**HYDRA Base.**
In the lab, Wanda sat dazedly on the bed, her eyes vacant, lost in thought.
Balder stood nearby, unseen.
He had been observing Wanda for some time and had to admire Chthon's methods.
The black magic mark lay dormant in her mind's depths.
Though he could forcibly remove it by bringing Wanda to his dimension, it would leave her mind incomplete.
It was like surgically removing a tumor, taking some of the attached flesh.
In simpler terms, her mind would be damaged.
The Mind Stone could heal the gaps, but that wouldn't truly belong to Wanda.
Balder speculated that the Phoenix Force might work, being the embodiment of life and psychic power in the prime universe.
But just a fragment wouldn't suffice.
And that was the best-case scenario.
If Chthon sensed the process and detonated the mark, it would be hopeless, her entire mind corrupted.
He had simulated thousands of times, with a 10% chance Wanda would be driven mad.
So...Chthon's consciousness in the mark needed to awaken and leave her mind voluntarily.
This required a greater lure!
Such as...the chance to invade reality.
Just then, a faint voice reached Balder's ear:
"God-King Balder, Strange has arrived."
"I'll be right there."
After replying, he looked sympathetically at the girl whose life, past, and future were filled with pain, then left through the space.
At that moment, Wanda sensed something.
Lately, she felt as if someone was watching her kindly.
Whether a delusion or not, it brought her unprecedented warmth, easing her mental suffering.
But now, the room grew cold again.
Wanda shivered, curling up in the corner in pain.
---
**Kamar-Taj.**
In the highest attic, Balder stepped out of the vortex.
He saw the Ancient One spying on Strange.
A mirror floated in the air, reflecting the outside scene.
In the dirty alleys of Kathmandu, the yet-to-be-legendary surgeon Strange was being bullied by thugs, and then Mordo arrived like a godsend.
Strange, with no money, had found his way here early.
Balder glanced at the expressionless Ancient One, internally amused.
He suspected the 'future' truck driver was someone she hired.
From then on, things followed the original plot.
Mordo closed the door, keeping Strange out. After symbolic tests, he brought Strange into Kamar-Taj, saying the Sorcerer Supreme would meet him.
Until Strange realized the rumored cure for his hands was magic, leading to his outburst.
Then the Ancient One raised her hand....
"Hold on, let me handle this."
Balder stepped forward with a smile.
Strange immediately took a step back, wary and defensive:
"What are you doing? Don't think I'm scared just because there are more of you!"
He felt like he had fallen into a cult's lair, fearing his life was over.
Balder smiled gently:
"Don't be afraid, I'm just going to show you the truth of the world."
"Remember to relax and don't scream."
Strange turned to run, thinking he wasn't foolish enough to stay.
But the next second, he froze, staring in disbelief at the hand passing through his chest.
Even Mordo was startled.
Was this big shot going to kill someone just like that!?
But the next second, he saw Balder pull back his hand, yanking Strange's soul out.
Simple and brutal!
Though Strange wasn't dead, Mordo shivered.
It looked too much like a god extracting a soul to devour it.
Strange was utterly terrified, watching his body collapse in front of him.
A voice came from behind:
"Let's get you familiar with this first."
"Familiar with what?"
Strange instinctively replied.
Then he saw everything stretching rapidly, finding himself in space almost instantly!
The next second, a terrifying drop, worse than a freefall, brought him back to his body.
Strange screamed in fear, then heard a demonic whisper:
"Don't be afraid, dizziness is normal."
Before he could ask why he was dizzy, he felt plunged into a mad world!
Countless mirrors shifted, magnificent nebulae and terrifying hells flashing by!
A monstrous eye seemed to devour his will, but as it shattered, he felt himself falling into a black hole!
Then even more terrifying scenes appeared!
It was too insane!
He couldn't stop screaming, feeling he might faint at any moment!
Until the woman's voice suddenly spoke.
"Isn't that enough?"
Strange thought he had never heard such a heavenly voice!
But the next second!
The devilish voice replied:
"No problem."
"I think he can handle another round... here we go."
---