Chapter 5: One Step Ahead

A few hours had passed, and Pietro found himself sprawled on the floor, utterly exhausted from the intense session.

Mordo approached him, his voice calm yet inquisitive. "How was it?"

"Not bad," Pietro replied, breathing heavily. "I think I could actually feel it—the energy, I mean."

Mordo raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Interesting. Get up, then. Follow me. I'll show you how to truly sense and harness that energy."

Pietro pushed himself up, brushing the dust off his clothes. "Really?" he asked, a glimmer of excitement cutting through his fatigue.

Without answering, Mordo began walking, leading them out of the familiar surroundings of Kamar-Taj. Pietro followed, curiosity gnawing at him as the buildings gave way to the natural world.

"Where are we going?" Pietro finally asked, glancing around as they moved farther from the temple.

"To a place I believe is ideal for a beginner like you," Mordo replied cryptically.

After a short walk, they arrived at a secluded spot, lush with greenery and bordered by a gently flowing river. Mordo sat down by the water's edge, gesturing for Pietro to join him.

"Calm your mind," Mordo instructed as he closed his eyes and settled into meditation. "Feel the energy around you."

The serene atmosphere surrounded Pietro as he closed his eyes, focusing intently on sensing the energy that permeated the area. The place was alive with it, rich and vibrant, almost humming beneath the surface. He could feel it now, flowing like a gentle river around him.

"Seems you've succeeded," Mordo's voice broke through his concentration, a note of satisfaction in his tone. "Congratulations."

Pietro opened his eyes, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Thanks, but now comes the hard part—harnessing energy from other dimensions, right?"

Mordo's expression turned serious as he nodded. "Yes, but be cautious. Not every dimension's energy is safe to harness. For now, focus on mastering your own energy."

"Got it," Pietro replied.

Mordo stood up and gestured for Pietro to do the same. "Let's practice combat—no superspeed this time."

Pietro grinned, nodding in agreement. He settled into a fighting stance, one refined through his military training, while Mordo adopted his own defensive posture.

The two moved toward each other with calculated precision. Mordo threw a punch, which Pietro deflected with a well-timed block using his elbow. Without hesitation, Pietro countered with a quick liver punch, but Mordo skillfully deflected it. Undeterred, Pietro feinted a punch toward Mordo's face with his left hand, only to follow through with another liver punch.

This time, the blow landed. Mordo staggered, surprised by the force behind Pietro's strike. He gasped, spitting out saliva, but Pietro didn't let up. Seizing the moment, he grabbed Mordo by the head and delivered a sharp knee strike, sending Mordo tumbling backward.

As Mordo regained his footing, a thought flashed through his mind: *How is he able to read my movements so easily?*

Pietro stood there, a playful smirk on his face, and taunted Mordo by beckoning him with his fingers.

Mordo, usually composed, found himself uncharacteristically irritated by this novice's confidence. He realized this training session was going to be far more challenging than he anticipated.

Meanwhile, deep within a dense jungle, the air trembled with a fierce energy.

"Die!" Wanda screamed, her voice echoing through the trees as she unleashed a massive wave of scarlet aura. The energy tore through everything in its path, obliterating the grotesque creatures that had been closing in on her.

As the final pulse of magic dissipated, Wanda dropped to her knees, gasping for breath. The effort had drained her, leaving her chest heaving as she fought to recover. Around her lay the aftermath of her power—broken trees, deep craters, lifeless bodies of strange, otherworldly beasts, and the lingering scent of scorched earth.

Perched calmly on a nearby rock, the Ancient One watched in silence, waiting for Wanda to regain her strength.

"What kind of monsters am I fighting?" Wanda panted, her voice a mix of exhaustion and disgust. The creatures she had just faced were unlike anything she had ever seen, twisted and vile.

"Deviants," the Ancient One replied, her tone measured. "They were created to ensure the survival of life on Earth, but over time, they evolved—turning into predators. They are nearly immortal, making them ideal for your training as a witch."

