Chapter 23: 5 Weeks Part 1/3.

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-0-

(Michael's P.O.V.)

The room inside was dimly lit, with candles casting long shadows that flickered as if dancing to a silent tune.

Strange and I sat beside each other, his expression a mixture of disbelief and curiosity.

My tale hang over the room, sharp and weighty, almost too much to comprehend.

"So, let me get this straight. You're saying you're from another dimension, and you currently have Satan imprisoned in your Power Ring? A ring that allows you to form complex constructs akin to Eldritch magic?" Strange finally spoke, his voice threaded with an awe I hadn't heard before.

It was a strange mixture of incredulity and fascination—the curiosity of a scholar battling the caution of a sorcerer.

I nodded, almost nonchalant. "Yeah. Not every day you get to say that, huh?"

The Ancient One was seated across from us, her face serene and unbothered, as if the gravity of the revelation had barely touched her.

Strange glanced at her, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face.

"You don't seem... surprised, Master." he accused gently, like a student questioning his teacher's judgment.

"Don't I?" she replied with a small smile, never quite looking at him, her eyes fixed instead on her teacup. Her fingers traced the rim in a quiet motion at odds with Strange's disposition.

The former Surgeon frowned, clearly not satisfied. He turned back to me, eyebrows raised. "What does she mean?"

I shrugged. "She probably already knew how this conversation would unfold. That's what she does, after all."

With the help of the Time-Stone.

Strange didn't respond, though I could sense him bristling. He tried to hide his irritation, but his body language betrayed him.

"Is that true?" he asked, turning back to her.

The Ancient One merely tilted her head, unphased. "You are welcome to search for the answers yourself, Stephen. But perhaps it's not time for you to know yet."

Strange's jaw clenched, and he breathed out slowly. "Right. Because it's always about 'timing' with you."

A slight, almost imperceptible nod was her only answer.

"Speaking of time," she said with an air of dismissal, "you're scheduled for summoning lessons this afternoon, are you not?"

Strange looked at her, his pride visibly wounded, but he reluctantly stood, recognizing her words for what they were: a polite dismissal.

"Michael," he said as he got up, "Find me later. I have more questions about those constructs you make."

"I'm willing to trade that information," I replied, "if you've got something useful to offer in return."

Strange paused, considering. "We'll discuss terms later." With a final glance at the Ancient One, he strode out, leaving a faint trail of frustration behind him.

Once he was gone, the room felt more still, the silence settling heavily over us.

The Ancient One gestured toward my teacup. "How do you find the tea?"

I took a sip, the liquid sliding bitterly down my throat. "Bitter," I replied. "Never been much of a tea person. Coffee's more my thing."

A hint of amusement curved her lips. "Coffee stirs the soul, while tea calms it. In magic, both serve their purpose. But for you," she added, studying me with those penetrating eyes, "it's not a matter of calming or stirring. You're out of harmony with the spirit inside of you, and perhaps even with your own."

I leaned back, slightly uncomfortable under her gaze. "Harmony? Such is life, right? Disharmony. I don't expect things to go my way. I MAKE them go my way."

She let out a soft sigh, setting her cup down with a quiet clink. "That mindset of yours, Michael," she began, "it will lead you to conflict, no matter where you go. It's part of who you are. But tell me this—after being exiled from your own universe for meddling with the timeline, do you intend to do the same here?"

The question caught me off guard, but only for a moment. I met her gaze, unfazed. "And if I am? What exactly would you do about it?"

She smiled—a calm, composed smile that didn't reach her eyes. Lifting her cup to her lips, she took a slow sip, as if savoring the taste. "I will use every tool at my disposal to send you back to hell. Then I'll lock down the dimension so that even you can't escape, and I'll throw away the keys."

A chuckle escaped me. "That's the nicest way anyone has ever threatened me."

Despite my outward amusement, I felt the weight of her words. Beneath that calm exterior lay a power I would do well not to test.

