Ch. 19 Across the Universe

Kamar-Taj, Kathmandu, Nepal

My Astral Form fills the room. From what I can tell, I am a transparent version of my Animagus dragon form.

Looking at the Ancient One, I'm a bit curious by her reaction. She appears to be an odd mix of shocked and excited.

My thunderous voice seems to echo as I state, "You are taking this rather well."

The shock seems to wear off, but a look of joy and excitement are firmly placed on her face. She begins to meticulously inspect every visible inch of my dragon form.

Based on the look in her eyes, I think I should start worrying.

"When I was young, I heard tales of the ancient dragons of K'un-Lun roaming this dimension. I even searched for them for a time." Reaching her hand towards me, "I ceased believing in them centuries ago."

Since she has already seen my Astral Form, there's no point in not telling the Ancient One a bit about me. Refusing to explain some things, will only cause a rift between us, and I don't want her withholding any magic from me.

Twisting my long neck so that I can lower my head a bit more, I stare into the eyes of the Ancient One. "I am not of K'un-Lun." I slowly move my head so that I can see my human body lying on the ground.

Once the Ancient One follows my gaze, I continue, "Dovahkiin means dragonborn. Specifically, the soul of a dragon born to the flesh of man."

Looking slightly disappointed, "So, you are not physically a dragon?"

Seeing no harm in answering, I tell her the truth. "I am able to assume my dragon form if I so choose."

Upon hearing that, her eyes grow large and seem to sparkle like a small child given a precious gift.

Maybe I was wrong about there being no harm in tell her. She looks like a child on Christmas morning. Wait a minute...

Giving her the most deadpan expression possible on my scaled face, "You can not ride on my back."

As her face falls in disappointment, it suddenly shifts to mischievous. "Perhaps," she smirks.

Oh, this...

Squinting my eyes at her, she becomes serious again. "Let us continue with linking you to other dimensions."

The moment she stops speaking, my Astral Form is thrown into the air at an unimaginable speed. I feel the pressure of the wind, but I don't feel the force that is projecting me into the air. Odd.

As I reached the upper atmosphere, my movement comes to a complete stop. The curvature of the Earth is easily distinguishable from here. It's quite beautiful from this point of view.

I can honestly say, I took the experience much better than Dr. Strange.

The second I finish that thought, the real mind games began.

I was thrown into dimension after dimension. Some of the places are so foreign to my senses that I'm unable to even describe them. Other's looked remarkably similar to the dimensions from the Dr. Strange movie.

As I'm being thrown throughout the multiverse, the Ancient One narrates a brief description of the dimension I just entered. The moment she finishes speaking, I'm launched into another bizarre world.

I was becoming unsettled when I noticed a warmth developing in my chest. I couldn't see it, but with each dimension I entered, I felt the sensation in my chest grow a bit more.

This must be the dimensional energy passing to me from the newly established links. The energy seems more potent than my Magicka. It reminds me of the power I acquired from the sacrificial ritual.

I can already tell I will be able to use dimensional energy with my celestial powers. The power I stole from Ego is immense, but it felt like there was a limit to how much I possessed.

But now? Now, I should be able to merge my celestial energy with the powers I gain from the dimensional links!

As I feel more and more dimensional links formed in my chest, I begin to roar with laughter!

***********************

MI5 Headquarters, London, England

Sir Patrick Walker was entering the end of his term as the Director General of MI5. As a stern and meticulous man, he loathed the idea of blemishes on the agency's record. Especially when those blemishes occurred while under his leadership.

What was leading up to be a triumphant end to his career leading the United Kingdom's domestic counter-intelligence and security agency, suddenly took a sour turn.

Some would view a drop in crime to be a good thing, and Sir Walker did recognize that. But what he loathed, was the fact the drop in crime was not due to the acts of good police work, but due to vigilantism.

