If anyone had told Celeste Morn that she would be possessed by an ancient Sith spirit, locked in stasis for an unknown period, then somehow end up in an entirely different galaxy where she'd discover that magic, actual sorcery, was real...
Well, the sentence itself sounded like the ravings of a madman.
Yet here she was, a Jedi Shadow whose life had become stranger than any holonovel. Raised in the ways of the Force, veteran of the Mandalorian Wars, possessed by Karness Muur, frozen in time, then discovered by a traumatized super soldier in a Hydra bunker...
She'd learned that this planet held wonders that challenged everything she thought she knew about the universe.
Gods were apparently real.
The Force wasn't what she'd always believed it to be, in fact, she was beginning to suspect she couldn't even call it the Force anymore.
Now she sat before a centuries-old sorceress who claimed to be the premier magical practitioner not just of this universe, but of the entire multiverse.
The concept of multiple universes and realities existing beyond her own was mind-boggling, but the Force had taught her that anything was possible. Even if this wasn't quite the Force as she knew it, Celeste remained open to new understanding.
"So your order defends Earth from mystical threats," Celeste said, more statement than question.
"Precisely," the Ancient One nodded. "Our order was founded thousands of years ago by the first Sorcerer Supreme, Agamotto. He learned the ancient secrets of the Mystic Arts and taught the people of this world how to harness the greater power that exists not only on this plane, but throughout the vast, infinite multiverse."
As she spoke, the Ancient One began moving her hands in precise patterns, fingers weaving intricate gestures as glowing streams of orange energy followed her movements.
Celeste watched the demonstration with rapt attention.
"Agamotto taught his students to harness and channel energies from other dimensions of the multiverse, weaving them together to cast spells, craft weapons, summon shields, to create magic itself."
The Ancient One completed a series of symbols, circles, and geometric forms, producing an ethereal mandala that shimmered before Celeste before dispersing into sparkles of light.
Celeste watched in wonder as the Sorcerer Supreme conjured another series of symbols, shaping them into a fan, then a sword, then other forms in rapid succession.
"Magic's potential is limitless, it can reshape and transform reality according to your will," the Ancient One explained. "As a wielder of the Force, you possess an innate advantage over most who come to Kamar-Taj seeking knowledge."
"How so?" Celeste asked, curiosity evident in her voice. "The Force doesn't feel the same here as it did in my galaxy."
"That's because what you and your people knew as the Force was merely the surface of something far greater," the Ancient One said. "Millennia ago, your kind tapped into a higher, all-encompassing power, but managed to harness only a fraction of its true potential. To you, it was the Force, an energy field that surrounds all living things and binds the galaxy together."
Celeste nodded slowly, and the Ancient One continued.
"But to the rest of the universe..." The bald woman made a circular gesture above her head, and the entire room transformed into a reflection of the cosmos around them.
"It is the fundamental power that emerged with the birth of reality itself. It is the true source of what you called the Force."
Around them, cosmic energy swirled and shifted, showing stars being born and dying in endless cycles, their final moments fueling new creation and rebirth.
"This power is both magnificent and perilous, pure energy that can transform into countless forms and manifestations," the Ancient One continued, snapping her fingers as brilliant cosmic lights danced around them.
"To possess this power is to be connected to all living things simultaneously," she said. "Your ancestors grasped this concept and opened themselves to a higher understanding of the energy that connects all existence, the living universe itself."
Finally, she extended her hand toward Celeste, revealing a spinning galaxy in miniature.
"You called it the Force," the Sorcerer Supreme said. "The rest of the universe knows it as the Cosmic Force."
"The Cosmic Force," Celeste repeated, reaching out to touch the tiny galaxy in the Ancient One's palm. To her surprise, she found she could easily manipulate its structure through her will.
She stared in wonder at the small galaxy floating above her hand before it dispersed and the room returned to normal.
Looking up, she saw that the Ancient One had risen and was gesturing for her to do the same.
"Come," the Ancient One said, indicating that Celeste should follow her.
They walked through corridors lined with students and masters, all of whom bowed respectfully when they saw the leader of their order.
Eventually, they arrived at a massive door that clearly marked the entrance to some kind of vault.
The Ancient One placed her palm against the center of the door, and moments later it dissolved into golden particles.
"Impressive," Celeste murmured, stepping into the vast chamber and turning her head in every direction, trying to take in all the artifacts stored within.
She saw a multitude of mystical objects and relics she couldn't identify, items of every conceivable shape and size, from simple chalices and staffs to bizarre, multi-faceted objects that defied description.
"As I explained, our powers derive from our ability to channel energy from other dimensions and realities, allowing us to perform various feats when needed," the Ancient One said, extending her hand and drawing a staff from one of the walls. It appeared to be made of metal with intricate bands around the grip and twin horn-like projections at each end. "But some magical forces are so potent and dangerous that the human body, unless possessed of extraordinary resilience, would be overwhelmed and destroyed by direct contact."
She held the staff before Celeste, and it began glowing brightly along the many engravings and lines etched into its surface.
"To circumvent this limitation, we employ specific artifacts and relics imbued with otherworldly power, allowing us to safely harness these greater forces," the Ancient One explained.
Grasping the staff with both hands, she suddenly became surrounded by a shimmering golden dome.
"Behold," she said, smiling slightly at Celeste's amazed expression, "the Staff of the Living Tribunal. A powerful relic infused with the essence of Hoggoth, the Golden Guardian."
"Remarkable," Celeste breathed.
"Each Master of the Mystic Arts, when ready, is given the opportunity to choose artifacts that complement their abilities and aid them in their duties," the Ancient One elaborated. "Sometimes, however, the relic chooses the practitioner."
"Is that why you brought me here?" Celeste asked with growing understanding.
The Sorcerer Supreme turned toward one wall and gestured. The wall rotated, revealing additional shelves lined with different relics and artifacts.
One item in particular immediately drew Celeste's attention, a blue robe that seemed to pulse with familiar energy.
She narrowed her eyes and focused on it, feeling a sensation she recognized.
The Ancient One tilted her head, noting Celeste's fixation on the blue garments.
"I suspected that would be the first artifact to capture your interest," she said with a knowing smile. "You can sense it, can't you?"
Celeste approached the blue robe draped over its display stand and held her hand above it.
"The Force," she whispered. "The Force is strong in this relic."
The Ancient One raised her hand, and the robe lifted from its resting place, floating before Celeste.
"These garments were left behind by an ancient race that visited this world thousands of years ago, when Agamotto first established our order," the Ancient One explained, extending her other hand as runic symbols appeared around her wrist.
She twisted her arms, and glowing particles flowed from her fingers toward the blue robe. The particles formed and solidified beneath the garment, creating the shape of some kind of bipedal reptilian being that Celeste didn't recognize.
"This ancient species was known as the Kwa," the Ancient One revealed. "This robe belonged to the last of their kind. They came to this world when Agamotto founded the first sanctuary here, and our founder welcomed them. Together, they unlocked deeper secrets of the Mystic Arts, knowledge that forms the foundation of everything we practice today."