starstruck ┃ stephen strange (✓)

vi.The Book of Sins

पापों की पुस्तक
[ The book of sins ]

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[ Istanbul ]

Stephen squinted through the dark, trying to etch the outline of the book hanging across him. There was a ruby crest planted in the middle of the cover, glinting under the soft rays of sunlight.

" I shouldn't," he thought, and he turned to his heels.

Yet he remained grounded in place.He was arguing with himself whether or not he should disobey her rules, and possibly, break her trust.

Stephen have lost count on how many times she has warned him about reading the books on the wall - " It is forbidden for anyone to read it. Even me."

After a few minutes, curiosity got the better of him, and he looked around, making sure that Lisa wasn't here to see him.

He cautiously open the thick locks with his demir mitfah , undoing the heavy chains one by one.Once it was free he  traced his fingers over the leather surface.

Stephen could sense the Ominous aura it radiated, yet it was challenging him to unravel its pages. Daring him, taunting him.

He carefully lifted the cover, and inside -

" Ruken ! "

The book slammed shut in an instant, and Stephen stepped back in shock. He turned his head to see Lisa with her arms out, her eyes piercing his own.

" What do you think you're doing ?"

Despite of all the mistakes he had made during his training with her within the past three months, Lisa has never once raised her voice at him, even if it was evident that she was frustrated.

But now, her voice boomed throughout the compact library. She clenched her jaws, and strode towards him, snatching the book before locking it back into place.

" What were you thinking Stephen ? " She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose," I warned you didn't I ?"

" You said that this book contains spells powerful enough to defeat ancient beings. If it's powerful enough to help me defend the earth from Dormamu then let me use it. It's the sole reason on why I agreed to train as your student."

" No, absolutely not," her voice was firm, and she crossed her arms," Don't be foolish Stephen. You haven't even mastered Shauedha yet."

" Give me a break will you ? " This time Stephen was the one who sighed in frustration," I've been training with you for months now, what's the point of studying Shauedha when it takes ages ? I don't even have years, who knows, maybe Dormamu would come in less than a week for all I know. I need something that can help fight him, and I need it quick."

" It doesn't matter if it takes you a decade or a week to master this, it matters if you are patient enough to learn it. It took me more than ten years to master this Stephen, but I've seen others who have mastered this in less than five. Maybe you can even master this in less than a year, who knows ? ," she inched closer to him," but it takes patience and will. I know you are concerned Stephen, but only time can tell whether you are ready or not."

The tension around the room began to dissipate, and Stephen gave her an apologetic look," I'm sorry."

" I suppose it is also my fault that I did not fully tell you the origins of the book."

The wooden tiles creaked under the heels of her shoes," The main reason that you cannot read this book isn't because it contains spells that are too powerful."

She shot a worried glance at the book," But because it contains spells that are too dark."

" It was written eons ago by the ancient god Chthon -"

" Chthon as in the first dark mage ? The father of all dark magic ?" Stephen scoffed in disbelief. He has heard stories about him, about how he was the first one to introduce dark magic to the world.

" Yes, and he created the Book of Sins , which contains the darkest incantations and the wickedest hexes. Crafted from indestructible parchment, the Book of Sins holds centuries-worth of arcane knowledge, culled from the most sinister of dark sorcerers."

Stephen gave a wry glance at the book.

" This book is ancient. It will manipulate you Stephen, it will make you blind with power. It will be useless to use against Dormamu, this book is the last thing you want his followers to get their hands on."

A shiver slithered across her spine at the thought of Dormamu getting his hands on the book- he would be unstoppable.

" I've tried to destroy it, many have tried.But even the most heroic of efforts by light mages to destroy or separate the pages has met with failure."

Lisa's voice was laced with weariness, yet she pinned his eyes once more," Promise me this, Stephen."

" Anything," he murmured.

" Whatever the case - even when everything is at stake. Don't even think about using this book. Don't ever think of using the Darkhold."

Something flashed within her eyes, a warning, a sign of fear.

She reached her hand out to touch his shoulder in comfort," We should get going, I still have many things to teach you."

When Lisa exited the room, Stephen was left alone to ponder about her words.

" Don't ever think of using the Darkhold."

If she could barely look at it, then the book is truly something to be feared.

He gave the book one last wary glance, before leaving the room.