In another world full of fantasy and magic named Magia Interminatis, there was a small country named Defectus. It was once a great country but now is but a shell of its former self; even the country's name had to change while the original name was lost forever with all records of it burned or altered. But now this country was to witness the birth of a very important person. A person that is unknown to the masses yet will live on eternally.
The court magician of Defectus was a humble man by the name of Nemo. This name was out of spite from his prostitute mother, but strangely suiting. He was a man that never made much of an impact. Nemo achieved his position out of hard work, no scandals, no bribery, just luck and hard work. As a magician, Nemo met all the conditions to be called an Arch-mage but just barely. There were many other mages with far more skill than Nemo but they kept to themselves.
Most Arch-mages were hermits, living in hard to reach places while researching different topics. Some became mages in the first place due to being anti-social or independent, so it felt like common sense to hole up somewhere. Others committed foul atrocities and illegal experiments away from prying eyes. While most simply wished to avoid conflict as mages were in high demand during wars.
But Nemo is not the important person mentioned before, he is related to the aforementioned person. Nemo didn't make much of an impact but his weak will and high position did. Several gold diggers chased after him until he finally chose one to be his wife. Though the records do not state who this woman was, only that she died during childbirth. The child's name was Aliquid. Nemo never told Aliquid the name of his mother.
Aliquid was raised to become an Arch-mage by his father since he was young. Nemo held high hopes for Aliquid as seen by his naming sense. Aliquid had plenty of potential for the magical arts but his social skills suffered. By age 15, Aliquid became well known in the Palace of Defectus as "The Prodigy", "The Next Court Magician", and "The Youngest Arch-Mage". Upon hearing these rumours, Aliquid developed a bit of pride in his abilities.
Aliquid would show off when he had morning magic practise with his father. People would come along and stare at the practice. Shocked at the level of magic he was using and his youth. They would often ask their servants who he was. Thinking that they could marry their daughter off to him or become friends with him. This of course just to increase their influence, talk like this stopped after they heard he wasn't a noble. But the talks happened and Aliquid heard.
Nemo would scold his son during these practices. Telling him to be careful and focus on the magic. Nemo had his share of scars from unsteady magic. But his son was a prodigy that could steady magic without that much focus. Aliquid felt that his father's worries were unreasonable.
But not all the rumours about him were good. Soon his newly forged arrogance was broken to pieces when he overheard some nobles talking about him.
The nobles were about his age but a little older. They never chatted with him before but Aliquid had seen them before. They weren't very high in nobility so Aliquid thought at times that he could make friends with them.
Snobby Nobleman 1: D*mn kid thinks he's so great since he learned magic a bit faster than normal. Even though he's the Court Magician's son, he's still a filthy commoner. Makes me want to knock him down a notch.
Snobby Nobleman 2: Calm down. Right now, there are rumours going around about him but by next week he'll be forgotten. Just like his father, he's "nothing." Just learning things isn't enough to stay famous.
Aliquid ran to his room before he could hear any more of that conversation. He hugged his pillow than began blankly staring out his window.
Aliquid: Just learning things isn't enough to stay famous huh? What if I do "something?" "Something" so big that even those noblemen will acknowledge me.
~The Next Day~
After morning magic practice with his father, Aliquid decided to ask his father a question. He didn't have many social skills so he just tugged on the back of his father's robe.
Nemo: Yes, son?
Aliquid: What can I use my magic for to make a difference?
Nemo: Well, magic can be used for many things. You can heal people, build houses, suppress monsters, or even serve the crown like me.
Aliquid: Such a generic answer; I need to be more direct.
Aliquid: I meant more of how to use it to become famous. Right now, I'm only riding on your fame and my learning speed.
Nemo: Ah I see now. Perhaps, you could do something no one else has done. Like, create a new invention or spell.
Aliquid: Is there anything that someone else has attempted but failed? Something that if I solved I'd instantly become famous? If it was something like that I could research other peoples' failures and learn from it. With things like new inventions and spells if they're useful then some hermit probably already invented it. I want something that appears to be impossible!
