The Magic of Marvel
Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel.
Chapter 2:
You're A Sorcerer, Ben!
'Thinking'
"Talking"
"Talking"
- Kamar-Taj -
Life definitely took a turn for the better after joining the Masters of the Mystic Arts, I'll say that much.
Getting away from the explosions and alien invasion going on in New York was a breath of fresh air in the craziness surrounding my entry into the Marvel Universe. The benefit of getting to learn magic -real magic- is just the cherry on top.
Childish dreams of one day getting a letter to Hogwarts became realized in an instant for me; only instead of the middle of nowhere in Scotland, I found myself within the bustling city of Kathmandu, Nepal.
Thankfully, as long as you stay within the walls of Kamar-Taj, the sound is almost completely muted. A dull hum in the background to remind everyone within that for all the mysticism and magic, there still exists an outside world.
Speaking of Kamar-Taj; it's no medieval castle with moving staircases and talking picture frames, but the sheer serenity and ancient majesty within its walls speaks to the soul on a meditative level. Ancient statues and carvings all around the interior depicting not deities or demons, but lessons and teachings passed down by generations of Masters.
Masters that have long since passed, but whose knowledge lives on in those who enter Kamar-Taj.
Surprisingly, the number of people within its walls is less than I expected, but that was soon answered on the day of my first lesson; less than 24 hours after joining.
Becoming a Master of the Mystic Arts is no simple process.
There are no invitations sent out or offers made to the outside world. And for good reason.
If one wishes to join the ranks and learn what Kamar-Taj has to offer, they must seek it out on their own and put forth the effort to prove their determination. Which, according to the Ancient One, I accomplished by making it through an invasion and reaching the New York Sanctum.
As such, I was granted the rank of Novice. The lowest rank there is; besides the Attendants.
Attendants are the people who work as helpers, cleaners, assistants to the Ancient One, and caretakers of the grounds at Kamar-Taj. They wear black robes to set themselves apart from everyone else, and all members of the Masters of the Mystic Arts respect them for their work.
Outside of the Attendants, everyone else who enters Kamar-Taj, starts off as a Novice. The white robes I was given, not long after leaving the New York Sanctum through the Rotunda of Gateways before being shown to my room -for the foreseeable future-, denote my status as a beginner.
Besides myself, there are only a handful of others who wear the same-colored robes that I've been given.
Most of the people who fill the halls and courtyards of Kamar-Taj bear crimson robes belonging to the rank of Apprentice; one step above Novice.
A significant portion of those who join only ever reach the ranks of Apprentice before they either reach the limits of their capabilities, or they decide to end their training at the level they're at and head off back into the world.
More than a few only stay long enough to get their wounds healed, like the Pangborn guy from the Doctor Strange movie, before completely removing themselves from the mystical life and returning to the normal one they had before.
Should a person stick around long enough to push past the skills of an Apprentice and prove worthy enough in the eyes of the Sorcerer Supreme, then they become Masters.
As a Master, you take on new robes bearing a color of your choosing and can even leave any of the Sanctums whenever you wish while still retaining your position amongst the Masters. Those that achieve the prestigious rank, either stay within Kamar-Taj and the other Sanctums to train others, or head off into the galaxy in search of new discoveries with their newfound freedom.
- May 6th, 2012 -
'But that's so far into the future; and I need to focus on the present.' I remind myself, glancing down at the super-comfy white robes I'm wearing that miraculously fit my larger frame.
The clothing itself is a mixture of fabrics that helps keep me cool in Kathmandu's heat, while being dense enough to provide better protection against injury than what regular clothes would offer. 'And yet here I am, sitting at a desk reading.'
Perhaps my favorite part about studying in Kamar-Taj, is the level of freedom and self-study they give me to move at my own pace.
Five days a week, I'm allowed to study from the library's vast contents of books and learn at least two other languages before I can begin learning to cast spells. At which time I'll be able to practice them during my self-study days.
