The Ancient One's gaze swept across the group, The Ancient One's gaze swept across the group. But Avallac'h, though weak to move around, still walked forward.
"You reek of foul magic," he sneered. "A corruption deeply woven into your very being. I find it distasteful."
"A pleasure to meet you as well, I haven't met an elf since the dark ages." the Ancient One replied with a wide smile. "Your people, after all, are no strangers to delving into magic of questionable origins." Though the Ancient One didn't know where this elf has come from, if her experience of these years had taught her was one thing.
It was that the world was never black and white. Avallac'h's golden eyes burned with contempt, but he said nothing, unwilling to let her words provoke him.
"Can we a bit calm down for a minute?" Tony couldn't help but tense. They were already in a pinch, and all this hostility wasn't helping at all. But of course, nobody paid attention to him. The Ancient One's attention turned toward Ciri. She studied the younger woman intently, something unreadable behind her gaze.
"A human... and yet, not entirely," she murmured, almost to herself. "You bear the bloodline of Alfheim."
"The what?" Ciri was confused and also subconsciously hid behind Geralt. The Ancient One didn't look more into Ciri nor she replied to her but looked at the cage where one could see Barton was sleeping.
"A vampire. A creature tainted by forces that is supposed to trace back to Chthon and the Darkhold. Such things are not tolerated lightly. Anything that derives power from that book is dangerous beyond measure." The Ancient One said.
"Barton doesn't have the taint of that book." Liam answered. Yes, in the marvel multiverse at large, there were vampires and the ability came from Chthon and the boof Darkhold. And now that Barton had become a vampire, the Ancient One didn't would think of that book.
"Why did you think I said 'supposed to'? I know that this man here isn't under the machinations of Chthon or else we wouldn't be having this conversation." The Ancient One said and she looked particularly annoyed as she looked at Barton.
Suddenly, out of the blue, Nastasha bent her knee facing towards the Ancient One and pleaded.
"I don't know anything about magic. But what I do have is years of training and courage. I plead you to please save my friend and I will do anything to save his life. He had saved me from myself before and I will do anything to pay the debt that I owed."
Nobody expected Natasha to have such a reaction but one could understand. These two have been together for such a long time and thus their bond went deep. the Ancient One looked deeply into Natasha and then others.
The Ancient One exhaled slowly, as if considering Natasha's plea.
"There is a path," she said finally. "But it will not be simple. Nor will it be pleasant. And neither can I give full assurance that it will be successful."
"I don't care how hard it is. If there's a chance to bring him back, I'll take it."
The Ancient One nodded but didn't match Natasha's hopeful energy. Instead, she stepped forward and extended her hand toward Barton's cage. Golden sigils formed in the air, twisting and shifting as she murmured incantations under her breath. A soft hum resonated through the room.
The others remained silent, watching as the magic took hold. The air around Barton shimmered, revealing dark veins spreading under his skin—veins that pulsed with something unnatural.
"His transformation is incomplete, but the affliction has already taken root in his soul. If left unchecked, it will consume him entirely. And the magic is different from what I know so I will need to properly understand the magic before I procced further." The Ancient One said.
"Then what do we do?" Steve spoke up for the first time.
"I need to run experiments. To study the nature of this affliction, identify its origins, and—most importantly—ensure that Barton is not under Chthon's influence now or in the future. And also if possible help me to understand magic of your world." the Ancient One said while looking at Yennefer and the two mages.
"What kind of experiments?" Liam frowned. He didn't like this already.
"Magical, spiritual, and alchemical in nature. I will examine his essence, his connection to this plane, and the energy that fuels his vampirism." Her gaze hardened. "This arrangement is non-negotiable."
"And if we refuse?" Natasha asked.
"Then you gamble with his fate. Without intervention, he will eventually lose himself." Silence fell over the group.
"Alright, let's say we go along with this. How long are we talking?" Tony exhaled. He felt more guilty with every passing moment.
"I do not know," the Ancient One admitted. "Months. Years. Perhaps longer."
"Then I want to see him when he is in this long stretch." Natasha said.
"You wish to remind him of his humanity." the Ancient One could tell what she was thinking.
"Yes," Natasha said firmly. "If there's even a sliver of Barton left in there, I won't let him fight this alone."
"We all need to be there for him." Steve said.
"Very well. You may visit, but only under strict conditions. The process must not be interrupted." the Ancient One said and it actually might help Barton, because will was probably the strongest magic one could ever conjure. And it was always known to make miracles.
"And if things go wrong?" Liam asked. He, too, like Tony wasn't have a good time at the moment, and felt he was responsible for what was happening to Barton. Unlike others, Barton was a normal human being and thus him being in that world was already a huge danger for him and Liam had actually thrusted him into this world of unknown and now he was suffering.
"Then we will do what must be done," the Ancient One replied, her tone leaving no room for debate.