Wong slowly regained consciousness, his mind still clouded by the lingering effects of the nightmare. Among the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj, he was second only to Doctor Strange in power and skill. As he gathered his bearings, he overheard Strange's explanation to Wanda and frowned.
"Nightmare?" Wong muttered, his voice hoarse. "Didn't the teacher seal her away long ago? Even if she's unsealed, without enough nightmare energy as a power source, how could she affect so many people—including the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj?"
Strange's expression was grave as he replied, "Because of the Mind Stone."
Wong's eyes widened in realization. The creation of nightmares, Strange explained, was a high-level manipulation of mental energy. For most individuals, the effects were devastating, rendering them helpless and trapped in their worst fears. But sorcerers, fortified by their mental strength, were typically resistant.
However, the Mind Stone amplified Nightmare's power to unprecedented levels, allowing her to overwhelm even the strongest minds.
Wanda's eyes followed Strange's gaze toward a corner of the battlefield where the chaos seemed unnaturally calm. A figure stood shrouded in shadows, holding a glimmering, golden gemstone that pulsed faintly in the dim light.
"Do you see her?" Strange asked abruptly.
"See what?" Wong replied, still looking around in confusion.
Strange didn't answer. Instead, he turned to Wanda. "Only you can see her, and only you can stop her."
Wanda stepped forward but paused, her voice steady yet uncertain. "And if I fail?"
Strange hesitated, his expression conflicted. "Then the entire universe will become a cold, lifeless void."
Wanda's gaze hardened. Without another word, she flew toward Nightmare. As she approached, her Chaos Magic surged, piercing the veil that concealed Nightmare. The entity's shadowy form became visible, her emerald-green energy crackling ominously.
"..."
With a burst of power, Wanda unleashed her Chaos Magic directly into Nightmare's mind. The clash of their energies created a violent storm of crimson and green, swirling with an intensity that obliterated everything in its path.
Nightmare's once-ethereal form solidified, her piercing eyes wide with shock as she realized she had been exposed. The storm surrounding them grew even fiercer, dark green and deep red energies intertwining in a deadly dance.
The static field of time created by Strange began to falter. As the spell's effects dissipated, the frozen battlefield came to life again, and the Avengers awoke from their nightmares.
"Is it over?" Wong asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Strange shook his head. "No. It's far from over."
He gestured toward the storm at the battlefield's edge, where Wanda and Nightmare were locked in combat. "She's forced Nightmare to withdraw her power and face her directly. If Wanda wins, the nightmare ends. But if she loses…"
Strange's voice trailed off, but the unspoken words hung heavy in the air: If she loses, the universe will fall into darkness.
The battlefield around Nightmare's location, close to Thanos' army, had become a no-man's land. The collision of energies was so intense that it vaporized everything within its radius, leaving only a barren void. Even the formidable Chitauri and Thanos' vanguard soldiers were reduced to dust.
This was a battle between two of the most powerful forces in the universe, and no one dared to interfere. Even Strange, with all his skill and the faint remnants of the Time Stone's power, knew he could do nothing but watch.
Meanwhile, in the Dark Dimension, Thor faced Dormammu in a desperate battle. The mighty Power Stone glowed in Thor's hand, its energy barely holding back Dormammu's overwhelming strikes.
"Return to your realm!" Thor bellowed, his voice echoing through the dark void. "You may be stronger, but I will not let you destroy Asgard!"
Dormammu's laughter boomed like thunder, shaking the very fabric of the dimension. "Negotiate? Is that all you can do, Thor? Your desperation betrays you."
Thor's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
Dormammu leaned closer, his immense form dwarfing Thor. "Do you not wonder how Surtur—who was stranded on Titan—arrived in Asgard? Do you not question how he crossed such vast distances?"
Thor's expression darkened. He had suspected as much, but Dormammu's words confirmed it.
"It was you," Thor said, his voice low and venomous. "You brought him here."
Dormammu's twisted grin widened. "Correct. You see, I have no interest in defeating you here. My goal is far greater. I offer you two choices: watch Asgard burn, or surrender it to the darkness. Let it become part of my domain."
Behind Thor, Jean Grey stood, her fiery gaze shifting between him and Dormammu. Worry etched her features as she whispered, "What are you going to do?"
Thor didn't answer immediately. The fiery anger in his eyes gave way to icy resolve. "There's a third option," he said finally, his voice like steel.
Dormammu laughed again, louder this time. "A third option? That's the best joke I've heard in eons. Even the Ancient One wouldn't dare claim to kill me. What makes you think you have the power?"
Thor's eyes, cold and unwavering, locked onto Dormammu's. "Because I do."
Without turning, Thor spoke to Jean. "Break the seal. Release your full power."
Jean's eyes widened in shock. "Are you sure? You don't know what will happen—"
"Do it!" Thor interrupted, his voice filled with unyielding authority.