For the next thirty years, the Fogweaver led Kamar-Taj with distinction, expanding its influence and protecting Earth from the shadows - or, as he preferred, the thick fogs. However, it was not his leadership abilities or the strength of his sorcery that made his legacy endure among the long line of Sorcerer Supremes.
The Fogweaver is renowned for his revolutionary addition to Kamar-Taj: the creation of the spell known as Amnesis Nova, or the Greatest Fog of Knowledge, which sorcerers today use to keep themselves hidden from the mortal world. In this humble historian's opinion, it has been the most crucial spell for the evolution of Mankind. Making it so effortlessly easy to cast and teach such that the spell has not lost in the whimsies of magical talent is a feat that has gone unmatched since then.
Along with that spell, there is another less important but certainly interesting addition he has left Kamar-Taj. He created and his corpse empowers Kamar-Taj's Foggy Meadows of Calm. The serene and tranquil meadow created by the Fogweaver with the explicit purpose of keeping practicing and meditating sorcerers calm and at peace. While not as influential as the great spell—"
Those were the words that came to my mind as I walked onto the meadow Wong told me a few elders waited for me at. I kept my senses sharp and magically prepared as I walked through the door from Kamar-Taj that led to the ancient meadows.
I could feel the unnatural calmness suffusing the air as I walked onto the foggy meadow. It was a long green stretch of land that seemed to stretch for eternity. It was one of Kamar-Taj's venerated magical lands. Occasionally used by the rare sorcerer who wanted to practice magic that asked for stillness of mind.
It was also the only place on Earth where violence, of any form, was impossible. It was a law made with some of the oldest sorceries by a fog-obsessed schizo Sorcerer Supreme with way too much time on his hands. He seemingly wanted the place to be one of mediation and practice of mind and nothing more.
And soon, in the distance, I could hear the sounds of people talking, three voices as I had been told. They were doing something, probably practising magic. As I neared I could hear the sounds of projectiles going flying.
I let my cape fly me towards the three elders. I was capable of unassisted flight but I preferred my cape's form of flight far more than mine. He was also smart, loyal and loved spending time with me. He was basically my pet. I should find a name for him. It also helped that he had a 360-degree vision to help me dodge dangers I wasn't even aware of.
I neared the location of the elders hoping to receive answers or suggestions they had regarding the whole Sorcerer Supreme situation. Only to be floored by what they were actually doing at the venerated place.
The sounds of projectiles I had heard were not the sounds of magic being practised but the sounds of—golf.
—
As I approached, the trio's game came to a halt, and it was immediately clear that they were not mere "elders" but something much more otherworldly.
The first of the three was a young woman, with dusky skin that shimmered like the earth itself. Her presence towered over me, and I felt a spiritual connection to her that went beyond words.
The second elder stood in stark contrast, a middle-aged man with a bald head and a powerful build that seemed to have been hewn from pure magic. His very presence crackled with energy, and I could sense a strange resonance with the medallion I wore as if it contained something other than the infinity stone.
But it was the third elder who truly captured my attention, a being with the head of a tiger and a growl that shook my very soul. He radiated a raw, untamed energy that could not be contained, the very essence of cosmic life. Simply gazing upon him was like peering into the birth of the universe itself.
Yet, as powerful as they were, I knew the deeper truth of who I was facing. And I knew how much trouble I was in. They were the sometimes pantheon, sometimes three-in-one patron deity of the Sorcerer Supreme.
The Visahnti.
And as I floated up there, I couldn't help but regret that I had not postponed this meeting. But I put on a brave face and came to land before the "three".
—
"Care for a game of hitting small balls, Sorcerer Supreme?" Asked the tiger-headed not-man. He spoke with a growl that transcended words.
"I would have to respectfully decline."
"And why would that be, oh great sorcerer? Do you think the game silly?" The question was asked by the sole woman of the trio. One of the primordial nature goddesses If I wasn't wrong.
"I would smoke each and every one of you and Wong was very insistent that I at least try to put on a respectful facade."
At those words I had spoken without thought, I heard an equal growl come from both the woman and the tiger. Before I could apologize an arm was placed around my shoulder and the man leaned down to talk into my ear.
"You boast greatly, Sorcerer Supreme, but then what is a Sorcerer Supreme without ego."
