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Kamar-Taj.
To Arthur, it felt like ages had passed since his last visit.
Life itself remained constant, things carried on as they always did, yet when so many monumental events piled up, it created the illusion that he had personally traversed centuries.
The Ancient One was still the same Supreme Sorcerer. When she saw Arthur, her delight was genuine. She took his hands and gently pressed him into a chair.
"It truly feels like I haven't seen you in a long time. Knowing that you are well… it brings great peace to my heart."
Arthur smiled warmly. "That is exactly what I wanted to say. Seeing that you're still healthy is the best news I could ask for."
"I hope you mean that sincerely," the Ancient One replied with a knowing half-smile. "Though when it comes to certain recent matters, I still hope you can exercise a little more self-control."
"..." Arthur instantly felt the conversation turning awkward.
Why did it seem like everyone knew what was going on with him?
He scratched his head. "You must already know the reason for my visit this time."
The Ancient One shook her head slightly and poured him a fresh cup of tea. "I am not as omnipotent as you believe. Not everything is a certainty that I can foresee."
Arthur paused for a reflective moment, then stated, "This time, I came hoping to borrow someone from your care."
The Ancient One looked back at him, her brow furrowing slightly. Then she shook her head firmly. "He is far from ready. He has tremendous potential, yes, but he is nowhere near capable of operating alongside you."
"Great… that's exactly the answer I was dreading." Arthur leaned forward. "How far has he actually progressed?"
"He cannot yet use the Sling Ring with any reliable proficiency," the Ancient One admitted. "Everyone carries an inherent obstacle deep within their heart. If they cannot break through it, then even with a miracle laid right before them, they will choose to look away."
"That's probably the result of deeply ingrained materialism colliding head-on with mysticism, isn't it?"
Arthur chuckled to himself. "To be honest, it took me some time before I could fully overcome that hurdle, too."
To be precise, if it hadn't been for the countless fantasy movies and novels he'd consumed in his previous life, Arthur wouldn't have been able to accept all the bizarre elements of his new reality so swiftly.
The Ancient One nodded thoughtfully. "That is precisely it. He desires to believe, yet his heart still holds a flicker of fundamental uncertainty. And most damagingly, he remains convinced that it is his physical condition that prevents his success. All these reasons combine into one outcome: he doesn't trust himself. And so, he continues to fail."
"And repeated failure like that can become discouraging… to the point of losing his innate aptitude entirely."
Arthur's expression tightened with concern.
The Ancient One offered a gentle smile. "It hasn't reached that dangerous stage yet. In my opinion, this situation is the perfect opportunity to let him further enrich his foundations."
"Enrich his foundations…" Arthur gave a dry laugh. "Since you've already made your judgment, of course I will trust it. After all, I consider myself half your student."
The Ancient One looked at him with a hint of genuine compassion. "You are the one who has surprised me the most. Many of the decisions you've had to make… they were not easy at all, were they?"
Arthur considered this, then smiled. "They were easy enough, as long as one is absolutely clear on the final objective. I still remember the conversation we had the very first time we met."
"That conversation doesn't seem very relevant to the immediate present…"
"What I pursue, whatever it may be, is also what you desire…"
Arthur lowered his head, gently turning the teacup in his hands as he spoke: "And so I constantly wonder… what exactly is my objective? At first, I believed there was only one threat. But reality keeps proving that the dangers in this universe are far more numerous. After the thing I fear most finally ends in the future… will a new, greater fear simply emerge? There are countless things the world will never know. And if the terror of the future surpasses all my expectations, what will I do then? Whether it's you or Odin, the help you can offer me is ultimately finite. There is no one in this world who remains young and immortal forever."
"Yet you will have to continue walking forward alone." The Ancient One looked at Arthur with growing pity. "Now, you still have people you can consult with. But in the future, you will be the elder who must provide all the answers. Ahead of you, there will be no one left to serve as your teacher, no one to guide you, to resolve your deepest doubts. When that time comes, you will have to rely on yourself to move forward… Such is the destiny of the future."
Arthur shook his head, shifting the tone. "I didn't come here today to reminisce about hardship."
"That is why I have already made preparations." The Ancient One sighed softly. "After all, I believe someone as incredibly busy as you wouldn't deliberately take time out of your day just to visit an old woman like me."
"No one has the right to call you old," Arthur said with absolute sincerity.
The Ancient One blinked, a slight amusement in her eyes. "I almost believed that."
Arthur adopted a comically wounded expression, , but then the Ancient One's focus shifted slightly, and she said, "You're finally here."
"Supreme Sorcerer!"
The newcomer spoke, his voice deep and respectfully resonant. Arthur turned toward the sound and saw a tall, dark-skinned, powerfully built man standing at the doorway.
"Mordo?"
"It has been a while." Mordo's steady gaze fell onto Arthur, and he offered a slight smile. "The Supreme Sorcerer knew you might need assistance, so I have been preparing these past few days."
"So you can see some things after all," Arthur remarked, looking back at the Ancient One.
The Ancient One chuckled gently. "It is not that I can see everything, nor that I can see nothing. Only scattered fragments… and that is what makes things so deeply frustrating, wouldn't you agree?"
"I suppose he is exactly the person I need right now." Arthur rose from his chair and turned fully to Mordo. "If you don't mind, would you like to join me on a quick trip? One of those… 'leave immediately' kind of trips."
"I've been waiting for this moment!" Mordo nodded seriously, ready for the adventure.
Arthur smiled widely. "Very well, then there is nothing more to discuss. Supreme Sorcerer, I'll be taking him with me. I can't guarantee he'll return in one piece, but let's be optimistic."
Mordo instantly froze, a look of sudden panic replacing his seriousness. "What, exactly, are we going to do?"
"To a wonderful place…" Arthur promised, his eyes twinkling. "Until you see it with your own eyes, you cannot begin to imagine the kind of scenery that exists in this world."
(End of chapter)