Underneath the dreary sky, laid a vast desolate land filled with the silence of n honed through years of hardship to achieve the strength and will they currently possess. Thousands of them with determined eyes and the stances of noble knights. They ford in groups, each with hundreds of n. They looked too orderly and silent that one would be intimidated with a glance.
The sky seed on the verge of tears, perhaps moved by the gravity of the mont reflected in their solemn faces.
Situated before them, was a large rectangular platform where three people stood gazing at the army before them. Lord Hadrian who stood at the center with a straightened back and cold gaze was accompanied by Varick and Ghana.
The two of them worked tirelessly behind their lord to aid in molding this formidable force that would soon beco Corhan's most revered soldiers and heroes for generations to co.
The grueling process of sifting through tens of thousands almost made Ghana collapse. Her mind could only do so much. Alongside her and Sir Varick, there were only a few people to whom Lord Hadrian entrusted the task of evaluating each individual's suitability for the new order.
Whenever she gazed at the n, although she tried to make her character professional, there was always a hint of frustration.
She sneaked a glance at Lord Hadrian's back, wondering if the selection process today had pleased him. One had to have strong will, strength, and power. Only those with indomitable will, strength, and power were deed worthy. However, their motivations were not solely driven by loyalty.
They wanted to be part of the new order that would be blessed by the Lynari. Moulin Fraunces, Corhan's beacon. Ghana wasn't certain how such rumors had spread, but they had greatly aided her and Varick. With the Kron's poison continuing to ravage the land, there were few n as determined to fight.
The three were oblivious to the curious gazes directed at them. If one could hear thoughts, they would go deaf in less than a second.
Suddenly, Lord Hadrian finally moved making each soldier stiffen. The lord sightly turned his head to speak to Varick in a low voice.
"The trials shall comnce tomorrow. Have the mages prepare the chamber."
Varick nodded, "Shall you personally see to the test, My Lord?"
Hadrian replied with a hum. The special chamber was an old artifact preserved within the stronghold. Once a person enters, they will be subjected to heavy pressure while their mind undergoes terrible horrifying visions, each suited for every particular individual. He and the soldiers of his noble house have experienced it twice in their lives to strengthen their minds and their will.
One would think the great lord Hercullio would have accomplished every trial and mission. Unfortunately, Hadrian had failed the trial once following the death of his parents.
Golden eyes are raised. A drop of rain fell upon his shoulder.
He must raise a great army befitting the magnificence of his beloved.
.....
While the rain poured, the stronghold was struck in a solemn atmosphere. However within the realm, one could only be oblivious to the happenings of the outside world.
Na'El had entered the library unhurriedly before stopping halfway in opening the door. Unknowingly, Snow squeezed through the gap between the elves' feet before excitedly yipping towards the desk.
Amidst his excitent, a big stone fell in his way with a large thud making him screech to a stop. Blinking, he glanced at the rock buzzing with mana.
"I see you have been busy," Na'El spoke.
Moulin stopped what he was doing and abruptly lifted his eyes towards the new guest. The table was filled with all kinds of stone artifacts, each possessing one carved rune. They ranged from a failed scratch writing to a beautifully carved rune. Calanthe had given him more stone artifacts to experint with and was supportive of each attempt.
Secretly embarrassed, Moulin blankly glanced at his work, wondering if he had gone too far. The first lesson was undeniably a success. They could finally proceed to the more complicated ones.
"Moulin is an excellent student." Calanthe complinted with a soft voice. "Although there could be so improvents, it is not an arduous task. I'm sure he will do well with your guidance. "
"If what you say is true, we can present so of his works to the mages and artificers sooner than we thought," Na'El spoke with a nod.
He approached Moulin who was engrossed in assessing a blank obsidian stone artifact.
"What do you reckon could aid us to victory against the demons and malefics?" There was a hint of mischief in the oracle's eyes, strange for his usually calm and serene self.
Although sothing to conceal a maeruthan's presence was useful, sothing that could enable them to capture core demons that would aid in the breakthrough of search of the dark island. Their enemies would not be afraid of death, thus to prevent them from ending themselves, there must be a solution without causing too much disruption.
Moulin did not turn to him and spoke after a mont of thought, "Perhaps sothing to capture demons for interrogation. A sealed realm or sothing physical, stripping them of their movents and mana. It could release them at the user's will while keeping them subdued."
As the youth spoke, he caressed the stone in his hand and glanced at the open Orchaedian book before him. Na'El listened to every word with a nod before leaning back to glance at the sorceress on his right.
"Those are many functions for a single artifact. Although it can be done, it requires more techniques and skill to infuse those commands within only a few runes... and perhaps, a more efficient material." He explained while nearing the desk to examine so of Moulin's works.
They weren't the finest but they already revealed good progress for a person's first ti. The elven oracle already recognized most of the runes. From hand warrs, silencing spells, fire, and ice ignition...
A smile is painted on his face as he turns to Lady Calanthe, "Perhaps, after so practice, we can have Her Holiness, Lady Celeste to guide him in purifications. What do you think, my lady?"
Lady Calanthe gave a smile before gesturing with her chin to look behind him. A steady stream of pure mana could be felt in the air. Confused, Na'El paused before slowly turning around.
His eyes widened and his movents grew slower. Before him, Moulin was quietly binding his essence with the obsidian, oblivious to the growing frost on his slender fingertips. When the binding was finished, he didn't stop and proceeded to inscribe sothing. The youth's aura grew prominent, spreading throughout the room.
