Marvelous Vignettes
Short 3: The Doors of Perception
Original Story Concept by Songue
Adapted by Nacoma23
(Canon. The chapter takes place 10 years before AJA AND IWS.)
7/18/2021 Edit: Had to correct some mistakes.
Anima
Himavan Mountains
Marusatta
June 8th, 1998 KC
"You have come such a long way since your arrival."
The woman paused and took a sip of her freshly-made cup of tea. Her eyes closed as she appreciated its taste. Her thirst sated, she set her teacup upon a floating ceramic tray. The taste of jasmine and honey lingered on her lips, soothing her nerves.
She opened her eyes and spoke nostalgically, "You were but a child when you arrived, and now you sit before me, a young man ready to venture out into the world."
The young man seated across from her on another cushion, took a sip from his own cup of tea. He was quite thin, with chalky skin and a shaven head. He wore the garbs of an apprentice, colored a uniform white. He laid his tea upon the tray, and stroked his tattooed chin in contemplation. She knew the purpose behind his visit, and he understood her resigned acceptance.
"I have found my purpose, Master." He spoke, his voice quiet like the woman's.
"As I expected you to," She replied, her serene tone offset by her tilted head. "Oh, do relax, Vine. I'm not mad at you, you know that."
Vine Zeki's loosened his posture, letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Even as a child, he found it difficult speaking to the woman before him. The overwhelming power that belied her gentle demeanor was intimidating. To be in her presence was like standing next to a volcano. Compared to her, the life he has lived thus far equated to but a mere drop in the vast ocean that her own. Yet her kind nature, coupled with her infinite wisdom, could assuage whatever fears he had.
He had learned long ago that it was a typical reaction to the Ancient One.
A woman of unknown origins and fathomless knowledge, she was a riddle wrapped within an enigma. Her age, name, and the source of her knowledge was unknown, even to her own daughter. Not even those she had trained, like him, knew anything about her. All they did know was that she was immensely powerful in the Mystic Arts.
"So... you have decided upon Atlas?" She spoke, uttering the kingdom's name without the typical contempt shared by those in Mistral.
"Yes. I've decided to join the Atlesian Military. There, I believe my skills would be far more... applicable."
The Ancient One took another sip of her tea, showing no discerning reaction to the slight pause in his words. It was a gesture for which he was inwardly thankful.
It was honestly nerve-wracking trying to explain his decision to her. He had spent much of his life in her sanctuary, Kamar-Taj. His childhood and adolescence was spent learning from ancient tomes and scrolls. The traditions of their order were practically engrained into his very being, taught by both words and silent gestures. But despite the life he had here, he felt that it lacked purpose.
But to choose leaving this tranquil oasis of arcane power, just to join the military of a belligerent kingdom?
To say his choice was not popular amongst his fellow students would be an understatement. Friendships forged through years of study in the mystical unknown, shattered the minute he voiced his decision to join the Atlesian military.
But it thankfully did not erase the bond between a student and his teacher.
"I see", she coolly replied, having finished her cup of tea.
She set her cup upon the tray, rolled back the sleeves of her yellow robes, and lifted the teapot by its handle. With a practiced ease, she poured more tea into the porcelain cup. She had long mastered the art of pouring tea long before he was born; maybe even before his grandparents had been born, too.
"And are you happy with your choice?" She asked as a mother would their child.
But to Vine, such an inquiry was strange. He took a moment to think over his reply, all while his mentor set the teapot back on the tray. After some careful thinking, he gave his reply.
"It is not a question of personal happiness. I simply wish to be useful. To become a Specialist, serving the greater good by combatting the creatures of Grimm, to me, there is no greater purpose. My personal feelings are irrelevant, so long as I fulfill my obligation to the people."
An arched eyebrow was her response. "You misunderstand me, Vine. Certainly, one can certainly feel the positivity in one's service of the greater good. Time passed solely in pursuit of one's pleasure leaves no solid enjoyment for the whole."
"But a person cannot hope to build a better world without improving oneself." She spoke warily. "Each of us strives to become the best versions of ourselves, in one way or another. But at the same time, our path to transcendence is impeded by our shared responsibility to the world. You are right in that it's neither good nor righteous to stand aside while innocent people are slaughtered by the Grimm. Karma is unavoidable and dharma is inevitable."
"But, Master, how is it possible to feel any sort of joy with all the suffering in the world?" The student inquired.
"Do you believe joining the army will bring any form of satisfaction?"
"Master, I…" He took a breath and continued. "I cannot foresee what results my choice will reap. Whether it will bring true fulfillment to my life, I am unsure. But what I am certain of is that there can be no happiness through inaction."
The older woman smiled and nodded. "Then I believe you have found your answer."
Upon hearing those words, the student relaxed for a moment. And a moment was all that it took. The Ancient One, once at a relative distance, was now only a foot away from her student, her face impassive and one of her pale fingers rose. She placed her finger upon his center of his forehead.
