DaydreamChronicles

Episode 3: Last of the Dark Magi

Here we are. We made camp at one of the southern hills that overlooks the capital. My king assigned me to attend a meeting known as the summit of ages. The summit itself is often a great meeting ground for mages of all the primal elements, many are friends but recently many are also foes. Take the Lightbringers for example. They are basically the armed forces of the Cyrithian church and their founder Cyran. Sworn to spread the light by any means necessary they are on the verge of war with almost everyone. So the king, in all his wisdom, appointed Ilyana, the captain of the royal guard, to assist me and protect my well being. She is a very skilled knight, maybe the best in all of his majesty’s realm. I trust my own abilities in magic as well, so I am far from defenseless. The summit this time should determine whether or not anything will be done about the current state of the Ether Tower. In its best days the magical energy that flows out of the top of the tower gleamed with such beauty. Recent times have seen the flow wane. I suspect it has to do with the church’s crusade to bring their own purification of the world. I also believe them to be completely delusional and drunk with power.

The next day Ilyana and I awoke early in the morning to prepare ourselves for what would be a long day ahead of us. She took some water from a small stream nearby, meanwhile I meditated on a rock. As she returned from the small stream she threw an apple in my direction, which in turn hit me right on the head. I caught the fruit just before it hit the ground though. “You’re getting careless”, mentioned Ilyana with a grin. I took a deep breath, opened my eyes and said, “I was distracted by something that I can’t quite grasp clearly. The city seems to be bustling already”. “You can tell that from here?”, Ilyana looked on while mounting her horse. “Not with my eyes, I can sense the people there, the ones awake, the merchants, the knights, the mages and so on. The ether flow is pretty strong even with the changes I keep feeling”. “We should start moving into the city”, Ilyana offered her hand to help me mount the horse as well and begin our short trek towards the southern gate.

“Balthazar! How good to see you again!”, a robed man pulled his cowl back, I recognized him instantly. “Julius! Good to see you as well! How have you been?”. He replied, “Pretty well, I have travelled to many places and met many people in my journey across the world. You should try this sometime”. Julius and I studied magic for some time back at our kingdom, but then he decided to go out exploring the world. I was too dedicated to my studies to simply pack up and go. Still, I was very happy for him, we have always been good friends and even though I never really know where he goes we often meet up in unexpected places. “My friend I have a duty to my king now, this here is Ilyana, my protector and captain of the royal guard”. “Well, that sounds like something you would do. How do you think the summit will fare?”, Julius asked while toying with some sand using magic. “I am wary of the Lightbringers being here, but the grandmaster and the mage court made the open invitation as per tradition. I honestly think they are warmongering fools. Their quest to rid the world of Flux magic will put everyone in peril”, I gave the most honest answer, for some time I have seen what the Lightbringers do. The light is often a symbol of purity, free from prejudice and hatred, but these people have corrupted it. On the other hand, Flux is often seen as a source of evil, in reality it is as much a part of us as our very shadows.

I was already walking on my own as I approached the main conference hall. This large structure was built many ages ago by masters of the elements to study the Ether Tower. Years upon years of knowledge lay here in the multitude of libraries scattered across the city. Many mages begin their studies here, although many tomes and books are off limits to beginners. Ilyana left her horse at a nearby stable and fell behind while I browsed the marketplace. She didn’t want to call any attention to herself, so she told me she would watch me from a distance to better survey the area. Meanwhile as I looked around I saw my favorite tailor had closed his shop. I thought to myself, “Ah, what a shame, I wanted to get a new robe, this one has outlived its usefulness and the ether threads no longer shine as they used to”.

The loud clang of a marble orb against a metal plate echoed through the hall and signaled the beginning of the summit. Before entering the hall a pair of knights, bearing the emblem of the church, stared at me as I made my way in. Lightbringers no doubt, looking to murder another, I would not be easy prey, so I kept my guard up the entire time. Finally I had a chance to sit down. From there I looked on as the hall filled. I could even make out Julius sitting on the other side. The structure was built as a large oval hall where mages could sit down and discuss things with the hosts who stood at the podium in the middle. It was built much like a coliseum except on a slightly smaller scale. “Please take your seats, Grandmaster Zephius will be with you shortly”, a steward said, his voice echoed a bit, perhaps the acoustic enchantment needed some adjusting.

