I'm starting to have a split personality.
Besides writing, I also read other novels.
The more I write these past two days, the more something feels off.
It doesn't feel the same as before.
If you're not careful, your writing style can veer off into strange and unusual directions.
It seems like I've been infected...
The top floor of Stark Tower was still a mess, with debris scattered all over the floor, and no one had time to clean it up.
Several people were gathered around the control panel, their faces grim. Tony was sifting through massive amounts of data, trying to find any trace of Ultron after his escape. But that stuff had long since been absorbed into the data stream, like sand sinking into the deep sea—completely untraceable, leaving not a single clue.
The room was eerily oppressive, and everyone felt an indescribable sense of unease.
Only Lynn stood by the window, gazing at the towering skyscrapers of New York's skyline, her thoughts churning.
Everyone else was worried that Ultron was hiding deep within the network and could launch an attack at any time, but only Lynn knew that what truly unsettled him was his own problems.
He's been in this world for far too long.
Although he recovered somewhat after frequently using his abilities, the accumulated side effects have left his memories somewhat blurred.
When things first stabilized, he remembered every plot point, character fate, and crisis trajectory clearly. But now... too much time has passed, and many details have become blurred.
He only vaguely remembered that Ultron had pulled off a particularly extravagant and globally shocking move.
A floating city.
This was the only scene he could remember. But the exact time, place, and details were all blurry.
The unknown is what's most dangerous right now.
The few people in this room alone probably aren't enough.
In a flash, two figures naturally came to mind: Wanda Maximoff and Pietro Maximoff.
He had already sent the siblings to Kamar-Taj, and the Ancient One and Master Mordo had also said that the two had finished learning the basic arcane arts and could leave at any time.
He hadn't taken them away before because of his own selfish motives.
On the one hand, he cherished the peaceful life he and Natasha had finally achieved and wanted to take things slowly, not wanting to get too involved in these upsetting troubles too soon.
On the other hand, it was also to give the siblings more time to settle down. After all, Wanda's Chaos Magic was still unstable after she had just finished her studies, and Pietro was impatient and prone to losing his temper.
He wanted them to smooth out their rough edges, calm their minds, and not get caught up in worldly disputes too early.
It's time to bring the siblings out. They've been in Kamar-Taj for so long, they should be ready by now.
Having made up his mind, Lynn no longer hesitated.
He turned to Natasha beside him, meeting her trusting and gentle eyes, and spoke softly, briefly explaining the situation, "These next few days will be tough. Ultron is hiding in the network, and nobody knows what it's up to. You stay in the building and continue investigating the anomalies, trying your best to find its trail."
Natasha nodded gently, a hint of worry in her eyes. "Are you going out? Where do you plan to go?"
"Let's go to Kamar-Taj," Lynn said calmly. "I left two people there to train before. Although we've taken in agents left over from S.H.I.E.L.D.., the world is about to descend into chaos again, and we lack top-tier combat power. It's time to bring them out; it will help alleviate some of the pressure and stabilize the current situation."
Natasha never asked him about his past or plans; she simply trusted him unconditionally. She softly reminded him, "Okay, remember to be careful. I'll wait for you here."
These words of advice reassured him considerably. Lynn nodded and glanced back, then said nothing more. With a gentle wave of his hand, a portal appeared, leading directly to Kamar-Taj.
"I'll leave this place to you for now."
Leaving behind a message, he stepped into the portal. In a flash, the hustle and bustle of New York was left behind, and he found himself in a serene and sacred snow-capped mountain paradise.
The moment he stepped out of the portal, the cold wind from the snow-capped mountains rushed towards him, refreshing and clean, carrying the ancient scent of Kamar-Taj, instantly washing away much of the urban hustle and bustle and anxiety that had settled on him.
In the central square, figures were scattered about, each cultivating their own way. Some were meditating, their bodies surrounded by a faint golden magical aura.
Some people were practicing together, while others were engrossed in reading ancient scrolls; the whole place was orderly.
