Oh Gosh, I'm so sorry for the delay! I didn't mean to miss an update, but work has been getting in the way, and after watching the trailer of the House of the Dragons, I couldn't help but continue my hiatus fic. Plus, I wasn't sure how to get this chapter go, thus, the delay.

I hope this one seems ok, it was hard to think of a way to explain. Plus, I had to do a lot of explaining here for the next coming chapter. And after seeing rumors that could be true, I changed it up a bit.

That said, I hope you enjoy it!
PS: No post-credit scenes in this chapter.

"How? That doesn't make any sense!" Sylvie exclaimed in shock, "Are you saying that he's still alive?"

Stephen Strange nodded, "He's not conscious now, but yes he is," he confirmed, which made Sylvie breathe out a sigh of relief. So, he is alive, "However, if Mordo can extract Loki's soul from you, then he won't be anymore."

Sylvie clenched her fist, afraid for his state. Even though Mordo didn't take anything from her just now, she still feared that there might be a possibility without her knowing, "But, I can't feel his presence inside me."

"When a soul is sleeping, no one can detect it. Perhaps you might feel subtle part of him such as seeing him in dreams."

She blinked, "I did see him in my dreams."

As the other sorcerers arrived, it stopped her from even talking. She felt uncomfortable to even speak about the dreams she had been having as of late with more ears around.

Strange saw her discomfort and coughed, "I believe it'd be best we discuss this further in the library. Come with me, you both."

And at that, he led the two ladies out from the training grounds.

While walking towards the library, Wanda nudged her, "You saw him in your dreams?"

She nodded, "I thought it was a nightmare," she admits, "Because I've been seeing the same dreams over and over again."

"I see," she hummed, "Not once you thought that perhaps he was trying to reach you?"

Sylvie shook her head, "I couldn't even reach him."

"I see," Wanda looked ahead, "But it's great to know that he's still alive."

She gave a warm smile, "Yes, it is."

Wanda looked at her expression, and it looks like it was a relief and hope. She's glad that her friend is back to herself again, no longer consumed with grief. She's glad she told her the advice Steve told her all those years ago. The Scarlet Witch gave a silent thank you to her dear friend as they both followed Strange to wherever he's taking them to.

"It's rare anyone pulled out this spell since there wasn't a reason to do so," Stephen said as he opened the Book of Theseus with a flick of his finger, "But for Loki to know how to pull off that spell is quite impressive."

"So, what did he do that led him to do this?" Wanda asked.

"I'm wondering the same thing," he said, "What I'm more curious is that what drew him to read this. I didn't even think about doing this to stop Mordo, for sorcerers deal with Astral projections, not soul transfers."

"Nightmare," Sylvie chimed, making the two of them look at her, "He must've figured out that there is a way to extract Nightmare out from Mordo."

"That was my guess too. Nightmare is a consciousness, not a soul," Strange said as he turned to another page, "My guess is that he was trying to get to him in order to properly find Mephisto," After finding the content that sparked his conclusion, he showed it to Sylvie and Wanda, "And it seems that having his soul in a different body allows Mordo to be in a disadvantage."

The two women carefully read the contents as he waited.

Wanda then looked up while Sylvie continued reading, "Is there any way to bring him back?"

"I'm still working on that part," he admits, "But one thing for sure, this time, Sylvie isn't safe."

Sylvie looked up in alarm, "What? Why?"

"Mordo attacked you instead of Wanda," he said, "This means that, with them having Loki's empty body, he had infuriated Mordo. Both of you. You are now their target. But that doesn't mean Wanda is still off the hook. I would still prefer Wanda and her twins to keep their guard up, Loki had successfully foiled his plans, he would want to get his soul back."

"Then is there any way to find him? Or to even contact his soul to get him back as a whole?" Sylvie asked desperately.

Stephen crossed his arms and hummed, "I admit, it's a little difficult to do such a thing when a soul sleeps inside another person's body. No one has ever tried this before, not for a long time at least. And to make things difficult, his true body isn't here."

"But he's inside me, is there no way of contacting him?"

