Kaecilius spun around, his eyes widening in shock as he witnessed flames erupting from his follower's eyes while she continued screaming.
After what felt like an eternity, the woman finally ceased and collapsed to the ground, dead—her eyes replaced by molten, charred sockets.
Ghost Rider slowly turned his hellish crimson eyes toward Kaecilius when suddenly two Rakghouls seized him from nowhere.
"They're still here?!" Celeste yelled, now thoroughly irritated. She abandoned the male zealot she'd been fighting and rushed to help Ghost Rider as more Rakghouls poured through the Sanctum's windows and doors.
Seeing Kaecilius distracted by his recently deceased follower, Doctor Strange twisted his arm and whipped the traitor into a nearby wall. On this final strike, Doctor Strange abandoned spell work, sending his opponent flying through the air to crash into furniture.
After Kaecilius fell, Doctor Strange moved to escort Celeste toward the "armory" so they could determine their next move.
Just then he felt an unusual tugging from the red cloak he now wore, and he immediately set Celeste down.
Strange wasn't certain why his newly acquired cape was pulling him toward a skeletal restraint device mounted on the wall.
Doctor Strange seized the object and hurled it directly at the unsuspecting Kaecilius.
Instantly, the skeletal structure clamped tightly against Kaecilius's body, forcing him into an obviously uncomfortable position.
He knelt, his back and neck bent forward, his arms stretched behind him.
Doctor Strange released a long breath and partially knelt on the ground, breathing heavily.
Then the former surgeon heard muttered chanting emanating from the bound Kaecilius. More or less curious, he listened to the mystical traitor continue.
"Oh, stop it," Doctor Strange said, rolling his eyes at the fanatic's deranged self-sacrifice.
"You cannot prevent this, Mr. Doctor," Kaecilius said in his calmest tone.
"I don't even know what 'this' is," Doctor Strange retorted, clearly exhausted by everything he'd endured in mere hours.
"The end... and the beginning. The many becoming one. The one becoming all," Dormammu's follower recited.
Doctor Strange developed a headache from the bizarre nonsense he'd encountered today.
"If you're not going to start making sense," Doctor Strange said, brandishing an object, "if you continue spouting gibberish, then I'm stuffing your mouth with this."
"Tell me, Mr. Doctor—"
"My name is Strange. Doctor Stephen Strange," the former surgeon corrected with a deadpan expression. "Understand?"
Kaecilius regarded the man. "You're a doctor?"
"Yes," Doctor Strange clarified.
"Then you comprehend natural law," Kaecilius quickly offered examples. "All things age. All things die. Eventually, our sun burns out. Our universe grows cold and perishes. But the Dark Dimension... it exists beyond time."
"...That's it?" Stephen exclaimed. "I'm putting this back on the wall."
"This world needn't be destroyed, Doctor Strange," the traitor said before Strange could replace anything. "This world can assume its rightful place among many others as part of the One. We could all live forever."
Just then, a familiar voice spoke.
"Nothing lasts forever."
Doctor Strange looked back to see Celeste ascending the stairs.
"Robbie's handling the Rakghouls outside," Celeste said. "Another of his followers went through one of the windows."
Doctor Strange nodded to her. They now both regarded the imprisoned Kaecilius.
"You're a fool if you believe you'll live forever," Celeste said firmly. "Immortality is rarely a blessing—in fact, most who achieve it find it a curse."
"Do you... know such immortals?" the former Master of the Mystic Arts asked with awe.
Jedi Shadow Celeste nodded slowly. "I know of two methods. One is a twisted, vile ritual. The other... allows you to transcend while maintaining your consciousness in the mortal realm. But that's only for those who've achieved true enlightenment—a Jedi so unified with the Force that the Force becomes one with them."
"This is Dormammu's promise, Jedi," Kaecilius nearly whispered.
"Really?" Doctor Strange said, clearly disbelieving what he heard. "What exactly do you gain from this new-age dimensional utopia?"
"The same as you. The same as everyone. Life. Immortality," Kaecilius quickly explained his philosophy. "People think in terms of good and evil, but time is the true enemy of us all. Time kills everything."
"It's not cruel—people simply misunderstand the concept. Time is a gift," Celeste said. The thought briefly flooded her mind of being lowered into and emerging from the cryo-pod. "People don't truly realize it, but the time we have must be treasured. It gives life meaning. The tragedy is they don't appreciate it—they squander it."
"What about those you murdered?" the former surgeon asked.
"Tiny, momentary specks in an indifferent universe."
Celeste ignited her lightsaber and raised it to the man's throat.
