[STORY] -> Awaken - Part 8 - Magic Sans Scroll

hypexals-spiral (62)in #story • 7 years ago

The two old friends stood before the mysterious and powerful stone that had nearly killed them both before. The old man reached out once more at its' jagged, brilliant surface, then paused. Orvus held his breath in anticipation as his friend's hand grabbed hold. The stone reacted violently, glowing and dimming as a low droning sound enveloped the room. “What is happening?” yelled out Orvus, with hope that the old man could hear him. The droning intensified, but Orvus was heard. “I can't let go of the stone Orvus!” cried out the old man, worried. A blinding spectrum of light formed around the stone, grew in size and then exploded its' light outwards. The light crashed against the ceiling, floor, pillars and walls of the altar room and exploded with brilliant showers of sparks which rained down.

The old man collapsed upon the altar, stone firmly acquired in hand. His body was electrified and his messy grey hair hung with the static in the air. Orvus quickly helped his friend stand which caused him to receive a shock. “Ouch! How do you feel?” Orvus asked, slightly hurt but more concerned. The old man took a few deep breaths. “It's incredible, Orvus. The stone's power... I can feel it surging through me,” said the old man, so excited his voice wavered. The old man took a few moments and collected himself. “Watch this, Orvus!” exclaimed the old man as he raised his hand into the air and concentrated on a pillar. He began to recite, “Purifying light and thee who wrought ashes, bring forth flame from your vibrant clashes!” A mighty ball of fire welled up in the distance. It dripped fire all over the ground then exploded on contact with the pillar.

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Orvus' eyes widened in surprise of the old man's magical demonstration. “Fire without the enchanted scroll? How is this possible?” questioned Orvus, heavily intrigued. The old man laughed happily as he admired the stone, “Orvus, you must try it for yourself. I insist!” Orvus was a bit weary, yet intrigued none the least. “Careful now,” Orvus said nervously as he took hold of the stone. It's power was immediately apparent as the stone sent pulses of energy all throughout Orvus' body, which numbed his fingertips and toes. As Orvus thought of a magical spell he could feel the elemental energy well up inside of him looking for a way out. Eager, he readied himself to recite a spell of fire the way the old man had and raised his hand into the air, ready to cast. Orvus didn't even manage to recite the enchantment when a ball of fire swelled and exploded in front of him. The old man pointed and laughed, “You singed your eyebrows!”.

Amazed at what the stone made possible, Orvus humbly handed it back to the old man. “I can't believe I called forth magical fire without even so much as the incantation,” Orvus said, shaking from excitement. “We just made history, Orvus! Magic without the enchantment hasn't been heard of in hundreds of years,” the old man said beaming, “not even the old sages of Verlys Valley could manage it.” Orvus knew the history well, and he knew the old man was right but they would both have to get out alive if they wanted to tell the tale. “That's where we should go, Orvus, to Verlys. They can study the stone's power,” said the old man.

Orvus moved past the altar to the back wall and motioned to the old man to follow. “The woman lead me through the wall as if it weren't there,” Orvus recalled to the old man. “Here,” pointed Orvus at the wall, “we should be able to pass through.” The old man approached with his palm open and set his hand on the wall. There was a pause, a momentary resistance, and then the old man's hand passed clean through the wall up to his elbow. “It's cold!” exclaimed the old man, now shoulder deep. Orvus grabbed hold of him firmly and both men were pulled through. The wall rippled slightly as they disappeared completely.

The old man stumbled into a large room and took a breath. Orvus followed immediately behind with his eyes closed. “The air in here is different,” pointed out the old man after several large breaths. Orvus opened his eyes to a plain room with a large hole in the centre. “What's that?”, he asked the old man. Curious, the two made their way to the room's centre. When they arrived, they discovered a large spiral staircase cut into the fluorescent stone floor's depths. “The way is clear,” smiled the old man as he pointed down the stairs with the stone in hand. With the old man in the lead, Orvus followed him down step by step.

When they arrived at the bottom of the spiral stairs they found themselves at yet another dead end. The old man had the stone ready, raised and touched it to the wall. Orvus grabbed hold and they both stepped through. An ever-present cold overtook them as they entered the wall. Everything outside appeared as a charcoal line sketch with crisp edges and the fluorescent light became a blue haze with a wavy gradient. Warmth returned to greet their skin as they entered a room which had a familiarity to Orvus. “I've been here! This is where I found myself when the woman in golden armour showed up!” said Orvus with wide eyes as he scanned the room. Orvus continued, *“She appeared in a flash of light there,” as he moved to where he stood before. “Then what?” the old man pressed. Orvus gazed off towards the back wall, “She's in the next room."