He uncrossed his arms, "This may sound a little strange to you, but," he looked at her contently, "Perhaps you might want to try to listen to your heart."

Sylvie blinked, "Excuse me?"

"You were able to awaken to his abilities, it's enough evidence that both of your hearts are connected to each other," he said soothingly, something he had never done before. But she deserved it after what the hardship he had done to her and Loki, the least he can do is ease her burden, "Perhaps from there you might be able to reach him. If the connection is strong, you might be able to locate where he is."

"What about my Powers of Awakening," Wanda suddenly chimed in, "Can I use it for Loki?"

He shook his head, "Even if you do, his body isn't here. If you use your power on his soul now, his soul will wander aimlessly. Thus, making Mordo easier to catch him."

"I see," she pursed her lips in disappointment.

"For this particular subject, it'll be more than just the Power of Wakening," he said, "This may involve connection."

Sylvie looked at him quizzically, "Like the internet?"

"Kind of," he complied to that metaphor, "And in this case, if the connection is strong with him, you might be able to locate his body."

"How does that work?" Wanda asked.

"A soul and a heart are two different things but connected. Right now, what remains in Loki's body is his heart. A soul is useless without a heart and a heart is useless without the soul," Stephen explained, thank goodness his studies in doctrine pays off, even though souls are mostly touched here, "And if Sylvie can find the beacon to his heart with his soul, Wanda might be able to amplify the connection to pave the path to where his heart is, and we may be able to find his body…."

"And ultimately find Mephisto!" Wanda finished it for him after guessing his hint, "He has been planning this all along to destroy him!"

"Well," Stephen grumbled in a little annoyance of the God of Mischief's intentions, "I don't think he knew about that part though."

"It doesn't matter if he knows or not, the point is, we can finally find the source of the Multiverse war!"

He nodded, "Correct," he then looked at Sylvie, who looked somewhat confused and overwhelmed with the knowledge, "Sylvie," he called her, "Are you up for the task?" This made Wanda look at her.

The Goddess of Mischief pursed her lips, seemingly shocked by this revelation. "I…."

"Don't worry, Sylvie," Wanda tried to reassure her as she took her hand, Sylvie looked then looked at the Scarlet Witch. Stephen is impressed by their friendship, just months ago she didn't look like she's going to be friends with anyone but Loki and the other middle-aged man named Mobius. Now, they look like they are childhood friends. Perhaps he had been rather harsh with her. Wanda looked at her supportingly, "We are here to help, whatever you need to get Loki back."

Stephen decided that this may be his time to step in, "Sylvie," he cleared his throat, "I know, that we are not in the greatest terms," he said, "but I am confident to say that, after observing you for quite a while, I can conclude that I can trust you. You may not want to trust me but, people who know me know that I'm a man of my words. So, you can trust me when I say that I can allow you the same amount of freedom I gave to Loki in this library."

Sylvie crooked a brow up, looking as if displease, but that never shook him, "I don't know whether I want to hit you or deny your existence," she said sarcastically.

He chuckled, same Loki as always, "Well, take it from a friend then. Will you accept my apology and work together with me?" he extended his hand, wanting her to take their silent agreement of trust.

She looked at it for a while, looking like she's still skeptical. But after a while, she took it, "Very well, Stephen Strange," she finally called his name the way Wanda did, "I believe we can call each other a team."

He nodded, "Understood. Now," he looked around, "You can stay here however you like, Wong isn't here to assist since he's in San Fransisco. I'll be in my room to do my own research. But otherwise, do as you please. Just don't miss this place up, and of course, no backstabbing."

"I thought we agreed that we trust each other," she giggled sarcastically.

"Oh, I'm speaking to the other one inside you," he chuckled as he walked towards the exit of the library, he needs to help rebuild the ruins of Kamar-taj, "If he can hear me, that is. Don't you, Loki?"

Stephen didn't see what Sylvie said as he left the library, but he did saw her look of irritation, much to his delight. Somehow, he felt good tormenting the God of Mischief. Knowing how she reacted, he's confident that the Goddess of Mischief will have no problem looking for Loki.