In the most open area of the square, two familiar figures were freely displaying their strength, exuding both flamboyance and vitality.
Compared to when they first entered Kamar-Taj, when they were more sensitive, more reserved, and burdened by hatred.
The Maximoff siblings now appear to have undergone a complete transformation.
Pietro still looked like a young man, with clean and bright eyes, but his former impetuousness seemed to have diminished somewhat. He had grown taller, and his physique was no longer as thin and frail as before.
Right now, he's running like crazy in the square, going all out, his afterimages overlapping each other, blurring the lines between reality and illusion. Occasionally, he deliberately slows down to practice attack and defense with the mage next to him, his timing is perfect, both agile and steady.
The changes are even more pronounced in Wanda, which is next to it.
After spending so long in Kamar-Taj, under the guidance of the Ancient One and Master Mordo, she finally gained complete control over the power hidden within her body and reconciled with her past suffering.
She wore a plain-colored robe, her long hair tied back, her eyes gentle and serene. The lingering gloom and stubbornness of the past had vanished completely, and she exuded a transcendent aura. The Chaos Magic surrounding her was no longer violent and turbulent, but had transformed into a layer of fine crimson light, quietly swirling around her fingertips and entwining her body, pure and docile.
She simply stood quietly to the side, watching her younger brother make a ruckus, occasionally raising her hand to gently release a wisp of crimson energy, a faint smile on her lips, quiet and gentle.
The two of them finally shook off the shadows left by their childhood and got rid of the resentment brought on by their long-term life at the bottom of society. On this sacred mountain and pure land, they grew into the cleanest and best version of themselves.
Lynn stood at the entrance of the square, watching them from afar, a hint of a relieved smile appearing in her eyes.
After so long apart, they have not wasted this period of reflection and have become the people they are today.
Pietro spotted the familiar figure instantly. He stopped abruptly, his gaze locking onto the person at the entrance, his eyes lighting up with delight.
" Wanda! Mr. Lynn is here!"
He shouted, pushed off with his feet, and burst into full speed, crossing the square, which was dozens of meters long, in the blink of an eye, and stopping steadily in front of Lynn. The joy of the young man was written all over his face.
" Mr. Lynn! You've finally come to see us! It's been so long since you've been to Kamar-Taj!"
Now he is cheerful and sunny, carrying the youthful spirit that has been gently tempered by time.
Wanda slowly walked over. Her steps were light, her eyes gentle, and the crimson magical light quietly receded into her body, leaving only a warm and quiet temperament. She stood next to her brother, looked up at Lynn, and her eyes held a faint smile and the warmth of reunion, looking incredibly healing.
Lynn looked at the transformed siblings, smiled, and asked in a relaxed tone, "What's wrong? Not comfortable in Kamar-Taj?"
Wanda gently shook her head, her voice warm and steady, devoid of its former timidity and hoarseness. "It's not that I'm feeling unwell."
" Master Mordo told us long ago that we've finished learning the basic magic and don't need to stay on the mountain anymore."
She glanced at her younger brother, who was barely containing his excitement, a hint of helpless amusement in her eyes, and continued, "It's peaceful here, with daily cultivation and a very regular routine. I can calm my mind, but Pietro can't stay still. Day after day like this, he's been itching to get back to work."
Pietro scratched the back of his head, smiled a little embarrassedly, and didn't refute. Indeed, living such a quiet life day after day made him uncomfortable; he had wanted to go out for a long time.
Wanda then looked at Lynn, her eyes filled with genuine expectation. "So, you've come to take us away, haven't you?"
Seeing the expectant looks on the siblings' faces, Lynn nodded slowly, her smile firm and gentle, "Yes, I've come to pick you up and take you to a new place."
"I have many friends over there. Life won't be peaceful anymore after you leave. If you're sure you want to come with me now, you have to take on the responsibilities we agreed on."
His gaze slowly swept over the two of them, clearly sensing the power within them, his eyes filled with approval. "Your abilities should have been fully awakened and completely mastered, right?"
