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Orbquest:
Celec: The Adventures Begin...
Chapter One
Earth is but one of an infinite worlds, on infinite planes of existence.
Imagine, now, that you can see one of these worlds. You see, from a distance,
a world with two large main continents, several smaller ones, and numerous
islands. You see a world without pollution. A world that is not unlike our
earth, if there was no pollution. There are three main oceans. The ocean
of Krielas, the Shecenika sea, and the Sea of Darkness. The Sea of darkness
is so named because of the numerous shipwrecks and storms known to occur
on it. Ironically, the sea touches all of the main continents. The world
has no guns, no nuclear bombs, no high-tech weapons. Once mighty beasts roam
the land. From the legendary firebird, To the occational dinosaur. Science
of the world explains many things, but has not yielded the technology we
have today. There are no out-of-control diseases, but there are some fatal
diseases. The medicine of this world is not as advanced as that on ours,
for there is no need of it. The people of the world live mainly in small
villages. There are a few assorted cities, and they are, of course, the center
of trade for the area. The world has seen much change in its time, but none
so drastic as what is about to occur. Ancient beings of untold magical powers
have returned. To the people of the world, magic is, in its true form, feared.
Many years before, a war of power broke out between rival users of magic.
The magic unleashed laid waste to many prosporous cities, and turned forests
into deserts. Perhaps the most tragic result of the war was the loss to the
world of it's oldest society-the Shecenican people. The war destroyed much
of theiir culture, and forced them to leave their homeland and join the outside
world. The magnitude of the war was enough to get the attention of the Creator
of the world, the god Kiel'Tioma, to banish all magic from the world. Only
when those who could handle it were born would magic return. Nohlarhk, the
god of mischief, secretly leaked small amounts of magic back into the world.
Those who recieved the power, without study, without work, turned to evil
ways to use their newfound magic. With the magic back, Kiel'Tioma has decided
to return the good magic to the people. Only those willing to study hard,
and dedicate themselves to the magic and helping others would recieve it.
So, over the years, magic has returned to the world-some of it good, some
of it evil. Due to the distrust of all who weild the power, many young magic
users hide their magic from those around them. If they were found to be magic
users, they would not be accepted as themselves. So many who weild the good
magic have set out in search of one who will teach them to use their power
to help others. They know they will never live a "normal" life. One famed
teacher resides in the small village of Nire. There he teaches those who
come seeking aid. Over the past months, he has noticed a change in the habits
of a young man who used to visit him every day. He suspects the young man
has recieved the magic. The mage waits. If that is the case, he will come
seeking help. Here, at home, he will recieve it.
Chapter Two
Nire. A village of peace. The village has always been a peaceful place, a
place where weary travelers could spend a night. The people of Nire have
seen many people come and go, but no one had ever seen one of such majesty
as the man who walks into the village from the south one day. "Friends, I
am Cizst Kra'zurr. I am from Bel-Akim'Sre, a small city on the southern part
of the Shecenican continent. We have been given word that there is a man
here by the name of Majicc. I seek his help in regaining our freedom from
the mages who have taken over our city." As he spoke, the villagers have
gathered around. Among them is Celec, a young mage. Suddenly, as if running
for his very life, he heads for a small hut to the rear of the village.
"Majicc, Majicc! Someone is asking for you!" he yells.
"Calm down, lad. That must be Cizst. I was told he would arrive shortly."
"What's he here for?" asks the young mage.
"Evil has reached his city. The people are slaves to the mages that now reside
there. I must go to help them win back their freedom."
"But...if you leave, who'll help me learn to control my magic?"
"I will. Provided you can leave the day after next, you are to accompany
me on the trip. After all, I will need someone to carry my supplies for
me."
Two days later, the three set off across the Shecenican strait. Celec is
very excited.
"Are there really still firebirds in your city?" he asks.
"No, my boy. Those are merely stories. However, we do have small dragons.
