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"Supreme Master, you honor my humble home with your presence. To what do I owe this visit?" Wes asked, his voice steady but his mind racing.
He was secretly on edge. Master Gu Yi's sudden appearance was anything but casual. Every muscle in his body was taut, ready to activate the panel's crossing function at the slightest hint of danger. He couldn't afford to take chances—not with someone like her. After all, he was, in a sense, an intruder in this world. A "smuggler," as he thought of himself. And standing before the Ancient One, the guardian of Earth, guilt gnawed at him like a persistent shadow.
"I mean no harm, Wizard Irwin. I'm merely… curious," Master Gu Yi replied, her tone calm and measured. With a graceful wave of her hand, a chair materialized behind Wes, floating gently into place. "I have questions—questions only you can answer. Will you indulge me?"
Wes took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. He knew running wouldn't solve anything. Even if he escaped today, there would be no guarantee of safety tomorrow. Better to face her now, while her intentions seemed benign, than to live in constant fear.
He lowered himself into the chair, his movements deliberate. "I'll do my best to answer your questions," he said, his voice carefully neutral.
"I discovered you by accident," the Ancient One began, her gaze distant, as if recalling a memory. "While observing the timeline, I noticed something… unusual. Among the countless threads of possibility, you stood out. In this timeline, you became a wizard—a rarity. And your ability to traverse worlds? Truly unique."
Wes felt exposed, as though every secret he'd ever guarded was laid bare before her. His body tensed, his fingers curling into fists. He forced himself to remain still, but his unease was palpable.
The Ancient One noticed. "I apologize, Wizard Erwin. My duty compels me to investigate anomalies like you. I cannot simply look away."
"I didn't think someone of your stature would take an interest in me," Wes replied, his voice dry, almost brittle.
"You've been cautious," she acknowledged, a hint of admiration in her tone. "Avoiding cameras, staying hidden, minimizing your presence. But even the most careful among us leave traces."
With another wave of her hand, a holographic projection of Earth materialized between them. It was encased in a shimmering, intricate barrier—a web of light and energy that pulsed with power.
"After repelling Dormammu and other dimensional threats, I erected this barrier," she explained. "Its purpose is twofold: to keep malevolent forces at bay and to monitor magical activity across the planet."
Wes stared at the barrier, awestruck by its complexity and scale. It was a testament to the Ancient One's power, a reminder of how small he was in comparison.
"Ten years ago, the barrier detected an unfamiliar magical signature," she continued. "Curiosity led me to investigate, and I found you—a young wizard, robbing gangsters in a back alley."
Wes winced at the memory. He hadn't realized he'd been watched from the very beginning. "I didn't think I'd caught your attention so early," he muttered.
"Your magic was… unconventional," she said, a faint smile playing on her lips. "I considered bringing you to Kamar-Taj. But then, in September of that year, you vanished. Not just from Earth, but from the timeline itself. Even the Time Stone couldn't locate you. That's when I realized you'd left this world entirely."
She paused, her gaze piercing. "And then, the following summer, you returned. The barrier detected you once more."
The Ancient One conjured a cup of steaming tea and offered it to Wes. "A drink from the East. I hope you find it soothing."
He accepted the cup, his hands steady despite the storm of emotions within him. "Thank you," he said quietly, taking a sip. The warmth of the tea grounded him, if only for a moment.
"So," he began, setting the cup down, "are you here to… deal with me?"
The Ancient One raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. "Why would you assume that?"
"Powerful abilities often come with risks," Wes replied, his voice tight. "And I'm well aware of the dangers I might pose."
She shook her head, a sigh escaping her lips. "Must the young always think in extremes?"
Wes frowned. "It's not paranoia if the threat is real. My ability could bring disaster to this world."
"Or it could bring hope," she countered, her tone gentle but firm. "Possibilities are not certainties."
"I'm no hero," Wes said, his voice tinged with bitterness. "Don't mistake me for someone noble or selfless."
"Even the darkest of beings can inspire light," she replied, her words cryptic yet weighted with meaning.
Wes couldn't help but smirk. [Of course she'd say something like that. The Ancient One, equating devils with hope. If Dormammu heard that, he'd probably laugh himself back to the Dark Dimension.]
"Then why are you here, Master Gu Yi?" he asked again, his patience wearing thin. "What do you want from me?"
"Curiosity," she said simply.
"Curiosity?" Wes echoed, disbelief coloring his voice.
"Is an old woman not allowed to be curious?" she asked, tilting her head with a playful glint in her eye.
Wes suppressed a groan. [Please stop tilting your head. It's not cute when you're centuries old.]
But he kept his thoughts to himself. The panel's crossing function was his lifeline, his ultimate safeguard. He wasn't about to reveal it—not to her, not to anyone.
His silence spoke volumes. The Ancient One nodded, as if she'd expected as much. "Very well. I won't press you further. But as someone who has walked this path far longer than you, allow me to offer some advice."
Wes leaned forward, his curiosity piqued despite himself. "I'm listening."
"Never lose your curiosity for magic," she said, her tone solemn. "It is the key to growth, to understanding. Without it, even the greatest power becomes hollow."
Wes nodded, the words resonating with him more than he cared to admit. He had always sought knowledge, always pushed himself to learn more. It was a drive he couldn't—and wouldn't—ignore.
The Ancient One smiled, her expression softening. "My visit has likely unsettled you. As an apology, I'd like to offer you a gift."
Wes blinked, surprised. [A gift? From the Supreme Master? This could be interesting.] His mind raced with possibilities—an ancient tome, a powerful artifact, perhaps even a spell of unparalleled strength.
But the Ancient One's next words shattered his expectations.
"Tell me, have you heard of Mephisto?"
Wes froze, his blood turning to ice. His face paled, and for a moment, he couldn't speak. When he finally found his voice, it was barely a whisper. "If you want me dead, just do it yourself. There's no need to send a demon to finish the job."