You would know all about it, wouldn't you? My tongue ached to ask that question to the man. To Agamoto, the first Sorcerer Supreme.
"An exceptionally talented sorcerer," I answered instead.
The snorts came all at once from all three, it was without a doubt the creepiest thing I had seen since I became strange. Even the still and dead universe I had witnessed was less creepy than that.
"We can tell you know why we are here." Spoke the goddess in disguise.
Were they dropping the pointless disguise?
"We are three mere sorcerers the ancient one held near and dear to, of course. And you, the new Sorcerer Supreme, you are here to discuss your desire to let Earth remember magic." She continued and my hopes were tarnished.
"Of course. But I don't necessarily want to let them remember magic exists. I am fine with the spell. I am just here to hear your opinions."
"Deceit," growled the tiger and I immediately got ready.
I had set a time rewind spot before I entered the garden. Yeah, violence was impossible here and all but I knew better than to think impossible truly meant impossible in a Marvel universe.
"-What elder Hoggoth means is that even the Sorcerer Supreme might not be an impartial party. I have to remind elder Hoggoth that the Sorcerer Supreme is not supposed to be impartial." Spoke the woman acting as the mediator.
"And of course, us being the normal and not at all suspicious sorcerers we are should cause the Sorcerer Supreme no reason to tense."
I folded my arms and frowned. What the hell were they playing at?
"Of course, normal and mortal sorcerer who I have no reason to fear or really care much about the opinions of," I said, playing along.
Agamoto grinned.
"Of course. We won't ask you to get on your knees and worship us for magical power. And even if we did, you would have no reason to comply because we are all normal sorcerers here. Except for you, Sorcerer Supreme."
"Offensively normal." I agreed.
"Show deference you worthless—" Started the tiger but the goddess didn't let him finish. She had her arms around his muzzle.
While they were struggling Agamoto continued.
"While my friend Hoggoth is having a terrible day today, we do want to tell you, you are not hiding your preference for magic being known very well, Sorcerer Supreme."
"Just call me, Strange. Ignoring how you profess to know my preferences even I have not contextualised yet, Mr Normal Sorcerer, what would you and your friends think of the issue?"
"We have no preference to be spoken of. Magic being known or not, matter not to us."
I scrunched my eyebrows.
"No way that's true, aren't you like the patron—"
"Why not? We are merely three normal sorcerers how would it affect us."
"Yeah, yeah, normal guys. Got it. Don't come bitching to me if I decide to make magic public to spite you."
That's when I learned that tigers could howl. Being a Sorcerer Supreme was a rewarding position. Every day you learn something new.
"Look I am kidding. I am not going to make Magic public. Or at least not let it remain public the way it has come into public consciousness. I am going to let a few select Individuals keep their memories. People I intend to work with soon and people whom Kamar-Taj will benefit from knowing its existence."
"Curious, and but you did want to make it known."
"—Yeah. And the world will, but on my terms."
"I believe Agamoto, Me and Hoggoth want to know why you want the world to know." Spoke the Goddess, Oshtur.
I thought about whether or not I should rewind time back to before the meeting or not, make my decision and reply.
"Because it's inevitable? Because I think it's a tool humanity has access to but hasn't been using for a long time. Because—and hear me out here, I think its introduction would be a net positive if done correctly."
"That is—"
"—Very—"
"—Interesting."
Spoke the three, finishing each other's words. While creepy, It made me think of another question.
"Were you the ones responsible for me being picked as the Sorcerer Supreme so fast?"
I had asked around and no one seemed to know who had really started the idea. Everyone just knew from one person or another that I was the right choice.
"Were you not the right choice to lead Kamar-Taj? We heard you had some radical ideas." Spoke the Goddess, Oshtur.
"—You mean the War?"
And then it finally clicked. Why they were here and why they were being so obstinate.
"Of course the War you idiot. What were you thinking declaring war on Dormammu? I say we tear him to—"
As has been the case since the conversation really started he does not get to finish his words. So that's why they were here. My guess was that the cloak and daggers were some part of interdimensional magical politics or some old pact.
"Terrible thing—war. We want no part of it." Spoke the Goddess.
