(AN: Yeah, I was once again choosing the best version for this chapter. This will be the chapter for 2 days' worth. But if I finish about 2k words tomorrow, then I will update another one. If not, then you'll have to wait once more. Enjoy)
The courtyard had yet to settle from the earlier surge of excitement. The students who had gathered around Elias, still energized from his demonstration, were mid-conversation, their voices overlapping as questions poured out one after another.
Some were attempting to replicate what he had shown them, sparks flickering uncertainly at their fingertips as they tried to stabilize even the smallest trace of a portal.
Elias answered as best as he could, his explanations calm, focused on his own understanding rather than repetition.
Yet he would warn them that it may or may not help them since everyone is different. He wasn't trying to impress them.
He was simply explaining what made sense to him. And perhaps that was why they listened so intently.
Then the air grew heavier.
The kind of presence that demanded attention before a word was even spoken.
The voices died down gradually as Karl Mordo stepped forward once more, and this time there was no mistaking the intent behind his return.
His stride was steady, his posture unyielding, and the difference in his bearing alone was enough to quiet the courtyard.
In his grasp rested the Staff of the Living Tribunal, its intricate form radiating a quiet authority that seemed to weigh on the space around it.
At his feet, the Vaulting Boots of Valtorr pulsed faintly with contained energy, each step carrying a subtle hum that echoed against the stone.
"Enough."
The word was not raised, yet it cut through the courtyard with absolute clarity.
The students straightened almost instinctively, their attention snapping toward him. Even Elias turned fully now, the easy flow of conversation falling away as his focus sharpened.
Mordo let the silence settle before speaking again.
"The Ancient One has deemed Elias ready to be tested as a Master," he announced, his voice carrying across the space with calm authority.
"I will serve as his examiner."
A ripple of surprise spread through the gathered disciples. Some exchanged glances, others stared openly, the weight of those words taking a moment to settle.
A Master's test was not something given lightly—and certainly not this quickly, he was here for only 5 days!
It was only then that they noticed her.
Standing just behind Mordo, composed and serene as though she had been there all along, was the Ancient One.
The reaction was immediate.
The students bowed deeply, their earlier excitement replaced by reverence.
Elias, however, did not bow.
He brought his hands together in acknowledgment, offering respect—but not submission.
Mordo's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.
This act left something behind, an irritation that only strengthened his resolve. If Elias wished to stand as an equal, then he would be tested as one.
Beside him, the Ancient One merely smiled, as though the moment had unfolded exactly as she expected.
"I will act as judge," she said, her voice calm and unhurried, yet carrying effortlessly across the courtyard. Her gaze then shifted to Elias.
"Do you have any questions before we begin?"
Elias considered briefly before asking, "Am I restricted to the spells I've learned here?"
There was no hesitation in her response.
"You may use one power that belongs to you, including the spells you've learned," she said, "and one weapon of your choosing."
A flicker of interest passed through Elias's expression—not surprise, but approval.
"That's good," he replied.
He lifted his gaze slightly, trying to decide which one to use.
"I'll use my pyrokinesis… and a spear."
The arena within Kamar-Taj filled faster than anyone could have expected.
Word had traveled quickly—faster than reason would allow—and soon disciples and masters alike gathered along the edges, their training abandoned in favor of witnessing something far more rare.
Conversations hushed into anticipation, speculation giving way to silence as both figures took their positions.
At one end stood Mordo.
His layered robes shifted subtly with the movement of air, the Staff of the Living Tribunal resting firmly in his grasp like an extension of his will. The Vaulting Boots of Valtorr hummed faintly beneath him, ready to answer his command at any moment.
At the other end stood Elias.
Still wearing the red robes of an apprentice.
A contrast that did not go unnoticed by anyone present.
And yet,
There was no hesitation or fear in him. No uncertainty either, like this was all within his expectations.
He lifted his hand slightly, fingers curling as though grasping something unseen.
Then, metal formed.
A compact object appeared in his grip, sleek and alien in design, its structure unfamiliar to the eyes of most who watched. Without ceremony, Elias brought it down sharply.
Shhk—KLANG.