They lived in harmony with us, until the mages came. Now they are under the
mages' control. In fact, we may very well have to fight a few to reach the
rebels' stronghold. We require the aid of a mage of good to help break the
mind spell held over the dragons. Once free, the dragons will aid us."
As the boat skims the water, Celec gazes wistfully at the sky.
I wish we could get on with it! Why doesn't Majicc just teleport us there?
My first trip away from home, and I get to spend it in a boat! Why do these
things always happen to me?
Night creeps in, and the three go belowdecks to sleep. Before closing the
latch in the deck, Cizst whispers a prayer to Eas'Cor'je, the goddess of
the seas. The hatch closes, and they sleep.
Celec awoke with a start. He sat up on his cot, and narrowly missed hitting
his head on the beam directly above him. He looked around at the room he
was in. He was so tired last night, he hadn't paid attention to the room.
He was in a corner that was almost the farthest point from the hatch that
led from the deck above to this room. In the corner opposite him, sat a pail
and mop. They obviously weren't employed often, judging from the layer of
dust and dirt and grime layered on the wooden floor. There were three cots;
one for Majicc, Cizst, and the one he sat on. Suddenly, to interrupt Celec's
observations, the hatch was lifted forcibly, and bright sunlight streamed
in. It was momentarily blocked out as Majicc descended the ladder into the
bedchamber.
"Ah, you're up, lad. We will arrive shortly. It is time for your final lesson
in the ways of magic."
"What?! We just started a few months ago! It took you years to get to the
level of power you have now!"
"Aye, lad. But you are not me. I did not have the teacher you have. This
'lesson' is a transfer of power. I am passing all I know, all of my power
to you. I have lived a long life. I have seen magic return. I have seen what
happens when one gets too much power, and is not willing to do anything but
use it for their own gains. I have seen friends make the ultimate sacrafice
for the magic-that of their very lives in order to save a single infant.
Over the past months, you have proven yourself not only capable, but willing
and worthy to carry on my work. War is coming, lad. No, not as drastic as
the war of magic, but between the races of the world. The dwarves fighting
the gnomes. Majjinn fighting the elves. The dybbukks fighting everyone. And
in the middle of all of this, the mages. Many are seeking to rule if not
the world, then a continent. Evil mages have already taken over Bel-Akim'Sre,
and if left to their own, will discover the ancient artifacts of the Shecenican
empire. I no longer have the strength physically to take on others of magic.
You do."
"We will arrive in a matter of minutes! Whatever you're doing, hurry it up!"
Called Cizst from above.
"Now hold still, lad--I must have silence in order to transfer the magic."
"What if I won't accept it?" questioned Celec.
"Then it quite possibly could mean the end of the world as you know it."
Cizst Kra'Zurr was a warrior, first, always, and foremost. However, he was,
at heart, a sea-faring man. He loved the cool salty air has it whipped along
his ship and through his hair. Today, though, he had no chance to enjoy the
fresh sea breeze. Today he would arrive home with help for his city. The
mage Majicc and his companion, Celec would accompany him to confront the
mages that have taken over. Now, however, he had to make sure they wouldn't
run aground, with all the rocks that littered the area marking the entrance
to the river that would take them to the city.
"I'll go check that the boy is up. There is one final lesson that I must
attend to before we arrive." stated the old mage. "Aye, old one. Just don't
go conjuring anything that can harm my ship." With that, Cizst returned to
watching the water in front of the ship. Dimly, he heard the hatch leading
belowdecks open, then the old voice: "Ah, You're up".
Cizst smiled to himself. What he wouldn't do to have life as simple as these
two made it seem. Minutes later, Cizst heard Celec asking about refusing
the power.
What's going on down there? Cizst wondered. As he turned to check on his
passengers, a bright glow suddenly blinded him.
"What's that old fool doing, trying to destroy my ship?" muttered Cizst.
The glow faded. Then...silence. Cizst jogged over to the hatch, then descended.
