Chapter 3

"What do you mean the stone contaminated me? Does that thing spread cancer from space or something?" I said in an alarmed tone as I stood up to which The Ancient One just let out a small laugh.

"What are you laughing at, bald lady? This is serious." I said, which only made The Ancient One crack a smile.

"Relax Mr. Walker, the time stone as powerful as it is does not generate harmful effects to your long term health, after all you were much closer to dying when you touched it than you are now."

"That doesn't inspire much confidence." I said with a face that denoted distrust at what the bald lady was telling me. "Besides you still haven't answered my questions, what is this place? How do you know my name? And more importantly, who are you really."

She didn't answer me right away, I could see her expression change almost imperceptibly to a more thoughtful one, as if debating to herself whether to tell me the truth or not until finally....

"You are right Mr. Walker you deserve to know the truth, I recommend you sit down though, as it won't be a short talk." Said the Ancient One as she moved a chair over to where I was, to which I just remained with my mouth ajar.

"I...I...what was-" "Please sit down Mr. Walker." She said in a slightly more serious tone to which I just complied.

"Would you like some tea?" She said as she pulled a teapot out of nowhere.

"But...but...what, this how is this possible?" I said with an obvious expression of disbelief.

Without even waiting for my response, The Ancient One poured me a cup and instead of passing it to me, the cup levitated from her hand to mine, which didn't help reduce my surprise and fear.

"Thank you."

"You're very welcome." She said as the teapot levitated to the table.

"You see Mr. Walker, the universe is much larger and more complex than you think.

What you perceive with your senses is only a tiny fraction of reality. There are planes of existence, overlapping dimensions, where the laws you know do not apply. Time is not a straight line; it is more like a river flowing in multiple directions. Space can bend, break, and remake itself in ways beyond human comprehension.

The energy that moves the stars and planets is not simply physical, but spiritual, emotional, and conscious. Everything is connected by invisible threads of purpose and destiny. What you consider magic is nothing more than the advanced use of these forces, a science that your civilization is just beginning to scratch the surface of."

After that, the Ancient One filled me in on everything concerning the Universe and how it worked, how she was actually a sorceress and magic existed, that we were currently in a place called Kamar Taj and how extraterrestrial civilizations existed and even how the Norse gods were real, I'll be honest I wouldn't have believed anything she said if she hadn't given me a prior demonstration of her powers.

Once the talk was over I was simply overwhelmed by all the information, which showed in my expression.

"Are you all right Mr. Walker?" asked the Ancient One, her expression barely changing.

"Yes, yes, I just need a moment, it's not every day that you find out that everything that seemed like fiction actually exists."

I was silent for a few seconds until I thought of something.

"Ancient One, if the stone contaminated me or whatever, does that mean I can now maipulate time?"

"Not exactly, you see Mr. Walker, coming in contact with an infinity stone and it somehow leaving a mark on you does not guarantee that you will be able to use all the capabilities of it..." Said the Ancient One disappointing me a bit, still she continued. "However, the stone may have given you some ability without you even knowing it." Which rekindled my enthusiasm.

"Really? Great, how do I go about activating it, will I be able to stop time? I've always wanted to do-" "Not so fast, Mr. Walker."

Which immediately shut me up. "I said it would be a possibility and in the event that remote possibility is true, still don't get too excited, after all I was trying to feel if the time stone had left enough essence in you to make it noticeable but the truth is no, if you really have some ability it's probably so imperceptible you won't even notice it." Which made my enthusiasm completely deflate.

"OH, ok and what happens to me now?"

"I'm afraid it's time for you to come back Mr. Walker, after all you already delivered your pizza." Said the Ancient One with a smile as she turned her hand in a circular motion which opened a portal of sorts. "Enter the portal and you will be able to return home."

"Oh well, it was nice meeting you then Ancient One." I said as I stood up and stood in front of her with my hand outstretched, which to my surprise she amicably accepted for even a greeting.

"Nice to meet you too John Walker." She said as I walked to the doorway and through it, however I came to hear something coming from inside it.

"Oh and Mr. Walker, if you happen to awaken any abilities don't worry I'll be watching you."

"Wait what-" But before I could even process what she said, the portal closed.

Now that I realized where I was, I was right in the driveway of that weird house I had delivered the pizza to, there was even my bike in perfect condition.

"Shit, I forgot to ask her for the money." At that moment though, I felt something moving in my pants pocket, I reached in and it was some coins along with a ten dollar bill.

"Oh...nice."

As I was driving back to the restaurant to finish up for the day, I suddenly got a headache. Suddenly, a strange feeling came over me. My eyes open a little wider, and everything around me seems to slow down. A red car, in the next lane, will lose control in barely five seconds, skidding and heading straight for me.

Instinctively, my hands clench the handlebars as my feet reach for the brake, and my heart races.

I turn the steering wheel to the right with all its might, but the red car has already begun its fatal slide. I see the impact before I feel it, the sound of metal twisting, the pain in my side. There was not enough time.

Suddenly I snap back to reality and instinctively brake. As I try to catch my breath, I see a red car spin out of control and crash into a fire hydrant.

'That could have been me.' And that's when I realized what had just happened, so my only reaction was to say.

"What...the...f-"