Date: Tuesday, July 27, 2010.

  Location: 177A Bleecker St. Greenwich Vilge, Manhattan, New York

  The warm m sun glistened off the stone facade of the New York Sanctum. The wooden doors loomed ahead and the occasional passerby would gnce over curiously before moving along, clearly unaware of its significe. Tyson stood with his head tilted up, taking in every inch of the building. He had been so eager to introduce himself and Illyana the day before, but now, doubt seemed to cloud his features. He fidgeted with his shirt colr, taking deep breaths, clearly trying to steady himself.

  Illyana's pierg blue eyes darted betweerand Tyson, "What's got you so spooked?" she rasped.

  "It's just... I mean... yesterday, I was so sure about this. But now," Tysoated, gng sideways at Illyana, "I don't know how to approach them."

  Illyana snorted, "Oh, so the Great Illusionist is scared of a few wizards? Who would have thought?"

  "Sorcerers. Please don’t call them wizards. And it's not that," Tyson protested. "It's just... I don't know the proper way to introduce ourselves."

  Illyana rolled her eyes, clearly exasperated. "Why are you overthinking this?" she muttered. Without a sed thought, she strode up to the massive wooden doors and gave a loud, fident knock.

  Tyson's eyes widened, and he blurted out, "Wait!" But it was too te.

  The grand doors creaked open, revealing a tall, bald, bck man. He wore a sleeveless yellow robe with intricate patterns embroidered on the sides. His eyes darted betweewo visitors, a hint of curiosity evident.

  Before Illyana could open her mouth, Tyson, in a hasty attempt to break the ice, stepped forward with a smile that bordered on awkwardness. "Good m," he began, holding out a bag of freshly baked bagels, "we brought bagels."

  The man's eyebrows rose slightly, his gaze resting on Tyson as if questioning his sanity.

  Trying to recover from the awkward introdu, Tyson added, "And... uh, tea," holding a bag from the high-end tea shop a few blocks away.

  Illyana rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed with Tyson's attempt. She stepped forward with her usual fidence. "What he's trying to say is we're here to see the Grand Wizard."

  Tyson's face paled. Realizing her faux pas, he quickly yanked his sleeve over his hand and, in a slightly frantic move, covered Illyana's mouth with it. He whispered through ched teeth, “Of all the things to say.” Fag the man with a look of sheer panic, Tyson quickly corrected, "She meant the Sorcerer Supreme. Uh, the A Oyson took a breath and calmly said, “We're here to see the A One if she'll have us... please."

  The man's stern expression cracked ever so slightly, his eyes glinting with amusement. He gnced betweewo, taking in Tyson’s nervous, expet face.

  A soothing voice echoed from within the Sanctum, oyson found familiar. "Oh, stop t them, Master Drumm. You've had your fun."

  Master Drumm stepped aside. As Illyana fidently strode in, she tossed a "thank you" over her shoulder, her tone dripping with her signature sarcasm.

  Tysoated, lookiween Illyana and Master Drumm. Holding up a hand, Drumm raised an eyebrow and said, "Grand Wizard? Really?"

  Tyson's face reddened, "Sorry," he mumbled, "she's not Ameri. She doesn't get how fucked up that was." He gave an apologetic shake of his head, sighing deeply.

  Master Drumm, clearly eained by the exge, chuckled softly. "It's alright," he said. With that, he gestured for Tyson to follow Illyana inside.

  They stepped over the threshold, to the entry foyer of the New York Sanctum. The floor beh them olished to su extent that their refles were clear. In the ter of the foyer, a staircase reached up, adorned with brass railings that gleamed in the ambient light.

  Off the entry foyer, a room beed Tyson and Illyana. The walls were lined with dark, polished wood. The room's ambianvoked a sense of calm and solitude. At the ter of the room was a table with two empty chairs on one side and another occupied by the A One, as if she’d been expeg them.