At the bottom, an astonishing sight greeted him. The old mage lay on the
floor. The boy had a greived, shocked look on his face.
"He said that it was time for his power to be passed on. He gave me his power,
and with it, all the knowledge I'm likely to need to assist you. He said
that the fate of the world may very well rest on my very survival. I will
help you reclaim your fallen city. I owe that much to him-my teacher, my
friend. He was like a father to me. I won't fail him. Even if this means
that I will never live a normal life, I will dedicate myself to teaching
others, to help others."
"Aye, lad. I don't know what kind of power you now have, but since you're
all I have, I'll make do. Now begins the adventure of a lifetime!"
With that, they climbed above deck, to watch as the city came into view.
Suddenly, an arrow struck the deck just in front of them. Within moments,
the air was teeming with arrows. All seeking the death of the old sea farer
and young mage. The world is Kiele. It's name means "life". Now begins what
could be the doom of a world changing too fast, or its salvation. Now begin
the Adventures of Celec Shadowstar, Young mage of Kiele.
Chapter Five
He remembers his mother. He remembers wanting to meet his father. He remembers
much of his life, and none of it compares to the last few days. First, a
strange man shows up at his village, Nire, seeking his teacher--Majicc. Then
they leave by boat to go to set the city of Bel-Akim'Sre free. On the first
morning, Majicc gave him startling news. Celec would recieve the power to
wield the most powerful magic. Majicc sacraficed his life to empower Celec.
As Celec and Cizst watched, the city grew in their sight. Then, to their
surprise, arrows began to fly around them.
Chapter Six
"Get back under deck! The arrows won't penetrate the deck!" yelled Cizst.
"No need! I'll raise a magic shield to protect us!" said Celec. As Celec
begins casting the spell, an arrow finds its mark. The arrow buries itself
deep into flesh and bone. Cizst falls to the deck cursing. As suddenly as
it started, the ambush ceases. Celec quickly turns his attention to Cizst.
"Here, I'll cast a healing spell--"
"--NO! You've done enough! Let me be a moment..."
Before Celec can act further, Cizst Yanks the arrow out of his shoulder,
and as they watch, the wound begins to heal.
"What's happening?" asks Celec.
"I heal fast. It is the curse of being one of the few survivors of the Ancient
Race."
"Ancient race? What do you mean?" asked Celec.
"I am one of the Shecenicans. I hold great power, but without the Krizzt'Kinn,
the source of our power, I am now weakening. I still retain the avility to
heal, but that's about it. If I had more power, if the OTHERS had more power,
we woildn't require outside assistence. These are hard times, my boy. Ahcient
beinbs known as dybbukks roam the land-absorbing energy from the light, and
they control others-by inhabiting their bodies. These beings are allied with
the mages occupying Bel-Akim'sre. There is only one thing said to have the
power to harm them. What do you know of Shecenican legend, lad?"
"Not much. I mainly know of the downfall during the magewar. Why do you--"
"--I'll tell you, then. Before the magewar, their was a powerful wizard.
No one knows his true name, but to many, he was known as Sraxx. When the
mages went to war, he disappeared. Many thought he had died. That was not
the case. During the final, cataclysmic hours of the war, he reappeared,
to warn of what would happen if the mages didn't cease the war immediately.
Many thought he was just an old fool. Then the magic left, at the hand of
Kiel'Tioma. However, some was left behind. Sraxx cast his final spell. He
summuned all of the elements, all of the essences of the races living on
Kiele. Then, as the fallen mages watched, he placed this power into a black
crystal, and bonded it to a wooden staff. Then the mage sent the staff to
a temple in Shecenica, where it has resided since. It was prophesized that
any not worthy of the staff who attempted to take it would die. However,
just before that person would arrive to claim the staff, it would appear
to them in a dream, where it would test them. One person was given a choice
between using it for their own gain, or for helping others. He chose himself.
