Stephen led Bruce and Tony through the quieter halls of Kamar-Taj, the sound of their footsteps muffled by the worn stone floors. The calm energy of the place seemed to wrap around them, offering a quiet reassurance that they hadn't even realized they needed. Stephen glanced at Bruce as they walked, noting the faint tension still lingering on his shoulders. He wanted to explain everything carefully, without overwhelming him—but also without sugarcoating what lay ahead.
"This will be your quarters," Stephen said, pausing outside a modest wooden door. He pushed it open, revealing a small, tidy room with a simple bed, a desk by the window, and a serene view of the courtyard. Disciples could be seen meditating under the shade of a large tree, their postures relaxed and steady. "It's not much, but it's yours. Your space to rest, to think, to decompress."
Bruce nodded, taking a hesitant step inside. His eyes scanned the room, lingering on the view outside the window—a serene courtyard where a few disciples were meditating in the shade of a tree. "It's... peaceful," he admitted quietly.
"It is," Stephen agreed, his voice soft. "I told you, it's not just a place for learning—it's a place for healing, for finding balance. Though it's also a place of discipline, where we push ourselves to grow. Everyone learns at their own pace here. There's no rush, no pressure to meet anyone else's timeline. What you put into your time here is what you'll get out of it."
Bruce turned to face him, his expression wary but curious. "So... how does this all work? What's the routine like?"
Stephen leaned casually against the doorframe, his tone calm but clear as he began to explain. "There's a lot of freedom here, but there are a few constants that help provide structure—especially for newcomers."
"Structure. That's good," Bruce murmured, mostly to himself.
Stephen nodded. "Every morning, there's a meditation hour before breakfast. It's not mandatory, but it's highly encouraged. Meditation isn't just about clearing your mind—it's about learning to exist with your thoughts, to find clarity in the chaos. It's... grounding."
Bruce frowned slightly. "I've tried meditating before. It's not exactly my thing."
"It wasn't mine either," Stephen admitted, his tone light. "But give it a shot. It might surprise you. And if nothing else, it's a peaceful way to start the day."
Tony, who had been unusually quiet, finally piped up from where he was leaning against the wall. "Translation: Strange is going to sit next to you, judging your lack of inner peace."
Stephen shot him a dry look. "I'll do no such thing. Unless you're disruptive, in which case, all bets are off."
Bruce chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Alright. Meditation hour. What's next?"
"After breakfast," Stephen continued, "there's a language class. Sanskrit is one of the primary languages used in the intermediate-level texts, so everyone learns at least the basics. It's essential if you want to dive deeper into the more advanced studies. But don't worry—there are introductory books available in English, Spanish, Mandarin, and a few other languages to get you started."
Bruce raised an eyebrow. "So I have to learn a whole new language?"
"It's not as daunting as it sounds," Stephen reassured him. "The teacher is patient, and everyone struggles with the alphabet at first. You'll have plenty of support."
Tony smirked. "Yeah, Banner. Think of it as your Hogwarts moment—except instead of Latin spells, you get Sanskrit."
Bruce rolled his eyes but didn't argue. "Okay. Is it necessary?"
Stephen nodded firmly. "Very. A lot of the more advanced magical texts aren't translated. Learning Sanskrit opens up a whole new level of understanding."
"In the evenings, there are hand-to-hand combat classes," Stephen said. "Again, not mandatory, but highly recommended. It's not just about physical strength—it's about discipline, coordination, and focus. Even if you're not planning to throw yourself into battles, it's a good foundation to have."
Bruce gave him a skeptical look. "Hand-to-hand combat. You do that?"
Stephen smirked faintly. "I do. And I'm quite good at it. Though you'd be surprised how much magic enhances things when you combine the two."
Tony leaned toward Bruce, whispering conspiratorially. "Don't let him fool you. The cloak does half the work."
Bruce chuckled softly, shaking his head. "I'll take your word for it."
Stephen rolled his eyes, ignoring Tony's comment. "Throughout the day, there are magical exercises led by Masters. The Master in charge rotates, so you'll get different perspectives and advice. It's a chance to experiment with basic spells, shielding, energy manipulation, and so on. And eventually, when you're ready, you'll be paired with a Master for more personalized guidance. One-on-one training tailored to your strengths and weaknesses."
Bruce nodded slowly, his brow furrowing. "And what if... I don't want to go that far? What if I just want to... I don't know, figure myself out?"
