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At times, Arthur couldn't help but feel a bit resentful.
Though he understood the Ancient One's own helplessness, the concepts of cause and effect often left one with no recourse, the most frustrating aspect was that what was known could change.
Intervening based on existing knowledge might ultimately transform the known into the unknown, plunging matters into an inextricable quagmire.
This was precisely why the Ancient One always acted so cryptic, exuding a smug, all-knowing demeanor while refusing to reveal anything directly. This infuriating habit prompted Arthur to strongly urge her to write a book titled: How to Become a Mystical Jerk!?
Spreading his hands in exasperation, Arthur said, "Since you knew I would come seeking you, you clearly must have prepared to tell me something. Those cryptic remarks just now won't be enough to make me turn back."
"Time will give us the answers," the Ancient One said to Arthur, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Your existence has made our world unlike any other."
Arthur mentally underlined that statement. He wasn't sure if it would be on the test, but it clearly held great significance.
"Our world?" Arthur repeated, mulling over the words. "So, what exactly has changed in our world compared to others?"
"Just as you've seen," the Ancient One replied.
"...That person who crossed dimensions?" Arthur deliberately avoided mentioning Natasha by name.
The Ancient One nodded. "The beginning and the end. Facing annihilation, wouldn't you resist?"
"Who?" Arthur asked.
The Ancient One shook her head.
Arthur fell silent, lost in thought.
Beside him, Stephen felt like he was listening to gibberish!
From beginning to end, he hadn't understood a word of what these two were saying. Was it some new kind of dry joke? Could he not get the punchline because his knowledge reserves were insufficient?
Puzzled, he glanced at Arthur.
He remembered this man.
Later experiences had deepened his impression of Arthur.
Their first encounter had been that time with the suddenly appearing Asian man, who was so overly enthusiastic he seemed like a human trafficker trying to kidnap him.
It hadn't exactly been a pleasant meeting, but afterward, he had heard this man's name mentioned in this place more than once.
He had gradually learned about Arthur's deeds.
While reverence might be too strong a word, he certainly felt a measure of admiration.
However, many of these stories remained mere rumors to him. He had never witnessed the so-called fear and chaos firsthand, so he still struggled to grasp the true scope of Arthur's actions.
Now, watching this guy furrow his brow, looking as if he were pondering humanity's fate, an inexplicable absurdity, yet an involuntary sense of awe, arose within him.
After a moment's hesitation, he spoke up: "Can I ask a question?"
Arthur, lost in thought, and the Ancient One, sitting serenely beside him, both turned their gazes toward Stephen.
Stephen cleared his throat and said, "If what you two are discussing concerns only the two of you, then what am I doing here?"
Arthur's eyes lit up slightly, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.
The Ancient One smiled at Arthur and said, "The final piece."
"Then I'll take my leave," Arthur said, patting Stephen on the shoulder. "If you run into any trouble, feel free to call me anytime. Your senior brother is on standby 24/7."
"Huh?" Stephen was even more confused. What the heck is going on?
He glanced at the Ancient One, who nodded. Stephen resisted the urge to tsukkomi. Just say something! Even a nod doesn't tell me what you mean!
Looking back at Arthur, he saw the man was a true action-taker, leaving without a moment's hesitation.
The Ancient One stepped down from her seat and stood beside Stephen, watching Arthur's departure.
Stephen finally couldn't resist asking, "Did I say something strange?"
The Ancient One smiled and shook her head. "Not strange, just beyond your current understanding."
"...When will I understand?"
"It won't be long."
The Ancient One gazed at Arthur's retreating figure, then lifted her gaze to the moon hanging in the sky. "When something changes up there."
"...The moon?" Stephen asked, bewildered. "A lunar eclipse?"
He assumed the change she meant was something straightforward like that, clearly lacking the cultural background to grasp anything more profound. If he were more versed in mythology, he might have mentioned planetary alignments, the mythical hound devouring the moon, or Chang'e falling to Earth, something more dramatic.
The Ancient One, likely finding Stephen's lack of cultural literacy tiresome, offered no further explanation.
With her hands clasped behind her back, she gazed upward.
Stephen followed her gaze.
After ten minutes of silence, the Ancient One finally spoke, "Mr. Stephen."
"Hm?" Stephen perked up, thinking the Ancient One was about to impart some profound wisdom.
The Ancient One's expression remained gentle and compassionate as she casually asked, "When are you planning to go back to sleep?"
"..."
Stephen could practically feel the air thickening around him. Then, in an even more nonchalant tone, he replied, "Now."
The next day!
At Camp Lehigh.
Arthur kept his promise. After dropping Lily off at work, he headed straight to Camp Lehigh.
With half an hour until the meeting, Arthur sat in his room, pondering the thoughts he'd been mulling over since yesterday.
The Ancient One's words were intriguing. Though seemingly disconnected, there was always something that tied them together, like tangled threads.
Arthur gradually organized his thoughts and finally arrived at a conclusion.
"The so-called final piece of the puzzle... could it be Dormammu?"
He tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, then activated the Disassembler.
After staring at it for a moment, a faint smile curled his lips. "So, all that's left is waiting for time to pass..."
"But what exactly did the Ancient One mean by that remark about the Future Natasha?"
Arthur scratched his head lightly. "The beginning is also the end. Facing annihilation, one can't help but feel... unwilling to accept it. Who is the one unwilling to accept it? Is it Natasha, powerless against Thanos? Or... some other being? Was Natasha's arrival here merely the beginning? If so, when will the end arrive?"
A torrent of thoughts surged through his mind, only to quickly subside.
Even after pondering this question all night, he couldn't grasp its essence.
Yet the Ancient One had already given him the answer, or at least, if he remained clueless, everything would become clear when events reached a certain point.
A knock came at the door. Arthur picked up the paper in front of him, willed a flame to rise, and watched as the paper turned to ash in an instant.
He opened the door to find Natasha waiting outside. "It's time to start," she said.
(End of Chapter)