“The summit of ages now begins”, a deep and powerful voice was heard. Almost everyone in the hall went quiet and focused their attention on the center podium. There he was. Grandmaster Zephius stood tall as he addressed the mages, “Welcome to all of you to this grand hall. This year the summit must tackle issues of great importance, not the least is the current state of the world’s ether flow. As you all know and have felt, the ether, the very energy that courses through everything is in a state of flux, and I remind you this is completely unrelated to the school of magic we know as Flux magic. The changes in the flows and the Ether Tower are worrying. We need to investigate what is happening but we cannot do this only from here. Your assistance will be necessary to find out what is happening”. Some murmuring could be heard building up, which was quickly subdued by the stewards. Before grandmaster Zephius continued to speak a man, bearing the emblem of the church, interrupted him and said, “Grandmaster Zephius, the church has no intention of studying this anomaly, we already know the perpetrators are users of Flux and its derivatives. The only reason we came here was to assert our legitimacy and to…cleanse!”. A flash of light overcame the entirety of the hall.

Only a few minutes had passed and already the church had made its move, perhaps prematurely, although no one could make sure what their target was. Regardless many mages were dying from attacks. Most were blinded, but my own magic saved me, or at least helped me overcome the flash of light. It is no secret that light and flux magic are opposing elements. The light, once known as the Fixed Force, is the order to the Flux’s chaos. Both are necessary except in the eyes of the church. I casted a number of illusions and moved around dodging the mages running for their lives and those defending themselves with the most powerful spells they could cast. A fireball hurled across the hall from one end to another blasted through one of my illusions and hit one of the Lightbringer knights. My main goal was to leave the hall in one piece. It seemed that the church had planned for this for some time as many Lightbringers, both mages and regular soldiers poured into the hall. Grandmaster Zephius showed why he held the position and used a multitude of spells to protect many mages as well as the stewards. When I last saw him, he led a group through the chamber where he originally entered in the back of the hall. I continued my way to one of the three entryways, there I saw as Julius was brutally executed by a ravenous soldier. It was clear I needed to do something more than just run away. I called upon the shadows to grant me strength. My years of studying the Flux and dark magic gave the knowledge to cast a vast dark mist that allowed those not attuned to light to escape. The plan of the church was clear, to assert their dominance. Perhaps even the grandmaster was a target of their malign crusade. I moved freely and easily through the mist. It was clear that these soldiers and mages had not fought the likes of someone with such control of dark magic. Slowly I raised small clouds of the dark mist around my friend’s murderer. They circled around and entered his body through his nose. The knight swung his sword in a desperate attempt at clearing the mist, I could also see the light mages casting their spells trying to disperse the thick cloud that engulfed them. This spell was unique, because it fed on the very energy they used. In such desperation they did not learn that their energy was powering my spell, stronger and stronger. The murderer soon fell, the mist hardened within his body turning into a volatile ash that pierced his lungs. In all my years I had yet to have to defend myself to violently, but the church had to be opposed. The remaining soldiers and mages of the church began to flee, they knew that they could not fight someone of my caliber, nor the combined forces of the other mages and the grandmaster who now had the clear upper hand. I withdrew the mist. A church soldier tried to make a run at me, but seemingly out of nowhere Ilyana stepped in and struck the man down. “Why thank you my lady!”, I was very relieved to see her safe. “Can you explain this?”, she was rather shaken and clearly had fought her way to the entrance. I replied, “Let us join with the grandmaster”.

