The Ancient One listened, then looked at Homelander in silence.
She was no stubborn relic. After a moment, she smiled, her doubts gone.
"Everything on Earth is in your hands now. You have the final say." The Ancient One dipped her head. "I still believe taking you as my disciple was the wisest decision I ever made."
With that, she traced a circle with both hands. A golden portal opened before her, and she stepped through.
Notice! Special Popularity Points +10,000! (From the Ancient One)
Only Homelander and Strange remained in the New York Sanctum.
Strange stood there, his expression shifting. Several times, he looked about to speak, but held back.
At last, he stepped forward.
"Teacher." Strange lowered his voice. "Kaecilius said the Ancient One has been drawing power from the Dark Dimension to sustain her life..."
Homelander looked at the conflicted doctor and chuckled softly.
"Pure light can't defeat the abyss, Stephen."
"Sometimes, to save others, you have to get your hands dirty."
He gave Strange's shoulder a light pat.
"Don't be fooled by appearances. Judge someone not by where she gets her power, but by what she uses it for."
"It's like the scalpel in your hand. When it cuts into flesh, whether it saves a life or takes one depends on the person holding it."
Leaving those words behind, Homelander turned and walked out of the Sanctum Sanctorum.
Strange stood alone in the hall, turning Homelander's words over in his mind.
To save others, you have to get your hands dirty...
Power itself is neither good nor evil. What matters is the person using it...
Strange's expression wavered.
If the Ancient One could touch the Dark Dimension to protect Earth, why couldn't he break the rules and use forbidden power to bring Christine back?