Chapter 357

"Vishanti's Eternal Seal!"

The words echoed through the air, and Wilder's face twisted in fear. As a devoted disciple of Dormammu, the god of darkness, he was all too familiar with this spell. Damn it, he thought. How did I end up against a Kamar Taj Sorcerer?

The Eternal Seal was no ordinary magic; it was the bane of Dormammu's followers. Not only could it bind a person's magical power and soul, but it severed their connection to their deity. Once trapped, escape was impossible.

Panic surged through Wilder, and he prepared to draw on Dormammu's power to make a swift retreat.

But before he could react, a blinding golden light flared through the base hall, filling every corner with an intense radiance. Wilder felt his soul tremble as if struck by an unseen force. His thoughts became sluggish, and the magic within him wavered. The light compressed around him, forming layers of golden halos from head to toe, binding him tightly. Wilder fell to the ground, utterly immobilized.

Vera and the other wizards watched in awe as the halos around the enemy glowed with golden runes, constantly rotating and reinforcing the seal. Then, to their immense relief, they saw a familiar figure standing beside their defeated foe.

It was their mentor, Lockhart.

The students released a collective sigh, feeling a wave of reassurance wash over them.

Lockhart gazed down at Wilder, the disciple of Dormammu, bound and helpless on the floor. A slight smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. Dormammu's followers are always trouble, he thought. The issue wasn't their individual strength—it was that they could draw upon Dormammu's immense power at any given moment. Like the sorcerers of Kamar Taj who channel Vishanti's energy, Dormammu's disciples had the ability to summon god-like strength, becoming nearly unstoppable.

Lockhart found the magic system of this world to be a peculiar blend of daunting and unpredictable. In most fights, skill would determine the winner, but with Dormammu's followers, the balance could shift in an instant. Where he could handle one-on-two situations with confidence, a disciple with Dormammu's support could turn the tables and overwhelm him.

Knowing that his students were likely being targeted as part of a trap for him, Lockhart had taken precautions. He disguised himself as one of his students, observing from the shadows. His experience with Dormammu had made him a marked man; he had disrupted the dark deity's plans, siphoned his power, and even humiliated him publicly.

With this history, Lockhart was sure this attack was a setup. If he showed himself, Dormammu might force his presence into the battlefield, and even Lockhart wasn't eager to face Dormammu directly. Thus, he had hidden himself in Remy's group and waited for the right moment.

When he spotted Dormammu's follower lingering near Remy's team, he decided to strike. Lockhart had intended to subdue the disciple immediately, but the man slipped into an even deeper level of spatial concealment. Lockhart then took the opportunity to intensify the spatial disruption, further disorienting the follower's position. Let him squirm in his self-made prison, Lockhart thought with satisfaction. It wasn't long before the unfortunate disciple found himself trapped, unable to call on Dormammu's power.

Once he saw Vera's team engaged with Wilder, Lockhart enacted the final part of his plan. Taking control of the joint spell, he channeled Kamar Taj's top-tier sealing magic, Vishanti's Eternal Seal. Powered by white magic, this spell was exceptionally effective in binding enemies. The golden runes were evidence of its potency.

"Teacher, thank you for coming!" Remy said, his voice filled with gratitude.

"Yes, teacher, we couldn't have done it without you!" Vera added, relief evident in her face.

"Teacher, you're amazing! That enemy was unbelievably strong," another student said.

Lockhart gave them a nod of acknowledgement, but Captain Steve Rogers quickly approached him with a look of urgency.

"Lockhart, Snape's in trouble. He could use some support," Steve said, his voice filled with concern. Though they taught different skills—Lockhart in magic, Steve in combat—the two had developed a strong bond over time.

"Don't worry, Captain," Lockhart assured him. "Snape's situation is under control."

He turned to his students, issuing orders with calm authority. "Remy, Vera, assist Captain Rogers in managing the students and help keep everyone calm."

Steve nodded as he watched Lockhart ready himself to leave. "We'll keep an eye on this prisoner. He's been fully sealed, so there's no risk of him causing trouble," Steve said.

Satisfied, Lockhart glanced over his students once more, then with a quick leap, disappeared in a flash of golden lightning.

Lockhart's unique travel magic—"Golden Light"—drew inspiration from the flying techniques of ancient Eastern mythologies. It was exceptionally fast, ideal for both pursuit and escape. Wanda's eyes widened slightly as she watched her teacher vanish.

She couldn't help but feel a surge of anxiety, worried about whether her teacher could defeat the enemy and keep Ian and the others safe. Though she tried to mask her emotions, her fondness for Ian made her concern harder to conceal. His calm and reassuring presence had left a strong impression on her.