Grandmaster Zephius had some bruises, as did many mages. Other injuries included a burn or two and temporary blindness as is the case when fighting against light magic. All schools of magic had their own way of healing, even so there were light mages appalled by the whole situation and tried to rectify what the church had done by providing healing to everyone they could treat. “How has it come to this? How could I have been so blind?”, grandmaster Zephius was still in shock at all the violence that had erupted in such a short time. Ilyana told me that as the battle raged inside the conference hall, outside soldiers poured into the streets and began taking away some people. Those who did not pledge themselves to the church were either slain or purged with light magic. “They were brutal in their assault. The city guard was caught unawares. They were ill prepared for this battle. This church moves with impunity, how will you proceed grandmaster?”, Ilyana asked worried that this could also happen back home. Zephius looked to her, “Go back to your kingdom and prepare your defenses. If they were bold enough to come here I do not doubt that they will try to strike at your people”, then he turned to me and said, “You there, you might as well be the last of the dark magi, return to your home and protect it at all costs. The very balance of the world might depend on it”.

We had only gotten a short distance away from the southern gate but I felt a great change. I looked back and saw some smoke billowing upward. “They are savages”, I exclaimed. Ilyana nodded in agreement. Her armor was dented in some parts, “We have to prepare for the worst. King Adrian must know of what happened here”. “It is a long way to go, I hope that we will arrive on time”, the two day travel between here and the Kingdom of Lyre was worrying, the Cyrithian church might have already moved to attack. The flow of ether changed once again. My attunement to the energy made the trip much more difficult. It was dizzying. I could also see how the flow of ether from the namesake tower was greatly fluctuating, as if reacting to so much death. I thought to myself, “This does not bode well for our world”.

Episode 2: Coven of the Crow

“We stand in the presence of one that could be our savior. For this child bares the mark of the crow, the very mark of our coven. For months we have been hunted down by the vile Lightbringers and their insatiable lust to end those who are different from them. They exclaim that their cause is righteous but all they have done is murder in the name of the church”, A tall man spoke to the congregation. I was there covered in a robe. For days they fed me, and cared for me. Men and women treated me like the family I lost.

Some time ago my mother and I lived a relatively peaceful life on the outskirts of Clearwater. Mother went to town to trade herbs, medicine she crafted and even flowers for the local noblemen. Meanwhile I spent the days running through the fields, practicing magic far from prying eyes. At my age it was rare to have such control of Flux magic. Two months passed since my 15th birthday and mother encouraged me to practice. She had given me a book which I was very curious to study. Often times I would take strolls along the lake during the afternoons. The setting sun seemed to light the lake on fire. Sometimes I would meet mother when she was on the road returning home with bread and the like.

One day, about two weeks from today, a group of men and women calling themselves the Lightbringers arrived at Clearwater. The village is somewhat isolated so it was a surprise to everyone. These Lightbringers proclaimed that they came in the name of the church to purge the land of evil. We would soon learn that their definition of evil was distorted. In but a few days the people were harassed, constantly asked for anyone who used Dark magic or anything related to Flux magic, like shapeshifting. It is here I learned that mother was part of a coven that had long ago sworn to protect Clearwater. Recently their numbers had dwindled, apparently they waged a silent war against the Lightbringers and this conflict had finally brought them here.

They found her. Before mother had a chance to escape the Lightbringers arrived in large numbers and took her away. She fought them as best she could but in the end she was captured. As this happened I was in the town watching from afar knowing that she could die soon. I was heartbroken and listening to the villagers was disconcerting. Some of the people were afraid, others did not care, and some mentioned that they would try to find a way to help her. It was not to be sadly. Right before sunset she was tied to a pole in the middle of the town square. All the market stalls were closed, the people gathered at the behest of the Lightbringers. Right then and there they proclaimed that they would purge her body of Flux magic. “This here is an abomination! A testament to the wickedness of the power of darkness. This woman is a murderer for she is part of the coven of the crow, our sworn enemies. Now watch as our divine justice purges the land and brings you the purity of the light!”, said the lead knight. The soldiers gathered around mother, she saw me in the far back and whispered to me, “go…”. I took some steps back but I knew that if the soldiers noticed my movements I could become a target too.

