Rising Fatality (Ultimate Spider-Man Fanfic)

| Disciple

Danny Rand (POV)

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Behind him, Danny could feel Mordo's eyes on his back. Minutes ago, before he'd closed his eyes, Baron had been sitting cross-legged across his own woven mat, eyes sharp as Danny prepared the room for their spell. He can imagine his Master in the same position now, arms relaxed by his side as his fingers rubbed his bearded chin thoughtfully, garbed in his dark robes that spilled across the floor around at his sides.

The stress and importance of this spell was like a lead weight on Danny's chest, and he knew he would be tested on his performance. Aside from Baron Mordo aiding him in figuring out his ailment, he always went out of his way to make sure Danny did everything to perfection. Even the smallest mistake made while using the Mystic Arts could be disastrous, particularly when using his Personal Energy. If he didn't focus, he could very likely kill himself.

The sharp perfume of the incense was more than enough to keep him awake, but it did little to appease the anxiety weathering his nerves. The next magical shift of the Miscellaneous Nexuses would begin any minute now, and he needed to be both mentally and physically prepared for the raw energy about to breach their dimension.

Legs crossed under him, hands positioned on his knees - poised in a forthcoming gesture - Danny called upon his Personal Energy. The magical energy flowing through every being, like chi, only this one is malleable. Something raw and unfocused that could be molded into a new shape or form if done correctly. He could sense it running through his body. Lighter around the surface, like thin, glowing strings gliding through his veins, but the deeper he searched the more abundant it became. The energy thickened the farther he went until he reached down into his very core, where the soul was tethered with the body, and tapped lightly into the whirling pool keeping that connection intertwined.

Instantly, energy began flowing up through his body, rushing out like water from an unblocked dam, and he switched his focus to harnessing it. Channeling it through him, taking it in his hands and molding it in a shape that would best suit him.

Outside the sphere of energy twisting around him, he could feel the peak of the Nexus approaching. The magical aura of their sanctum began to level out, dropping lower and lower into a subdued state, like the calm of the ocean just before a storm hit. Danny focused his energy, feeling it grow tight in his chest, twisting together in a painful pinch. He held it there, waiting.

Every second it was restrained, he could feel it sapping at his strength, burning it up like an eager flame to a piece of soaked candlewick. Despite the tame heat of the hearth on his back, his brow was chilled with cold sweat. Around him, he felt the aura reach its resonating thrum.

He began to chant, "By the everlasting power of the Sphere of Cyttorak, I call upon the incantation of magical detection, by the power of Dormammu!"

The Nexus shift broke, and a high wave of raw energy swept over Danny, nearly snapping him from his focus. He held strong, feeling the swell of energy absorb into his own contained ball of energy, and unleashed the spell. A wave of warm air enveloped his body and a flash of gold light overtook him. He could hear his own heart beating, the run of blood in his own veins, feel every blood cell in his body in one unfailing swoop. But more than that, he detected his prize. A bit of gold energy balled up far into his core, small and withered, but beating steadily. Danny reached for it, stretching himself past the barriers he knew to respect, and barely grazed the golden surface before the power of the spell began to wane. He was pulled back by an invisible hook tethered to his ribs and plopped back into the normal world again.