Chapter 8

"Edith," he whispers. 

Not needing to hear him continue, already knowing what he wants to ask, the AI promptly answers, "Dr. Strange had an accident a couple of weeks back in his car. He's trying to search for ways to fix his hands. I could not find anything about his predecessor in most other worlds, Yao."

Tentatively stepping closer, he peers into the shimmering vortex and sees a figure emerging from the other side. It's bald, like Yao was, but there's no beard. Instead of an old man, a middle-aged woman clad in yellow robes steps out.

"Hello, Peter," she says, repeating the same words so many Sorcerer Supreme have said to him before. Judging by her small, mischievous smile, she also knows that.

After all, it is always a toss-up who finds him first: Spider-Man or the Sorcerer Supreme.

"Hi, er..."

"You can call me Ancient One."

He can practically hear the caps on those two words. "You don't look that ancient, though."

Yao looked older than her, actually.

"Thank you," she says, even if what he said was more of an observation than a compliment.

He coughs. "So what's the diagnostic, ma'am? Am I going to live?"

"You know I cannot answer that yet." She looks down at the necklace he's wearing under the suit. What your Strange did was an amazing piece of sorcery that I will want to analyze as soon as it completes its mission. If you get to stay, that's it."

"He's not my Strange," he mutters gloomily as every other Sorcerer Supreme has said the same thing, though always in different ways, about how looking at the threads of the multiverse has given the Strange of his universe some bizarre knowledge of how it works, which is difficult to know in a good day.

Strange poured that knowledge into the necklace, which made other sorcerers curious about it whenever he showed it. Actually, that's why he always hides it. He doesn't want to attract a rogue sorcerer's attention with it.

The Sorcerer Supreme is the exception, though. They always seem to know about it, even with him hiding it.

Hiding it under his clothes is not good enough for someone who has taken their mystical sight to a whole other level.

He sighs. "I know this necklace holds more importance than me, and believe me when I say that I'll be glad to be able to give it to you or any of your counterparts to study, but I cannot until..."

"Yes, I know that," the Ancient One sighs, her voice tinged with understanding. "But it's not about the necklace, Peter. Your significance does not correlate to what you hold or have acquired in your travels. It's your journey, your experiences, and your strength."

She steps forward, her eyes searching his face. "You've been to countless worlds and have faced numerous challenges. Yet, you continue to help others and fight for what's right. That is what makes you worthy of being a hero and what makes you special—not a necklace or a machine."

Peter swallows hard. It seems like it wants to rain, or maybe that's how he wants it to be. "I've been so focused on running and getting everything done that sometimes I haven't had time to rest, and I'm just... tired, you know?"

"I know," the Ancient One says softly. "But you must remember, Peter, that you are not alone. You possess a unique destiny, one that transcends the multiverse. The energy that courses through you and your choices have consequences that ripple across all the other realities. Something that you, as an anomaly without a home universe to call your own, shouldn't be able to do without some higher being's help."

Peter can only stare in disbelief; it's like a bucket filled with cold water has been sprayed on him. He doesn't deny being afraid of what her words can mean. He has indeed seen a myriad of different realities, but he never thought of himself as anything more than just another superhero with just shittier luck than others.

However, this seems bigger than himself.

He ignores most of that higher-being stuff and locks it inside a small box he will open only when he's in a secure place where he can scream, rage, and cry. He focuses on the other parts instead.

"You mean... I will continue traveling for longer?" he whispers, scared of the answer.

She shakes her head. "Of course not; the multiverse is probably preparing you for something. After all, your actions are not confined to a single universe, and you are far more than you even realize."

"Oh," he says numbly.

She places her hand on his head, the weight reassuring as it brings him out of the dark path his thoughts want to go."If you want my honest opinion, I think you've traveled enough. I can see which universes you've gone and they're some of the most... problematics, shall we call it."

He snorts. Problematic is a word to describe some of the weird stuff he's seen.

"However, it's not my prerogative to decide when you stop. Even so, you will likely find a home soon. I wouldn't know how soon, but I hope is this one."

Her words help. They help a lot, like a balm to his psyche; they calm him down enough to reply, "Are you sure? If you're right, and this is bigger than I thought, your universe is pretty much done. More problematics than the others, most likely."

She smirks. "I'm sure. Every universe has its problems, and I would feel glad knowing Spider-Man is here, helping make this universe safe."

"Thank you," he says with a genuine smile. "You're more open than your other counterparts, you know."

She smiles mysteriously. "Some of my disciples have told me the contrary numerous times, that I tend to be too cryptic for my good."

"Really? So I'm an exception?"

"I just think you deserve to know something positive after such a long and tiring journey."

"Thanks anyway."

"You're welcome, Peter." With a serene smile, she continues. "Now, do you need help with anything?"

That perks him up.