The First Spark

There was little beyond darkness in the unforgiving walls ofthe castle tower.  I sat upon the wooden stool, creaking beneath my weight as I shifted uncomfortably upon it.  The sole light came from a torchin glass hanging above me; there was no moon in the sky to offer any condolances or comfort tonight.  Dark shadows danced eerily about the roomand the wind whispered its laughter at my attempts to study.

        Tonight would be different.  I would not fail again.  I would do it without the help of the moon, without the safety of my Master, and without the help of anyone or anything, including divine intervention.  It was to be MY night.

I read from the large book laid open in front of me, the arcane symbols written in ink the color of blood.  These runes had become so familiar, yet I was still unable to fit them to the right patterns for me to wield their power.

My mind cleared and I began to focs on the first rune.  "Ahm." A soft hiss and a cloud of smoke billowed from the page and formed as the symbol leaped from the page to dance in the air before me.  Others found this disturbing, as did I... but for different reasons.  Watching words dance mysteriously in the air was nothing new to me- it was the fact that I had seen it far too many a time with no result at the end.

"Sehn."  The page hissed and the rune danced near the other.  A soft hum began to ensue from the pair as they danced around each other.  Voices began to whisper unintelligbly on the wind as it began to blow in soft gusts through the barely-lit chamber.

"Neo."  A loud crackle and evil hiss eminated from the spellbook before me, and the warm tendrils of smoke bgan to brush against my skin.  My heart began to race, but I could not let fear overtake me yet again.  More voices began to chant, their combined voices growing louder.

"Catomeh."  The symbol leaped from the page with a visible spark.  The tendrils had reached my eyes and I shut them from the pain.  My hands clenched as I concentrated upon the symbols upon the page I could no longer see.

"Jahn!"  I screamed over the sounds of voices yelling and runes dancing about the room.  The mist was beginning to take form!  I felt the smoky warm talons being to claw at my back.  My eyes were closed in fright, but I could feel evil in some form, staring at my body, shaking in fear.  I could not let it get the best of me again!

"Minu!"  I stammered.  I was almost there!  My heart was pounding and the darkness was consuming me, the heat stinging my fear-soaked skin.

"Ma-"  I was so close!  The word stuck in my throat as I opened my eyes.  Bright red eyes, gigantic and very evil, were staring back at me, and talons were tearing at my face and eyes.  Claws threw me from my wooden stool, to land against the brick floor.

What was I to do?  The last rune sat at my spellbook, waiting- butthe evil made me forgot what it was!  I saw the safety of the tower stairs behind me.  The evil drew closer; I had to decide what to do, and quick. 

        I couldn't give up!  I stood up, as shaky as I was, and pushed against the darkness and the smoke.  The chants were defaening and the smoke was blinding, but I knew where I needed to go and could get there with my ears and eyes shut.  Step by step, I felt my body wracked by the talons of this evil beast, but I could not give up.

I reached the table with my spellbook and reached for it.  The last bit of strength I had, I used to open my eyes.  I saw the rune Martos taunt me as my eyes were raked out and I was led back to darkness, and collapsed to the floor.  I opened my mouth and the evil filled it immediately, coking and burning my throat.

Everything faded to black.

I awoke several hours later, the icy fear still in my heart, the sting of the smoke still in my eyes.  But, these pains were different.  The air was too crisp, too sharp; the sunlight that now flowed into this strange room was too bright and painful.  I shut my eyes and plugged my ears to cut some of the pain.

        A voice boomed from the other side of the room, through my plugged ears.  It was my master.  "Congratulations.  The spirit of Martos is in you now.  You have passed your test... Magi."

I collapsed into my bed.  Fear and pain instantly subsided, replaced with overwhelming joy.  I had done it!  The darkness was my victor no more.

My Master stood up and offered his hand.  "Come- you have mcuh new to learn.  The studies of a Magi are a never-ending process."  We departed from the room.  It was time to find new fears to conquer.