  She sat, pale-skinned and bald, with an aura of timeless wisdom, her frame appearing simultaneously delicate and strong. Thin, arg eyebrows framed deep-set eyes. Her face, though unmarked by the passage of time, carried an air of profound experience. Every feature, from the slight upturn of her o the graceful curve of her lips, retained an ageless quality. She wore a long, flowing robe, and around her neck hung a pendant.

  She looked up from a worn tome, her wise eyes meeting theirs, a serene smile grag her lips. Beside the table, sat a steaming pot of water and a stack of tea cups.

  Illyana stopped iracks, staring at the A One. "You're a woman?" she blurted out, genuine surprise evident ione. "Well, that's ued. I alicture wise, old, wizards as being men with long white beards."

  The A One merely chuckled, "Expectations be limiting, my dear."

  Tyso a rush of embarrassment flood his cheeks. He was regretting not having e alohe previous day when he discovered the Sanctum. Maybe he could have avoided su awkward situation.

  Illyana added, "Didn't mean any offense. Just, you know, the stories paint a different picture."

  The A Oill with a gentle smile, responded, "Stories have a way of ging with the teller. Now, e. Sit. I have been expeg you both."

  Tyson handed over the bag with the tea to Master Drumm, which he aowledged with a slight nod. The room was thick with the st of freshly brewed tea as Master Drumm meticulously poured the golden liquid into cups.

  The A One looked towards the tea with a soft smile. "Thank you, Master Drumm, for preparing the tea," she began, then turned her gaze to Tyson, "And to you for providing such a thoughtful gift."

  Swallowing his nervousness, Tyson bowed slightly, "Thank you for seeing us, A One."

  She tilted her head in aowledgment and looked at them both, her eyes shimmering with curiosity. "So, what brings you both to my doorstep?"

  Illyana, never one for hesitance, leaned forward, her voice dripping with annoyance, "We had a run-in with Azazel. I assume you know of him since he thought we were sorcerers. He decided to crash my realm, Limbo." She scoffed, "Since he made the assumption, figured we'd seek you out."

  Tyson cleared his throat, taking a moment to steady his voice. "We should've probably started with introdus," he began, his eyes gng between The A One and Illyana. "I'm Tyson and this," he motioo Illyana, "is Illyana Rasputin." Illyana raised an eyebrow, leaning ba her seat but not interrupting. "We are... or were, students under Professor Charles Xavier, at his institute." He paused, taking a deep breath as the weight of their ret battles pressed upon him. "We first entered Azazel not too long ago. W together, we mao fend him off. But..."

  Illyana took over, her voice carrying a tone of frustration, "He came back, and this time he's brought along many demonic allies." She leaned forward, her blue eyes fiery with determination. "We've dealt with our share of problems, but this... This is something else. Azazel’s not pying games. He has magid fused Tyson for a sorcerer, so here we are."

  The A One's face remained impassive, her fingers gently cradling the teacup as she listeo their story. The silehat hung in the room was almost palpable as she took a moment to sip the brew thoughtfully. Once done, she pced the cup gently oable. "I’m aware of Azazel and his ret activities in Limbo," she began, "Charles Xavier and I have crossed paths in the past. He reached out after your initial frontation with the demon."

  Tyson's eyes lit up, the realization dawning on him. He snapped his fingers and poi The A One, "Oh! That's right! Professor X did mention tag someone about this. I just didn’t put two and two together."

  Tyson looked at The A One expetly. Her gaze, however, was directed towards Illyana. "So, now that we've established our es," she began, her voice ge probing, "what exactly do you want from me?"

  Tysohe A One's gaze squarely. "Training," he stated simply. "We o be better prepared for what lies ahead."

  Illyana jumped in, her voice edged with desperation, "And to drive Azazel out of Limbo ond for all."

  The A One leaned back, her calm demeanor never wavering. "As Sorcerer Supreme, it falls upoo protect Earth from threats emerging from other dimensions. Azazel is certainly one such threat."

  Illyana's eyes lit up, hopeful. "So, you'll help me recim my realm?"