The MI5 Director General stared at the gentleman sitting on the other side of his desk. The man was in his middle years and wearing an old tweed suit. An odd mixture of boredom and annoyance was donned on the man's face.

Man is a title used lightly, Sir Patrick reminded himself. Wizard is a more accurate term. A representative of the Ministry of Magic. An ancient society hidden within a modern society.

Even after three years of knowing about the hidden society, Sir Patrick still had trouble coming to terms with it. His frustration mostly stemmed from his lack of control of the situation.

"So, Mr. Sullivan, what do you have to report," asked the Director General?

The middle-aged wizard calmly replied, "We have nothing new to disclose. From our findings, we believe a muggle-born was using the local criminals to hone their magic."

Masking the irritation in his voice, Sir Patrick asked, "This is the full extent of your investigation?"

"Of course not. However, you are not privy to the depth of knowledge required for a proper explanation." The wizard seemed completely unperturbed by the reaction he knew this answer could cause.

With gritted teeth, "And what, may I ask, am I privy to?" Sir Patrick bit out.

With a tone, as if he was explaining to a child, "You are able to finish your term as the Director General on a high note. As a result of this rogue magical, your crime rate in London is lower than it has been in the past six years. Multiple non-profit charities have benefited greatly from the anonymous donations and expanded their influence on the community. Despite the blatant violation of our laws, you muggles have benefited greatly from this situation."

Sir Patrick used his vast experience to prevent his anger from spilling into his tone and appearance. "And what is your Minister's stance on this 'rogue magical' you mentioned?"

Sounding a bit annoyed himself, Mr. Sullivan explained, "Minister Fudge has ceased this investigation. There hasn't been an incident in nearly a month, and it is not worth the effort to continue a search that will likely lead nowhere."

Before Sir Patrick could reply, Mr. Sullivan stands up from his chair. Calmly looking at the Director General, "As this is the end of your term, we will not be meeting again. Sometime in the next few weeks, you will be contacted by a representative of your protection detail."

The wizard makes his way towards the exit. Before opening the door, he turns to the Director General. "As agreed upon by the Crown, you will be protected from magical attacks on yourself and your family. Good day, Director, and enjoy your retirement."

*******************

Royal Throne Room, Birnin Zana, Wakanda

King T'Chaka sat majestically in his throne. A contingent of Dora Milaje stood alert around the room.

An elderly man and woman stood before the throne in traditional African robes.

Babajide Akingbade and his wife Mali Akingbade were magical representatives from the Magical Kingdom of Uagandou.

Babejide Akingbade softly spoke, "Your majesty, we have finished searching the minds of your two inventors. Unfortunately, the intruder was well practiced with the Mind Arts. Recovering their memories isn't possible."

Remaining posed, King T'Chaka took in this information. "What more can you tell me, Representative Akingbade?"

With a touch of sorrow in his aged voice, Babejide Akingbade softly answered. "We believe it is as you feared, your majesty. The intruder knew where they needed to go and when. Their objective was a large amount of vibranium and your heart-shaped herb. With the amount of detail needed to achieve such a heist and the damage to the laboratory, we believe it was a former citizen of Wakanda, your majesty."

King T'Chaka's hand closed into a tight fist at having his suspicions confirmed. The news of betrayal from one of his own people did not sit well with the king. The server that was destroyed also held the only copy of several new inventions.

Not only was this a great insult to Wakanda, but it will delay his researches months to recoup the lost information.

King T'Chaka rose from his throne, not as the King of Wakanda, but as the protector of his people. The Black Panther.

In a tone of authority, King T'Chaka passed his decree. "You have my permission to establish defenses around the mine and the palace. I am issuing a bounty of fifty-million dollars for the capture of this despicable fiend."

*******************

On a planet deep in uncharted space, a powerful being opened his eyes from a deep sleep.

With a perplexed expression, the mighty being shifted through what he just felt. It is a rare sensation, extremely rare.

Looking to a small child standing beside him. "Come, Pet. We are going to Terra."