An Entity Within | Stephen Strange

16 - Dissonance

"There are children here. Families."

"You don't understand, Strange, you weren't here. You didn't see what its kind did."

The doctor continued to defend them, "But it's Tessa! You know her, she trained with you, she grew up with you – "

"So, what are our options then?" Another sorcerer turned to the crowd.

"Well, this supposed Entity hasn't done anything yet," Said one of the younger sorceresses, "Perhaps we should just give them a chance?"

"You can take chances when dealing with an Entity," One of the older Masters spoke up, "I say...I'm sorry, Tessa, but I say we take them out."

Take us out? I would like to see them try.

Be still, she thought, calm yourself. They're scared for their families, it's understandable, it's human.

And yet you are still surprised at how many are willing to kill us?

"Here, here!" A few more agreed.

"We can't just kill her – it's Tessa!"

"I won't let you harm her." Stephen stood in front of her.

What neither Stephen nor Tessa noticed was one of the other Masters approaching, creeping out behind them from one of the bookcases, conjuring a fiery Eldritch sword as he went. If he could just end it, the arguments would stop. He might be kicked out, but at least his family would remain safe. Unfortunately for him though, the Entity sensed his movements.

I am sorry to do this...

Tee?

Again, before she could process what was happening and while the room was still amass with arguments regarding her situation, darkness invaded her eyes and they whipped around, surprising the sorcerer with a shadowy sword of their own.

"En garde." Tee made an effort to smile.

Its faux friendliness was, however, met with a look of sheer horror, especially when they grabbed him by his tunic and flung him back down the stairs with frightening ease. As he landed with an 'oomph' in the middle of the crowd, the entire room went silent, all eyes on the sorcerer, before wordlessly peering upwards to see the Entity hovering above them, tauntingly.

"Tee," Stephen warned, "Don't be foolish."

"On the contrary, Strange," Came its warped voice, one that disturbed them all as they heard it, "I have proven to them that, even though they wish to turn on me, I am willing show mercy."

"So you would harm us if given the chance?" One of the sorcerers questioned.

"Only in defence. However, I am willing to offer you mercy once," It warned, "But if you choose to be foolish and pursue me, rest assured, I will not hesitate to protect my host."

"How can we trust you?" A woman shouted, "A creature whose nature means it's hellbent on causing chaos?"

Be patient with them, Tee. Speak gently.

"I am not my brothers and sisters. Their actions are separate to my own. I came here to learn love because I was sick of hate. You have no reason to believe me but that is the truth."

"But how can we trust you?" Another asked again.

"You cannot."

That – doesn't help our case, Tee.

At seeing their distrusting expressions, Stephen jumped in, "What the Entity means to say is – "

"What I mean is..." The Entity glared at the doctor for trying to interrupt, "How can I trust you all not to harm us? I cannot. But I am willing to maintain peace as long as you all are also willing to do so. My life has been long and loud and all I wish for now, is peace." It paused, gently floating back down to the top of the staircase that acted as a stage for them, "You do not have to like me, but can we all agree to maintain a peaceful relationship with each other?"