A Gamers rise in Marvel
Disclaimer: I don't own Marvel or any other work of fiction.
Chapter 7.5: The Sorcerer's new Fate
Himalayan mountains, Nepal
Hidden within this landscape of thin air and incredible cold lies an incredibly old array of temples. Within are students training martial arts, reading scripture and most importantly learning magic.
This was Kamar-Taj, home to the masters of the mystic arts. Created by the first Sorcerer supreme Agamoto, tasked with defending humanity from otherworldly threats. Not from those that come from space, but those from other Realities and dimensions.
They're current leader, the Ancient One, is a wise woman of Celtic descent and unknown age. She has led Kamar-taj for many centuries while remaining identical in age. Though some theorised the source of her immortality, no one knew the truth. Until now that is.
Within one of the temples sits an elderly man, deep in contemplation of the things he has learned. He has been a disciple of the Ancient one for over twenty years, no closer to his ultimate goal. When he first came here, he had just lost his wife and son. Arriving as a grieving, broken man searching for answers in the mystic arts.
Answers of death and life, to prolong it or reverse it. Those were the goals he sought. The things that brought meaning to his new life.
With the passing years, however, his faith and patience in the ancient one dwindled. He started questioning her teachings, words of order and peace, while his own wishes went unfulfilled. To him, The idea of simply taking the forbidden knowledge that the Ancient one hoarded grew more attractive by the day.
This spiral into darkness continued for many years. The first steps of betrayal were already forming in his mind. Until three days ago at least.
He had been summoned to a private audience with the sorcerer supreme and what she revealed truly baffled him. You see the ancient one would often divine the future, after which she selected ideal paths to follow for the greater good.
Not only did she reveal the source of her immortality, but also his future. A fixed future where he, Kaecillius, kills his master in service of Dormmamu, ruler of the Dark Dimension. He knew not to question events foretold by the ancient one, as they were often true and in this case very realistic. But what surprised him even more, was that this future had apparently been erased by an entity that arrived that day. A being which somehow changed the fate of many and is still hindering the Ancient one's sight. She could no longer see Years into the future, now limited to weeks at best. She did however discern that she would live far longer than previously possible. This meant that somehow Kaecillius' betrayal had been prevented. And the only way he believed this to be possible, is for him to have reached his goal.
It also came as a surprise, that she forgave his future actions. She stated that it was partially her fault and would gladly support this new reality. She also claimed that in three days time, his new fate would be solidified. It was believed that this new entity perhaps held the key to his wish. His master asked him that he initiate first contact and ascertain their intentions.
And now he sat in contemplation of what he now knew. He was angered over the Ancient one's clear hypocrisy, using the powers which she herself declared too dangerous to use. On the other hand, Kaecillius' felt joy at the prospect of achieving his goal. So now he waited, and did his duties, as usual, waiting for whatever his fate had in store for him today. He grew nervous over time, not knowing if the entity would approach the sanctum or if he had to seek it out. But soon his answer came.
It was during the evening while in the New York sanctum. He was aiding Wong and two other masters in renewing the wards that kept the sanctum hidden from civilians perception. During this task did they feel a powerful burst of energy appear in the city. It was a magic none of them could identify.
'This must be it' Kaecillius thought.
Wong was the first to react:" Masters Drumm and Minoru, defend the sanctum from any hostiles.
Master Kaecillius, Go to Kamar-Taj and return with the other masters. We do not know the magnitude of this, so we must be prepared. I will take point and investigate the occurrence."Wong was about to head into the streets of New York before a hand grabbed his shoulder.
"Please wait master Wong."
"What is it Kaecillius? We cannot hesitate on this matter. Cant, you feel the magic increasing! Time is of the essence!" Wong quickly said, throwing the other man's hand off his shoulder.
Before he could continue, Kaecillius stated:" The master knew of this event. " This got Wong's attention.
"She did? Then what are we to do?" Wong stated sceptically.
"I was asked to inspect the event. I ask you to inform the master of what has occurred and confirm my claim. Do not bring the other masters. We need to solve this, whatever it is, in a peaceful manner." Kaecillius' stated. Firm in his voice. He couldn't let this slip from him.
"Fine, I will inform the Ancient one. Contact us as soon as you can master Kaecillius." Wong stated, making his move to the Portals heading to Kamar-Taj.
Kaecillius himself headed to the sanctum's Roof, where he now stands locating the source of growing power.
Hell's Kitchen? With the location in mind, Kaecillius started using his sling ring to travel towards the neighbourhood. Arriving at the docks, he came upon a standard warehouse. Nothing strange to the naked eye, but Strange could sense the unknown energy within... no beneath the building.