As he stepped into the temple, a bright light flared. When all could see
again, the man was gone.--What the...!"
There was a loud crashing, and the boat ran aground. Cizst stood up, and,
dirtying the air with some very impolite words, headed to the railing to
assess the damage. Celec stood up and gazed around.
"Um, Cizst, I think you'd better take a look at this..." said Celec.
"What is it, lad? Oh, we've arrived! That's the entrance to the stronghold
of the Shecenican rebels. We'll leave the boat. We have to hurry, before
we're spotted by a dragon patroling the area. If we're spotted, we're dead.
Now move!"
Interlude I
The warm air blowing from the desert felt good. As he spread his wings, the
dragon caught an air current and soared higher into the air. It was too nice
a day to have patrol over the river area! Suddenly, he spots the wreckage
of a ship. As he soars closer, he sees two figures scurrying for the shelter
of the forest. This is his lucky day. There was a reward for any who would
bring in intruders. Dead or alive, it made no difference to them. With their
spells, the mages could with little trouble extract what information they
wanted, be it from a live person, or a dead body. The dragon circled once,
then let out a triumphant roar. These two had just brightened his day
considerably. As the Dragoncall fell on the humans, they hurried faster for
shelter. Let them run! They won't escape me! Now, maybe I'll finally be taken
off this patrol. The dragon closed in on the human prey.
"Hurry, lad! That's a weak form of the Dragoncall! We must reach the shelter
before the dragon reaches us!" shouted Cizst.
"I'm hurrying, I'm hurrying!" responded Celec.
as they ran through the forest, they heard the dragon closing in on them.
Then, just when they thought the dragon had them, it veered off in a shower
of sparks. It snorted loudly, in contempt for the puny humans. As it circled
around again, Celec realized that he had cast a shield spell. Now he concentrated
on stregnthening the shield. Suddenly, several warriors charged out through
the underbrush and launched spears and other weapons at the dragon. The sudden
barrage of weapons raining down on it was enough to convince the dragon to
leave. Cizst turned to thank his friends, when he noticed the horrified looks
on their faces.
"No! It-it can't be! How could sraxx return?!" stammered one.
"WHAT?!? I'm not a dead wizard! What's going on here?" asked Celec.
"Apparently, lad," stated Cizst calmly, "you bear a remarkable resemblence
to the ancient wizard."
Before any more words could be spoken, a loud commotion came from the hide
out. Several warriors in battle gear came running out. "We're under attack!
The mages have found us! Where's that mage you went to look for?" called
one of them.
Then a bright red light flashed by overhead, lighting up everything in the
evening twilight. A loud crash, a burst of flame, and almost instantly everyone
knew what had happened. "Fireball." This was whispered almost in unison by
all standing there.
"That's it then. We've been found. We're dead. We have failed all who have
counted on us." said one morosely.
"No! I have not come all this distance, lost one who was the only family
I've ever really had, just to give up because on opposing mage can cast
'fireball'. I don't know about the rest of you, but have promised to dedicate
my life to helping others, but I need your help! I don't yet fully understand
my power. I know it's suicide to challenge the mages alone, but if we all
work together, we at least have a fighting chance to defeat them." explained
Celec.
"Aye, I'm with you lad." said Cizst.
"What other choice do we have?" asked another.
Soon all had stated that they would follow Celec, be it to victory, or death.
Interlude II
He has survived the years. It has not been easy, but it has been done for
countless years out of nessecity. One must be found who would prove worthy
of the Power. One who would use Krahs to help others. In a flash of light,
Sraxx rejoins the plane of existence that is home to Kiele. He summons the
staff that he created, all those years ago. Then, staff in hand, he shifts
to the allies. They look at him first in surprise, then in terror. All but
two take cover, and aim their weapons at him. "Young mage. If I could have
but a moment of your time. The matter is most important."
"What do you want with me?" asks Celec.
"Know this. I have seen the past. I live the present. I have viewed the future.
