Karsus opened his mouth and began to speak, his deep voice resonating through the endless void as if the very air itself carried his words.
“I have forged three supreme enchanted items that are the physical embodiments of my wizardry. They are more than mere tools; they are the extensions of my very being. A Crown, an Orb, and a Scepter. These I call the Regalia of Karsus.”
Karsus’s expression grew serious, his piercing gaze locked onto Alex. “The Crown of Karsus: it attracts and absorbs magical knowledge, giving the wearer dominion over himself so that he remains his own entity, apart from the Weave.
The Orb of Karsus: a storage device—a battery—that condenses mystic power, ever-gathering until it must be siphoned at intervals to release its excess. And finally, the Scepter of Karsus: an instrument of projection, a focusing utensil for the precise wielding of unimaginably vast forces.”
The air around Karsus seemed to shimmer as he paused, his form both imposing and ethereal. “Know of these items you must, for they will persist. They will ‘live’ on beyond me, carrying their purpose into the hands of others.”
Karsus gestured toward Alex, and a wave of power radiated outward. Alex felt the orb he carried vibrate faintly, the energy within it pulsating as if in recognition of its creator’s words.
“You already possess the Orb,” Karsus said, his voice steady yet laden with importance, “and one of the stones of the Crown. Each stone is a vessel of dominion over a fundamental aspect of life. The stone you hold governs space itself. The other two hold dominion over life and time. Gather all the stones and return them to the Crown. When the Crown and Orb are reunited, the location of the Scepter will be revealed.”
Before Alex could respond, Karsus raised his hand in a swift, decisive motion. The white void around them began to ripple and collapse, the image of the ancient wizard fading into a sea of light. The words of Karsus still echoed in Alex’s ears as he was thrust back into reality.
Alex blinked, disoriented, as the familiar chamber of the vault came into focus. The faint hum of arcane energy and the scent of old parchment grounded him. He stood in the same room filled with scrolls and books, Gale and Shadowheart standing on either side of him, their concerned gazes fixed on him.
“Are you alright?” Shadowheart asked, her voice soft but laced with worry. Her eyes studied his face intently, searching for any signs of distress.
Alex nodded slowly, the weight of Karsus’s revelation still heavy on his mind.
Gale, oblivious to what Alex had experienced, let out a frustrated sigh. “Such a shame,” he muttered, holding the book Alex had been staring at. “The Annals of Karsus appears to be just a brief history of the Netheril Empire. Nothing more than an academic curiosity.” Disappointment was evident in his voice as he flipped through the pages, his fingers lingering over the aged parchment.
Alex said nothing. He reached out and gently took the book from Gale’s hands, closing it with an air of finality before returning it to its place on the shelf. His movements were deliberate, as if sealing away a piece of the truth he had just uncovered.
“What are we going to do now?” Shadowheart asked, her voice breaking the silence. Her gaze darted around the room, taking in the endless shelves of books and scrolls.
“There’s still a wealth of knowledge here,” Gale said, gesturing to the vast collection. “Perhaps some of these tomes hold information we can use against the Netherbrain or uncover more about the Netheril Empire. I’d like to stay and explore, if it’s all the same to you.”
Alex nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Feel free. There’s much here to study, and your insight will be invaluable. But I have something important to do.”
“I’m coming with you,” Shadowheart said firmly, stepping closer to Alex. Her voice left no room for argument.
Gale watched the exchange, his expression a mix of curiosity and understanding. “I’ll remain here, then,” he said, his tone thoughtful. “There’s much to uncover, and this place could hold secrets that might turn the tide of our battle.”
Alex extended his hand toward Gale, his palm glowing faintly with psionic power.
Gale blinked rapidly, his mind suddenly flooded with information—a detailed understanding of the vault’s layout, its defenses, and how to navigate its complexities.
“Have fun,” Alex said with a wry smile before turning toward the exit. Shadowheart followed closely, her gaze lingering on Alex as if trying to discern the thoughts hidden behind his calm exterior.
As they walked away, Gale watched them go, his fingers already itching to delve into the scrolls and tomes surrounding him. For a moment, he paused, his gaze lingering on the shelf where The Annals of Karsus rested. Then, with a resolute nod, he turned to begin his study.