"And I say we support our younger Sorcerer Supreme." Spoke Agamoto and I finally knew where this world's Vishanti stood on that particular case. Their positions stated, they started an argument between them, words still thinly veiled enough to keep the unsuccessful deception going.
Undecided and bickering like the British parliament. It was beyond impressive that three Gods were able to get to that level of uselessness even when they has some sort of mental bonding thing going on. Then again, they were Gods. Finally what I was waiting for since the beginning of the conversation bloomed in my mind.
[Skill Learned: Aspect of the Divine]
[Ritual Learned: Favour of the Gods]
[Spell Upgrade: Mists of Munnopor - Greater Obscuring Fogs]
[Skill Learned: Uniform Gestalt (Lessser)]
"I don't care where you three land on the Dormammu issue. I know what Kamar-Taj will be doing. Do you have any words of caution or anything of relevance I should know? if not, I am leaving. I have what I wanted from the conversation."
"I like a decisive Sorcerer Supreme, even if he makes mistakes in his choosing." Spoke the Goddess.
"Will you try to stop me if I make mistakes?" I wanted to know.
This time the one who spoke came as a surprise. Hoggoth who had only been growling and unsuccessfully trying to play golf since the beginning was the one to speak.
"Make your mistakes Strange, we won't stop you. We love Kamar-Taj but Kamar-Taj will not end with you."
He was the first to call me Strange. I nodded.
"It won't because I am not going to lose."
"We will see."
So that was it. They wanted to keep out of the conflict due to the 2-1 vote. I never really counted them among the people I would have to worry about. A mistake in hindsight.
"I will go and perform the ritual. Though, totally normal sorcerers, did none of you think about telling any of the previous Sorcerer Supremes to write their words down before starting the Amnesis Nova ritual?"
I heard another one of their signature creepy simultaneous snorts.
"And deprive us of humour?" Asked Agamoto.
"From historical textbooks, of course." Added the Goddess, still somehow trying to stay on track of the "deception".
"Before you leave, I had one last word of advice." Started Agamoto and the other two instantly dropped their sense of joviality.
"We discussed this, Agamoto."
"I assure you, this is not about Dormammu. Sorcerer Supreme, I remember your wish to make mystical arts known to everyone. A worthy goal. I could tell you to look for places that have done it before, like Asgard but you would have figured it out sooner or later."
He was right. I wanted to know the secret of Asgard's immortality. What else did he want to tell me?
"Remember, a good Sorcerer Supreme is 'an exceptionally talented sorcerer', a great Sorcerer Supreme is an obsessed fanatic with a mission. But the greatest of Sorcerer Supremes, the ones that leave a mark, they understand the word "supreme" does not refer to just magic. Amnesis Nova did not endure only because of its ease of use. Think about what a Sorcerer Supreme should be."
I did not embarrass myself by asking why can't you just tell me what you are getting at. I knew what the answer to that question would be.
"I understand."
"Then I wish you neither luck nor misfortune, Strange." He disappeared.
"Look for peace and safety. Neither luck nor misfortune for the Sorcerer Supreme." Spoke the Goddess as she too left.
"When you go to war, do it right." Those were Hoggoth's parting words.
—
I left and spoke of what I had decided to the rest of Kamar-Taj. Most looked ambivalent with my decision, as decisions that tendered to not rock the boat too much usually did.
Or maybe it was the exhaustion of the constant fights. A situation I planned to resolve today.
When I finally sat down to cast the ritual, I also had my laptop with a two thousand-word document that listed the specifics of how the Amnesis Nova ritual parameters. I cast the ritual, checked the news and left to work on my first big project.
And that project was creating a hyperbolic time chamber. I let everyone available know to come out of their practice sessions for this.
First I created a great portal to the land I chose for the purpose, it was plane-untouched land somewhere in Ontario, Canada. Yes, I had thrown a dart at places that had climate similar to Kamar-Taj.
Then I anchored the portal door as a permanent fixture. Such tricks came easy to me now.
Using chronomancy to create a dome-like area where time moved twenty times faster than outside was fun. Layering another layer of chronomancy to also keep the climate inside palatable was a bit more challenging but still fun.
Then I used my new Skill, [Mists of Munnopor]. It wasn't just regular mists, instead, it was the mist of the Medows where the constant mists kept the location hidden from normal people.
