Chapter 660: IMUC Chapter 653 The Sorcerer Battle
I have finished translating this fanfic, IMUC (I Am In Marvel With Unlimited Cards) and have posted all the advanced chapters on Patreon (Last Chapter -- 706). (https://www.patreon.com/c/marvel6395). You can read all the advanced chapters there.
At the heart of Carl Kingdom, in the bustling central square, Doctor Stephen Strange, abruptly turned. A figure materialized out of thin air behind him, a robed form gently landing.
"Sorcerer Supreme," Strange bowed slightly to the Ancient One. His face, obscured by shadows, betrayed his hesitation. He seemed to want to speak, but the words wouldn't come.
The Ancient One, as if reading his mind, soothed, "It's alright, Stephen. Whatever it is, we can discuss it upon our return to Kamar-Taj."
"Alright," Strange nodded, choosing to trust her. He believed that whatever she did, there was always a reason.
The Ancient One surveyed the square, searching for Mordo. "Where is Mordo?" she inquired with a hint of surprise in her voice. They had arrived together for the competition, and it was expected they would leave together.
Strange shook his head, his brow furrowed. "I don't know. I only just noticed his absence. It seems Mordo left Carl Kingdom on his own, without watching the final."
The Ancient One fell silent, her expression shifting subtly. Her gaze locked onto Strange. "Did he say anything to you?"
"No," Strange repeated, shaking his head. "Mordo has been unusually quiet since the latter part of the competition as if something was troubling him. Even his departure was quiet, without a word."
The Ancient One sighed softly, her eyes drifting towards the distant horizon. "This is concerning. Kaecilius and the others... their appearance likely triggered Mordo."
Strange, remembering the three figures in black cloaks from earlier, murmured, "Those three, the ones who competed alongside the other Sorcerers?"
"Kaecilius," The Ancient One breathed with a complex emotion swirling in her eyes. "He joined Kamar-Taj years before you. A gifted Sorcerer, yes, but he succumbed to the Dark Dimension, becoming a servant of Dormammu. Now, he leads the Dark Sorcerers. He has been lurking on Earth, attempting to infiltrate Kamar-Taj and steal the forbidden books of time magic."
"Then Mordo...?" Strange's voice trailed off, a sense of dread creeping in.
"Mordo possesses an unwavering will and strong convictions. He is stubborn, and set in his ways. Once he decides on a course of action, it's difficult to sway him. He has always despised the Dark Dimension and loathes traitors above all else..."
Then, a sudden realization dawned on the Ancient One. She turned to Strange, urgency in her voice. "Hurry! We must return to Kamar-Taj. Something must have happened there."
…
Meanwhile, back at Kamar-Taj, in the vast training hall, Mordo stood at the entrance. He had already instructed a dozen Sorcerers to prepare the artifacts for battle.
He then deactivated Kamar-Taj's magical defenses, exposing its existence to the world and stripping away its dimensional and magical disguise, making it visible on Earth.
A bright, swirling portal opened, and a bald man wielding a staff-like artifact emerged. It was Wang, the Sorcerer guarding the New York Sanctum, one of the most powerful Sorcerers, second only to Mordo himself.
Wang surveyed the armed Sorcerers within the hall, then turned to Mordo with a grave expression. "Sorcerer Mordo, what in the name of the Vishanti have you done?"
Sorcerer Mordo's face remained impassive. "It's simple. Those traitors who fell into the Dark Dimension have always coveted Kamar-Taj's library. Now, I am granting them access."
"You're insane!" Wang exclaimed, sensing that Kamar-Taj's outer defenses had been severely weakened. "Reactivate the defenses immediately, or else—"
"It's too late," Sorcerer Mordo interrupted. "If even you can feel it, then those traitors, infused with the power of the Dark Dimension, will have sensed it too."
Following Sorcerer Mordo's words, at the other end of the hall corridor, with the sound of rustling, a portal made of fire sparks opened.
Leading the way was Kaecilius, followed by a group of Sorcerers in robes, each with dark, glowing eyes, entering Kamar-Taj from the other side of the portal.
The Sorcerers in the main hall all immediately grabbed their artifacts, standing in a defensive formation, as though facing lifelong enemies, prepared to confront the Dark Sorcerers.
Wang knew there was no stopping what had already begun. He walked up to Sorcerer Mordo's side, gripping his artifact tightly, and whispered through clenched teeth, "You've opened Pandora's box."
Mordo seemed not to hear, his cold gaze fixed on Kaecilius.
"Long time no see! Kamar-Taj, I'm finally back here!" Kaecilius said as he scanned the hall with familiarity. Laughing maniacally, his blackened eyes turned to Sorcerer Mordo and Wang. "Well, well, my two brothers, how have you been?"
Mordo coldly responded, "Shut up. I have no such brother as you, a traitor who sold both body and soul to the Dark Dimension!"
Kaecilius laughed loudly, "Have you forgotten about today's match? Even that woman absorbed the power of the Dark Dimension! She hasn't aged and has gained more control over reality. These are the best proofs!"
This statement struck a nerve with Sorcerer Mordo. He clenched his fist so tightly his nails dug into his palm, coldly issuing orders: "All Sorcerers of Kamar-Taj, today we shall eradicate the traitors of the Dark Dimension! Not a single one will be spared!"
"Yes!" The Sorcerers responded in unison, their voices full of resolve.
"Today is the day when the Sorcerers of Kamar Taj will be destroyed, and Earth will fall into the Dark Dimension!" Kaecilius coldly gestured forward, leading the Dark Sorcerers in a fierce attack against the Sorcerers led by Mordo.
In an instant, artifacts blinked, star arrays appeared, and spells rained down, chaos erupting as both sides fought with their magical techniques in a violent and disordered clash.
On this day, the holy land had been free from worldly wars for centuries finally faced a brutal battle. The Kamar-Taj Sorcerers and the Dark Dimension Sorcerers, two factions, were destined to fight until neither could stand.
Sparks whirled in the air as Ancient One and Strange rushed back to the main hall of Kamar-Taj from the Carl Kingdom.
Strange paused in his steps. The once elegant hall was now in ruins. Dozens of Sorcerers' bodies lay on the ground, some pierced by cold, chaotic magic, others strangled by the searing magic whips.
The aftermath of the battle resembled hell, with the smell of blood lingering in every corner.
"We were too late," Strange said, his face pale, his voice distant.
"Yes, but not completely too late."
Ancient One gazed at the bodies on the floor, a fleeting sadness in her eyes, before lifting her gaze to the ceiling. "They're still in the Mirror Dimension, the battle has yet to be decided!"
(End of chapter)