Shadowheart and Alex stepped into a room filled with ancient tomes and scrolls, the air heavy with the scent of parchment and time. The chamber’s dim lighting cast faint shadows over the shelves, which were carved directly into the stone walls. The room bore an eerie resemblance to the one they had left Gale in. Alex’s gaze swept the room with precision as though searching for a something specific.
He strode to one of the stone shelves and pulled out a book titled Elementals and How to Summon Them. Flipping through the pages rapidly, his expression remained stoic, his eyes scanning each line with intensity. After a moment, he closed the book with a decisive snap and returned it to its place, as if the information it held had already been committed to memory.
“Come with me,” Alex said, his tone calm but commanding.
Shadowheart followed him through a narrow archway into a vast, open chamber. The walls were smooth and unadorned, save for faintly glowing runes etched into the stone. The air buzzed faintly with latent magic, and the room’s sheer size was daunting. It was well-lit, though no visible source of light could be discerned. The runes seemed to pulse softly.
“Shadowheart,” Alex said, breaking the silence.
She turned to him, her expression cautious.
“Go there,” he instructed, pointing toward a side chamber shielded by a translucent bluish barrier. Through the shimmering energy field, she could see that the room offered a clear view of the chamber they stood in, yet it was clearly designed as a protective space.
Shadowheart hesitated, her brows furrowed. “Why?”
“I’m going to summon some elementals,” Alex explained, his voice steady but carrying a hint of gravity. “Some of them could be destructive. This is for your safety.”
She glanced toward the barrier, then back at Alex. Her lips pressed into a thin line before she relented. “Just... don’t get hurt,” she said softly, her tone laced with concern.
She moved quickly into the protected space, the barrier shimmering briefly as she stepped through. Turning, she positioned herself at the edge of the field, her hands resting lightly on the edge of the stone as she watched Alex with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
Alex strode to the center of the open chamber, his steps deliberate and confident. He took a deep breath, his piercing gaze fixed forward. His hand rose, fingers spreading wide as arcane energy began to coil around him like living tendrils of light. The runes on the walls flared brighter, reacting to the sheer power he was channeling. A low hum filled the air, growing louder as the summoning spell took shape.
With a resounding crack, a massive earth elemental materialized before him. Towering over the room at an imposing 15 meters, the creature’s sheer presence made the chamber tremble. The elemental’s form was both awe-inspiring and terrifying, a jagged mass of stone and dirt molded into a vaguely humanoid shape. Its massive arms resembled crude clubs, and its head was a chaotic amalgamation of stone and earth, with glimmers of embedded minerals, gems, and veins of precious metals catching the chamber’s light.
The elemental’s glowing eyes locked onto Alex, its gaze unreadable but charged with raw power. The enchantments in the chamber’s walls flickered under the strain of the elemental’s presence, as the enchantments struggled to contain the being’s destructive potential.
Alex’s chest opened, revealing the chromatic energy orb that pulsed with a life of its own. Its surface shimmered with a kaleidoscope of colors, and its very presence seemed to draw the elemental’s attention. Alex opened his mouth, and a deep, resonant sound emerged—a guttural, otherworldly command that reverberated through the chamber. The tone was layered, vibrating through the stone and air alike, carrying the weight of an ancient authority.
Shadowheart watched, her breath caught in her throat, as the massive elemental’s towering form quivered. With a groan that sounded like the grinding of tectonic plates, the elemental kneeled before Alex, its massive frame bowing in submission. The display was both humbling and unnerving, a testament to Alex’s unmatched power.
Alex extended a hand toward the elemental. As he made contact, a surge of energy burst forth, brown and raw, as if the very essence of the earth was being siphoned into him. The elemental’s form began to crumble, its rocky body collapsing inward as the energy sustaining it was drained. Within moments, the once-mighty creature was reduced to a pile of lifeless stones, scattered across the chamber floor.
Shadowheart’s eyes widened as she took in Alex’s transformed state. His form radiated a palpable, overwhelming energy. His features had become more angular, his jawline sharper, as though chiseled from the very stones of the earth. His eyes glowed faintly with a deep, earthen hue, their intensity almost too much to meet.
