c48: Apostle Sithorn Turns to the Vishanti
As the self-proclaimed best teacher, Russell cast a brief glance at the two individuals who had not yet fully become his disciples. His eyes gleamed with pride upon seeing their shocked expressions.
"Excellent," he thought to himself. "It seems I'm not only the best teacher, but also the best director."
Pietro, ever the quick thinker, discovered the trail of danger, while Wanda narrowly escaped a town now surrounded by Hydra forces. From the unexpected sound of gunfire, Russell had orchestrated the entire scene. Though he wasn't particularly fond of the typical "hero saves the damsel" trope, in this context, it was undeniably the quickest way to establish his image as a mysterious and powerful mage.
Having just emerged from a vast multiversal vortex, their journey through the multiverse had, for now, come to an end. The twins' screams echoed, and their bodies finally caught up with the disorienting chaos they'd just endured.
"Ahhhh~~"
Whether they were frightened by their own voices or overwhelmed by the splendor of the multiverse, Wanda and Pietro couldn't regain their balance and collapsed, struggling to rise again for a long while.
Minutes passed.
A long while.
Eventually, Wanda and Pietro came to their senses, and in unison, they turned to Russell and spoke: "Master, teach us!"
"Follow me," Russell said calmly, hands behind his back, as he began walking ahead.
A fiery ring appeared before him, expanding until it formed a glowing portal. Wanda and Pietro scrambled to their feet and followed him through the portal.
On the other side awaited Kamar-Taj.
Russell led the twins through the mystical halls of the temple, describing the place as they walked. "This is Nepal. Kathmandu. Kamar-Taj," he explained.
They passed through courtyards and corridors, finally entering a grand hall where several mages were either seated reading or sipping tea. Two mages, a man and a woman, immediately approached the twins and draped warm coats over their shoulders, knowing the cold of the Himalayan climate could be biting.
"Thank you," Wanda and Pietro murmured, now shivering less, though still uncomfortable with the unfamiliar surroundings.
Seeing their apprehension, Russell offered them a comforting smile. "Don't be afraid. All the mages here are good people. They're kind, and you'll grow fond of this place in time."
"Mm," the twins replied quietly, not looking up from their hands.
Russell assumed their silence was due to the lingering chill, so he handed them both warm cups of tea. They accepted, sipping slowly.
Just then, Master Strange, the Ancient One, entered the scene, bringing the tea herself and pouring it for the two newcomers.
"Warm yourselves," she said softly, as she studied the siblings with a curious, subtle gaze.
When her eyes fell on Wanda, the Ancient One's expression changed slightly, though she quickly regained her composure and exchanged a quiet look with Russell, as if to ask:
"How did you bring her here?"
Wanda was no ordinary person. She was imbued with Chaos Magic, and the source of that magic was none other than the ancient god, Sithorn also known as Hades, Chaos, and Darkness, a force aligned with black magic. This made her presence at Kamar-Taj particularly dangerous, given that Kamar-Taj's teachings were based on white magic.
The two sources, Sithorn and Emperor Vishanti, were opposites, fundamentally at odds with one another. With Wanda's involvement, a great tension loomed.
Russell gave a reassuring look to the Ancient One, silently answering: "I understand the risks."
He had already caused enough trouble for his ancestor, Emperor Vishanti, to gain the attention of Sithorn. If Sithorn came knocking, so be it; Russell was more than capable of handling it. It was impossible for him to lose. With his Invictus Body, he was literally incapable of defeat, though a drawn-out battle might leave him feeling dejected for months.
Meanwhile, Wanda and Pietro, still struggling to find their place, continued drinking their tea. Russell, sensing their discomfort, spoke up.
"Master Ancient One," he began, "I'd like to recommend Pietro and Wanda Maximoff to join Kamar-Taj. Their parents died when they were young, leaving them to endure many hardships. Yet, despite it all, they supported each other and remained strong."
The twins couldn't help but feel their eyes moisten at Russell's words, remembering their painful past. But they blushed in embarrassment when he continued to praise them, becoming self-conscious.
The Ancient One nodded sagely.
"Indeed, I see that they have endured much. Would you like to stay here, Pietro and Wanda? Would you like to join Kamar-Taj?"
Wanda and Pietro exchanged looks before speaking in unison, their voices barely above a whisper: "We are willing."
"Very well," the Ancient One replied, "I will be your teacher from now on. I will guide you in the ways of magic, as well as the cultivation of character."
Russell, watching from the side, raised an eyebrow. Telepathically, he said to the Ancient One, "Master, how are you stealing my disciples?"
The Ancient One glanced at him with a silent response: "Can you teach them?"
Russell sighed and walked away, clearly defeated. When it came to new disciples, there was no hope of keeping them for long.
"Teacher," the twins said hesitantly. Not knowing the formal way to address a mage, they simply bowed deeply in respect.
The Ancient One accepted the gesture without comment.
As Russell departed, the twins stood in quiet confusion, their expressions shifting between curiosity and uncertainty. Finally, they asked in unison, "Master, who are you? Why did you save us? And how do you know our story?"
Russell didn't answer immediately, continuing to walk away, his thoughts racing. It wasn't until the Ancient One answered for him that the twins finally understood.
"His name is Russell," she said. "The next Supreme Sorcerer."
Wanda and Pietro looked incredulously at the Ancient One. "The Supreme Sorcerer? Can we become like him?"
The Ancient One nodded solemnly. "You can, but only with great dedication and time."
They asked again, "Then… can we become as powerful as Master Russell?"
The Ancient One paused, before replying with a slight smile. "Russell is older than you, has studied magic longer, and is naturally much stronger. But remember, he wasn't always this strong. With perseverance, you too can reach heights beyond your imagination. But there are few who start as strong as he does."
The twins, still uncertain, could only imagine what the future might hold.
"Perhaps one day, you will understand," the Ancient One said softly. "For now, drink your tea, and prepare yourselves for the path ahead."
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