By the time I finished, we had a giant new location, currently moving at a faster pace than the rest of the world for the sake of training new recruits, resting and planning. I could increase the time dilation once I learn how it affected people, not magically, I knew it was safe magically, but on a psychological level.
I flew around the area as my fellow sorcerers started trickling, into the new lands. I created an extra layer on top that showed slowing down snowfall so that the people inside knew that they were in a time chamber.
"Something is missing, isn't it? Feels like I am not using the extent of my powers." I spoke to no one.
And someone answered. I sometimes forgot that my cape was sentient. He flew away from my shoulder and I flew on my own power. He did know that I could fly. But more importantly, It seemed that he knew what I was missing.
"So you agree? I am not utilizing my existing powers enough?"
When did I learn how to read a sentient cloak's body language, I didn't know. I did understand the enthusiastic nod though.
"I would like some input into what I am missing."
Another nod. It then started to make a triangle.
"A triangle? Umm— A slice of pizza? trees? Mountains. Smaller huh? I am now thinking of a sandwich, no? Yeah, of course not, though I would like a sandwich. Triangle, triangle—oh…of course"
I understood what it was trying to say. I was impressed by it and embarrassed to have not thought about it.
He came back and sat at my back again. And I really did prefer flying with him to flying on my own, I will have to ask if he wanted any form of upgrades and try to get him it if I can. I flew down to meet with Wong I would need his help to do it.
—
Wong or Wong! As he was called was a busy man these days. The unexpected death of the Sorcerer Supreme and the ascension of the new Sorcerer Supreme had bought one headache after another onto his shoulder. It would not be wrong to say that the former librarian was essentially the second in command of Kamar-Taj.
He looked up at the new Sorcerer Supreme who was flying down after having done a miracle, or a crime against all things good. He hadn't decided what it was that was done yet.
"How do you like my original idea, Wong?"
Asked the Sorcerer Supreme Wong could swear looked younger than he did from the first day Wong had met him.
"I liked it better when Dragonball did it. How much dilation are we talking about?" Wong liked being candid with the new Sorcerer Supreme. He loved the ancient one, she had let him walk again after a terrible accident, the most common story among Kamar-Taj disciples. But he could not deny that the new Sorcerer Supreme, the supernaturally talented Dr Strange wasn't more approachable.
"You guys had Dragonball in Nepal?"
"They had it running everywhere, Strange."
"You think Shueisha will sue us if I make Kamehameha?"
He asked it like a joke but Wong of all people knew what the new Sorcerer Supreme could do. Most disciples didn't or even believe that strange had only been with them for—three weeks now but Wong remembered that conversation he had with Strange on his first day. When he, like a foreigner who had never seen a hot spring before had almost stepped into a hot spring without washing all the grime from himself.
Wong had watched as the prodigy of Mystical Arts had caught himself and actually washed himself off before entering the hot tub. That was who Strange had been when he arrived, dishevelled and unkempt.
Now, however, Strange looked every bit the master he was destined to be. His mystical powers seemed to radiate beyond his physical form, and even his robes exuded a freshly enchanted aura. More than that, Wong could sense the man's dominance over time itself. It was as though time magic had become a willing servant, bowing to Strange's every whim. Wong marvelled at the change that had taken place in just a few short hours.
"Not with your ritual, I don't think."
"Don't underestimate certain Japanese companies' ability to sue people. Though I am thinking about developing that spell, It would be cool."
"But have you ever considered that you know enough battle spells? Maybe try learning defensive ones."
Wong had to course correct. He liked the moon the way it was. Up in the sky and undisturbed except for by American astronauts.
"Defensive spells—you are right I should focus on learning more of them. Hmm—I might have to meet Spidey."
How would Spiderman help create defensive spells? He did not ask. He had long learned to leave eccentric sorcerers alone in their pursuit of magic. He pivoted to the question he knew Strange wanted him to ask.
"So, you have some new magical idea and want something from me. What should I get you?"
Strange beamed.
"You are awesome. Ok, so get me—some wood, some nails and umm—a hammer. Also, once you are done, ask everyone to move back near to the portal."
Wong didn't ask why, instead he left his body to get everything ready. Not everyone could fly, he wondered if Strange would teach the flight spell or if it was even teachable.
