"Russell, you already know the answer to that," The Ancient One said firmly.
"You know better than I do what kind of man Strange is. He may not be able to shoulder the burden now, but one day he will.
He may not understand the runes and Magic Arrays I've left behind yet, but one day he will.
He is more gifted than you think, and more resilient than you think. All he has ever lacked is time."
She paused, her gaze resting briefly on Russell's easygoing face.
"And you were right when you said I was eager to leave. I am. But have you considered why I'm in such a hurry?"
"Is that hard to guess? You want to wash your hands of the whole thing."
Russell's tone remained casual, but his words carried the certainty of someone who had seen through everything.
"You know Dormammu is only the appetizer. The Ancient One's very existence makes her a target for certain beings. You also know that if you stay on Earth and continue bearing the authority of the Sorcerer Supreme in a physical body, you'll have trouble escaping when the real cosmic catastrophe arrives.
So you chose to bow out early. Your body would settle your debts, while your spirit traveled the Multiverse. You shed every burden you could, arranged every fallback you could, and then handed yourself over without a second thought."
Russell did not say to whom.
The Ancient One nodded slightly. She did not mention her plan to seek refuge with Eternity, either.
"Russell, you really do know everything."
Her voice was calm. "Staying on Earth would indeed make me an obvious target. Dormammu was the first Dimension Demon God to covet Earth, but he won't be the last.
Once the Dark Dimension changes hands, everyone