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It Began with a Goodbye

by Riley Berg

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Chapter Three

I wake at Kamar-Taj the next morning in my mother's old chambers. A frightening thought occurring to me, I search through the book that taught the rites I performed for Mother. After reading through the book in its entirety twice, I accept that it does not contain what I seek.

I make my way to the library where I hear Wong is now Master. I peer around to make sure we are alone and indicate that I wish to go to the farther section of the library.

Accompanying me there, Wong gives me an exasperated look.

"What is it, Lady Sophy?" he adds, just to annoy me.

"Wong, in all your extensive studies, do you remember ever coming across the process by which a new Sorcerer or Sorceress Supreme is selected?"

Wong's face falls.

"You—?" He cannot finish his question, but I understand his meaning.

"The next is not chosen by inheritance, nor is he or she chosen by an Overseer." Overseers are meant to establish a self-sufficient society of sorcerers, not rule over them. "So, in neither of my capacities would I be next or have the authority to choose the next," I clarify, "but neither do I have the information for how the next is chosen."

We both look at that section of the library that was once Mother's private collection.

Wong glances at me with a shake of his head.

"Someone has to look. If you do not want to, I will. You can begin searching through the rest of the library. And, Wong? Until we find something, I think we should keep this to ourselves."

Between the library, Mother's private collection, and her journals, I should find something.

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The next day or the day after that—I cannot tell which with all the busyness I inflict upon myself—I wake with a headache. Worrying that I lost track of time, I inquire the day of Wong, who says this will be my fourth day at Kamar-Taj.

My worry only increases with that news, and I place a video call to Charles.

"Hey, Charles. I was just… curious. When Ororo left that last time, how long was he gone?"

Charles makes a thoughtful expression as he recalls the time. "Four or five days, I think."

I sigh. I went four or five days without side effects then, so what is different now? I know I exerted myself, but the signs should not be appearing so soon.

"Why?"

I shake my head.

Charles peers at me. "Are you feeling ill?"

"I just have a little headache," I try to reassure, knowing I cannot outright lie to him. "I do not think it means anything; it has only been three days." Three strenuous days.

"Is there someone there that… knows?."

I shake my head. Not anymore.

"You're not planning on coming back here any time soon, are you?"

"No," I admit.

"There's no one there that you could ask?"

"I do not know any of the girls here that well."

"What about any of the men? The females-only rule is self-imposed, right? You could ask—"

"I 'self-impose' that rule for a reason," I interrupt.

Charles sighs. "Then at least reassure me that if you can't find anyone there to help, and if you can't come here in time… If it comes to that, that you will make arrangements to be brought here or somewhere else where someone knows what to do with you."

I take a deep breath and reluctantly agree. Charles ends the video call with a somewhat hopeful smile while I regret calling him in the first place. Now he is worried about me.

The issue is that everyone I know well enough to ask for such a favor, every woman at least, is unavailable. Mother is… gone. Ástriðr is off-planet. Natasha and Wanda are in hiding, from what I hear. Sue is married. Jean is attached, too, but even if she was not, she is at Charles's school the same as Ororo.

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In accordance with my promise to Charles, I approach Wong, now the person at Kamar-Taj who best knows me.

He stares at me in disbelief. "So, you're telling me that you might faint. And if you do, I should have you taken through the doorway to New York and contact someone named Charles Xavier, who will know what to do with you?"

"Precisely."

He continues to stare at me in disbelief.

I sigh.

"I have a… medical condition. I want to stay here to continue searching, but my… medicine is there. So, if I get sick sooner than I am expecting, I just wanted to make sure that it is arranged for me to go to my medicine."

Wong is still somewhat confused but agrees to my request.

"Strange is Master of the New York Sanctum,"—I raise my eyebrows—"so, if you are planning on having me take you there in such a situation, it may be well to forewarn him as well."

So, in so short a time Stephen Strange has not only become a Master of the Mystic Arts but been appointed Master of a Sanctum. A quick learner indeed.

"Do you trust him?"

"I do not know who to trust anymore," Wong admits. "But he has proven himself once, so, yes, I trust him. At least as much as can be expected."

"Proven himself?"

"I'll tell you the story sometime."

"How about I take the last half of your responsibilities as my in-case-of-emergency executor off of your shoulders and put them onto Master Strange's in exchange for you telling me that story?"

"I can agree to that. Just don't call him 'Master Strange' to his face. He doesn't like it."

I raise an eyebrow in confusion.

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"So, you see, he gave up his need for control at least long enough to save the world. He is still arrogant and it might yet be his downfall, but for the time being I'd say that we can trust him enough, certainly enough to call your friend if you're in need of… medical attention."

I nod. "Thank you for telling me. And in case I should faint, you can pass me off to Strange and have him make arrangements with Charles."

That was quite a story.

Wong told me all he knew from his own experience and what the Ancient One and Master Mordo told him of Strange's studies, as well as the battles at the Sanctums so far as he could piece them together. To my utter disbelief, it was Strange that somehow put a stop to Kaecilius and prevented Dormammu taking the world. Wong did not know just how he did it, but he did know that he used the Eye of Agamotto. The Time Stone! And not only did he use it successfully and without it consuming him, but he voluntarily returned it to its place at Kamar-Taj.

If I cannot find out how a new Sorcerer Supreme is chosen, I am starting to get an idea of a candidate.