An Entity Within | Stephen Strange

17 - A Test

"We need to get Liam to the healing room." Ishir added.

"Idha - she - she's - " Luciana struggled to speak, still trying to wake the student, "Idha's gone."

A lamentable quiet fell across the yard as the Ancient One and her students looked at Luciana and the fallen Idha. The Ancient One herself grieved and condemned herself for her ruinous mistake.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

In her room, little Tessa slept soundly.

But the Ancient One had no time to admire the girl's peace and instead brought the Entity back to Tessa's consciousness. Eyes still closed, the creature spoke through her.

"I sensed her distress, I did not mean to - "

"I - I know." The Ancient One spoke gravely, "It was my own fault, I should have consulted you first."

"You need not consult me - I hear what Tessa hears, feel what she feels, see what she sees. I knew it was a test. But I also felt her distress. I attempted to console her, to protect her."

"You should not be able to do so without my interference - "

"I have come to understand that there are certain emotional triggers for my awakening that you have no influence over. It is a desperate plea for help that I cannot resist. If these triggers are not present, I remain dormant."

"Your bond with the girl has grown..."

"Yes..."

The Ancient One nodded, "Perhaps it is time I seperate you, for the safety of - "

"Not possible."

"What do you mean?"

"She will die. She is not strong enough."

"Entity, a tragedy has hit our sanctum today. I cannot have the others know that I let a creature - "

"That was born of destruction in order to cause destruction into your world? You had faith I could change."

"I still do but - "

"Then make them forget."

"Idha was a valued apprentice of the arts - "

"She is gone now."

"Your words do little to ease my woe and motivate me more so to find a way to remove you."

The Entity kept quiet for a moment.

"I know that this was my own fault but the least you could do is attempt to show some sympathy."

"Tessa was in distress. I protected her. I am sorry that meant one of your sorceresses passed." It paused, "But I would like another chance to prove myself."

*  *  *  *  *  *

As the Ancient One left Tessa's room, she was greeted outside by Masters Makarov, de Leon and Bawa and by Mordo, Sura, Henry and Liam, all with a grief-stricken look upon their weary faces. She straightened up and shut the door, trying to summon words that would make everything better for them all.

"Her power is immense." Ishir said.

"And we've thought about it," Ivan continued, "Her power is far too great for a girl her age, a girl that inexperienced - "

"She has undertaken the skill of the mystic arts since she was six. That's five years of experience."

"Tessa demonstrated more than five years experience, Ancient One," Luciana said, "Please, we are not dim. Idha was killed - "

"She did not mean for that to happen."

"All the same, Idha was killed by the power that girl possesses and...surely she cannot have that much power without some kind of exterior manipulation."

The Ancient One scanned them all, "You think I would harm Tessa?"

All responded with "no" said in various different ways, all unconvincing, all suspicious of their leader's true intentions. With a sore sigh, she looked at her forlorn students.

"Her power is great," Ivan repeated, "But I think you should take it from her until she is ready."

"You can do that?" Mordo questioned.

The others nodded.

Luciana said, "Mind, we only do so when absolutely necessary." She paused, looking directly at the Ancient One, "This is one of those times."

"I will...give it some thought." She nodded, already deciding what she would do to resolve this, "Get some rest, all of you."

*   *   *   *   *   *

Wandering down to the New York sanctum basement, she approached a private room - well, cupboard given how small it was - towards the back of the cramped space. It was a peculiar place to go but she liked to use it for meditation and found it was a place she would be unlikely to be disturbed as most did think it was only a storage cupboard.

She sat, digestung the quiet for a moment...

Faith.

Faith and foresight.

That was all it took for her to give in to the Entity's suggestion.

She believed it would do good - that Tessa would do good alongside it. But her curiosity had gotten the better of her and the natural competitiveness of her students had caused devastation. Never again would she push Tessa to this level. Never again would she put her own students in harms way.

With a steady wave of her hands, the Sorceress Supreme drew up the memory spell around her. There were some exceptions to the spell, such as any knowledge of the Entity was to be kept exclusively between herself, Marcus and Elijah but...

Idha would be remembered by the Ancient One and by herself alone.

*  *  *  *  *  *

With a gasp, Tessa sat bolt upright in her bed, a single tear spilling as her chest rapidly rose and fell. She had killed someone. It might have been an accident but still...that was a person who would have had a family but even then, Idha's family wouldn't even realise what they lost.

I am sorry I had to remind you.

"Tee - "

I was protecting you. There was no malicious intent.

"You should have - you should have just told me how - "

You needed rest. I was killing two birds with one stone.

"Well then you should have waited," Tessa wiped her eyes.

I can...make you forget again.

"No. No," She shook her head, "The Ancient One is gone now - Idha needs to be remembered by someone."

It is your choice.

"It's our memory." She threw the blanket off her legs, swinging them off the bed, "I can't sleep anymore. Not after..."

You should find Strange. Tell him how to resolve this for they are not yet ready to handle the knowledge of us.

_______________

A/N - Nice pic at the top now hopefullyyy