A large commotion erupted in Cachot Noir military prison, a quiet dungeon that was always heavily guarded. The dark stronghold, built with black stones that absorbed light, was a symbol of condemnation for those who had gone rogue in Asdrath, a nation supposed to be United against the whole world. Internal conflict was not tolerated, policies were strict and ruthless .
However, on this day, Cachot Noir had fallen into chaos. A massive explosion blew up the stronghold from the underground floor to the surface, a blast that brimmed with magical energy and left the western part of the prison collapsing.
Meanwhile, beneath the stronghold, Eira lay bruised and wounded on the floor, closer to the centre of the explosion. Remnants of ice were scattered nearby, amidst the devastation of the repository and dungeon ruble.
Bodies of prison guards lay scattered at a distance, but Senior Warden Willard who was holding the explosive ethereal stone was nowhere to be seen with no remains nor traces of his mana, whether he lives or not is a mystery.
Eira struggled to her feet, clutching her wounded midsection covering it with ice magic as temporary measure. Her protective ice barrier had barely saved her from the blast. Seizing the opportunity, she gathered her mana and assumed a jumping stance.
Her legs glowed with magic energy, cracking the ground beneath her. With a burst of power, she leaped from the ground floor up to the surface of the dungeon, emerging through a hole created by the explosion.
A loud bell rang throughout the dungeon, its alarming tone signaling reinforcements would soon arrive. Eira, who had managed to leap to the surface, was now making a frantic escape, her feet pounding the ground as she sprinted towards the wall that surrounded the prison.
Her movements were swift and desperate, she knew by then that she was being pursued. Behind, multiple prison guards had spotted her and started to chase.
As Eira neared the prison wall, a barrage of arrows brimming with mana shot towards her. Despite her agility and efforts to dodge, one of the arrows struck her left shoulder, causing her to scream in pain.
Eira quickly chanted "Ice wall" as she slammed her right palm to the ground, conjuring a giant ice wall that rose up to counter a second wave of mana arrows. The ice wall shimmered and glowed with a soft blue light, its crystalline structure strong enough to deflect the incoming projectiles.
Without hesitation, Eira rushed towards the wall, her determination and speed pushing her forward. Unlike her previous attempt when came in, she didn't jump over the wall this time. Instead, she punched the solid western prison wall open, her crystallized right hand generating a shockwave that sent ice shards dissipating in all directions. The wall crumbled, creating an opening just large enough for her to slip through.
As Eira emerged on the other side of the wall, she began to run towards Asdrath city, her pursuers still hot on her heels. However, she sensed that two figures were closing in on her position, their cultivation reached the Aes phase. She knew instinctively that it must be the two other guard captains of Cachot Noir, the remaining lesser guardians of the dungeon.
Suddenly, Eira stopped in her tracks, her eyes fixed on the ground as she formed an ice rod and scribbled strange symbols on the dirt. Her voice was low and urgent as she called out, "Alias, Alias, I know you can hear me..." as if Eira was summoning something or someone, her words hanging in the balance like a challenge or a plea.
"Damnit Eira I know I told you to use my sigil in great need but I didn't think you would bring trouble to me. I cannot teleport here Eira find another way",a man's voice vibrated from the sigil inscribed on the ground.
"Damn you Alias you owe how dare you betray me like this,we had a deal"Eira screamed in desperation.
The two Captains with their squads closing in ahead of them raging fire balls headed towards Eira."Listen Eira I can't help you but I'll transport you to a safe place that you imagine in heart it's the least I can do.."The projectiles headed for her, Eira situation seemed hopeless,Eira's wounds throbbed with pain, and her mana was depleted, leaving her situation seeming utterly hopeless. "Fine, hurry up, you bastard!" she shouted, desperation and anger in her words.
Three circles materialized around her, one after another, their mystical energy brimmed with power. The sigil on her right hand, identical to the one on the ground, synced perfectly with its counterpart resonating before vanishing as a sign of pact fulfilled.
The circles unleashed a massive blast of magic energy that dissipated in an instant. The sudden disappearance of Eira left her pursuers in a frustration and confusion, their projectiles landing on the spot Eira was with no target in sight.
The present after Eira's incident occurred in a cave that sheltered Osric.
"So, her teleportation landed her outside the cave, and she made her way here, but something isn't right in her story. She's been gone for a week; that doesn't make sense," Osric said, talking to Aurion.
Aurion replied, "You can ask her when she wakes up. Are you sure it was a wise choice to use your daily healing blessing on her? If anything happens to you, I won't be able to heal you until twenty four hours pass and always keep that in mind."
Osric responded with concern: " you really treat me like a child sometimes you know that, anyway I didn't have much of a choice. My mana is ridiculously low, I couldn't heal her otherwise. It's great she accomplished this task, but it seems we need to leave this place sooner than expected.
Who knows if her identity has been discovered when she infiltrated the dungeon? The military will be hunting for her, especially since she's an officer; they'll want to save their face. Another potential trouble is the person who transported her here. I'm sure it's an Alchemist. We'll never know if it could lead to trouble.