  The A One's voice was ge firm, "My duty extends to Earth, Illyana. Limbo, as much as I sympathize, is not within our realm's jurisdi."

  Illyana's face twisted in frustration, the weight of her predit weighing heavily on her. She turo Tyson, her voice ced with bitterness, "Training? That's all we came here for? More training?"

  Before Tyson could respond, The A One tinued, her voice soft yet pelling. "You both possess incredible potential." Her gaze shifted to Tyson, eyes sharp and probing, "But you should know, the path of the mystic arts is not without its sacrifices. To learn our ways es at a cost."

  Illyana shot back, "How much? If it's money you need, we find a way."

  Tyson shook his head slowly, an expression of grim uanding on his face. "I don't think it's that kind of cost."

  Illyana's eyes bzed with anger and fusion. "What then?" she demanded, her patiehinning.

  The A arded her calmly, her gaze unwavering. "The cost of your training, Illyana, only be paid after you drive Azazel from Limbo," she stated in her posed and measured tone.

  Illyana's hands ched into fists, her voice rising in frustration. "What kind of twisted game is this? We e to you for help with that very task, and you turn around and offer to help us only if we plete it?"

  Throwing her hands up in exasperation, Illyana muttered a sharp curse in Russian. To her surprise, The A One responded fluidly in the same nguage.

  Illyana took a moment, exhaling deeply to calm herself. The A One waited, patie curious. "What exactly is Limbo?" she finally inquired.

  Illyana's gaze turned distant, refleg a deep emotional bond. "It's my safe space," she replied, her voice softening. "My dimension."

  The A Ourned her thoughtful gaze towards Tyson. "You should know," she began, her voice filled with expectation. "Where do Sorcerers draw their power?"

  Tysoated for a split sed before he responded, drawing on his meta-knowledge. "From other dimensions," he answered.

  The A One gave a nod of approval before direg her gaze back to Illyana. "Your e to Limbo makes you unique. While most of us must pull from other dimensions for power and face the limitations and... drawbacks," her eyes shifted subtly to Tyson, hinting at an unspoken uanding, "for you, that e offers an essentially limitless source. You draw from it without fag those same restris."

  Illyana's brows kogether in fusion. "I don't uand the problem," she voiced, trying to grapple with the information, "this all sounds good."

  The A One’s gaze remaieady and patient. "The problem, Illyana, lies with Azazel and all the demons in Limbo. Should you start drawing power from Limbo while it remains tainted by these entities, you risk transf into a demon yourself."

  Illyana's eyes widened, her face torted with a mix of anger and frustration. "Then, like I said, you 't help me," she spat out bitterly. She paused, letting the weight of the versation sink in before her eyes darted to Tyson. "But you mentioned my cost," her finger pointed acgly at Tyson, "What's his?"

  The A One's lips curled into a mysterious smile as she took a sip of her tea. "I ot say. His cost ot be paid until after yours is," she responded, her tone enigmatic.

  Illyana's impatience bubbled to the surface, her eyes dartiween Tyson and the A One. "Why are we still here?" she snapped, "She 't teach us. She won't help us fight. What's the point of even learning magic if we 't use it to fight Azazel?"

  The A One, ever poised, extended her hand towards Tyson, palm up, fingers slightly curled. "Would you shake my hand?" she asked softly, her eyes never leaving his.

  Illyana tilted her head slightly, suspi clear on her face, while Tysoated. "Are you sure about this?" he asked, uainty evident in his voice.

  "Quite sure," the A One assured with a ess only she possessed.

  With a cautious slowness, Tysoended his hand, fingers ing around her hand. Illyana, and perhaps Tyson himself, anticipated a surge of energy, memories, or some magical e. But there was nothing. Just a simple handshake.

  Illyana's gaze flitted betweewo, her brow furrowed. "Is this an illusion?" she demanded.

  Tyson pulled his hand back, still somewhat stunned. He shook his head slightly, "No. But...how?"

