Kamala awoke to the faint sound of chanting and the scent of sandalwood.
Her head throbbed, her body heavy as if gravity itself had doubled. As her eyes fluttered open, she saw sunlight filtering through ancient stone arches, the floor beneath her carved with intricate sigils glowing faintly gold.
Kamar-Taj.
Zemo, Kate, Yelena, Blade Knight, Shang-Chi, Katy, Death Dealer, and Jimmy were still sleeping.
She blinked, adjusting to the serene light of dawn, only to spot a familiar red-and-blue figure crouched upside down on a nearby pillar. "Oh, hey! You're finally awake!" Spider-Man said, waving a hand. His mask was off, revealing a tired but genuine smile. "Welcome to the land of magical weirdness."
Next to him, floating on a small platform, was a glass containment jar filled with wires and glowing fluid—and inside it, the smiling, disembodied head of Scott Lang. "Hey there, kid!" he greeted cheerfully. "Don't freak out—it's me, Scott! Quantum accident, long story. Still kicking though!"
Kamala blinked a few times, staring between them. "O-okay," she muttered, rubbing her temple. "This is officially weirder than fighting zombie Thanos."
Before she could ask any more questions, the great doors of the chamber opened, and Rintrah entered—his towering green form covered in the golden robes of the Masters of the Mystic Arts. Beside him were two other Masters: Sara Wolfe and the London Guardian, their faces solemn.
"Good. You're awake," Rintrah said, his deep voice echoing in the hall. "We have much to discuss."
Spider-Man flipped down, while Scott's containment jar floated to the table via a levitation spell.
Rintrah's expression softened for a moment before darkening again. "After the battle in Wakanda, we tried to contain the Infinity Energy released when Thanos fell into the reactor. The surge threatened to rip apart the planet. Every barrier we cast began to fail."
Sara stepped forward, her hands glowing faintly with orange runes. "That was when Bruce Banner volunteered himself," she explained quietly. "He believed he could absorb the Infinity Energy into his body—using the Hulk's physiology to contain it."
Yelena frowned. "You're saying… he turned himself into some kind of bomb?"
"Not a bomb," corrected Rintrah, his tone heavy. "An anchor. A living vessel of pure cosmic power. We call him the Infinity Hulk."
The words hung in the air, heavy and unbelievable.
Shang-Chi folded his arms. "So he's alive? Containing all that energy?"
Rintrah nodded. "Alive… and barely stable. Every moment, that energy tears at his mind and body. He has become the last barrier between this world and total annihilation."
Spider-Man's voice wavered. "And let me guess—someone wants that power."
Rintrah's gaze hardened. "Yes. Wanda Maximoff. The Scarlet Queen."
The room fell silent.
Rintrah continued, "She has amassed an army—both living and undead—marching toward the ruins of Paris, where Banner rests. She intends to take the Infinity Power for herself. If she succeeds, the universe itself will bend to her will."
Kamala's fists clenched. "Then we stop her. Whatever it takes."
Before Rintrah could answer, the air suddenly turned cold. The torches flickered, and a swirling black portal appeared in the center of the hall.
Immediately, Sara raised her hands, runes spinning into existence as the Masters took defensive positions. "Brace yourselves!" she shouted.
But instead of an attack, two figures stepped through—calm, composed, and unmistakable.
The first was a tall man cloaked in black, his blue eyes gleaming—Alastor.
Beside him, her pale form pristine even in shadow, stood Shalltear Bloodfallen.
The Masters tensed, their spells glowing brighter, but Kamala stepped forward quickly, raising a hand. "Wait! I know them!" she said, her voice urgent. "They're friends—they helped us!"
Alastor gave a faint smile, bowing slightly toward Rintrah. "Forgive the sudden entrance. The dimensional fabric near your temple was… fragile."
Shalltear curtsied elegantly, her red eyes darting toward the gathered heroes. "We came as soon as we saw you fall off. It seems the final battle draws near."
Rintrah slowly lowered his guard, though suspicion lingered in his eyes. "If what you say is true," he rumbled, "then your arrival is well-timed. The fate of this world may soon rest upon all of us."
~~~