Her gaze sharpened, "I trust you understand what I'm saying, Michael. You are not to exact vengeance or pursue those who, in your view, are deserving of punishment in this Universe. Doing so will alter the fixed points of this timeline, and it will be pruned."

I nodded, though I couldn't help but wonder.

"You're concerned about the TVA?" I asked incredulously.

The Ancient One's smile widened slightly, as though amused by my assumption. "It's not them I'm wary of. There is someone far beyond them, someone who upholds order across realms and timelines. If you wish to meet him, by all means, go after him. That I will allow."

"Ooh," I mused, "so I can't go after Ultron, Thanos, Apocalypse, or Galactus, but you're offering me Kang? Hardly a fair trade, but since you were gracious enough to extend the invitation... I accept."

Our conversation fell into a silence that felt strangely comfortable, as if we'd reached a mutual understanding. I sipped at my tea again, its bitterness grounding me in the moment.

There was an unspoken respect between us now, a recognition of sorts.

"Tell me, Michael," she said suddenly, her voice gentle yet probing, "what do you hope to accomplish here? You've been given a second chance, a place in a world that wasn't meant for you. Do you intend to waste it chasing shadows of the past?"

I set down my cup, meeting her gaze with a quiet intensity. "I don't expect redemption. I know what I've done, and I've come to terms with it. But if I can use this chance to get back what I lost, fix my biggest regret, even at the cost of my own existence, then that's enough."

She regarded me for a moment, her expression softening. "Perhaps. But remember this, Michael. The choices you make from here on, will echo across multiple realities. Whatever you do, tread carefully. You're powerful, yes, but power without purpose is just chaos waiting to happen."

Power without purpose, huh? My purpose for so long had been Vengeance. It still was. But, I could see her point. Unfortunately as long as I was the Rider, Vengeance would still remain my purpose.

"I appreciate the advise, Ancient One."

Doesn't mean I'm going to take it though. The least I could do was keep my promise to not interfere with this universe's Timeline. The Avengers would handle things anyway.

She nodded non-comitally.

"You may go now, Michael. But consider what I've said. You may stay in Kamar Taj for as long as you want. Master Yu will show you to your quarters. He's waiting outside."

I rose from my seat, feeling an odd sense of gratitude. "Thank you for the Tea, Ancient One."

Her smile returned, faint but genuine. "Don't be a stranger, Michael. Visit whenever you have time, if you don't mind the company of an old woman."

As I made my way toward the exit, she called after me, her voice lingering in the air like an echo. "Remember, Michael: not every battle needs to be fought, and not every wrong needs to be righted. Sometimes, the greatest strength lies in restraint."

I paused, letting her words sink in. Restraint wasn't exactly my strong suit, but maybe, just maybe, it was worth considering.

---

I followed the aged sorcerer, Master Yu, his gait measured as he led me to where I would be staying.

The flickering light of the hall lanterns reflected off the worn walls, casting shadows that flickered and danced.

Finally, he stopped at a wooden door and gestured for me to enter.

"Thank you."

I nodded.

Inside, the room was as bare as it was small. A simple bed, a desk, and a wooden chair occupied most of the space, with a single window overlooking a narrow view of the training courtyard.

A lantern sat on the desk, casting a dim but comforting glow. And on the bed was a set of gray robes I was definitely NOT going to wear. I'm good with my Leather thanks.

"Better than Hell," I muttered, half to myself.

Master Yu raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching as though he was holding back a smile, before bowing slightly and leaving without a word.

-0-

The next few days settled into a rhythm.

Breakfast was porridge or Tea and hard biscuits in the morning after training, lunch was herbs, soup and bread and supper consisted of Meat and vegetables. Nothing like Selina's place but again, I couldn't complain.

I wasn't part of any classes which left me with nothing to do during the day, except rest and explore the place.

That got boring really quick, so after 2 days, I went to the Ancient One with a request.

She allowed it and I was given access to the library—both the main section and the more guarded, forbidden one.

For the whole week, I pored over books for hours, hoping to find something, anything, that might hint at resurrection.

