Dante woke in his bed and his head felt like he had slammed it into the side of the tower. He let out a groan as he sat up and swung his legs over the side of his bed, cradling his head in his hands as the sudden movement made him nauseous. A soft knock hit his door and it cracked open enough for Kelsi to stick her head in.
“Dante?” She whispered. “Are you alright?”
Dante groaned again. “No, I am pretty sure this is what dying feels like.”
Kelsi snorted. “Historian Louis said you would have a headache for a few days.”
Dante turned his head just enough to see Kelsi. “The Historian is here?”
Kelsi shook her head. “She went out. Told us that she would be back.” Kelsi entered the dark room and sat next to Dante. “We didn’t know what to do. You gave us a scare.”
It struck Dante how that must have looked. Popping out of thin air, then passing out. How worried would he have been if it was one of them? He cursed inwardly at his reckless behavior. He had no understanding in what he was doing and yet, he jumped into a new spell without even consulting anyone.
Creating or discovering spells are dangerous for a number of different reasons, the biggest reason being that the amount of Essence you put into a specific spell might be too much or too little, causing the spell to rupture. Mages have been known to die from trying to create new spells and what he did was no different. He was thankful his room was still dark so Kelsi couldn’t see the look of shame he felt.
“I’m sorry.” Dante said quietly. “I really am and I won’t do something like that again unless I have some help. I should have asked someone for help as soon as I realized what was happening.”
Kelsi put her arm over Dante’s shoulder, giving him a quick hug.
“What was it anyways?” Kelsi asked. “What did you end up doing?”
Dante thought for a moment. “I think my body turned into Essence. I remember my senses being removed somehow. I couldn’t feel, hear or see. I had to activate my Essence Pulse just to know where I was. When I tried to go through my door, I felt it give a little, like it was there but wasn’t at the same time. So, I just tried pushing through it. There was a lot of pressure and then suddenly I was in the common room, falling onto the floor.”
Kelsi grimaced. “That was really stupid Dante. Historian Louis was yelling up a storm when we told her what little we did see. I don’t think she is going to be much happier hearing everything when you tell her.”
Dante winced. He knew better than anyone how mad the Historian could get.
“I think I would rather run away.” Dante said. “Yes, we can all just run away. Tell everyone to pack their gear. We should all leave.”
Kelsi snorted. Before she could answer, the apartment door opened and slammed shut.
“It looks like running is out of the question.” Kelsi whispered. “Good luck.”
She left the room and before she could close it completely, it was yanked open by Historian Louis. The light that entered the room sent spikes of pain through Dante’s eyes as he yelled, covering them up with his hands.
“Serves you right you idiot boy!” The Historian growled as she entered, turning on the essence lamp on the desk. “What idiot told you it was a good idea to discover new spells all alone?! Do you know how many people have died just from blowing themselves up? There are books upon books! Shelves upon shelves of idiot Mages that died doing exactly what you were doing!”
Dante’s head pounded with each word the Historian yelled. He was sure he was going to throw up soon. The Historian sat in the only chair in the room and held out a steaming cup.
“Drink this! All of it. Then tell me exactly what happened.”
Dante took the cup and sipped it without smelling it. He was happy he did. The tea was foul but after forcing it down, he felt as if his head was returning to its normal size. Once done, he explained what had happened. The Historian asked several questions, writing down several notes into her journal. After an hour of interrogation, she finally relented.
“You are lucky.” The Historian said. “What you were feeling was a magical backlash. Basically, you gave yourself a concussion, bruising your brain. I suspect it was from moving through a solid wooden door.”
“I am sorry Historian.” Dante said, regret evident on his face. “It’s frustrating not knowing what I am supposed to do. Everything in me tells me that I need to be moving forward but I am stuck here.”
The Historians hard gaze softened. “I can’t tell you that I know how you feel exactly but I can certainly relate to it. We received your report about Jasmi’s information. That was good work and very well done. We are looking into the Atahchi family quietly.” She took a breath and leaned forward. “Listen Dante, we are doing everything we can. Don’t think that you are alone in this. You might be Essence’s Champion but she did tell you that you have allies. Let us help you, it doesn’t rest on your shoulders alone.”
Dante felt a bit of tension drain from him that he didn’t realize was there. He began to nod when something struck him.
