Every damaged part of the New York Sanctum was restored one by one. Stephen Strange's injuries rapidly healed, and even the many Sanctum guardian mages Kaecilius had "killed" reappeared within the Sanctum.
In the blink of an eye, the New York Sanctum returned to its original state. This was the moment when Strange had just been blasted into the New York Sanctum by the explosion.
What followed was exactly the same as before. Strange quickly gained the Cloak of Levitation's recognition, then defeated Kaecilius's many followers and faced Kaecilius in battle.
However, unlike before, Strange successfully escaped this time. Though he suffered severe injuries, he still made it back to the Floating City.
The Floating City had a spatial stabilization array, so the vast majority of Portals could not be opened within it.
However, Harry, Wong, and the others, as Kamar-Taj's core members, were naturally exceptions. Strange, who possessed the potential to become the next Supreme Mage, was among them as well.
A Portal opened within the Floating City's sanctum, and Strange staggered out of it.
His Cloak of Levitation hung from his shoulders in tatters. The lower half on its right side was still smoking, revealing the Mage Robe beneath, burned through by scorching heat.
He dropped to one knee and braced himself against the ground. His left hand covered the wound in his abdomen, which continued to seep blood. The drops slipping through his fingers fell onto the stone floor and congealed into purplish-black crystals—evidence of contamination by dark magic.
When he saw Harry and the others hurrying over after hearing the news, he said hoarsely:
"Hong Kong Sanctum... Kaecilius is going there..."
Mordo rushed forward and supported him by the shoulder. The instant he touched Strange's skin, he frowned sharply—dark magic had eroded him, and his body