chapter 3

Chapter 3: Shadows of the Past

The night draped over New York City like a thick, oppressive blanket, the skyline shimmering with thousands of lights. Aldric sat quietly in his sanctuary, his sharp gaze fixed on the arcane symbols floating before him, each a delicate thread of magic tied to the fabric of the cosmos.

Days had passed since Stephen Strange had stepped into his life, and Aldric had felt the familiar pull of destiny set in motion. The Ancient One would be teaching him now, guiding him on the path to becoming the Sorcerer Supreme. Strange had potential—there was no doubt—but his arrogance and desperation would be his greatest challenges.

Aldric let out a slow breath, turning his thoughts inward. Loki. The Tesseract. The looming presence of the Chitauri invasion. It was all spiraling toward a confrontation. The Almighty had shown him fragments of what was to come—a vision of chaos, of his father standing victorious, even if only for a moment. Loki believed his plans were unfolding smoothly, that he had outmaneuvered all who might oppose him. Aldric smiled faintly. The Visionary would show him otherwise.

He rose from his seat and moved toward a nearby bookshelf, his fingers tracing over the spines of ancient tomes before pulling one free. The Book of Visions. It was a relic from his training, one that held spells and knowledge he had long since memorized but occasionally revisited for insight.

Before he could open the book, a ripple in the magical field surrounding his shop caught his attention. A presence—familiar, powerful—had crossed the threshold.

Aldric closed the book with a soft thud and turned toward the door, his senses already confirming the visitor's identity. The shadows danced across the room as he made his way to the entrance, opening it without hesitation.

Standing in the doorway, wrapped in flowing robes that seemed to shimmer with otherworldly energy, was Yao, the Ancient One herself.

"Aldric," she said softly, her voice carrying the weight of centuries of wisdom, intertwined with a hint of old affection. Her eyes, calm and serene, held a knowing glimmer. "It's been some time."

Aldric offered a small bow, though a faint smile graced his lips. "Too long, Yao. I see you've taken on a new pupil."

Yao stepped into the shop, her presence calming the very air around them. She moved with a quiet grace, her hands clasped behind her back. "Yes, Stephen Strange. He has great potential, but you already know that, don't you?"

Aldric waved his hand dismissively, though his amusement was evident. "Of course. I saw him coming long before he knocked on my door. But he still has much to learn."

Yao tilted her head slightly, studying Aldric with a curious expression, a mix of admiration and challenge in her gaze. "You could have trained him yourself. You've surpassed many of your peers, even those at Kamar-Taj. But you chose to remain here, in the shadows."

Aldric's smile faded just a bit as he turned his back to her, walking deeper into the room. "I prefer the shadows. They provide clarity. Besides, I'm not interested in training another Sorcerer Supreme. I have... other concerns."

Yao followed him, her gaze steady. "Loki."

It wasn't a question. She knew, as Aldric did, that Loki's arrival on Earth was far more than a family reunion. The Tesseract, the scepter, and the Chitauri—all pieces of a larger puzzle.

Aldric didn't turn to face her, his voice steady. "He's here for the Tesseract. He believes it will give him the power he craves. But he doesn't realize he's merely a pawn in a larger game."

Yao moved beside him, her expression calm but serious. "The pieces are already moving. Loki is not acting alone. There are forces behind him—Thanos and his agents."

Aldric's eyes darkened slightly at the mention of the Mad Titan. Thanos. Even Aldric, with his immense power and intellect, sensed the weight of that name across the cosmos. He could feel the pull of fate, drawing the universe toward something much larger than Loki's ambition.

"Yes," Aldric said softly. "But that's why you're here, isn't it? To see where I stand."

Yao gave a faint smile, one that held remnants of a past they had shared. "I have never doubted your allegiance, Aldric. You have always walked the path of balance, even if others did not understand your methods. But this time... the stakes are higher."

Aldric finally turned to face her, his expression unreadable. "And what of you, Yao? Are you prepared to walk this path again? We may have chosen different roads, but the destination often remains the same."

She met his gaze with a steady determination. "I am ready to do what is necessary to protect this world, Aldric. But I won't do it alone."

"Neither will I," he replied, the gravity of their shared past hanging in the air between them. "We may walk different paths now, but I still have your back, as always."

Yao nodded, a flicker of warmth in her eyes. "Then we'll face what's coming together, as old friends—or perhaps more."

The air crackled with unspoken tension, memories of battles fought side by side flooding their minds. But the moment passed, replaced by the gravity of their current reality.

"Then let's prepare," Aldric said, his tone shifting to one of urgency. "We need to be ready for what Loki has planned. And for the storm Thanos is brewing in the shadows."

With a shared understanding, they set to work, the once familiar rhythm of collaboration reigniting between them. Aldric's sanctuary pulsed with energy as they delved into ancient texts and arcane rituals, the night stretching on as the city outside remained oblivious to the darkness drawing near.

As they worked, Aldric couldn't shake the feeling that their past would collide with their present, forcing them to confront not only the impending chaos but also the emotions they had long buried. The road ahead was fraught with danger, but together, they would stand against the shadows of the past and the threats of the future.