This death was nothing short of ticulous.
She had even prepared for every possible rescue attempt in advance.
Malrick couldn't help but feel impressed—capital "I".
He understood now. The Ancient One truly wanted to die.
"Ancient One, I get that you're tired, that you're ready to return to Eternity after centuries of resisting beings like Dormammu..."
"But if you're forcing this on , then I can't take over as Sorcerer Supre. Not like this."
Malrick's voice was calm but firm.
"I get it—you want to pass the burden on. But do you really think that just because you die, I'm sohow obligated to take your place in this fight?"
The Ancient One, hands gently clasped before her, offered a soft, apologetic smile.
Malrick had lived his whole life on Earth. Of course he'd protect it. If the Life Tribunal descended tomorrow, he'd still be the one to step up first.
But the Ancient One never believed Earth's safety should be his responsibility alone.
Just like she never forced her students at Kamar-Taj to repay her teachings. Once they completed their training, she let them choose their own paths.
Though she had protected Earth for centuries, she never imposed that duty on others.
This ti, however, her voice held a quiet plea.
"Then—just for my sake, as your teacher—could you temporarily take over?"
"You wouldn't need to shoulder everything. Just hold off the dinsional threat for now."
"You wouldn't want to see Earth invaded by a demon lord, would you?"
"Mordo is more than capable of managing things; he's steady, though a bit rigid. And when the ti cos, you can always pass the mantle to Strange."
Her tone was gentle, her eyes softer than moonlight through temple windows.
Malrick looked at her, and the refusal he had prepared died in his throat.
"If you really go through with this, yes... I will protect Earth," he said slowly. "But that would be my choice, not your assignnt."
Then his eyes narrowed slightly.
"Ancient One, have you looked into my future with the Ti Stone?"
She tilted her head, slightly puzzled. "I have—but it's not clear. For soone who can walk between worlds, the future becos aningless."
Malrick nodded. "Then let be clear about sothing."
"It's not impossible for to beco Sorcerer Supre."
"But you know . I'm not like Strange or Stark. They wait for enemies to show up before fighting back."
"I don't work like that. I cut off danger at the root."
"If I take this title, then Earth may not remain just one dinsion for long."
The Ancient One blinked. Her spirit form stiffened.
"You an... you're planning to invade other dinsions?"
He didn't hesitate. "I am. So do you still want a Sorcerer Supre like ?"
Her astral form floated silently to the window, eyes locked on the distant stars.
The vast, endless sky reflected in her pupils—every star a speck of dust, Earth seemingly the center of all things.
She finally chuckled softly.
"Even if I didn't want that kind of Sorcerer Supre, what choice do I have now? I'm already dead."
Malrick raised an eyebrow and conjured a small silver cup from thin air. It shimred with faint light, filled with a glowing liquid.
"Actually, I do have a way to bring you back."
He held it up. "Zeus Spring Water. Infused with massive life force. As long as your soul remains intact, it'll revive any body within seven days of death."
The Ancient One's brow rose.
She could sense it—this wasn't ordinary water. It pulsed with divine energy.
"Where did you get this?" she asked.
Malrick paused, considering how to phrase it.
"Think of it as a relic from a dinsional entity far more powerful than Dormammu."
Her eye twitched. "...Then maybe this isn't the right ti to use sothing like that. You should save it for sothing truly critical."
Malrick shrugged. "It's not that rare. I bathe in it."
The Ancient One was stunned speechless.
Monts passed. She turned her gaze back to the stars.
"Grand Sorcerer Malrick, I leave Earth's safety in your hands."
"Hold on, you're not even going to say whether you want to be revived or not?" he asked.
"Earth has always been a target for the likes of Dormammu, phisto, Nightmare..." she murmured.
Malrick sighed and tilted the cup slightly.
"I'm really about to pour this on you."
She didn't move.
"I'm doing it. Mouth open, here it cos."
Finally, she snapped. "Cough—Malrick! Please!"
She coughed for dramatic effect, though her ghostly voice didn't need to.
"Alright, alright. Stop ssing around. Let leave in peace tonight."
She looked both tired and exasperated.
Seeing that he had already tilted the cup halfway, she added, almost resignedly,
"After I'm gone, how you deal with the Dinsional Demon Gods is your choice. You're Sorcerer Supre now."
Malrick smirked and put the cup away.
"Fair enough. Then, rest easy. I'll swing by Eternity in a few years and give you the good news."
The Ancient One raised an eyebrow. "What news?"
"That Kamar-Taj has beco the holy capital of the Dark Dinsion."
"..."
She stared at him, clearly torn between horror and acceptance.
If this were Strange, she might have delivered so deep parting wisdom about reverence, death, and the value of humility.
But for Malrick?
She simply shook her head, helplessly, and muttered, "Just… try not to break everything."
"I'll do my best. So… goodbye?"
Malrick placed a hand to his chest and gave a casual wave.
The Ancient One's final words were soft, scattered on the wind:
"Goodbye, Malrick… I never reached for the Dark Dinsion lightly. It's a repulsive power—but sotis, to protect the world, you have to reach outside the rules."
"You're far stronger than I ever was."
"If you can keep growing, try not to rely too much on power you didn't earn."
"Mordo is steady, but inflexible. You, with your adaptability and strength… you'll balance him out."
"Earth is in your hands now. The rest is up to you."
Her words faded into the moonlight, and her soul dissolved with the last shimr of starlight.
Malrick stood in place for a long mont.
Then he looked back. The body behind him had completely gone cold.
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100 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter
200 Power Stones = 3 Bonus Chapters.
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