How did those words form themselves within the mouth of Agazuul’s mentor? What trickery was this, a cruel, horrible joke with a punchline that didn’t even begin to make sense?
"Aquilan Zylstina shall be the new leader of the Ordo Sanguinatoris. He came out as the top pick."
Agazuul knew he wasn’t getting the position anymore, but the confirmation still stung.
Ludwig looked at Agazuul, pity in his eyes, a hint of disappointment flickering within.
"He has far more experience and has shown to be a valuable leader figure in recent times." Agazuul was taken aback by this. What was Ludwig talking about? During his outings with Aquilan, he or Gadraek usually took charge.
"You’ve been away often, and even if you were here, you were often so deep in books that you might not even have noticed that Aquilan created an entirely new branch of the Ordo Sanguinatoris." Had Agazuul been that deep into his work, his research? That Agazuul couldn’t even see what Aquilan had been doing. Why didn’t Aquilan say anything about this? Not once during their nightly drinks. Well, they used to, Agazuul supposed; how long had it been since Agazuul had a round of drinks amongst friends like that of a few nights ago? Weeks? Months? Perhaps Agazuul had been neglectful of his friendship in his important quest. Aquilan should have told Agazuul about this, whatever this might be.
"Agazuul, you left again. As I said, you should see him; he’s in the undercroft. He’ll explain it all to you, and I hope this doesn’t strain your friendship with Aquilan. As I said a few nights ago, you’ll always be a valuable part of the Order." The words that came out of Ludwig’s mouth rang hollow. The last time Agazuul visited the undercroft, it was under construction. Agazuul never really bothered to ask why.
As Agazuul made his way from the mess hall across the academy courtyard towards the obsolete structure built into the decline of the mountainous grounds, he pondered his quest again. Agazuul would prove the necessity and the value of his work; he’d have to, to himself now, on top of all the others. As Agazuul entered, he found it to no longer be as desolate as he once thought. Some of the newer students he’d seen roaming the grounds were here, much like in the main buildings. Bookshelves, banners, tapestries, and paintings lined the walls of this once crumbling structure.
As Agazuul gazed at one of the tapestries, he looked at an artist’s interpretation of Ignisium: A realm of igneous rock covered in volcanic ash. This permanent permeating heat is inescapable–a dangerous realm. Active volcanoes, fumaroles, lava rivers, and even the air is harmful to breathe for most creatures—Muspell is the city of obsidian with its strange architecture and massive monolithic blocks of rigid geometric style. The Obsidian Castle itself was quite different; flanked by two active volcanoes, the castle stood apart from Muspell with its large jutting towers rising far above the castle, a multi-tiered castle, with each part capped by translucent ruby domes. Each other wall, while still being made of solid obsidian like most of Muspell, had adamantine embellishments, patterns of flame, and embossed metal plates that told stories of Muspell and Ignisium, just like in Andromea, creation myth, facts, stories, and kings of old were all fair game to add to a structure of importance. One could trace the entire history of Ignisium upon the walls of the Obsidian Castle, and that’s not even to talk of the opulence and beauty inside the castle itself.
The artist who tried to capture Ignisium failed to do so: an uninspired sea of flame, a lone rock containing things of living fire. It seemed almost insulting to one who’s been there, whose partial heritage lies within that realm. Carl had the power to send Agazuul back there, but he wouldn’t last an hour in that realm.
"Ah, you’ve finally found your way here; it took you long enough. I know the academy is big, but you could’ve come by every so often." Aquilan had snuck up on Agazuul, a smile that held genuine amusement and uncertainty.
"You should start to sleep more again; normally, nothing can creep up on you. I have something to show you. I have wanted to for a while. But you always had more research to do. I do suppose you’ll find it quite intriguing."
Aquilan started walking and talking as he often did, simply commanding you to follow. It was clear to Agazuul now that Aquilan always fancied himself as a leader figure, even if Gadraek and Agazuul had to pull him out of more than a few tricky situations.
"I know this is a tough situation; we all thought it would be you, we really did. I almost didn’t dare dream it would be me. Many vouched for you after; some came to me, angry that I was chosen instead of you." Aquilan had a tone of bitter resentment that hung in the air like poison. They drowned in it as if trapped. It drained them of their vitality. They both grew angry at one another. Were they not the best of friends just a few nights ago? Why did things change so fast? The council had decided before they could even process Agazuul’s loss.
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
"I know of your quest for glory and your anger towards the things left unfinished. You’ve had difficulty with your spell’s ritual location, have you not? If only you dared to ask me. If only you didn’t see me as that dwarf does. Just because I don’t have combat prowess does not make me useless. I would always be the leader, whether you could see that or not."
