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Chapter 1 - Prologue
🕑 Added 2023-03-06 08:02:22 +0000 UTCWelcome to book 4 everyone! Equilibrium.
Some of you may remember the first two scenes in this prologue, that is because it comes from the decision to split the book into two. These scenes are much more relevant to the now book 4 than they were in book 3.
The two scenes after are brand new. We start with Gwyn on Thursday. So far the average word count is 4821 words. So it's all pretty hefty. Lots of stuff happening! Hope you enjoy what's coming.
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Tides of Change
Some Time Ago
South along the coast from Swanbrook, on the other side of the Kingdom of Rosale from where Alyce Maxwell was working with the King, a team of scholars was working on their own project. A project that would one day change every aspect of society, down to how someone viewed the fundamental levels of reality.
The group was led by two intrepid elves. A sun elf man named Aredd Vhoor and a high elf woman named Aila Iliric. They had been working tirelessly ever since the two of them had discovered the changes to themselves. They had gained the ability to use weak forms of magic, and they had all discovered a new organ that had miraculously formed in every living being.
Their group had been trying to find as much information as they could about the phenomenon known as the Flash. Gathering as much word as they could in the form of rumors and sightings.
A breakthrough in the research had come in the form of items they had obtained from a small company in a little Westaren village near the city of Thirdghyll. Their contact in the Merchant Guild had brought them a small variety of objects. One, in particular, changed… everything for them. A ring. A simple diamond ring, which surprisingly the ring had set against the finger, forced a connection to what the company had called mana.
Aredd and Aila delved into their research, foregoing any outside distractions for almost two months as they and their team of twenty scholars performed a series of experiments. They quickly learned of the cores and the importance of the new organ in manipulating mana.
The first thing they discovered beyond that simple observation was that this mana interacted with individuals in one of two ways: mentally or physically. The majority, roughly seventy percent, of individuals they tested were only changed physically. About twenty to twenty-four percent of individuals had a combination of physical and mental changes. These test subjects were able to manipulate the mana to perform decidedly magical acts. However, the magic shown there was nowhere near the level of potency of the last group. That group, which represented around six to seven percent of their sample population, was modified by mana only mentally.
Every single person they had tested showed that they had a specific coloring or attunement that went to their mana and this was represented in five different hues: red, green, blue, yellow, and black. Aredd himself was especially rare because her colleague was the only being they had found to date with an attunement to two colors. A full team of six was dedicated solely to how magic was changed by those colors.
All of this was fantastic insofar as it brought increasing amounts of investment and influence to their group from the local nobles of Nornport. All of this research had brought them to this moment. The moment that would change… everything.
“Aila? Come here, look at this,” Aredd said from where he was testing mana cores they had obtained from beasts that had undergone a mutation or beastials as their group called them–monsters if you heard the soldiers and hunters tell it.
Aila walked over to her colleague and looked down at the two green cores on the table. “What am I looking at, Aredd?”
“Look into them. These were gathered from two beastials of the same grouping. They should be nearly the exact same.”
She nodded and Examined the core in front of her, trying to see what was different between the two. The two looked similar, they had a similar connection to green mana. Both could be used to draw and utilize that mana in– Wait.
Aila peered closer, Focusing. Her brows furrowed as she noticed a difference in the two cores. Cores don’t hold mana… “How old are these?”
“They were removed not even twenty minutes ago. You see it, right? It’s dissipating even now.”
“What is it?”
“I want you to check my core.”
Aila tilted her head. What?
She sucked in a breath. “Aredd… That’s dangerous.”
“The one terran that is working with the city says it is fine. We can bring him here.”
She wasn’t sure. However, ultimately, it was his decision. “Are you certain?”
“Yes,” he replied quickly and with surety.
Aila nodded, and the two went to work. They sent one of their team members to give a brief overview of what they wanted and their request. It was a testament to the acclaim they had earned that the countess had sent the terran only a few hours later.
The man arrived, looking out of place as all terrans did, but he seemed to hold a surety to himself. Aredd explained what their group did, and what Aredd wanted the doctor to accomplish. The man just nodded. “I can assist with this. What do you hope to gain?”
Aredd took a deep breath. “I believe there is something else other than mana that works inside of us. In fact, I don’t think it is the mana that does most of the work.”
Aila gasped. He hadn’t told her that theory yet.
