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Chapter 15: Of Madness & Despair

Night had settled over Lonestar Manor, the sky a canvas of inky black, dotted with distant, cold stars. The ancient walls of the manor contrasted starkly with the endless void above, their marble surfaces dimly illuminated by the flickering lights within. All was silent except for the faint rustle of the wind through the trees—a silence that would have felt unnatural to the trained ear.

But the inhabitants of Lonestar Manor—Sullivan, Kael, Uncle Chen, Kaede, and Rowan—were oblivious to the creeping dread that slithered through the night. They were unaware of the thing that had been drawn to their home, its attention riveted on one individual alone: Silas.

A towering skeletal figure emerged from the shadows, looming over the grounds, its grotesque form half-concealed by darkness. The creature stood nearly a hundred feet tall, a grotesque mockery of a human form wrapped in tattered black rags. Its gaunt frame was sickly and skeletal, skin stretched over bones like a death shroud, the mottled grey of its flesh a testament to its unnatural existence. Where eyes should have been, there was only a smooth, unbroken expanse of bone. Its face, however, was dominated by a gaping maw filled with jagged, blackened teeth, shifting and writhing as if possessed by their own malevolent will.

A sinister silence surrounded the creature, broken only by the occasional rasping of its skeletal frame or the guttural rattle echoing from deep within its hollow chest. It moved with an eerie unpredictability, its skeletal limbs jerking and twitching as though controlled by unseen, malicious strings.

And then, it stopped.

The creature’s head tilted slightly as if it were listening to something only it could hear. A moment later, it raised one of its long, claw-like fingers and pointed toward the manor.

Toward Silas.

The ritual had called something ancient, something that should have remained undisturbed. The energy released during the summoning had acted as a beacon, drawing this abomination to Silas like a moth to a flame. And now, the creature had come to claim what it believed was its due.

It moved with terrifying speed and silence, the ground beneath its feet barely disturbed as it advanced on the manor. No one saw it. No one heard it. It was as if the world itself conspired to keep its presence a secret.

Within the manor, Silas lay unconscious in his bed, his body still and peaceful, unaware of the danger that loomed just outside his window. The ritual had drained him, leaving him in a deep sleep from which there was no waking.

The creature reached the manor, its towering form leaning over the building like a predator inspecting its prey. With a single, smooth motion, it extended one of its bony hands through the wall of Silas’s room as though it were made of mist, its taloned fingers curling around the sleeping boy.

There was no sound. No struggle. Silas simply vanished from his bed, swallowed by the darkness of the creature’s grasp.

The manor remained undisturbed, and its inhabitants were none the wiser. The creature moved away as silently as it had come, cradling Silas in its grasp like a precious treasure. It carried him to the edge of the woods surrounding the manor, where the shadows were deepest, and even the moonlight dared not reach.

There, it set him down on the cold, damp ground, its skeletal face hovering inches above Silas’s own. The creature’s gaping maw opened wide, a foul, rotting stench filling the air as it whispered in a voice that was both maddeningly gleeful and horrifyingly malevolent.

“Mmmm, Nexus Ambrosia, it’s a bit impure… but it smells fantastic! The same as last time!! Ahhh, what should I do… Should I peel his skin and eat him up… Should I break his bones and drink the marrow? Hmm, cutting his fingers and drinking Ambrosia sounds good as well… So many options. Ahhh, this is so lovely.”

The creature’s body trembled with anticipation as it continued, its voice taking on a sing-song quality as if it were relishing the thought of each gruesome act.

“Hmm, I corrupted that little guy, and he gave me a greater seed than himself, what a lovely little boy… Oh well, I ripened up that guy as well, I will ripe this one as well… He’s already walking on a path to madness and despair, with a little push, he’ll make the finest of delicacies. The end result will be a scrumptious feast! I can’t wait…”

The creature's black tongue darted out, licking at Silas's face with a slimy, chilling touch. Its claws, sharp as daggers, moved closer, poised to strike and rip Silas apart. But then, as if struck by a sudden realisation, the creature froze. Its ragged breaths, cold as death, brushed against Silas's face as it leaned in, its eyes fixed on him with a predatory gleam.

“No… not yet,” it whispered, almost to itself. “He’s not ready. Not ripe. But… I can help with that.”

With a grotesque, jerking motion, the creature reached into its own chest, clawing at its bony ribs until it found what it was searching for—a small, pulsating orb of sickly light. It was a piece of its soul, a fragment of the madness and hunger that drove it to such horrifying acts.

With a sinister smile, it forced the orb into Silas’s chest, pushing it through flesh and bone as though they were nothing more than air. Silas’s body convulsed, his unconscious form writhing in pain, but he did not wake.

The orb settled within Silas’s heart, merging with his essence in a way that defied all natural laws. The creature pulled back, watching as the light of its soul faded into Silas, leaving no trace of its presence.

The creature did not notice something peculiar and troublesome residing in Silas’s body. This was Silas’s misfortune. If the creature had seen it, he would have most likely backed off and not dared to be as bold. The thing inside Silas would prove to be irksome even for someone like him to deal with.