Alex’s transformation was not merely superficial; his entire body seemed to have adapted to the elemental energy he had absorbed. His skin had taken on a slight, stony texture, and appeared to had shift and reshape themselves in subtle ways, like a living mosaic. Small crystalline protrusions glimmered faintly along his arms and shoulders, refracting the light in mesmerizing patterns.
The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
The air around him grew heavier, as if even the atmosphere recognized the immense power radiating from Alex’s form. Shadowheart found herself momentarily paralyzed by the sight, torn between awe and unease.
Shadowheart stepped out from behind the barrier and walked to Alex.
“Alex?” she called, her voice steady but cautious.
He turned to her, his eyes glowing faintly with an earthen hue. A small, almost imperceptible smile played at the corners of his mouth. “I’m fine,” he said, his voice calm but carrying an undertone of power that hadn’t been there before.
“What you just did?” Shadowheart’s asked as her flickered between Alex and the remains of the elemental, her expression a mixture of awe and unease.
"I consumed its power to attuned myself to the earth . " Alex said . " Now , please step back . I still have more to summon . "
Alex extended his hands, beginning the summoning ritual. His chromatic energy orb, now infused with faint streaks of brown from the earth elemental’s energy, began to glow brighter, its colors shifting like rippling waves. Words of an ancient incantation flowed from his lips, each syllable resonating with an almost hypnotic cadence. Shadowheart, standing behind the magical barrier, could feel the humidity in the chamber rising drastically. Droplets of water began forming on the walls and trickling down, gathering in small rivulets on the smooth stone floor.
As Alex’s voice grew stronger, he lifted off the ground, his body surrounded by shimmering arcs of energy. Above him, a torrent of water surged downward, twisting and churning violently as it began to take shape. The liquid gathered into a towering figure, its form fluid and ever-shifting. The water elemental rose over ten meters , a majestic and terrifying embodiment of the ocean’s raw power.
The elemental’s body was a swirling mass of water, constantly in motion, with powerful currents visible within its translucent form. Its "arms" were massive, cascading torrents that shifted seamlessly between solid and fluid states. Its "head" was featureless save for two glowing orbs of deep blue light, like the eternal depths of the sea.
Shadowheart’s breath caught as the elemental fully manifested. The presence of the creature was overwhelming, its very existence radiating an aura of untamed might and natural grace. The air in the chamber was thick with moisture, every sound muffled by the heavy, aquatic atmosphere.
The elemental’s glowing eyes locked onto Alex, its movements rippling with a barely restrained fury. Alex stood firm, his orb pulsing brighter, casting dancing lights across the chamber walls. He extended one hand toward the elemental, his posture unwavering.
The elemental let out a resonant sound, deep and thunderous, like waves crashing against a jagged cliffside. Its massive arms rose, forming tidal waves poised to strike. For a moment, Shadowheart feared the creature would crush Alex where he stood.
But Alex’s voice cut through the tension, commanding and resolute. “Yield.”
The elemental’s form hesitated, its currents shifting erratically as though conflicted. Alex’s orb flared with a burst of chromatic energy, the light cascading over the elemental like a tide. The glowing orbs in its "head" flickered, and the creature let out another rumble, softer this time, almost reverent.
Slowly, the elemental lowered its arms, its turbulent body calming. The powerful currents subsided, and its immense form seemed to bow slightly, its head dipping in submission. The sheer force of the moment left Shadowheart awestruck.
Alex glided forward and placed a hand against the elemental’s swirling surface, his fingers sinking slightly into its fluid form. The moment they connected, a surge of energy coursed through Alex. His body stiffened as the elemental’s power flowed into him, and his form began to change.
His skin took on a faint, bluish sheen, as though light was refracting off water. His eyes glowed with an intense oceanic hue, deep and endless like the abyss. Subtle ripples danced across his limbs, giving the impression that his body had become partially liquid, shifting and flowing like the elemental he had absorbed.
The elemental let out one final, resonant groan before its form began to dissolve. The swirling water collapsed into a torrent, rushing toward Alex and vanishing into his orb. The chromatic sphere pulsed violently, shifting colors with an intensity that illuminated the entire chamber. The watery energy integrated with Alex’s essence, the orb stabilizing after a few moments.
