The air around Adrian felt different as they returned from the mission, the weight of their choices hanging heavy over the family. They had completed the task successfully, but as they drove back to their small hideout, a new idea took root in Adrian's mind. They had chosen the tech path for now, connecting with underground brokers and criminals, but there was another source of power in this world—magic.
After all, this wasn’t just a universe of gadgets and high-tech suits. It was one where gods wielded hammers, sorcerers bent reality, and ancient forces shaped destinies. Adrian couldn’t help but feel that if they wanted true security, to protect Emily and Ava from the chaos of this universe, they couldn’t limit themselves to one path. They needed more. And that meant tapping into the mystical forces that coursed through this world.
“Emily,” Adrian began, his voice thoughtful, “what do you think about magic?”
Emily glanced over at him as she parked the car in a secluded spot near their temporary apartment. “Magic? You mean like Doctor Strange? The Sorcerer Supreme?”
Adrian nodded, running a hand through his short hair. “Exactly. I’ve been thinking… if tech can give us a way to defend ourselves, magic could give us something even more. There’s no telling what we could learn, what powers we might gain from it. We’re already in over our heads, but we need to be prepared for anything. What if we looked into it?”
Emily’s expression was cautious as she unbuckled her seatbelt, turning to face him. “You’re right, magic could be a game-changer, but it’s dangerous. We don’t know anything about how it works here. Sorcery isn’t like science; it’s unpredictable, and the people who practice it are… different.”
Adrian understood her hesitation. As a martial artist, Emily had always valued discipline, control, and skill. Magic, with its uncharted rules and chaotic nature, went against that very foundation. But that’s what made it so appealing to Adrian—it was unknown territory, and if they could harness it, they’d have access to a source of power that went beyond human comprehension.
“I know,” Adrian admitted, leaning back in his seat, “but that’s exactly why we should explore it. If we’re going to survive in this universe, we can’t be afraid to step into the unknown. Look, I’m not suggesting we jump into it recklessly, but we can at least start by learning. Maybe we visit Kamar-Taj or even just try to find someone who knows more about it.”
Emily sighed, glancing toward the back seat where Ava had fallen asleep. Her expression softened, and she reached out to take Adrian’s hand. “I just want to make sure we’re making the right decisions for her, you know? This world is dangerous enough without adding unpredictable magic into the mix.”
Adrian squeezed her hand gently, his voice soft. “I know, Emily. And I’m not trying to rush into anything. But we can’t ignore what’s out there. If we don’t understand magic, we’re leaving ourselves vulnerable to it. And if the time comes when we need to protect Ava from something that tech can’t handle… I don’t want to be caught unprepared.”
Emily was silent for a moment, clearly weighing his words. Then she nodded slowly. “Okay. We’ll look into it. But we’re doing this carefully, Adrian. No reckless experiments, no diving headfirst into the mystical arts without understanding the risks.”
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Adrian smiled, relieved that she was on board. “Deal. We’ll start by gathering information—finding someone who can guide us.”
---
That night, while Ava slept peacefully in the small bedroom of their apartment, Adrian and Emily sat together in the dimly lit living room. The glow of Adrian’s laptop illuminated his face as he searched for any leads on mystical activity in the MCU.
“There’s got to be someone,” Adrian muttered, scrolling through pages of articles and obscure forums. “Doctor Strange is too high-profile for us to approach, and the Ancient One… well, that’s a whole other can of worms. But there must be others out there—lesser-known sorcerers, maybe people who practice magic in secret.”
Emily sat beside him, her arms crossed as she watched the screen. “What about that group—the Sanctum? Aren’t they scattered across the world? Maybe we could start there.”
Adrian paused, considering her suggestion. “The Sanctum Sanctorum... yeah. There’s one here in New York, and it’s connected to others around the globe. But getting access to them might be tricky. They’re not exactly open to strangers.”
Emily smirked. “When has that ever stopped us?”
Adrian chuckled. “Fair point.”
After hours of searching, they finally found a lead—an old mystic who had been practicing magic long before Doctor Strange took up the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme. He wasn’t directly affiliated with the Sanctum, but he was known in certain circles for his expertise in the ancient arts, especially in protection magic.
“He goes by the name ‘Eldrin,’” Adrian said, showing Emily the information he had found. “Lives somewhere outside the city. People say he’s a bit of a recluse, but if anyone can teach us about magic without getting us entangled with the bigger players, it’s probably him.”
Emily frowned thoughtfully. “Do you think he’ll be willing to help us? Most mystics don’t exactly advertise their services to outsiders.”
“We’ll have to convince him,” Adrian replied. “But we won’t know until we try.”
---
The next morning, with Ava bundled up in a warm jacket, the family of three set out on a journey that took them far beyond the bustling streets of Manhattan. They drove for hours, leaving the city behind, until they reached a quiet, rural area where the air felt heavier, almost charged with an unseen energy. It was the kind of place where magic might linger in the corners of the earth, unseen but always present.
The directions Adrian had found led them to an old, crumbling house at the edge of a thick forest. The structure looked abandoned at first glance, the wood worn and weathered by time, but as they approached, Adrian could feel something different—an aura of power that seemed to pulse just beneath the surface.
“Are you sure this is the place?” Emily asked, her voice low as they walked up the creaky steps of the porch.
Adrian nodded, his senses alert. “Yeah. I can feel it. This is it.”
They knocked on the door, and for a moment, there was only silence. But then, the door creaked open on its own, revealing a dark interior lit by the faint glow of candles. A voice, deep and raspy, echoed from within.
“Come in.”
Adrian exchanged a glance with Emily, and they both stepped inside cautiously, Ava clinging to her mother’s side. The air inside the house was thick with the smell of incense, and strange symbols adorned the walls—runes and markings that Adrian couldn’t decipher but could sense held immense power.
At the far end of the room, seated on a worn wooden chair, was Eldrin. He was an old man, his skin weathered and his long white beard trailing down his chest. His eyes, however, were sharp, gleaming with the wisdom of centuries. He watched them approach, his expression unreadable.
“So,” Eldrin said, his voice a low growl, “you seek the path of magic.”
Adrian nodded, feeling the weight of the old man’s gaze. “We want to learn—how to protect ourselves, how to survive in a world full of dangers.”
Eldrin’s eyes flicked to Emily, then to Ava, who stared up at him with wide, curious eyes. “Magic is not a tool for the faint of heart. It demands sacrifice. Are you prepared for the cost?”
Adrian swallowed, glancing at Emily. She met his gaze, her expression firm, and nodded. Together, they turned back to Eldrin.
“We’re prepared,” Adrian said, his voice steady.
Eldrin smiled faintly, though there was no warmth in it. “Very well. I will teach you… but know this: magic is not something you control. It is something you respect, something that can turn against you if you misuse it.”
Adrian felt a chill run down his spine, but he nodded. “We understand.”
Eldrin stood slowly, his movements deliberate, and gestured for them to follow him deeper into the house. As they passed through the dimly lit hallways, Adrian couldn’t shake the feeling that they were stepping into something far more dangerous than they had anticipated.
But there was no turning back now. They had chosen this path, and whatever secrets magic held, they were ready to uncover them.