For the two days a week of actual tutelage, the first one takes place on Monday and covers the rudimentary basics of how to cast spells. After that, the next lesson won't be taught until Friday, and covers the basics of martial arts training.
In the five days of self-study, I'm able to ask for assistance in understanding something I struggle with, but most of the time only Apprentice's will agree to help. The real tutelage under the watchful eyes of a Master only takes place once I've proven myself worthy enough to become an Apprentice.
Once I become an Apprentice, I'll be placed under a specific Master whose talents match the ones that I've developed during my studies as a Novice, and they'll oversee my training until such a time as I earn my own Master rank.
But I've been warned in very clear terms, that studying to become a Master could take years or even decades to accomplish. And that the time commitment is one of the more common reasons that a person will leave Kamar-Taj after reaching Apprentice.
'Which makes it all the more impressive that Stephen Strange went from a Novice to being worthy of the rank of Master in less than eight months.' I sigh, pouring over one of the books the Librarian gave me. A rather dry book on learning to read Sanskrit in fact, one of several languages which all Novices can choose to study.
Most of the books, tomes, and scrolls contained within the library of Kamar-Taj are actually written in ancient languages. Their knowledge tested, researched, and perfected to such a degree that they become the ultimate tools for learning that any budding scholar would dream of having. But you've got to put in the effort if you want to read what's in them.
The lessons and guidance within the pages cuts through any unnecessary explanations or conjecture, and gets right to the heart of the matter. Enabling you to grasp the concepts with the barest of knowledge about magic and its limitations.
…at least, the books Novices are allowed to read are that way.
The Apprentice and Master level books contain increasing levels of explanations, research, and other information as the difficulty in the spells increase. Eventually becoming entire books filled with hundreds of pages describing a single spell.
But for Novices like me, the books are as simple and straightforward as one can get while teaching the quickest way to learning a new language.
'It's a vast improvement over the American Education System's way of teaching, that's for sure.' I chuckle softly in the quiet atmosphere of the library. Not wanting to disturb anyone else in their studies. 'The most I got out of that was how to ask where the library was in Spanish. Now, I'm actually learning to read bits and pieces of Sanskrit…and it's making sense.'
I shouldn't get too excited though, it's been two days since I joined, and I haven't even had my first actual lesson.
Apparently, I arrived not only a decade in the past, I also wound up arriving on a Friday despite my getting on the subway on a Monday. 'There's no way I'm going to be able to sleep tonight. Not when I get my first real lesson tomorrow!'
Feeling my eyelids begin to droop, I decide to call it an end to today's studying. Carefully closing the book on classical Sanskrit, I glance around the mostly-empty interior of the library.
In terms of likeness to the movie, the place is almost completely spot-on. Dark wood floors, shelves, desks, and chairs give the place a solemn, quiet feel as the scent of parchment wafts through the air. Perhaps the only difference I've found between the movie version and the one I'm now, is that this library is several times larger than the one shown on screen.
I practically salivated at the amount of magical knowledge contained within these walls the first time I stepped inside. My inner geek having completely taken over at the thought of what I can learn here.
Only for that excitement to be tempered by the realization I'm likely going to be here for quite a while before I'll consider myself ready enough to step out into the Marvel world. Stephen Strange might be a lucky genius blessed with a photographic memory that let him shoot through everything like a breeze, but I don't have that kind of luxury.
From what I've gathered, I've already missed the end of the first Avenger's movie. Loki's already been taken prisoner back to Asgard by Thor, the other Avengers have already gone their separate ways, and clean-up of the partially-destroyed New York has begun.
If there was ever a chance of me getting in on the ground floor of the Avengers, it's gone now.
'Still…I literally have an entire galaxy of new and amazing stories just waiting for me out there!'
Grinning at the reminder, I take a quick glance at one of the clocks lining the walls of the library. Seeing that it's almost midnight, I get out of my seat with a long sigh as I stretch out the kinks in my back from having sat hunched over my reading material for too long.
