Kaecilius grew more excited, spreading his arms as the purple glow in his eyes blazed even brighter, like two fiercely burning flames of evil:
"Look at these rotten guardians. They call themselves righteous, using their cowardly lives to protect this crumbling order built on lies. In truth, they are the real evil—the enemies preventing us from attaining immortality!
Stephen Strange, you have only just arrived. You have yet to see the true nature of this world. Before Dormammu's Dark Dimension, Kamar-Taj's protection is nothing more than a mantis trying to stop a chariot.
What I am doing is leading everyone toward liberation, breaking free from the shackles of time and death.
Those people's sacrifices are a necessary price. Come, join us, and together we will achieve life's immortal ascension!"
As the foremost candidate for Supreme Mage, valued by both Ancient One and Harry, Stephen Strange was naturally not swayed by Kaecilius's words. He resolutely raised his trembling hands, and a steady Raggadorr's Ring of Red appeared before his palms.
Though fear filled his heart, he was just as resolute:
"I have seen death—in operating rooms, in intensive care wards. But true fear is not losing one's life. It is losing the right to choose.
You say Kamar-Taj built its order on lies? At least they allow people to choose life, choose death, choose to shield others from deadly spells, choose to resist evil, and choose to help create a safe environment for everyone.
And you? You would even take away that choice, turning everyone into living sacrifices between Dormammu's teeth!
Therefore, I will never join you. Besides, do you truly think Dormammu is a match for the Supreme Mage?
If He really could defeat the Supreme Mage, why would He not simply destroy Earth directly? Why use you as pawns