Information about Pierce flashed through Kurogai's mind. He remembered him well—Alexander Pierce, the Hydra mole embedded within S.H.I.E.L.D., and its former director before Nick Fury took over. That connection explained how deeply Hydra had infiltrated the agency.
"Pierce, since you dared to target the people around me… I hope you're ready to pay the price."
Kurogai's tone was icy. He wouldn't show mercy just because Pierce held a position of authority. Anyone who threatened him or his allies would bear the consequences—consequences Pierce couldn't afford.
As Kurogai plotted how best to tear Hydra out by the roots, the Winter Soldier made his move. Without warning, he raised his rocket launcher and fired directly at Kurogai.
"Skye, get to safety," Kurogai said firmly.
With a flick of his hand, a glowing light shield formed around Skye and gently carried her to a clearing just off the battlefield. At the same moment, the rocket slammed into Kurogai's barrier and exploded violently, filling the air with a thunderous boom and thick smoke.
When the smoke cleared, the shield stood unbroken. Not even a scratch. The magical light shield—an evolved version of the standard Kamar-Taj defensive spell—was more than capable of withstanding conventional explosives. It had, after all, survived the earlier detonation of the entire factory without a dent.
Seeing the rocket had failed, the Winter Soldier didn't hesitate. He tossed the launcher aside and rushed at Kurogai at full speed. Close-quarters combat was Bucky Barnes' specialty.
"So what if you're the Winter Soldier?" Kurogai sneered. "You came after someone under my protection. Now you'll face me."
A magic circle lit up beneath Kurogai's feet. In an instant, a glowing sword of arcane energy formed and launched toward the charging assassin. The Winter Soldier didn't flinch. His mechanical arm swung out and slammed into the blade.
Boom!
A shockwave exploded outward. The magic sword detonated on contact, sending Bucky skidding backward. Sparks danced across his vibranium arm, and for a moment it looked like the mechanism had been damaged.
Not surprising. Kurogai's sword strikes were powerful enough to overwhelm even trained sorcerers at Kamar-Taj. But the Winter Soldier's enhanced physique allowed him to recover quickly. He shook out his arm and charged again.
This time, he didn't try to meet the magical attacks head-on. Every time Kurogai summoned a sword or cast a spell, Bucky evaded with quick footwork, weaving through the battlefield. His goal was obvious: get close enough to neutralize the sorcerer.
But Kurogai wasn't going to let that happen.
While the Eye of Agamotto remained unused for now, Kurogai had more than enough power in his own right. One spell after another materialized in his hands—fire, light, kinetic blasts—fired off in quick succession with no pause.
The Winter Soldier zigzagged through the barrage, narrowly avoiding blasts that would have crippled an ordinary soldier. Still, he couldn't find an opening.
He had one possible strategy left: wear Kurogai down. Maybe if he could outlast the storm of attacks, he could find a weakness.
But Kurogai wasn't a normal magician. His body was strengthened by the Ultimate Body, created to withstand and synchronize with the power of the Ultimate Eye. His reserves of magical energy were immense. If Bucky wanted a battle of attrition, he'd only end up crushed under the weight of Kurogai's endurance.
So Bucky continued dodging, searching for a way in.
"This rat's trickier than expected," Kurogai muttered, eyes narrowing.
Then, inspiration struck.
He recalled a trick Doctor Strange once used—a dimensional loop that trapped Loki in endless freefall. It was clever… and perfect for a situation like this.
With a grin, Kurogai feigned a moment of weakness. The Winter Soldier, ever the predator, lunged at the opening.
"Bucky, ever heard of a guy named Loki?" Kurogai said calmly, right as he cast the spell.
A golden portal opened in front of the charging assassin. Bucky's eyes widened—but inertia carried him through before he could stop.
And just like that, the Winter Soldier was caught in an endless fall.
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