You are the hope that must survive the upcoming war. You will be the carrier
of the staff-Krahs. I see that Majicc has succeeded in his part-training
you in the ways of magic, and infusing you with a great amount of power.
Soon you will be complete. As you are meant to be. Here, take the staff.
It is yours."
Celec hesitantly reaches out and grasps the staff. He is instantly swallowed
in darkness. Out of the darkness, he hears a voice whisper: "Only in the
darkest of nights shall the true power be revealed. Look to the west. There
you will continue your journey. There you will find the darkest night of
all. That of the human heart. If you can overcome this, you will open the
gateway that will return the spirits of good magic to the world. You are
the hope this world has sought. It is your destiny."...
The darkness clears. The old mage is gone, and Celec remains holding the
staff. Then, with grim determination, he raises the staff into the air. "I
will not fail you. You have entrusted me with the fate of the city, perhaps
the world. I know not whether I am worthy, but I will prove myself. I will
drive the mages from the city. This area will be free once more!" declares
Celec solemnly.
"Aye, lad-" says Cizst, "-we will follow you. We will not let you challenge
the mages alone."
Chapter Eight
He is used to promises. Promises of happiness, of love, of always being there.
Until now, Celec had always expected to have promises fulfilled. Now he has
a group of men ready and willing to lay down their lives and follow him into
the heart of a stronghold held by powerful mages. There is not much chance
of survival. The only thing that has given them hope is the intervention
of Sraxx, a powerful wizard. Sraxx has bestowed upon Celec a powerful staff,
holding the power of Kiele, that he might defeat tha mages that have taken
over Bel-Akim'Sre. Celec wonders Do I have what it takes to lead men three
times my age into battle? I don't know anything about the area, or the mages
themselves. I don't even fully understand my own power. And yet these men
are willing to follow me to there deaths. This isn't fair! Why did Majicc
have to choose me? Why did Sraxx entrust me with the most powerful artifact
in the world? I'm just an ordinary 20-year old citizen of Nire!
Yet even as he thinks it, Celec knows it isn't true. Somehow, for some reason,
he has been chosen to lead these men into battle. Perhaps one of the many
gods of Kiele have taken interest in the affairs of the inhabitants of the
world. Perhaps the god Kiel'Tioma himself has deemed it necessary to once
again have a wizard who has the ultimate power, but would use it for the
good of the people. After the wizard Grachite first took control of the Laredian
continent, He had thought that he would never again allow one mortal to control
such power. Now he must. For the world to survive, Kiel'Tioma must now take
an active role in the lives of the people whose world he created.
Chapter Nine
Trust. A person must prove, one way or another, that they are worthy of a
person's trust. Generally, a person who is trusted is also considered a friend.
This is not the case with the Araitikian mages. In their case, no one is
trustworthy. They may work together, but in rough times, they would abandon
their allies to save their own lives. They do not have the companionship
that the new friends of Bel-Akim'Sre have. Yet these mages are quite possibly
the most potent force of magic on the planet. But, as they say, a chain is
only as strong as its weakest link...
Chapter Ten
Reimag walked through the garden he carefully tended. To do otherwise would
be suicide. It was from the herbs and other plants he grew that the mages
recieved the ingredients to cast their spells. Without him, the mages had
nowhere near enough to cast the spells that allowed them to retain control
of the area. When Reimag walked out into the garden today, he had no idea
that it would be for the last time. Today, as he walked through the rows
of plants, the air around him seemed charged, as if by lightning. He looked
over at the wall that led to the spellroom. Perhaps one of the mages was
conjuring? No luck. To his backside, Reimag heard the bushes moving, seemingly
in the wind. As he turned, he was struck on the chest with a bolt of lightning.
It lifted him up, and slammed him into the wall at the far end of the open
court. As he slumped to the ground in pain, he somehow found the breath to
ask "Why?"
