The Wizard and the Void - Chapter Thirty-Three
Author: Milady Dragon
Maria felt as if she'd had yet another world-shattering revelation, and quite honestly she was getting a bit tired of it. They were quite frankly giving her a headache.
Hearing those two children explaining about Buda-Pest had been heartrending. No one had the right to take kids away from their parents under the pretense of teaching them about the magic they had, before they'd even gained their dragons. And to outright torture them…she'd have to ask Master Phil about this so-called artifact that King Wolfgang had used, to find out what had happened to it. Although, she was willing to bet it had been destroyed. Just from the little she'd come to learn about Master Phil Coulson, she couldn't see him keeping anything like that, even when he was officially the Dark One.
Getting rid of something that evil wasn't a bad thing, in her opinion.
To know for sure that the Dark One had actually saved those children…she wondered just how many of them were at the Wizard School now, basically hiding in plain sight, and she made a note to herself to find them and attempt to help them deal with things. She suspected she would have help, judging from how Master Phil was reacting around the Maximoffs.
She may have made a mistake in her thinking regarding the man who'd once been the Dark One, the scourge of the Western Lands.
Well, not according to Mistress Pepper, which was surprising as much as she seemed to care for Master Phil. Apparently, not all of his deeds ranked with Buda-Pest. It was gratifying that the Cardinal Head of Order wasn't blind to the man's crimes, after her staunch support of the Wizard. Maria thought that said something about Mistress Pepper, that she could accept that such crimes occurred and yet still accept Phil Coulson for who he was, who he'd been, and forgiven him. Maria didn't think her counterpart would have been able to do that if Master Phil hadn't really changed.
In fact, after what Nick had said about the Dark One being really dead, and that Phil Coulson was a completely different man, Maria came to the conclusion that maybe she was ready to let things go.
It surprised her.
But then, any sort of punishment she might have come up with for the Dark One wasn't anything close to what the Void had handed out. It did bother her a bit that this elemental force could apparently mete out whatever justice if deemed fit, but really…did anyone know all that much about either the Void or the Deep Ways, outside of a handful of people who'd made a study of that sort of thing? Even the ancient writings – the ones who claimed that the Cardinals and Voids were wrong to do what they did – really didn't give a very good explanation of how the power worked. Reading Master John's journal had given Maria an insight into that sort of thing, and she wondered just how long Grand Master Stephen would let her get away with keeping it, because honestly she felt the Greats should be teaching that sort of thing and damn the consequences.
Who would have guessed that Maria Hill would have changed her opinion like that just within four days?
Well, she still had a ways to go. There were some things that would take a long time to unlearn. But Maria felt up to the task.
Also, standing so close to Grand Master Ianto and the Deathless – she'd have to get used to referring to him as Captain Harkness, because the Deathless was what he was, and not who he was – did seem to be a little less creepy, but that would also take some time.
Still, she did wish that the Voids would make a different choice. It was a combination of a lot of things, but Maria actually found herself pitying the man, as she watched him interact with the kids that had surrounded him and wanting to protect him from whatever the senior Wizards were planning. She could understand his daughter, but the others….she'd seen how the two Elven Novices had acted when they'd heard about Master Phil being the Dark One, so they weren't such a surprise. But there was also a Void Novice in her group, and another Great Novice…who was apparently dating Daisy Coulson.
Seeing Master Phil being so…parental…toward the entire group, including the new arrivals, was yet another revelation in the long line of them she'd had. Maria very much doubted that the Dark One would have ever had that sort of expression on his face as he had, with Wanda Maximoff tucked under an arm, his dragon leaning into his side and mirroring her Wizard's inner wonder at being chosen by those children.
Damnit, Maria was having a really hard time now equating Master Phil Coulson with the Dark One. Maybe she'd talk to Nick about it, after she apologized for the argument they'd had.
The Wizards around her were discussing Novices. Before that moment, Maria would have balked at having any Novice assigned to the Dark One. But, as she was coming to figure out, this wasn't the Dark One. That Void Wizard had been killed, and Phil Coulson had taken his place, and he was different from the criminal who'd done his best to destroy as much as he possibly could in what Nick had claimed had been a rage that had had him needing to make others hurt as much as he had.
"Don't you think we need to see what the Voids decide first?" she finally had to speak up. "They may decide something different from what you all have planned."
Each of them looked as if they were considering her words. Maria was inwardly gratified for that.
Finally, Grand Master Stephen said, "There really isn't much of a choice. Their discussions are really only for form, so they don't have to accept the inevitable without looking as if they were actually considering something different."
Captain Harkness looked a little pensive. "Still, people are contrary. Who knows what they might decide."
"Yeah, well Phil wouldn't object if they didn't choose him." Nick looked knowingly over toward the Void Wizard with his entourage. Before, Maria hadn't been all that certain of that, but now, she felt that he was correct about Master Phil. He really didn't want power.