Walking away from my desk and through the library towards the Librarian's desk, I let my thoughts continue to wander. 'Just because I'm likely going to miss out on the events that happen in the opening movies, doesn't mean I'm going to miss out on the Marvel experience. The Avengers' story alone span almost a decade, with the Invasion of the Chitauri that I got to witness first hand being more of an opening act.'
"Here you are, Master Tenal." I bow respectfully to the man sitting behind the Librarian's desk, placing the books I borrowed gently onto the desk's surface.
Ever since I first stepped foot within Kamar-Taj, and knowing how long it takes for one to reach the rank of Master, I try to be as respectful to everyone bearing the title as I can. The scars that all the Master's bear on their skin testament to the struggles they've endured to earn their titles.
"Thank you, Magnusson." Master Desmond Tenal replies. A pleasant man, who takes his job as the Librarian seriously but always makes time for the Novices who need help.
He's the one who recommended that I go with classic Sanskrit as my first language to learn. Saying that, while the others are easier to get through, Sanskrit becomes a heavily used language later on for Apprentice and Master spells. By learning it now instead of later, I'll save future me from the headaches that'll come with having to pause my studies and go back and learn another language in the future.
'…I'm really not sure what to do with the knowledge that he gets his head cut off by Kaecilius.' Grimacing at the thought, I make my way out of the library and back to my room to try and get some sleep for tomorrow. 'But that's something I can talk with the Ancient One about later this week in our meeting.'
One of many she said we'll be having to help me deal with my transition into this universe, and to help me decide on my plans for the future. Perhaps, she might even provide some of her own insight into how I can navigate things without causing a ripple effect that leads to a horribly painful demise.
'Well, that's not going to giving me nightmares!'
Finally reaching my room, I ignore its rather small confines and quickly strip off my white robes before collapsing down onto the rather firm mattress. Trying not to think about all the ways my coming to this universe could negatively affect the future, I shut my eyes and pray that I haven't already irrevocably changed things too badly.
- May 7th, 2012 -
"…we harness energy drawn from other dimensions of the multiverse to cast spells, to conjure shields and weapons…to make magic." The Ancient One explains with a snap of her fingers, causing the fiery-orange mandala she's created in the air to flare with power.
Small sparks raining down from the spell onto the ground between us as I sit before her cross-legged, listening to the same speech she'll eventually give Strange with the same attention as if I hadn't heard it before. Because there's a big difference between seeing this scene play out on a screen, and getting to experience it in person.
The vibrant heat coming off her spell warming my skin before slowly dying away as the holographic mandala fades into nothingness. Leaving behind a seriously impressed look on my face as I stare at her in awe.
"Wow!" I breath out, giving her a grin filled with childish wonder as she smiles back at me.
"Indeed." She replies, continuing with her lecture. "As you can see, the magic we Masters of the Mystic Arts wield is pulled from other dimensions. But we use our body's movements to channel that energy through hand motions and gestures in order to shape it into creating the desired result."
"As you grow stronger and learn to master this form of magic, the motions can be condensed to simple gestures that allow for certain spells to be used more efficiently in combat. At which point, you will only need to use the lengthier gestures to draw out the maximum amount of power the spell can yield." As if to showcase her point, a simple flick of her wrist creates a fiery-orange war fan made of Eldritch Magic.
Canceling the spell as easily as she created it, the Ancient One pulls out a small wooden fan from one of the sashes wrapped around her waist. Holding it up for me to see, she explains. "There are also some relics that can be found within our walls and the other Sanctums, which allow you to cast certain spells more easily. This one, for example, is the Tao Fan. My own personal relic, which enhances my ability to conjure Eldritch weapons and control them in combat more easily."
It's nothing more than a few thin strips of wood joined together into a fan-like shape, with smalls decorative elements cut out of each strip. And its small size -barely as tall as the length of my palm to my fingertips- likely allows her to hold onto it in the midst of a battle without interfering with her hand movements.
"Any questions, Ben?" She asks after giving me a moment to take in everything I've just learned -or rather, relearned-.