“Historian.” Dante said. “Essence also mentioned that my enemies would be predictable. What do you think she meant by that exactly?”
The Historian paused for a moment before a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
“It means that I need to talk to a few people.” The Historian got up to leave but turned around. “You and your team should go to the Guild and train more. Only at the Guild! Work on improving the spells you already know. No more creating unless me or someone more qualified than me is with you.”
Dante looked up. “Who, other than you, is qualified to teach me?”
The Historian yelled over her shoulder as she left. “No one!”
Dante could hear her cackling as the door shut. He could only roll his eyes.
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Francis and Alena Castellas ate together while going over businesses the family owned. Alena was usually in charge of any financing that would be needed to expand their holdings while Francis worked from the political angle. This was how they usually talked of business. Dinner was always set aside as time that was not to be disturbed. While some of the younger merchant families would wine and dine to rub elbows and create new trade agreements, the Castellas left those events for the younger members of the family. Their Nephew and Niece in law were doing just that since they were now being groomed to take over the family when Francis and Alena finally retired.
Alena looked up after asking Francis a question about a new loan that needed to be approved. When he didn’t answer, she saw that he had drifted into deep thoughts once again. She put down her notes and grabbed her husbands’ hand. He looked up to see a sad smile on his wife’s face.
“I’m sorry Alena.” Francis said. “I am troubled by the latest information Esteban has received.”
Alena nodded. “I am to. A full army disappearing should be concerning. What of the rumors concerning the dungeons? Is it connected?”
“I can’t see how it’s not.” Francis said quietly. “What I can’t understand is why? What could someone possibly tempt Alistern with to go against the whole tower? The man might be a cold-hearted murderer but that doesn’t mean he is stupid.”
Alena shuddered. “Whatever it is, it cannot be good. The towers are not so easily swayed as to fall to the political ideals of one man.”
Francis tapped the table in thought. “What if it’s not political?”
Alena hadn’t considered that option. “What do you mean? What use is taking a tower hostage if not to rule it?”
Francis shook his head. “What if he is not trying to rule the tower?”
Alena laughed. “Well then where would he go? It doesn’t matter which tower he fled to. All towers are made up of Adventurers young and old. If there is one thing they can do, it’s fight. They will not suffer a tyrant.”
Francis nodded. “That is true.” He thought for a long moment, letting the silence fill the room before he slammed his hand against the table.
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“Dammit! There is something I am not seeing. Some piece that is missing from all of this.” Francis said. “It has to be bigger than that. Something worth risking everything for.”
Alena couldn’t even bare to think of what that could mean and squeezed her husband’s hand in worry.
Esteban entered the room at a full sprint, his brow covered in sweat as he breathed heavily trying to catch his breath. Francis and Alena stood up immediately, their eyes glowing as they looked around for signs of danger.
“What happened?” Francis asked. Whatever it was, he had a feeling he would not like the answer.
Esteban stood up straight, his steel colored filled with fear.
“The Tower of Pelgrin has fallen.”
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The news traveled quickly, causing panic across the Tower of Metris. The Council sat atop the tower, going through every detail they had.
“We lost contact with Pelgrin yesterday morning.” Councilman Ceazar announced, his deep voice filling the chamber. “The last transmission was this; “We have lost. They took over the dungeons easily. When the cores were removed, the tower started shaking. We didn’t heed your warnings. May Essence and the Gods forgive us.”
As he set the transcript down, Councilwoman Evelyn spoke. “How many dungeons did they have?”
A Mage with thinning grey hair and large spectacles flipped through the papers in front of him, his ruby colored eyes scanned from page to page until he found what he was looking for.
“Three dungeons and all relatively small compared to most others.” Councilman Wren said.
Councilman Ceazar nodded. “It would make sense that they would fall first, considering their size and from their reports. Have the other towers confirmed betrayal?”
Councilwoman Tess brushed aside her long black hair, her pink eyes scanning her reports. “Ten towers have confirmed and are fighting as we are. Altogether that is twelve. No response from the Tower of Orion.”
Councilman Ceazar shook his head. “So, they have either fallen or their Council has betrayed us.”
Councilman Wren flipped through his papers again. “The Tower of Orion is one of the largest towers across Kahlea, supported by seven dungeons. It is unlikely that they would have fallen so quickly.”
“How long would it take for a transport ship to reach them?” Councilwoman Evelyn asked.
