[Mount Wundagore]
The air was sharp and cold, the peaks of Mount Wundagore buried in clouds. Near the summit, a massive ship hovered, its black frame streaked with burning orange lines that pulsed faintly like veins.
Below it, carved into the side of the mountain, stood something unnatural... a dark, temple-like structure. Its jagged arches and cavernous mouth seemed older than the mountain itself.
Inside the temple, the air was heavy and damp, every breath carrying the weight of old stone and older magic. The walls stretched high, carved with jagged runes that pulsed faintly in crimson light, as though the mountain itself bled with power.
Symbols twisted along the pillars—ancient runic markings that seemed to shift when stared at too long, whispering things just beyond understanding.
The floor bore circles etched into the black stone, layered upon one another, spirals and knots forming a language lost to time. Some glowed faintly, like the embers of a fire that refused to die.
"Master," Resurrected Wong said quietly, his breath visible in the chill. His usual calm was edged with unease. "I should remind you once again, just in case. The darkhold corrupts everyone. No one who touches it walks away unchanged. Even Mistress Wanda… stubborn as she is… she should find other ways to seek power, even if they're not as quick ."
"Thanks, Wong. You can head back inside the ship," Wanda said flatly, looking at the two giants who obeyed her every order.
She kinda liked having absolutely obedient servants of her own. Erik had his resurrected army, and Cindy commanded two giant spiders, even more smaller spiders have joined her little family as of recently too.
And now, Wanda had minions of her own as well. She was strangely happy about this fact.
At first, they had risen from the temple's depths in a rage, weapons drawn to destroy intruders. Yet the moment their gaze had fallen on Wanda—the glow of chaos magic flickering unconsciously at her fingertips—they had stopped.
Recognition had dawned. Then reverence.
Now they were just big, chubby maids who were making this place comfortable for the person they were created to serve.
The Chitauri worked alongside them, their dark armor clinking as they moved. They hauled in metal rods and panels from the ship, fitting them into the cracked walls. Sparks flickered as they built a heating system, running lines of warmth around the whole temple.
Erik gave Wong a nod before pulling Wanda close. Wong just opened a portal and stepped inside it.
Now, only three people remained in the temple. Erik, Wanda, and Cindy.
Hela, meanwhile, had refused to come. She remained aboard the hovering ship, lounging on the throne-like chair Erik had allowed her to claim, muttering something about not wasting her time in "dusty caves."
"Wong's right, though. This isn't without risk." Erik turned to Wanda.
"I liked your soldiers better when they were just mindless dummies." Wanda humped.
Chuckling, Erik leaned his head on hers, "I know you'll manage, but if things get too much—remember me. Remember us. Guard your mind and soul, no matter what. But also don't stress too much, even if you get corrupted, lose control, or destroy the Earth, I want you to stay alive. I'll handle the rest of it. And here, take this Sceptre, it has the mind stone. I think it will help you."
Wanda pressed her face against his chest as she wrapped her fingers around the Sceptre that Erik took out from Beelzebub's stomach.
Then she dropped the Sceptre on the stony floor and hugged Erik, burying her face into his chest, breathing in deeply, as though trying to carve the moment into memory. Erik's hand slid gently through her hair, holding her steady.
After a quiet pause, she tilted up and kissed him.
The kiss was deep and slow, their breaths mingling in the cold air. When they finally broke apart, a thin string of saliva clung between their lips before snapping. Wanda's chest rose and fell, her voice soft and a little breathless.
"…Alright, we're leaving. Take care, Wanda..."
"You too, babe, take care, and Cindy, you as well."
"..."
There was no reply from Cindy; the spider girl was curled up, hugging her knees, and sitting in the corner.
"Cindy," Erik said, his tone firm, as if chiding a child, "Stop sulking. Say goodbye properly."
Cindy's eyes flicked to him, sharp with hurt. "Don't talk to me, Erik. I can't believe you're letting her do this. It's reckless. If something happens, if she changes… I'll never forgive you."
Erik's jaw tightened, and he looked down for a moment. 'Yeah. Sure, it's reckless. Maybe it is selfish, too. But it's necessary. For Wanda. For them. And its her choice too.'
Silence lingered, broken only by the low hum of the hovering ship.
Wanda turned back, her voice gentle. "Cindy… I'll be fine. Trust me, okay?"
Cindy's lips pressed together, but she finally moved forward and hugged Wanda tightly, burying her face in her shoulder.
"Just… come back the same, and alive," she whispered.
Wanda smiled faintly and nodded. "I will."
Erik and Cindy walked slowly back toward the exit of the temple, as they stepped onto the ramp leading up to the hovering ship, Cindy suddenly paused.
Erik noticed the shift immediately and stopped beside her.
"What is it, Cindy?" he asked, his brow furrowed.
Cindy narrowed her eyes, glancing back at the Darkhold temple. She swallowed and turned back to Erik, determination slowly replacing hesitation on her face.
"I… I'm not sure," she said softly. Her gaze lingered on the temple, and then she squared her shoulders. "Erik… I'm staying with Wanda. You guys can go."
Erik's brows drew together further. "Is something wrong?" he asked, his voice low, cautious. "Did you sense something, Cindy?"
Cindy shook her head, but her expression remained firm. "Not danger, not like that," she said carefully. "It's… different. I feel something, a connection? I'm not sure but I feel like I should stay here, with her. Train. Help her. You can go. Rest assured, everything will be fine with me here."
Erik studied her for a long moment, reading the resolve in her eyes. Finally, he nodded slowly, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Alright," he said, his tone softening. "If that's what you feel, then I trust you. But you keep her safe, okay? I'll be back as soon as I can."
Cindy gave a slight nod, her jaw tight but determined. "I will," she said.
Erik placed a hand briefly on her shoulder, then stepped onto the ramp, looking back one last time at the temple before boarding the ship.
Cindy watched him go, then turned her attention to the temple and headed back inside again.
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