22 Future

In the mirrored space, Caesar and the Ancient One stood facing each other.

Divine power surged, and Caesar, ever ready to harness solar energy, remained on high alert for any sudden flare bombardment. Meanwhile, his right hand tightly gripped the Tesseract, prepared to crush it at a moment's notice.

Opposite him, the Ancient One held the Time Gem, a figure of immense power that even Caesar, with his closeness to the heavenly realm, couldn't afford to disregard.

"Dear Sorcerer Supreme..." Caesar began, but before he could finish, the Ancient One interrupted with a complex expression.

"I understand what you're trying to convey," the Ancient One said. "There's no need to be so guarded. I merely wish to speak with you; I harbor no intentions of becoming your enemy."

With a wave of the Ancient One's hand, the mirrored space transformed into a quaint, tranquil tea room, where the Ancient One promptly began pouring tea for Caesar.

"After much contemplation, I still cannot discern which path leads to the better future," the Ancient One continued. "You must come here and make that choice for yourself."

Though Caesar didn't fully let his guard down, he felt a sense of relief. Among true powerhouses in the universe, deceit was often beneath consideration.

Accepting the tea offered by the Ancient One, Caesar took a sip and watched as the cup refilled itself. Such parlor tricks held no sway over him; his strength today far surpassed such trivialities.

Taking another sip, Caesar gazed calmly at the Ancient One, awaiting further discourse.

"I witnessed your acquisition, but I lacked the power to intervene," the Ancient One began, her tone somber.

"Yet, I saw more. Powerful beings, once allies, turned against each other, their swords drawn in strife. Your loved ones, now adversaries, face you with blades, while you reluctantly wield the butcher's knife."

"Endlessly pursuing greater power, forsaking love, yet finding no true fulfillment. The universe plunged into conflict, civilizations and lives obliterated in an instant."

"Earth, too, succumbed to the devastation. In the end, you gained everything, yet lost everything. This is the tale I foresaw, following your acquisition today. Now, will you take it with you?"

When Caesar heard about the Angels turning on each other, he realized something crucial he had overlooked.

He had forgotten about one vital detail: the Mind Gem was now in Thanos' possession.

While Loki wielded a mind scepter capable of controlling weaker beings like Hawkeye, if Thanos had such a scepter, he could effortlessly dominate even those below the fourth rank.

This included powerful figures like the fairy queen Frigga, Heimdall, and even future-born Angels.

Even if Caesar were to crush the Tesseract and gain control of the Space Gem, he couldn't overpower Thanos, who also possessed a gem.

The conflict would only lead to a stalemate, with both sides scrambling for greater power to overcome the other, ultimately dragging the entire universe into war—a future foreseen by the Ancient One.

Caesar refused to let such a fate unfold. But why did the alternative outcome also leave the Ancient One conflicted?

"Events will unfold naturally over time; you occasionally alter them, and the outcome isn't bad. You grow stronger with each passing moment, unmatched in strength by anyone. He's no longer your adversary."

"But in the end, the universe loses its essence, descending into decay and oblivion. I cannot choose for you; your decisions will shape everything."

With a complex expression, the Ancient One finished speaking and regarded Caesar silently.

Caesar remained composed, even taking a sip of the tea offered by the Ancient One.

"It seems I have no choice."

"But do you think one story is enough to sway me?"

"I'm not questioning the truth of your tale," he continued thoughtfully.

"I'm pondering a different matter."

"Can you truly see all possible futures?"

"Or perhaps, are you—and the Time Gem in your possession—not as formidable as you believe?"

.....

When Caesar was pulled into the mirror space by the Ancient One, the system began to speak.

But the Ancient One remained oblivious to it.

The system, clearly surpassing the Infinity Gems, exceeded the power of the entire Marvel multiverse.

[Attention, the host has discovered the Time Gem and is now making choices!]

[Option one: Seize and control all Infinity Gems, reward: Control over the world.]

[Option two: Capture and scatter all Infinity Gems, reward: Sun's Power Level +1.]

[Option three: Capture and sacrifice all Infinity Gems to the system, reward: ????.]

.....

For the moment, Caesar refrained from making a choice. Instead, he rose to his feet, gazing down at the Ancient One, and crushed the Tesseract in his hand.

A surge of unparalleled power instantly coursed through Caesar's entire being.

His body emanated both gold and blue light simultaneously, transforming into intricate patterns that adorned his chest.

The Ancient One's tea room quivered under the mighty shockwave of Caesar's mastery over the Space Gem, only to settle back into place as the Ancient One waved his hand.

"Thank you for the hospitality, Sorcerer Supreme," Caesar remarked, turning his back to the Ancient One with a smirk.

"Have you glimpsed such a future?"

As Caesar spoke, the power of the Space Gem swelled, his voice growing more resolute.

"As long as I'm here, there will be only one future for the world! And it's the one that I decide!"

With those words, the power of the Space Gem erupted, shattering the Ancient One's tea room in an instant.

....

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