Sorry for the delay! Between the crazy state this world is in and personal business, writing this chapter has been proven a challenge. Anyways here is Ch 16 of the House of Life! Any reviews are much appreciated, I am currently working on Ch 17, I hope to have that out soon. Enjoy!
Chapter 16
New York City
December
The following days after the 'incident' were tense. Cleopatra remained in her room under the covers of her bed, drowning in her thoughts and tears. Strange would come into her room three times a day, leaving trays of food and locking the door once outside. Cleo did not look as Strange walked through the door, dinner tray in hand. Placing the tray next to the untouched lunch tray, Strange let out a small sigh, picking up the lunch tray. Making his way back to the door, he turned around, wanting to say something, but upon seeing Cleo's back to him, he decided against it and left. Once the door shut, Cleo resumed her crying.
The scarlet Cloak detached itself from Strange and begun to tug at Strange's arm as he made his way to the kitchen.
"No." Strange grunted, already annoyed at his Relic. The Cloak continued to tug at him.
"No, I said." Raising his voice as the tray trembled in his scarred hand.
The Cloak tugged aggressively at Strange's arm, dropping the tray, spraying the kitchen floor with the uneaten sandwich and fries.
"I said NO!" Strange yelled at the Cloak, which immediately sunk and re-attached itself to Strange's neck.
"What is going on?" Wong called from the emerald kitchen counter, sipping his tea.
"Wong!" Strange startled, sinking against the island, "Why didn't you knock?"
"I did, but no one opened, so I let myself in. Where is the girl?" Wong asked over his mug. Strange paused, not responding.
Eyeing Strange's exhausted form, he asked, "What is the matter, Strange? You look tired and irritated."
Sighing, Strange pulled himself up to full height, rubbing his face. "Nothing," he mumbled behind his scarred hands. Wong raised his eyebrow, unimpressed with his friend. "Fine…" Strange conceded as he took the seat next to the ex-librarian.
"Everything is falling apart." Strange admitted as he began to fidget with a discarded hot chocolate pack. "Cleopatra… she… she was sneaking out of the Sanctum for a time. I neglected her, I am so consumed with trying to understand the Eye of Horus and the Book of Wadjet that I would go days without seeing her. She was excelling in all of her areas of studies but she wants more. So, she snuck out, visiting a local coffee shop, spending time there. When I finally caught on, I was thrown into a frenzy. I had thought Mordo had broken in somehow and had taken her. I couldn't think straight. I overreacted in how I treated her. I don't know what to do anymore." He admitted, feeling a headache beginning to form.
Wong paused, staring into his mug, choosing his next words carefully. "You remember that nephew of mine I told you about?"
"Yes." Strange responded softly, often forgetting that Wong had other commitments not related to Kamar-Taj.
"Well, he…" Wong sighed as he placed his tea on the emerald counter, "… he was troubled. He wouldn't speak with anyone about his troubles, he closed himself off to the world. I had to break down those walls, or I would have lost him to the darkness within him. It wasn't easy, it never is." Wong paused. Strange held his breath without meaning to. Drawn into Wong's tale. "But the moment I gained his trust, that was my opportunity in. It was my one chance and I took it. When Kaecilius attacked the Hong Kong Sanctum, my nephew was caught in the crossfire and took a heavy hit. I had to bring him back to health. Seeing and helping him was my ticket to understanding him and what he was going through. Our relationship isn't perfect, often times I feel like he's given up on us but I know so long as I am there for him, he won't give up on me. He won't give in." Looking up at Strange, Wong spoke with a stronger tone, "You are not the person Cleopatra needs right now, but, you are all that she has. So that means becoming that person. Be strong for her. Be there for her."
Wong concluded. Strange felt a weight lifted from his chest from Wong's speech. Someone who understands, Strange thought as Wong smirked at him, resuming his tea sipping.
A screeching siren filled the kitchen air. A red projection floated in front of Wong who dropped his cup, shattering on the emerald counter. "What is going on?!" Strange called out, staring at the projection.
"Kamar-Taj!" Wong shouted back, slicing his hand through the projection, dissolving it. "Kamar-Taj is under attack by Mordo! He somehow got past the guards and defenses!" Wong exclaimed out loud as the pair rushed to the main foyer of the Sanctum. Turning to look at Strange, Wong said, "We must go now and help defend them."
Strange felt his blood boil at the mention of Mordo, wanting to end him finally. At least I don't have to use the Eye to find him, Strange thought. "I will alert Cleopatra and meet you at Kamar-Taj, we're going to end him." Strange called out to Wong as he ran up the stairs while the latter sling ring-ed away.
