Amidst an eerie, fiery landscape filled with pools of lava, Aric stalked a group of Vulcan Lizards. These creatures, with scales that gleamed like molten rock, emanated intense heat as they moved. Each step they took caused the ground to sizzle and smoke beneath their feet.
Aric observed them from a distance, cautiously fascinated, as they roamed the magma-soaked terrain. Their movements were deliberate, synchronized, as if they shared a collective consciousness. He had watched the Vulcan Lizards from the shadows, their glowing orange eyes scanning their surroundings for any sign of danger.
His eyes tracked one lizard in particular, the smallest of the group, as it strayed a bit too far from the safety of its companions. He wasn't going to get a better opportunity than this. Aric steeled himself, clutching the Morrow Eel's black core tightly in his hand. This was his chance to put his training with the two cores he’d collected by chance to the test. He felt the mana granted by his own core flowing through him, ready to move as he willed.
With deliberate care, he moved closer to the isolated Vulcan Lizard. The air shimmered around the creature’s scales, and Aric felt their scorching warmth on his skin as he inched closer. Calling on the core's power, the shadows cast by the fire and the glowing magma stretched up and swallowed his form, allowing him to approach unnoticed.
Drawing upon the element of surprise, Aric hefted a sharp-edged rock he had picked up earlier. As he moved closer, he raised the stone high above his head. His heart pounded in his chest, every muscle in his body tense.
With a swift, determined motion, Aric brought the rock crashing down upon the lizard's head. The strike was not fatal, but it was powerful enough to daze the creature momentarily. The Vulcan Lizard emitted an enraged hiss and turned to face Aric, its jaws opening wide.
A scorching gout of superheated air erupted from the lizard's mouth, a deadly stream of fire aimed directly at him. Aric's instincts kicked in, and he managed to twist his body, narrowly avoiding the searing attack. Despite his evasion, the blistering heat singed his side, causing pain to flare through him.
He stumbled, losing his balance in the process, and was unprepared for the Vulcan Lizard's next assault. With a fierce determination, the creature lunged forward, jaws agape, ready to engulf Aric in a blazing inferno.
Instinctively, Aric called upon the blink-bunnies' mana core he had collected earlier. He flooded the gem with mana, invoking its teleportation magic. In a blur of motion, Aric vanished from his current position and reappeared behind the lunging lizard.
As he materialized behind the creature, he gripped the rock firmly in his hand. With all his might, he swung it down, striking the Vulcan Lizard across the base of its skull with a brutal force that ended its life instantly.
The lizard crumpled to the ground, and Aric swiftly retrieved the mana core as the creature’s body dissolved into aether. He knew he had to leave quickly before the other Vulcan Lizards were drawn by the commotion. With the precious mana core in his possession, he retreated into the shadows, disappearing once more among the lava pools and the shifting shadows of the underground world.
After securing one of the two cores his plan required, Aric wandered for what felt like an eternity, moving without a clear sense of direction. The creature he sought, a Geodon, was a rare denizen of the dungeon, and its unpredictable nature made it a challenging quarry. The creature's passage was marked by ever-shifting tunnels, altered or reinforced by its formidable earth magic.
Finally, Aric stumbled upon the colossal creature at the end of a narrow tunnel cloaked in darkness. The tunnel seemed freshly carved, devoid of the luminescent moss that adorned much of the subterranean realm. The Geodon loomed before him, a massive, rotund entity covered in coarse hide studded with crystals, resembling a living boulder.
The creature remained utterly absorbed in its tunnel-crafting task, oblivious to Aric's presence as he cautiously placed his hands on its massive back. Aric couldn't help but wonder if the Geodon found some form of satisfaction in its ceaseless labor, or if it merely followed an ancient instinct. Given what he intended to do, he hoped it leaned toward the latter.
Bracing himself, Aric reached deep within, tapping into the wellspring of mana suffusing his being, preparing to channel it into the Vulcan Lizard's core. He had practiced this delicate maneuver sparingly, not wanting to overtax the core before it had fulfilled its crucial role. Although magical cores were potent, they were not infinitely reusable, and he didn't wish to prematurely render it useless. He had meticulously studied the core's patterns, memorizing the intricate flow of mana and aether necessary to realize his ambition.