Upon hearing this, Pietro immediately straightened his back, his face full of confidence, and his figure left several afterimages in an instant. "Now I can go fast or slow as I want, and I will definitely not lose control and crash!"
Wanda raised her hand as well, a wisp of pure, gentle crimson magical energy flowing slowly from her fingertips, its light clear and its power profound, without a trace of violence or chaos. "My power has stabilized as well. I can even sense the subtle changes in the energy flow within the bodies of those around me."
After so much time and experience, they are no longer the children who need to be protected; they are now capable of standing on their own.
Looking at their perfect transformation, Lynn spoke solemnly, his tone gentle yet firm. "Then I formally invite you to come with me and leave, to help me protect this planet."
"A major crisis is looming. I need your strength, and the Earth needs you."
Upon hearing this, Pietro's eyes lit up instantly, and he nodded firmly without hesitation, his voice resounding. "I'm willing! I'm ready! No matter what the crisis, I'll lend a hand!"
He had been trapped in Kamar-Taj for too long and couldn't wait to get out. He was no longer the boy who could only passively endure suffering.
Wanda looked into Lynn's determined eyes, then at her brother's sincere and eager expression, smiled gently, and nodded softly. "I'll go with my brother. Wherever you go, we'll go."
Lynn was the one who pulled them out of the darkness, gave them hope, and gave them a place to go. Now that they've shed their naivety, they're naturally willing to follow him and fulfill their previous promise.
Lynn nodded slightly.
He didn't rush to leave, but sat with the siblings in the square for a while, quietly watching the monks around them practice, enjoying these last moments of peace on the sacred mountain.
He knew that once he left this place, he would face endless strife and worldly turmoil.
But he knew even more clearly that the two were very capable, and that they would eventually have to step out of the greenhouse, face the storms, and complete their own growth and redemption.
Lynn withdrew her gaze from the distance and looked at the expectant siblings in front of her. She spoke gently, "Go back and pack your belongings first. After you're done, return to the central square to meet up."
"Good!"
Pietro responded, unable to contain his excitement any longer. As soon as he finished speaking, he transformed into a blur and hurriedly ran towards his residence, his joyful heart impossible to hide.
Wanda shook her head helplessly, smiled faintly, and nodded gently to Lynn: "I'll be back soon."
After speaking, she turned and slowly walked away.
Lynn in the center of the square, silently watching the two figures disappear one quickly and the other slowly at the end of the stone corridor. Seeing their joyful expressions, a gentle smile appeared in her eyes. Years of hardship had finally healed the scars in their hearts, allowing them to break free from past suffering and usher in a new life of their own.
Lynn suppressed the tenderness in her eyes, turned around, and walked towards the Supreme Chamber, the deepest part of Kamar-Taj.
After traversing a deep stone corridor and avoiding scattered meditation halls, you finally arrive at the most secluded and tranquil private chamber at the summit. Far removed from the hustle and bustle of the world, even the surrounding magical energy becomes gentle and calm. This is the exclusive place where the Ancient One often meditates to contemplate the Dao and brews tea to calm her mind.
The wooden door to the quiet room was ajar, not fully closed, and a delicate aroma of tea wafted out slowly through the crack, elegant and lingering, refreshing and soothing.
Lynn raised her hand and gently knocked on the wooden door.
"Come in."
The Ancient One's voice remained gentle and clear, carrying a calm acceptance of the passing years and the passage of time.
Lynn pushed open the door and stepped into the simple and rustic quiet room. The interior was minimally furnished, with no superfluous objects. There was a low wooden table, two futons, and ancient magic totems hanging on the wall. A faint golden magical halo surrounded the room, making it both tranquil and sacred.
The Ancient One sat upright on a futon, dressed in a simple, ancient-style robe, her expression serene and relaxed. She held a teapot in her fingertips, slowly brewing tea with a gentle, flowing stream of water. Her movements were graceful and elegant, each gesture carrying the Zen wisdom accumulated over time and the profound understanding of the Tao.
