The universe is a multiverse.
The Marvel world has never been limited to a single material plane.
Within the countless parallel worlds and multidimensional planes, each reality runs according to its own laws and logic.
Some are as warm and gentle as a spring breeze. Others are strange, unpredictable, and interwoven. Still others are nothing but pain, despair, and endless darkness...
As the Ancient One spoke, a breathtaking cosmic vision slowly unfolded before Kagura's eyes.
"You're already somewhat familiar with the concepts of universes and dimensions, aren't you?"
Before explaining the looming threat of darkness, the Ancient One asked, "Our world isn't made of matter alone—it also contains spirit and soul. In different dimensions, the soul manifests in different ways."
"In some dimensions, the strength of one's soul or mind can directly shape reality. Even a person physically weak could lift a boulder the size of a mountain through sheer mental power."
Kagura nodded. "Yeah, I've heard of multiverses and multiple dimensions before."
Much of her knowledge about this world came from the memories she retained of the MCU.
Although the Ancient One had mentioned that this world differed from the Marvel Cinematic Universe in her memories, the fundamental ideas—dimensions, universes, and their composition—seemed consistent.
Parallel universes are the infinite outcomes of countless possibilities, giving birth to countless alternate worlds.
Some may closely resemble her own, while others could be radically different.
There might be a universe where everything is exactly like the MCU… or one where Tony Stark's nanotech suit is, for some reason, an anime girl.
Anything was possible.
But for now, traversing parallel universes was impossible.
Kagura had neither the means nor the intention to travel to any of them.
After all, this world… wasn't bad at all!
If she could keep living peacefully, slacking off in bliss, why bother suffering in another universe?
Multidimensional planes, however, were a slightly different concept from parallel universes.
Simply put, parallel universes are "other versions of the world," while multidimensional planes are "other layers of this world."
Across the many dimensions, each plane holds unique characteristics.
Some are made entirely of souls and energy, where mental strength shapes reality and all beings exist as pure energy.
Others, like the Quantum Realm, allow passage through time and space—transcending the very flow of time itself.
Many dimensions defy human comprehension altogether.
Some operate under alien laws of physics, dazzling like a kaleidoscope or infinitely expanding like a mirrored room.
"Then, I assume you've heard of the Dark Dimension?" The Ancient One continued, "A place of suffering, despair, and pure evil—the void that Dormammu calls home."
Among all these dimensions, one stands as the darkest, and the most dangerous to the material world: the Dark Dimension ruled by Dormammu.
Under his will, this plane devours any world it encounters, consuming them into his dark essence and expanding endlessly.
"Yeah," Kagura replied. "To protect Earth from Dormammu's corruption, the sorcerers built three Sanctums—in Asia, Europe, and the Americas—forming a mystical shield that blocks his interference."
"Correct," the Ancient One said. "But that shield isn't eternal. And not all sorcerers are united in purpose."
"There was once a powerful sorcerer named Kaecilius," she continued. "He recently stole a critical ritual, a dark spell capable of communicating with the Dark Dimension and summoning Dormammu himself."
"You mean... Dormammu is going to attack Earth?" Kagura had a vague idea of how this would play out and it closely followed the events of the MCU.
In that story, Kaecilius betrays the Ancient One and sides with Dormammu.
Empowered by dark energy, he destroys the Sanctums and opens a gateway for Dormammu's invasion.
At the height of this crisis, Stephen Strange steps up as Earth's Sorcerer Supreme and uses the Time Stone to negotiate with Dormammu in an infinite time loop, ultimately forcing him to retreat and saving the world.
The Ancient One nodded. "Yes. Dormammu's influence is approaching. To break the magical barrier protecting Earth, Kaecilius may soon attack the Sanctums."
Kagura pondered this. "Then could we use the Avengers or Rhodes Island Industries' forces to eliminate Kaecilius before he gets that far?"
The Ancient One smiled and shook her head.
"If Kaecilius were still a normal sorcerer, perhaps. But after completing the dark ritual, he can manipulate reality itself."
"Your weapons—no matter how advanced—may be meaningless against him."
"So… magic must be fought with magic?" Kagura tilted her head. "I mean, that makes sense… but it's still kind of annoying!"
The Ancient One chuckled. "You're right—though not entirely. With your immense power and Rhodes Island backing you, Kaecilius alone won't be your biggest concern."
She looked at Kagura's beautiful, porcelain-like face and sighed.
"But I told you… this world is not the same as the one you remember. The greatest threat to the sorcerers… comes from within."
"From within?" Kagura echoed.
"Yes. From me." The Ancient One's words shocked Kagura to her core. "Your greatest enemy… is me."
"...Huh?" The silver-haired girl was stunned. "Why you?"
The Ancient One raised her hand, conjuring a sweeping projection of cosmic knowledge before Kagura.
It was the result of centuries of her observations—her endless war with Dormammu.
"If things had gone as expected, Kaecilius would summon Dormammu to this world, and Stephen Strange would ultimately defeat him. But that fate… will not unfold here."
The vision shifted rapidly.
Kagura watched, stunned, as scenes from her MCU memories came to life.
In the illusion, Doctor Strange—draped in his red Cloak of Levitation—activated the Time Stone, confronting Dormammu again and again in an endless time loop, forcing the cosmic entity into a bargain.
"This was the solution to Dormammu, correct?" the Ancient One asked. "But Dormammu… is a being who exists beyond time."
"In this world, he already knows about Stephen Strange, the Eye of Agamotto, and the fate where he becomes trapped in an eternal loop."
"Meaning…" Kagura's eyes widened.
"Meaning, Dormammu won't fall for the Time Stone trap in this world. He'll take a different route—possibly destroying the Time Stone before it becomes a threat."
"And based on what I've seen through the Dark Dimension," the Ancient One said grimly, "Dormammu's first target… might be me."
As she spoke, a crimson-black sigil the mark of corruption began to glow on the her forehead…
———————————————————————
Daily Uploads!
Unlock bonus chapters by reaching specific milestones with [Power Stone] votes!
Go to p-atreon.com/InsomniaTL to access more than 50 advanced chapters.