Besides, only she can find the connection to his heart. He can only guide since he can only spectate. He's going to find a way to speak to himself.

Billy watched as the sorcerers fixed the area while he sat where they used to eat with Tommy and Mobius. From what he heard, the enemy who attacked Sylvie is long gone. They are safe now, but that sudden attack was scary and shocking. They were just eating, and then boom!

Now, he didn't even have the appetite to finish his lunch as he was thinking about the attack just now. What did they want? Didn't they just take Loki?

"Where are they?" Mobius murmured, "I hope Sylvie is ok." Mom healed Mobius enough for him to look after him, though he's not sure why Mom wants him to babysit them when they are the ones with powers.

"Mom is with Sylvie and Dr. Strange," Billy said, when mom took off, he made sure that he can still feel her.

"I see," he hummed, "Must be serious."

Billy nodded, unable to think anything else. He knows that his Mom can defeat whoever she's facing with Sylvie and Dr. Strange by her side. And the fact that he can't feel the bad guy anymore proved that enough that they are safe. But why aren't they back?

He's got his answer when Dr. Strange entered the ruined dining hall. At the site of the sorcerer supreme, Billy immediately stood up, "Dr. Strange!" he called out.

The man heard him, "Child."

He ran up to him, "Dr. Strange, is my Mom okay?"

"What happened?" his brother zoomed right beside him.

"The bad guy is gone, we chased him off. No one is hurt," Dr. Strange said.

Billy sighed in relief, "And what about my Mom and Sylvie," he looked back to see he came here by himself, "Where are they? Why aren't they with you?"

"They are in the library," he said, "In fact, I think it's best you both go to them. They might need a few assistances from you to find Loki."

The twins gasped at the mention of their mentor, "Did they find him?"

"Not quite," he said, "But they are close, let's say they just need an internet connection for the GPS. Why don't you go and find them? Maybe they might need your help."

The children of Wanda nodded, before turning to each other, "Come on, Tommy."

The super-speed child nodded and zoomed out of existence, leaving their middle-aged babysitter behind.

Mobius, on the other hand, jogged towards Stephen, "I swear I'm too old for this."

"You might want to get used to kids with super strengths," he chuckled, "They've been quite popular these days. Mind readers, climbers, shrinkers, the usual."

"Can't believe there might be more out there in the Multiverse."

"You'd be surprised," he said, before looking out the sky from the ruined wall, "I looked up one of the files Loki got from you and found that someone from the Multiverse managed to beat Mordo. A bald man in a wheelchair, despite being disabled, has quite a tremendous amount of power. If he can fight in our side, it'll probably be very helpful."

"Really?" The middle-aged man looked at him with astonishment, "You're saying that there are more of those….magic people out there?"

He nodded, "If I can pinpoint his location and speak with him, perhaps we can gain even more allies to locate the real Kang. But right now, our priority is to find Loki."

"Interesting," he hummed.

"So, if I may," Dr. Strange cleared his throat, "I'd like to borrow some of your files again, to research on these people. Of course, right after I clean up this mess," he gestured the ruined dining hall where the other sorcerers are using their magic to clean up the area.

"Sure, sure, of course," he said, "You are welcome to the TVA anytime."

He nodded, "Thanks. Oh, and did Sylvie said anything about staying here or at the TVA?"

Mobius shook his head, "I let her think about it first since she just recovered," he said, "But hearing that you might be able to find Loki, I think we both know where she might want to stay."

The Sorcerer Supreme chuckled, "Yea, I have a picture about it too. After all, she's not the person who'd give up easily."

Tommy zoomed them to the library where they found their mom and Sylvie discussing something on a table at the corner. The twins were happy to see them, "Mom!"

The two ladies looked in their direction, Mom smiled at them, "Kids!"

They both ran towards her and hugged her for a while, Billy then looked up at her, "Are you okay?"

Mom strokes his hair and smiles at him, "I'm fine, sweety," then she kissed his forehead.

"Dr. Strange said that you need help to find Loki," Tommy chimed.

"Oh, so he told you," Wanda looked at Sylvie, who looks quite expressionless.

