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Blue energy rippled through Kamar-Taj's meditation hall.
Jay materialized mid-stride, expecting quiet contemplation. Instead, he found the Ancient One and Domino seated on cushions, sharing tea and what sounded suspiciously like...
"And then he tried to impress that street vendor in Vanarasi by helpin' her carry a sack of rice," Domino was saying, voice warm with amusement. "Except it tore open halfway, and he spent ten minutes chasing rice down the street."
The Ancient One's lips curved slightly. "Ah, that explains the grains I found in his boots. I assumed it was a new form of meditation."
"Hey!" Jay protested, walking in. "I was being helpful! It was an act of compassion!"
Both women turned to look at him with identical expressions of thinly veiled laughter.
"Oh, don't be embarrassed, babe," Domino said, patting the cushion beside her. "It was sweet in a dorky kind of way. You even tried to scoop it up with your hands while apologizing to every pigeon in sight."
Jay dropped onto the cushion with mock offense. "Master, I trusted you with my dignity."
"Your dignity vanished when you bowed to the broom outside the monastery, mistaking it was one of the monks' sacred artifacts," the Ancient One said mildly, taking a sip of tea. "Wong still brings it up during training lessons. He finds it most amusing."
Domino's laugh was bright and genuine. Jay found himself grinning despite his protests.
The Ancient One set down her cup. Her expression shifted to something more serious. Her ageless eyes studied Jay with that particular intensity that saw through pretense.
"Well, I'm assuming from your carefree attitude that things went well in Asgard? You secured what you needed?"
Jay's grin faltered. He shrugged, the gesture carrying more weight than it should. "Depends on how you define 'well' when you threaten the Queen of Asgard by nearly tearing her son in half in front of the entire court."
The Ancient One went very still, her cup paused halfway to the table. For a moment, the only sound was the distant wind chimes outside the hall.
Domino's hand flew to her mouth to stifle the laugh threatening to burst out.
"You did what?" the Ancient One said slowly, each word precise and measured.
"In my defense," Jay raised both hands, "Frigga tried to attack me first with that old Vanirmagic of hers. I just reminded everyone what happens if negotiations turn hostile."
Domino couldn't contain her cackle anymore. The laugh burst out of her, sharp and delighted as she slapped her thigh, "Oh my God, you threatened a goddess. That's my man."
The Ancient One pinched the bridge of her nose and drew a long breath. When she opened her eyes, they held that patient weariness of someone dealing with a brilliant but reckless student. Again. "Jay... You threatened to kill a prince of Asgard," she said slowly, "in front of his mother. The Queen of the Golden Realm. Do you comprehend the diplomatic nightmare you could have created?"
"But it's not all bad!" Jay continued quickly. "I got something I needed in return. Access to the Bifrost. They're forging me a weapon that can channel its power."
The Ancient One's eyes sharpened immediately. She leaned forward, her centuries of experience connecting dots faster than most could process.
"So, you want to reach the Temple of Eternity."
It wasn't a question.
Jay nodded.
"You do not bargain with Eternity," the Ancient One said, her voice dropping to something almost gentle. "You do not negotiate with the concept of existence itself. Eternity is not a being you visit, Jay. He is the universe breathing. The very framework upon which all reality is built." She paused. "One does not knock on such a door lightly or without consequence."
"I would normally agree with that," Domino interjected, her hand finding Jay's fingers interlacing naturally, "but Eternity himself wants to meet Jay. Apparently."
The silence that followed was stretched and profound.
The Ancient One's gaze moved between them, reassessing. When she spoke, her voice carried layers of meaning.
"You told her?"
Jay met her eyes steadily. "She knows about my outsider nature, yes."
The Ancient One studied them both for a long moment. The implications were massive. It was his most fundamental secret, the thing that made him simultaneously valuable and dangerous to the cosmic order. Knowledge like that could be weaponized, exploited, and used to tear him apart by beings who didn't appreciate outsiders meddling in their multiverse.
