Chapter 115

Abel turned to Tony, who was eyeing the portal with suspicion. Abel nodded, signaling that everything was fine and reassuring Tony not to worry. Then, without hesitation, Abel stepped into the portal and arrived at Kamar-Taj.

As the portal closed, the Ancient One greeted Abel. "Mage Abel, it's been a long time since we last met."

Abel smiled and nodded. "Indeed. It's been about a year. How has everyone at Kamar-Taj been? Kaecilius, Daniel, and Wong should be doing well, right?"

The Ancient One sighed. "Daniel and Wong are the same as always, but Kaecilius is not doing well."

Abel's brow furrowed. "What's wrong with Kaecilius? Is it something you can tell me?"

The Ancient One shook her head slightly. "It's my fault. I believed the time was right and allowed Kaecilius to access Kamar-Taj's black magic texts, even guiding him through some of it. Unfortunately, it was too soon. His outlook became warped—dark and negative. His exposure to black magic affected him more deeply than anticipated."

"Where is Kaecilius now? Is he being detained?"

"No," the Ancient One replied. "He fled Kamar-Taj in secret half a year ago, and he's learned some magic to shield himself from my perception. I can only sense that he's on an island in the Atlantic, but I cannot pinpoint the exact location."

Abel, concerned, asked, "So, what's your plan? Do you intend to leave him out there or bring him back?"

"That's why I've sought your help, Abel. I need you to bring Kaecilius back."

Abel, willing to help his friend but curious, questioned further. "Kaecilius is a friend of mine, and I will do what I can. But Master, why can't you retrieve him yourself? This doesn't seem like something that would be difficult for you."

The Ancient One's face remained calm and composed, though she offered a slight smile. "Mage Abel, there are things I cannot explain to you. If I could act according to my own will, I would have already brought Kaecilius back. But, unfortunately, I am bound by forces beyond my control."

Abel understood. He knew the Ancient One's connection to powerful entities like the Vishanti—especially the Trinity of Vishanti, which had grown so strong it had become a restriction on her freedom. Though the Vishanti's power had elevated the Ancient One to her status as the Sorcerer Supreme, it now also held her in invisible chains.

In her attempt to free herself from this connection, the Ancient One had sought power from the Dark Dimension, even Dormammu. But not even that dark power had been enough to sever her bond with the Vishanti. To the Vishanti, the Ancient One was a prized asset they wouldn't easily relinquish. Her attempts to resist their control had only tightened their grip.

For the Vishanti, Kaecilius had already fallen into darkness and was no longer worthy of being a disciple of Kamar-Taj. From their perspective, there was no need to bring him back—he could be dealt with in time, which explained why they kept the Ancient One from pursuing him.

Abel had learned much about the complexities of magic from his time with Frigga in Asgard. He understood that neither white magic nor black magic was inherently good or evil; it was simply a tool, a power that varied depending on the person who wielded it. The Vishanti, though regarded as patrons of white magic, had their own interests, and those interests didn't always align with humanity's well-being. The Ancient One's caution with teaching Abel the "Book of the Vishanti" made sense now.

"Understood, Master Ancient One," Abel replied. "Please give me Kaecilius' approximate location, and I will find him."

The Ancient One nodded. "As part of the exchange, I will offer you a new spell."

"Then I'd like the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak," Abel requested.

The Ancient One gave Abel a deep, thoughtful look before nodding. "Very well. I'll provide it to you now."

With a wave of her hand, a parchment scroll appeared and was placed in Abel's hands. "This contains the specifics of the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak. As for Kaecilius, he's on an island in the northwestern Atlantic. If you go there, you should be able to find him."

"Understood. I'll leave at once," Abel said.

"Thank you, Mage Abel," the Ancient One replied.

Abel nodded slightly before opening a portal and leaving Kamar-Taj.

Once Abel had departed, the skies over Kamar-Taj darkened, and clouds began to swirl, forming a vague, tiger-like face. The Ancient One looked up at the sky, as if hearing a silent reprimand from the Vishanti. She responded calmly, "Everyone has the right to choose. Just because someone has your favor doesn't mean they are bound to fulfill your expectations."

She continued, "As Mage Abel said, everything he has gained from Kamar-Taj was earned through the principle of equivalent exchange. He owes us nothing."

The Ancient One sighed slightly. "If Abel requests to learn from the Book of the Vishanti, I won't stop him. But if I push the teachings on him, he will only grow wary. Not everyone is desperate to wield your power."

With a slight gesture, the cloud-tiger dissipated into an ordinary sky. The Ancient One then turned back to the temple, returning to her duties as if nothing had happened.