Alex glided to the ground and show Shadowheart a thumbs up .
He landed gracefully, his form rippling with residual energy from the water elemental. He glanced at Shadowheart through the protective barrier and offered a reassuring thumbs up. Without hesitation, he raised his hands once more, the chromatic orb in his chest glowing brighter as he prepared to summon another elemental.
This time, the air around the chamber began to shift, growing heavier and alive with energy. A faint whistling sound turned into a roar as the air spiraled into the center of the room. Dust and loose debris were sucked upward, forming the heart of a growing vortex. The light dimmed as a massive tornado materialized, its form twisting and writhing with violent intensity. Within the swirling winds, faint humanoid features emerged—elongated arms and a headless torso, with glowing, stormy eyes embedded in the chaos.
The air elemental screamed, a piercing, high-pitched sound that reverberated through the chamber, shaking the very walls. Before Alex could fully establish control, the elemental surged toward him with incredible speed, its arms extending like whips of compressed air, striking with the force of a hurricane.
Shadowheart’s breath caught in her throat as she watched Alex disappear and reappear to the side, avoiding the elemental’s attack. The gale it unleashed sent shockwaves rippling through the chamber, rattling the protective barrier she stood behind.
“This one’s different,” she muttered to herself, her gaze darting between Alex and the rampaging elemental. “It won’t submit willingly.”
“This one’s going to take more than a command,” Alex said, his voice steady despite the chaos.
The elemental surged forward again, its speed and unpredictability making it a blur of destructive energy. Alex braced himself, crossing his arms in front of his chest. The orb within him flared, projecting a shimmering barrier that deflected the elemental’s direct strike.
“Let’s see if you can handle this,” Alex growled. With a swift motion, he dismissed the barrier and launched himself forward, his hands morphing into jagged, claw-like structures of energy. He spun like a whirlwind, slashing through the elemental’s form. Chunks of its swirling mass dispersed, but the elemental quickly reformed, screeching in fury.
The elemental retaliated by creating a sudden vacuum in the chamber. Shadowheart gasped as the air was ripped from her lungs momentarily, her knees buckling under the oppressive force. Alex staggered but recovered, his body morphing in response. His limbs elongated slightly, taking on a more aerodynamic form, and his movements became sharper, faster. He leapt high into the air, plunging downward into the heart of the elemental.
A deafening explosion of wind and light filled the chamber as Alex struck, his chromatic energy clashing with the elemental’s core. The elemental howled in pain, its form destabilizing and shrinking. Alex landed, his glowing hands gripping the elemental’s thrashing mass. His voice resonated with authority as he spoke an incantation, the words wrapping around the elemental like chains.
The room fell eerily silent as the elemental’s form condensed into a small, glowing orb of swirling air. Alex held it in his hand, the chromatic sphere in his chest absorbing its energy. His body shuddered as the new power coursed through him, his skin faintly glowing with a translucent, wind-like shimmer. Faint ripples moved across his form as though his body had become part of the air itself. His movements became unnervingly fluid, as if he were an extension of the wind.
Shadowheart let out a shaky breath as the barrier around her dissolved. She ran to Alex, her eyes scanning him for injuries. “Are you hurt?”
He shook his head, a faint smile on his lips. “I’m fine. But that one was... spirited.”
Shadowheart’s gaze softened, though her voice held a hint of admonishment. “You’re pushing yourself too hard.”
Alex met her eyes, his expression unreadable but calm. “If I don’t push, we won’t be ready for what’s coming.” He clenched his fist, feeling the latent energy of the air elemental settle within him. “But I’ll take a moment. Now that I have control over earth, water, air, and fire, the next elementals should be easier to deal with.”
Shadowheart nodded reluctantly. “How many do you plan to summon?” she asked.
“Two para-elementals, from the para-elemental planes where the borders of the elemental planes intersect—Ice and Smoke. Then there are the quasi-elementals, from where the borders of the pure elemental planes intersect with the energy planes—nine from there.” Alex’s tone was casual, as though this monumental task was merely a checklist to complete.