  The A One uhe pendant from around her neck. Its intricate design seemed to shimmer ever so slightly, a hint at its tent magical power. "We imbue objects with magic," she began, holding the pendaween her fiips, "to alleviate some of the pressures on ourselves. For this pendant, I've employed two entments: Sheltered Vitality ah Ward. Oralizes your Ability Drain, and the other ters your Energy Drain. Together, they ralize your unique power."

  Illyana's eyes darted to the pendant, a glimmer of hope within them. " I have that?" she asked, her usual bluntness apparent.

  The A One passed the pendant to Illyana but added a cautionary note, "Regrettably, the entment isn't perma. The materials used only sustain the magic for about twenty minutes."

  Illyana turhe pendant over in her hand, iing it closely. "Twenty minutes? you make it perma?" she asked.

  The A One sighed softly, "Yes, it's possible. But as with many things in life, it es at a cost." She paused for a moment, letting the weight of her words settle. "To craft that pendant, it took materials worth approximately 16 thousand dolrs. That, or in this case because it's a single-use item, 16 days of tinuously iing magical energy. If you want a pendant with a perma entment, you're looking at around 369 years of magical iment, or 392 million dolrs for the materials."

  Illyana's eyebrows shot up, clearly taken aback by the hefty price tag. "369 years?" she questioned, disbelief evident ione.

  The A One's lips curled into a subtle, knowing smile. "That was merely ohod," she said softly. Standing gracefully, she moved closer to Illyana, "If I may?" she asked, extending her hands slightly.

  Illyaated for just a moment. Then, with a curt nod, she sented.

  The A One began moving her hands in intricate patterns. Bright, ethereal liarted weaving in the air, iwining and expanding. The once-simple lines became mesmerizing patterns, a shimmering, iridest dance of colors and symbols that seemed both a and otherworldly. The spellform's plexity grew, spiraling and glowing brighter and brighter. As the A Oly touched Illyana's chest. The radiant spellform desded upon her like a cloak of lumi starlight. It ed around her, eng her momentarily in its brilliant glow before sinking seamlessly into her very being. The room was momentarily cast in a solden hue before everythiuro normal.

  Drawing back, the A O Illyana's eyes. "Go ahead," she enced, nodding towards Tyson. "Take his hand." As Illyana reached out hesitantly, the A One added, "That was the Death Ward spell. For the seven minutes, Illyana, you will remain ued by Tyson's life drain. Tyson, while you will still gain her memories and abilities, I promise, you won't harm her."

  The weight of the A One's words hung in the air, and a profound siletled over the room. Illyana and Tyson's eyes met, a cascade of emotions passiween them. Hope, fear, longing, and perhaps… love. In that instant, they didn't need words; their eyes said it all.

  Hesitatingly at first, they inched closer. Illyana's firembled as they reached up to touch Tyson's cheek. He responded by pg a haly at the nape of her neck, drawing her in. Their foreheads touched first, a gentle collision of souls basking in the safety and warmth of each other's presence.

  And then their lips met, a delicate brush at first as if testing the waters. But as seds passed, their kiss deepened, growing more passionate and fervent. Every pent-up emotion, every ounce of longing they had held back, poured into that kiss. Their embrace tightened as if trying te into oime seemed to stop, and all that mattered was the here and now.

  When they finally pulled apart, they rested their foreheads against each other's, breathing heavily. Their eyes remained closed, sav the aftermath of their shared moment. The world around them faded, leaving just the two of them, iwined in an embrace that had been denied for far too long.

  The silehat filled the room was broken by the A One's soft voice, "Time is nearly up."

  Illyana's face softened, her eyes refleg gratitude. "Thank you," she murmured with siy. "Really."

  Beside her, Tyson was overwhelmed. The sensation of touch, unmarred by his power, left him almost breathless. "Thank you," he managed, his voice fragile, den with emotion.

  Illyana tilted her head thoughtfully, and her earlier frustrations subsided. "Why offer us a glimpse of something we 't have?" she asked, curiosity evident ione.