Rushing to Cleo's door, Strange turned the handle and swung the door open without knocking. Cleo still remained in her bed, buried under her covers. Panting, Strange spoke whilst still holding the door knob, "There has been an attack on Kamar-Taj." Hearing the haste and concern in Strange's voice, Cleo peaked her head out from under her fortress. "Mordo…" Strange continued, locking eyes with dark red ones, "Mordo is there right now. I must go and help. You are to remain in the Sanctum. Under no circumstances are you to leave, is that understood?" Strange concluded with a voice of authority, noticing the slight flinch in her tanned features.
A quiet peep was heard from the bed, "Understood."
Strange nodded, not knowing what else to say he decided to say nothing and opened a portal in the room. With one last glance at Cleo's form still in bed, he entered, ready for battle.
Once Strange had stepped through the portal, Cleo flung herself out of bed. Suddenly feeling lightheaded, she headed to the washroom to freshen up.
Mordo is in Kamar-Taj.
The thought ringing in her head.
Mordo is in Kamar-Taj right now.
Not being able to sit around waiting for the news of victory or defeat, Cleo dressed in gym attire and made her way to the top floor of the Sanctum. I will keep busy with training, she thought as she entered the familiar padded room. Not leaving her bed for days had taken an effect on her body, leaving Cleo feeling more sluggish. Rubbing her puffy eyes, Cleo picked up her black sword, her relic, making her way to the speaker system and began to play some loud music, to drown her thoughts and worry.
What if something happens to Kamar-Taj? To Wong... What if Strange ends up getting hurt, or worse? Cleo sliced the air in front of her with great force, willing for the bitter thought to exit her mind, her muscles straining under the lack of practice. He will be fine… won't he? Cleo's mind raced back to the day the House of Life was destroyed, to Strange begin knocked out in Central Park, to his emotions blinding him in fury. Anxiousness flooded Cleo's mind as she spun, bringing her black sword into a forwards thrust, mindlessly running through her routine and music beating loud in her ears. Sweat pouring down her forehead.
I have faith in Strange, even though he has none in me. Dropping to the floor, Cleo brought her blade up in an arc motion. He will succeed. He will get Mordo, I am sure of… where is the music?
Turning towards the speaker, Cleo's heart lumped within her throat.
Standing at the speaker, clad in his all black attire was Mordo, hand on the pause button. Wicked smirk placed upon his dark features.
"How…" Cleo whispered in disbelief, her heartbeat bounding in her ears.
"How are you here?!" Cleo yelled, gripping her blade so hard her knuckles turned white, "You're supposed to be at Kamar-Taj! How did you even get into the Sanctum?!" She screamed, lowering into a fighting position, shaking.
Mordo's smirk never left his face, like a hunter finally trapping his prey. Cleo glanced between him and the door, he was blocking her only way out.
After what seemed to be an eternity, he spoke, drawing out every syllable, "I should really be thanking you, Child. I used your cloning spell, quite genius really, to have Strange rush off to the School, leaving his Sanctum all alone for the taking. As for the Sanctum, you can thank Wong. He entered this morning and did not place the extra charms Strange had relied on so much. Strange's pride probably prevented him from telling Wong of the extra measures to keep me out." Mordo explained as he withdrew his relic, the Staff of the Living Tribunal, from his side, eyes wide with glee. "Of course, my spell was casted to last longer than yours. But by that time, Strange would be too late to save you. I have you all to myself." He gloated, lowering himself into a fighting position.
Cleo's mind was running 100 miles a minute, he's blocking the door, he's blocking the door, she repeated in her thoughts, desperately trying to think of a way out. "Surrender is your ideal choice, Witch." Mordo called from next to the speaker.
I need a distraction, Cleo's eyes darted around the room.
Mordo lifted his relic, pointing it at Cleo, "Lower your weapon, you have no way out." He commanded.
Cleo's eyes rested on his wicked smile and glanced towards the speaker. Maybe…
"There's always a way, Mordo." Cleo called out, her hands shaking, betraying her faux confidence she was trying to portray. Mordo's eyes and smile seemed to double in size. Balling her left hand into a fist, she whipped red kinetic energy towards the speaker, which exploded on impact.
BOOM
Debris bursted into the air, embedding into Mordo's right side.
"ARGH," Mordo cried in pain, doubling over.
Cleo made a run for the door, jumping over the enraged villain. Grabbing a hold of the staircase rail, she jumped from the top to the bottom of the stairs, hearing the roar of the madman.
Heartbeat hammering, she ran the long corridor, hearing heavy footsteps growing louder behind her. Red hot energy whipped past her face, too close for comfort, as it incinerated a decorative painting.
