Unexpected developments were unfolding once again.
Captain America and the Avengers were on high alert, thinking that perhaps new allies of the Chitauri were arriving. However, the Chitauri commander and his forces were just as shocked. The commander glanced at Loki, who shook his head, indicating that these were not his people.
The portal flickered and opened wider, revealing a large opening.
"Another portal?" Natasha Romanoff, having just closed the space portal, looked at the Mind Scepter in her hand and then at the equipment beside her. Her face showed surprise at seeing another portal appear without the aid of the Tesseract.
"Who could this be? And what are they planning?" Natasha wondered.
Soon, they saw who was coming through. A man dressed in yellow robes, with golden hair tied in a small braid, led a group of similarly dressed individuals through the portal.
These were the sorcerers, led by Kaecilius.
Having decided to seize the Tesseract and the Mind Scepter to offer them to the great demon, they had swiftly opened a portal to Stark Tower to claim the artifacts.
"Who are these people? Are they actors from a play?" Tony Stark remarked, bewildered by their strange attire.
Despite his sarcastic comment, Stark's wariness was heightened. He had learned from experience that such bizarrely dressed individuals were often trouble, much like Loki and Thor.
As Kaecilius and his sorcerers emerged, their goal was clear—they headed straight for the Tesseract device.
Seeing this, both Captain America and the Chitauri commander were taken aback.
"Stop! You're not allowed to come near!" Natasha quickly reacted, holding the Mind Scepter in one hand and drawing a black pistol from her waist with the other. She aimed at Kaecilius and his group, trying to deter them.
However, Kaecilius' group did not seem fazed by the warning. Instead, they focused on Natasha.
Kaecilius' gaze fixed on Natasha's pistol and the Mind Scepter. Suddenly, two of his sorcerers, receiving his signal, conjured yellow energy whips that snaked out and grabbed both the Scepter and the pistol from Natasha's hands.
In an instant, the items were out of Natasha's grasp. One sorcerer created a portal and tossed the pistol through it, while another, Pellius, took the Mind Scepter and handed it to Kaecilius.
"This is a fine artifact. The great demon will surely appreciate it," Kaecilius said, admiring the Scepter.
He caressed the golden staff and felt the immense energy within the gem at its top. His eyes were filled with awe and excitement. The other sorcerers shared his enthusiasm, eagerly anticipating the rewards from the great demon after the offering.
While the sorcerers reveled in their victory, Captain America and the Avengers were stunned.
"What is this?" Captain America asked, stepping forward with his shield raised.
"Who are you people?" he demanded.
At this moment, Loki, who had been watching from a distance, spoke up.
"You know these people?" Thor asked, eyeing Loki with suspicion. "Are they associated with you? Even now, you haven't given up?"
Loki's face darkened momentarily but then he forced a smile and said, "No, they're not my people. If I'm not mistaken, they are sorcerers from the Dark Dimension."
Loki's words drew curious stares from everyone. He continued, addressing Kaecilius and his group, "Indeed, you are sorcerers. The 'masters' you speak of?"
Loki recalled a phrase from their last encounter, which had intrigued and alarmed him. "As the master predicted, everything is about to begin?"
The more he thought about it, the more intense the strange feeling became.
Hawkeye Barton spoke up, defending Loki, "Loki isn't lying this time. They have only encountered each other once, and I was there too."
Captain America, Iron Man, and the others looked at Barton in surprise, realizing that he was referring to the time when they were under the influence of the Mind Scepter.
So these sorcerers had been lurking for this moment?
Their goal seemed to be the Tesseract and the Scepter.
"Are these people really sorcerers? And were those yellow whips magic?" Tony Stark asked, astonished.
(End of Chapter)