The weapon extended in an instant, both ends snapping outward with a sharp, metallic resonance as the Yautja Spear revealed its full form.
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
"What kind of weapon is that…?"
Mordo's gaze lingered on it for a moment before he gave a small, acknowledging nod.
"A fine weapon," he said, his tone measured. Then his eyes returned to Elias, sharper now.
"But, are you sure it will not be enough?"
Elias did not respond. He simply adjusted his grip.
At the center of the arena, the Ancient One stepped forward, her presence alone enough to still the remaining whispers.
"This duel will determine Elias's readiness to ascend as a Master," she declared.
"Begin."
Elias moved first.
A flick of his hand—controlled, deliberate—and flame answered instantly. A compact fireball formed, dense with heat and intent, and he sent it forward without hesitation.
Mordo reacted just as swiftly.
With a subtle shift and a surge from the Vaulting Boots, he launched upward, clearing the attack with effortless precision as the fireball passed beneath him and dissipated against the stone.
From above, he looked down and saw Elias smiling.
Mordo was curious why he would be smiling.
Elias raised his left hand.
"…He's up to something."
Golden-orange light flared into existence as Eldritch Tao Mandalas formed around the arena—not as shields, but as angled constructs, suspended in the air the same way Strange used it in Infinity War, where Star-Lord used it as platforms.
Without pause, Elias stepped onto one.
Then another one. Then another.
Each movement flowed seamlessly into the next as he ascended through the air, using the constructs as footholds, closing the distance between them with speed that drew audible reactions from the crowd.
Mordo surged forward to meet him. The clash was immediate.
The spear met the staff with a sharp, ringing impact, sparks bursting outward as force met force. They moved through the air, exchanging strikes in rapid succession—each blow measured, each movement precise.
Elias adapted with every exchange as new platforms continuously appeared wherever he stepped.
Mordo pressed with practiced efficiency.
Their clash clearly showcased the difference between experience and rapid mastery, discipline against instinct refined into control.
Neither gave ground easily, and for a moment, it became clear to everyone watching.
They were evenly matched.
Then, as if guided by the same unspoken understanding, they broke apart, landing on opposite ends of the arena once more.
Silence followed.
Mordo studied him, a hint of something new in his expression.
"…Your weapon held," he said.
"It didn't break. It can actually contend with an artifact?"
Elias rested the spear lightly against his shoulder.
"It's not from Earth," he replied.
"It was given to me by one of the most feared hunter tribes in the galaxy. Their technology is… far ahead of ours."
Mordo gave a small nod, accepting the explanation without further question.
"I don't know which tribe they are, but you're lucky."
His grip tightened slightly.
"Then I won't hold back."
The shift was immediate.
Massive Tao Mandalas formed around him, far larger and denser than before, their presence pressing against the air as they launched toward Elias in rapid succession.
Elias didn't retreat at all. He advanced towards Mordo.
The spear moved with precision, each strike shattering the incoming constructs into fragments of fading light.
One after another, he cut through them, closing the distance.
Until something broke through.
The staff.
It extended suddenly, surging forward with speed that left no room for hesitation.
Elias reacted on instinct, bringing the spear up just in time
CLANG.
The impact reverberated through him, the force undeniable.
But it wasn't the true attack.
Eldritch whips snapped into existence, coiling toward him from multiple angles, converging with lethal intent.
Too fast.
For a fraction of a second, there was no time for a spell.
So Elias did something else.
A small portal opened beside him, and the view reappeared behind Mordo.
The spear extended forward, resting firmly against Mordo's shoulder.
At the same time, the whips closed in and successfully ensnared him.
For a moment, the arena fell completely silent.
Then, a moment later, the crowd erupted.
"He—he got him!"
"That was instant—!"
"How did he even—?!"
At the center, the Ancient One watched, her expression calm, her smile faint but certain.
"The match is decided," she said.
Mordo remained still for a brief moment before lowering his staff, the tension leaving his posture as he turned slightly, acknowledging the outcome without resistance.
Then, slowly, he smiled.
Not forced or bitter, but a genuine smile.
"…Well done," he said.
Elias withdrew the spear without ceremony.
Mordo faced him fully now, his voice steady.
"That was a good battle."
"Congratulations."