"I'm sorry. There was no other way to ensure that you would not raise the
alarm. We must move in consealment as long as possible. Do not worry. You
will not be in pain long."
said Celec.
"Are you just going to leave him there, lad?" asked Cizst.
"No. I will teleport him to Nire, where the healers will tend to him. I am
no killer. that bolt merely knocked the wind out of him, and, of course,
gave him a fair shock."
Nyrponaj, or as most referred to him, "Slip", was busy studying the books.
He had to stall as much as possible. When captured, he was assigned to search
the books for the most destuctive spells. He then had to give them to the
mages. Through his ordeal, Slip had maintained that someone would rescue
him before he found a spell that would hand the world to the mages. It appeared
that he would finally be rescued. As the warriors rushed in, he cast a shield
spell. One could never be too careful. Following the brash entrance of the
warriors. Celec walked in. When he entered, Slip looked him in the eye. They
made eye contact, and the look of shock on their faces was enough to bring
complete silence to the room.
"Celec? Is that really you, after all these years?"
"Who are you, that you know my name?" asked Celec.
"Don't you remember me? Your old friend Nyr?"
Nyr! It...It is you! But...everyone said you died that night in the fire!
How can this be?"
"It was a ruse. When my father realized that magic was returning, he sought
the ancient artifacts of the Shecenicans. He knew that if he had some of
them, he could protect his family from the ravages of magic. He set the fire
himself, and as it burned, we left, to seek Bel-Akim'Sre. I hated him for
making me leave you, my friend. I got over it. Then the mages came. They
killed my father, and put me to work for them. I have waited months for someone
to help me to stop them. Will you help me?"
"Yes. I am here to stop them. it is you who will be helping me."
Suddenly, one of the Araitikian mages burst into the room.
"You!" he shouted in surprise and horror. He raised his arms, and spoke a
single word. Celec recognized the motion, and the word that accompanied it.
Cursing under his breath, he muttered a spellword. As he did, he motioned
to the others to hit the floor. To Celec, it appeared that the sun had entered
the room. Then the sun burst, hurling flaming death through the room. The
mage looked at his handiwork, and satisfied that nothing in the room had
survived his fireball, left. The threat had just been neutralized.
Interlude III
They were rulers of a city that was once proud. Now it is nothing but ruins,
and buildings reshaped by the mages' magic. Bel-Akim'Sre was once the capital
of the Shecenican empire, but that status ceased at the fall of the empire
years earlier. With the mages in control, the people had left, if possible.
Many that remained were slaves to the mages. Some, however, were not. These
were the rebel forces. They posed the single greatest threat to the mages.
When it was learned that they sought outside assistance, the mages knew that
they would have to stop that from happening. Little did the people know that
the mages could barely retain control of the region. They had imprisoned
the "good" dragons, and created illusionary dragons to patrol, and in general,
instill fear in the remaining populace. There were a handful of real dragons
in the ranks, but these were demanding pay, or they would take it forcefully.
The mages had realized that the presence of a mage unknown to them would
see through the illusion, so they had to stop him before he encountered any
of the illusionary dragons. When they learned that the mage was with the
researcher, they saw a way to not only rid themselves of the threat, but
to also dispose of the researcher who was beginning to show signs of disloyalty.
Nelloff, the leader, sent his most trusted mage to do the deed.
Chapter Eleven
Tsequni prepared his most potent spell, Fireball, and entered the room. He
took only a moment to take in the surroundings, then raised his arms to cast
the spell. As he did so, he saw the mage drop to the floor, cursing.
No matter. The whole room will be incinerated. Nothing in here will
survive.
Then, as his magic started, Tsequni saw the mage whisper something that,
to his trained eye looked like magic. Then the room was lit up, and the fireball
shot into the room and exploded. The heat and residue energy shot around
Tsequni, but didn't harm him. With his own shield around him, he looked around
the room. Nothing moved amidst the charred, blackened ruins that was once
a library. Misson accomplished, the mage left. No one could stop the mages
now! Once their control was firmly established on this continent, they would
spread to the others. As he thought this, Tsequni realized that he had never
been more pleased than now to be in Nelloff's service.
