Chapter 138: Departure

"Well, the reason I'm here is to tell you that the United Nations has proposed an accord. All super-powered individuals will be subject to UN oversight," Natasha said, getting to the point.

"The Sokovia Accords, I presume?" Arthur asked.

"Why, has this accord been proposed in your universe as well?" Natasha asked, surprised by how he knew about them.

"Not yet. Our universe is a bit unique; nothing happened in Sokovia, so the nations haven't reached the point of no return," Arthur replied.

"Nothing happened in Sokovia? Then how do you know about the Sokovia Accords?" Natasha pressed.

"I know many things. Just consider it one of my abilities," Arthur answered.

"Fair enough. So, what is your take on this accord? I imagine you'll be included in it as well," Natasha said.

"I naturally oppose it. But don't worry, these types of accords are just talk. Once the true enemy arrives, no one will care about accords or anything of the sort," Arthur said.

"The true enemy? Who are they?" Natasha asked.

"I can't say yet. When that day comes, you'll understand," Arthur said mysteriously.

"...Alright, you should get some rest. I'll be going," Natasha said, rising to leave.

"Good night," Arthur said. After seeing her to the door and locking it, he lay down to rest.

In the middle of the night, Arthur suddenly sat up in bed. He sat cross-legged, chanted an incantation, and his soul projected out of his body. His spirit drifted outward, heading toward the warehouse to retrieve his belongings. Ordinary people could not see his soul; only those versed in magic could.

Passing effortlessly through the walls, Arthur’s soul arrived at the Avengers' secret warehouse, where his gear was likely kept. He was grateful that he had kept two of the Infinity Stones within his own body; had they still been embedded in his armor, they would have likely been confiscated by now. Sensing the energy emitted by his trident, he confirmed his items were indeed there.

Arthur opened a massive crate, revealing his Golden Trident and armor. The trident was intact, but the Aquaman armor was badly damaged from shielding him against the shockwave in their last battle. It was covered in dense cracks and missing several pieces, but fortunately, the Uru metal possessed the mysterious ability to self-repair.

Arthur transformed the trident and armor into two rings and retrieved a Sling Ring from the armor's pocket, putting it on. He opened a portal in the warehouse leading to his room and returned with the rings.

Once his soul returned to his body, he opened his eyes. He put the ring that was the Golden Trident on his index finger and absorbed the armor back into his body. Lacking energy, he couldn't fuel the armor's self-repair process, so he needed to find a place to restore his strength. He put on the Sling Ring, drew a circle in the air, and a golden portal formed.

Just then, the door to his room opened, and Wanda and Vision walked in.

"What are you doing?" Vision asked, eyeing the portal.

"Sorry to wake you. I need to go somewhere. I'll come back to find you later," Arthur said before stepping into the portal.

"Wait!" Vision began, but the portal vanished, and Arthur was gone.

"What do we do now?" Wanda asked Vision. They had felt a magical disturbance while resting and had come to investigate. Now that Arthur was gone, they were at a loss.

"I will inform Mr. Stark. You should go get some rest," Vision said. Wanda nodded. She didn't have strong feelings about Arthur's departure; while his situation was peculiar, her heart belonged to Vision.

...

Arthur's portal opened over the ocean, and he dove into the water. He had arrived at the Bermuda Triangle, intending to see what Atlantis looked like in this universe. He dove into the deep, but after hours of searching the surrounding waters, he found no sign of Atlantis.

*Could it be that Atlantis doesn't exist in this universe?* The events of this world had mirrored the movies exactly—was this the main cinematic universe?

Arthur stopped overthinking it and swam to the deepest part of the seabed, a canyon floor where the water was scorching hot and magma bubbled from the seafloor. Feeling his body finally beginning to absorb water elemental energy, Arthur lay down on a large rock, closed his eyes, and began to recover his strength.

Back at the Avengers base, Tony Stark, Natasha, Rhodey, Sam, Wanda, and Vision were gathered.

"Arthur's gear is gone from the warehouse. The surveillance shows the crate opening on its own, followed by a golden energy ring, and then the items just vanished," Sam reported.

"And the surveillance in Arthur's room?" Natasha asked.

"Arthur was asleep, but when the energy ring appeared in the warehouse, one appeared in his room too. He woke up, summoned a portal, and disappeared," Sam explained.

"So magic is real after all," Natasha said, staring at the screen.

"What magic?" Tony Stark asked.

"Arthur told me there was an organization of sorcerers on Earth. I didn't quite believe him, but it turns out he can use magic himself," Natasha explained.

"Well, we've completely lost track of him. And with the UN meeting on the accords coming up, we don't have the energy to hunt him down," Tony said.

"Let's leave him be for now. In my few interactions with him, he hasn't seemed dangerous. He actually feels quite approachable," Natasha said. The others nodded; with the future of the Avengers in doubt, no one had the energy to chase a super-powered individual.

Only Vision remained deeply concerned. He felt a strange connection to Arthur—they both possessed Infinity Stones, and Arthur had treated Wanda with particular significance. Yet, Vision could find no trace of him anywhere on the internet. Had he truly just vanished?

...

In Arthur's original universe, Stephen Strange had finally mastered the Book of Cagliostro and understood all the functions of the Eye of Agamotto. He was truly a magical prodigy, mastering profound arts in a short time that others could not grasp in a lifetime.

Wanda had not told the Avengers about Arthur, fearing they would worry, and since there was nothing they could do, she had to pin her hopes on Stephen Strange.

Strange’s hands had fully recovered under Venom's care. Looking at the harmless-looking creature, his feelings were complicated. The injuries that had cost him his entire savings and countless failed treatments to heal had been cured by a pet cat from Arthur's house in less than a minute.

The price? Chocolate. Venom loved chocolate, and Wanda had bought a mountain of it for the creature.

Venom had grown tired of Kamar-Taj after a few days—it was cold, austere, and the sorcerers' lifestyle was frugal. Venom preferred the Avengers base, where the food was endless.