Nathan Hawk's gaze was locked on Doctor Strange, fixated on the slow movements of his hands, as if each gesture was a conduit for the flow of time magic. In this serene and enigmatic moment, the world around him seemed to tremble, and time itself—a concept once relentless and unforgiving—was now under the control of Strange's fingertips.
Doctor Strange slowly lifted his hands, like a painter tracing arcs in the air. As his movements unfolded, ornate runes appeared, shimmering with an ancient light, as if encoding the secrets of space and time.
The light converged at Hawk's fingertips, forming a small but dazzling point of brilliance. It began to expand, like a constellation unfurling across the cosmos, gradually radiating a blinding glow. With each subtle shift of Strange's hands, the patterns of light grew more intricate, eventually dancing into a magnificent design.
These traces did not linger merely in the air—they rippled through time itself. The broken bricks and shattered debris of the battlefield began to restore themselves, reassembling as if the ruins were a gigantic jigsaw puzzle being reformed. Burn marks faded, smoke dissipated, and yet, the aftermath of battle remained faintly etched—a paradox of restoration and ruin.
Strange's movements grew smoother, his gaze deeper, as though he could pierce the veil of reality and perceive the truths hidden behind space and time. The runes' light intensified, weaving a radiant tapestry in the air, revealing the rhythm of time and the mysteries of the cosmos.
With this cadence, Hawk's heartbeat seemed to find a steady rhythm. His soul felt guided by Strange, traveling through the long river of time. It was as if he were participating in a sacred ritual, witnessing fragments of the past replay before him.
Within this mystical glow, Strange appeared increasingly ethereal. He was no longer merely human, but a being intertwined with the universe itself. Every gesture, every blink, seemed to weave an untouchable thread of space-time.
As the final gesture completed, the light reached its zenith, blindingly brilliant. Time in the ruins seemed to pause for a moment, then a tremendous wave of energy erupted from the light. It spread rapidly, like a colossal mirror of space-time, enveloping the entire battlefield.
Within this temporal mirror, Hawk saw his past self and the battle with Tony Stark. He could sense his own emotions and thoughts from that moment, standing at the intersection of past and present, as if controlling the fate of the entire conflict.
At last, he understood Strange's intent. This was not merely a reset of time—the Sorcerer Supreme had used the Time Stone to embed Hawk's consciousness within time itself, allowing him to reexamine the battle and identify flaws he had previously overlooked.
The temporal mirror gradually dissipated, restoring the battlefield to reality. Strange's gestures ceased, and he looked deeply at Hawk, as if seeing not only his present self but glimpsing the future to come.
Nathan Hawk bowed deeply, showing respect and gratitude.
Strange smiled faintly. "The Space Stone is with you, isn't it?"
"Yes, the Space Stone is under study," Hawk replied calmly.
"Due to certain events and the Stone's unstable energy, our world has formed coordinates expanding outward. Meanwhile, cracks in the spatial barrier have allowed dark forces from other dimensions to infiltrate—Karu being one of them."
"So?" Hawk asked cautiously.
"I need you to use the Space Stone to repair these rifts," Strange said, extending three fingers. "Three locations. You must travel to other universes to mend them."
"To other universes?" Hawk raised an eyebrow, confused.
Strange explained patiently: "One reason Tony Stark came to our world was Karu. Another reason is that his universe was on the brink of destruction, with its spatial barriers tearing apart."
"I understand," Hawk said, finally grasping Strange's plan.
Strange nodded, then added: "Once you repair them, I will cast a spell to return you here."
In summary, Hawk repaired the rifts in the other universes. Strange then pulled him back to their own world to fix the remaining rifts.
But Hawk had other plans, and he was about to speak:
"There is no Supreme Sorcerer in any of these three universes."
Hearing this, Hawk's expression shifted to one of realization: "Ah… now it all makes sense."
"So, what's the timeline? Can I take others with me?" Hawk asked decisively.
"Very well." Strange opened a portal, revealing the Umbrella Corporation's experimental base where the Space Stone was stored.
Hawk's expression remained impassive. Strange only smiled faintly. "You could become a Supreme Sorcerer. With mastery over space and time, you would be the most powerful."
"I don't trust you. You old trickster are far too devious," Hawk thought to himself.
They stepped through the portal. Hawk was shocked to see that Umbrella's defenses could not detect Strange's magical presence. Moreover, none of the people he summoned had sufficient magical knowledge to set up true magical defenses.
"Perhaps Andre or Jay could visit the sanctuary to learn magic…" Hawk dismissed the idea immediately.
"I will enchant the Space Stone with repair magic. Once it touches the rift, it will seal it," Strange explained, using the Eye of Agamotto to shrink the Stone and form a necklace around Hawk's neck.
"Remember, in some universes the Stone works, in others it won't. Misuse could cause catastrophic consequences," Strange warned.
"I understand, Sorcerer Supreme," Hawk nodded seriously.
"Thank you for your efforts. See you at the Sanctum tomorrow. Bring anyone you wish. The spell will guide you to the rifts once you enter the multiverse," Strange said, smiling, then faded into starlight.
Suddenly, alarms blared, red lights flashing, guns firing—the intruders' targets locked on Nathan Hawk.
"This old man…" Hawk muttered, irritated at the trickery. If he couldn't fight his way through, he'd simply abandon the idea of becoming a Supreme Sorcerer.
After the chaos subsided, Hawk completed his work and sat at the main console.
Zhan Jilingma chewed an apple, smiling. "You disappeared suddenly—I was genuinely worried. Now that you're safe, I can relax."
"How's Zed's editing?"
"It's good. He seems determined to break from his past, attempting things contrary to his nature," Zhan said, curiosity shining in his eyes.
Hawk shook his head, silent, asking only: "Anyone willing to go?"
Sitting on a bench, Zhan Guolingma said, "I've heard of magic in my world. Seems something magical happened at Torii Hill."
Those willing to go had privately asked Hawk's opinion. If he didn't insist, they wouldn't join. Hawk only tapped his fingers on the table, thinking strategically.
After facing Tony Stark in the white tank and with Strange's small mystical aid, Hawk realized he still had much to improve. Despite being a behind-the-scenes power player, he needed to enhance his strength and combat skills to command respect among the summoned rogues.
This was reality. Hawk could not act like a reckless protagonist from an American comic. He had to be a driven, business-minded leader.
Then he spoke the words:
"Recognize me."
His mind drifted, strange thoughts flooding in.
Zhan Jilingma did not interrupt, seeing it as a way for his boss to prepare mentally for what lay ahead.
He quietly left, leaving Hawk some useful high-tech devices.
"Did I forget something?" Hawk blinked in confusion, then remembered: "Ah, the desperate warriors' situation hasn't been resolved yet."
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