Seeing Wanda's apprehension, Vera gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, Wanda," she said with confidence. "You know how thorough our teacher is. If he's decided to take action, he'll have a plan."

Wanda nodded, though a small knot of worry still lingered. Please, Master Lockhart, succeed in defeating the enemy and save everyone, she wished silently, the words echoing in her mind like a mantra.

Meanwhile, a faint red glimmer appeared in her eyes, only to vanish as quickly as it had come. At the same time, in the deeper fabric of reality, the silver-white threads of destiny seemed to stir slightly, creating a ripple that faded just as swiftly.

Back in the Hydra Base armory hall, Snape stood facing Jax, one of Dormammu's disciples, trapped within the Thunder Cage. The man's voice rang out with calm arrogance.

"Snape, sorcerers are simply realists who understand the benefits of power," Jax said smoothly. "We each have our own goals, our desires. The gods are the ones who can fulfill them."

Snape watched him carefully, his expression unreadable. Jax interpreted his silence as contemplation and continued with renewed enthusiasm.

"Gods are the source of power," Jax intoned. "They wield unimaginable might, and all they ask in return is faith. Think about it, Snape. Who among us doesn't have something to believe in?"

Jax leaned forward, his voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper. "A clever sorcerer aligns with the god who offers the most. Kamar Taj's Vishanti may give you white magic, but do they grant you the true power you seek?"

Snape's gaze remained fixed, his face showing faint hints of intrigue. The disciple smiled, sensing a possible opening. As long as he's listening, Jax thought, I can steer him to Dormammu's influence.

He continued with his pitch. "Snape, you're clearly not aligned with Kamar Taj. You must see the limitations in relying solely on their gods. If you told me your greatest desire, I could reach out to Dormammu and have him grant it."

Snape stilled, appearing to consider the offer. Inside, however, he was using Occlumency to shield his real thoughts, releasing only faint traces of false interest and curiosity.

Perhaps Dormammu could indeed resurrect Lily, he mused internally, knowing Jax would pick up on it. But deep down, he knew better. He trusted Lockhart, who had already devised a plan for Lily's resurrection—a plan rooted in the wizarding world. Anything else was wishful thinking.

As Jax eagerly watched Snape's expression, Snape suddenly felt a message reach him. A flicker of emotion passed over his face, along with an apparent hesitation.

"Could the God of Darkness truly revive the dead?" he murmured, letting the words echo in his mind, knowing Jax would hear. "Even without a soul?"

"Of course he can!" Jax responded eagerly. "While souls are needed for resurrection, they can be retrieved, even from hell. The God of Darkness could achieve what you're asking. For him, time and space are trivial barriers."

Snape held his silence, his expression contemplative. The disciple, sensing triumph, pressed on. "Tell me, Snape, who is it you wish to bring back? What trouble does their soul face?"

But before he could press further, a mocking voice rang through the hall.

"I crossed paths with Dormammu once before," Lockhart said as he appeared, his tone laced with sarcasm. "And if he's looking in hell, Mephisto might object."

"Lockhart, finally!" Jax's face lit with twisted delight. His target had arrived, and his task was complete. All that remained was for Dormammu to intervene.

"Lockhart," he sneered, "the Great Dark God has been waiting for you!"

Without hesitation, Jax called upon Dormammu's power. But the moment he reached for the god's energy, something snapped within him. A surge of uncontrollable magic exploded in his chest, forcing him to cough up blood as his connection with Dormammu broke.

"What did you do?" Jax snarled, his eyes wide with fury and disbelief. No matter how he tried, he could not reach Dormammu.

In answer, pale golden runes appeared on the walls of the hall, glowing with intricate patterns. Jax paled as recognition dawned on him.

"The God Sealing Formation…" he whispered, horrified. It was another Kamar Taj creation, a seal meant to cut off a god's influence over multiple targets.

Lockhart had set his trap well, crafting the array to sever any link to Dormammu. With Wilder in the Eternal Seal and Jax in the Thunder Cage, he had effectively immobilized Dormammu's followers.

"Lockhart," Jax spat, his voice trembling, "the Dark God will not be denied. What you've borrowed from him will be reclaimed in time."

Ignoring him, Lockhart turned to Snape. "Remember, Severus, you don't need the help of such charlatans. All you desire can be achieved without dark bargains."

Snape's expression remained neutral, but he gave a slight nod. As for Jax, realizing he'd been utterly outmaneuvered, he closed his eyes in a final, bitter resignation.

But as he shut his eyes, he muttered to Snape one last time. "If you ever wish to unlock your heart's true desire, call upon the Dark God. He rewards his own."

"You're wasting your breath, Jax," Lockhart replied smoothly. "Your Hydra allies are done. Now tell me—where are the remaining Hydra forces?"

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