Conversation between Friends

As time passed and delved deeper and deeper into the mystical arts, the Ancient One developed a state of mind, for lack of a better word, Enlightened, so she did not take Asher's provocations and complaints seriously.

"Yao, it's serious this time, you should have made a move."

For the first time since they met Asher addressed The Ancient One by his name, that was more than enough to prove how serious this incident was-he needed an explanation.

"The Eye of Agomotto is a powerful treasure that was left by the Original Sorcerer Supreme, but even with such an artifact and the support of the Vishanti, there are still beings that it is best to be careful with."

That small statement instantly left Asher stunned... And made him understand.

Eternity.

There is no need to say anything else... just that name is enough to say it all.

"She made you unable to make a move against the Celestials? So is it true that the Celestials serve her?"

"No."

The Elder shook her head in the negative - "Eternity is of a higher class, even if the Celestials perished it would not interfere in mere mortal matters, but once I used the Time Stone to ward off that Celestial, then "The Judge '' would feel it immediately."

"He holds the highest rank among the Celestials and can communicate directly with Eternity, if the situation here were known to him... Then an army of Celestials would march on Earth."

After hearing the Sorceress Supreme's words, Asher frowned - "You don't plan on taking action even if more Celestials come to Earth?"

"Of course."

"If there really are no more options and the situation gets out of control, Kamar Taj will fulfill his sacred duty."

Although all of this was said in a calm manner, there was a mixed tone of confidence and arrogance implicit behind every word, and Asher knew that ''Yao - The Ancient One'' had the qualifications to back up her words - With all the knowledge that she had accumulated in her life, very few beings in the universe could actually pose a danger to her, it should not be difficult to believe that she had the means to deal with some Celestials, lethal or not.

"Okay, I understand... But that's not why you came to see me, is it?"

Watching The Ancient One, it was the first time Asher saw some surprise on her face, there was even a slight smile-"Time travel... I didn't expect Celebi to grow to this point, so quickly."

Asher wasn't surprised that the Ancient One knew of his Journey through time and space - For someone who has spent centuries in contact with the Time Stone, it would be really strange if she didn't know.

"Okay, enough messing around."

The Ancient One completely changed her expression and assumed a serious posture.

"The matter of the Celestials will not end here."

Her expression was flat-"This time it was "Eason The Explorer", even if he is of a lower rank among the Celestials-his defeat will undoubtedly attract the attention of the other Celestials present in this universe."

"Didn't you intercept the message he sent?"

Asher looked at The Ancient One suspiciously - he knew she had acted at the last second to intercept the Celestial's latest transmission.

"This is only temporary."

At this moment, the Elder waved her hand in the air, and then a Tao mandala appeared, in which images began to form.

"The Celestials are eternal creatures, even if they fall sooner or later they will return, there are very few ways to keep one of them truly dead, but what is really important now is the hierarchy that exists among the Celestials."

"Except for The Judge and some special groups of Celestials who receive direct orders from Eternity, the others are basically divided into 3 main groups."

"The Explorers, responsible for exploring planets and detecting civilizations, conducting experiments and sometimes planting seeds, are the most abundant in numbers, but in individual combat they are the weakest."

As he spoke, Eason, exemplifying what was said.

"The second category are the Extrategists – they are responsible for analyzing and creating measures to combat threats to the Celestials and the universe, they are an exclusively command class, so they are not a direct threat to us."

The words fell, and a group entirely of Celestials appeared wearing golden armor, in terms of size and grandeur they were smaller even than Eason.

"And the third class are the Eradicators."

A shadowy figure hovered right before Asher's eyes, what surprised him was its enormous size - At a cursory glance, comparatively speaking it was at least 10 times larger than "Eason"!

"They are the most powerful warriors among the Celestials, each with combat power far superior to that of the Explorers, they are responsible for the eradication of civilizations, they are also the Celestials' main line of defense against any truly dangerous threat and... Most importantly, They are the ones who investigate when a Celestial is defeated. "

Speaking up to this point, The Ancient One looked at Asher very calmly - "Sooner or later, they will send others to investigate things here."