Billy knew that she was grieving for Loki, he was able to feel her sadness when she locked herself in Loki's room on the first day. Her sadness was so…..how do you say it…. Her sadness is like a wave that whenever he passed by Loki's room, he can feel her sadness flooding him like water. That's why he was happy to see her doing okay when they met for lunch.

Now, he can't tell what she's feeling, he decided that he wants to know what she feels, "Are you okay, Sylvie? The bad guy got you pretty hard."

She smiled at him and nodded, "I'm okay, thank you."

"Course you are," Tommy chimed in, grinning at her, "She beat that bad guy back there even without her powers. You should do that again."

Sylvie chuckled, "Once is enough, Tommy."

"So," Tommy looked at her, "Dr. Strange said that you know where to find Loki. Is it true?"

"Well," she pursed her lips, "I might have an idea, but I don't know how to locate him."

"Oh," Billy felt a little disappointed, he thought that maybe they all can go on an adventure, finally out from this boring place.

"That's why I'm going to need to read a few things here. Anything about souls or connections, to locate him."

"Can't you do it like Billy?" Tommy asked, "I mean, he said he can hear Dad in his head before."

"This is different, Tommy," Wanda strokes his hair, "Loki is….. not in this world. He is in another, far, far away. That's why we need to find a way to find his heart."

"His heart?" Billy blinked, "Why the heart? Not the mind?"

Wanda laughed, "Oh, let's just say it's easier for Sylvie to find him."

"Ooohh," the twins hummed.

"That's why, we might need your help to find anything in the books, anything about connections and hearts."

Tommy's eyes widened, "Wait…all of them?"

"Not all," Sylvie laughed, "Just, any books that you can find about heart or souls."

"Why can't you just find it on the internet?" Billy asked.

"It's not something that you can find that easy, Billy," Sylvie giggled, "Besides, all these magic are super-secret stuff, so you can't just find it on the internet."

"But there are so many books!" Tommy complained, scanning the shelves filled with books, "How are we going to look for whatever we are finding? It'll take forever!"

"Then we better get started now, don't we, boys," Sylvie stated, "Don't let the number of books to look at distracting you from searching for the answers, you hear? Stay downwind for it."

Billy and Tommy blinked when she said that. This is something Loki told them not too long ago and the way she spoke, it felt like him.

"Sylvie," Billy asked, making her turn to him, "How come you sound like Loki?"

At the mention of that, both his mom and Sylvie burst out with laughter, making him and Tommy confused. Adults are weird.

Mobius led Stephen Strange to the TVA, letting him pick the files necessary for his research. After that, he locked himself in his room in Kamar-taj.

Mobius decided to stick around too just to see how things are going before going back to the TVA. He walked to the library where Strange said that that's where Sylvie is in.

When he got there, he found quite a massive library….

And a disheveled-looking shelf at the corner.

"Boys," the sound of Wanda echoed, "I told you to rearrange the books to where they are. It's just been an hour and a half."

"Yea, but they are so heavy," Tommy complained as he pressed his face flat on the book he was reading.

"And there's so many," Billy also piped up, looking tired, "This is too many to handle."

Wanda sighed, "Alright, why don't you both help clean this mess up then? You can rest now."

"Yes, Mom," the twins mumbled. Pushing their chairs back and started putting the books they read back.

Mobius chuckled at the sight, kids will be kids. Cute little monsters. His eyes then found Sylvie, who is reading intensely in front of the shelf near the table where the twins sat. He decided to walk to her.

"Hi, Mobius," the twins called.

Wanda saw him too, "Hi, there."

Sylvie heard their greets and looked up, she smiled at him, "Mobius."

He nodded, "Kids, Wanda, Sylvie," he greeted back, "I see you've been busy."

Sylvie continued reading and hummed.

"Sylvie made us read thick books," Tommy groaned.

"Maybe it's so that you both can learn," he replied.

"But these are magics we don't do," Billy added for his twin brother.

"For your own knowledge then. Well, your Mom told you to clean up, better do as she says," he smiled and walked towards Sylvie. Mobius was informed by Stephen at the situation, and at this point, he needs to know if she'll be okay with that knowledge. He knew that Loki would be sneaky enough to save his own ass, "Sylvie."