Stephen's expression softened. "That's entirely up to you. You're not required to become a Master or even a combatant. If all you want is to learn how to control your breathing, your focus, your inner balance—that's perfectly fine. You can stay on the periphery, learning at your own pace, taking only what you need. There's no judgment here."
Bruce looked up at him, his expression a mix of doubt and cautious hope. "You make it sound... almost too good to be true."
"It's not perfect," Stephen admitted. "No place is. But it's a chance. A chance to grow, to heal, to understand yourself in ways you didn't think possible. Whether or not you take that chance is up to you."
Bruce was silent for a long moment, his eyes flicking toward the window again. The courtyard was bathed in the golden light of late afternoon, the disciples outside serene as they practiced their forms.
"Thanks," Bruce said quietly, his voice carrying a note of genuine gratitude. "For offering this. For... not pushing."
Stephen inclined his head, his gaze steady. "That's not what Kamar-Taj is about. You'll figure out what's right for you. And if you need anything, I'm here."
With that, he turned to leave, giving Bruce space to settle into his new quarters. But as he stepped into the hallway, he glanced back, his voice carrying a faint trace of humor. "Oh, and Bruce?"
Bruce looked up, a hint of wariness in his expression..
"There's Wi-Fi. Here's the password." He handed Bruce a slip of paper.
"Wait... there's Wi-Fi?"
"Of course there's Wi-Fi, we're not cavemen," Stephen said, shrugging.
"Oh, no, no," Tony said, holding up a finger like he was making a point in a board meeting. "You don't get to brush this off. I mean, you've got this whole mystical, monastic vibe going on, and yet you've somehow got internet. I mean, priorities, am I right?"
Stephen pinched the bridge of his nose, already regretting this. Bruce frowned down at the paper. "'TheAncientOneKnowsAll'? Seriously?"
That's priceless. Perfect branding, really." Tony laughed, clapping Bruce and Stephen on the back. "It's the little things, Banner. Enjoy it."
"Don't overthink it," Stephen muttered, swatting Tony's hand away. "Yes, we have Wi-Fi. No, you're not a prisoner here. You're free to step outside if you need some fresh air—though, for now, I'd recommend staying within Nepal. If you want to travel somewhere else, you'll need to learn to use the sling ring or... ask me to portal you there."
Tony perked up at that. "Oh, so now you're a taxi service? Good to know. I'll keep that in mind for my next Taco Tuesday craving."
Stephen shot him a withering look. "I'm not your personal chauffeur, Stark. But if it's urgent—or, you know, important—I'll consider it. Occasionally." He turned back to Bruce, who was still holding the slip of paper like it was some kind of magical artifact. "And you'll want to avoid the main sanctum portals unless you've committed to becoming a disciple. They're reserved for those who've embraced the responsibilities of Kamar-Taj."
Bruce chuckled softly, tucking the slip of paper into his pocket. "Thanks. For all of this. I mean it."
Stephen inclined his head. "We're here if you need us. And remember—everything here is at your own pace. Take your time. Find what works for you, but while you're here, I'd encourage you to focus on the routines I mentioned. Meditation, language studies, combat practice if you're feeling up to it. You don't have to do everything, but structure can be helpful."
Tony stepped in, grinning. "Yeah, you should definitely try the combat classes. I mean, imagine this guy"—he gestured to Stephen—"kicking ass while still looking like he just walked out of a GQ photoshoot."
Stephen's smile turned into a full-blown glare. "Do you ever stop talking?"
"Nope," Tony said cheerfully, straightening up. "It's part of my charm."
"It's a lot to take in, but it's... nice. Peaceful."
Stephen nodded, his expression softening. "It's meant to be. Take your time. Find your footing. And if you need anything, I'm around."
Tony rolled his eyes dramatically. "Yeah, yeah, he's around. Until he gets called off to do his mystical 'saving the world' thing. But don't worry—I'm only a phone call away. You know, for all your sarcastic commentary needs."
Bruce smiled faintly, folding the slip of paper and tucking it into his pocket. "Thanks. To both of you."
Stephen inclined his head, his gaze steady. "We're here if you need us. Now, get some rest. Tomorrow's meditation is at sunrise, and I'll personally drag you out of bed if you're late."
Bruce laughed, a quiet, genuine sound. "I'll keep that in mind."
As Stephen led Tony back down the hallway, Tony glanced over at him, grinning. "You know, for a guy who pretends to be all stoic and detached, you're actually pretty good at this whole 'mentor' thing."
Stephen sighed, but there was a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Don't push your luck, Stark."
"Too late."
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