Christine's face instantly turned pale, and she clutched Strange's arm in alarm.
"How did they find us here?" Her voice trembled slightly.
"It doesn't matter now." Strange's expression darkened.
He turned toward the panicked village chief and shouted, "Giuseppe! Get everyone out! To the wine cellar! Hurry!"
Giuseppe snapped out of his daze and hurriedly ushered the villagers toward the church's back door.
"What about you?" Christine refused to let go of him.
"I'll handle this." Strange gently pushed her hand away. "Wait for me out back. I'll be there soon."
"No! I'm not leaving you!"
"Please!" Strange raised his voice, but there was a trace of pleading in his eyes.
Christine's heart ached.
"You have to stay alive... and come find me!" Then, holding back her tears, she followed the villagers toward the wine cellar.
Christine had only just left.
Bang!
The church's heavy oak doors were smashed open, sending splinters flying.
Amid the dust and debris, a squad of Ultron robots marched inside in perfect formation.
Their bodies gleamed with a silvery metallic sheen, and the energy cores in their chests glowed an eerie blue.
Right in the middle of the Ultron robots,
a golden ring of magical sparks appeared out of thin air.
Dressed in dark green robes, Mordo stepped slowly out of the portal and stared coldly at Strange.
The golden portal behind him did not close immediately.
A black woman in a red-and-blue suit with a star emblazoned on her chest flew out after him.
Captain Marvel, Maria Rambeau.
Dazzling light surrounded her, and her feet hovered just above the floor as her piercing gaze swept through the church.
"This is where your escape ends, Stephen." Mordo's voice carried the arrogance of a judge passing sentence. "Did you think hiding in some remote valley would