His gaze held firm.
"You have passed."
The words carried weight.
"Master Elias."
The title settled over the arena, and this time, the silence that followed was recognition.
The Ancient One stepped forward once more, her presence grounding the moment.
"Your training here as a normal disciple is complete," she said gently.
"Tomorrow, I will give you your final instructions before your departure."
Her gaze lingered briefly.
"And your book—the Necronomicon—will be returned to you."
Elias nodded once.
.
.
.
Alternate MCU, Year 2023
Wanda stood near the window, and the faint glow of lamps outside flashed as she processed what Kristen had just told her.
Elias sent me to protect you.
The words lingered in her mind repeatedly. There was a feeling of warmth about it, something she hadn't allowed herself to feel since, well, since Vision was gone, which was like just yesterday.
Elias sent Kristen because he had been worried about her.
A small smile formed on her lips, her shoulders easing as she let herself linger in that feeling just a little longer.
"…He was worried about me," she murmured, almost as if saying it aloud would make it more real.
It didn't last, though.
Kristen's voice cut through the moment, almost devoid of hesitation or softness if not for FRIDAY's personality, not restricted by Elias. It was part of the deal before she became his left hand.
"There is an individual in the adjacent room," she stated.
"They are currently listening to our conversation."
The warmth vanished instantly from Wanda's face, as though it had never been there to begin with.
Wanda's expression hardened, her posture straightening as the shift in her emotions happened almost reflexively.
The softness in her eyes was replaced by something sharper, her instincts reacting faster than her thoughts could fully catch up.
"…Spying on us?" she asked, her voice quieter now, but edged with tension.
Kristen gave a single nod.
"Permission to pursue," Kristen added without delay.
Wanda didn't hesitate this time. Whatever fleeting comfort she had felt was gone, replaced entirely by focus.
"Okay," she said firmly, already moving.
"I'm coming with you."
Kristen turned toward the wall and easily walked through it.
Wanda stopped for half a second—not out of fear, but surprise.
There was no portal, no distortion, and no magic used. The wall broke from Kristen's strength and wasn't even able to resist.
Kristen's body went through the other room as though it were the most normal thing in the world.
Wanda followed through the opening Kristen had made, stepping into the next room with her guard already raised.
Inside, Agatha Harkness stood waiting upon hearing that she had been found out.
She had been listening earlier.
She made it through the part where the other person said she was sent to protect Wanda. The one who sent her was called Elias, but this bodyguard referred to that person as Lord Elias. Whoever he was, he held some authority. Enough to send whoever this Kristen was.
Agatha's lips curved slightly, her interest deepening rather than diminishing. It was then that she heard the other person say that someone was spying on them next door.
Which was basically her. However, upon hearing that she didn't run away. Instead, she waited for them. For her, this wasn't a complication—it was an opportunity.
Wanda's power was undeniable, but her control over it was still shallow, barely scratching the surface of what she truly is.
Agatha could feel it clearly. The girl didn't understand her own strength.
She wouldn't need to infiltrate. Wouldn't need to manipulate from the shadows. Wanda was delivering herself towards her.
She would take what Wanda has, and this unknown bodyguard won't be able to do anything about it.
Her thoughts were interrupted when the wall in front of her shattered.
Kristen stepped through, along with some concrete powder pouring over her. Her form turned a bit white as she entered the room, her presence calm yet unmistakably dangerous.
Agatha's eyes narrowed slightly, curiosity overtaking her initial irritation.
"…And what exactly are—"
She didn't finish.
Because Wanda followed immediately after.
And just like that, the focus shifted.
Kristen raised her arm.
It morphed with fluid precision, metal reshaping itself in a seamless transition until what had once been a human hand became something entirely different.
A weapon.
Agatha barely had time to react before the first shot was fired.
A concentrated burst of plasma tore through the air toward her, forcing her to raise her hand instinctively as dark purple energy surged to life.
The blast struck her magic, dispersing outward in a wave of heat and force that pushed against her defenses.
Her eyes widened slightly. That wasn't magic!
And Kristen didn't pause.
Another shot followed.
Then another.
Each one was intended to incapacitate or kill Agatha.
