"Are you following me?"
"Haven't I made that clear enough to you?"
Looking at Strange, Aron felt as if he were looking at himself in a mirror. Everything became heavy, burdensome.
This return… how can I make a difference?
Maybe I was wrong when I showed him that I discarded the cloak meant for me and turned it into my servant? If that's true, the Ancient One shouldn't be searching for me so desperately.
And the reason why Strange wants so much to learn magic and gain power… isn't to take revenge on me. It makes no sense!
What does it mean that he wants to take revenge on me? That's nonsense! It's clear that Kaecilius is the one who messed everything up. What does that have to do with me, Aron?
"Hm, exactly, Strange," said Aron.
"You and I… missed. Yes, we missed."
He paused and then added: "Your real chance lies in the East. When I turn around, I will open a portal and send you right to her doorstep."
Aron was ready to get this hothead as far away from him as possible.
"Master!" Strange knelt. "I swear I will follow you to death!"
But Strange had already made his decision.
His head fell to the ground, and in his eyes burned a new conviction.
Ever since he first saw Aron, after that shocking scene that carved itself into his memory, Strange felt his heart tie itself to him. He was convinced that fate itself had brought him on this path!
He allowed himself to see what no one else did, the strength and presence of Aron.
"He is powerful… and just," whispered Strange. "A great man… a true leader. I, Strange, will follow him through my whole life!"
Aron just remained silent.
The good news was that he had managed to awaken in Strange the desire for magic and supernatural powers. The bad news, the Ancient One would not look kindly upon all this. The agreement with her could turn into something very dangerous.
But so be it. If fate wills it so, let it run its course.
"I like it," Aron thought quietly, watching Strange kneel before him.
"First, stand up, Strange," he finally said.
"I will take you somewhere."
---
Kamar-Taj.
The atmosphere was quiet, dignified, almost tense.
Aron felt as if he had returned to a place he had just left. He sat in silence, holding a teacup that constantly refilled itself, feeling almost childishly helpless in that setting.
Opposite him, on the other side of the table, sat the Ancient One. Her face was expressionless, without joy, anger, or sadness.
Strange, sitting beside Aron, looked on in confusion. He couldn't understand why Satan, the Lord of Limbo, would show so much respect to that bald woman. As if she were his own elder family member.
But the problem was obvious.
She truly did not look like an ordinary person.
"Your Holiness, I brought you this."
Aron, seeing that no one was speaking, had to take the initiative to break the silence that threatened to suffocate the room.
"Oh, then I must thank you."
The Ancient One took the cup but did not sip. In her voice was a subtle irony.
"Indeed… a good reminder of the fragility of time."
"Lord… are you talking about me?" Strange asked uncertainly, watching as Aron and the Ancient One held a conversation that sounded ambiguous to him.
"Hm?" Aron shot him a sharp look when he heard him speak without respect.
"Oh, sorry, Lord Aron, I mean… Aron, I was asking if you were talking about me?" Strange quickly corrected himself, wiping cold sweat from his forehead.
On the way here, Aron had emphasized to him several times to watch how he expressed himself. And he forgot it again.
"Well, Lord Aron," said the Ancient One, her voice tinged with teasing. "Worthy is the Lord of Limbo."
She took a sip of tea and smiled with an unusually cold smile. "It is likely that the power of the Lord of Limbo must be… exceptional, isn't it?"
"…" Aron frowned. "Enough, old woman. Don't exaggerate."
Why hadn't he realized earlier that her tongue could be so sharp?
"Although there were mistakes along the way, Strange is still interested in magic," said Aron and secretly nudged Strange with his foot to make him speak.
"Oh, yes, of course. I am interested in magic," replied Strange, stiff and breathless. "I am committed… to preserving world peace, defending, defending—"
Then he paused, completely confused.
"Defending the dimension of reality," Aron reminded him through a magical voice projection.
"Yes! Defending the dimension of reality," Strange quickly repeated. "I will never allow evil beings from other dimensions to attack Earth. I will be faithful to my duties, renounce personal desires, family… I will dedicate myself to guardianship. Night after night, day after day."
He spoke seriously, reciting an oath he had barely cobbled together.
The Ancient One was silent for a long time after that. In her eyes, disappointment could be seen.
It was over.
Neither of these two successors inspired her confidence.
"You!" she said, angrily poking Aron's forehead with her finger, almost like an elder teacher scolding a careless student. But what could she do?
Fate was relentless. Aron was unique in the timeline, even if she went back, nothing could be changed.
"Forget it…" she finally said, lowering her hands. "Strange, you will stay here and from tomorrow you will begin learning magic."
"And you, boy…" she looked at Aron. "Take a walk. And disappear from my sight."
She pushed him toward the door and closed it behind him.
"…"
Aron rubbed his forehead. "Unbelievable."
But before he could leave, the Ancient One's voice echoed again in his mind, this time more serious.
"Boy, the dimensional barrier I told you about last time, has been breached. Limbo has become the first pocket dimension to merge with the main dimension. The two worlds now stand in a relationship similar to that between Earth and Asgard."
"This is neither good nor bad, but you must be careful. Especially with those other dimensions you have touched. After this collision, the barriers protecting the main world will become even more fragile…"
Although she had been strict just moments ago, she still showed that she cared for him.
"Thank you for the warning," Aron replied, smiling quietly. "I knew you still cared."
"…Go."
When he left Kamar-Taj and returned to New York, the temple greeted him in complete chaos. The world outside was in upheaval.
Dimensions had begun merging.
Parts of Earth were disappearing into Limbo, while demonic creations from Limbo entered Earth.
The consequences were terrifying. People were disappearing without a trace. Demons were appearing all over the world. Panic swept the planet.
The only ones who remained somewhat calm were the residents of New York.
For them, a demon invasion was nothing new. They were already used to it.
–––
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