  The A One, with her perpetual air of calm, began to expin. "What I dispyed to you is a mere glimpse of potential. Tyson," she motioned gracefully towards him, "you came with aspirations to grasp the intricacies of magid Illyana," she looked directly into the young mutant's eyes, "you arrived with a mission to defeat Azazel."

  As she spoke, a spellform began to glow and take shape in the air, illuminating the room with its intricate patterns. She theured towards Illyana's amulet, which gleamed in response.

  "You assumed that without sorcery, Azazel remains uable. Your challenge," she tinued, her gaze unwavering, "is to prove this belief wrong. What you see before you, this spell and that amulet, are merely two solutions to a singur problem. While the way of sorcery might be barred to you now, another route exists to defeat Azazel. Discover it, tread its path, and then magic will be yours to wield."

  The A One lowered her hands, the sparkling spellform fading into the air. "However, in five weeks, this Sanctum will be sealed to you."

  Illyana's eyebrows kogether in fusion. "Five weeks? Why so specific?" Her frustration was evident. "So, what you're saying is, I have to defeat this demon, recim my dimension, and e back here, all ihan five weeks? Just to have a ce at learning sorcery?"

  The A O Illyana's fiery gaze with a calm demeanor. "Yes. Challenges ofte themselves in tandem. Life rarely gives us the luxury of fag one obstacle at a time."

  Illyana crossed her arms, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, how very insightful of you." Illyana sighed, her sharp edge softening just a bit. "Alright. Five weeks. I'll do it." She paused, her resolve clear as she looked at Tyson. "I have to."

  ~~ Rogue Rept ~~

  The golden hue of the m sun paihe streets of New York as Illyana and Tysoed the Sanctum San. The city's relentless pace surrouhem, but for a moment, they felt detached, processing everything they had just experienced.

  "How is it even possible?" Illyana mused, her voice tinged with frustration. "To feel like I've learned so mud yet... nothing at all?"

  Tyson g her, taking a deep breath. "It's like... when you learn that each star in the night sky is like our sun. You suddenly realize just how much of the universe you don't know."

  Illyana sighed, looking at the ground. After a moment, she looked back up at him, her gaze serious. "What do you think we should do?"

  Tyson stopped walking and turo face her. "Look, the A One believes we take on Azazel, so there must be a way. Training at the dojo is a start. It'll sharpen us, prepare us." He paused, running a hand through his hair. "But let's be real, five weeks won't close the skill gap between us and him. We need... something more."

  "Like more allies?" Illyana suggested. "The X-Men?"

  He shook his head firmly. "I don't want to involve Xavier uhe world's ending. And putting our other friends in the crosshairs with Azazel?" He shuddered at the thought. "You saw how quick he was, trying to kill me."

  Illyana nodded, her face clouding with worry. "So, what? We're on our own?"

  Tysoated, then with a slight smirk said, "Well... maybe Logan."

  Illyana raised an eyebrow, "Wolverihat could work." She mused. Illyana added fidently, "My brother will help. He be discreet."

  Tyson asked, "And how exactly do you pn on tag him?"

  Illyana shot him a quizzical look, her tone dripping with dry humor, "His cell phone, genius."

  "Right," Tyson murmured, making a mental note. He'd fotten that just because smartphones were unon at this point, didn't mean cell phones did. He seriously o get a phone, he thought.

  The two tio walk. Illyana held up the pendant the A One had given her earlier. A mischievous glint in her eye, she teased, "Well, if nothing else, we do have twenty minutes." She swung the pendant pyfully. "Any ideas on how you'd want to spend it?"

  Tyson's face flushed slightly, caught off guard by her flirtatious suggestion. "Twenty minutes... It's just not long enough," As he sidered their situation, Tyson's thoughts raced, eg dots that seemed obscure moments ago. He froze, his eyes wide, a realization dawning.

  Illyana noticed the ge and turo him, brow furrowing in a mix of and curiosity. "What's wrong?" she asked, her voice taking on a slightly impatient toypical of her.