Aurion replied,"what surprised me is that she even killed her fellow kin just to help you.
"We don't know if that's true or not, anyway I should get started now with these dark manuscripts she brought fourteen,she truly outdone herself even though I told her not to infiltrate the prison herself, nonetheless I should find a skill which is a possession or binding spell that will be helpful to me going forward."said Osric
"Don't involve me in your diabolical acts.."Aurion responded
Osric's sights..
A great deal of time passed, Osric was still going through the books while Eira was recovering from Osric's futon sound asleep, with no luck of what he wants Osric got frustrated,his stomach growling with hunger the noise fuelled his anger and frustration, finding this ability will contribute well in his cause,He could not afford failure because time was against him.
Ah-ha! Yes, this is exactly what I need," Osric exclaimed, his face lighting up with excitement as he laughed.
"You fool, are you feigning ignorance of the consequences of using that power ?You'll be paying a heavy price"Aurion spoke with concern.
"I'm aware I'm not a fool but at this rate I'll be stuck here just waiting for my death, I will have to sacrifice a little for a greater cause," Osric replied
"A little you say,"said Aurion." I'll memorize it everything don't try stop me this is crucial."Osric replied
Death's bargain
A dark skill that revives the dead by offering a fragment of one's own essence. The reanimated corpse is compelled to do the master's bidding, yet its continued existence exacts a terrible price, the master's life force is consumed, shortening their own lifespan with each fleeting day and night."
"I should try inheriting the ability I'll recite these blasphemous words",said Osric.
"No don't," Aurion yelled, attempting to stop him.
Osric recited the words aloud in hopes of acquiring the ability however the demonic ability was not simple despite it not being actively used it still devours one's essence simply by possessing the skill, a diabolical skill as if it was designed by a Lord of parasites,Ahh…Osric scream rolling on the floor his body convulsing with dark veins spreading across body,he coughed blood.
"You fool I warned you, how much of my power should I sacrifice saving you, at this rate I'll perish," said Aurion
As Aurion's power surged through Osric's body, it began to counteract the effects of the cursed ability. His body started glowing with a soft blue light, and his eyes lit up with a brighter intensity. The dark veins receded, and the symptoms of the demonic ability began to fade. Osric's condition stabilized, and he slowly regained consciousness.
Sitting up, Osric inspected his body with a mixture of relief and concern. "Damnit, I was hasty." What happened, Aurion?" he asked.
Aurion's response was mixed with a hint of annoyance. "You have some nerve asking me that. Isn't it obvious that I saved you?"
Osric's expression turned apologetic. "I'm sorry, Aurion. My desperation is driving me crazy. But how did you save me? Twenty-four hours haven't passed."
Aurion explained, "I sacrificed my own essence to grant you a blessing. It reversed the effects of the demonic ability. This blessing breaks its law of operation, Moreover when you use it in the future instead of losing your lifespan by keeping your resurrected servant bound, the servant will draw essence from the demonic ability itself to live.
When your servant dies, you'll receive the amount of lifespan it lived, though impure, the blessing will purify it.If you use wisely you might gain immorality by adding to life span."
Osric's gaze turned thoughtful. "All that at your expense… though wouldn't that mean I'll have to send my subordinates to their deaths?I didn't ask about your story, Aurion, because I cared more about my troubles. But you seem like you don't intend to talk about yourself either, all you ever say is how noble you are."
…..
"Am I to believe that this ability will truly contribute to a long life, this a power to kill for, it seems I'll be reap the lives of the demonic beasts above, dark forest here await my arrival "Osric smirked
Aurion warned him "I'll tell you this, try not to resurrect vengeful spirits, they are extremely dangerous as an inexperienced wizard."
"Who are you calling a wizard I am a noble mage no a wielder how is using a single dark magic spell make me a wizard," Osric said defensively
"I'm surprised you still have conscience to say that some noble mage you are,"Aurion replied
"For one who was against it you sure warn me a lot how thoughtful of you I'm touched oh noble spirit,"said Osric
"Don't toy with you shitty brat",Aurion raised his voice.
"It's terrifying how quickly you've changed as if you were hiding your true self all this time,"Aurion said
"Nonsense I may have turned into a villain but it's just to get back at those who have wronged me,I'm not some thoughtless beast, I have the guts because I spent my time sucking to the seniors and the Duke's factions and doing his dirty, especially the one I was in.
"They pursued me relentlessly, without hesitation, even after all the years we'd served together in The Ashen Covenant." Osric spoke with a frowned expression on his face.
Aurion responded. "What now that you have what you needed."
"Well, the moment is here. It's time to test my new power." He stood up and walked towards Eira, who was still sleeping peacefully with her guard down despite the commotion.Osric grabbed his sword tightly and drove it through Eira's heart with all his might.
Eira's eyes snapped open, and she screamed in pain, coughing up blood. "You bastard," she spat, her voice filled with anger and betrayal.