An Entity Within | Stephen Strange

13 - The Start Of Her Training

The Entity looked away, gently, gracefully motioning with its fingers until that wispy black smoke appeared around its hands. A sickly tree stood opposite them in the yard and the Entity threw a black whip towards. It never pulled so as to not cause any destruction but then used its right hand to sever the shadowy line however, a circle around the tree remained.

"Used to pull or bind or..." The Entity looked at Stephen apologetically, "Choke as you already know."

Stephen noted this, gently rubbing at his neck at the not-so-fond memory of having his neck crushed.

The Entity then shaped the shadow into darker forms of the Mandalas and conjured another cage. The smoke stood on its own as the cage and the large shadow Mandalas held its shape. Again, the Entity looked at Strange, preparing its explanation but Stephen spoke first, curiosity sparking in his eyes.

"You can conjure shadow out of nowhere? Because I know it's darker here but, in the library, it was bright and there was barely any shadow."

"I suppose I can. Hence why it is probably a darker form of sorcery...I can manipulate the shadow into whatever form I please, using it for an attack, to entrap or as a defence."

The Entity dismissed the structures.

"I will not do this now as I know it can cause destruction, but I can also send out blows or pulses - again, as you already know - but the pulses can drain our energy significantly."

Stephen nodded for it to continue. The Entity formed space shards in its hands next.

"Space shards are the main giveaway as to safely assuming our joint power comes from the dark dimension." The Entity let the shards fade and then flew off the ground a little bit, "And we can levitate should we wish."

The Cloak of Levitation appeared excited by this as it flew up to meet the Entity, drifting around it somewhat gingerly but lifted the end of its cloak to wave to which Tee obliged in responding. Stephen now watched this exchange in wonder – his Cloak never failed to fascinate and charm him. It was definitely an interesting relic and he was honoured that the cloak had chosen him to be its master.

The Entity lowered itself back onto the ground.

"And that is all to my knowledge. Do you wish to dismiss me?"

"Uh, I – " Stephen was taken aback by this question and yet he didn't know why, "Was there anything else you wanted to say?"

"No. I shall let you speak with Tessa."

"Okay. Thank you."

It gave a nod as it shut its eyes, opening them to reveal Tessa in the driver's seat again. She smiled and the sorcerer smiled back but frowned when he saw her sway.

"Tessa?"

"Yeah, I – "

She collapsed.

"Tess!" He rushed over, down on his knees next to her in an instant, "Tessa?"

But she was out cold. Stephen's expression grew into a troubled frown as he looked at her. This was the second time she had passed out, also after having used excessive power from the Entity's side of things. Using so much raw power was clearly taxing on her mind and body...could they learn to overcome the exhaustion so she wouldn't pass out straight away? But then, what if they couldn't, what long term effects would this have on the sorceress?

"Help me get Tessa up and get her to her room." Stephen addressed the red floating material as he lifted her up enough for the Cloak to take her by the shoulders.