"Are you sure about revealing your best-kept secret?" The Ancient One's question was gentle but probing. "Once shared, such knowledge cannot be taken back. It changes the dynamic irrevocably."
Jay stood and moved to where Domino sat cross-legged on the floor. He settled behind her, arms wrapping around her shoulders, pulling her back against his chest. Domino's hands came up to grip his forearms, steadying herself against the sudden contact.
"I am more sure about her than myself," Jay said simply.
He pressed a soft kiss to her cheek.
Domino's face flushed crimson. Her usual composure cracked, vulnerability bleeding through. The mercenary who walked through war zones without flinching, suddenly undone by simple affection, "Jay," she whispered, "your teacher is right there watchin' us."
The Ancient One's expression transformed. The concern melted away, replaced by something infinitely warmer. She looked at Jay, really looked, and saw not the student who'd arrived at her door running from everything, not the power broker who manipulated events from the shadows, but a young man who'd finally found someone worth trusting with his whole truth.
The smile that crossed her ageless face was purely maternal.
"I remember quite clearly when you first came here," she said quietly. "Running from your own shadow, terrified of connection and vulnerability." Her eyes moved between them. "Seeing you like this, in love and willing to be vulnerable with another... I couldn't be more proud of your growth."
Jay's throat tightened.
Domino squeezed his arms, her own eyes bright with unshed tears.
The moment stretched, fragile and precious.
Finally, she cleared her throat and reached into her robes. When her hand emerged, she held a card with the Mind Stone, pulsing with contained power.
"And what of this burden you carry?"
Jay's expression shifted, becoming more serious. He gently released Domino and stood, moving to take the Mind Stone card. The yellow glow reflected in his eyes.
"I made a promise on my last day here at Kamar-Taj," Jay said, his voice carrying quiet conviction. "That I'd make sure you survive and live. This is for exactly that purpose."
The Ancient One tilted her head, studying him. A smile played at the corners of her mouth. "And how do you propose to accomplish this?"
"Well..." Jay began pacing, the way he did when working through complex problems. "If Master Kaecilius strays and seeks Dormammu, he'd at least be free from any mental influence from the Dark Lord. The Mind Stone could serve as a shield, protecting his mind from corruption. He could still be reasoned with and brought back to light. And Steven would still face trials, still be tested as the next Sorcerer Supreme."
He stopped, running a hand through his hair. "I know, I know. The idea is very choppy and needs a lot of work to refine it. But you get the general idea, right? Kaecilius doesn't have to fall completely. Strange doesn't have to lose his mentor. You don't have to die."
The Ancient One's expression grew complex. Pride warred with sadness, hope with resignation.
"Thank you for trying to keep your promise," she said gently. "But remember this plan hinders Strange's growth and ethics. The trials he must face, the losses he must endure, they forge him into what he needs to become as Sorcerer Supreme. I could never follow a path that robs him of that growth, no matter how much you might wish to."
Jay's shoulders slumped slightly.
He nodded, grim acceptance settling over his features.
Domino stood, stretching like a cat, and her voice cut through the heavy atmosphere with practiced ease. "You guys worry too much about fate and destiny. I have a feeling Lady Luck will be on our side." She smiled. "Trust me on this one. My gut's rarely wrong."
The Ancient One stood as well, her robes settling around her with liquid grace. She moved to Jay and placed one hand on his shoulder.
"Your heart is in the right place, my student. That alone brings me comfort. Now go."
Jay bowed deeply, Domino following suit with slightly less practiced form.
"Thank you, Master. For everything."
"Return when you can. And Jay?" The Ancient One's voice carried a hint of dry humor beneath the warmth. "Perhaps avoid threatening any more pantheons for the time being. At least until next month, yes?"
"No promises."
Blue energy gathered around Jay and Domino. The Ancient One watched them disappear, her smile lingering even after they'd gone. The meditation hall felt emptier somehow, but also lighter.
Her student had found his anchor.
That was worth more than any gift.
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