He made his way inside with, while the security was enough for the common criminal, it held no match to a Master of the mystic arts. Inside he found the entrance to a basement which he promptly entered only to be surprised by what he found.
'A little girl is the cause of this?' he was baffled by the sight. A young girl with snow-white hair stood in front and was powering a magic circle he had never seen before. Next to her was a man of medium height in a white lab coat. The peculiar thing about him was the greatly oversized skull resting on his shoulders. 'A scientist of sorts?' Kaecillius thought. This situation was truly bizarre.
But what truly astounded was the results within the magic circle. He may not know the magic being used but he could see exactly what the result was. ' It's impossible... this girl... She's resurrecting a soul.' These were his thoughts as he witnessed a dead soul being summoned and granted form through this strange magic. This was what he had been looking for! This girl held the answers he sought! Power over life and death. He finally found someone who could help him!
His inner jubilation however was swiftly cut down by the happenings in front of him. The body being formed was suddenly ripped apart, the remains dissolving. The sudden panic etched on the girls face also did nothing to help. her yelling "Sterns take cover now! Something went wrong, I can't stop it!" confirmed his thought that the ritual went wrong.
Dammit, he came so close. He can't fail now.
He had to stop the ritual. With the intent to sever the connection between the girl and the circle, he moved towards them. But before he could close in, the energies within the circle compressed and blasted into the girl.
'NO!' he stared in shock.
Before he can check for injuries, he sees her getting up again. ' Was the damage superficial? '
No, something's wrong. Without warning the girl clutches her head and screams in pain. Kaecillius rushes forward, trying to help. Grabbing the girl as she starts clawing at her arms, he tries to see what's wrong with her. 'did the soul attack her?' he wonders. Without knowing the magic she used, he can't be sure what help he can administer.
Before long the struggling girl quiets down and falls unconscious. Picking her up , with the intent to return her to the sanctum, Kaecillius is stopped by the only other person in the basement.
"Let her go!" the scientist from earlier says, armed with nothing but a scalpel. Did this fool really think he was a match to him?
"I am a Sorcerer of Kamar-Taj and I came here to investigate the magical energy coming from your ritual. but before I continue." Standing up with the unconscious girl in his arms, facing the scientist properly he goes to ask:" Now answer this. Was this girl your Hostage or Test subject in any way!"
Kaecillius asks in a threatening tone.
"What? No of course not. She saved my life, my work." The man is quick to defend. He didn't seem to be lying, that's good at least.
Changing the subject, He Kaecillius spoke again:" fine. You seem to be telling the truth. This girl needs to be looked over though and I can't do that here. Allow me to take her back to the sanctum Santorum and I promise she will recover."
"And how do I know you're speaking the truth? Why should I trust you with her." The man had a point. But a solution can be found everywhere.
"A Contract then," Kaecillius says, invoking the beginnings of a spell to himself:" I, Kaecillius master of the mystic arts swear on my magic, that I will let no harm befall the girl held within my arms, nor will I deny her departure once she has recovered." He says with magical circles appearing around him. "I am bound to the contract I have uttered."
"Fine then... I'll hold you that...please make sure she'll be ok" The doctor reluctantly agrees.
Opening a portal to Kamar-taj the sorcerer reassures:" I will, you have my word.
Entering the Himalayan compound, Kaecillius yells out" Wong ! Master! I need your assistance."
His sudden appearance startling the aforementioned to come out. Wong speaks up first:" Kaecillius, what have you learned of the unknown magic. Was this injured child the one to do it?"
While walking into the temple he answers, telling him what he knows, withholding the fact that she attempted a resurrection. Such a blatant offence against the natural order would be seen in disdain among the sorcerers.
"So this girl was the entity responsible?" the ancient one asks in fascination as Kaecillius lowers her into a bed. "She is truly an enigma, using magic not even I was aware of. At such a young age no less. The power within her body is also absurd, I believe I am sensing a strong demonic presence as well. But it barely seems to be affecting her, if anything it seems to be enhancing her." the Ancient one analyses her.
While no longer conscious, the girl does seem to be having a nightmare and what seems to be a fever of sorts."Can you help her?" Kaecillius asks his master.
"I'm sorry, my disciple. Even I find my limits here. Without knowing the magic she used, we may only worsen her condition with our treatments. I believe all we can do is allow her to rest comfortably and allow her mind and body to heal themselves." The sorcerer supreme suggests.
With that, the actions of the masters are decided, and only time will tell if the girl survives.
'Please do not take my wish from me when I've just gotten this close' Kaecillius hopes while watching over the mysterious girl. This child which somehow changed destiny.
Authors note: next chapter will be up in a day or two.
