Marvel Cybernetic Girl

—Kamar-Taj

Kagura had changed back into her short cheongsam outfit as she stepped into the Arcane Healing Chamber of Kamar-Taj.

Currently, the Ancient One was receiving the best care and treatment the entire sanctuary could offer.

Even so, all they could do was stabilize her condition, temporarily stalling Dormammu's corruption.

"Ancient One, how are you feeling? Any improvement?"

Kagura walked to her bedside, carrying a set of premium nutritional meals airlifted from Rhodes Island Industries' New York headquarters.

"Judging by the looks of things, this kind of injury isn't something that rest or even magic can fix."

"You already know what I'm up against, Kagura."

The Ancient One, having briefly awakened from her slumber, gave her a weary yet gentle smile. "Thank you for saving my life. Though truthfully, I should have died in that battle against Kaecilius."

"Don't say that, Master. No one should have to live—or die—according to some so-called fate."

Kagura set the meal down beside her and sat at her bedside. "Maybe when you looked into the future with the Eye of Agamotto, you accepted your death as inevitable..."

She brushed aside her silver hair. "But I refuse to accept that. Fate should never be something we blindly follow. It should be something we take into our own hands!"

The Ancient One smiled again—this time, her expression was far more complex.

A blend of surprise, warmth, and emotion... But above all, there was a nostalgic yearning for the past and a deep reflection on a long life lived.

"Kagura, you remind me of how I once was—full of fire and unshakable will. You even remind me of Kaecilius... back before he lost his way."

"Ugh, don't lump me in with that ugly, arrogant man!" Kagura pouted. "Master, were you once someone who defied fate, too?"

"I was." The Ancient One nodded. "I used to be spirited and fearless, never giving destiny a second thought. But the more it beat me down, the more I realized it wasn't something that could be defeated."

Her gaze drifted into the distance, as if peering into the past.

"Fate is like a river. You can't block it that would only cause it to flood and destroy everything. You have to go along with it, because nature itself cannot be overcome."

"No, you're wrong, Master."

Kagura shook her head firmly. "We might not be able to stop the river, but we can redirect it. And if the current leads to ruin—then we'll dam it up and carve a new path entirely!"

Yes.

There is no power that cannot be challenged. Not even fate.

Kagura believed that with all her heart.

There were no gods in this world who would shelter mortals. Prayers were just empty illusions, comforting lies.

If you want the future to go your way— Then you fight for it.

Fight with everything you've got. Push forward. Keep moving forward, no matter what. No matter the cost.

Human will can defy the heavens.

In Kagura's original world, the greatest of nations had always lived by this belief.

The most indomitable of people had always walked this path. And she had inherited that same conviction.

To throw everything away and march toward a glorious yet meaningless death just because she foresaw it with the Time Stone?

No. In this, the Ancient One was absolutely wrong.

The future isn't a gift handed down from above. It's something you carve out, piece by piece, with your own two hands.

Kaecilius will be defeated.

Dormammu will be defeated.

And the Ancient One will be saved.

Kagura's unwavering gaze and conviction seemed to reach the Ancient One's heart. The faintest smile appeared on her lips once more.

"Well said, Kagura. I won't fully agree with you... but I won't deny you either. Go ahead—follow your path. I believe in you."

With effort, she raised an arm—trembling and barely responsive from Dormammu's corruption and gently caressed Kagura's cheek.

"My whole life has been a struggle against dark futures. With the Eye of Agamotto, I've averted countless apocalypses... until I saw the one that ended with my own demise."

"But since you arrived, the future has become... unpredictable. Sometimes it's a blur, sometimes crystal clear. At times it's chaos, other times peace. Like a mischievous child, impossible to pin down."

"Maybe I've been worn down by the ages. Maybe time itself has eroded my courage. I can't reshape the future with my will anymore. I just follow the Eye's guidance, going through the motions..."

"I'm old now. But you—you're still young."

"Kagura, may I entrust the future to you? Just this once. I'm begging you—help me. Help the masters of the mystic arts. Help Stephen Strange. Help this world survive the darkness to come."

"Don't worry, Master." Kagura smiled, squeezing the Ancient One's hand.

"This was our deal, wasn't it? And if it's a deal, I'll see it through to the end. No matter what lies ahead—Kaecilius, Dormammu—there's always a path forward."

"Our job is to keep walking it."

'Don't worry. I will save you. And I'll save this world.'

————————————————————————

At that moment, Mordo entered the room.

"How is the Ancient One?"

"She's not doing well," Kagura replied calmly. "She was gravely injured in the fight against Kaecilius. I'm afraid she can't continue defending the Sanctum anymore."

She deliberately left out the part about the Ancient One being consumed by the Dark Dimension.

In the original MCU timeline, Mordo lost all faith after learning she had drawn power from the Dark Dimension.

That truth had shattered his beliefs, driving him down a dark path.

Maybe one day, she would explain the blurry line between ideals and reality to him—help him understand the Ancient One's choices.

But not now.

Right now, their priority was figuring out how to stop Kaecilius—and Dormammu.

Even though Kagura had killed Kaecilius once, as long as Dormammu still existed, the power of the Dark Dimension could bring him back.

More accurately, Kaecilius, who had surrendered his soul to Dormammu, was now part of the Dark Dimension itself.

In any case— The Ancient One could no longer fight.

From here on, it was up to Kagura and those who stood beside her.

————————————————————————

Kamar-Taj, Library

"Are you sure about this, Strange?"

Wong looked at Stephen Strange with a stern expression. "Tampering with the natural order isn't something to take lightly. It could collapse time and space—destroy everything."

"I know," Strange said, nodding solemnly. "But it's necessary. I have to learn how to use it."

"If we don't," he continued, "then Dormammu and the Dark Dimension will consume everything anyway. And isn't that the same as total annihilation?"

As he spoke, the golden necklace began to unfold, revealing the glowing green brilliance of the Time Stone...