They started to chant as they lifted one hand, with their palms raised to the sky. Light began to emanate from their palms and shortly after they pointed towards mother. The sky had been clouded during this day, but suddenly an opening appeared and a blast of light energy shone down and struck mother. The soldiers unleashed their own magic spell. No one could continue to look, the bright light was blinding. A single loud scream was heard and then nothing. Where mother’s body once stood now all that was left was ash.

Sad, torn and heartbroken I took my leave of Clearwater at night while most slept and the soldiers deemed their mission a success. Their patrols were sluggish and did not care for a passing shadow. I reached our home, partially burnt down. Someone took the time and effort to put out the flames. Once there I searched for my book, a few of my belongings and made my way south of the village. If I could reach the forest perhaps I could hitch a ride on a caravan or something. Mother had taught me to be strong even in the most adverse situations, but with her gone I felt a creeping despair.

As the night passed I noticed that a crow was following me. It landed a few feet in front of me and changed into a human. “You must be Miriam, Mildred’s daughter”, he said. I was a bit surprised, even mother had not transformed right in front of my eyes. I nodded in agreement, I was still shaken from the events of the day and I could not muster even the simplest greeting. “I know you must be afraid, but she gave me instructions to bring you to the coven. Did she teach you how to shapeshift?”, the man asked. I shook my head and quietly said, “no”. He was puzzled, but then said, “No matter, I will take you to a place where you will be safe. That mountain there holds a sacred place where we can be free and safe from people like the Lightbringers. It is our base, our home, and our sanctuary. We can teach you there.”

The mists of the mountain made it difficult to walk with any certainty, but the hidden path had few rocks, meaning that it was well kept even though few in the coven used it. The man, named Galvin, explained that the coven was ancient but that its history had been lost because of the hunt. This hunt, imposed by the church, instilled an unexplainable hatred for shapeshifters wherever they established themselves. The coven which often protected Clearwater had to venture out and protect their own, but to little effect. Many Flux magic users were killed as well as many members of the coven.

Once we arrived I was met by a very tall and thin man. He was the leader of the coven, I couldn’t make out his age either. He could be sixty years old but his face would not betray his age as in it there were few wrinkles. The man stared at me for a short time and then greeted me with a calm, solemn voice, “Welcome, I am Fredrick, sage of the coven. My dear, we all mourn the passing of your mother. She was both an incredible sorceress, mother and warrior. We will miss her greatly.” Galvin then interrupted, and asked to see my hand. When he turned it I noticed that a mark had appeared on it resembling a crow. “She bears the mark, the coven could be saved!”, Galvin exclaimed. I was perplexed, this mark had not been there before, was I some kind of chosen? “Miriam, I must teach you our ways. This mark is the reason for your aptitude with magic. It is said that those of us who bear a mark can instill great changes within the coven. It does make me fearful though, you arrive at a very perilous time for us. I promise you I will protect you and nurture your natural curiosity. Your mother always had great hopes for you and I dare not fail her”, sage Fredrick said.

The hunt arrived to claim the coven once more. We were caught by surprise one night. Even at the height of our power the swift movement of the soldiers meant we had little time to react. Our alarm, a spell that covered the cave went off, we awoke to find the soldiers running through the halls and dispatching anyone unlucky enough to cross their path. As quickly as we could we made our way to the balcony were we practiced our flight. I had been practicing only for a few days so I was afraid of failing. Many of us reached the balcony, some had already transformed and flew away. As they did flares of light magic brightened the skies. Spells flew off into the night trying to shoot down the escaping crows. A few were hit but none in such a way that they lost their height. I was scared, Galvin stood in front of me and urged me to shapeshift. Behind me sage Fredrick arrived, “Hurry my dear, go!”. As I shapeshifted and used the winds to climb to the sky a soldier, enhanced by magic, appeared behind Fredrick and impaled him with his sword. As he drew his last breath, Fredrick held out a necklace and in my mind I heard him say, “Take it! It belongs to you now”. I swooped down, took the necklace and flew off again avoiding the rays of light. The knight exclaimed, “Dammed crows! You will not escape forever! The light will purge you from these lands!”.