Nemo: Haha quite ambitious are you, but that's good. If you weren't then your name wouldn't fit you. I think I have exactly what you need.
Nemo: I have a story that'll teach him to keep going but start at a more reasonable goal. Maybe he'll pursue it for a few days before scolding me and saying "not this impossible!"
Nemo then went to the library and searched through a section. The library was grand in size. There were so many shelves that it seemed like a labyrinth. The shelves were two stories high and nailed to the ground. Some of the nails were loose so some shelves leaned against each other. The books were haphazard, not all were organised and barely any had all the books on the shelves. Rumours say that past conquerors never fully searched the library. Thus the past name of their country still there, waiting to be discovered.
There was no librarian nor were there guards. Nemo was pretty much the only person that even came inside. Aliquid has seen him try to organise things. But there's too much and organised things have a way of becoming disorganised. It was like some chaotic creature made its home there.
Nemo led his son to one of the rare sections that were completely organised. Aliquid saw a look of pride on his father's face. Then he noticed the titles on the books and what type of books they were.
Aliquid: This is the section for children's stories?!
Nemo: Shh! Young Aliquid, all tales have their roots in facts. Even children's tales contain knowledge that sages seek yet stubbornly seek elsewhere.
Aliquid calmed down while Nemo continued searching. Eventually, he pulled out a book and blew off the dust covering it. The book's title was "The Liar and The King of Mercury."
Aliquid received the book from Nemo and looked at the strange title. Before he could question anything else Nemo interrupted.
Nemo: Read it.
Nemo then left Aliquid to his own devices. This happened quite often as Nemo was busy as the Court Magician was a busy position. Aliquid opened the book and began reading.
~2 hours later~
Aliquid closed the book and his eyes for a few seconds. He let his brain process the information in his mind then had a conclusion.
Aliquid: How in the h*ll is this a kid's story?! But the idea behind it is interesting. Immortality...?
Aliquid curious on the topic of immortality decided to look it up in a dictionary. The library was cluttered but the dictionary section was also completely organised.
Aliquid: I guess even dad needed to use a dictionary during his job. Or he just felt they would be used eventually.
Defectus Dictionary: Immortality-Complete immunity to the ailment known as death. Quite often confused with terms like Ageless and Invulnerable.
Aliquid: Wow no wonder no one has ever done this before. If I'm going to work on this then I'll have to do it in steps. Ageless seems to be a part of immortality so I should work on that first. Next, I'll work on something similar to invulnerability.
He then searched throughout the library for books about agelessness. From vampires to dieting to studies on the effects of magic. He checked them all out and began reading. It took a long time as the none of the books that he needed were organised.
~1 year later~
Rumours about "The Prodigy" continued to spread around the palace. People saw him exit and enter the library like it was a second home while still practising magic every day. However, Aliquid never noticed since he was too absorbed in his research, his original goal forgotten.
Nemo had already realised that his strategy backfired. He even saw Aliquid organising parts of the library. He started to feel proud of his son and didn't have the heart to tell Aliquid to stop.
Aliquid was currently frustrated and hit a wall with his research. Even in a fantasy world, ways to artificially prolong life infinitely just didn't work.
Aliquid: Truly a feat worthy of the title "impossible". There's no reliable data about it. Plenty of theories and bullcrap floating about. At this point, I might have to start with my own research.
But that day he found a book that changed the nature of his research. A book called "How to Make a Human Being" fell out of a bookshelf that he was browsing. Normally he would've put the book back but the title was alluring. He couldn't help but read it.
He was hooked on several parts of it including a description of what a body is made of: water; 35 litres, carbon; 20 kilograms, etc. He even found out that the author attempted to create a human but failed.
Aliquid: His theories were perfect yet how did he fail? Was he lacking in mana or was the method incorrect? Perhaps if he used already existing flesh it might work. Wait a second!
Aliquid rushed back to the library and opened a book called "The Forbidden Art: Necromancy". His reasoning was that immortality requires magic that manipulates life. The power to control death must be similar if not the same.
