Solomon in Marvel

After dealing with the family of HYDRA's fanatical believers, Solomon did not linger. He assigned Dina to select five fully armed Sisters to remain behind and monitor the Malick family. The rest of the androids buried the bodies of the security personnel in the estate's garden and then departed aboard their aircraft. They needed to arrange a rotating schedule for guarding the Malick estate.

Compared to their grueling daily training, this mission felt like a vacation. After a week, a different group of five androids would arrive to replace those on duty.

As a precaution and demonstration of power, Solomon took Stephanie Malick with him. It was both a warning to Gideon Malick and a showcase of his influence. Opening a portal, he transported Stephanie to the Eternal City. The sight was awe-inspiring: glowing rock formations suspended hundreds of meters above, fully automated construction machines constantly at work, and ancient statues scattered along the streets, remnants of a once-thriving metropolis.

This underground city, once the most magnificent on Earth, was now being revived after years of destruction and desolation.

For the first time in days, Stephanie's spirits lifted. The technology here far exceeded anything she had ever seen, yet the city maintained a rich cultural and artistic atmosphere. Architectural styles from across the world blended harmoniously in the city's design. Wakandan engineering crews were finishing their work in the most heavily damaged areas, erecting new structures in the Victorian style as Solomon had commissioned.

A towering clock tower stood as a centerpiece, its design heavily inspired by Gothic architecture. Solomon's administrative headquarters, meanwhile, took the form of a cathedral, awaiting the final touches of stained-glass windows and murals to complete its grandeur.

The sight filled Stephanie with awe.

With the contract signed, the Malick family's fate was now tied to this enigmatic magician. Although she had learned that Solomon was the knight who had fought during the Battle of New York, she had initially assumed he was just another technological genius like Tony Stark. But seeing his domain dispelled her doubts. Knowing her new benefactor possessed such overwhelming power gave her a sense of reassurance.

"I promised your father I would broaden your horizons," Solomon said, handing Stephanie a pair of sunglasses and a set of clean clothes. Stephanie eyed him skeptically.

"Sorry," he shrugged apologetically, "These are the only women's clothes available here. The maids' uniforms are the Sisters' standard attire. But I think you'll prefer this over wearing your blood-stained clothes."

"Where are we going?" Stephanie asked, clutching the outfit.

"Off-world," Solomon replied nonchalantly. "We're going to try Xandarian snail ice cream—a new dish that's popular across several alien civilizations. If you want, you could even bring some back to your HYDRA god. I'm sure it's been a long time since it last ate anything."

"That sounds disgusting," Stephanie scoffed but found herself strangely emboldened. Having her old beliefs shattered seemed to have given her a newfound confidence. She straightened her posture, adopting the air of a Malick heiress.

"I feel like you're hiding something," she said shrewdly. "What is it you're not telling me? My father might have accepted your generous terms, but I won't blindly follow along."

"You haven't proven your worth yet, girl," Solomon said, narrowing his eyes as he gazed down at her. "Here, survival depends on your value."

"HYDRA works the same way—perhaps even more ruthlessly," Stephanie responded without hesitation. She had visited HYDRA training camps where children from lower ranks clawed their way up the hierarchy through sheer determination. "I've noticed that most of your people are combat personnel. You seem to lack administrative staff. I can fill that role. I have a high-level degree in business management—and I'm also trained in accounting."

"Looks like you've found your niche," Solomon smirked. "I've got plenty of paperwork that needs doing. Get ready to handle daily operations. I'll be watching." His words were both a promise and a veiled threat, testing to see if Stephanie would slip up. "You'll get what you want—whether it's beauty, youth, or power."

"Can I become like the others around you?" Stephanie asked, taking his bait. "Can you give me what they have? Or are they all some kind of super-soldiers?"

"You can—if you get your work done," Solomon replied.

In the secretive No Doors Tavern, hidden somewhere between dimensions, mages gathered to speak freely. The tavern could appear anywhere at any time. To experienced spellcasters, it resembled an old saloon, complete with glowing batwing doors.

"You—"

"I'm sorry. I really am," Solomon interrupted before Kaecilius could finish. Apologizing for his dual life, Solomon acknowledged that he had been neglecting both the witches and his fellow mystics at Kamar-Taj. He raised a chilled beer bottle and clinked it against Kaecilius's drink.

But Kaecilius shook his head.

"I'm not blaming you, kid," he said warmly. "You're growing up. You got into one of those fancy universities for rich geniuses, you've got a girlfriend, and you're making your own way. I've got no complaints—really."

He took a long swig from his Heineken and let out a satisfied belch.

"Ahh, now that's how you drink a cold beer," Kaecilius declared with a grin.

Encouraged, Solomon playfully downed his own bottle in one go.

"See? That's what I'm talking about! Look at him, folks—he's drinking like a man!" Kaecilius pointed at Solomon, prompting a round of cheers and whistles from the other patrons.

Many of the mages in the tavern had watched Solomon grow up under Kaecilius's guidance. They remembered the quiet, serious boy that the Ancient One had taken under her wing.

"Someone get this guy a shot of vodka—on ice!" called out Count Koelz.

"You idiot," a Vodou priest jeered. "You think vodka can get a Kamar-Taj sorcerer drunk?"

After gulping down a frosty shot of vodka, Solomon finally caught a break.

"Kamar-Taj isn't the best environment for young people," Kaecilius remarked in a fatherly tone. "You can't live the vibrant life you deserve there. I've seen how quiet you used to be before your first departure. Everyone tried to cheer you up—even Mordo let you get away with playing video games. I told the Ancient One that you needed a life of your own—there's no need to always be tied to Kamar-Taj."

"This is my duty, Kaecilius."

"Duty, my ass!" Kaecilius snapped, growing frustrated. "You'll be the Sorcerer Supreme someday, but not now. Right now, you should be out enjoying life—cruising around in a sports car. Hell, I heard from Mordo that you meddled in some archaeologist's fate. That girl's destiny is tied to Quetzalcoatl. Still, you handled it well enough that the Ancient One's willing to overlook it."

"Come on, tell me—why do you always attract such amazing women? How many girlfriends do you have now?"

"Pure chance," Solomon chuckled, raising his beer. "Maybe it's because I'm handsome?"

"Boo!"

"Enough joking. Kaecilius, I want to invite you and Mordo to a family dinner," Solomon said. "I've also invited the Hong Kong Sanctum's guardians—Hamir and Wong. I've already booked the restaurant, so wear something casual."

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