  Tyson looked at her, excitement gleaming in his eyes. "The spell," he began, his voice trembling with urgency. "We hugged, Illyana. For seven minutes."

  A small smile tugged at the er of her mouth. "Yeah, and it was nice," she remarked, a teasing tone evident.

  But Tyson was in no mood fht banter. His voice elevated iement as he excimed, "Not just that! Because of that hug, I have your power now. For seven hours!"

  Illyana's pyful demeanor disappeared, repced by a look of dawning prehension. Her powers, bined with Tyson's unique abilities, had been key in driving off Azazel the first time. "Wait, so you mean..."

  He nodded fervently, "Exactly. If there was ever a time to take the fight to Azazel, it's now. With both of us having your powers at full strength, we have a ce."

  A fierce determinatioled over Illyana's face, her stance shifting into one of readiness. "The's not waste any time," she said.

  "Do you know how to get back to the institute?" he asked, brows furrowing slightly in .

  Illyana gave him a look that was half-amused, "Kind of," she replied, her tone casual. "Just go north. If we get lost, pop into the sky and follow ndmarks. Easy." She shrugged, as though navigating through the vast city was just another mundane chore.

  He nodded, appreciating her fidehough he knew her nont exterior often masked the depth of her thoughts. "Call your brother," he instructed. "Get him and Logan on board. We'll pick them up at the train station."

  Illyana's gaze lingered on him, notig the tense line of his jaw and the distant look in his eyes. "Okay," she agreed slowly, "But what are you going to do?"

  Tyson exhaled, his expression solemn. "Getting some supplies. We o be prepared." His gaze met hers, iy evident in his eyes. "Then I'll meet you there."

  Illyana watched him for a moment, the strength aermination evident in his stance. With a resolute nod, she used her power to their penthouse to use the phone. When she arrived he was already at the puter looking something up. By the time she got off the phoyson was already gone.

  Tyson focused on his surroundings, heeding Illyana’s advice to guide him. He summohe energy to teleport, and in the instant, he was standing atop a nearby building. He looked around, using the vantage point to gauge his dire. The wind ruffled his hair as he blinked rapidly, telep from one building to the , moving swiftly northwards. His teleports were precise, ensuring he jumped less than a quarter mile each time, but doing so in rapid succession allowed him to cover vast distances in mere seds. The city blurred beh him until the familiar curve of upper Manhattan came into view. His eyes locked onto Iate 87, and he adjusted his trajectory.

  As Tyson reached Yonkers, he slowed his pace, searg ily for the location he'd researched earlier. It took him about 15 minutes of zigzagging across the area, but finally, he saw the sign he was looking for.

  He stopped in front of the establishment. The gun shop's windows were dark and covered with crisscrossial bars. Without hesitation, Tyson reached for the door handle. He khat every step was leading him closer to the ultimate frontation with Azazel. And he had to be ready.

  AN: W on updating the Cover Art. Each Arc's Cover Art currently be seen on RoyalRoad and Patreon.

  Behind the Ses

  - Illyana refers to Tyson as the Great Illusionist early in the chapter. This is a refereo the name of Jason Stryker.

  - Master Drumm was the head of the New York Sanctum until the events of Dr. Strange (2016).

  - In case you didn’t uand the bypy between Tyson and Master Drumm, ‘Grand Wizard’ is the title of the head of the KKK, a hate anization in the Uates. With Tyson and Master Drumm both being bck men, it was a major mistake that Illyana was unaware of.

  - The two spells cast on the amulet are from 3.5e D&D. I figured the two spells bined would pletely e Rogue’s power, while Death Ward alone would allow for the ability gain, without the ive side effects. The cost of the ented item was derived from a slightly modified version of the d20 Pathfinder SRD magic item creation rules.

  Sheltered Vitality: The subject gains immunity to fatigue, exhaustion, and ability damage or ability drain (regardless of the source).Death Ward: The subject is immuo all death spells, magical death effects, energy drain, and aive energy effects (such as from inflict spells or chill touch).