Turning the corner, Cleo spared a second to look back at Mordo. The man seemed like a demon, running with blood pouring from the pieces of the speaker that were rooted into him. "WITCH!" He screeched, as Cleo continued running towards the main foyer. Grabbing at an old chair that probably belonged to someone important and tipped it over in hopes of slowing him down.
I need a plan, I need a plan, Cleo thought as she reached the top of the main stairs in the foyer. Turning around, black energy hit her in her stomach, flinging her to the bottom of the stairs, back first. Her sword discarded to her right. Hurrying to get up, Cleo clenched her stomach, pain flaring. "Ah…" she whimpered as looked to the top of the stairs. Mordo stood there, panting as he removed pieces of metal from his right arm, slowly descending the stairs.
Pushing herself up, Cleo made a run for her relic. Black energy was shot between her and the sword. Looking back at the madman, his arm still outstretched, he spoke, "For a Witch, you are a slippery one."
"What is this all about? Huh." Cleo called out, hoping to stall in hopes of Strange coming back. "All this for my Mother's magic?"
The laugh that erupted from Mordo sent chills down Cleo's spin.
"Child, you still think this is about you? No, no. You are simply a tool for me to achieve what I want. Your mother's magic is the key to unlocking what it is I seek." He explained cryptically as he removed a large piece of speaker from his forearm.
Bringing both hands in front of her, Cleo called out, "Enough of this!" as she shot gold kinetic energy from her palms. Immediately, her upper left arm burned. Mordo lazily blocked the weak attack, laughing.
Oh no. The Bracelet of Boudica. Cleo cursed as the pain amplified in her arm.
"You're weaker than I remembered, has Strange been neglecting you?" Mordo mocked as he continued his slow advance.
"Screw you!" Cleo exclaimed, as she drew a half circle in the ground with her foot, gray smoke filling the main foyer. Diving for her sword, she narrowly missed a blast of fire where she just stood. Ignoring the pain in her arm and stomach, Cleo raised her sword, gripping it with both hands as she listened for the madman.
"Relaying on parlor tricks? I would have thought Strange taught you better, pathetic." Mordo's voice echoed in the smoke. Cleo turned sharply to her left, trying to follow the voice. Slowly moving her feet. Straining her ears to hear him in the silence.
"Come to think of it, what has Strange taught you?" his voice eerily spoke in the smoke. Cleo sliced the air in front of her. Mordo's laugh ringing in her ears. "I came prepared to fight a worthy opponent, not to play a child's game."
"Shut up," Cleo barked, thrusting her sword again with no purchase.
Hearing the ever so silent creak of wood behind her, Cleo spun around blocking Mordo's attack. Upon impact, the smoke in the foyer vanished. Cleo grunted, struggling under the weight of Mordo's relic. Mordo stepped forwards, Cleo retreated, arms shaking.
He was so close to her, she could see the blood dripping from his temple, his wide eyes, but most of all, she could feel the erratic waves of magic rolling off him. Releasing one hand from his Staff of the Living Tribunal, Mordo placed it in front of Cleo's stomach, black energy glowing around his palm.
"No…" Cleo whispered, as Mordo released the energy and Cleo was launched backwards once again. Crashing into the wall, breaking several picture frames. Cleo firmly gripped her sword as she landed on a table, breaking it upon impact.
I can't beat him, Cleo thought as she struggled to get up. Her whole body was shaking in pain and fear. He's too strong… Cleo thought as Mordo stalked up to her once more, toying with her. Getting up with her sword in hand, Cleo wrapped her free hand around her stomach.
"Although this has been fun, I do believe we need to wrap up." Mordo spoke as though he had excreted no energy at all.
"Are you going to kill me?" Cleo asked, hating the way her voice sounded, like a wounded dog.
Mordo barked in laughter again, a confused look settling on Cleo's face.
"Kill you? No, not yet. I still need you to serve your purpose after all." He spoke, pausing in front of Cleo, examining her. "No, fear not, you will live to see another day. But do not expect to ever see Wong, or this Sanctum or Strange ever again."
Strange. Cleo thought as an idea crossed her mind. He was able to find me without the Eye of Horus last time. He must have used my DNA to locate me. Remembering a locating book she had read while bored one day. Looking down at her sword, Cleo had to act fast if she even had a chance of Strange finding her. Tracing a half circle with her foot, smoke once again filled the foyer.
"This trick again?" Mordo called out mockingly.
Cleo jumped from her spot as Mordo brought his relic down. Remaining as quiet as possible, Cleo gripped her ponytail and sliced off a portion of her hair. The numerous stands falling on the floor. She sliced at the carpet.
Running from that spot so Mordo would not realize what she was trying to accomplish, Cleo called out into the smoke. "You're the pathetic one, Mordo!" Her chest heaving in apprehension.