After reading the book Aliquid found that there was nothing about Necromancy in the book. It discussed how it was immoral and against the teachings of most religions, nothing else. The writer of the book seemed to be a man who tried to bring his wife back to life using necromancy. He strongly suggested that nobody use the defiling magic art. The author wrote this in the epilogue. It didn't even describe what happened.
Aliquid: I need an actual book of Necromancy to test my theories yet I can't acquire one legally. I've heard of a so-called black market within some of my books. Perhaps they can help me.
Aliquid left the palace wearing his normal robes and some gold coins. Gold was the standard material for all money in human kingdoms. They used different concentrations of it and other metals to make durable coins. The color of the coin told of its value and gold content.
The coins he had were high in value. They weren't coloured but left natural. Most nations coloured all their coins after magical elements. Even without any sort of paint the coin was a yellowish color from a high gold content.
Outside of the palace, he stood out like a sore thumb. Especially when he entered the slums. The residents glared at him due to his robes marking him as a nobleman. But the robes also suggested he knew magic. So, they were hesitant about robbing him.
His robes were black indicating he was an offensive magician with no specialty. The markings on it belied his rank which was close to archmage, a senior mage.
Soon enough, one group of thieves decided it was worth it and surrounded him. They were a ragtag bunch, carrying pots and pans as armour alongside all sorts of improvised weapons. What they lacked in quality, they made up in numbers. There was about twenty of them in the open, with a few hidden nearby around corners and doorways. They were literally falling out of the woodworks; one of them even crying out in pain as the wall of a shack gave way, causing him to fall out of hiding.
Bandit Leader: Hey there, richie. Why don't cha drop the robes n' money if you want to leave in a piece?
Aliquid: It doesn't work that way. First off, do you have connections to the black market?
Bandit Leader: You got guts kid. Yeah, we know the blackies with the goods. They know of them exotic torture methods n' taught me a few. Now, drop yer goods before we drop yer guts.
All the bandits neared Aliquid. One of them even began hyperventilating with excitement. They were prepared to strip him of all of his possessions and fight if necessary.
Aliquid: How about this? I give you all the money I have and you get me the articles I want from the black market. Then, I come back with more money. You'll end up with more money than you'd get by just robbing me. And then, I'll bring more money and we can do business again.
Bandit Leader: Oh, now that me boy sounds interesting. How much gold are we talking about and how much will yer articles cut from it?
Aliquid handed over all his money and told the Bandit Leader about the books of Necromancy he wanted. He also explained what they'd roughly cost. The bandits were shocked. The books cost a staggering five gold coins each. What was even more surprising was the fact that Aliquid only wanted four of them yet passed over one hundred gold. This was more than enough to buy the books and then some.
Aliquid's prediction was off by a bit. The books ended up costing seven gold coins each. However, that still left the bandits with seventy-two gold coins of pure profit. If they knew the contacts enough to properly haggle, they might've met Aliquid's expectations of twenty gold coins total. Instead, they wished to get away from the contacts as soon as possible; their hooded figures and inhuman movements freaked out the bandits and they accepted the first price given.
~1 week later~
Meeting up with Aliquid at the promised place, the bandits handed over the books. Aliquid smiled and looked like an innocent little kid. The bandits weren't fooled, one of them that could read checked the contents of the books. They knew that this kid was a monster in disguise; the proof from how calmly he dealt with them and the contents of the books he desired was enough proof.
Bandit Leader: The d*mn books ended up bein' 8 gold coins each. Pay the f*ckin' difference.
The other bandits panicked at their leader's aggressive words. They knew that this kid was a monster. Why were they provoking such a monster? They had gotten seventy-two gold from their interaction and potential for more. Why risk that for a measly twelve gold coins? Even then, the books were only seven coins each and the leader was obviously trying to rip Aliquid off.
