In the South Asian subcontinent, the Hydra rebellion sweeping the world does not seem to have affected this populous country that adheres to the caste system on a large scale.
Sudras and Dalits at the bottom of society are still worried about their daily livelihood. The heavy pressure to survive prevents them from worrying about the overall situation of the world. Earning a salary that can feed their family is their greatest luxury.
In a small city near Nepal in the north of the subcontinent, a group of sneaky people wearing hoods were gathering quietly.
The residents of the country who were trapped in life did not care about the strangers coming and going in the city. Only a few Brahmins from well-off families noticed these outsiders of unknown origin.
"哐~"
The main hall door of a small villa slowly closed, and the mysterious people gathered together lowered their hoods at the same time.
The leader was a middle-aged man with a calm face. His facial contours were relatively deep, and his overall temperament seemed a bit gloomy. The mysterious people around him all respectfully saluted this man with clasped fists.
"Master Calisias."
"Um."
Calicias politely returned the greeting to the mystics present.
Some of these mystics were recruited by Casillas from Kamal Taj, and some were new apprentices he only accepted after his defection. Their talent and strength varied greatly.
As a defector with a grudge against Kamal Taj, Casillas could not ask for too much in the difficult hiding situation. Anyway, these low-level mystics who had just entered the profession were just cannon fodder in his eyes that could be sacrificed at any time.
"As you all know, we risked being discovered by the Ancient One and got the most important fragments of the Book of Cagliostro from Karma Taj."
Casillas laid several pages flat on the square table in front of him. There was a strange blood-red mark drawn on one of the pages.
"This logo is the representative rune of Dormammu, the ruler of the dark dimension. As long as we figure out the correct way to activate the runes, we can get in touch with the powerful Dormammu and obtain infinite magic power and eternal life from his hands.
"
"Don't get too excited yet."
Seeing the happy faces of the other mystics, Casillas did not forget to remind them: "Everything has two sides. When we seek refuge in Dormammu to gain eternal life, it also means that we have completely abandoned our mission to protect the earth.
oath."
"You should all know how dangerous it is to be hostile to the Supreme Mage. Please be mentally prepared before making a decision."
For humans with limited lifespans, immortality is a huge temptation that most people cannot resist, not to mention that taking refuge in Dormammu can also obtain the inexhaustible magic power of the dark dimension.
Casillas saw the strong desire in the eyes of those present and nodded with satisfaction.
"Then let's get started. If you want to quit midway, don't blame me for being ruthless."
…
The destruction of S.H.I.E.L.D. permanently changed the world situation. S.H.I.E.L.D. agents all over the world went their separate ways, and the heavy responsibility of protecting the safety of the earth fell on the shoulders of the Avengers, composed of superheroes.
Fortunately, with the secret help of Fury, the Avengers inherited part of the legacy after SHIELD was destroyed. Maria Hill, Fury's most trusted subordinate, also temporarily worked at the Avengers headquarters as a logistics liaison officer.
After the Battle of New York, Iron Man Tony Stark donated his Stark Tower as the temporary headquarters of the Avengers.
A huge new headquarters has been built in the suburbs of New York, and the building will only be used until the new headquarters is completed.
The only Avengers currently in the building are Captain America, Black Widow, and Hawkeye, who have just escaped government accountability, as well as Dr. Banner and Iron Man Stark, who are discussing weapons modification experiments.
Falcon Wilson, who was still in the inspection period, was entrusted by Captain Rogers to find the whereabouts of the Winter Soldier. War Machine also rushed to the South American continent to quell the armed rebellion in the Football Kingdom under the test arranged by Stark.
Thor, on the other hand, temporarily stayed in Odin's Golden Palace. While the God-King was sleeping, he spent every day with a grimace following the God-Queen Frigga to learn how to govern the country. This was obviously not a job that Thor was good at or liked.
"so?"
Tony Stark cynically asked Rogers jokingly: "Have you found the old popsicle who was of the same era as you? Captain, if you ask for it, I wouldn't mind providing you with some intelligence help."
Black Widow rolled her eyes helplessly: "Tony, can you not sound so harsh? We all know you have good intentions."
Stark shrugged nonchalantly: "Oh, sorry, I'm used to it. I thought you were also used to the way I speak."
Rogers ignored Stark's barbed words: "I don't think you can be of much help in this matter."
"According to the intelligence Sam recently received, Bucky...the Winter Soldier is suspected of escaping to Eastern Europe. You also know that the technological conditions there are relatively backward, and it is impossible to have enough surveillance cameras for you to hack in."
Stark waved his hands regretfully: "Then there is no other way. Maybe we can hire local people to help find your old... friend?"
"never mind."
Rogers weighed it up, and finally shook his head and rejected Stark's kindness: "The Winter Soldier's identity is relatively sensitive, and his mental state is also very unstable. I'm worried that the people monitoring him will be attacked."
"Okay, okay." Stark sighed helplessly: "Mr. Nice Guy, you have thought too much. It's better for you to take your time and search for it yourself."
"Everyone."
Maria Hill, who had been sitting in front of the computer and typing on the keyboard, suddenly took off her headset and said to the Avengers present: "I have good news and bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?"
Stark: "Of course it's good news."
Rogers: "Bitter first, then sweet, bad news."
The different answers they blurted out reflected their different personalities.
Black Widow and Hawkeye looked at each other helplessly. When the two disagreed, Hawkeye Barton stood up and expressed his attitude.
"Stop being so pretentious, Hill, no matter who you are first, just tell us all the news."
Hill was just joking, and simply followed Barton's words and said: "The good news is that we have found a new base for the Eastern European branch of Hydra."
"The bad news is that the castle is extremely well-defended, and..."
After taking a look at Rogers, whose expression became serious, Hill hesitated for a moment, and finally told the information in full.
"There is definite news that the Winter Soldier who disappeared after the Battle of Tri-Wing Tower is also stationed in this fortress."
"Wow~"
Stark glanced at Rogers with his peripheral vision, and deliberately said with a bohemian attitude: "Why do I think both of them are good news? We can break through the last fortress of Hydra in one fell swoop, and we can also destroy the captain's old popsicle.
A friend rescues her, killing two birds with one stone."
"Shut up, Tony."
…
At the same time, in the small Eastern European town of Skovia, a man wearing a black hood looked up at the statue of a hero built after the end of World War II.
The residents of Skovia who were walking around turned a blind eye to the presence of this man in strange clothes. In the lively and noisy square, most people subconsciously avoided the place where this man stood.
After standing in the square for about a quarter of an hour, a noise suddenly came from the headset the man wore under his hood, and soon a man's voice came from the headset.
"I've kept you waiting for a long time."
"No need to talk nonsense, Fu Rui, have they been notified?"
"Of course, they are expected to arrive within three days on Tony's modified Quinjet. My promise has been fulfilled and I will no longer owe you any favors from now on."
"Ha~"
Lu Xiao chuckled in a mocking and joking manner: "You are really good at shirking responsibility. I don't believe that you and the Avengers don't want to destroy the remaining power of Hydra."
"Forget it, it was originally a promise made in advance. No matter what method you use to invite the Avengers, everything is settled between us."
Fury: "Very good, I, a retired old guy, will just hide aside and wait and see. I hope you can get the Loki Scepter as smoothly as you boast."