"I'm sorry," Aric whispered, although he was certain the Geodon could not comprehend his words. His mana surged, causing his hands to grow searing hot, radiating waves of intense heat that distorted the surrounding air. Beneath his touch, the rocky substance composing the creature's body melted and flowed like liquid. The Geodon lacked the ability to vocalize its agony, but the stones within the tunnel trembled and creaked. Aric hastened his work, pushing as much mana as he dared into the crimson core. Pushing aside thoughts of the tunnel's potential collapse around him, he immersed himself in the magic, extending his senses to trace the mana flows within the Geodon, leading him to the energy cluster representing its core.
His blistering hands delved deeper into the creature, his flesh straining against the intense heat. Only the Vulcan Lizard's unique magic prevented his own flesh from suffering the same fate as the creature's rocky form. With the tunnel beginning to crumble around him, Aric's fingers finally closed around his target. Swiftly, he adjusted the mana coursing through his vulcan core, stifling the searing heat that threatened to consume him. It would be disastrous to destroy his prize along with the Geodon.
With a splatter of molten stone and crystal, Aric yanked his arm out of the Geodon's body, seizing its core. The creature exploded into shimmering motes of aether as Aric claimed the closest things it had to a heart. Aric didn't linger to witness the destruction, already sprinting away as the tunnel collapsed in earnest, stones and debris raining down around him.
Wincing as rubble and debris pelted down on his head and shoulders, Aric pushed his diminutive form to its absolute limits. He hadn't tested his newfound abilities to this extent since his rebirth, and he would have relished the exhilaration of his enhanced speed if he'd had the luxury of spare breath. Closing in on the tunnel's exit, Aric's eyes widened in alarm as he noticed the entrance collapsing more rapidly than the rest of the tunnel, a parting gift the Geodon had left in its final moments. Clenching his teeth, Aric infused mana into his teleportation core, covering the last few meters of the tunnel instantaneously.
Emerging safely just beyond the tunnel's mouth, Aric collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath after the tremendous effort. Once he'd regained his composure, he rose unsteadily to his feet and glanced back at the collapsed passageway he had narrowly escaped.
"That could have been better planned," he mused wryly. Since he’d discovered the power in his chest, he’d realized he truly had a second chance at life, and resolved to take good care of it. Now that he had these two pivotal mana cores, it was time to put his resolve into action.
In his explorations of the dungeon, he had stumbled upon a promising vein of aether-infused metal ore, a discovery that had ignited a glimmer of hope within him. The hope had been short-lived, as at that time, he’d been unaware of the precious spell sleeping in his chest. Since meeting Arren’s party of adventurers, that hope had been reignited.
He made his way back to the vein, his small form weaving through narrow tunnels and navigating treacherous terrain. The glow of luminescent moss served as his only source of light in the pitch-black underworld. Aric arrived at the ore deposit, a jagged outcropping of rock flecked with shimmering veins of aether-infused metal.
His first task was to extract the priceless ore. With the Geodon core he’d stolen clutched tightly in one hand, Aric touched his other palm to the rock and let his mana flow. The stone softened and crumbled like sand beneath his touch, revealing the gleaming ore hidden within. Beads of sweat formed on his brow as he worked, channeling the Geodon's power to unearth the metal.
Once he had collected a sufficient amount of the aetheric ore, Aric moved on to the next phase of his plan. He needed to quickly craft artifacts that would allow him to harness and control his new spells before the cores cracked and he was forced to risk himself collecting more. Finding a suitable location nearby, he used the earth magic of the Geodon core to shape the stone into rectangular molds. He worked meticulously, ensuring the molds were as precise as possible.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
With the molds complete, Aric turned his attention to creating a rudimentary kiln. Using earth manipulation and his knowledge of magical runic arrays, he formed a circular enclosure of stone, carving intricate runes into its walls and in a circle around it. These runes were designed to trap and amplify heat, creating the necessary conditions for smelting the aether-infused metal.
After hours of careful engraving, checking and rechecking his measurements and calculating angles, Aric gingerly placed the metal ore within the kiln, his heart pounding with anticipation and anxiety. He then channeled the power of the Vulcan Lizard core, the runes he’d carved lighting up with the orange glow of a forge. The heat within the kiln surged, causing the ore within to gradually liquefy.
