Prologue

In the remote Himalayas, within an isolated palace, many people dressed in traditional training robes gathered around a bedside, their eyes filled with sorrow.

“Master, I don’t think I can hold on much longer,” said a young man of about twenty, his face pale as he looked at the white-bearded old man before him. He managed a helpless smile, yet within it was a trace of relief.

Xiwen had been adopted by a sorcerer since childhood and raised in Kamar-Taj. His natural talent earned him the reputation of a prodigious mage. Yet, he had been plagued by a strange illness since he was young—a frequent state of mental distraction that only worsened with age.

Doctors could find no physical cause. Scholars in Kamar-Taj scoured the vast library for answers, but none could identify the nature of his affliction. In the end, Xiwen’s master—the Sorcerer Supreme, Yao—gave a judgment that was unscientific yet magical: Xiwen’s soul was incompatible with this universe.

“Xiwen, be at peace,” Master Yao said gently after a moment’s thought. “You know of the existence of the multiverse.”

With great effort, Xiwen raised his eyelids. “I do. Does this have anything to do with my illness?”

Yao nodded. “Yes. Your soul simply does not fit this universe. But the multiverse is vast—surely, somewhere there is a universe where you belong. I believe I can help you.”

“Is that true?” The crowd around the bed began to murmur, some faces brightening with hope.

Xiwen’s eyes lit up as he looked to his master.

Yao continued, “But first, you must know: many universes are perilous beyond measure. For a soul to cross universes is to risk falling into an endless abyss. If you fail, you’ll be lost forever in the rifts between universes, your soul’s energy slowly drained until you vanish completely. It would be an unending torment.”

“It’s still a chance I must take,” Xiwen replied, gazing resolutely at his master.

“Very well.” Yao nodded after a brief silence, then looked around. “Everyone, please step back. I need to prepare.”

The crowd dispersed, but only to the edges of the great hall, forming a wide circle—they all clearly wished to witness what would happen.

Yao paid them no further mind, turning back to Xiwen. “Are you ready, Xiwen?”

“Always ready, Master,” Xiwen replied with a smile.

Without another word, Yao formed a mudra with his hands. The pendant at his chest began to glow with a bright green light, filling the entire hall.

“The Eye of Agamotto…” Xiwen murmured. At once, he felt his mind grow heavier, his usual disorientation intensifying. Yet, strangely, he also felt as if some force was tugging at him, trying to pull him from this world.

He dimly heard his master’s words: “Go, and seek the universe that can accept you…”

He knew his master was helping him depart. Struggling, he opened his eyes one last time to look around at the familiar place, friends, companions, and elders. He whispered softly, “Farewell, Kamar-Taj.”

...

It was as if he drifted for countless ages, his thoughts wandering in a boundless realm of shifting light and shadow, dazzling visions all around, starlight occasionally flashing before his eyes. He could feel unknown energies constantly gnawing at him, yet a golden shield protected him from true harm.

I must have passed through many universes by now, he thought. But none would accept him.

Bored and wandering, suddenly a powerful force yanked him toward a vast sea of stars. He was drawn at incredible speed, stars whizzing past as if traversing an entire galaxy in an instant. As the starlight receded, a magnificent blue planet grew larger, filling his vision.

A deep hum resounded.

Xiwen felt himself collide with something, his vision plunging into darkness.

…

Regaining a vague sense of awareness, Xiwen found himself unable to open his eyes to see this new world. He could only hear women’s screams and a cacophony of furious, shrill shouts.

“Avada Kedavra!”

A fierce shout rang in his ears, followed by an intense green light that pierced his closed eyelids and a chilling sense of impending doom.

Every hair on Xiwen’s body stood on end. He felt mortal danger.

There was no time to sense how much magical power he possessed, nor to judge the strength of the incoming attack. In that instant, he made a decision. All the magic within him surged forth, entwined with the protective spell left by Master Yao upon his soul, and burst toward the source of the green light.

Then, consciousness fled him. Just before he fell into oblivion, he heard two cries of utter disbelief and the heavy, ragged breathing beside him…