Chapter 15: The Necronomicon

They ascended the spiral wooden staircase to the second floor, their footsteps echoing through the empty corridor. With each step closer, a breathtakingly majestic sight unfolded before Noah's eyes.

Countless towering bookshelves, each nearly ten meters high, stood like giants on the second floor. Every shelf was packed with books of all sizes, and the thick scent of ink lingered in the air. Noah's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but let out a soft exclamation of wonder.

The hall they were in resembled a labyrinth, with a maze of intersecting corridors that seemed designed to confuse anyone who entered. The lighting was dim, with only faint, sporadic glimmers of light coming from an indeterminate source. Shadows danced eerily between the shelves.

The bookshelves stretched endlessly in every direction, their arrangement meticulous yet disorienting. The books' covers displayed a vast array of colors and intricate designs, symbolizing different fields of knowledge and the wisdom within. Staring at them, Noah felt as if he could sense the power and stories hidden within those pages.

He approached one of the shelves cautiously, gently running his fingers over the spines of the books, feeling their coarse texture.

At that moment, Wong coughed twice, snapping Noah out of his reverie.

"Noah, the knowledge contained in these books has become so concentrated that it emits a tangible energy. This energy can lure visitors into an insatiable desire to explore, leading them to their doom—some even die of thirst in front of these shelves. You must resist their allure, or you'll be lost here forever."

Noah nodded solemnly, shaking off the overwhelming thirst for knowledge that had gripped his mind.

'So that's why', he thought. 'No wonder I felt this strange compulsion the moment I stepped onto the second floor. I almost thought I'd suddenly developed a love for reading—what a disappointment.'

Clearing his thoughts completely, he said, "Understood, Wong. Lead us to the Necronomicon. Once we find it, you can come with us and leave the Sanctum for the S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier. It'll be safer there."

Wong hesitated for a moment but ultimately gave no definitive answer. "Follow me. Let's find the Necronomicon first."

Noah and Wanda followed Wong as he navigated the maze of bookshelves. They moved cautiously, avoiding jutting corners and scattered tomes. Every book seemed to exude an ancient and mysterious aura, as though alive.

Their eyes scanned the shelves, searching for any clue that might lead them to the elusive Necronomicon.

The shelves formed a complex labyrinth, but Wong moved through it like a seasoned guide, leading them unerringly forward.

Noah and Wanda occasionally had to duck or sidestep protruding edges of shelves. Their movements were nimble and precise, and while the enchanting books occasionally caught their eyes, they knew the mission was critical and couldn't afford any distractions.

After what felt like an eternity, Wong stopped in front of a shelf. He began meticulously searching through the books, examining each cover for signs of the Necronomicon.

His hands moved swiftly, flipping through the rows of spines, hoping to uncover the mysterious tome.

But as time passed, Wong's expression grew increasingly anxious. He shook his head repeatedly, his brows furrowing deeper.

Finally, unable to contain his shock, he shouted, "It's gone! The Necronomicon is missing!"

The unexpected revelation stunned Noah and Wanda.

Their gazes shifted to the shelf Wong had been searching. Although it was almost overflowing with books, a small, conspicuous gap stood out.

Silence enveloped them, broken only by the faint rustle of turning pages that seemed to echo mockingly.

Wong's voice reverberated through the endless rows of shelves, drawn out and distorted as though mocking their efforts.

Noah pondered silently. He knew the Necronomicon wasn't here; it was in Latveria, within Doctor Doom's fortress.

But finding the book wasn't his true goal. That artifact alone couldn't save this world. His primary objective was to recruit Wong.

Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through the hall, carrying an eerie aura. Before them appeared a translucent, floating spectral figure.

Narrowing his eyes, Noah observed the spirit closely. Its hair was streaked with strands of silver, evidence of age, and it sported a neatly groomed mustache.

While this wasn't enough to confirm its identity, the spirit's crimson cloak gave it away—a shimmering, otherworldly glow like starlight emanated from the fabric.

The figure, though incorporeal, radiated a transcendent aura.

Its voice echoed through the wind, filled with otherworldly authority. "Wong! Hold on—I'm here to help you defeat the Druid Master!"

Wong gasped in surprise. "Stephen? Weren't you performing a ritual in the heavens?"

He hadn't expected his desperate plea for help to be answered.

The spirit chuckled heartily. "I sensed danger in the Sanctum, so I used astral projection to assist. Now, Wong, let's defeat—wait. The Druid? Where is he? And Wanda? Who are you? Why are you all on the second floor?"

"Uh, also…Wong, your hand…"

Doctor Strange's voice brimmed with confusion and curiosity as he scanned the surroundings and the group. The absence of the Druid Master and the presence of Wanda and Noah puzzled him.

Noah stepped forward to explain. "The Druid Master has already been defeated. As for me, I'm Noah White, and Wanda is my companion. We're here to find the Necronomicon."

"And you're late—by at least five minutes."

Strange's astral eyebrows furrowed slightly, and his cloak trembled as if deep in thought.

After a long pause, he finally said, "The Necronomicon…do we even have such a thing? Wong?"

Wong's exasperation was palpable. He shook his head and sighed. "Stephen, we archived that book four years ago. I personally placed it on this shelf seven months ago. Don't you ever visit the library?"

"And don't worry about my hand—it's nothing."

Strange, embarrassed, tugged at his mustache awkwardly. Organizing the library had always been Wong's responsibility, while Strange dealt with the external affairs of heroism. The mundane details were often left to Wong.

"Ahem…is that so?" Strange muttered, his voice tinged with embarrassment. "Perhaps my frequent astral projections have warped my memory…"

Wong rolled his eyes.

"Well then, Noah, is it? If you're looking for the Necronomicon, let me divine its location for you."

Doctor Strange began chanting an ancient and mysterious incantation, his voice deep and commanding. As he chanted, the surrounding air grew dense with energy. A golden light formed around him, creating an intricate magical circle.

His fingers trembled slightly as his consciousness delved into the realm of divination. Flashes of past, present, and future flickered before him. He sensed the energy and information flowing from every book on the shelves.

But suddenly, his body jolted, and the magical circle dissipated abruptly.

Doctor Strange opened his eyes slowly, a wary look on his face. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions within.

"Someone has used magic to interfere with my divination," he said, his voice low and steady. "I'm sorry, but I can't help you locate it."