Aric watched with bated breath as the molten metal glowed brightly within the kiln. He had studied the theory of magical metalworking but this was his first time attempting it himself. Sweat trickled down his temples as he concentrated, using the Vulcan Lizard's core to maintain precise control over the heat.
Several attempts ended in failure, with the metal either overheating or cooling too quickly, resulting in impurities and flaws. Aric's frustration grew, but he refused to give up. Each failure provided valuable lessons, and he adjusted the runic array and his control over the heat spell with each new attempt.
After what felt like an eternity, Aric finally achieved success. The molten metal within the kiln had reached the perfect temperature and consistency. He used a crystal ladle to carefully extract the liquid metal from the kiln without burning himself. With steady hands, he poured the molten metal into the prepared molds, watching as they solidified into unfinished spellcards.
Exhausted but elated, Aric carefully removed the newly formed cards from the molds. They were rough around the edges, far from the masterfully crafted cards of experienced aethermeisters, but they were his creation, a testament to his determination and resourcefulness.
Aric sat back in satisfaction, admiring his handiwork while taking a short breather. The next step, carefully infusing the runes with aether, would be the most difficult and time-consuming yet, but the process was at least familiar to him. He’d never cast metal forms before today, but he’d invested artifacts with aether more times than he could count.
Since he didn’t need to mentally prepare for his coming task, his mind wandered to other topics. What artifacts should he create once he’d replaced his mana cores? He knew a handful of spell formulae by heart, either because his master had believed them to be particularly educational, or because they were in such high demand. Glancing down with a slight grimace at the braided vines that preserved his dignity, he wasn’t sure how useful a spellcard for cleaning fabrics would be. On the other hand, a spell to vanish the weeks of dirt and grime that had collected on his skin and hair would go a long way toward making him feel slightly human again, even if he never truly could be.
Aric straightened as a sudden thought struck him. He’d been planning to collect spells that would allow him to blend into human society and then leave the dungeon, but why stop there? Would he ever get a chance like this again? His family had been learnèd and wealthy enough to eschew the practice of researching magic through the personal retrieval of mana cores, but that wasn’t true anymore.
The Veridus libraries and the knowledge they’d contained had likely all been destroyed in the fall. If he ever wished to become a truly great meister, he would need to gather his own magic, spell by spell. And looking around himself at the luminous-moss draped walls of the dungeon with new eyes, he realized this was the perfect place to do it. He was sure most aethermeisters would trade their third name to traverse a dungeon without fear of reprisal, able to pick and choose from the wild spell patterns its core released into the world.
It would not be the safest course of action, but with growing excitement, Aric realized it would be his. The new legacy of the Veridus would begin with him in this strange land, and in a hundred years young children would be lulled to sleep with tales of the Great Library of Aric, hidden in a labyrinth beneath the earth.
Swept up in a burst of enthusiasm, Aric immersed himself in his work once more. His fingertips lightly traced the metal cards, caressing the intricate runes etched into their surfaces. Among them, he singled out the card meant to replace his worn vulcan core, knowing that spell was nearing dissolution after his frequent use.
As he began the infusion, a gentle hum filled the air. Guided by Aric's mana, the ambient aether responded, flowing from the surrounding atmosphere into the card, tracing the elaborate patterns of the runes with ethereal light. This was a delicate and meticulous process that demanded his unwavering focus. Aric could sense the card awakening beneath his touch, its surfaces gradually warming as the magic took root. The ore within this dungeon had likely absorbed aetheric energies for centuries, rendering the metal he had refined from it an ideal conduit for spells.
With each passing moment, the cards absorbed the aether, gradually becoming channels for arcane energy. Once the process was complete, the ambient aether would respond to alterations in the aether confined within the card through a sympathetic connection, allowing its wielder to manifest through skill the heat that Vulcan Lizards summoned instinctively.
Aric's gaze remained fixed on the runes, his thoughts attuned to the subtle shifts and transformations within the patterns. He discovered that this task came more naturally to him now than it ever had in his previous life. He recognized the exact instant when the infusion was achieved by the pulse of soft white light the card suddenly emitted, casting intricate shadows across the dungeon's walls.