It was just one more thing she'd taken for granted, that the Dark One would have wanted to be in charge of the Voids.
One more tick in the box for 'Phil Coulson isn't really the Dark One anymore' list that was growing in Maria's thoughts.
"Looks like we don't have to wait much longer."
Maria followed Grand Master Stephen's gaze, toward the side of the room where the Voids had been in conference. The Privacy spell had been dispersed, and Mistress Elena with several others were making their way toward Master Phil.
"That was faster than I thought it would be," Grand Master Ianto said.
Instantly, every single child was standing in front of Master Phil, as it to protect him from the approaching Voids. Maria thought they might have actually had a chance, because no one would want to harm children, even if it meant letting Master Phil leave. It didn't hurt that the Hawk was also there, and the two other Grand Masters along with Captain Harkness and Mistress Pepper were also heading in their direction, all of them except for the Deathless having made their support of Master Phil known earlier.
"We have come to a decision," Mistress Elena said.
"Let's go and see what version of fresh hell that's gonna rain down on us, shall well?" Nick offered Maria his arm, an overt gesture of respect and forgiveness and apology all in one.
She accepted it, and allowed him to escort her. It felt good to be back on some form of equilibrium with him.
"Mistress Elena," Grand Master Stephen greeted her. "What have you decided?"
The woman's dark eyes darted toward Master Phil, taking in the Novices and students standing by, ready to do whatever would be needed on order to look out for his safety. To be honest, in that gathering the Hawk didn't even appear to be the most dangerous there, and he should have. Those young Wizards were ready to take whatever action was necessary to protect Master Phil from the 'fresh hell' as Nick had put it that the rest of the Voids were about to unleash.
Then she turned back to the pair of Grand Masters, who had gone back to their seats, in recognition of the decision the Voids had come to. Maria wondered if she shouldn't be back at her own seat, but then figured it really didn't matter. Chances were, they weren't really paying much attention to her anyway, standing as she was at the periphery of events. She hadn't been one of those throwing her support behind Master Phil and, while she had more of a better understanding of what was happening, she wasn't yet ready to commit herself to that just yet.
"The Void Order," Mistress Elena began, "has concluded that Master Phillip Coulson is the best choice for the newly vacated position as Grand Master of Voids –"
Daisy didn't let her finish. She was too busy letting out the loudest, most excited, shout that echoed throughout the chamber. She practically jumped into her father's arms, laughing happily, hugging him to within an inch of his now very long life. The rest of the students offered their congratulations as well, only not as loud as Novice Daisy had done, but every single one of them was clamoring for the new Grand Master's attention.
Master Phil's dragon cried out in triumph, taking off and flying around the ceiling of the hall, followed by the other dragons who had crashed the meeting. It was so very obvious that the Void Wizard's familiar was as pleased as the children were at events, and wanted to celebrate it as much as the others.
Then, to everyone's surprise, Clint Barton grabbed Master Phil by the collar of his tunic and hauled him into a kiss that had Maria's toes curling. Now, that was impressive. And if she found it hot, she didn't really need to admit that to anyone.
Nick began slow clapping. The asshole.
Maria couldn't help the smile that curled her lips. Never had she seen such a display of joyous excitement in the Quorum chamber. It was…nice to see, even for the reason it was going on.
"Children," Grand Master Ianto chided gently, although it was obvious that he was pleased by the outcome. "If we could please show a little decorum?"
That rebuke might not have been loud, but it got through to the Novices busily celebrating Master Phil's elevation to the Grand Mastership. The twins stepped away first, most likely still not quite sure of their welcome, followed by the others. Except for Novice Daisy, who seemed quite content to stand there with her arm around her father, beaming proudly as she leaned against him, the bright metal of the magical gauntlets she wore flashing in the light from the overhead fixtures.
Mistress Elena was looking at them all indulgently. "I do have more to say."
Master Phil nodded. "My apologies, Mistress Elena."
She waved that away. "You cannot control the excitement of your loved ones, Grand Master."
The Void Wizard's mouth opened, closed, and then he just didn't say anything. Maria wanted to laugh at the sheer befuddlement on his face.
"As I was going to say," Mistress Elena said, once silence was achieved, "this decision was unanimous, despite the revelations we've had here today. However, as an order we have also decided that those revelations aren't pertinent to what's happening within the Void Order. We have also decided that the Dark One is, indeed, dead. I very much doubt he would have reacted the way you have, Grand Master, when we attempted to name you to the position before we were so rudely interrupted."
"I…don't want the position," Master Phil admitted, "but I'll accept it for now, until we can make sure there's no Hydra left and we can choose another Grand Master."
"We appreciate that, although the one refusing the power is usually the best person to hold it."
