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The sun was climbing higher, and it was going to be a warm day.
When Abel arrived at school and entered through the main doors, he immediately noticed something unusual: everyone was on their phones. Sure, it wasn't that unusual in a school full of teenagers—but today they were unusually focused. Abel could see clusters of students huddled together, passing devices back and forth, watching videos on repeat. Even the teachers seemed distracted, glancing at their screens between classes.
Something big had happened.
Abel spotted Sean across the hallway and waved. Sean jogged over, shaking his head with an expression somewhere between amusement and exasperation.
"Abel, my brother," Sean said, clapping him on the shoulder. "Sometimes I really think you're from my grandparents' generation. Have you not been on Facebook or Twitter since last night? Please don't tell me you haven't even watched TV."
Abel shrugged, offering a small smile. "You know I prefer reading. Books, research—that kind of thing. I don't really keep up with social media. What happened?"
Sean sighed dramatically. "Of course you don't. Well, if anything major happens in the future, I promise to tell you personally. But for what happened last night—just look at these two videos and you'll understand."
Sean pulled out his phone and handed it to Abel. The first video was shaky, clearly filmed from a distance, showing two armored figures colliding in mid-air. The combat was violent, chaotic, and ultimately unclear. But the second video was crystal clear: Tony Stark at a press conference, looking directly at the cameras.
Abel watched as Stark began with what seemed like a prepared statement—then abruptly stopped. He crumpled the papers in his hands and, simply, admitted it.
"I am Iron Man."
Four words that changed everything.
Abel handed the phone back to Sean, his mind already working through the implications. For most people—for everyone else—this would just look like a celebrity revealing his secret identity. A dramatic moment. A hero showing his face. It was exciting because it was unprecedented—because secret identities were supposed to stay secret.
But Abel understood what it really meant.
This was the bell. The signal. The first domino falling, leading to everything else. With Tony Stark's revelation, the MCU timeline was officially accelerating. Heroes would begin to emerge, one after another. The world would learn that forces beyond normal comprehension were operating in the shadows.
It was the arrival of an era.
Of course, in Abel's practical assessment, it had nothing directly to do with his own plans. His primary goal remained unchanged: increase his magical strength and, ultimately, deal with the existential threats facing this reality. Thanos and the Infinity Stones were still years away—but they were coming.
That goal felt impossibly distant right now, though.
"So, what do you think?" Sean was practically vibrating with excitement. "Isn't it amazing? Aren't you excited?"
Abel managed a polite tone. "Well, it's definitely exciting."
"That was the most perfunctory response I've ever heard," Sean said, laughing. "Do you seriously not feel excited about this kind of thing?"
Abel considered honestly. "Hmm… I suppose if one day New York was invaded by aliens, and someone with a sledgehammer came flying through the sky, maybe I'd get excited then."
Sean burst out laughing, clearly convinced it was a joke. "Oh man, Abel, you're hilarious! That would be insane!"
Abel shrugged and smiled along—but inside, he was thinking about how truth was often the easiest thing to dismiss. How people were far more willing to believe comfortable lies than uncomfortable realities. Sean had no idea that Abel was being completely serious. That he genuinely expected an extraterrestrial invasion someday. That a literal god with a hammer would probably visit Earth at some point.
But that was a conversation for another time.
School passed peacefully. Abel actually enjoyed the normalcy of it—the routine, the familiar faces, the predictable structure of classes and lunch periods. It was a reprieve from the complexity of his double life as both a teenage student and a practicing sorcerer.
After the final bell rang, instead of heading home, Abel went directly to the Sanctuary.
His plan was straightforward: he needed to ask Kamar-Taj for assistance. The palladium poisoning that was slowly killing Tony Stark required a specialized potion—something that would neutralize the toxic effects of the arc reactor without disrupting its power generation. Abel had the knowledge to create it, but he lacked certain rare ingredients—and, more importantly, he lacked the magical power to sustain the complex brewing process without help.
Entering the Sanctuary in New York, Abel was surprised to find that Daniel wasn't there. Instead, Kaecilius greeted him.
"Hello, Master Abel," Kaecilius said, offering a respectful nod.
"Kaecilius," Abel said. "It's been a while. Where is Daniel?"
"Daniel is currently on assignment elsewhere, so I'm temporarily serving as the Sanctuary's guardian," Kaecilius explained smoothly. "Is there something I can help you with?"
Abel considered briefly. "Actually, I need to speak with the Ancient One. Could you inform her that I've come and would like to discuss something with her?"
Kaecilius paused, and something that looked like satisfaction flickered across his expression. "Ah, that works out perfectly. The Ancient One asked me to do something: if you ever came by 3 to the Sanctuary, I was to send you directly to Kamar-Taj to meet with her. She's been expecting you."
Abel blinked. "The Ancient One was expecting me?"
"I've learned not to question the Ancient One's foresight," Kaecilius replied with a slight smile. "Do you have time to meet with her now?"
"Of course," Abel said. "That's exactly what I came here for."
Kaecilius led Abel to the second floor of the Sanctuary, where an ornate door stood. "This portal will take you directly to Kamar-Taj. Simply push the door open and walk through. I'll wait here for your return."
Abel nodded his thanks and pushed the door open.
The sensation of passage was immediate—a shifting of space, a feeling of moving between realities. One moment Abel was in New York, and the next he stepped out into a courtyard inside a building with distinctly ancient Chinese architectural style. The light was softer here. The air was cleaner. And there was a sense of age and power that seemed to emanate from the very stones.
A sturdy Asian man in Kamar-Taj robes was waiting for him. He bowed slightly. "Master Abel, the Ancient One is waiting. Please follow me."
"What should I call you?" Abel asked as they walked.
"You can call me Wang. All the sorcerers here do."
"Thank you for guiding me, Sorcerer Wang."
Wang smiled. "Just Wang is fine. Less formal that way."
They walked together through the ancient structure until they reached a larger building, where the Ancient One stood waiting. She turned as they entered, and her ageless eyes met Abel's with what might have been amusement.
"Master Abel, we meet again," the Ancient One said.
"It's good to see you again, Ancient One," Abel replied respectfully. "I came hoping to discuss something with you."
"I'm aware," the Ancient One said. "I heard you were planning to come. And actually, I have been waiting for you because I have a matter I hoped to discuss with you as well." She paused, a faint smile playing at her lips. "Perhaps we can help each other. After all, you've always spoken of equivalent exchange. Shall we operate on that principle?"
Abel felt a flutter of curiosity mixed with caution. The Ancient One didn't ask for help lightly. Whatever she wanted was significant.
"I'm listening," he said simply.
The Ancient One's smile deepened slightly. There was something knowing in her expression—the look of someone who could see further down the timeline than ordinary mortals could comprehend.
"Then let us talk," she said. "There are matters we both have an interest in that may require… collaboration."
END CHAPTER 26