"How dare you," she hissed, glaring at him furiously. "Who are you to decide such things? You stole innocent lives—they didn't have the chance to live as they chose."
"Are you truly going to rage over a few insignificant souls—"
The man showed minimal fear as he felt the lightsaber hovering near his cheek, gently searing his skin.
"Say that again," Celeste said, barely controlling her fury.
Before she could say or do anything further, she felt a hand on her wrist.
Celeste turned to see Doctor Strange shaking his head.
She exhaled and stepped back.
Kaecilius saw an opportunity to continue. "This world is not as it should be. Humanity craves eternity... a world beyond time, because time enslaves us. Time is an insult. Death is an insult."
"Only because we fear it—because we expect more from life. Many attempt escaping it, but ultimately we cannot," Celeste added with a glare.
"Doctor... Celeste... We don't seek to rule this world. We seek to save it—to deliver it to Dormammu, who is the purpose of all evolution, the meaning of all existence."
"A deluded man," Celeste said contemptuously.
"The Sorcerer Supreme defends reality," Doctor Strange said behind her.
"What brought you both to Kamar-Taj?" Kaecilius addressed them. "Enlightenment? Power? Healing, like the others?" He chuckled. "Kamar-Taj is where broken things collect. We all arrived promised healing, but instead the Ancient One deceived us—never solved our problems." He spat. "She hoarded the true magic for herself. Have you wondered how she's survived so long?"
"...I saw the ritual in the Book of Cagliostro," Doctor Strange said, glancing away slightly.
"So you see," Kaecilius began, and Celeste looked curiously at what remained unspoken. "The ritual granted me power to overthrow the Ancient One and destroy the Sanctums—to permit the Dark Dimension entry. What the Ancient One selfishly withheld, Dormammu offers freely—immortality."
"You're a deluded fool," Celeste spat. "All you've done is unleash an evil Sith Lord and murder innocents. How dare you claim you bring peace."
"Ironically, 'Dark Dimension' doesn't sound particularly inviting," Strange observed.
"Who declares dark and light represent evil and good? They're labeled so because one inspires fear while the other attracts comfort. Reality exists in shades of grey."
"I'd rather not debate philosophy with your kind," Doctor Strange interjected, but Kaecilius pressed forward.
"Dormammu isn't a destroyer of worlds—he's their savior."
"No. I mean, come on—look at your face. Dormammu made you a murderer. How benevolent can his realm truly be?" Then Doctor Strange smiled at his captive. "Are you finding this amusing?"
"No, not that. What's interesting is that neither of you possess Sling Rings."
Celeste patted her robes. "Oh, wonderful. I just acquired one again."
Doctor Strange heard a noise from the stairs behind him and spun around just in time.
"Stephen!" Celeste yelled.
She faced the male zealot charging up the stairs toward them and clenched her fist in response.
The man was seized mid-stride and hurled through the air before slamming to the ground, where he lay motionless.
The only evidence the zealot remained alive was slight fogging where his mouth met the floor.
Doctor Strange nearly tumbled down the stairs, but Celeste caught him.
The man gasped, clutching his bleeding chest, and stumbled even with Morn supporting his arm.
"Come on, don't quit now," she urged.
Doctor Strange released a choked breath and weakly gestured. "Let go... take the Sling Ring."
Using the Force, Celeste retrieved the Sling Ring from the unconscious zealot upstairs and allowed it to fly toward her. Grasping it, she reluctantly handed it to the bleeding man she supported.
Doctor Strange shakily opened a portal, revealing a supply room on the other side.
With no alternative, Celeste was forced to drag Doctor Strange through as it slowly closed behind them.
"Where are we?" she asked, confused. "This is—"
"Metro-General Hospital," Doctor Strange answered. "Through here. We need to find Dr. Christine Palmer."
Stepping from the supply room, Celeste witnessed considerable commotion throughout the medical facility. Doctors rushed about in the aftermath of the recent attack.
The Jedi Shadow was about to approach one when someone intercepted them.
"Hello, can I help you—Oh God, Stephen?"
Celeste looked between the woman and the man she carried.
"Hello, Christine," Doctor Strange gasped.
The identified woman stammered, attempting to process what she witnessed.
"Stephen, what happened? Where have you been? Where did you even come from—"
"Hello," Celeste interrupted sharply, causing Christine to look at her with wide eyes. "He's severely injured—nearly impaled through the chest. We desperately need your assistance right now, since he clearly came here specifically for you."
Christine could only stare in amazement before nodding and escorting them both to the emergency room.