Wanda struggled to her feet, her brow furrowed. "A witch?"

"The wielder of Chaos Magic is known as the Scarlet Witch," the Ancient One explained. She could see the fatigue in Wanda's eyes, the toll this training had taken on her. Deciding to offer some respite, she added, "Rest for twenty minutes."

Wanda exhaled a long breath of relief and let herself sink to the ground, lying back against the cool earth. For now, she could afford to rest, to let the world around her settle before the next inevitable challenge.

In Stark Tower, Tony paced back and forth, a pen twirling absentmindedly between his fingers. His mind raced, but there were no easy answers in sight. Before him, a hologram flickered, displaying the last known footage of the twins. After that, they had simply vanished—an impossibility that gnawed at him.

"How do two enhanced individuals just disappear?" Tony muttered to himself, his voice tinged with frustration. "And the scepter... if they have it, we're looking at a whole new level of trouble."

He paused, narrowing his eyes at the hologram as if willing it to reveal some hidden clue. "Did they know someone was onto them?" he wondered aloud, trying to piece together the puzzle. But the more he thought about it, the more questions surfaced, and the fewer answers he found.

"Jarvis," Tony called out, his tone sharp with anticipation. "Any trace? Anything at all?"

"Nothing yet, sir," Jarvis replied, his voice calm and efficient, a stark contrast to Tony's restless energy.

Tony sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Keep me updated on any developments, no matter how small."

"Of course, sir," Jarvis acknowledged as the hologram blinked out of existence, leaving Tony alone with his thoughts.

Tony turned and walked out of the room, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on him. He needed answers, and he needed them fast, but for now, all he could do was wait—and Tony Stark had never been good at waiting.

...

Mordo and the Ancient One walked side by side through the tranquil corridors of Kamar-Taj.

"How is Pietro's training progressing?" the Ancient One inquired, her tone calm yet curious.

Mordo sighed, a mixture of frustration and admiration in his voice. "He's exceptional in combat, far beyond most students. But when it comes to the Mystic Arts… he's slower. He did manage to sense the energy, but I wouldn't say he has a natural talent for it. Even our average apprentices show more promise in that area."

The Ancient One smiled, a knowing glint in her eyes. "Average? Pietro is anything but average. He's the last person you should underestimate."

She had glimpsed a future where Pietro's potential would far surpass anyone's expectations, even her own.

Meanwhile, Pietro was buried in books in the vast library, scribbling notes furiously. He was methodical, moving from one book to the next with lightning speed, his hands a blur as he filled notebook after notebook. His dedication caught the attention of others, who watched in awe as he devoured knowledge at a pace that seemed impossible.

The shelves were endless, filled with knowledge from dimensions beyond comprehension, but Pietro was determined. His speed wasn't just for running—it was his secret weapon in mastering what would take others years to learn. He was relentless, using every ounce of his power to reach his full potential, pushing himself far beyond the limits of an ordinary apprentice.

With each page he turned, with every note he jotted down, Pietro was shaping his future, one word at a time.

Someone was watching Pietro from a distance, her gaze softening as she took in the sight of him hunched over his books, immersed in his studies. It was Wanda, observing the intensity with which her brother threw himself into his work. A part of her wanted to approach him, to say something, but she held back.

"He really is working this hard… for me," Wanda whispered to herself, recalling the words that had been spoken to her—words that had etched themselves into her mind. 'He's doing this to protect you.'

With a flick of her fingers, the air around her shimmered, and the world cracked like glass, opening into the Mirror Dimension. She stepped into it, her eyes glowing a deep, scarlet red, matching the aura that now radiated from her body. The energy coursing through her was fierce, powerful—an embodiment of her resolve.

Wanda had always been protected, always shielded by Pietro's speed and sacrifice. But now, watching him push himself to his limits, she felt a shift deep within her. It wasn't enough to be protected anymore. She wouldn't let him carry the burden alone.

"I'll be the one to protect you now," Wanda vowed quietly, her voice filled with determination as the scarlet aura around her flared brighter, echoing her promise. .