—
Wong stood along with his fellow disciples near the giant permanent portal. It was a cut in reality Strange had told him ran entirely on Strange's excess Mana. It was a portal that would have taken twenty disciples working together to create. And it would have left them tired to their bones after creating it. He wondered how much mana the new Sorcerer Supreme had.
The requested items, the wood, nail and hammer lay far away in the distance. For some ritual involving calling builder spirits, Wong theorized.
"What is he going to do now?"
Asked a fellow disciple as she looked up at Strange hovering above the ground. She had to guard her eyes because of the sunshine.
Up above in the sky, he could feel the mana being shaped for some grand ritual. But instead of casting it from the sky strange came down towards them.
"I think it would be more interesting to watch from here." Strange spoke as an explanation. "Though I do have a camera recording it from up."
"What is it and when can we learn it?" someone asked. Wong had not seen disciples so excited for new magic as they have been under Strange before. No, he amended, he had, each time a new disciple came to learn they all thought they were going on a Harry Potter-esque education.
Only to be disillusioned by the regimented and fast-tracked sorcerous training their inexhaustible enemies had forced them to adapt as a standard.
He liked the training they got but believed it could be more. It created great soldiers but subpar sorcerers.
"It would be better when you see it. And about learning it, I mean, I can write it down if anyone is interested but I don't think you would be able to do it without a focus and we only have one of those."
The interest was split because everyone here knew the chance of them going to be able to do what he was doing was extremely small. But when strange spoke the words and the spell started its—magic, there was no doubt left that no one here would be able to do what strange did.
"[Greater Chronomancy], Rapid Acceleration, Linear stream."
Strange had to work on his Spell naming.
—
It started with the wood floating up and Wong wasn't very surprised. He was expecting that much. Then the nails and hammer started floating too.
The first pieces of wood seemed to be placed randomly, with no discernible pattern or design. But then, the pieces started to come together, forming a small foundation for the first—structure. The invisible builders worked with speed and precision, using tools that Wong couldn't even begin to identify. The required pieces appeared seemingly from thin air, materializing right where they were needed, and fitting perfectly into place. Sometimes, existing pieces split into two similar pieces, seamlessly fitting into the design.
As the process continued, the compound grew larger and more elaborate. Slabs and bricks appeared and were placed perfectly and neatly into the structure, forming roads, stairs, and elaborate buildings. Wong was amazed by the intricate designs as he saw what was being built.
It was another Kamar-Taj, another one being built right before his eyes. The compound was vast and sprawling, the wooden buildings and roads forming maze-like structures that seemed to stretch on.
He couldn't speak and neither could his fellow disciples. It—wasn't the first time he had seen something like it. Some of them had even done it—but that was all in the mirror dimension. In that land where the rules of reality were lighter.
Wong looked over at Strange, he looked a bit out of breath but had a grin on his face.
"Did you bring the Mirror Dimension here, Sorcerer Supreme?" Wong made his guess and the Sorcerer Supreme was only happy to explain.
"No, Good guess though. It's instead "acceleration" of time. I pushed it forward on the wood and nails."
"Shouldn't that have just—rotten the materials?" Asked a man next to him.
"That's what would have happened before I improved my sorcery. I hit a new stage in my chronomantic studies. I can now select which—let's call it, the timeline the object should follow. I noticed it when I was first learning chronomancy. I had a half-eaten apple I was forwarding time on. I was expecting it to rot, but it instead ended up kinda eating itself. I have been trying to understand why ever since. I only got it today."
"I found the future in which those planks were part of a Kamar Taj and accelerated towards it. The materials that got created? I don't know where they came from, let's home some poor bloke didn't lose his construction materials."
And some wondered why he was made the Sorcerer Supreme.
Strange held his arms apart and rose his voice.
"My friends and disciples, I present to you—Kamar-Taj, Canada. If you couldn't tell from the slowing snow outside the area is on a time-dilation field. You can find the edge of the field by looking at where the snow starts. Everything inside will move twenty times faster than outside. And before you ask, it is hidden to all the mundane things Kamar-Taj is hidden too. I will start working on the mystical wards and enchant the houses soon. But for now, go nuts. Take a break, watch a movie or train."
—
Index