Nyxpera
The 19th of Thargelion
The Year 4631 in the Era of Mortals
Arche fell to the floor and writhed, teeth clenched to bite back the scream clawing its way up his throat. His flesh crawled, as though fire ants burrowed tunnels through his muscles and bones and bit him every inch of the way. Hands grabbed him, trying to hold him steady, but they could do little as another wave of pain made him seize again. Coppery blood filled his mouth as his teeth sank into his tongue. He spat it onto the floorboards next to him.
Then, as quickly as it had come, the sensation fled.
“Arche, talk to us. What’s going on?” Helwan held him by the shoulders, staring into his eyes with concern.
The words took a moment to form. The pain had been so sudden, so intense.
“Lyssa,” he panted. “Something’s wrong. Oh, fuck.”
Everyone froze, no doubt thinking through all the calamities that might have happened in their absence.
“Does she still live?” Tess asked, her voice quiet.
Arche frantically opened his status and searched through it, not breathing until he saw her name still listed as his Companion.
“Yes.”
He pushed himself to his feet, channeling Minor Heal to stop his tongue’s bleeding. Only luck had kept him from biting all the way through it.
“I shouldn’t have left.”
It was nonsense, of course. He would have been useless if he’d stayed and he knew it, but there was no denying that, now that he could see again, he was in very much the wrong place. Tess grabbed his arm. He hadn’t even realized he’d started toward the door.
“All we can do now is finish our business here as quickly as we can and prepare for the return journey.”
Arche didn’t respond immediately. Every bone in his body told him to run and run and not stop until he reached Myriatos. Instead, he took out the spellbook of Darksight.
“Make your plans,” he said. “When I wake up, we’re going.”
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Knowledge flowed into his mind.
Concepts and philosophies danced before him, imparting only a fleeting understanding. Darkness held power and veil. Arche’s eyes would pierce that veil and reveal its secrets. Darksight did not amplify existing light, nor did it create artificial light in his eyes. It taught him the patterns of darkness and concealment. It was full of hidden knowledge. Knowledge that would still be hidden even if he managed to glean its ken.
A new path of Mana was forged in him.
You have successfully learned a Spell.
Darksight — Level 1
What secrets lay beyond the light’s touch? They are yours for the knowing.
You can use this spell to see through darkness.
Duration and distance increase with spell level.
Cost: 200 Mana
Duration: 12.1 Minutes
Distance: 12.1 Meters
You have learned Eremancy.
Darkness is not only the absence of light, but something far older. You have taken your first steps toward understanding it.
The quality of Spellbook you have used has granted you the Novice Rank in Eremancy.
Novice Bonus
+10% Effectiveness of Dark Magic
+10% Spell Stability of Dark Magic
Arche groaned and shook his head. The others shot worried glances, but he waved off their concern. They were all still clearly in the midst of a discussion. Even Basil’s mother, Katerina, had woken and joined in. Arche pulled out the last spellbook and activated it.
Fire danced before him.
It was a consuming thing, a dangerous thing, but also a thing of beauty. It was motion incarnate, a transference of being. Nothing remained untouched, unmoved. All would be consumed in its hunger.
Another branch of Mana opened and more notifications flooded him.
You have successfully learned a Spell.
Flare — Level 1
Be it weapon or tool, you will never be without.
You can conjure orbs of fire and launch them with precision.
Channeling this spell requires concentration.
Cost: 40 Mana Summon | 3 Mana per Second Channel
Distance: 11 meters
Damage: +3.3%
You have learned Pyromancy.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Fire is destruction, but in the flames lies the spark for all creation. You have begun the journey to master both.
The quality of Spellbook you have used has granted you the Novice Rank in Pyromancy.
Novice Bonus
+10% Effectiveness of Fire Magic
+10% Spell Stability of Fire Magic
Arche’s wits gathered about him slowly. He lacked the presence of mind to groan as the effort was simply too much. His mind throbbed with new information. Years of study and practice had been condensed into a couple short hours. It was incredible, but the knowledge lay thick. It would take time and reflection to truly understand it. As it was, he had capability. That was enough.
