The Ancient One's eyes were filled with worry.
As Earth Guardian, she had existed for countless years.
Never had she faced a crisis like this.
Not only had the other party seen through her identity at a glance, but he had also pointed out her duty to protect Earth.
What unsettled her even more was that the "target" implied by his words lay deep within Sokovia Fortress!
This confirmed her worst fears.
"No matter what your goal is..."
The energy fluctuations of The Ancient One's projection suddenly surged. Golden light blazed from her fingertips, and snowflakes vaporized the instant they drew near.
"This place is under Kamar-Taj's protection! Leave at once!"
Her words were both a warning and a probe.
Years of combat experience told her that only by forcing him to act could she glimpse even a trace of his intentions, even if it was merely a projection.
Just as The Ancient One's projection reached its limit and prepared to launch a probing attack—
The castle's underground laboratory, prison cells.
"Argh—"
A girl's agonized scream, twisted beyond recognition, rang out.
The magical resonance caused by The Ancient One gathering her full power clashed invisibly with Su Ming's unique field.
It formed a violent, chaotic tide of energy.
Like an invisible tsunami piercing through the earth, it slammed brutally into Wanda Maximoff's fragile, sensitive mind.
Rumble—
The laboratory lights flickered madly before going completely dark.
The screens of every precision instrument erupted in blinding sparks.
The metal restraints binding Wanda let out a teeth-grinding groan under the impact of Chaos Magic erupting uncontrollably from within her.
At last, they melted through and shattered.
Scarlet energy was like a ferocious beast breaking free of its cage.
It exploded outward from Wanda!
The savage shockwave tore massive gashes through the sturdy laboratory