The sacrifice did not go unnoticed. Watching from the multiversal Tree, the god of stories was aware of the damage wrought across the branches because of one being's desperation to restore their own, as well as the moment it was revitalised not by god magic. Another lonely soul who had committed atrocities in a plea to alleviate their suffering.
Loki didn't think this Stephen's story should end.
He found the branch in question, the one infused with Strange's essence. With his own magic, he unpicked the faint thread of Stephen's life, with a little extra of his gathered power. He left behind the fuel that had been Stephen's manifested guilt, though that would not be removed entirely, could even grow again. What Loki took, he healed over, keeping the universe intact without this one element.
From there, he grafted the thread into another universe, one he felt likely wouldn't be worsened by a rogue Strange's presence. It wouldn't have been sensible to allow him near the Tree. Loki stepped onto the timeline, there when the man woke up in a field of grass.
"Welcome back, Stephen Strange. Or do you prefer 'Supreme'?"
@forevermuses