Chapter Twelve
As he sat up, he wondered if he was dead. As he looked around him, the pain
in his body assured him that he was alive. As for his friends, that remained
to be seen.
"Cizst! Nyr! Where are you?"
"Lad, would you be quiet?!? You're giving me a headache!" complained Cizst.
"I'm alright, I think." said Nyr.
"My friends!" cried Cizst in horror. Celec looked at where Cizst was staring
in dumbfounded horror. The blackened bodies of the warriors lay scattered
around the area nearest the door.
"I-I'm sorry, Cizst. I tried to shield them, but the mage was too fast in
his casting." said a grieved Celec.
"It wasn't your fault, Celec. They knew the risks. But to be this close,
after all the other things we've survived, and have it end here..." said
Cizst.
Cizst's initial outburst brought the mage runnung back to investigate.
"H-How? How could you have survived? No matter. DIE!" Tsequni began the casting
of a powerful spell. Celec muttered
"With Krahs." as he raised the staff as a shield. The mist that was a trademark
of the elemental shield swirled out of the glowing gem. Celec was rocked
by the immense discharge of energy as the elementbolt slammed into the shield.
Suddenly, using all of the curses that Celec knew and many more that he didn't,
Cizst hefted his sword, and charged at the mage. Celec's heart leapt into
his throat as he realized that there was nothing he could do to save his
new friend from the mage's power. Cizst's sword pierced flesh and bone, and
pinned the mage to the wall.
"WHY?!?!" screamed Cizst at the mage.
"It-it was my duty. Besides," gasped the mage with a sardonic smile "it
was...fun." Celec didn't fully comprehend until it was too late what happened
next. The mage stiffened, and muttered a spellword. The body exploded in
a flash of energy. Cizst was thrown across the room, to land in a heap on
the floor by Nyr. "Celec? Celec, I think you'd better get over here!"
Celec ran over, and kneeled down by his friend.
"Cizst? Are-are you all right?" asked Celec.
"Are you kidding, lad? After that blast? No, I'm not alright. I won't survive
much longer. I did my part. I got you here. Now it's up to you to save the
city. I...I wish I didn't have to leave you under these circumstances, but,
who knew? And You!" Cizst looked Nyr in the eye. "Don't let the mages kill
him, o.k.?" Cizst closed his eyes, and with a last shuddering breath, died.
Chapter Thirteen
"No!" screamed Celec. Why? Why does this always happen to me?" Nyr at this
point decided to back away from his friend, seeing that it was decidedly
safer to do so, as an angry mage, to him, was more dangerous than a level-headed
one. After letting out his grief, Celec turned to face his friend.
"Too many have died because of my lack of speed, of power, of knowledge.
I have the staff that Sraxx gave me. It supposedly has the power of the elements
stored within. I will do my best to stop these mages, but I want you to leave.
I will be responsible for no one else, ever again. I know what I must do.
If it costs me my life, so be it. I will teleport you home."
"No. I abandoned you once, I won't do it again! You are my friend, the only
one I've ever had! You won't do this alone!"
argued Nyr.
"I'm sorry, my friend, but you don't have a choice." With that, Celec casts
a teleport spell, and Nyr vanishes.
"Goodbye, my friend."
Interlude IV
Sraxx appears before the young mage.
"You do not have to sacrafice your own life. If you beleive in your power,
you can stop these mages without the loss of a single life. Use the staff.
It is composed of the most powerful magical properties. It can destroy magic,
too...