Seeing Lynn enter, the Ancient One her eyes, a knowing smile in them, and gently pushed the cup of tea she had just filled to the brim to the empty seat opposite her.
"Sit."
Lynn sat down as instructed, his posture relaxed and natural. In front of this Sorcerer Supreme who had lived for countless years and seen through all the ways of time and space, he shed his usual composure and coldness, remaining relaxed, casual, and somewhat silly, completely lacking the decisiveness he displayed when facing a crisis.
The Ancient One looked at him, his eyes crinkling with amusement, his tone a mix of teasing and familiarity. "Little rascal, you didn't come up the mountain today to cause me trouble, did you? Are you planning to take those two kids, Maximoff, away?"
Lynn picked up the warm teacup, took a small sip, and the refreshing, sweet aroma soothed the gloom that had been building up in his heart for days. He put down the teacup, nodded honestly, and said sincerely, "That's right, Ancient One."
He sighed softly, a hint of helplessness and regret in his voice, and slowly said, " Tony Stark has caused quite a bit of trouble. I had the chance to stop it completely at its source, but unfortunately, things are unpredictable, and ultimately, man proposes, God disposes."
Upon hearing this, the Ancient One smiled faintly, showing no surprise in her eyes. She refilled the teapot, her movements unhurried, and gently advised, "Timelines have the instinct to self-repair and self-consolidate."
"You always think about forcibly intervening, going against the tide, and artificially rewriting all tragedies, but everything in this world is interdependent, with cause and effect constantly changing, and there is never absolute perfection. Too much interference in the established trajectory and forcibly reversing the course of events will only make the future more unpredictable and confusing, and the final result may even completely deviate from all your original intentions."
"Following the natural course and respecting cause and effect is the right path."
She looked up at Lynn, her gaze gentle yet profound, her words clear and insightful. "Both people and the world need to weather storms and endure hardships to truly grow. The more ups and downs you experience, the more gains and losses you witness, the more you can stay true to yourself and avoid detours at crucial junctures in the future. You can protect someone for a time, but not forever."
Lynn listened quietly, savoring the words, and suddenly felt enlightened.
Excessive intervention is not always a salvation; it may instead create more unknown variables.
He smiled with relief and nodded sincerely, "I've remembered it, thank you for your guidance, Master."
Feeling more at ease, he smoothly changed the subject, a hint of curiosity in his eyes, and asked softly, "By the way, Stephen Strange, shouldn't he be heading up the mountain for medical help soon?"
He paused slightly, then looked at the Ancient One, voicing a long-held question, "As for Kaecilius and Master Mordo, you knew about their choices all along, didn't you? Why didn't you explain it beforehand?"
Upon hearing this, the Ancient One's smile deepened, her eyes filled with a mixture of helplessness and understanding. She slowly retorted, "See? You just finished listening, and now you're asking this kind of question again. I just advised you not to interfere too much with the future or forcibly reverse variables, and now you're asking me why I didn't explain beforehand?"
Lynn was slightly taken aback, momentarily speechless, then chuckled helplessly.
The Ancient One's smile faded, her expression becoming solemn and distant. She gazed out the window at the churning sea of clouds on the horizon, and slowly uttered the deepest, most profound principle of protection. " Kaecilius yearned for redemption. Mordo clung to the law; their obsessions and choices stemmed from their own personalities."
"I stole power from the Dark Dimension to prolong my life and maintain Earth's magical barrier; this is an indisputable fact, the cause and effect and sin I bear."
True protection is never about conquering the future or controlling everyone's destiny, much less about forcibly erasing all wrong paths and disasters.
She turned to look at Lynn, her gaze clear and profound, revealing the profound truth of millennia. "True protection is having the most basic reverence for the natural development of all things in the world. Following cause and effect, helping those who can be helped, upholding the principles that can be upheld, and all the remaining trials and tribulations are simply necessary steps on the path of growth for all beings."
Lynn understood everything completely.
Yes, he can plan ahead and avoid disasters, but he cannot control the hearts of everyone in the world or smooth over all hardships.