I dug through ancient texts, rituals, and spells. But all paths seemed to lead back to dark places: deals with Lords of Death or blood sacrifices with twisted consequences.

The rituals offered, at best, only a half-life, a hollow imitation of true resurrection.

Frustrated, I abandoned the search. It wasn't like I had Sarah and Emily's souls anyway.

So instead, I turned to the combat section of the library, picking up books on various martial arts techniques.

If I couldn't revive what I'd lost, I'd focus on growing stronger, refining what I already knew, and sharpening my skills.

The thing I realized was that Kamar-Taj's magic—the kind these sorcerers wielded—wouldn't come easily to me. When the Ancient One attempted to open my 'mind' to it, The Rider blocked her influence.

I couldn't perform their spells, likely because of the Rider's Potent power. The mystical energies clashed, unwilling to merge with the hellfire that coursed through my soul.

-0-

On the fifth day, the sunrise found me at the peak of a cliff overlooking Kamar-Taj.

The morning air was cold, biting against my skin, but I welcomed it.

I began my practice, moving through a series of katas, each stance precise yet unfamiliar.

My movements were jerky, lacking the fluidity of someone who'd trained for years. But I was learning, adapting with each motion, and my body was beginning to adjust to the foreign memories.

Footsteps crunched behind me.

I glanced over my shoulder to see Strange, a thick blanket wrapped around his shoulders, a steaming cup of tea cradled in his hands.

He watched me, his eyes unreadable. For a moment, he said nothing, simply observing as I moved through the stances, my breaths misting in the cold air.

"Chinese Kenpo?" he finally murmured, almost to himself. "I thought someone like you would have gone for something with more… striking power. Like Muay Thai."

I smirked, shifting instantly. My stance solidified as I let loose a powerful kick, then followed with a series of elbow strikes, each one cutting through the air with force.

The wind around me seemed to react, displaced by the sheer momentum of my movements.

Strange's eyes widened. "How…" he muttered, more to himself than me.

Switching from Muay Thai to Aikido, I transitioned smoothly, flowing through the defensive moves with an ease that belied my lack of formal training.

Strange's mouth opened slightly as he took in the performance, clearly taken aback.

I finished the sequence, lowering my arms as the morning sun peeked over the mountains, casting a golden light across the landscape.

"How did you learn three martial skills in a week?" he asked, genuinely baffled.

I wiped the sweat from my forehead, giving him a wry smile. "Everyone has their secrets, Strange."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "That's cryptic, even for you."

"You have your astral projection," I responded with a slight smirk, "and I have… a butler."

With that, I stepped off the cliff and through a portal back to my quarters, leaving him to puzzle over my words.

Once inside, I walked to the small window and opened it, letting the morning air sweep through the room.

A flash of green caught my eye as a hummingbird flitted down, landing lightly on my outstretched fingers.

It wasn't an ordinary bird, and I didn't need words to acknowledge that.

"Good job copying their memories, J'onn," I said, watching the tiny creature's eyes gleam with intelligence.

J'onn had been invaluable these last few days, using his telepathy to glean information from the minds of various sorcerers as they trained and sparred.

What he'd given me was no ordinary knowledge; it was the expertise of masters distilled into pure instinct.

I was far from a martial master myself, but I had a foundation now, a place to build from.

The hummingbird fluttered away to continue its task, and I watched as it disappeared into the courtyard below, where a handful of apprentices were practicing.

Some of them were sparring, their stances grounded as they exchanged blows, while others were deep in meditation, their hands glowing with faint energy as they manipulated spells.

It was humbling to witness such dedication and skill up close. And also exciting, as those very skills would be mine through the power of...CHEATING!

"Now I just have to master the skills and make them my own." I murmured, my voice barely a whisper against the quiet.

Too bad about the magic though.

Regardless, the Ancient One may have allowed me to stay here to keep an eye on me, but I was determined to make the most of it.

And when I gained enough...I would leave and see what this Universe had to offer.