Thinking over my question to try and find the best way to word it, I reply. "I haven't had a chance to really begin researching how to draw out dimensional energy yet. But I wanted to ask you what it feels like to do so, and what I should be looking out for when I do attempt it."
The reason I'm asking this, is because the Ancient One only spares a single first lesson with new students before the other Masters take over the Novice's weekly sessions. Her days are so busy with any number of issues regarding keeping Earth safe from other dimensions, that a single lesson is all she can afford to give.
The only reason I've got special permission to meet with her later on for our meeting is due to my own unique circumstances. A calculated risk on her part that the knowledge I have to share will be worth the time she won't be devoting to her duties.
'No pressure then, eh?' I internally chuckle to myself.
If she's willing to go out of her way to help me and make these sacrifices, then the least I can do is ensure every spare moment she gives me is used as effectively as possible.
"A good question," The Ancient One nods, a small pleased smile on her face. "When we draw from other dimensions, the energy will feel different depending on which dimension it's drawn from. The one that is used most often and the core of many Eldritch Magic's, is the Eldritch Dimension."
Placing her Tao Fan back in the sash of her robes, she lifts up an empty palm as a small ball of fiery-orange energy sparks to life above it. Hovering in place an inch above her skin as she holds it out for me to examine more closely "This energy will feel not unlike how it looks; a fiery warmth that flows through your body, energizing your every cell as it passes harmlessly through your system."
As if to exemplify her mastery of different dimension energies, she changes the small ball of fiery-energy into one made entirely out of glass without any hand motions or movements. "This energy comes from the Mirror Dimension, and will feel like small pieces of harmless glass passing underneath your skin. It can be rather uncomfortable the first time you use it, so don't be surprised if it's one you choose not to draw upon later on in life."
The small ball of glass changes once again without any movements into a ball of spectral-like energy. "And finally, there is the energy we draw from the Astral Dimension. The most harmless of energies that we use here, and most often used when one leaves their material body and enters their astral form."
Closing her open palm into a fist as the ball of energy disappears, she smirks at the awestruck look on my face. "These three dimensional energies are the building blocks behind most of the magics we use here. There are others, of course; but we stick to these three most often as they cover a wide range of uses."
Nodding my head to show I'm keeping up with the lesson, we continue for the next hour discussing how energy is drawn from other dimensions, and which dimensions I should be careful about drawing from.
The not-so-subtle warning that I shouldn't draw upon the Dark Dimension's energy an unspoken agreement between us.
She knows that I know about her drawing from it; and if she didn't before, she definitely put the pieces together when I glanced momentarily at the middle of her forehead as she was explaining which dimensions not to draw from.
Her attitude didn't become hostile, but the slight tightening around her eyes and small grimace she made definitely said that I should keep it to myself.
After that, the lesson came to an end as we reached the last few minutes of our allotted time.
We spent the final moments before the Ancient One had to leave to continue her duties, drinking our tea quietly as she reminded me that our first private session would begin on the Saturday after my first sparring session.
Apparently, most Novices find themselves too tired after Friday sessions to do much self-study. So most have taken to using Saturdays as a day off to relax and recuperate before getting back to their studies.
Which means I've got the next four days to finish as much of my studies in learning Sanskrit as I can get through before Friday comes around. 'Back to the Library, I guess.'
- May 11th, 2012 -
Yawning at how early in the morning it is, I glance down at the watch I was given along with my robes. 'Seriously? 5:00 am is when we're supposed to start? I haven't had to get up this early since my freshman year of college.'
To be fair, my work in IT let me come in as late as I wanted -when I actually had to go into the office- and I would then stay late into the night while everyone else had already gone home. I was always more of a night-owl anyways, so the schedule worked out well for me.
Now it seems, I'm back to those early morning jogs the wrestling coaches would have us do in college to start our days. 'At least I'm familiar with it. Some of the other Novices look like they're about to pass out.'