"Hmmm," she hummed.

"Stephen Strange told me about all that soul thing."

"Did he," she said, still not looking at him.

"Yea," Mobius said, "I knew he isn't the kind to make sacrifices least he knows he can save his own skin."

She chuckled, "Surprisingly, I agree to that."

"You know," he added, "When Stephen mention the book Loki read, I realized it was when we last spoke to one another."

"Oh," Sylvie looked up at him, "What did he say."

"We were discussing something about Mephisto being on the run, and the same goes with Ravonna. How everyone is playing hide and seek, but for the devil's case, it's his consciousness or soul is on the run," he answered and looked at her with a serious face, "that's when he ran off, probably to this library to search further about souls. No wonder he knew how to pull that trick off. Turns out he hides here with you, a charmer, aren't you, Loki."

Sylvie knew he was speaking to him, Mobius knew that she hated being referred to as him. And he of all people loves to torment him too, "I'm certain he has his reasons."

"Yea," he chuckled, "He trusts you enough to find his body."

"I didn't at first until I knew he was inside me," she murmured as she closed the book, "But now, I just don't know where to look for him. I don't know any connection to him but what we have now. If it were enough, shouldn't it be enough to get him back?"

"I don't know, that's your field of expertise when it comes to mumbo jumbos," Mobius scratched the back of his neck, "Perhaps you may want to try and keep looking."

She sighed and leaned on the bookshelf, "I wish he could…..give me a sign….show me how to get him back."

"Well, I doubt he knew what he was doing too," Mobius said, "Not even Strange knew how to get him back. But….. he trusts you enough that you'll find a way."

"I suppose."

"Don't worry, you'll get there," he pats her shoulder, "Just take it easy, it's not like he's dying when his soul is inside you. And Mordo can't do anything to his body if he wants to make a deal with you on where his soul is."

She quirked her brow up, "All the more reason I have to hurry."

"God, I swear I'm speaking to Loki again," he chuckled, "Just stay calm."

"Fine, fine," she giggled, "Can't promise though."

"Thought so, Loki," he said, "Alright, I have to get back to the TVA. Gotta report about the attack too."

She nodded, "I'll see you later, thanks for coming."

"No biggie," he said and at that, he left the library, leaving Sylvie with Wanda and her twins.

"Sylvie," Billy suddenly appeared beside her as she scans the other bookshelf, "Are you okay?"

"Hey, sport," Sylvie turned to the boy, "Yea, I'm fine. Thank you."

"Sorry, it's just, your head is loud."

Sylvie furrowed her brows, "I beg your pardon."

"Well, not like that, but inside your head," he said, "It's loud."

"Oh," she blinked, "Sorry, had a lot of thinking to do."

"Are you worried?"

"A bit," she said, "When you are trying to find someone but at the same time catch a bad guy, that's another matter entirely."

"I found my Dad when I was going trick or treating with Tommy," he said as he floated a book back onto a shelf, "Do you think you can find him like I did?"

"I think it's a little more complicated than that," she smiled at him, grateful for his effort that he wants to help as well, "When you're in another realm, maybe it's another matter entirely."

"Oh, maybe you should ask Dr. Strange if he can help?"

"Yea, perhaps," she said, "He too is finding out in his own ways."

And that was what the Sorcerer Supreme was doing.

After locking himself in his room, he decided to give it a try on finding Loki. Astral won't do it, because his soul sleeps inside. A sleeping soul cannot be awakened, only the one with a strong connection can do so.

Then the only way to do this is to get into the world of dreams. That is the dream of Sylvie.

No sorcerers had ever done this before, to enter anyone's dreams. Only their Astral projections. But Astral projections are useless when the soul is asleep. But if he's right, perhaps Loki's soul is awake in the dreams.

He had read the book he found in the library on entering people's dreams, but no one ever wrote about entering someone's dreams that don't belong to him. Sylvie is not going to like it if he breaches her dreams, but he's going to try anyway. And he's not even sure if his hypothesis works, the least he could do is try.

