harry potter : I'm Doctor Mystic (Dr. Strange + Dr. Fate)

The Riddle Estate had always felt haunted, but tonight, it was more than just the shadows of its history that gave Alex pause. The sprawling manor stood as a reminder of all the pain and brokenness that came with their family name. The wind howled through the hollow corridors, carrying with it whispers that felt far too real.

As Alex stepped into the great hall, the heavy oak door groaning behind him, he felt an odd pull, a sense that something—someone—waited for him here. His hand brushed over the polished wood of his staff, its comforting weight a silent reminder of his strength.

The faint echo of footsteps broke the silence. He turned sharply, his eyes narrowing. A figure emerged from the far end of the room, the dim light of a single candelabra catching her face.

"Alex," she said softly, her voice tinged with surprise and something warmer.

"Bella?"

She nodded, stepping closer. Her face, older and more refined than his, carried traces of weariness, but her dark eyes still held that fire he remembered from their youth. She wasn't dressed like the Bella he once knew. No longer the rebellious, restless girl who had once stormed out of the Riddle Estate; now, she wore a simple but elegant black dress, her hands clasped protectively over a slight curve in her stomach.

"What are you doing here?" Alex asked, his tone a mix of caution and curiosity.

"I could ask you the same thing," Bella replied, though her voice lacked the edge he expected. Instead, she sighed and gestured for him to follow her into one of the side rooms—a small parlour that, unlike the rest of the manor, was still furnished and somewhat intact.

They sat opposite each other, the silence between them heavy but not hostile. Bella looked at him, her gaze searching, before she finally spoke.

"I'm pregnant," she said, her words tentative, as if testing how he'd react.

Alex blinked, the statement catching him off guard. "Pregnant?"

She nodded, her hands resting on her stomach. "Yes. With Edward's child."

The name stirred a flicker of recognition in Alex's mind. Edward Cullen, the brooding young man Bella had spoken about during her brief letters years ago. He remembered thinking their relationship sounded complicated, though that wasn't unusual for Bella.

Alex's expression softened, though confusion lingered in his eyes. "Edward. He's… good to you?"

"Yes," Bella said firmly. "He's good. Better than anyone I've ever known."

For a moment, they sat in silence, the weight of their shared history filling the room. Bella shifted in her seat, her eyes fixed on Alex.

"And you?" she asked, her voice quiet. "What brought you back here? It's been so long, Alex. I didn't think you'd ever return to this place."

Alex leaned back, his gaze drifting to the cracked ceiling. "I didn't plan to. But I needed answers, Bella. Answers about… us, about him."

Bella's face darkened at the mention of their father. The shadow of Tom Riddle loomed large over both of them, an unspoken specter in every conversation.

"Are you looking for revenge?" Bella asked softly.

"No," Alex replied, shaking his head. "Not revenge. I just… I don't want his shadow hanging over me anymore. Or over you."

The conversation lingered in Alex's thoughts long after he left the Riddle Estate. Bella's revelation weighed on him—not just the fact that she was pregnant, but the quiet strength she carried now. She seemed at peace, something Alex hadn't felt in years.

As he rode through the dense forest surrounding the estate, his mind turned to his next destination—the stronghold of the Knights of Saint Christopher.

The stronghold was nestled deep within the woods, its towering stone walls concealed by a dense canopy of trees. Moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting shifting patterns on the ground as Alex approached the gates.

Two guards stood at the entrance, their armor gleaming in the pale light. They raised their weapons as Alex drew closer, their expressions wary.

"State your business," one of them said, his voice firm but not unkind.

"I'm here to speak with your leader," Alex replied, his tone calm but resolute. "I seek a place among the Knights."

The guards exchanged a glance before nodding. One of them opened the gate, the creaking iron echoing through the still night.

Inside, the stronghold buzzed with quiet activity. Knights sparred in the courtyard, their movements precise and disciplined. Others tended to their weapons, their faces illuminated by the flickering light of the forges.

A tall figure emerged from the main hall, his imposing presence commanding immediate attention. His silver hair caught the light as he approached, his piercing blue eyes fixed on Alex.

"You've come far to find us," the man said, his voice low and measured.

"I have," Alex replied, meeting the man's gaze without flinching.

The man studied him for a moment before nodding. "I am Magnus, leader of the Knights of Saint Christopher. Tell me, why have you sought us out?"

Alex hesitated, searching for the right words. "I've spent too long running from the past," he said finally. "I'm ready to stop running. To find purpose again."

Magnus regarded him silently for a moment, then nodded. "We'll see if you're worthy of the Hyde," he said. "Follow me."

The Rite of the Beast was unlike anything Alex had ever experienced. The ceremony took place under the light of the full moon, the air humming with energy as the Knights formed a circle around him.

Magnus handed him a chalice filled with a shimmering liquid. "Drink," he instructed. "And face the Hyde within."

Alex drank without hesitation, the liquid burning as it slid down his throat. A searing pain coursed through his body, and the world around him blurred. Shadows swirled and coalesced into a massive, hulking form—a beast with glowing eyes and jagged claws.

The Hyde growled, its voice a low, guttural rumble.

"You are not my enemy," Alex said, his voice steady despite the creature's menacing presence.

The Hyde hesitated, its growl softening. Slowly, it stepped closer, its massive form dissolving into Alex's own. A surge of energy flooded his body, and when he opened his eyes, they glowed faintly with the same feral light.

The Knights erupted in cheers, their voices echoing through the stronghold. Magnus approached, clapping Alex on the shoulder.

"You are one of us now," Magnus said, a rare smile gracing his stern face.

For the first time in years, Alex felt a sense of belonging. Among the Knights of Saint Christopher, he found a place where he could heal, where he could rebuild.

But as the echoes of Bella's voice lingered in his mind, he knew his journey was far from over.