“Over a month.” Ceazar replied. “They are almost halfway across Kahlea. A transport ship would have to stop several times just to recharge their enchantments.”
“How are our citizens reacting to the news?” Councilwoman Astrela asked. Her sand colored eyes looking over the essence tablet she was monitoring.
“Not well, but it could be far worse.” Councilwoman Evelyn answered. “No riots but several merchant families are requesting an audience. The Guild has postponed any quests and is handling the dungeons with support from the guards of the tower.”
“Do we have a death count?” Councilman Ceazar asked, his voice heavy with concern.
“One hundred and forty-seven on our side. Two hundred and thirty-four from the betrayers. Twenty-eight missing.” Councilwoman Evelyn answered.
“So many in such a short time. There will only be more to come.” Councilman Ceazar stated quietly. The others of the Council could only nod.
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Dante fought with the training swords blindfolded. His Essence Pulse was continuous as he ducked another swing from Ferris. Since both wore armor and had magic shields, they were able to go all out with the training weapons. Ferris drove himself hard, focusing on the wind that covered the large wooden sword. With every swing, he made adjustments to the speed of the wind incasing it. He felt he was close to figuring something out.
Dante stepped left, half stepped right and then turned, flicking out one sword after another. The telltale thuds followed by a grunt, let him know that his strikes had taken out his opponent. Reaching up, he pulled the sweat soaked blindfold off and looked down at Ferris who was laying on the floor.
“It’s almost as if your cheating.” Ferris said, wincing as he touched his side.
Dante help him up and moved to the side of the room. He took a large drink of water before turning to look at his friend. The first thing he noticed was that Ferris was barely breathing heavily and hadn’t worked up a sweat. Dante looked down at himself realizing how covered in sweat he was.
Dante shook his head. “This isn’t working.” Ferris looked up at him questioningly. “I’m using too much energy. I’m exhausted while you could keep going.”
Ferris glared at him. “But you won the match.”
Dante shook his head again. “And if there was another opponent after you?” That made Ferris pause. “I can see your every move. I need to take advantage of that. Minimal movements, less energy spent means the longer I can fight.”
Ferris nodded. “That’s a good point. I felt something different with my wind magic covering my sword. I think I will figure it soon. Let’s go again.”
Dante nodded, putting his blindfold back on.
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Jasmi moved against Gretta. She slashed and jabbed with her wooden daggers while Gretta stood in place, moving her bow across the strings of her violin. The short strokes were producing small shields no bigger than a plate and while they were dealing with Jasmi’s strikes, she was barely keeping up.
Jasmi stepped left then turned, trying to keep Gretta guessing where the next strike would land. Every strike was rebuffed and Jasmi’s smile widened as the match lengthened. Two quick steps and a lunge broke through and hit Gretta in the shoulder, causing her to yelp and fall over.
Jasmi rushed to her side, a look of concern covering her face. She had gotten lost in the challenge. Gretta smiled up at her, rubbing her shoulder.
“What are you so worried for?” Gretta asked. “I’m not a glass doll, you know?”
Jasmi shook her head, letting the smile come back. “Oh? And what was that little yelp for?”
Gretta held her violin lovingly. “I didn’t want to drop it.”
Jasmi laughed but Gretta continued to look at her violin lovingly.
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Kelsi was called away to the hospital in the Third District. She was working to help heal those who were injured in the dungeons below. She tried to get sent to the front-line emergency medic station but was quickly denied. So, she checked over those who were in recovery, using her unique Perception ability. She had found several small fractures that had been missed and one severe cut that hadn’t been noticed in a man’s stomach.
Even though she was not on the front-lines, she had seen her share of injuries for the past few days. The patients seemed to never end. One would leave and two more would be carried in. At first, it was almost too much to take and she found herself on the verge of tears when an Adventurer had died, leaving behind a wife and two children. Senior Instructor Magnus had found her outside the building, sitting by herself.
“It’s not easy.” Magnus said as she sat next to Kelsi. She didn’t bother looking up as she nodded. “Life Mages always seem to be in short supply. Too many get dragged into the adventuring lifestyle. Everyone knows that you should have a Life Mage in your team, so they beg and bribe those of us who are still around to continue on adventuring. Do you know why so many us do it?”
Kelsi looked up but shook her head.
