The more Karl thought about the events of Thor: The Dark World, the more irritated he became. He couldn't even get close to Asgard, so how was he supposed to "save the Nine Realms"? Waiting passively until Malekith arrived on Earth to deal with him would be far too reactive. Worse still, he didn't even know when the Convergence would occur.
What was he supposed to do—gather a group of people and have them wait around in London indefinitely?
After much deliberation, Karl thought of one person: the Ancient One.
The Convergence would affect Earth's cosmic balance, which clearly fell under her jurisdiction.
With that decided, Karl resolved to seek her out—not only to ask how to reach Asgard, but also to check on Wanda's progress. After all, everything was for the sake of that cursed mission.
Skye stayed behind to watch the office, while Karl headed alone to the New York Sanctum.
The moment he stepped up to the door—before he could even knock—it slowly opened.
It was as if they already knew he was coming.
The guardian of the New York Sanctum stood just inside the doorway.
"Please come in, Mr. Norman."
Karl nodded and stepped inside. As soon as he crossed the threshold, the red cloak slipped free from his shoulders and began floating around the Sanctum on its own, clearly delighted to be back in familiar surroundings—almost like returning home.
"The Sorcerer Supreme informed me that you would be coming," the guardian said as he led Karl to a sofa in the sitting room. "So I've been keeping an eye on the entrance these past few days. I didn't expect you to actually arrive today."
He reached out, and a teacup appeared in his hand. A moment later, fragrant hot tea poured itself into the cup.
"Please wait a moment, Mr. Norman. I'll notify the Sorcerer Supreme."
With that, the guardian set the cup down and departed to summon the Ancient One.
Karl sipped the tea and glanced around. Nothing had changed since his last visit—everything was exactly as he remembered.
Before long, the guardian returned, this time accompanied by Wanda, dressed head to toe in red.
"Karl!"
The instant she saw him, crimson energy flared around her, and she blinked straight into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a loud kiss on his cheek.
"You finally remembered to come see me!" she said indignantly. "You didn't even message me once all this time. Jerk!"
She puffed up her cheeks in mock anger. Karl couldn't help but smile and gently pinch her face.
"I've been busy," he said. "Didn't Skye tell you?"
He knew full well that Wanda, Skye, and the others chatted constantly in their group chat. His movements were practically transparent to them.
"I know!" Wanda replied. "But you weren't busy all the time. You could've sent a message. I'm mad!"
She wriggled free from his arms and crossed her own, deliberately turning away from him.
Karl chuckled and pulled out a bracelet from his spatial pack. It was something he'd bought in Wakanda, richly styled with distinctive African tribal motifs.
"Here," he said, holding it up. "Got this in Wakanda—Africa. Like it?"
The bracelet immediately caught Wanda's attention. Her eyes lit up, and she instinctively extended her wrist.
Karl fastened it for her. She smiled brightly, kissed him again, and clung to his arm, clearly appeased.
"The Ancient One asked me to bring you," Wanda said cheerfully. "I'm almost done with my studies, you know. I'll be graduating soon—then I can come back."
Without waiting for a response, she dragged Karl straight toward a portal.
As they passed the second floor, the blue Cloak of Levitation was still floating quietly inside its glass display case, patiently waiting for its destined wearer.
Karl's red cloak hovered nearby, waving enthusiastically as if chatting with it. The blue cloak responded now and then, calm and restrained.
"We're leaving—heading to Kamar-Taj," Karl called out.
The red cloak tapped the glass twice before finally returning to Karl's shoulders.
They stepped through the portal and instantly arrived in Kamar-Taj. It was just as Karl remembered—eternal spring, unchanged by time.
Along the way, they encountered Wong and Mordo, who were instructing a new group of sorcerers in the courtyard. Both greeted Karl warmly.
"Wong, Mordo—long time no see!"
Karl stepped forward and hugged them both. Even the usually stern Mordo couldn't help but smile.
"Indeed," Mordo said. "You really should visit more often."
"I've just been too busy," Karl replied casually. "But I brought some good stuff this time. Let's get together tonight—call Casilius too."
Karl glanced around, not seeing Casilius anywhere.
"Where's Casilius?" he asked. "Off wandering again?"
"Where else?" Wong said. "The library. He practically lives there."
Wong always felt Casilius was better suited to be the librarian—he genuinely loved reading, unlike Wong, who grew sleepy the moment he opened a book.
"Alright," Karl nodded. "Let him know—he's not allowed to skip tonight."
With plans made, Karl and Wanda continued toward the Ancient One's meditation chamber.
She was already waiting.
When Karl entered, the Ancient One opened her eyes and smiled.
"I knew you would come," she said calmly. "I've been waiting for you for several days."
With a wave of her hand, a tea table and a full tea set materialized. The teapot poured steaming tea into their cups on its own.
Wanda remained respectfully at the doorway, not entering. This was a private conversation—if she were needed, they would call her.
"How did you know I'd come?" Karl asked. "Did the Eye of Agamotto tell you?"
He glanced at her chest—she wasn't wearing it. Presumably, it was stored away.
The Ancient One shook her head.
"No. The Eye can no longer see your future. Your fate is blurred—so much so that it affects the entire timeline."
"Then how did you know I would come?" Karl pressed, genuinely curious. His visit had been spontaneous, driven by the system's mission—something the Ancient One couldn't possibly know about.
"Because of the Convergence," she replied, taking a sip of tea.
"When the Convergence occurs, the other eight realms will align with Earth. At specific locations, gateways connecting all nine realms will appear. During the last Convergence, the Dark Elves invaded Earth."
She continued evenly:
"The Asgardians never truly eradicated the Dark Elves. They merely exiled them into the cracks of the universe. This time, when the Convergence returns, the Dark Elves will inevitably return as well."
Karl frowned. "And what does that have to do with me?"
"Because you are a variable," the Ancient One said calmly. "Your existence has completely disrupted the current timeline. You will intervene in the Dark Elf invasion. That is why I have been waiting for you."
Her tone was unwavering—and she was absolutely right.
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