Marvel: Ned the Master of Mystic Arts

"Buzz—"

The first spinning disc blade crashed against the crimson barrier set up by the Red Magestone. Sparks flew as the high-speed blade scraped against the shield, but no matter how intense the collision, it failed to deal any real damage to the scarlet barrier.

"Your resistance is futile! Let me show you what it means to be a true sorcerer!"

The Red Magestone roared as the projection of the Dark Grimoire appeared once again.

"×&%￥#@..."

A string of incomprehensible, arcane words flowed from the Magestone's mouth as the pages of the Dark Grimoire flipped. Above them, a massive fiery illusion began to take shape in the sky.

"This is the end for you!"

As the fiery projection solidified, the Red Magestone yelled with terrifying finality, as if Ned's doom was inevitable.

But then...

"This... this can't be happening!"

The Magestone's voice wavered, and even a hint of fear crept in. The chaotic magic it had absorbed from Wanda, which enveloped both itself and her, began to flicker. The once-imposing fiery illusion in the sky abruptly dissipated, and the crimson barrier weakened visibly. The chaotic magic that had fortified the barrier thinned under the relentless assault of the spinning blade.

"Boom!"

At last, the barrier shattered alongside the disc blade.

"Die!"

Ned charged forward, gripping a massive cutting blade, hell-bent on taking down the Magestone.

"You wish!"

The Magestone, desperate, dragged Wanda away at lightning speed, retreating from Ned's attack range and descending to the ground. Its chaotic magic reserves were nearly depleted, and every ounce had to be conserved.

Ned, meanwhile, couldn't maintain flight without his cloak. His earlier leap had been magically enhanced for a short burst, but he now began falling back to the ground.

"Take this!"

With a roar, Ned hurled his cutting blade straight at the Red Magestone.

"Buzz! Buzz!"

The Magestone, now flickering with red light, revealed a raging flame within its crystalline core. Whatever was happening, it was clear the Magestone was struggling to maintain its stability.

Faced with the oncoming blade, the Magestone didn't hesitate—it abandoned Wanda and fled without looking back. The fight, the kill, even Wanda's chaotic magic—all were discarded.

"No!"

But now, Wanda was in the path of the spinning blade! Disoriented and unable to react, she was defenseless.

"Got it!"

In a flash of inspiration, Ned spotted the scattered weapons—two swords and a spear—that had fallen nearby after his clash with the Magestone.

"Ha!"

Crossing his arms, Ned commanded the three weapons to rise and intercept the spinning blade just before it could strike Wanda.

"Clang!"

The weapons collided with the blade, neutralizing its force. But without magical reinforcement, the weapons sacrificed themselves in the process, shattering into fragments.

"Don't think you're getting away!"

Ned, seeing his chance, launched a magical energy wave toward the retreating Magestone.

"Crack… crack… snap!"

But before the energy wave could hit, the Magestone emitted a series of cracking sounds. A moment later, with a sharp, crystalline shatter, it broke apart into fragments, which were instantly consumed by an eerie red flame that appeared from nowhere, reducing it to nothingness.

"???"

Ned was baffled. From the moment the Magestone began destabilizing, he had lost track of the situation.

Fearing it might be a trick, Ned extended his senses to the limit, scanning every inch of the area. It wasn't until Wanda's faint voice broke his concentration that he realized it was over.

"Ned?"

Opening his eyes, Ned saw Wanda, weak and trembling. He rushed to her.

"Wanda, are you okay? Did that monster leave any lingering effects on you?"

Wanda shook her head uncertainly, and Ned breathed a sigh of relief. He dragged himself to where his tattered cloak lay, picking up the fragments in hopes of repairing it back at Kamar-Taj.

"Wan—ugh!"

Before he could finish calling her name, a sudden surge of energy hit him from behind, sending him flying several meters before he crashed to the ground.

"Ned!"

Wanda's panicked, guilt-ridden voice echoed. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to… I don't know what…"

Clutching his aching body, Ned looked up to see Wanda standing at the spot where his cloak fragments had been. Her hands trembled, and residual chaotic energy shimmered faintly around her.

"So that's what happened…"

Ned realized that Wanda had tried to help him but couldn't yet control the chaotic magic within her, accidentally triggering a burst of energy that had struck him instead.

"It's okay, Wanda. It's not your fault," Ned reassured her, despite the pain. He struggled to stand but was immediately knocked back as Wanda instinctively tried to help again.

"Stop! Don't move! Don't even think of helping me!"

Wanda froze, horrified by her unintended actions.

"Good. Just… stay still."

Ned waved his hand weakly, opening a portal that led directly to the entrance of Kamar-Taj. He pushed it toward Wanda, letting the portal carry her away. Then, exhausted, he collapsed into the portal himself.

"Ned? Ned!"

The last thing Ned heard before losing consciousness was Wong's voice…

When Ned woke up, he didn't know how much time had passed. Wong sat beside his bed, holding a bowl of murky liquid.

"You're awake! Here, drink this. The Ancient One made it for you."

"Ugh…"

Before Ned could protest, Wong unceremoniously poured the concoction into his mouth. The bitter taste brought tears to Ned's eyes.

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T/N:

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