient One or Odin was alive, even Thanos wouldn't dare step foot into the Nine Realms or Earth.
As Bren processed her sudden appearance, a wave of vigilance washed over him. He was well aware he didn't belong in this universe and knew his presence could trigger unpredictable changes.
Could she have come to eliminate him as a dangerous anomaly?
If so, he wasn't going down without a fight.
Although he recognized her immense power, Bren braced himself for combat.
To his relief, her intentions didn't seem hostile.
"Good evening, Mr. Parker."
The Ancient One stepped through the portal, lifting her hood to reveal a gaunt but serene face.
Her smile carried a calm warmth, her emaciated features exuding a sense of detachment and tranquility, a hallMatt of ascetic enlightenment rather than sickness.
Her presence felt as gentle as a placid lake.
"I mean you no harm, Mr. Parker." she assured, extending a hand that held a small vial.
"Your serum."
The Ancient One's gesture of goodwill allowed Bren to relax. If he could avoid clashing with a multiverse-traversing powerhouse, he gladly would.
"Master Ancient One."
He didn't bother pretending ignorance. Clearly, she had sought him out with full knowledge of who he was.
To his lack of surprise, the Ancient One seemed unbothered by his familiarity with her identity.
"I've been observing you for some time, Mr. Parker." she said, her gaze sweeping over the interior of the tower.
The crystalline structures had nearly torn the building apart, though Bren had restrained their effects to the interior, leaving the exterior facade untouched.
"An extraordinary ability." she remarked, admiration evident in her voice.
Molecular reconstruction, almost godlike in its potential. While impressive, it wasn't what truly concerned her. The watch on Bren's wrist harbored far greater power, and even without it, Bren himself held terrifying potential.
Bren followed her gaze upward. A mere thought caused the crystalline formations to disintegrate, collapsing into iridescent shards that rained down like starlight.
A luminous rain.
"Master Ancient One, why are you here?"
The Ancient One turned back to him, her expression calm. "If you don't mind, could we continue this conversation elsewhere?"
She stepped aside, revealing the golden portal behind her. Beyond it was a modest, serene chamber.
Bren nodded and followed her into Kamar-Taj.
The moment he entered, a wave of tranquil magic greeted him, its soothing aura washing away the lingering stench of blood. The chamber's subtle fragrance was a stark contrast to the battlefield he'd just left.
The Ancient One gestured for him to sit, but Bren's crystalline frame made settling onto the modest cushion rather challenging.
Unbothered, she poured him a cup of tea before speaking.
"As you've seen, the multiverse is in peril."
"The multiverse is in danger?"
Bren nearly dismissed it as irrelevant to him, but the image of Dr. Animo's madness resurfaced in his mind.
"Are you talking about Dr. Animo?"
The Ancient One nodded gravely.
"Initially, my observations indicated that this universe would not face a multiversal crisis in the near future. But now, everything has changed."
Her gaze shifted to the watch on Bren's wrist, the so-called "Noah's Ark."
"Its appearance shattered the barriers between universes, prematurely triggering a crisis that should have been far off."
"Not only that, but it weakened the barriers further."
Instinctively, Bren glanced at his chest. The Ancient One's explanation made him realize why the watch had entered a dormant state for so long, it had expended immense energy traversing dimensions.
"So, you're saying more people like Animo will emerge?"
As he carefully lifted the delicate tea cup, his large fingers made it feel like a toy. He sipped cautiously to avoid breaking it.
"Exactly."
The Ancient One's tone was somber.
"Is there a way to stop it?" Bren asked, now fully aware of Animo's origins.
The Ancient One shook her head. "The crisis caused by the watch can only be resolved with its help."
She wasn't entirely truthful.
There was another way: eliminate Bren and the watch, restoring everything to its proper course.
However...
Recalling the outcomes she had glimpsed through the Time Stream, the Ancient One wisely dismissed the idea.
Her goal was to protect this dimension, not provoke the man before her into dragging entire dimensions and timelines into oblivion.
Superman, Clock King... too powerful.
Even with the Time Stone, she stood no chance.
After a moment's silence, she spoke again.
"I want you to stay at Kamar-Taj and become the next Sorcerer Supreme."
"What? Sorcerer Supreme?"
"Me?"
Bren pointed at himself, utterly bewildered.
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