"This is?"
For some reason, it wasn't just Artoria who was experiencing something abnormal; even Gaea, Galacta, and Merlin, who was in Avalon, felt a massive magic source slowly disappearing. Artoria felt as if a part of her heart had vanished, and she no longer felt the pain, but her heart felt empty. The source of Artoria's abnormality was currently lying in a pool of blood with a smile on her face. The Ancient One lay quietly on the sidewalk, startling the people around her. Steve looked at the heavily bleeding Ancient One with complex eyes. He knew that if this continued, the Ancient One would definitely die. Without thinking much, Steve opened a portal and took the Ancient One away. He needed to find his good female friend to help perform the surgery.
"Master Ancient One..."
Artoria's face was full of sorrow as she shed tears. This made Galacta feel even worse. This was the first time she had made a good friend; what should she do when her friend was so sad? How could she cheer her up? Hearing Artoria's murmuring voice, she heard a name: Ancient One? Artoria had mentioned this name before; it was the Sorcerer Supreme who had taught her. Could the disappearing magic source just now have belonged to this Sorcerer Supreme?
"How about we go and take a look together?"
After thinking for a long time without coming up with any words of comfort, Galacta finally decided to take Artoria to see her teacher. After hearing Galacta's words, Artoria recovered from her sorrow. Since she had the ability, how could she not go see the teacher who had taught her and cleared her doubts? Thinking of this, Artoria nodded firmly to Galacta. Even though they hadn't been together for long, the bond between her and the Ancient One was already like that of family. Artoria had already guessed the Ancient One's current situation, so seeing her one last time and letting her leave Earth without any lingering concerns to travel and relax with Eternity would be good.
"Take my hand. My Psychic Teleportation is very fast, especially since that place seems not far from here."
Galacta reached out her hand, and while holding Artoria's, she began to search for that increasingly weak magic source. Based on the location of the magic source, Galacta calculated that the place wasn't far from them at all. After determining the location, Galacta and Artoria vanished instantly. A small ability like Psychic Teleportation was nothing major for Galacta, the daughter of the Planet Devourer. In the blink of an eye, she and Artoria arrived inside a hospital. Fearing they might be disturbed, Galacta chose a very hidden location: the operating room.
"You are... Miss Artoria."
The Doctors performing the resuscitation might not have noticed the two people appearing in the operating room, but Steve, a naturally gifted fellow, did notice Artoria and her companion's arrival. Sensing something was wrong, Steve pinched his hands into a strange gesture, ready to attack if necessary. However, upon seeing Artoria's face, he relaxed his hands. He didn't consider Artoria an outsider, as she was technically his'Senior Sister.' They had met once at Kamar-Taj, and though their contact was brief, they were at least on speaking terms.
"I'm sorry, Miss Artoria, Sorcerer Ancient One... I..."
Steve looked at Artoria and then at the Ancient One on the resuscitation table. If he couldn't guess why she had come, he would be a total fool. The Ancient One's current condition was definitely tied to him, and he didn't plan on hiding it from this beautiful'Senior Sister.' But he couldn't find the words to explain it. The whole situation had been a mess from start to finish. Honestly, he felt very frustrated. Kaecilius had 'exposed' another side of the Sorcerer Ancient One, and he couldn't accept that side of his mentor, leading him to choose a deathmatch with her.
Now the Sorcerer Ancient One's life was hanging by a thread. He could already imagine how this beautiful'Senior Sister' would treat him, her 'Junior Brother,' once he told her the full story. But as a man, Steve prepared himself to bravely recount the events to Artoria.
"None of that matters. It was her own choice; no one could have intervened."
Sensing the Ancient One's gaze from the operating table, Artoria quickly stepped forward and took her hand. Watching her eyes slowly close and feeling the warmth fade from her hand, Artoria couldn't help but let two lines of tears fall. The surrounding Doctors tried to push Artoria away, but Steve stopped them. Since she was already gone, there was nothing more to be done. Steve signaled to his good (girl)friend, letting the Doctors leave the operating room to issue the Death notice. Steve also stood quietly before the Sorcerer Ancient One. Given the reputation he had built in the medical world, no Doctor was going to give him trouble over such a small matter. Moreover, that beautiful woman seemed to be that princess of the stark family!
In other words, the identity of the bald woman on the operating table was extraordinary. The Doctors in the room weren't blind; they knew what to say and when to keep their eyes and mouths shut. Soon, only Artoria, Steve, and Galacta remained in the operating room.
"Child, you came after all."
As the Ancient One's physical body drew its last breath, a translucent figure drifted out from her body—a phenomenon known as astral projection. Sensing her own state, the Ancient One's soul form turned to look quietly at Artoria. She floated over and reached out, seemingly wanting to wipe the tears from the corners of Artoria's eyes, but unfortunately, her hand passed right through Artoria.
"I don't understand, Sorcerer. You clearly noticed, so why didn't you dodge? I know I'm far inferior to you with the mystic ring, but why didn't you open a portal? Why? Sorcerer, why me?"
At this point, Steve wasn't stupid. After a moment of calm analysis, he realized the Ancient One had sought Death and had no intention of living. Reflecting on the battle just now, she could have killed him several times, but at the critical moments, she had held back. Otherwise, he would have been dead long ago. Thinking of this, Steve spoke to the Ancient One with indignation, asking why she didn't explain, why she sought Death, and why she let him bear the reputation of a 'master-slayer.'
"While the entities of the multiverse are stunned by my Death, use this time to increase your strength, Mr. Steve."
Facing Steve's questioning, the Ancient One replied with a smile. She was very happy now because she was finally free. Dormammu's mark hadn't caused a shred of damage to her spirit, but it was still annoying. Now, she no longer needed to borrow Dormammu's power to maintain her body. This spiritual state had freed her from that mountain-heavy responsibility, and now she could go and play in other planes of existence.
"I'm sorry, child. Forgive me for not telling you. I was afraid you would be sad."
She had one attitude for Steve and another for Artoria. Facing Artoria, the Ancient One was like a loving elder. She looked at Artoria apologetically for making her sad, but she believed Artoria was a strong girl who could endure it.
"Master, you must have fun. Leave the burden to us! We will protect the safety of Earth for you."
Artoria looked quietly at the Ancient One's soul and forced a heartbreaking smile. She promised the Ancient One she would be strong and take up her responsibilities. This answer caused the Ancient One to shake her head, leaving Artoria momentarily bewildered, wondering if she had said something wrong.
"Just take care of yourself, child."
The Ancient One's instructions weren't for Artoria to shoulder her burden. After telling Artoria to take care of herself, she looked at Galacta, glanced at Steve, and finally took one last look at Artoria before vanishing into the air. It seemed she had left this space to report to Eternity.
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