Chapter 2: Background
Six hours later, Strange stirred gently on the cot he'd been placed on. Lifting his head and looking around, he shook it to clear his vision. "He's up!" Tony called, heading to the door of the cell before Nick stopped him. "Stark, let Thor handle this. The Doc knows him better anyway." he ordered, Tony reluctantly handing the medkit to Thor. Bruce pouted. He liked to see what cool things aliens did. Widow scanned a keycard to let the lightning god into the room, the door sliding open with a soft fooshing sound. The second Strange laid eyes on the man, he gulped nervously and jerked. "Do not fret. This encounter will not be like the last." Thor said, reassuring the doctor that no harm should come to him. Strange began to shake, his hands fidgeting nervously in his lap as the god sat beside him. "Allow me to see the bite." Thor requested, turning and opening the medkit beside him. "I can deal with the injury myself. I am in no need of medical attention." Strange replied, his voice shaking even with his stern expression. Thor grinned, holding up a cleansing pad. "I know, but I prefer to do it and make sure you are not in any danger." he replied. Strange scooted a slight bit closer, slipping off his cloak and peeling his clothing from his damaged shoulder. The wound was bleeding and showed signs of excess damage, probably from below the surface skin. Preparing some antiseptic pads, Thor reached over and grabbed the sorcerer by his waist, dragging him closer. Hovering a pad over the wound, he glanced at the doctor. "This will hurt. Do not move." the lightning god instructed, pressing the antiseptic to the still-bleeding mark. Strange jerked, a flash of pain crossing his features as he clenched his teeth and looked away. "How did you come into contact with the king of swords?" Thor asked, believing a conversation would ease the tension between them. "He's been visiting often under the assumption that he can take control of me, and somehow gain access to Dormammu. He attacks out of nowhere and either leaves, or his current body is destroyed. He will not leave me be, and I fear for my life." Strange explained. "You do understand what his bite can do, yes?" Thor asked, lifting an eyebrow. "Yes. I read about it as soon as the first attack occurred. This is the first time he's ever managed to succeed. I've been keeping him at bay for so long….I haven't slept in weeks and I barely eat." Strange admitted. Hearing Strange hiss in pain when he tried to patch the skin together, Thor leaned in for a closer look. Small white slits could be seen where each tooth mark was, Thor picking up a pair of tweezers and dipping inside one. Pulling out a fully formed sharpened tooth, he placed it to the side of the bed while disinfecting the slit. He pulled eight teeth in total from the sorcerer's shoulder, carefully smoothing a protective ointment over them to prevent infection. "I did not know he leaves his teeth behind." Thor admitted, Strange turning to him curiously. "His teeth act like syringes to a poison. They inject the poison deep below the skin and allow it to spread in the host for days until he manages to gain complete control of them." Strange explained, Thor nodding in agreement. The lightning god watched as the sorcerer's skin spasmed with the removal of the teeth, Strange rubbing the sore spot to loosen it and causing a little blood to leak out. "How does that feel?" Thor asked, stowing the rest of the medical equipment. "Better. The nerves are still a little damaged, but they'll heal up easily enough. Thank you." Strange replied, presenting a small smile. "This is not a problem. However, Kimeliton is a problem that must be solved. I would like to protect you from him, if possible. His business with you will end soon, I promise." Thor said, wrapping several layers of bandages around the man's throat to prevent further bleeding. Once he finished tying the bandages, Strange turned to him with frightful eyes. "You are from Asgard. I sensed that when you came into contact with me the first time. You must know of his tricks." Strange said. Thor nodded, taking the man's hand. "Yes, I do know of him. And, as I promised, I will do everything in my power to prevent his control of you." Thor replied, standing up with the medkit in hand. He turned to help Strange stand when he noticed a small band of red magic swirling around his neck. A large shackle popped into existence as a replacement, locking tightly around the skin. Feeling the weight add to his head, Strange reached up to feel the metallic bond. "Oh, dear." he said, hand ghosting over the casing on his throat. "How many loops are there?" he asked, turning to Thor for an answer. The lightning god checked around the thick band, counting four. At his answer, Strange looked more depressed, followed by frightful. "Four days. I have four days before I-I…" the sorcerer stuttered out. "I have given you my word. We will protect you." Thor restated, making his intent clear. The lightning god took Strange's hand, hauling the man to his feet and gesturing towards the door. He walked to it first, holding it open for the sorcerer. The doctor followed Thor out into the hall and into another room where the Avengers were waiting. The doctor seated himself next to Tony, the scientist giving a nod of silent approval. "Hi, I'm Tony." Tony said, offering a hand to the man. "Doctor Stephen Strange." Strange replied, taking his hand and giving it a firm yet light shake. "I like the goatee." Tony complemented with a smile. "Thank you. Your hairstyle suits you." Strange replied. Steve entered the room and stood at the projector, switching it on. "Doctor Strange, nice to meet you. I'm sure you've heard of us already. Would you mind explaining to us who this Kimeliton is?" he requested. Strange nodded, assessing the young man. "Of course." he replied, waving his hand in the air. Slides appeared out of nowhere on the projector, documenting images of Kimeliton and his weaponry. "His real name is Jasper Moenites, but he goes by the King of Swords from his past status on his home planet. He was a master swordsman and blacksmith, until Dormammu used dark magic to erase his planet and the entire half of his galaxy. I assume his mission is to incapacitate me, activate Dormammu's soul within mine, and somehow force the demon to return his planet to his galaxy. If he is to gain complete control of me, he may be able to free the soul of Dormammu and use it to his command." Strange explained. "And how much time do we have?" Steve asked. "Four days." Thor answered. "Not much time." Bruce added. "I have read much about Kimeliton since he first attacked me. When he bites someone, namely a victim, his venom causes a wildly spreading infection that eventually attacks the brain. The venom is composed of an ancient magic combined with medicine from his planet. When the venom attacks the brain, it renders the host a victim of paralyzation and puppetizement. In this way, he controls everything. Man, god, beast...anything can bend to his will. His signature mark is the chain that appears once the host is infected." Strange explained, gesturing to the chain around his neck. As soon as he finished his sentence, two links appeared on each joint of the shackle. "The more links, the less time I have. Two links appear every hour, or one every thirty minutes. I have four days from now to be freed, or I fall to his control." Strange explained. "What do you suggest we do?" Steve asked. "I know a few spells that can track his type of magic. I need you to attempt killing him. If he is killed, all effects from his magic disappear. But, I warn you, he can only be killed by his own swords. I can summon portals to get you there, but I can't move against him." Strange admitted. "Sounds good. Open one up and we'll take him on. We'll get backup to get back here if we miss." Widow said. Strange was led back to the cell, the man raising his hands and muttering a few words. Closing his eyes, he moved his hands in a circular motion, magic forming in the shape of a wide arc around him. Snapping his fingers, magic poured into the arc, taking the form of a portal. The team piled in, making their first attempt. Surprisingly, Strange had to make seven more portals before he found himself collapsing onto the floor with the Avengers' eighth attempt. "Strange!" Thor cried, gently picking up the man as the portal closed behind the rest of his teammates. "I-I can't maintain my magic levels. His venom is trying to cut me off from my power. I-I….need to rest." Strange whispered in Thor's ear before he fell asleep. Walking into the observation cell, Thor lie the man down on the bed. "You've done much, even in your state. Rest and we'll end those that prey upon you." the lightning god promised, flicking off the light and closing the door.