Chapter Fourteen
Celec thought carefully. From what he had been told, he could simply destroy
the magic in the region, leaving the mages helpless. But did he dare? To
do so meant the destruction of a powerful artifact, and giving up Majicc's
legacy, and most likely his own life, as well. Celec made his choice. For
in reality, there never really was a choice. Majicc gave him the power to
keep the magic of the staff in check. Sraxx gave him the staff. Cizst got
him to this location. Nyr gave him the resolve to do what must be done, at
whatever cost it takes. Celec reached into the depths of his mind, to draw
on the mental energy he needed for the casting of his spell. Taking a deep
breath, Celec muttered the words needed, and tossed the staff into the air.
Energy swirled around it, and it hung suspended in space. The crystal began
to glow, and energy crackled around it. Celec used his own remaining magic
to cast a final spell of teleportation on himself. Celec vanished into the
void, as energy charged the area. The staff grew brighter, and when it seemed
that it couldn't get any brighter, it exploded. A shockwave of magical enery
erupted. The wave swept through the building. It didn't stop there. The shockwave
continued, and spread. In a matter of hours, it encompassed the entire planet.
Over the next few days, mages all over noticed a drop in the power of their
magic. Their power began to fade, until, finally, the magic of the world
was gone. Once again, due to the greed of mages, the world lost its magic.
This time, however, it was due to the personal sacrafice of a young mage
that allowed this to happen. Some would say that Kiel'Tioma himself played
a part in this, realizing that perhaps he had been too hasty in returning
magic to the world. The mages occupying Bel-Akim'Sre fled as soon as the
remaining inhabitants realized their oppressors no longer held any power.
Within a month's time, it was known all over the world that there was once
again an absence of magic. No one knew for sure who, or what, caused this.
Many had remained skeptical even when the magic had begun to return. Now
they laid claim that the magic had never actually returned, but that the
world had merely been decieved by an elaborate hoax. Yet others believed
it to be a sign from whatever god they worshipped that magic had gotten out
of control. Whatever their belief, people soon accepted that magic was gone,
for how long this time, no one knew. Two months after the magic shockwave,
a former wizard appeared in major cities around the world, to tell the story
of a young mage. A mage who dedicated himself heart, soul, and body to helping
others. A man who gave up a normal life to free a city from those who had
corrupted it. A man who gave up his own power, to see that those who were
oppressed by magic would be free once again. A man who was powerful enough
to control the staff Krahs so that, its power unleashed at its fullest, did
not destroy the world. The old man would not give his name. He said that
no one would remember it. Finally, two young children convinced him to at
least tell them what he'd like them to call him by.
"O.k." he replied. "I was rather fond of the name people once called me,
not all that long ago. Call me...Sraxx."
Some say that a Legend is defined as something that is made up; that happened
in the past. They also say that a legend is a made up person who performed
great deeds. The lorewriters of Kiele don't believe this. They believe that
a legend is merely a story about a real person performing heroic deeds. Their
recordings show, in the history of Kiele, no greater mage lived other than
Celec Shadowstar. His feats became the base of legends. From his humble
beginnings as a mage to his freeing the ancient city Bel-Akim'Sre, to his
part in the removal of magic from the world. Many chroniclers, historians
and lorewriters are in disagreement about what adventures are actually true,
but they all agree one one thing-there was a mage named Celec who travelled
with his friend and mentor Majicc and their companion Cizst Kra'zurr. Celec
recieved the staff of Krahs, and using its untold magical and elemental power,
banished magic from the world once again. Due to the bravery and self-sacrafice
of Celec, the world did not have to suffer through another magic war, which
many saw coming due to mages running rampant across the land. The magic is
gone. Who knows? Maybe one day the gods will deem it necessary to return
the magic. Perhaps the individual who recieves it will be a descendant of
Celec Shadowstar. Until that day comes, the people live their lives out as
normal. From the mighty king to the lowly street merchant. All live knowing
that were it not for the acts of Celec Shadowstar, they may not have even
been born, the people who would be their parents most probably would have
died in the war that never occured. All live and remember a legendary hero
known across the globe, a hero known as Celec, whose adventures began that
day in the village of Nire so long ago...
Next: Silrak Shadowstar
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