Suddenly, his mind was awash with visions not his own. These images, of which there were far too many to count, raced through his mind at a speed incomprehensible. But they felt so real, too full of life to dismiss as mere visions.
"I've seen much in this world, far more than I can care to admit, but so much less than what is yet to be seen."
He saw the deathly pale face of a woman with red eyes, smiling down upon him. He perceived three young girls laughing and playing in an open field, laughter escaping his mouth. He watched in tears as two figures, once united by a shared love, battling in the flaming wreck that had been their home.
"It is far too easy to rationalize one has pure motives, when in fact they are fearful and angry."
He found himself running through a forest, hot tears falling from his eyes, a burning castle behind him. Now he lied resting in the library of Kamar-Taj, an elderly man searching for tomes. He waved his hands, crafting a luminescent green circle, aiming it at a snarling Beowolf.
"Fear and anger are natural, but to allow ourselves to wallow in them is unnatural."
He watched the passing of thousands of faces, friends long past and enemies vanquished long ago. He felt joy watching a man reaching for his hand, love radiating in his eyes. Joy erupted within him as he gazed upon the cherubic face of a newborn baby.
"Self-honesty such as yours takes extraordinary effort and maturity, and history tells us that even senior members of our Order, with years of study, can lie to themselves just as easily."
He is now standing in a vast crowd, watching a man on a podium expound on the evils of free-expression. He watched as a scarred Faunus man kills a human, claiming it to be for the greater good. Now standing among a crowd of well-dressed people, he observed a white-haired man raises a glass to his success.
"This you will still remember, my student. True fulfillment is found in the balance between doing what is righteous for the people and what feels right for you."
The last vision he saw was of him as a child, looking up at him as he held onto his hand with a toothy grin.
"You have finally found what you've been searching for. You have learned all that I could teach you. Have a good life, Vine Zeki, my dear student."
The vision of him holding his child self's hand dissipated. Wait, no, that wasn't him. That was...
Who was he?
No, he knew who he was.
He was Vine Zeki.
When he was seven, he lost his family in a fire, leaving him as one of many orphans wandering the streets of Mistral. He stowed away on a caravan and found himself stranded in Marusatta.
A year after arriving in Marusatta, he had found a calling serving bread to the poor and destitute. A week after serving his last loaf of bread, the Ancient One found and brought him to Kamar-Taj, the sanctuary that became his home.
Nine years passed, with him learning all that he could about the Mystic Arts. Just a week ago, he had performed his last kata with perfection.
He had successfully jumped into the air, his Aura Vines branching out and weaving simple magic circles, straining his semblance and magic to their limits.
...His Aura Vines branching out and weaving baskets, straining his semblance to its limit...
And he did it here at this temple, Kamar-Taj, where he learned… magic? No, not magic, he came to came to learn how to harness his aura.
Yes, that was what he had been learning to do. He wasn't learning magic. There was no such thing as magic. Aura, semblances, and dust, those were real.
And why was he training? He was training to be a... a Huntsman? Yes, a huntsman.
He was Vine Zeki, prospective huntsman and future Specialist of Atlas.
With a solemn smile, the Ancient One's retracted her finger, leaving behind a new tattoo on his forehead in the form of a third eye. His mind had been opened, but the memories of what he truly learned were closed off.
Vine opened his eyes and looked at his teacher. He saw the solemn expression on her face. Just what was she so sad about?
"Master, is there something wrong?" He asked in concern and confusion, his calm tone belying his worry.
She replied with a serene smile, "Oh, it's nothing, Vine. I was just reminiscing."
"I see..." Vine remarked, before gazing through the open door.
He looked and saw the courtyard of Kamar-Taj, his eyes squaring on the vast training ground. A small and nostalgic smile spread across his face as he recalled the countless hours spent practicing his katas and honing his semblance. Yet, for some reason, he can't help but feel that something was... missing.
He took one final sip of his tea, which was now much bitter and colder than before. How can so much time pass during such a short conversation?
With his tea finished, he placed his empty teacup back upon the antique metal tray. He took a moment to stare at the tray, which sat upon a small table. For reasons he can't understand, this seemingly normal sight felt unnatural.
"Is there something wrong, Vine?" The Ancient One asked calmly, hiding her concern.
Did the seal fail? She worriedly thought.
"No, Master, it's nothing." He replied, relieving her fears.
He stood up and bowed to her, one final display of respect toward his teacher. Having exchanged pleasantries, Vine moved to leave.
But just as he turned, he stopped and asked. "Master, are you sure you're well? Before, you, hmmm... well, you looked sad."
The Ancient One shook her head with a smile. "Oh, it's one of a the great burdens of being a teacher. We take pride in teaching our students, yet sad to see them leave, ready to take first steps into a larger world. Goodbye, Vine. I hope you find what you seek."