Aquilan stretched out his arm, letting his hand designate all that was his work. The undercroft had changed so much: a legacy to the founders, a crypt of remembrance, a place for contemplation and prayer. Now, a vast open space, with a view carved out of the decline in the mountain, a carved-out pathway leading further down. Agazuul wondered if there was more and if it snaked all the way down. Inside the undercroft, many pillars stood, each with a runic inscription, between which were set up ritual circles. Students of all ages and races tried their best to conjure something. Some had succeeded, others in the midst of it, and others failed and had to be tutored or helped by mentors.
Amid this chaos, Agazuul’s eyes fell on Gileon Pethey. He was always the most relaxed, never taking on too dangerous of a mission. Gileon stood there, more focused than Agazuul had ever seen him. Gileon was trying to summon something; the pride in his mentor’s eyes told tales of Gileon’s efforts.
Flames wreathed around the enclosed four-pillar space, no more than 20 square meters. The runes on the pillar began to glow, straining to contain the energies unleashed. Agazuul ran towards Gileon, who had disappeared into this whirlwind of flames, but before Agazuul had gotten there, Gileon had tamed the fire. They were congealing into something. The flames took on form, an imitation of a four-legged creature. The body solidified to become like obsidian, and black fur grew over it as the body cracked open to release some of the flame once more.
"That’s a fire-wolf from Ignisium. The look on your face told me the same thing I thought. The artist’s rendering does it no justice. Magnificent, isn’t it?" Aquilan said, having snuck up on Agazuul once again. Agazuul stood there in awe, looking upon the beast. Only once had he been to Ignisium, and even then, it was a mere fragment of Agazuul that went; he met his father there. At his father’s throne stood a loyal beast like this. It seemed so small compared to his father, but seeing this creature now before Agazuul, the size of a horse. It made Agazuul wonder evermore just what his father was.
"It is yours if you want it. Gileon is an excellent summoner. I always knew the kid had a hidden talent." Aquilan was showing off, buttering Agazuul up. Agazuul didn’t trust it one bit. That smile of Gileon as he looked upon the beast he summoned was unlike any smile Agazuul had ever seen on his face. Gileon’s mentor gave him an approving shoulder clap, going into a hug; they must’ve been at this for a while.
"Gileon is the first to summon anything this strong. We’re mostly still at sprites, living flame, and raw energy. The primordial elements should be the easiest to control, so we’re starting there. After that, there are so many more realms to explore. Each of us has an affinity with all four elements, some more than others." A snarky smile from Aquilan aimed at Agazuul; Agazuul didn’t let it land. Aquilan’s face briefly showed his annoyance and was quickly covered by his mask of elven detachment.
Agazuul took off to the main building to see what Gadraek thought. As Agazuul did, he faced a gleaming portal in the rocky courtyard. Out stepped Aquilan.
"I’ve tried being courteous about all of this, Agazuul. Since you’ve been back, things haven’t been the same. Your quest has changed you for the worse; maybe you’ll see that someday. For now, I have to contend with a horde of students who don’t respect my authority due to your grumbles and shouts about what was promised to you by someone who didn’t have the authority to do so. These positions are political as much as they are about being worthy. No one man can decide them, nor should one be able to. I’m willing to share whatever resources I can to your cause if only to get you out of the sight of those zealot students. They worship you as a god, Agazuul." Agazuul didn’t need to hear that offer twice; his mind rested for a moment on the betrayal he felt, the anger, but he put it aside to focus on getting what he needed from this.
"I need a dozen good men, a crate or two of assorted potions and elixirs, and since you’ve offered it, that fire-wolf as a mount. " Aquilan took a moment; whether to gloat or to reconsider his offer, Agazuul couldn’t tell.
"I can give you as many potions and elixirs as you can carry; I can even give you free rein of the armory. None of my students are coming with you; however zealous they might be, if they leave the grounds without my leave, they are no longer Sanguinators."
"Bah, leave him alone, you stupid elf." Gadraek, his step, already betrayed the reason for his late appearance.
"Agazuul deserved the spot, and you know it." The barf coated within his beard took away from his arguments.
"Agazuul, I thought I saw you in the courtyard. Gadraek Borlakvann, please clean yourself up a bit, will you? Aquilan, I am pleased to see you chatting with Agazuul. You boys have been able to smooth things over a bit?" Ludwig ‘Wolf’ Schulz stood there, eager for his calm demeanor to diffuse the situation. The little bit of red on his face told Agazuul he ran here, unwilling to let them come to an end on their own.
"I’ll take your offer, Aquilan, and I don’t need any of these students. I have my team!" Agazuul stepped past Ludwig, not even glancing at him. Gadraek was too drunk to notice Agazuul passing him until he was already through the door.
END OF CHAPTER 4 - Agazuul 2