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Homelander retracted his Heat Vision and looked at the thing still flickering with blue light amidst the magma, his expression grim.
"Could it be that this thing... absorbed my energy?"
"It's not absorbing yours,"
The Ancient One explained.
"It is a part of Ego's true form. In this dimension, it is the 'effect,' while Ego is the 'cause.'"
"No matter how much damage you cause it here, Ego's true form will continuously send energy through a high-dimensional channel to repair it."
"Unless..."
"Unless the true form is taken out," Homelander interjected.
"Yes." The Ancient One nodded. "As long as Ego is still alive, this seed is indestructible."
"Moreover..." She extended her finger and traced it through the air, attempting to use spatial magic to cut and transfer this area.
But the space was like solidified concrete, not moving an inch.
"...It is already locked to the Earth's core."
The Ancient One lowered her hand and shook her head with regret.
"I cannot teleport it away, nor can I banish it to the Mirror Dimension. It has become a fixed 'Singularity' of Earth in this dimension."
"Is there no other way?" Wanda also understood the gravity of the situation. "We just have to let it stay planted here? Wait for it to devour the Earth?"
"Seal it."
The Ancient One said.
"We can use the sealing techniques of the Vishanti to temporarily suppress its energy transmission channel with the true form and inhibit its growth."
"But it's only temporary." The Ancient One looked at the restless blue seed. "Faced with the power of the Celestials, a seal won't hold for long."
"After all, we also have to divide our attention to resist Dormammu."
Homelander fell silent for a few seconds.
"Fine... If you can't solve the problem, solve the person who created it."
He cast his gaze toward the deep sky.
"It seems I'll have to take a long trip."
"To where?" Wanda asked.
"Planet Ego the Living Planet."
"It's the only way."
After speaking, Homelander looked at the Ancient One.
"Master, are you interested in an interstellar journey? Your magic could be of help."
The Ancient One shook her head.
"Sorry, Starr."
"I cannot leave Earth."
The Ancient One pointed to the sky, then pointed to the ground beneath her feet.
"The barrier of the Sanctums requires my constant maintenance. Dormammu has been watching greedily from the Dark Dimension; he can sense my presence."
"If I leave Earth, even for a moment..."
"Dormammu will not hesitate to devour this World. That would be an equally unbearable disaster."
Homelander nodded; he knew the Ancient One was telling the truth.
The Sorcerer Supreme was Earth's last line of defense against mystical invasions; she indeed could not move easily.
"Anthony, I'll go with you!"
Wanda suddenly took a step forward, tightly grabbing Homelander's hand.
"Take me with you, Anthony! I can help..."
Homelander gently squeezed her hand back and said with a smile:
"Thank you, Wanda. I want to take you too, I really do. With you by my side, I'd feel invincible."
"But... you can't go."
"Why?!" Wanda grew anxious. "I've become stronger! Even the Ancient One said I have talent!"
"It's precisely because you've become stronger that I have an even more important mission to give you."
Homelander pointed at the pulsating God seed.
"The Ancient One cannot watch over this place all the time; she has to guard the Sanctums. Conventional power is useless against this thing."
"Once this seed erupts, this will be the front line of the battlefield."
Homelander pressed his forehead against Wanda's and said softly:
"This is my home, and it's your home too."
"I need the person I trust most, and the strongest person, to stay here and help me hold this line."
"Wanda, you are my anchor."
"As long as I know you're here guarding it, no matter which corner of the Universe I'm fighting in, I will be fearless."
I am... the anchor?
That's right, I am the person he trusts most. I am his watcher on Earth!
"I... I understand."
Wanda sniffled, her gaze becoming incredibly firm.
"I will hold this place, Anthony. Until you return, or I die!"
"Don't say such silly things." Homelander laughed and kissed her forehead. "You won't die. When I get back, we'll go eat cheeseburgers together."
"Mhm!"
Prompt! Gained special popularity value + 5000! (From Wanda Maximoff)
Homelander smiled with satisfaction.
He looked at the Ancient One again.
"Even though the Master cannot go, this... you'll have to contribute your share, right?"
"Of course."
The Ancient One smiled slightly.
"I will dispatch the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj to establish a multi-layered sealing array in this area."
"Additionally..."
The Ancient One took out a golden Sling Ring and handed it to Homelander.
"This Sling Ring contains my magical power and is fixed to Earth's coordinates."
"No matter which corner of the Universe or which dimension you are in, it can guide you home."
Homelander took the Sling Ring and put it on his hand.
"Thanks."
"Well then... until we meet again."
Homelander gave Wanda one last hug, and then, under her reluctant gaze, he soared into the sky.
He disappeared into the horizon.
"He always manages to surprise people, doesn't he?" The Ancient One turned her head and looked at Wanda, who was still staring at the sky in a daze.
"This is a dangerous decision... He is trying to shoulder a responsibility that even the gods want to flee from."
"Of course." Wanda retracted her gaze, her eyes full of pride. "He is the Homelander. He is... the one and only."
Prompt! Gained special popularity value + 5000! (From the Ancient One)
Just then, a powerful blast of air descended from the sky, blowing the surrounding trees askew.
Boom—!
A figure slammed heavily onto the ground in a wild landing posture, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Jessica Jones.
She stood up and patted the dust off her clothes.
"I heard the emergency dispatch from Skynet and came to take a look."
"You're here too, Wanda." Her gaze swept between the Ancient One and Wanda, finally resting on the Ancient One.
"This lady?"
"This is Master Ancient One," Wanda introduced immediately, her tone respectful. "She is the Sorcerer Supreme and also my teacher. I am currently learning magic from her."
"A sorcerer?"
Jessica sized up the Ancient One's simple monk robes, her tone becoming serious.
"Well, since even a magic user has been mobilized, it means the trouble isn't small. Can you tell me about it?"
Wanda paused for two seconds, organized her thoughts, and told Jessica everything—the whole story, Ego's plan, and Homelander's destination.
As Wanda told the story, Jessica's expression became increasingly grim.
"You're saying... he went alone? To take on a whole Planet?"
Jessica's voice rose an octave, sounding incredulous.
"Yes." Wanda nodded. "He said it's the only way."
"Dammit..."
Jessica cursed under her breath and kicked a stone away fiercely.
"He's always like this... always making himself out to be some tragic hero."
"Since you're going to go risk your life..." Jessica fell silent for a few seconds, then looked up as if she had made a major decision. "...then this old lady isn't waiting around either."
"Jessica? Where are you going?" Wanda watched as Jessica turned to leave.
"Back to New York."
...