Maria couldn't disagree. Everything that Master Phil had shown so far had pointed to him not wanting to take over as Grand Master. That made her predisposed to accept him, just for that alone.
Predisposed. Not fully accepting.
Yet.
"And you're gonna be so good at it!" Novice Daisy exclaimed.
He shrugged, as if he didn't quite believe her but wasn't willing to argue about it.
"Another decision we've made," Mistress Elena continued, "was that the Dark One is officially dead. Baron Nicholas has a valid point: that dark Wizard was killed eleven years ago. The man that was reborn…well, truth be told, we believe the Void has already passed judgement, and none of us will go against what the Void wants."
Maria still wasn't sure about the Void being able to do any sort of judging, but she really didn't know anything about it…or the Deep Ways. Only what she'd read in the old documents, and she was thinking a lot of that was Great Wizard propaganda. It would be a lifetime task to get those records straightened out, and she figured the newest crop of students – particularly those that were like Novice Daisy's friends – would be the perfect ones for that task.
"Thank you all for your service," Grand Master Stephen said, nodding to the Voids. "We appreciate you setting aside some of the things you've heard here today in order to make the best choice possible."
Mistress Elena shrugged. "We'll just chalk it up to a Hydra plot…which it obviously was. We'll need to question Werner von Strucker as soon as he's recovered enough from his wounds."
The Hawk was smirking, leaning against Master Phil, the Void Wizard shaking his head in fond disapproval.
"But…" and she looked uncertain.
"I know," Master Phil sighed. "Everyone knows now. It won't be a secret anymore."
"May I have your attention, please," Grand Master Ianto called out over the gathered Wizards. No one had left the chamber; this wasn't a surprise to Maria at all, because everyone wanted to know the outcome of this whole mess.
Every Wizard in the Quorum Hall settled back into seats, except for those around the dais, Maria included. She thought no one would most likely notice one more, even though she'd linked her arm with Nick's.
"The Voids have chosen," the Grand Master continued. "Phillip Coulson is the new Grand Master of Void Order. However, you have all heard revelations made in this chamber today, and we are counting on your vows of secrecy in keeping what you have learned from getting out. The past is the past, and the future is what we make it, and the Void has chosen to create my opposite, in accordance with the balance. Do you all swear to respect the Void Order's decision on this? And to respect our newest Grand Master, for however long he stays in that position?"
A chorus of agreement rolled through the hall, Maria's voice among them. Honestly, it wouldn't do anyone a bit of good to gossip about what had happened, and it came to her that the Dark One would have had a lot more enemies out there than Hydra and Werner von Strucker. Making Master Phil any more of a target than he already was would have been counterintuitive to fixing their current mess.
It could also put Novice Daisy and the rest of Master Phil's loved ones in danger.
It was pretty much guaranteed that the at-large Hydra members would cause more trouble. However, if rumors did start about the Dark One and Master Phil Coulson, they would know where they started. Leaking that sort of revelation would paint a bullseye on anyone who spread that information.
Grand Master Ianto added, "There will be no mention of anything said in this chamber today. If rumors do begin, we will track down those who started them and they will be punished for breaking their vow. As of now, the only ones not bound by the Wizard's oath of confidentiality that each and every one of us has taken are those we've outlawed, so please be aware anyone spreading stories will be considered Hydra and we will act accordingly."
Every single Wizard with permission to attend the Quorum swore never to reveal what occurred within the Quorum, from the moment they began to attend. This secrecy was in the Guild laws, and it was sacrosanct. The Grand Master was correct; anyone passing along information to someone not in the Quorum – with certain exceptions – would be sanctioned. Anything not in the official announcements would be considered as breaking the Guild law and would be punished accordingly.
Of course, Nick and Clint Barton weren't Wizards, but Maria knew they could be trusted. Just from the Hawk's reaction to Master Phil's appointment, she figured it would take extraordinary torture in order to get him to talk.
"Very well," the Cardinal Grand Master said, once everyone had once again answered in the affirmative. "The official ceremony of swearing in the new Void Grand Master will be in a week hence. Grand Master Stephen and I will be preparing Master Phil for his new duties until then, as well as discussing with him the best way to discover Hydra and bring their members out into the light of day."
"For now," Grand Master Stephen took over, "everyone in the Quorum is dismissed. May the Gods watch out for you all, and see you all safely to your homes."
With that, the Quorum broke up, the Wizards leaving via the doors. Any Teleport spells didn't work within the chamber, not with the wards that were up.
"Well," Nick drawled, "that was fucking exciting. How about we all grab something to eat to celebrate, then we can talk strategy on hunting down whatever Hydra bastards are still a part of the Quorum."
Well, Maria actually had wanted to spend the night with Nick, but that looked to be out of the question. They both had some making up to do, and she was perfectly willing to be the one doing the making up, especially since she'd been the one to put the pressure on their relationship.