Unaware of the situation, it hissed, “There,” its voice dripping with satisfaction. “Now you’ll grow… you’ll ripen… and I’ll feast on you when the time is right. But not before. No… not before. Suddenly, it tilted its head upwards in one jerky motion as if contemplating something. “I wonder if I meet the other half, will a connection form between them? Hmmm… might be worth trying… It will ripen him up faster…” Sounding pleased with his plan, he said, “Just wait; I’ll turn you into the best delicacy in the world.”

With that, the creature stood, its jerky movements taking on an air of finality. It raised one clawed hand, and with a snap of its fingers, Silas vanished from the forest floor, reappearing in his bed as though he had never left.

The creature lingered momentarily, gazing down at the manor with a predatory hunger that had not yet been sated. But then, with a rasping sigh, it turned and melted back into the shadows, disappearing as silently as it had come.

Back in his room, Silas remained in a deep sleep, unaware of the terror that had visited him. The night passed without further incident; the manor was undisturbed, its occupants blissfully ignorant of the darkness that had crept so close.

But within Silas, the fragment of the creature’s soul lay dormant, a seed of madness and despair that would one day awaken. And when it did, the consequences would be unimaginable.

For now, though, the night was still. The stars continued to shine coldly in the sky, and Lonestar Manor slept on its walls, hiding the secret that had just been planted within them.

☪︎ ・゚ ・゚·:。・゚゚・⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆・゚ ・゚·:。・゚゚・❂

The first rays of dawn filtered through Silas’s heavy curtains, casting a soft, golden light across the floor. His deep, dreamless sleep had left him unusually refreshed, as though he'd slept for days rather than hours. Silas blinked slowly, yawning as he stretched out beneath the warm covers, oblivious to the horrors that had visited him in the dead of night.

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He sat up in bed, glancing around the room with a slight frown. Something felt different, but he couldn’t quite place it. There was a strange sensation in his chest, a faint tingling that seemed to pulse in time with his heartbeat. But as he focused on it, the feeling faded, leaving nothing more than a lingering sense of unease.

Shaking his head to dispel the thoughts, Silas swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up, feeling a surge of energy rush through his body. Today was a new day, with it came the promise of new discoveries. The successful completion of the ritual last night filled him with excitement, and he was eager to test the limits of his newfound abilities.

“Dust, Breeze, Spark,” he called out softly, and almost immediately, the three Elemental Familiars appeared before him, materialising in the air with a soft shimmer.

“Morning, human,” Spark greeted with a flicker of light. “You... feel different.”

Breeze swirled around Silas, the air around him stirring gently. “Something… changed? But you… same.”

Dust hovered close to Silas, its tiny form glowing with a faint, earthy light. “Yes… different. But… still you.”

Silas shrugged, dismissing their concerns with a wave of his hand. “I feel fine. Maybe it’s just the effects of the ritual. Anyway, let’s not worry about that. I want to practise with you all today. I want to see what we can really do together.”

The familiars exchanged a brief, telepathic conversation before Breeze floated forward, taking the lead. “We… can teach. Bond… allows you to draw on our power. Through this bond… you can form runes… to cast magic.”

Silas’s eyes widened with curiosity. “Runes? Like the ones I’ve read about in the old scrolls?”

“Similar… but different,” Dust explained, its voice a gentle rumble in his mind. “Runes… made from the threads of magic… in your body, in the world, and in us. You… draw from all three… to create powerful effects.”

Spark flared brighter, its excitement palpable. “Each element… has different runes. We show you… you try.”

With a nod, Silas sat on the floor, crossing his legs as he focused on his connection with the three familiars. He could sense the flow of magic between them, a subtle yet powerful force that linked their energies together. It was as if their very essences were intertwined, forming a bridge that allowed him to tap into their elemental powers.

“First… fire,” Spark instructed. “Draw from within… and from me. Focus… on the threads of magic… and shape them.”

Silas closed his eyes, focusing on the warmth in his chest. He reached out with his mind, grasping at the threads of magic Spark described. It was like weaving strands of light and heat, each a delicate filament of power. Slowly, a rune took shape, pulsing with fiery energy.

He traced the rune onto his fingers, feeling the warmth intensify as the symbol took shape. When he opened his eyes, a small jet of flame shot from his fingertips, crackling in the air before dissipating into smoke.

Silas’s heart raced with excitement. “I did it! I actually did it!”

Spark flickered with pride. “Good… but that’s just the start. Next… try air.”

Breeze floated closer, its gentle presence calming Silas’s racing thoughts. “Like fire… but lighter. Focus… on movement… on the air around you.”

Again, Silas closed his eyes, reaching out to the threads of magic that Breeze offered. The energy felt different—calmer, more fluid. He wove the threads together, forming a rune that felt like a gust of wind ready to be unleashed.

When he traced the air rune on his fingers, a sharp breeze shot from his hand, rustling the papers on his desk and sending them fluttering to the floor.

Breeze swirled around him, its approval evident. “Good… very good.”

Finally, Dust hovered before him, its voice steady and grounded. “Now… earth. Strong… solid. Feel the weight… the power.”