Shadowheart stared at him, her mouth opening as if to protest, but no words came out. She took a deep breath and stepped back behind the magical barrier, her gaze locked on Alex with a mixture of worry and awe. He turned back to the center of the chamber, the chromatic orb in his chest glowing steadily, ready for the next challenge.
She watched, her heart pounding in her chest, as Alex absorbed elemental after elemental. Each time he consumed one, his form shifted, reshaped by the essence of the elemental he took in. The transformations were brief yet profound, leaving an indelible mark on both his physical appearance and the atmosphere around him.
After consuming the dust elemental, Alex’s body turned translucent and gritty, as though he were composed entirely of swirling dust particles caught in an endless eddy. His every movement disturbed the air, creating soft currents of debris that shimmered faintly in the chamber’s light. When he spoke, his voice carried a haunting quality, a low whisper that echoed like wind brushing over dry earth.
The ash elemental energy darkened his form, the texture of his skin appearing charred and flaky as if forged from volcanic remains. Ash cascaded from him with every motion, painting the ground in a trail of fine soot. His eyes burned with an internal glow, embers radiating a subdued yet sorrowful heat. Each breath seemed to carry the scent of something long extinguished.
Bolts of electricity crackled across his body, dancing along his limbs in erratic, dazzling arcs after consuming a lightning elemental. His veins glowed with a pulsating blue light, like rivers of pure energy coursing beneath his skin. Every step left a faint static charge in the air, and his voice hummed with an electric resonance, sharp and crackling like distant thunder.
The mineral elemental energy caused jagged crystalline formations to erupt from Alex’s frame, his body glimmering with the brilliance of uncut gemstones. Shards of quartz and amethyst protruded from his limbs, refracting light into a kaleidoscope of colors that played across the room. His movements were accompanied by a faint metallic hum, the sound of raw mineral energy resonating with his every step.
Shadowheart particularly marveled at his transformation after absorbing a radiance elemental, which Alex explained to her as a rare and luminous entity. Alex’s body became a beacon of pure light, shining with a blinding golden brilliance that obscured his features. Trails of radiant energy lingered behind him, casting the room in a warm yet intense glow. His face was nearly indiscernible, hidden within a corona of luminous energy that seemed to shift and pulse with a life of its own.
The salt elemental energy turned his skin alabaster white, rough and granular, with sharp, jagged edges resembling salt crystals. The air around him grew arid, as though all moisture had been drawn away. The tang of the sea accompanied his presence, a briny, biting scent that seemed to seep into the chamber itself. His every movement left a fine crystalline residue in his wake.
A veil of rolling, scalding vapor shrouded Alex, obscuring the finer details of his form after absorbing a steam elemental. The heat radiating from him was palpable, condensation dripping from his frame and pooling at his feet. His voice hissed and bubbled, like boiling water escaping under pressure, every word resonating with an underlying intensity.
The ice elemental transformed Alex into a figure of crystalline beauty and lethal precision. His body appeared carved from pure ice, sharp edges catching the light in dazzling displays. Frost clung to his form, and his breath exhaled in visible puffs, filling the room with an intense chill. Each step left frozen imprints on the ground, and his presence carried an aura of icy detachment that seemed to sap the warmth from the air.
When he absorbed the smoke elemental, Alex’s form became a shrouded silhouette, his features obscured by tendrils of shifting black and gray vapor. His movements became fluid and elusive, as though he were made entirely of smoke, always slipping through fingers and evading clarity. The room smelled faintly of burnt wood, and his voice carried a deep, raspy undertone, like a whisper through smoldering embers.
The most unnerving transformation occurred after absorbing a vacuum elemental. Alex’s body appeared to fold inward, his form a disconcerting void that seemed to draw everything toward it. Shadows elongated unnaturally, bending in his direction, and the air around him grew eerily still. His movements created no sound, only an oppressive silence that amplified the unnatural quality of his presence. The lack of sound felt deafening, a void that left Shadowheart’s ears ringing.
----------------------------------------
With each elemental absorbed, Alex’s transformations painted him as a being no longer entirely of this world. Yet, as unsettling as these changes were, Shadowheart could not look away.