Walking into the sparring courtyard, I glance around at the other Novices who look like they're falling asleep whilst standing up. More than a few loud yawns echoing in the open air of the courtyard as the first rays of sunrise peak over the walls of Kamar-Taj. As soon as the first warm light hits the stone floors, the Master in charge of our training steps out.
"Good Morning, Novices." A strong male's voice calls out to the sleepy students, snapping everyone to attention as we bow respectfully at his approach.
Personally, I'm a little surprised to see Karl Mordo leading our session as he paces back and forth slowly in front of us wearing the green robes he wore in the movie. "Today, we will be covering the basics of combat training. Then, you will be broken up into groups of four where you will work on the movements together."
Since there's only about a dozen Novices besides myself, there won't be that many groups to break into. And as the newest of the bunch, I'm likely to be the worst out of all of them.
"I will be watching over your forms and assisting where I feel needs correcting." He continues with his speech. The way he speaks is very rigid; not unlike how my father used to speak on the rare occasions I'd see him when he'd come back from deployment.
If what I remember about Mordo's past is correct, he used to live a violent childhood before being picked up by the Ancient One. 'Which explains why he seems so militaristic; she probably used a similar approach to how Drill Instructors get former gang members to fall in line.'
"Magnusson!" Master Mordo barks out, drawing me out of my thoughts as he singles me out in front of the others. "As you are new here, you will be placed with some of the older Novices who will help guide you through the forms."
Nodding my head, the dark-skinned man covered in similar facial scars as the Ancient One has returns it before he calls out to begin training. 'Here goes nothing.'
- May 12th, 2012 -
Trying to keep as straight a posture as I can despite the soreness in my body, I faux-glare at the Ancient One as she chuckles at my appearance.
"I see you had quite the experience with yesterday's sparring." She grins teasingly, taking in the multiple bruises on my face that are slowly healing. "Not to worry, everyone has a rough go of it on their first day."
'A rough go of it, she says…' More like I got my ass kicked repeatedly as I tried to follow through with the movements Mordo was teaching us.
While the older Novices helped where they could in explaining how to do the steps and movements, there's an unspoken expectation in sparring sessions that no one is allowed to hold back their skill. The idea being that we all may eventually face someone or something in our duties as guardians of Earth that will outclass us in every way.
Therefore, we are expected to learn how to face such a disadvantage head on, and learn how to react in such situations.
So, while the Novices tried to hold back their strength, they didn't take it easy at all on me with their skills. And seeing as some have been a Novice for well over a year or more, there was no chance of me doing anything to them while they pummeled me into the ground.
Luckily my larger size gave me a slight advantage over them in terms of strength, and even Master Mordo commented that once I learn how to fight properly, I could have the potential to become quite the fierce hand-to-hand fighter.
"Master Morda gave quite the glowing remark about your martial arts training. Even as a beginner, he saws you show promise in it and looks forward to seeing you improve." She adds, getting a small scoff from me in reply.
Raising an eyebrow as if to say 'really?' I retort, "Master Mordo said all of that?"
While I wouldn't say Mordo is the most stoic of Masters in Kamar-Taj, I doubt he said all of that after seeing the beatdown I took yesterday.
"Well," The Ancient One trails off with an amused gleam in her eyes. "Maybe not in so many words, but the fact that he mentioned you at all is testament to the potential he sees in you."
"At least it was better than weapons training with Master Kaecilius…" I mumble, taking a sip of the tea she's prepared for us. The small hint of honey in it making for a surprisingly nice blend with the delicious tea.
I've never really been a fan of tea personally, but with Kamar-Taj leaning so heavily into the whole shaolin monk theme, it feels appropriate to go with it and just learn to adapt.
Clearly hearing every word I said despite having mumbled quietly, she replies as if I had said it directly to her than just as a general statement. "Indeed. Master Kaecilius can be quite…excessive in his methods, but there is no mistaking his talents. Few can hope to match his skill with a weapon, and those skills are necessary to pass on to all our students if they wish to survive out in the real world."
I begrudgingly nod at her words with a defeated sigh. Because as much as I complain about him, most of it is just my wounded pride.