They tightened their hands around their new weapons in case a fight broke out. They used some of the excess money Aliquid gave them to buy proper armour and weapons. And now, there was a chance they'd have to use them against the one that funded them.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Instead of saying anything, Aliquid passed over twelve gold coins and a message. The message stated where they could meet up to make more deals. These books were worth far more than the amount he gave out to him so he felt no pain at giving out more despite already giving out quite the hefty tip. These bandits accomplished the task and that's all that mattered to him. He was fine working with a middleman as long as they delivered.
~4 years later~
Alongside his usual magic practise, Aliquid now practised necromancy. He managed to get his hands on several books of necromancy by using the Bandit Leader as a middleman. His reputation only increased as his visits to the city were seen as getting to know the commoners. Noblemen sometimes imitated him but never went to the dangerous parts so it didn't have the same effect.
At this point in time, the current king had granted Nemo's family a nobility title for Nemo's hard work. Now, both Nemo and Aliquid were considered Baronets. Even the snobby noblemen were started to acknowledge him but yet again Aliquid neither knew nor cared. Aliquid was more focused on his research; he started testing his necromancy on various dead things like insects and rats. They were easy to find if you looked hard enough. But it wasn't enough as the reanimation was only temporary. Soon enough the bodies slumped once again dead. The bodies could be revived several times in a row, though.
One day he found what he was looking for in a book of Necromancy. Soul implantation, the process of reanimating a dead body with using a piece of another's or your own soul. If done the body will continue to exist without decaying. Literally, an ageless body until the caster of the spell dies or the undead is destroyed. Using another person's soul isn't recommended as the undead will rampage. While using a piece of your own soul will create a completely loyal undead.
But neither method seemed viable as when the undead dies it causes physical damage to the spell caster. This is amplified if a piece of their own soul is used to create the undead.
Apparently, the soul was the part of the body that created mana. It wasn't an organ instead it was just energy spread out throughout the body. Creating it artificially was near impossible, though. Easier to use already existing souls. It seemed to give information to the body, suggesting a way to transfer memories. But when the body was destroyed the soul would return to the original owner. Damaging the body and itself in the process.
When it had no body left then it would go to the one that sealed it up, attack it, and then leave. It wasn't listed why this happened in the books of necromancy, but it happens and it makes the necromancer feel pain. Another reason of many why it's considered blasphemy.
Aliquid: This can definitely be used. Now, to see if this can be used on a living body and not just undead.
A rat ran out of a hole in the wall at the time. Aliquid immediately used a paralyzing magic on it. Then he walked over and put it in a cage.
Aliquid: Hello, experimental subject #1.
~5 years later~
Aliquid reached the prime of his life, age twenty-five. While his father reached the elderly year of 65. Everyone in the palace thought for sure that Nemo would retire and Aliquid would replace him.
On this day Nemo decided to meet up with his son. He knocked on his son's lab. Aliquid opened the door slightly and looked outside. Seeing his dad he slipped out and closed his door behind him. He had black rings around his eyes.
Nemo: He's working quite hard as of lately. He never lets me see what he does so he must want it to be a surprise. I can't wait until he reveals it, but for now, he needs to take a break.
Nemo: Come with me son, let's go chat in the gardens.
Aliquid locked the door to his lab then followed his father. The pace was slow. Thump! Thump! The sound of Nemo's walking stick reverberated as they went to the garden.
The garden was a simple terrace designed to show the city off. Alongside flowers and plants to give a more nature like feel despite being in the center of a city. It had a single bench in it that was rarely used.
When they were in the garden they sat down the bench. Nemo's face stared blankly at the flowers before remembering what he was here for.
Nemo: Aliquid I'm thinking of retiring from court magician. My memory and health have been deteriorating lately. I'm hoping that you could replace me, but you have your own dreams. If you don't want the position simply refuse it.
Aliquid: I have been low on funds as of lately, I could put my research on hold for a while or spend less time on it.
Aliquid: I would proudly take up the position. But are you sure? Without it, you'll be quite bored doing nothing.
