An Entity Within | Stephen Strange

9 - While She Sleeps...

A/N: To avoid any confusion, this entire chapter is a memory of Tessa's 😊

Also WandaVision Ep7? I obviously see the good in people too much because when I tell you my jaw dropped...

If you know, you know and if you want to talk about it try to avoid spoilers for everyone else! 😄

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"Fight?"

"Yes. But do not worry, I shan't hurt you, little one."

"But what do I fight with?"

"Conjure a weapon, any weapon you can think of."

Ten-year-old Tessa stood before the Ancient One in the hidden courtyard of the New York Sanctum. She wore small white robes, resembling that of her elder novices, and her short auburn hair had been styled into a French plait. While the Ancient One appreciated the children of the sanctums and Kamar-Taj learning early, she never liked to pressure them into the mystic arts, knowing how dangerous they could be, and most certainly never would have taught them to the extent that she had been teaching Tessa. But, then again, Tessa was a different case entirely: since she had bonded with the Entity, the Ancient One noted that her magical skill was quite unlike that of the peers her age.

At ten, the Ancient One wished to see what the child could really do through a series of small tests, the first being combat.

Tessa drew in a breath, readying herself before she motioned with her arms, swiftly conjuring her Eldritch sorcery to bring about the Tao Mandalas, only to have them split their full circle and form Tessen instead. The Ancient One smiled at seeing her own signature weapons mimicked by the young girl - a testament to their own bond.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes."

"Begin."

And then they were off. While the Ancient One herself was a skilled martial artist, Tessa, at merely ten years old, proved to be quite the match herself and with little training. Her reflexes were faster than that of some of the adult novices, her stamina practically matched the sorceress's own and her agility was fairy-like - sharp, quick, surreal movements. As the Ancient One had promised, she brought no harm to Tessa, exercising and executing control over her actions with ease. The girl's defensive and offensive strategies were unusually skilled for a child that had not been training long.

"And enough."

The pair stopped, a sparkle in Tessa's green eyes as she slowly removed her arm and let the fiery magic fade.

"Was I okay?" Tessa asked, barely out of breath.

"Child, you were more than okay. You were exceptional." The Ancient One looked at her in awe, "Cosmic forces certainly favour you."

"Cosmic forces?"

The Ancient One smiled, "A subject to be discussed another day. Come."

The Sorceress Supreme beckoned the little girl to follow her and they returned to the sanctum, specifically to the library. They both greeted the librarian but quickly moved along to the private section. The Ancient One skimmed the books that were chained up before her, placing her hand on the one she required. She unclipped the book from its place and turned to show it to little Tessa, the golden circle on the front gleaming dully.

"Do you know what this book is?"

She tilted her head and thought for a second, "The Book of...Cagliostro?"