Kaecilius may be a rotten bastard who will eventually turn to the dark side, but his skills with those scythe daggers are no joke. While bladed weapons like his have protection spells placed on them to keep their edges dull when used in sparring, the damage they can do is still considerable.
As the new guy, I had to take him on in a one-on-one spar to see where I'm starting at in terms of skill. And that man laid into me like I was nothing as he used his daggers to score several vitals hits before I could even raise a decent enough guard.
The fact that I was chose a staff as my weapon, which is rather bulky and awkward to first use compared to his more maneuverable daggers, only made my situation worse.
By the time they called an end to weapon sparring, I was already littered with most of the bruises I have now.
Staring at her pointedly, I reply. "You are aware that he plans on betraying you eventually, right?"
His actual betrayal against her and the Masters of the Mystic Arts doesn't take place for another 3 years, right before Strange has his accident. But anyone who pays attention can clearly see that he's starting to break away slowly from the other masters.
Already, he's gathered a massive group of Apprentices who practically worship the ground he walks on.
For most Masters, they'll take on anywhere from one to several Apprentices at a time, depending on their personality and time they wish to devote to training others. But Kaecilius? He's already gathered a followed of twenty Apprentices who follow him around and listen to his every word with more intent than they put into their other studies.
And had it not been for my future knowledge, I might have even been one of those blindly loyal idiots following him around.
Unlike most of the other Masters who take some getting used to, Kaecilius has a charming and charismatic personality that draws in naïve students like moths to a flame.
A perfect masque to hide the ruthless and sadistic nature of his that only ever comes out in spars.
"I am…" The Ancient One reluctantly nods, sighing into her cup of tea as she gently places it down on the small table between us.
"I wondered when we were going to speak about your future knowledge…I guess now is as good a time as ever, it seems." The lighter atmosphere that's been around us since I first sat down becomes heavy with the seriousness in which she puts on this topic of conversation.
Fixing me with a look, she begins the real reason behind our meeting. "As you and I both know, there are an infinite number of possibilities regarding how the future may unfold. Every action, or inaction, creates limitless branches that can see people reach the greatest heights. As well as sink to the lowest of depths."
"Even in the case of Master Kaecilius," She points out, trying to emphasis my obvious bias against him. "Just because you and I have glimpsed what he may do, does not mean we cannot hope and try to turn him down the path towards a better future. While most probable futures surrounding him lean towards betrayal, it does not mean we have to take that as a certainty."
That's something I'm not sure if I can get behind. Yes, I get that there are an infinite number of possibilities. But if things are moving in the same directions as the movies, I'd rather not end up as the one who gets his head cut off.
"I…I'll try to be better about it." I hesitantly concede. "I won't say that I'll be able to fully change my mind about him, but I'll at least let things continue as they are and hope that your way works."
"I understand, more than anyone else, how difficult it is to hold back on acting with the knowledge we've gleamed." The Ancient One sympathizes with a heavy smile, a momentary distant look crossing her mind's eye as she thinks about what she's learned from her own glimpses into the future. "And you can always come to me when you wish to unburden yourself… All I ask is that you to give him -give others- a chance to become better than their possible future selves."
Not long after she gave her speech, the Ancient One called an end to our meeting and allowed me to return to my room for a much-needed rest. Just sitting there cross-legged for over an hour put a lot of strain on my aches and muscles, and I need time to allow for the remedies to do their healing before I can get back into the swing of things.
'And to think, after all of this it's only my first week here.'
Who knows how it'll be in a month, or even a year, from now? 'Hopefully by then I'll being doing actual magic, instead of just reading about it.'
- END -
Author Notes:
And that's Chapter 2!
I'm taking a few liberties in some of the stuff I'm coming up with, and that's because there's several holes in the explanations given in the movies or other shows. The Eldritch Dimension is one such liberty, since it's never fully explained where that type of magic comes from outside of it being drawn from 'another dimension'.
Hope you all are still liking it so far! Thanks for checking out my story.