"You're the coward, afraid of fighting Dr. Strange!" Cleo prayed that her taunting would work, distracting the madman.
"He's the coward!" Mordo roared into the smoke, his relic making contacting with Cleo's sword. The smoke once again dissipating from the force of the blow.
Grunting under the force, Cleo continued her provoking, "Oh ya? Is that why you used MY parlor trick to get him out of the Sanctum? You're not only pathetic…" Cleo spoke, her dark eyes burning into Mordo's, "you're a second rate sorcerer who will never amount to anything, not when the likes of sorcerers like Strange stand in your way." Cleo concluded. Her new found confidence pumping in her veins as she broke the stance and slashed at Mordo, slicing the front of his tunic.
"WICTH," He thundered as he brought his relic against Cleo's right wrist, sending the sword flying. With his free hand he gripped Cleopatra's face, pooling black energy once again. "You will live to regret those words." He spoke through clenched teeth as he released the black energy. Cleopatra screamed in pain sinking to the ground, unconscious. Rolling her onto her back, Mordo brought his foot down on her chest.
Taking deep breaths to calm himself, Mordo studied the tanned face. "Finally…" he spoke to no one as he removed his boot, levitating Cleo into the air. Making his way towards the front door, he paused, snapping his finger. Not a moment later, the Book of Life and the Eye of Horus levitated into the main foyer.
Wicked smile present on his dark features, he opened a portal. Stepping through, Cleopatra and the relics followed.
"Trap him in the Mirror Dimension!" Wong yelled as he levitated a student from the debris of a fallen wall.
"I can't push him in!" a student yelled back as she jumped from Mordo's blast.
"Dr. Strange!" the student called out as Mordo aimed his relic at the sorcerer, who was trying to put out the currently on fire library. Turning around, Strange brought up a shield and deflected the attack.
"Vivian, now!" Strange called to the student as she grabbed a relic from the remains of the vault. Vivian casted the enchantment and watched as the gold chains became animate and rushed at Mordo, catching him by his wrists and wrapping itself tightly around his body.
Grunting, Mordo fell to the ground, struggling against his bonds. Wong and Strange approaching him cautiously. "Is it over?" Vivian called from her spot. Several students poked their heads out of the rubble. Wong leaned down and checked the bindings.
"It is over." Wong confirmed as the last of the fires was put out. Cheering erupted across the courtyard. Wong clapped his hand on Strange's shoulders, a small smile present on his pudgy face. A cold chill ran down everyone's spin as Mordo released an unnerving laugh, silence followed.
Opening his dark eyes, Mordo locked onto Strange's. Uncertainty slowly pooling into his stomach, Strange looked between his old friend and Wong.
"Got you." Was all Mordo said before dissolving into dust on the courtyard ground.
Strange froze as Vivian and Wong ran to where Mordo was just moments ago. Inspecting the relic. The students broke out into questions as uncertainty clouded the courtyard.
"Strange." Wong looked up at him, worry so prominently present on his face.
Realization hit Strange in that moment.
"NO!" Strange roared as he opened a portal to the New York Sanctum, Wong following close behind him. Fumbling with the keys, Strange busted through the front door. Eyes wide, scanning. But the damage was already done.
The once pristine foyer was wrecked. Broken pieces of furniture and pictures scattered the floor. Not pausing to survey the scene any longer, Strange flew up the stairs, heartbeat loud in his ears, "CLEO!" he yelled as he opened her bedroom door.
Nothing.
Flying to the kitchen and library, he found no sign of a struggle in there. Not again, he repeated to himself as he hurried around the Sanctum.
"CLEOPATRA!"
Flying to the top floor, Strange noticed the blood drip on the floor. Entering the training room, Strange caught his breath as he noticed the shattered bits of the once speaker covering the floor.
Going to the room with the fireplace, Strange noticed the empty shelf that the Book of Life and Eye of Horus once resided.
"STRANGE!" Wong's voice echoed in the Sanctum. Strange hurried back to the main foyer, adrenaline rushing through him. Finding the librarian standing over something, Strange approached, heart lumped in his throat. Please don't be dead, please don't be dead, he prayed as he stepped next to Wong.
Both relief and worry filled him. On the floor was Cleo's relic. That meant she put up a fight. "Mordo has her." Wong spoke, saying what they were both thinking. "It won't be long before he takes her magic and kills her." He continued, eyes fixated on the sword.
"He also took the relics from the House of Life." Strange spoke, shaking with anger.
"We will find her." Strange promised as he clenched his scarred hands into fists.
"She may have helped us with that." Wong spoke, lifting his hand to eye level. Strange squinted to see what his friend was holding up. Hope slowly bubbled in his stomach.
In Wong's hand were strands of curly black hair.