The doctor stood with his arms crossed, then raised a hand to his chin. “Okay. I can work with that. Allow me to go retrieve the tools I will need, and then we can get started. I just need your full consent and understanding that this could go wrong as any surgery could.”
Aila and Aredd both took a deep breath, her colleague giving her a meaningful look before nodding. “Please do this.”
“Very well. Do you have somewhere we can set you up to perform the surgery?” The terran asked.
Aila gestured toward one of the doors. “This way.”
After showing the doctor the room which could be utilized, the terran had left. The man returned within thirty minutes with a bag containing an assortment of tools that he would need for the surgery, including supplies in case anything went wrong.
The preparation had been both quicker and more in-depth than Aila had suspected. The doctor had made sure to clean all of his tools and the surrounding area where Aredd lay. Then he made sure to clean the sun elf’s chest thoroughly.
After some more preparation that consisted of the doctor giving Aredd something to calm him down and using a strange needle contraption that held a liquid to inject into her colleague, they were ready.
The procedure itself was quick, and once the doctor had Aredd’s chest cavity open, he motioned Aila over. “Please do your examination.”
Aila held her breath and Focused as she Examined the core and the nerves that sprouted from it. Looking at the swirling green and blue orb with fascination. She could see the connection he held to both of his mana attunements. She saw how the green moved even then and gathered around the opening in the man’s chest as it sought to keep him healthy. Following the nerves, she saw something she hadn’t expected. Something was flowing through them and slowly moving from the nerves into the surrounding tissue into the man. What is that?
“Aredd are you doing alright?” the doctor asked the man that was still awake, just completely numb from the neck down.
“Yes. I just… I need to do something.”
The doctor placed his hand on the man’s shoulder and leaned down, looking into Aredd’s eyes. “What? What is wrong?”
Aredd closed his eyes and Aila felt it. She reached out and placed her hand on the doctor’s shoulder. “Wait. He’s alright. Let him focus.”
The doctor hesitated before straightening his back and watching Aredd with her.
She turned back toward Aredd’s chest and looked at the man’s exposed core, watching as the green swirled and glowed deeply. The blue was pushed to the edges as Aredd channeled green mana for some purpose. Suddenly a pulse of green flashed and spread over the man’s body. Aila Focused and channeled her blue mana to her eyes, trying to see what was happening to the mana in the man, not just see the details of his organs.
She felt a click and she forced herself to Examine Mana just in time to see a rush of something other than mana flow into the man that then spread throughout his body. She saw the telltale signs of the same rush she had felt before, and that was when she knew. The mana facilitates improving us, but it’s just not the mana that actually does it!
Aila smiled down. “I got it. We’re done here, doctor.”
The terran nodded and got to work.
She held her friend's hand. “You were right.”
Aredd smiled. “Good. I think I am going to rest now.”
Aila glanced at the doctor. “Is he alright?”
The man nodded. “He is just struggling to keep himself awake. I will finish up here, then we can let him rest better.”
She squeezed her friend’s hand as he fell asleep, then moved away to let the doctor work.
◇ ◇ ◇
Several hours later, Aila walked into the room where Aredd rested. The doctor quickly used some materials and his own magic to sew the man’s chest back together. After promising to return that evening, he had left.
Aredd was awake as she entered, yawning even as he tried to smile. “Aila. Come in, come in.”
“How did you know?” she asked.
He tilted his head and smirked. “It was just a feeling.”
She shook her head. “Well, you were right. I went back to the cores and they were already devoid of whatever it was. Only their connection to mana was remaining. However, one core is stronger than the other. I gave it to the team researching cores and their uses. They had suspected that some cores were different for some reason, they just hadn’t been able to test two cores that were sourced at the exact same time from similar specimens. That alone is an important revelation.”
They usually obtained their cores through intermediaries, which in hindsight may have added more time and the possibility of erroneous conclusions to their research. This time the two cores were sourced directly, with instructions on both the kill and extraction to ensure as little variation as possible. The team would utilize the knowledge they gained, to verify the veracity of their previous findings.
“Good. What did you see?”
“You made a new magic spell, didn’t you?”
He nodded, gesturing for her to continue.
“Well, I know that just making one new spell doesn’t do it. We both have tested that, and I made a new spell right after you did. However, it does have to do with the rush. The feeling is because our cores are filling with this… energy substance, and it subsequently rushing through our bodies. It follows the core’s nerves and spreads into the surrounding area from there.”