Nemo: Haha tis sad, but I already find myself doing nothing for long periods of time even with work. I think I'd be pleasant to just sit and watch the seasons pass by me.
~10 years later~
At this time Aliquid had dutifully served as court magician for 10 full years. He was now 35 years of age. Past his prime but nowhere near weak, physically or mentally. He found that exercise was important for expanding one's life. So he started his mornings with magic practice and physical exercise.
As a result, he was talked about quite often among the young ladies in the palace. He had to move his lab to the outskirts of the city to avoid detection of his experiments. Another reason is that several nobles were trying to pass their daughters onto him. Even with his job he managed to juggle his research in his schedule. But there was no time for a woman.
One day after work he left for his lab. To prevent anyone from following he went through the slums. He had a close relationship with the residents. He gave them gold, he healed them, and he "prevented the spread of plague" by helping "bury bodies" for free.
In exchange, the residents fiercely blocked anyone suspicious that seemed to follow him. When city guards came near after he went through they were mercilessly solicited by street peddlers.
The original bandits that he dealt with were the only ones repulsed by him. They now lived comfortable lives but they knew what Aliquid did. It kept them up at night. They didn't even think of telling others. They didn't want to become another experiment and no one would believe them. Besides, he still paid them as middlemen for the black market.
In Aliquid's lab lied many failed experiments. He went up to a specific experiment labeled #42.
Aliquid: Sorry dad, I failed to bring you back properly. Necromancy can't bring back the dead. It only creates new life, puppets or broken minds in shells of former people and creatures. I thought by using your own soul since you just died maybe...
Aliquid slumped down for a little while. Experiment #42 shook the bars of its cell while letting out an abhorrent sound. Aliquid then used magic to destroy the crazed undead. Pain flowed through Aliquid's body which he was grateful for. Not as much as if he used his own soul, though.
Aliquid: No point in mulling over failure. For now, I'll accomplish the task he gave me.
Aliquid turned to a room with a disturbing smell coming from it. He put on some gloves and headed into the room.
~5 years later~
While working on an experiment, Aliquid heard a knock on the door of his lab. He removed his lab clothes and put on his court magician robes. Black with archmage markings. But with the royal emblem sewn into the front. Near the entranceway he put on some scented water he extracted from flowers.
He opened the door to find members of the local church there. The Defectus church was one that rejected magic and was suspicious of mages. They were gaining popularity amongst the middle class and noblemen. As such they were quite powerful and held influence over the government.
As the court mage, he was seen as a thorn in their side. They constantly tried to abolish the position in vain. The current king was quite competent and knew the value of mages.
Defectus Church Priest: Court magician Aliquid, you're under investigation for the assassination of the king. Come with me while my subordinates search your residence.
Aliquid: What gives you guys the power to arrest me? Isn't that the job of the royal guard.
Defectus Church Royal Guard: Haha by decree of the new king, we are the royal guard.
Aliquid: Shit, they must have assassinated him and are trying to push the blame into me. They won't even have to plant incriminating evidence in my lab. I already did their job for them.
Aliquid: Okay that's fine by me but can I stay here while they search? There are important research files in there. If I end up being arrested, I'd like to donate them and put the names of people and who I'm donating them to.
Defectus Church Royal Guard: Most of the things will be confiscated but I guess you can stay here and try.
Aliquid remained silent as the priests/royal guards walked into the lab. The leader of them stayed by his side. Inside the lab, swearing about a strong smell was heard. Then something about a weird door. Aliquid smiled.
~1 hour later~
Aliquid was packing his things, only the most necessary things. Books, research notes, food, water, and a few of the more successful experiments. He stepped over the mangled bodies of the royal guard and crazed undead. After he exited the building he set it on fire.
He grimaced as pain surged through him and he fell to one knee. After breathing heavily for a few seconds he got back up and left.
~10 years later
Aliquid spent 10 years traveling the world. He had 2 undead, that he used pieces of his actual soul on, in his company. With a bounty on his head, he couldn't stay in one place for long. Killing those "royal guards" made it even easier for crimes to be pinned on his head. He realised something while traveling.