I changed back into my human form right before dawn. I sat at the southernmost edge of Clearwater lake. My tears flowed freely, I was alone again with little to no idea of what to do
next.

Episode 1: Tailor Made

There I was, minding my own business. Thinking to myself, “Galian, this is the finest dress hewn yet!”, but my moment of thought would be quite rudely interrupted by a punch.

“How dare you! You charlatan! You might be the worst tailor ever!”, the man screamed as he threw a set of robes on the floor. “These robes I bought from you cost me my position at the summit of ages!”

I was perplexed, not one of the mages ever complained. Even mere apprentices lauded my work. To think one would get so angry as to resort to physical violence, a mage! Of all people! Regardless, I decided to investigate. I picked the robes from the floor and examined it. To my surprise the finely woven Ether Threads had lost their magic. “My dear mage, these threads have lost their magic. You must have done something to them, this kind of threading rarely loses energy in such a drastic way”, I spoke calmly.

The man composed himself. His retainer, a young lad seemingly ashamed, looked on from behind him and nodded in agreement. Then the man said, “Clearly, this means you are an incompetent tailor! Or perhaps you have a better…”

I raised my hand with an open palm, his rambling had become insufferable and I needed to concentrate. “The magic of the world is out of balance. Tell me, what was to be discussed at the forum?”, for some reason I expected this mage to know how to feel the flow of Ether, but apparently he could not, at least not very accurately.

“It is impossible for anyone but a great mage to understand the flow of Ether properly, much less of the entire world. Yet, you are surprisingly on point, the summit is set to discuss a multitude of matters including how the Ether flow around the world seems to be changing. I still find it impossible to believe that robes such as this one be affected by such a thing! It is impossible!”

The world outside my shop bustled with movement. Even with the drapes that covered the entrance and the extra wall I had built some noise could still be heard. It took me a short moment to notice that the mage was not as attuned to the Ether as I thought. I said to him, “There is little I can do but dismantle the piece and remake it. If you want it done i will do so without cost, yet do not expect it anytime soon. I will not charge you for your impertinence and overreaction”. Perhaps this last thing was too much for the man’s ego.

“Pah! You may keep it! Let’s go Kaiden!”, the man rushed out of the shop with his retainer right behind. The poor boy was probably even more ashamed now for the man’s behaviour. He took a quick glance at me before leaving and gestured a silent apology with a short bow of his head.

Peace and quiet at last, but as a man who is often proud of his work I was rather disappointed that the robes had lost their magic.

I must investigate what happened and how it happened. Mayhap I will learn how to protect my future creations from such a terrible fate. These robes are still very much functional. I will simply dismantle the piece and check the once magical Ether Threads.

Two days later I have been able to reestablish the magical energies that once flowed through the Ether Threads. This time I was able to weave a protective enchantment that would protect them. It was an arduous task. Most of these two days I have spent gather energy from the aura around me. It has been difficult because the once vast amounts of Ether are seemingly no longer there. I live in what could be considered the capital of magic. The great Ether Tower stands tall at the center of the city. How is this possible? My father once told me that these energies were vast, nigh unlimited.

I am all the more curious by the day. After an additional two days I have noticed that the amount of customers has waned. It is possible that the angry mage had spread vile lies of my work. With my income going away with those customers I find myself in a spot where I have to choose my livelihood as a tailor or take my chances and travel abroad. Perhaps this could be an opportunity to grow and perfect my craft. Weaving magic into clothing, robes and making dresses was no simple task, not for a perfectionist such as I.

So I packed my belongings, at least the most necessary. Picked a number of threads I believed would be essential and decided to leave. The money I earned from selling my remaining stock as well as the shop will surely cover any travelling expenses. May my dear parents watch over me from beyond. This will be an interesting venture.