He eased himself into a sitting position, finding a pair of boots and blue-scaled legs in front of him.
“Are you ready?” Tess asked.
Arche held out a hand and conjured a Flare. A small ball of fire crackled above his palm. He could feel the soft heat emanating out from it, but it didn’t hurt. He held it for a few moments, then crushed it with his hand, dispelling it.
“Let’s go.”
As they readied their equipment, Arche cast Darksight, steadying himself on a chair to counteract the sudden drop in Mana. The shadows of the room sharpened and, though they did not grow any brighter to his eyes, he found it easier to see inside them. He could only imagine what the effect would be in full darkness. By the time his Mana had recovered, they were ready to leave.
Tess gave him a curious look.
“What happened to your eyes?”
“Polybus said the whites were stained with blood from my injury. You knew that already.”
“No, their color’s changed. They used to be brown, now they’re black.”
Arche grunted. “Must be Darksight. I think I can cast it on others. Would you like to try it?”
Tess glanced toward the window and all the light in the room, then back to Arche and his clear lack of discomfort. She nodded and Arche touched her hand, pushing the magic through the physical connection. Her eyes grew wide, and Arche watched as the soft brown of her irises darkened into black.
“Fascinating,” she said. “Doesn’t last long, though.”
“The spell’s only level one. I’ll work on it.”
Efterpi looked at the light filtering in through the window and drew a second cloak around herself. Arche adjusted his bag and fit the cover back over the Tridory, masking it as a staff once again. Tess covered her armor with a cloak of her own, fastened around the front with a quick-release clasp that allowed her to cast it away and fight unimpeded at a moment’s notice.
They headed out into the city.
Tess directed them to a seedier area close to the docks where they walked among various fish stalls, each displaying their smelly wares. Arche stole glances at Efterpi the entire time. The reserved woman kept her own company. Something itched his brain when he looked at her, but he couldn’t place it.
“Fresh cuts. Four obols each,” one of the vendors offered as they approached.
“Any bluebacks?” Tess asked. “Got a powerful fixin’ for ‘em.”
The vendor eyed her. He was a large, gruff looking man with a thick beard and a patchwork of scars that ran across his arms that didn’t seem to match the fisherman veneer.
“Bluebacks are out of season. Difficult catch.”
Tess didn’t blink.
“Shame. Off-season pays the best.”
The vendor watched her for a moment longer, then barked a couple words to a boy working nearby. The boy skipped over and stood behind the table, putting on a hard trader’s scowl.
“Follow me,” the man said. “I think I’ve got some at the shop.”
He left the boy in charge and stalked off, entering a side alley. Tess followed, Arche and Efterpi bringing up the rear. Two alleys later, they were far from any prying eyes. Arche felt the back of his neck prickle and his hand closed around the Tridory, ready for trouble.
The man walked to an unassuming stretch of stone wall and glanced around. Apparently satisfied, he knocked once, then three times quickly, then twice more slowly. He covered his mouth and whispered something to the wall, too quiet to make out. A seam appeared, running from the ground to just over Arche’s head. The wall split open and revealed a room on the other side. The man gestured for them to enter, showing no desire to step in himself.
Tess grimaced.
“Prepare yourselves,” she said, then entered.
Arche’s heartbeat quickened. His mind jumped to assassins and moving shadows, and his fingers twitched in anticipation. He was, therefore, utterly unprepared when a young girl in a floppy hat threw herself into Tess’s arms.
“Tess! You’re back!”
“Hey, Mags. I brought friends.”
The girl untangled herself. She wore an overlarge coat that was filled, inside and out, with pockets, most of which were overstuffed. Arche’s mouth drifted open as he took it in. With the convenience of the inventory system it was rare to see anyone openly carrying things, but here she was, fit to burst.
“Mags, this is Arche and Efterpi.”
“Magissa,” the girl introduced herself, giving a small curtsy. “Though you may know me better as the Water Witch.”
