Reigning Supreme in Every Reality

Her death was truly thorough and meticulously planned, even anticipating all possible rescue methods in advance.

Lyon mentally noted a big respect for her ingenuity.

He finally understood—the Ancient One genuinely wanted to die.

"Ancient One, I can understand your weariness after centuries of battling interdimensional demons, and your desire to return to eternity," Lyon said.

"But forcing this responsibility onto me in this way—I cannot and will not take on the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme!"

Although he understood her motivations, Lyon resolutely refused.

"Do you think that just because you die and leave the burden behind, I'll automatically take over and fight the interdimensional demons in your place?"

Faced with Lyon's questioning, the Ancient One clasped her hands and gave him an apologetic smile.

This Earth held everything from Lyon's past life—the home he had protected for over a decade. Of course, he would defend it.

Not only against interdimensional demons but even if the Living Tribunal appeared, he would stand at the forefront.

But the Ancient One didn't believe it was something Lyon must do.

Just as she allowed Kamar-Taj's disciples to leave the mountain and chart their own paths after mastering their teachings, she would extend the same choice to him.

She would never demand repayment for the teachings she had given her disciples.

Though she had protected Earth for centuries, the Ancient One was ultimately a self-disciplined person. 

Her rules and restrictions applied only to herself; she never imposed limits on others.

But this time, in an uncharacteristically persuasive tone, she said:

"Then, could I trouble you to temporarily take on the role? Just out of consideration for the magic I've taught you?"

"You only need to fulfill the basic duties—repelling interdimensional demons."

"After all, you wouldn't want Earth to suffer from a dimensional invasion, would you?"

"Everything else can be entrusted to Mordo. He's a very reliable sorcerer, though he can be a bit inflexible at times."

"And when the time is right, you can pass the title on to Strange."

Her expression softened, as gentle as the moonlight streaming through the inner sanctum's windows. Her tone carried an almost imperceptible plea.

Lyon looked at her, the words of rejection at the tip of his tongue slowly swallowed back down.

"Alright," he finally said. "I admit, if you were to die, I would step up to protect Earth."

"But tell me, Ancient One—have you used the Time Stone to see my future?"

The Ancient One shook her head in confusion. "I've looked, but nothing certain. The future I saw has no meaning for someone like you, who can travel between worlds."

Lyon continued, "Then let me make this clear upfront."

"I'm willing to take on the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme—but you already know this about me."

"I'm not like Strange or Tony, or the rest of the future Avengers. They respond to threats after being attacked, defending and avenging."

"But I prefer to eliminate dangers at their source. If I become the Sorcerer Supreme, Earth might not remain confined to just one dimension anymore."

The Ancient One's eyes widened. "You mean to say you plan to invade other dimensions?!"

This was a complete reversal of the natural order she thought.

Lyon smirked. "That's exactly my intention. So, with that in mind, are you still willing to appoint me as the Sorcerer Supreme?"

The Ancient One's translucent soul floated to the window, gazing at the silent, infinite stars outside. 

The boundless cosmos, projected onto Earth, appeared vast yet small. Each colossal star in the heavens was reduced to a tiny point of light, as if Earth itself were everything that mattered in the universe.

The reflection of the starry sky danced in her eyes as she suddenly chuckled. "Even if I wanted to refuse, it seems I don't have a choice, do I? After all, I'm already dead."

"Hmm... you make a valid point," Lyon nodded thoughtfully. Then, with a flick of his mind, he retrieved a glass of water from his internal world.

"But in reality, I do have another way to bring you back—Eternal Spring Water. It contains immense life energy. One sip, and as long as the soul is intact, it can revive a corpse that's been dead for up to seven days."

This Eternal Spring Water was sourced from a million-kilometer-wide "pond" on the first layer of the Time Fortress.

Originally named Loch Spring Water, it was meant to assist in comprehending the laws of time.

However, the Beast God of Light and Time, Zhou, had a habit of bathing in it.

And as everyone knows, the body of a natural Beast God is a treasure in itself— even a drop of its saliva could turn an ordinary person into a superhuman.

After countless eons of Zhou soaking in the spring, its waters had absorbed an unknown amount of his essence, becoming extraordinarily potent and miraculous.

Hence, Lyon had renamed it Eternal Spring Water.

He rarely drank it himself, preferring to soak in it during his law comprehension sessions. In fact, he found it more appropriate as a gift for others.

The Ancient One could sense the astonishing vitality and unique energy emanating from the glass of water.

It was clear that Lyon wasn't bluffing.

Moreover, it seemed that the water would not only revive her but also cleanse her body of a significant amount of dark energy.

Now it was the Ancient One's turn to be utterly dumbfounded.

"Where did this come from?" she asked.

Lyon took a moment to organize his thoughts. "How should I put it... Let's just say it's the legacy of a dimensional deity far more powerful than Dormammu."

"..."

The Ancient One's lips twitched slightly. "Then... perhaps it's better not to use it. Such a precious treasure should be saved for a critical moment."

Lyon shrugged. "It's not that precious. I usually use it for bathing."

"..."

The Ancient One fell silent.

After a few seconds, she turned again to gaze at the stars. "Archmage Lyon, the safety of Earth is now in your hands."

"Hey, you haven't said whether you want to be revived or not!" Lyon said, spreading his hands.

"Since its birth, Earth has always been under the watchful eye of dimensional deities," the Ancient One continued, ignoring him.

"If you don't speak up, I'll pour this water into you," Lyon warned, pretending to tilt the glass toward her.

"Particularly those to be wary of—Dormammu, Mephisto, Shuma-Gorath, Nightmare..." The Ancient One kept speaking as if she hadn't heard.

"I'm really going to do it!" Lyon said, prying open the corpse's mouth.

"Enough! Archmage Lyon!" The Ancient One finally turned back, exasperated.

"Alright, please stop joking around. Just let me quietly leave tonight," she said, sounding both weary and resigned.

Watching Lyon tilt the glass further, the Ancient One added, "After I'm gone, you'll be the Sorcerer Supreme. How you deal with the dimensional deities will be entirely up to you!"

"You really want to die, huh?"

Hearing this, Lyon finally put the spring water away. 

"Alright then, Master Ancient One, you go ahead first. In a few years, I'll come to Eternity to share some good news with you."

"What good news?" The Ancient One paused, puzzled.

"Of course, that Kamar-Taj has become the sacred ground of the Dark Dimension," Lyon said matter-of-factly.

"..." The Ancient One stared at Lyon for a moment before letting out a long sigh.

If the person standing before her were Stephen Strange, she might have offered words of wisdom, something like, "Death is a final farewell, even if in your final moments, you yearn for one last glimpse of the stars. You must learn reverence."

But for Lyon, she merely raised her brows helplessly, shook her head, and said, "Just don't overdo it."

"I won't. So... farewell?" Lyon raised his right hand to his chest and waved.

The Ancient One gave her final words of advice: "Farewell... Lyon. If you touch the Dark Dimension, let it be only as a last resort."

"That kind of power is detestable, but sometimes, to protect the world, one must use forces beyond the rules.

You are far stronger than I. If you can grow relying solely on yourself, then do so without depending on external aid.

Mordo is steady, but his youthful heart is too rigid. I believe your adaptable nature and immense strength will complement his perfectly.

From now on, Earth is in your hands."

As her voice dissolved into the moonlight, the Ancient One's ethereal soul projection completely dissipated.

Lyon stood there for a while, silent. When he turned back, her body on the ground had lost all warmth.

________

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