A long sigh escaped Aric's lips as he wiped away the cold sweat accumulated on his brow. He had been too absorbed in his work to notice the tension that had built within him until it began to dissipate. Hours of intense concentration had left him utterly drained, yet an impatient energy propelled him to his feet, pacing back and forth while he examined the card with an almost feverish intensity. The runes shifted in intricate fractal patterns, a characteristic of completed artifacts that rendered them both mesmerizing and exceedingly challenging to reverse-engineer. Magic, even confined within an object, would reveal itself only to its most dedicated students.
Finding no imperfections in his work, Aric wasted no time in testing his newly-forged artifact. His heart raced as he held the spellcard firmly between his fingers, fully aware that this would be the moment of truth.
He took a deep breath, steadying himself, and then began to channel his mana into the card. He followed the well-practiced sequence of runes he had etched onto its surface, slowly suffusing the glyphs, one by one, with energy under his control. As he did so, he felt a distinct connection forming, a subtle resonance between the gentle mana and the wild aether trapped inside.
As the two energies mixed, the runes on the card began to glow with a soft, vibrant light. It started as a faint shimmer, then gradually intensified until every inch of the metallic surface was bathed in a radiant, pulsating glow. Aric's eyes widened in wonder and satisfaction as he watched his creation seemingly come to life.
He’d decided to test its primary function first—the simple generation of heat. Focusing his intent, he moved his mana, and the aether that had mingled with it, through the card in a simple pattern that mirrored the natural channels in a Vulcan Lizard’s core. As within, so without; as Aric manipulated the energy in the card, he felt the aether around him, the essence of the world, move in accordance. A wave of warmth spread from the card, enveloping his hands and extending outwards.
Aric marveled at the sensation. It worked! He felt a grin threatening to split his face in half. With nothing but a lump of ore and his own ingenuity—and, of course, the miraculous spell resting in his chest—he’d successfully replicated the Vulcan Lizard's innate magic. The realization that he could now control this power at will filled him with a sense of accomplishment and pride.
He continued experimenting with the card, trying various sequences of rune activation to achieve different outcomes. He altered where the spell’s effect appeared, the rate at which it progressed in size and shape, the intensity. The possibilities weren’t endless, but it was a world apart from simply pushing mana through a core, and Aric's excitement grew with each successful demonstration of the card's abilities. It wasn't just a replacement for his cracked vulcan core; it was a versatile tool that could aid him in countless ways.
Aric was unsure what to do with himself after completing his first spellcard. Beings of magic required no more rest than the wind or rain or any other force of nature. As a monster birthed from a dungeon core, Aric was no exception. Though artifact refinement was a mentally and physically exhausting act, he could not sleep to recover. Instead, he wandered as a denizen of the dungeon was meant to.
He didn’t stray far, for fear of something coming and destroying the hard work he’d put into his makeshift forge. Instead, his feet took him to a nearby pool of water. Translucent fish—invisible, save for the dim violet glow of the arcane energy coursing through their veins—darted about the dark waters. He knew these Glasfin possessed vicious teeth and razor-sharp fins. Still, for all their deadliness, Aric found them beautiful.
He stood there beside the dark shore and for a time, however brief, he felt content. He’d just taken his first firm step toward a future he’d decided for himself, and his footing was sure. Then, as his master had once assured him was true of all great meisters, he felt an itch. Not a physical discomfort, but a mental, or perhaps, spiritual disquiet. A compulsion to create, to progress and innovate.
To understand.
Aric reluctantly tore his gaze away from the tranquil lake, his steps retracing the path he had unwittingly taken. He had indulged in enough respite for the moment. There were artifacts waiting to be forged and unknown spells awaiting his discovery.
Despite his fatigue, a sense of purpose filled Aric's chest, rejuvenating his spirit. He’d been an apprentice once, and page, but today he had proven himself a true aethermeister. He wondered if his master would be proud of what he'd accomplished, and then shook his head, refocusing his thoughts before he could be borne down by the darkest of them.
He didn’t have time to wallow in self-pity and regret, not anymore. After all, until he’d learned everything there was to know in the world, an aethermeister’s work was never done.