Magnus smiled at her. “It’s because it’s not easy. We can preserve those who wish to support the tower and people often forget that we can die just as easily as another Adventurer. Life Mages typically spend more time in the dungeons than any other type of Mage. We are instinctively drawn to danger in order to heal people, to help them, and when we can’t help them, we blame ourselves as if we were responsible in the first place.”
Kelsi sniffed, wiping the unshed tears from her eyes.
“How do you deal with it?” Kelsi asked. “How do you remember that you can’t save everyone?”
Magnus suddenly laughed, startling Kelsi, but it helped her feel a little better when she realized how absurd her question was.
“We are Life Mages, not Gods. We save who we can and remember those we couldn’t. But what we should never do is doubt in the good that we are capable of. Some part of you chose to be a Life Mage long before you actually became one. Then you became a leader for a party that holds a damn Essence Mage. You seem to throw yourself into tough situations.”
Kelsi shrugged. “He has always been Dante to me.”
Magnus tapped Kelsi’s nose. “And you will always be Kelsi. You are a Life Mage and a Leader, but you were Kelsi first.”
Kelsi smiled. “Thank you, Senior Instructor Magnus.”
She waved the title away. “I am not your Senior Instructor anymore. Just call me by my name.”
Kelsi paused. “I don’t think I have ever heard your first name. Everyone calls you by your last name.”
Magnus smiled. “Well don’t go spreading it around.” She whispered secretively. “But my name is Charity.”
Kelsi looked at one of the most powerful Life Mages in the Tower of Metris and realized how different she had seen her until now. Charity Magnus was idolized in some circles and for good reason. But here and now, she just saw an old, friendly Mage that did what she could to preserve life. Kelsi sat quietly with Charity for a long while after that.
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“Dante.” Ferris called. “Why are you using training swords?”
Dante looked up at Ferris as he laid on the floor after being tripped up by Ferris’ sword play. He was certain that his friend was getting faster.
“What do you mean?” Dante asked, sitting up. “Real swords would be too dangerous for practice.”
Ferris rolled his eyes and squatted down next to Dante, handing him a canteen which Dante greedily drank from.
“What I mean is, why don’t you just make wooden training weapons out of Essence?” Ferris asked.
Dante’s look of utter horror sent Ferris rolling on his back laughing.
“You never even thought to make your own training weapons?!” Ferris laughed.
Dante glared at Ferris, throwing his canteen at him. He stood up and started forming different training weapons out of Essence.
“Well, you can say good bye to the little winning streak you had going.” Dante said, smiling down at his friend.
That caused Ferris to pause as he considered it. He shook his head and grinned back at Dante, standing back up.
“Good.” Ferris said, holding his sword out in front of him. “Can’t get better without a challenge.”
Dante only nodded back, mirroring his friends grin.
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Jasmi was now on the run. It had taken Gretta a while to get her training under control, but now she had surprised Jasmi with the level of skill she was showing. Gretta found herself in a trance as she moved to her music, stepping lightly and turning as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Jasmi would strike and move, but today, she hadn’t landed a single hit against her friend.
That was when she noticed that Gretta was moving with her music. Her steps were light and she glided around Jasmi. She was also keeping Jasmi in front of her, that way she only had to create shields in specific places, allowing her to concentrate on other aspects of her magic, like attacks.
Dodging a strike or swing from a weapon was one thing, but dodging sound was something Jasmi was not prepared for. Usually Gretta used songs to keep an enemy confused but she had started using only a portion of that song which continually tripped up Jasmi’s focus, causing her to stumble as if she had never fought before.
Gretta tried to explain that she was using verse and chorus to maintain control of the fight but Jasmi never understood the nuances of music. She just attempted to strengthen her resolve while fighting but so far, it had been more than just difficult. She felt like she was being dragged along while Gretta controlled the pace. Jasmi fell after a very embarrassing stumble where she had actually tripped over her own feet, giving Gretta an opening to throw three wooden throwing daggers, striking Jasmi’s chest and stomach.
Jasmi opened her eyes, realizing she was laying on the floor, looking up at Gretta. The smile on the young Bard's face made Jasmi smile as well, despite the loss.
“That was amazing, Gretta! I couldn’t gain position on you once that fight.”
Jasmi jumped up, wrapping the girl in a hug, feeling nothing but happy for her.