“We will need to test how often and what is required to gain a rush,” he said with another yawn.
“Yes. As we have known for a while, the rush is the source of improvements we and our test subjects have felt. It is essential to our growth with mana. Every rush brings a greater connection and both physical and mental improvements.
“We will need to test, and I believe I can now do it without having the doctor cut you open, but I suspect that your body now has a greater concentration of something other than mana, but is intrinsically linked to mana.”
He furrowed his brows in thought. “You believe it is essential?”
“Yes,” she confirmed.
Aredd gave her a lopsided smile. She suspected the medicine the doctor had given him was making him feel a little loopy.
“Then that is what it is.”
She tilted her head. “What?”
“Essentia.”
She groaned, but then tilted her head. That… isn’t inaccurate. Essentia flows through and improves us. With more of it, we are… Faster. Stronger. Better.
Aila sighed. Now to make sure no one ever discovered the origin of the name.
◇ ◇ ◇
Present
The Old Town residence was a five-story tall townhouse that Taenya had managed to acquire with the assistance of the Tiloral steward in the city. The exterior of the house was made of grey granite which was punctuated by huge panes of glass and elaborately designed wrought-iron balconies to give it a grand impression.
Walking into the entrance hall, the wrap-around staircase was immediately visible along the back right corner. Its wrought-iron railing made the small space seem more open.
The door on the back wall opposite the stairs lay open, showing the small sitting room where one of the House servants was cleaning.
Sabina slowly made her way up the stairs, pausing on the first floor where the living room, dining room, kitchen, and first terrace sat. She used her Sense Emotions to gently touch those coming from behind.
One of her Wynver team members followed behind with her head down, her crestfallen thoughts were deliberately open to Sabina. The telv woman, Nasha, had been having issues as of late. She was a strong woman but being the only member of the Wynvers that had survived the attack on the Strathmore manor had finally taken its toll.
In her distress, the woman had spiraled into an ever-increasing depression and feelings of survivor's guilt.
The woman had turned to a drug known as Dust.
Sabina was content to let the woman attempt to work through her troubles, but the addiction grew. Now, Nasha had found herself in debt and in a state where the drug was affecting her every waking moment. Training had been hampered because the woman would get cravings mid-session and Sabina could feel it.
They made their way up to the third floor where Sabina’s room and office sat.
A servant was inside putting Sabina’s clothing away.
“Please excuse us. You may return soon,” Sabina told the high elf woman.
The woman quickly bowed and hurried from the room. Sabina gestured to the chairs near the small fireplace. She and Nasha sat and Sabina let the woman collect herself.
Her thoughts were open and raw. Even now the woman wanted more Dust. She tried to hide it, but she only felt sorry that she had been caught. However, she was disappointed in herself for letting it progress as far as it had.
Her team had long kept their thoughts open to Sabina as a way to increase their efficiency. Sabina had come up with a way to quickly pass short bursts of information that allowed even the members to communicate with each other mentally. It was not quite like she had in mind when she and Gwyn had originally discussed the concept, but it worked nonetheless.
Unlike members of the other two knights’ teams within House Reinhart, members of the Wynvers were chosen first for displaying traits that Sabina came to associate with early signs of someone who may be able to use mind magic.
Heightened intuition, empathy, or enhanced perceptiveness were just a few of the traits that Sabina and Taenya had sought.
Nasha was the first to show signs of being capable to use similar magic to Sabina. However, Gwyn thought the woman had a different color of magic. She needed to help the woman get past her addiction before she could help her improve herself.
“Ser Sabina, I apolog–”
Your thoughts betray you, Nasha.
The woman started crying. “Ser–”
Use your mind. As we have trained.
~I–I cannot do it. It helps me. It helps me… forget. I did not even see Maris die.~
Sabina inhaled and exhaled. The image of her former guardswoman as she lay dead filled her mind. The woman had fought four of the attackers and still managed to kill two.
She remembered a conversation she’d had with Taenya. A thought she had about her magic. A way for it to not be so evil. For her to do good.
Nasha, I want to try something. I want to help rid you of your affliction. It will be invasive.
The woman’s eyes widened even as tears continued to stream.
It will hurt. I will try to remove the addiction. Then I will blur the memories of that moment. I will not touch your mind without your express permission. It must be your decision.
The woman did not even hesitate.
~Please, anything. I permit you. I trust you.~
Sabina nodded. She placed her hands on the side of the woman’s head.