Aliquid: Necromancy can create ageless bodies but they're fragile just like normal humans. I need to find a way to create an invulnerable undead. But then again it still needs to be humanoid or I'll take too much time adjusting to the new body. Plus true invulnerability will take too long, regeneration and magic immunity is close enough.
Aliquid polished up his magic skills then decided to acquire samples of each type of creature. There were six types of creatures in this world.
The Humans, which were the most common creature. They could be found in any place in the world, thanks to their knowledge and tools. They often conflicted with other humans and creatures.
The Animals, beastly creatures that interact with humans in various ways. Some attack humans while others ignore them. Basically, animals are creatures that only rarely attack humans and can be domesticated.
The monsters, beasts that attack humans on sight regardless of the situation. Hunted by humans quite often out of self-defence and profit. Plague all parts of the world. They had high birth rates which prevented their extinction from how often they're hunted by other creatures.
The demons, basically monsters that have more intelligence and can use magic. Lie in more isolated places like wastelands and are very dangerous. Not much is known about them. Their corpses self for high prices so some humans attempt to hunt them usually in vain.
The half-races, combinations of humans and other races that are closer to nature. Half-races normally keep to themselves in their forests and mountains. However, they would defend themselves fiercely if attacked. Their relationship with the human race was strained due to attacks and discrimination.
The Spirits, strange beings made of pure magic found in places with high concentrations of mana. They absorb magic attacks and physical attacks pass through them. Seen as immortal creatures by many. They will attach themselves to intruders and drain their mana. After draining their mana they'll drain their life force until they become a lifeless husk. Very dangerous creatures that most avoid at all costs.
Aliquid: The biggest challenge will be spirits so I'll save them for last
~25 years later~
Aliquid managed to acquire samples of each type of creature except the spirits. He also created several more loyal undead while bringing his necromantic skills to their limits. Thanks to his healthy lifestyle he was still able to travel even at 75. He sometimes drifted off but he used pain to force himself back to reality.
Aliquid: Finally the spell is complete. Combining the concept of pouring the soul into an undead but switching it out with mana should work on the spirits. It will probably completely destroy them but I'll capture their essence in an undead.
Aliquid left behind his undead guards and headed into the spirit's danger zone. He only had a few dead bodies with him. Soon the spirits were attracted to his presence and came towards him.
Aliquid used the spell on the spirit closest to him. It completely disappeared as it's power flowed into one of the dead bodies. As it disappeared a small stone dropped from its body. Aliquid continued using the spell until the area was clear of spirits.
The result was 10 small spirit stones in Aliquid's possession. While the 3 bodies he brought with him exploded from too much power funnelled into them. But he didn't care that he lost the essence as the stones interested him far more.
Aliquid: These stones are so small yet they can hold so much mana. They're the true bodies of the spirits. This will make a perfect heart for my new body.
~25 years later~
Aliquid reached the age of 100 and was now a decrepit old man. He had spent his whole life pursuing immortality and that was finally coming to an end.
Aliquid: An orb made of 1000 spirit stones, the biceps of a minotaur, the bones of a demon with a light coating of diamond, etc.. it's perfect, a body that neither ages nor can it be fully destroyed. Anything damaged is just regenerated. All it needs now is to be jump started into life.
Aliquid: My servants come to me!
The undead that Aliquid made using his own soul came to him as ordered. Then Aliquid started the spell to transfer his soul and memories to the new body. Experimental subject #2987, the final experimental subject.
Experiment #2987 then closed the final journal.
Experiment #2987: So that's how I was created. I'm guessing the memory transfer part partially failed.
He then left the cave where he was born. Stepping over his maker casually, without respect nor spite. He was in the Holy Land of Magianon formerly known as Defectus. He then headed for a nearby town.
----------------------------------------
I enjoyed writing this fiction immensely. It was a fantasy I had in the past that I took and refined. Comments are appreciated.
7/27/16- My eyes burn. I'm trying to edit this but there are so many mistakes.