She waved the young man off, giving him all the permission needed to leave. Vine bowed one last time before walking away. As he approached the opened doors of the hall, he was stopped by the arrival of another person. This individual was a dark-skinned man with black hair dressed in green robes, who regarded young Zeki with a glad gaze.
"Master Mordo." Vine bowed before the man, "My apologies for getting in your way."
"It is no trouble at all, Zeki." Mordo calmly replied. "I heard that you are leaving for Atlas."
"Yes," Vine lifted his head and asked, "You disapprove?"
"Of course not; we all have our own paths in life. Mine led me here to Kamar-Taj. Yours leads elsewhere." Mordo told the young man. "Still, contrary to what your fellow students say, you will be missed here, Zeki."
Mordo jested with a smile, "I know Wong will definitely miss you. You were the only student to ever respect the library's rules."
Vine let out a small chuckle, "Though he would never say it out loud."
"I suppose not. Well, I don't want to hold you up." Mordo bowed and said, "Farewell, my former student."
Vine reciprocated the bow, "And to you as well, Master Mordo."
The Master move aside, allowing the young man to leave unobstructed. Zeki walked past the mentor, finally exiting the Ancient One's study. As Mordo watched the now-former apprentice walk across the temple courtyard toward the gates, he sensed another presence standing next to him.
He acknowledged the new arrival and lamented. "It's a shame he chose to leave. He had potential. Not much, but it was there, nonetheless. If given enough time, he could've been made a Master in a few years. "
The Ancient One replied, "We all chose our own paths, Mordo. But Vine still has the potential to achieve great things, but he won't find it here."
Despite accepting his master's words, the man couldn't help but ask. "Was that a protection seal on his forehead? Master, I'm not saying I don't approve, but was it necessary to seal away his true memories?"
"Remnant is not yet ready to learn that magic still exists." She solemnly replied. "It will also protect him from threats that he no longer knows and understands. He will still remember his time here, but he won't recall what he learned beyond mastering the martial arts and honing his aura."
"Still, who knows what the memory loss might do to him." Mordo commented. "Vine may have forgotten the magic he learned, but there's a chance that it might diminish his Aura. Of course, it might also strengthen it; maybe even enhance his semblance to greater heights."
The bald woman gave a knowing smile. "Well, if I happened to direct some of his latent power to make him a greater Huntsman to compensate for manipulating his memory, would that not be considered keeping things in balance?"
Mordo nodded, accepting her reasoning.
Still, it was a shame to see another prospective sorcerer leave. Magic was in short supply and it was getting harder to find new sorcerers with every passing. Kamar-Taj was one of the last few repositories of forgotten arcane knowledge, and it had to be defended.
Especially from the Grimm Mother and the Infinite Man. Their secret conflict placed all of Remnant in danger. Should they discover Kamar-Taj or the Ancient One, it would be a catastrophe.
The Ancient took great care in keeping the temple's knowledge safe and hidden from them and their allies.
But there will come a day when the two Ancient foes will finally have their final confrontation.
And Kamar-Taj will be there to end their threat, once and for all.
And the Ancient One, who had suffered the most from their war, will finally gain some closure.
But until then, it was just business as usual.
"Now, what news do you bring, Mordo?" She asked, changing the subject. "Come in and share what you've learned with me over a cup of tea."
"Is it Jasmine with a hint of honey?" He asked with a smile, to which she confirmed with a nod. His mood brighter than it had been before; Mordo followed his teacher inside, all while sharing what he has learned.
"Well, I received word from our brothers in K'un-Lun that the next Iron Fist had been found. Clea reports that the Vale Sanctum is in need of a new Overseer. And she has also found a few potential students, the most promising one being a doctor with a rather strange last name…"
That's right, ya'll, Doctor Strange exists on Earth-180713 (That is what Brotherhoof and I call this universe).
As for Kamar-Taj's location, it's in northern Anima, in the icy mountains. It is located Marusatta, a settlement of about 50,000 people, near the Himashikar mountain range. Marusatta comes from Maru Satta, which the Newari name for Kasthamandap, the ancient three-storied pavilion from where Kathmandu got its name. Himavan is another name for the Himalayas, which has been used in older texts.
The chapter's title is a reference to the book, The Doors of Perception by Aldous Huxley, which has often been rumored to have been a key influence in the creation of Doctor Strange.
Now, onto the comic stuff!
Clea, in the comics, is the lover and eventual wife of Doctor Strange. In the Earth-616 continuity, she is the daughter of Dormammu's sister. But in this universe, she is the Biological daughter of the Ancient One.
Now, I'm still very at work on the next chapters of Invincible Whitley Schnee and Assassin's Creed: Revenants. In the meantime, I hope this chapter can hold you over.
As for what the next vignette will be, well, it'll be what was intended to be Chapter 2.
Coming out this Halloween is "Test of Courage", starring Sun and Neptune, and the Man-Thing.