Chapter 7
1406 Words
Ares wasn’t wrong when he mentioned that his father was sending her off for a second mission. She met with Rubeus and the rest of the council. They were petrified of the news they got and asked her to investigate.
Word travelled that Arcanists mages with arcane archers were seen making their way along the coast. They were known as the mages who used black magic. Which today, is forbidden.
Before Sorcerers and Wizards existed. Many years ago, Arcanists were the mystical, enigmatic force in the world of Oerth. They were seen as the most powerful wielders with ancient power that can’t be controlled. They possessed the power to go where they please, re-shape the world around them, summon mystical beasts, wield power from all the elements and take control of other’s minds.
Arcanists have been responsible for many of the major calamities throughout the ages. Black magic tense to be very potent and seen as a destructive force. Their magic entails forces of phenomena that somehow transcend the natural laws that govern the world by directly manipulating unknown energies that bend the fabric of reality. They can inherit their magic or like the wizards, years of dedicated study.
Boccob was the first mage who discovered black magic and the first to harnessed its power. The world order deemed arcane magic due to the magic being too dangerous for mortals to possess but, Boccob disagreed. He snuck away from the council and set forth to the forest where he shared arcane magic with men, elves, dwarves, gnomes and all intelligent folk. Being discovered by the council of the gods and found guilty on charges, he was locked away with his tomes and books in a prison tower, known as the Eternal library.
After centuries of living in fear of powerful mages and suffering at the hands of magical cults and devastating arcane duals. The emperor of Spira declared arcane magic to be forbidden. Dozens of people suspected of being a spellcaster was imprisoned. This led to backlash wherein Mages rebelled and attacked town guards, military men and knights. Barracks were attacked, families killed and prisons raided, releasing not only the suspected spellcasters but hundreds of convicted criminals.
The emperor struck back and didn’t condone the existence of arcane magic. Those seen using black magic were killed in the streets to be made an example of. A brief war was fought but it was a losing battle. Every walk of life of arcanists was either killed or driven into hiding. Colleges of magic were torn down and entire libraries were burned. Even temples dedicated to Boccob were raided with some being burned to the ground. The White Tower was taken down and the surviving wizards of the order were executed without trial.
Today, the council of wizards ruled the realm and the council still fears the return of arcanists.
Kayla followed the path where they were seen and even when she couldn’t see a single mage, she felt unidentifiable magic around her. She heard of black magic. Witches tend to practice black magic but she has never felt this kind of dark power before.
The word is that they are extinct but the ones who were forced into hiding could’ve found another realm where they continued to practice their magic and expand their group in order to attack and destroy this realm. Her father and many before him spoke of them but none has ever faced an arcanist. Long after the war, sorcerers were still unheard of because they stay hidden in the mountains for decades until one day, my dad crossed paths with my mother.
It was love at first sight. Her dad always knew about her existence, he was like me. A telepath. He was also bounded to her and he never thought that he would one day cross paths with her. Kayla turned out to be the only one who possessed her father’s power. After her sister’s power was banished because she rejected her oath to serve. Raine was in love with a villager boy and she just couldn’t accept her duties or what she was. The council cast her out and called her a traitor. She died alongside their parents and there wasn’t a thing Kayla could have done for them.
Kayla gestured for Midnight to turn around and got back to the village when Kayla didn’t see any Arcanists. With their magic being unpredictable and being the strongest creatures besides her, inside and outside of this realm she wasn’t ready to face them on her own. If the arcanists survived somehow then Rubeus needs to get other realms involved to beat this curse.
Rubeus waited for her alongside Ares and Amelia at the gates of the village. “Any news?” He asked her when she neared.
She ignored Ares look and focused on her task. “There was definitely a sign of dark mysterious magic but no proof of life.” She unmounted Midnight.
“Could you at least follow the trail?” He asked. Rubeus was one of the wizards who escaped the war.
She shook her head. “There was none. It could be either witches or trolls.”
“We can’t be sure. Our realm is in danger if they cross over. We can’t let that happen.” Kayla nodded.
“What do you want to do about it?” Kayla asked.
“We can’t let anyone exit or enter this realm until we know what is going on exactly.” She didn’t like where this was going.
“As of today, no portal will be opened,” Rubeus ordered.
Her forehead puckered. “They can open and close their own portals. They can even slip through your barrier, Rubeus. They possess powers stronger than mine.” She ignored Amelia’s soft gasp. “Maybe they are even living inside the village and we don’t know about.”
“You would have sensed them.” He pointed out.
She narrowed her eyes at him. “I can’t live under that order and you know for yourself I have other obligations.” She was referring to keeping Byron safe.
He glared at her for arguing with him. “No portal.” He ordered.
“You are not my master.” She reminded him.
“Your people and council are dead. You are living in my kingdom which means you live according to my rules. If you disobey my order, you will be asked to leave.” He snapped, harshly at her.
She actually smirked at him. “I have a code of honour to serve my people. I did not swear my allegiance to you but to the people of my existence. I am at the moment your strongest warrior. If I leave, everyone in this village will die. Do you want the repeat of the purge?” The wizards feared the purge war. Every single spell caster or mystical creature was killed. Good or bad.
The villagers were scared. They might fear her but they can trust her to keep them safe. She at least had weapons other than my magic to protect myself.
“Your people are dead and you are working for me.” Kayla saw a glimpse of his power swirling in his eyes and she felt a smile playing on her lips.
“You want to challenge me, Rubeus? The one person you are so afraid of?” He pushed his magic back when he noticed her hand was resting on her sword.
“Disobey my order and I will order that you will be killed.” He threatened.
“Challenge accepted.” He was afraid. Petrified. He knows that his men can’t take her on. Not even with their magic or swords.
“We are done here.” He walked away from her.
“Do you want my father to kill you?” Ares almost yelled at her.
She arched an eyebrow. “Your father doesn’t scare me. Not even his knights in shiny armour. He needs me to protect his realm.” She slipped past him and smiled at Amelia.
“Princess.” She acknowledged bowing her head and carried on.
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