‘Must I do everything myself?’ The mage shoved his
apprentice aside and stared at the oncoming horde of shambling skeletons slowly
making their way ever closer to his study home. Gruesome parodies of life with
skin and muscle hanging loosely on bleached bones. If he wasn’t so pressed for
time he would’ve went thinking on who raised them. Unfortunately for him, time
was short and he had to think of something or else all of his precious works
would be reduced to nothingness.
‘I tried everything!’ The exasperated apprentice defended
himself. He was in his late teems, although, for a soon-to-be man he had an
oddly feminine physique. Instead of the bulky and muscled tone of the other
teens in his age group he was lean and agile instead of strong and toned. ‘I took
down at least a dozen before they came back up! It’s not my fault!’ he was
sweating now; panic clearly making the boy unable to think properly.
‘Enough excuses and go run over to the nearest military
outpost. It should be a few minutes run from now given your speed.’ He took his
casting staff that was leaning on his study table and donned the robe of his
calling; a blazing priest-like robe of crimson that showed his rank as a an
Ignis; a wizard of fire. ‘Tell the men there that there’s a necromancer on the
loose. Once that’s done go and find the quickest and safest way to the College of Magic
‘But….there’s no way you can-‘
‘I can and I will, now stop your yapping and move!’ He began
chanting the Calling of Greater Flame; a spell that was meant to heighten the
strength and potency of an individual’s fire casting. The boy had a short
debate whether or not to stay with his mentor and tutor. The choice was made
for him, his mentor created a wall of flame that separated the boy from the
mage. ‘Go Casper
He ran
He was exhausted. The amount of casting he did pushed him to
his limit. Yet the corpses still came at him. He was now relying simply on his
physical strength to push them back, his staff cracking bone with surprising
ease, the magic giving him a bit of extra strength. Astonishingly, he was still
unhurt; the corpses’ clumsy hits couldn’t find purchase.
Out of the corner of his eye, Jaspal could see something
moving closer. It didn’t look like a corpse, it was almost human. He couldn’t
say for sure because the skeletons demanded every second of attention lest they
get through his defenses. One nearly managed to slice his neck; Jaspal only
nearly evaded the attack before cracking the skull of the corpse in one fell
blow.
The figure was slowly getting into his line of sight. After
a few forced incantations he managed to send the nearby corpses flying into the
air. That short moment of pause as they started the get back up gave him some
moments to recover and look at the newly arrived figure.
It turned out to be a female, and quite a beautiful one at
that. She was wearing a rather revealing outfit that parodied the robes of the
female casters of the College
of Magic
At a gesture of her hand the shambling corpses stopped and
remained deathly still. She stared at the worn out fire mage in disgust. When
she spoke her voice was as soft as the ocean waves yet betraying her ability to
turn the waves into a tsunami of power. ‘Such fear of unleashing your true
potential….’ She tilted her head slightly ‘Do you have any idea what you could
do if you would just let loose your control. Let the magic flow freely through
your veins, Jaspal.’
‘How did you know my name, witch?’ He was panting, his mane
of white hair a mess and tangle.
‘I know things, its part of my…gifts.’ She grinned
‘Gifts? You have more than one?’ he was slightly curious
now. How could she have honed several aspect of casting? The College thought
him that it was only possible to master and control one aspect.
‘Yes.’ She muttered something under her breath and a shadow
detached itself from the ground and shrouded her, she was a shadow weaver. And
moment later she snapped her finger and a flame whip appeared in her hand, a
flame manipulator. A quick flick of her wrists and a gust of cold air rushed
past him, a windstress. She smiled, almost friendly save for the face that it
revealed her fangs. ‘These and much more. I offer you a choice, old man. Join
me and I will reveal to you the secrets that the College kept form you.’
‘I have been a loyal member of the College for five decades
and you’d think to tell me that you know more than I? I am one hundred and
twenty five years old. Do not think to challenge my intellect.’ He’s confidence
was returning as he felt his body regaining its prior strength. He may only be
a flame caster, but he was one of the best flame wielders of the order.
‘I was there when King Avias betrayed your order, five
hundred years ago, human.’ She grinned.
‘B…but that would make you at least….five hundred and
twenty-‘
‘Five hundred and seventy five years of age, yes. I guess I
out experience you as well, human,’ She gestured for her undead servants to
empty his study. The shambling corpses slowly made their way into the mage’s hovel.
He was furious. ‘Touch my study and I will rip your throat
open’ the vehemence in his voice was shocking, it caused the albino witch to
stop her minions and stared curiously at the mage.
‘Such anger….what is it in there that you value so much?’ She
tapped her chin with one albino finger. ‘Worry not human, there’s nothing in
there that I already have no knowledge of. I only seek to destroy records of
your recent discoveries, they….risk unveiling my master’s location.’
---The World Went Black---