Black mana filled her rushing to her will. Her magic sought to manipulate, and it was oh so easy. With every spell she had made, the strength of her magic increased.
With a flex of her will and a tug at the black mana that flowed through her, she used Pull Memories.
As Sabina closed her eyes, her magic delved deep into Nasha's mind. She could feel the woman's memories, thoughts, and emotions, all laid bare before her. Sabina focused on the memories of Nasha's addiction, feeling the pull of the drug's hold on the woman's mind. With a gentle touch, Sabina began to unravel the threads of addiction that were woven into Nasha's consciousness, using her magic to erase the cravings and dependencies that had taken hold.
With black mana flowing through her, Sabina felt the weight of the addiction lift from Nasha's mind. She could feel the woman's relief and gratitude, a wash of emotions that swept over her like a warm breeze. And then, with a final push of her magic, Sabina blurred the memories of the attack on the Strathmore manor, softening the edges of the traumatic event until it was a distant, hazy memory.
When Sabina opened her eyes, she saw the relief and gratitude in Nasha's eyes. The telv woman was wiping away tears, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. Sabina could feel the woman's thoughts, a jumble of emotions that were still settling into a new, unfamiliar pattern.
"Thank you, Ser Sabina," Nasha whispered, her voice shaking. "I don't know what to say."
"You don't need to say anything," Sabina said gently. "Just focus on your training. You'll have to work hard to catch up, but I have faith in you. And if you ever need to talk or if you feel like you're slipping, come find me. I'm always here to help."
Nasha nodded, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
Sabina stood up, giving the woman a reassuring pat on the shoulder before making her way to the door. As she descended the staircase, Sabina could feel the echoes of Nasha's emotions, still lingering in the air. She knew that the telv woman had a long road ahead of her, but she was confident that with time and patience, Nasha would overcome her addiction and become a strong, capable member of the Wynvers once again.
◇ ◇ ◇
Evocati Amari slowly walked along the cloister of the Astral Monastery with Evocati Khalan. The monastery was one of the few locations across the continent that played host to the Monastic Order of the Umbra.
While the Paladins of Alos were the Holy Order of Alos, the Umbral Monks were those that followed the Goddess of Death, Relena. A reclusive order that sought inner peace and a sense of self.
The monastery within Avira sat on Temple Row, just outside of the Waning Gate to the Old Town. It also hosted classes for priests and priestesses who would dedicate themselves to Relena. However, that was not why they were there. One of the monks had been gifted with magic. In fact, this monk was the entire reason that the paladins had not been sent after Gwyn’s knight, Sabina.
Yet, even that was not the reason their presence was required.
Another priest had been blessed with a Seeing.
It was the second such vision within the Church since the Flash, and it had everyone concerned. The priest was brought to the monastery to meet with the monk. The raithe man could touch the priest's mind and see the vision. He was then able to ‘show’ the Seeing to others.
It was for this that the two paladins were summoned.
Amari and Khalan had just been shown what that priest had Seen. And it had them on edge.
Khalan especially. The sun elf man glanced at her. “I do not know what these Seeings warn us of, but–”
“They are not Prophecy, Khalan…” Amari said with a shake of her head.
The two girls that Amari and Khalan protected were again the subjects. However, unlike the last Seeing, they were only featured within one scene. A sight that had both of them worried.
The other scenes featured other individuals both known and unknown across the continent. Visions of key events that were to come. Those who used magic in a variety of ways, for both good and ill.
And the sight of a young priestess-in-training who had an abundance of magic. She was escorted by a woman obscured in a blue cloak with a bird of prey on her shoulder. The woman was one who also had command of terrifying levels of magic. Purple orbs of crackling energy exploded amongst the trees as true monsters rushed to assault them on all sides.
Amari knew not who they were, but the sight of the two caught in a life-or-death struggle that cut out before any resolution stuck with her.
All the paladin knew was that her charge was important. For the scene which showcased Gwyn was shown with a level of clarity and reverence that shook Amari to her core. It was as if the gods and mana itself loved the girl. Although the look on her face was haunting, and the one on Roslyn… one of fear as she called out for Gwyn.
Amari would do whatever was needed to ensure her charge remained safe.
Comments
Fortunis
The girl needs her mama. I do like who Gwyn is becoming though. She's a tough kid. Her mother though? As singularly powerful as Gwyn's magic is, she can't create armies of Golems lol.