“Nice to meet you,” Arche said, doing his best to hide his surprise. “Why do they call you that?”
“Because I’m a witch and I live near the water.” Mags rolled her eyes. “Duh.”
“Right. Fair enough.”
Mags turned back to Tess, pointing an accusatory finger.
“Do you have any idea how long it’s been since you last came to see me?”
“Five months, give or take.”
“Five months!” Mags stomped her foot. “I’ve been so bored. There are only so many times you can watch the ships coming and going. I haven’t had a new book in ages. Not since the Lyceum started catching my thieves.”
“You stole from the Lyceum?” Arche asked, perking up.
Mags rolled her eyes. “Not me, of course. I had others do it for me. Books, scrolls, whatever bits of theory I could get my hands on. Life’s hard out here for a hedge witch, you know?”
Arche frowned. “Hedge witch? I thought you said you were a water witch.”
“I said they called me a water witch. I’m a hedge witch because I have no coven or patron.” Mags looked at Tess and cocked her head to one side. “Is he always this slow?”
“He’s…thorough.”
“And right here,” Arche muttered.
“Right,” Mags said, clearly not convinced. “Well, I’m sure he’s cute beneath all those scars. Anyway, you don’t look like you came here for a social visit, even if you are long overdue. What can I do for you?”
“We need to get into the palace,” Tess said. “I was hoping you could help us with that.”
Mags’s eyes got huge.
“The palace, you say? Difficult, dangerous, exciting. Why do you need to go there?”
Tess smiled, but said nothing. Mags nodded and raised a hand.
“Gotcha. Secret. Understood. Well, you know I don’t like charging you for stuff, but I’m mad at you for not visiting and this is gonna take some rare materials to get through their wards. What have you brought me?”
“How does some secret knowledge sound?”
Mags steepled her fingers.
“How secret are we talking?”
“Incredibly. Plus, there’s an opportunity in it as well. An invitation to come to a place that won’t be boring.”
“Promises, promises. Tell me more about this place, first.”
“A mixed village, far out in the Sylv. There are only a few magic users there. The archousa is a wood elf from the region. She’s got some interesting ideas on how to run the place, to include creating a magic school.”
Mags’s eyes went wide.
“Really? What kind of magic will she teach? Gaiamancy?”
“She doesn’t have magic, herself, as far as I’m aware, but she has a couple individuals who have agreed to teach there. If you come back with us, I’m sure you would learn a thing or two.”
“That would keep my interest for quite a while. A few years, at least,” Mags mused. “What kind of magics are available, there?”
“Biomancy, gaiamancy, and anemancy. One of the teachers knows some phosphomancy but not enough to awaken it in others.”
“A bit basic but not bad. I’ve not had much luck in harnessing wind. Perhaps your anemancer could teach me something. Now, for the secret knowledge. Let’s hear it.”
Tess gave Arche a pointed look. He stared back.
“What, me?”
“You’re the one that needs to get into the palace. Mags already knows my secrets.”
“I’m not sure I should be spilling secrets to a twelve-year-old girl.”
Mags cackled. “Would it help if I was a boy?”
“She’s not twelve, Arche. She’s older than you and I put together.”
Arche looked back at Mags, noting the distinct lack of pointed ears beneath the brim of her oversized hat.
“How?”
“That’s for me to know,” Mags sang. “And you to wonder.”
He stared at her for a few more moments. The more he thought about the situation, the more he didn’t like it, but if Tess trusted her, he didn’t have many more options.
“Just knowing about it could be dangerous,” Arche said.
“I assure you, I’m more than capable of defending myself,” Mags said, her childish veneer finally giving off a sharp edge. “Tell me and I will get you inside the palace. Promise. Pinkie-swear.”
Arche wrinkled his nose, then threw up his hands and sat down in an open chair.
“Fine, fine. You like magic, right? Well, I don’t know if this counts, exactly, but I’ll tell you about this weird skill I got. It uses a hell of a lot of Mana and it makes me glow. So anyway, I was traveling to find a source of evil that was concerning a wood elf village…”