That midnight, after sensing that everyone is asleep save the guards, he sets his plan in motion. Sitting calmly on the bed, crossed legs, he enters his astral state. He began to glide, passing through walls until he found Loki's room where Sylvie resides.

The Goddess of Mischief is in a deep sleep, probably after tirelessly searching for clues in the library. But thanks goodness for that, otherwise she'll know if he enters her dreams.

Making a circular motion, he opens a peculiar portal that he had never opened before. This will be the first time. To enter the world of dreams.

And finally, the portal and beyond it materialized, but it was dark. He's not even sure if it is the dream world, but if his magic said it's here, then so be it. Magic can't lie.

He glides into the portal and finds himself to what looks like a skyscraper. It was night and no one is there. There were lights, but it flickers and fades, making it harder to make out where he is.

Stephen then materialized a small mystic lantern to see where he's at, but everywhere is still dark. It's hard to make it out where he is. With a push on his feet, he glides up and looked down.

The skyscraper…. It's the Stark Tower! Is this a dream version of New York and the Tower? When he turned the other way to see if it's a city, his confusion got the better of him. It looks like a … medieval city instead, where you see ancient Rome or myth paintings and pop cultures.

Is this …Asgard?

Just as he was pondering on that question, something hit his back, shocking him as he cried out a howl of pain. Making him lose his stability and free fall.

In midair, he was able to regain his stance and looked up to see who he's up against. Whoever hit him must've been in his astral form.

He saw some kind of mist or dementor going after him. Its hand-formed something inside, turning into a dark energy ball.

Stephen didn't expect anyone to attack him in a dream world. He conjured his mystical shield, preparing to brace. He had never done any magic when he was in his astral state, but that doesn't mean he can't do it. He only worries that it won't be at its maximum power.

Just as he prepared himself for the attack, something else attacked the monster. A glowing object that looked like a spear dove straight at its head and turned it to dust.

Stephen held his shield in preparation that the attacker might get him too as he faced it to where that the glowing weapon dove from. He saw someone gliding at him, a shape of a man. Stephen didn't have time to figure out who it was as he glided so fast and dragged him by the collar.

"Hey! What…." Strange protests as he's trying to let go of whoever is grabbing him.

"Shut up, you'll wake the entire 'Dream Hunters'!" the person who dragged him shushed him angrily as they glided hurriedly. He sounds familiar.

"What?" Stephen was trying to comprehend what just happened. The figure released him, but he is complied to follow him wherever he's going. After all, he saved him. He might know what this world is all about.

He has led to Stark's skyscraper again, but this time, he led him inside the tower. It was dark but small little glows helped with the lighting. "Don't light up anything more here, or you'll attract attention to those Dream Hunters."

"Dream Hunters, huh?" Strange floated calmly in what it looks like a living room, looking around it. It looks untouched, perhaps it's his haven, "Never thought that you'd be a guardian to your lover's dream," he then turned to the very person whom he tormented before, and the one who saved him, "Loki."

At the mention of his name, he steps out of the shadows and into the light, revealing to be whom Strange knew that only one person can do such a thing in the intangible dream world.

Loki looked at him calmly the way he did when he saw Thor when the Valkyrie captured him, "Surpriiiise."

I hope it's not too short. I'm hoping that this chapter explores the relationship between Sylvie and Strange, and indirectly, Loki as well. Dr. Strange 2 is supposed to be about our trio wizards, so I had to do a lot of change so that it's about them as well. But because this centers to Loki, I used a lot of POV about them as well. I'll let the movie do their way.

Lemme explain as well, that Sylvie cannot feel Loki in her because his soul is asleep. She can only feel like him because she awoke to his powers. Their souls are one, but not their heart. This is why Sylvie is trying to find a way to get to his heart. Hearts and souls are two different things, in order to look for Loki's body, she's going to have to pinpoint his heart.

But the connection to that is something she needs to find out about.

As for Strange…..Strange here is more enthusiast to find Loki cuz he outwitted his brain hahaha He was hoping that he could find Loki and find out his whereabouts, which you will see….

In the next chapter. :p