Kristen advanced steadily, closing the distance step by step as the barrage continued, forcing Agatha into a purely defensive position.
There was no room to counter, no opportunity to retaliate—not yet.
One miscalculation, one moment of hesitation, and those blasts would tear straight through her.
From the side, Wanda could only stare, her thoughts struggling to keep pace with what she was seeing.
"…He sent… this?" she whispered, disbelief threading through her voice.
The realization settled in fully now.
Elias just sent her a robot for protection!
Kristen reached striking distance.
The firing stopped.
Her other arm shifted, reforming into a long, sharpened spike that extended outward. Kristen's intention to skewer her with it was obvious.
Agatha reacted instantly, dark energy surging outward as she wrapped it around Kristen's body, attempting to immobilize her completely. The force was immense, enough to restrain most beings without resistance.
But Kristen didn't stop.
Her movement slowed—but it did not cease.
Agatha's expression shifted, surprise bleeding into focus as she increased the pressure, pouring more power into the restraint.
"What are you?" she demanded.
Kristen's other arm lifted again.
The weapon reformed and began charging to fire again.
A low, rising hum filled the room, vibrating faintly through the air.
Agatha didn't wait.
She launched herself upward, abandoning the restraint as she moved to create distance.
But before she could stabilize
A streak of crimson energy struck her from the side.
"Ahh—!"
The force sent her crashing back down, her control faltering as she hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the breath from her, but she was still moving.
Wanda stood there, her hand still glowing faintly, her expression no longer uncertain.
Kristen fired again.
Agatha reacted on instinct, rolling and raising a layered shield of dark energy behind her just as the blasts collided against it. The impacts rang out in quick succession, the shield holding—but only just.
Even as Wanda joined in, her crimson energy striking alongside Kristen's attacks, the barrier remained intact.
Behind it, Agatha was breathing harder now.
The fall had done great damage to her. Magicians tend to have more firepower and lower defense.
With a sharp motion, she retaliated, a concentrated burst of purple energy lashing outward toward Wanda
Kristen moved instantly, placing herself between them without hesitation.
The blast struck her directly.
The impact tore through part of her outer layer, the silver, liquid surface peeling away to reveal the mechanical structure beneath—cold metal, exposed framework, something entirely inhuman laid bare.
Agatha froze.
"…What… are you?" she whispered, this time without arrogance.
She had lived for centuries, had seen witches, demons, creatures born from darkness and beyond—but this…
This was something she didn't understand.
And that alone made it dangerous.
Her instincts shifted.
This wasn't a fight she could control. She needs to retreat for now.
Kristen's gaze followed her and immediately read her expression.
"You are attempting to flee?" she asked.
Wanda stepped forward, her voice firm, cutting through the tension.
"You're not going anywhere."
Her eyes burned with crimson energy. She could feel that Agatha's magic was dark and corrupted. There's no way she'd let her go away just like that.
Kristen's form shifted once more, the metallic distortion fading as she returned to her human appearance. She totally looked like a normal celebrity.
Then she raised her hand slightly.
A moment later, something appeared at the doorway.
Agatha felt a presence and turned.
And for the first time in a very long time, look scared. It is a popular and obvious belief that humans tend to be afraid of the unknown.
The creature that stood there was unlike anything she had ever encountered.
Tall, sleek, its form both organic and unnatural, radiating a presence that was neither magical nor entirely physical. Its very existence seemed wrong, as though it did not belong in this world.
"…What… is that?" Wanda asked, her voice quieter now, her earlier anger momentarily replaced by something closer to unease.
Kristen didn't hesitate.
"Don't worry, it is just one of Lord Elias's remaining summons."
Wanda's gaze shifted, her thoughts beginning to spiral in a direction she hadn't considered before.
Elias.
She knew so little about him.
Fragments of moments. A connection formed in the middle of chaos. All she knew was that the Avengers had borrowed two Infinity Stones from him.
Slowly, she is learning a side of Elias she doesn't know.
A robot bodyguard.
An unknown creature that looks to have been from a very old sci-fi movie. She was unknowingly falling for a person she barely knew.
"…Who are you exactly?" she whispered softly as if asking Elias himself.
End of Chapter