His lashes trembled slightly and a layer of mana swept over his skin making him look fragile like a beautiful snowflake.
Na'El stared at Moulin with hidden excitent while the temperature dropped considerably, enough to make Calanthe wrap her fingers around the hand-warming artifact she made.
When the mana dissipated, a strange symbol was inscribed on the obsidian's surface. When the two magic intellectuals leaned closer to sneak a peak, they felt that the symbol was familiar yet knew they hadn't seen anything like it before. It was small and distinct.
Silvery pupils slowly peeked between the parting lashes. Moulin gazed at his work for a few seconds before feeling surprised and foolish. He subconsciously inscribed sothing strange and weird before his instructors. Although he looked calm, he was inwardly embarrassed.
"Hm, may I?" Na'El asked, opening his palm.
Moulin hesitantly placed the obsidian on the elf's hand. Anticipation and embarrassnt filled his heart. He looked away.
"Is it functional?"
"Perhaps..." Na'El glanced at the youth and tried to assess the magic within the artifact. His eyes glowed slightly. "I know you were just experinting but it is quite interesting how you follow your desires so easily and-"
In the blink of an eye, cold frost exploded from the artifact in Na'El's hand. The freezing surge almost threw Mouin and Lady Calanthe back a few ters. With wide shocked eyes, Moulin watched as the ice grew significantly, spreading from Na'El's hand towards his body, encasing the elf in an ice-cold prison.
Na'El's thoughts run wild. For so reason, he couldn't escape with his mana. Helpless as the biting cold devoured his skin, nullifying his energy-infused veins. His pupils trembled as a pained groan escaped his throat.
With a thundering heart, Moulin imdiately grabbed the elf's solidifying arm to take the artifact only to realize that it was caged close within Na'El's frozen fingers. Without a choice, he enclosed a fist around Na'El's closed hand and hurriedly ran through the reverse chanism of the spell. His silvery eyes glowed like a moonlight beam shining across the rippling lakewater in the night.
A restrained breath left the oracle's mouth as the ice receded into the obsidian artifact. When the ice finally thawed, his slender fingers let go of the stone, letting it drop on the table with a clatter. The elf's eyes were filled with shock, incredulous at what happened. He felt his mana restrained and his thoughts and voice, forced in silence. It felt as though his body was not his own.
Never in his life had he experienced such a thing before.
Moulin had an equal look of astonishnt. However, there was a faint sense of fear in his eyes. He had not truly thought of how the artifact would affect the common magic wielders. When making the spell, he was too invested in creating sothing to subdue their enemies and use them against their will. Now, he realized how terrifying and dangerous one could use magic recklessly.
In the silence, Lady Calanthe calmly turned to the panicked youth. When she spoke, one could feel the comfort in the softness of her voice. "Magic is not only helpful but dangerous when not used wisely. One could remain oblivious as their efforts were made to harm another life. Thus, it is important to keep a peaceful mind, free of malice and decisions driven by emotions."
Listening to her words, Moulin nodded with a guilty heart. "I apologize. I will strive to learn from my mistakes."
Afterward, his worried gaze turned to the oracle at his side, "Are you alright? Were you hurt in any way, Your Holiness?"
Na'El smiled faintly, "I am well. Once again, I have underestimated the strength of your mana, Moulin. Truly, divine mana is sothing not to be trifled with. Perhaps, we need a more spacious place to test out your creations. Furthermore, Lady Calanthe is right. It seems we will have to proceed quickly with training your ntality while we delve into the realm of artifice."
The sorceress nodded, catching Moulin's attention. "Yes, that is a wise decision. The young master is progressing quite fast. Since our first lesson has already ended, you will accompany Na'El today and learn the techniques of strengthing your mind and calming your soul and heart." She gazed into Moulin's silver eyes, filled with determination and understanding. "Rember, magic is a blessing.
One can be consud by it and lose their soul."
Moulin swallowed and nodded. "I understand..."
Smiling tenderly, Lady Calanthe reached out and patted the youth's head. Moulin stiffened, unprepared. She only chuckled. "A good young man, you are. Now hurry and go."
Na'El led Moulin out of the library and together they journeyed towards the garden. Snow excitedly scurried past their feet, hoping to chase so butterflies. Once fresh air filled his nose, Moulin felt all the tightness and negativity in his heart dissipate. His shoulders fell as he breathed slowly. Leaves twinkled with morning dew.
The bright moonflower in the distance seed to sway slightly making its center glisten.
"I realize the garden is your favorite place among the rooms in the realm." As Na'El spoke, he placed his clasped hands behind his back. "To achieve a calm mind one must balance your body and mind, cleanse your emotions, and achieve ntal discipline. So techniques are easy while others take many years to perfect."
The youth's silver brows furrowed, "But... we do not have that much ti."
"Yes, we do not. That is why we resorted to so asures." Na'El nodded and raised an arm.
Moulin stopped, feeling a sudden shift of energy in the air. Suddenly, the tiled ground split open revealing a round dark stone platform embellished with runes. Five clear crystals levitated vertically before the platform, each hovering in the air at different heights connected with a string of invisible energy as though like a necklace or a luxurious mirror on a wall.
Moulin confusingly faced the hollow circle before him where Na'El stood on the other side.
What is this?
User Comments
0 comments from readers