Silas focused on the familiar’s energy, feeling the magic shift into something more substantial, like the earth beneath his feet. He carefully crafted the rune, letting the threads of magic settle into a heavy and unyielding pattern.

When he traced the earth rune on his fingers this time, a small rock shot out from his hand, crashing into the wall with a satisfying thud.

Silas grinned, his excitement bubbling over. “This is incredible! I can actually cast magic!”

The three familiars gathered around him, their combined energy creating a comforting aura of warmth, air, and earth. “You… learn fast,” Dust acknowledged. “But… must practise. Must… strengthen the bond.”

“Agreed,” Breeze added. “Much potential… but be careful. Magic… powerful, but dangerous.”

Spark flared brightly, its voice filled with enthusiasm. “But for now… show others. Let them see… what we can do.”

The other two chimed in as well. “Yes.. Yes show them”

Silas nodded eagerly. He couldn’t wait to show off his new abilities to his father, Rowan, and the others. Without wasting another moment, he jumped to his feet. He hurried out of the room, the familiars trailing behind him in a swirl of elemental energy.

He found Rowan first, standing in the manor’s courtyard, waiting for Silas and Kael. He was practising his swordsmanship with a focused intensity. Silas approached him, barely able to contain his excitement.

“Rowan! Look at this!” he called out.

Rowan paused mid-swing, lowering his sword as he turned to face him. “What is it, Silas? You seem… different.”

“Maybe it’s because I learned something amazing!” Silas exclaimed. “Watch this.”

He raised his hand, focusing on the fire rune. With a flick of his wrist, a jet of flame burst from his fingertips, lighting up the courtyard. Rowan’s eyes widened, her usual composure shattered.

“Silas! You… you can use magic, isn’t this too quick??” he stammered, clearly astonished.

“Not just fire,” Silas replied with a grin. He quickly demonstrated the air and earth runes, sending a gust of wind swirling around them and launching a small rock into the air. “I can control three elements now! Dust, Breeze, and Spark taught me how to do it.”

Rowan stared at him, awe and excitement on his face. “That’s… incredible. But how did you—”

“Come on!” Silas interrupted, grabbing her hand and pulling her along. “I need to show Father and the others!”

Silas, with Rowan in tow, ran towards the manor like a maniac. They hurried through the manor, Silas leading the way with an infectious enthusiasm. They found Sullivan in the study, Uncle Chen and Kaede deep in conversation, and Kael practising his own techniques in the nearby training room.

“Father, everyone, look what I can do!” Silas burst into the room, barely giving them time to react before he began demonstrating his new abilities.

He cast each elemental rune one by one, filling the room with bursts of flame, gusts of wind, and slight showers of earth. The familiars hovered around him, their presence a constant energy source and guidance.

Sullivan's eyes widened as the first jet of flame erupted from Silas's fingertips, his usual composed demeanour faltering for just a moment. The initial shock gave way to a deep sense of pride and something much more complicated.

Uncle Chen’s stern face softened as he watched the small rock crash into the wall, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth—a rare sight. But his smile wasn’t just one of approval; it carried a weight of unspoken words and an untold story.

"Well done, young master,” he murmured, his voice barely audible.

Kaede’s eyes sparkled with genuine admiration as Silas conjured the gust of wind, sending papers fluttering across the room. Her applause was enthusiastic, but there was a knowing look in her gaze—a mix of pride in her young pupil’s achievement and an awareness of the burdens that such power could bring. She had seen enough in her time to know that power, while dazzling, often came at a price.

Kael’s reaction was the most animated of all. His jaw dropped as the flame flared in Silas’s hand, and he rushed over, his eyes wide with amazement. “Silas! This is... this is incredible!” His voice was filled with awe, almost disbelief. “I’ve only ever heard rumours about sprites using magic, but to see it in person... from you... it’s beyond anything I could have imagined!”

Silas beamed at their reactions, his heart swelling with pride. “It’s all thanks to Dust, Breeze, and Spark. They’re teaching me how to use magic through the elemental bond. I can feel the threads of magic in my body, in the world, and in them. It’s like… I’m drawing power from everywhere!”

Sullivan stepped forward, placing a hand on Silas’s shoulder. “You’ve come a long way, Silas. To grasp magic in a single day should be unprecedented, even among sprites. But remember, use this power responsibly. You must be careful, and always respect the forces you’re dealing with.”

Silas nodded, his excitement tempered by his father’s words. “I will, Father. I promise. But… I just can’t wait to learn more.”

Uncle Chen nodded approvingly. “You’ve shown great potential, young master. But as your father said, there is much you must learn about control and discipline. The path won’t be an easy one.”

Kaede smiled warmly at him. “No bad kid. Keep working hard, and who knows what you’ll achieve?”

Rowan, still a bit shaken by the display, finally spoke up. “Silas, this is… amazing. But I think we should all keep an eye on you from now on. Just in case.”

Silas chuckled, feeling a warmth in his chest that had nothing to do with the fire magic. “Don’t worry, Rowan. I’m not planning on getting into trouble. I’m gearing up for the trial after my coming-of-age ceremony. I’ll be there, backing you up.”

Rowan smiled, he looked forward to the upcoming adventure.