"Should he really desire it - "
"Mordo desires guidance and a chance at redemption. He feels he failed his wife by not being able to protect her - now he is training to protect the world and its sanctums, to protect Tessa."
At her own wisdom, Makarov was silenced again.
"Do not forget that we are human here too, Ivan. We cannot take away pain or grief, we cannot take away the debilitating emotions that come alongside it but here, we can learn to coexist with it, to redirect it and to find new purpose."
* * * * * *
Little Tessa stood alone in the centre of a circle formed by seven other sorcerers and sorceresses. Attentively, she observed them all, able to name all but one muscly Master. All participants were intrigued as to why they were stood around the young girl, Mordo most of all who acknowledged he was the lowest ranking sorcerer in the group.
Makarov and the Ancient One circled around the ring, addressing them all.
"In the centre stands our youngest student of the mystic arts, Tessa Hyde. Surrounding her are some of our most talented fighters from across all ranks: our newest novice, Karl Mordo; apprentices: Sura Abara, Idha Ghimire, Henry Goya and Liam Cackowski; masters, Luciana de Leon and Ishir Bawa." She paused, "The seven of you are to attempt to defeat Tessa in a sparring match, seven versus one."
Even Tessa was unnerved by this statement.
"You're not serious, she's a child - "
"I'm deadly serious, Master Bawa." Acknowledging the child's uncertainty, she said, "You are ready, Tessa, I believe in you."
"Ancient One, we cannot fight a child." Mordo was appalled by the idea, especially since the girl had been so kind to him.
"Do you all trust me?"
There were nods, albeit anxious and unsure ones in this situation.
"Tessa will be fine. You will all be fine. You know how to exercise control and Tessa does too." She paused, "Begin."
Tessa immediately stood in a right-foot forward fighting stance, pivoting slowly to look at them all yet the adults remained out of a stance, all worried for the girl. Sura looked between the girl and the Ancient One.
"Trust your Master, sorcerers." Makarov encouraged, "Fight or yield."
All were ready to yield but Sura. The apprentice knew there would be a reason for this and she was willing to find out why.
"You are certain Tessa will be fine?"
"Yes." Simultaneously, the girl and the Ancient One both responded.
Sura stepped into the circle calmly, approaching the girl at ease before readying herself, "Tell me if it's too much."
"It won't be." Tessa assured.
Scoffing lightly at the girl's confidence, Sura threw a gentle punch to Tessa's gut which was so shockingly well-blocked that before she could process her next move, the woman was knocked clean off her feet with a mighty palm-heel strike to her chest. Gasps sounded from all who formed the circle and even from Makarov who looked between the girl and the Ancient One. The chosen fighters watched, their eyes larger than a tarsier's as Sura sat up on the ground, her hand rubbing the sore spot just under her collar bone where Tessa had hit her.
"Sorry..." Tessa whispered, offering Sura a hand, "Are you okay?"
A competitive streak began to brew in the sorceress who took the girl's hand, "Yes, fine - "
YOU ARE READING
An Entity Within | Stephen Strange
Fanfiction{~BOOK 1 in THE ENTITY SERIES~} Everyday life has become difficult for Tessa Hyde when her odd migraines become increasingly worse after the death of the Ancient One. Secrets have been kept and lies have been told to keep Tessa 'safe' but how much...
17 - A Test
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