"And then, Asher – it will be up to You."

"Wait... Ancient, what do you mean by that? Didn't you say you would help?"

The more she talked, the more Asher got the feeling that something wasn't - Whatever it was, Asher didn't like the direction this conversation was taking.

"It's not that I don't want to..."

The Ancient One smiled helplessly - "But when they finally arrived, I should have already left."

Although the confirmation of her death came from her own mouth, the expression of the Woman sitting in front of her was eerily calm.

This expression was not the first time Asher had seen it - he had already seen a similar expression on Odin's face, in Asgard.

Both were powerful, wise and perhaps even capable of preventing imminent death, no matter who it was, time always takes its toll, for these two who carried more weight than anyone else in their respective responsibilities, be it life or the cold embrace of death, it no longer made a difference, it was very certain that what they most wanted was a well-deserved rest, after eons of bearing the burdens imposed on them.

"Why?"

But unlike the two, Asher, he hadn't lived long enough to get tired of Life.

He just looked at the woman in front of him, since they met, Yao, the Supreme Sorceress helped him a lot in actions and advice, something that Asher kept deeply in his heart.

His current strength could be considered to be very close to this Great Sorceress, so he was also able to better understand how this world worked, the knowledge he brought from his past life was nothing more than a guide, but it was absolutely not recorded in stone.

For example, he knew very well that with the power that The Ancient One possessed, even if she were directly attacked by Kaecilius and his acolytes it was impossible for her to be defeated, even without sucking the energy from the dark dimension - at least in the MCU, few understood the true power of this Woman, Asher who lived with her for a while had a brief glimpse, hence his respect for her - Absolute Power whether Light or Dark, Corrupts, those who have not fallen into depravity in the face of True Power, deserve to be respected. This Woman looked into the abyss and when it looked back she faced it head on, and in the end she accepted death like an old friend.

In simple words, Yao would leave...of his own free will and on his own terms.

She would voluntarily give up her mantle to Stephen Strange's ''Doctor Strange'', and then her cycle on this plane would end.

"Because it's time, Asher."

In the face of Asher's question, Yao smiled calmly- "Strange will be the best of us." "

"And for me... At this point, just follow what has been established."

"..."

Asher really wanted to curse, at that moment.

Even if God and living Concepts shaped the universe - Asher would never accept such a thing.

However, of course, he would not persuade The Ancient One, first because it was impossible to change this sorceress's mind once she made that choice, and second was simply the respect cultivated between the two over time.

Even in his sadness, Asher took this matter seriously and planned measures for when this old friend was no longer among them.

"Asher, the world needs more heroes."

The Elder looked deeply at Asher, and then did not dwell on this matter any further.

"...Do you want me to form something like a Justice League?"

As Asher said the name, The Elder expressed a small smile.

"Justice League? It's a bit old-fashioned, a bit cheesy, but definitely a good name."

The Anciente One looked at Asher again, and then said: "Whatever it is called is irrelevant, the purpose is always the most important."

"Earth needs other heroes, Asher, The burden is too great for few to carry."

"It's none of my business, for that kind of thing look for the Avengers, or S.H.I.E.L.D., I don't really like Boy Bands"

Asher really tried to show that he didn't care about those things.

"Of course, of course, that kind of thing doesn't suit you very much now."

"But... It won't necessarily be like this in the future."

What Asher didn't expect was that The Ancient One would smile so treacherously, he felt like he was in front of a cunning fox, even more so than when he made that deal with Odin - Her smile now would make even Dormammu, whose body was just energy, shiver.

"Wait, what do you mean..."

Before Asher could ask clearly, The Ancient One had already left through the portal that had suddenly formed.

"You are welcome to visit Kamar Taj anytime, Asher."

After leaving the invitation, her presence was completely gone.

As Asher looked to where The Ancient One had disappeared, he couldn't help but complain - "Oh man, I don't think I'll ever find someone more infuriatingly mysterious than that woman!"