The front door was tall and decorative, with gold letters painted on the front. Ye who seek for my aid must first turn back. Jael knocked the door. Nobody responded. He knocked again, to no avail. A third time and another half minute of waiting still brought no one to the door, and he drew back with a quizzical look on his face. “I guess he must not be home.”
One of Mikhal’s neighbours was out trimming the hedges around his place and he leaned over his fence, the clippers dangling from one fist, and laughed. “Hey. You looking for Mikhal? Mikhal never answers knocks. If you want his aid, you need to do what is posted on his door.”
Jael thanked the man and together, they inspected the riddle on the door. “How can we ask for his aid if we need to turn away?” Vaan said.
“This might be a riddle,” Jael said. “Without following this instruction, we can never reach him.” They turned away from the door and looked around.
Izabelle spotted something posted just on the topmost part of the restaurant across the building and pointed it out to the others. “There’s a signage over there.”
Jael cast Rokka and jumped onto the roof to read the message. It said, “Ye who seek for my aid need to appreciate the sun.” He climbed down a post on the side of the building and told the others what is written. “The sun is hot!” he said, appreciatively. Nothing happened.
“Okay. What are the characteristics of the sun?” “It’s big, it’s hot, it’s far, and it’s a star...” Vaan enumerated, counting off these things on his fingers and staring up at the bright afternoon sky in thought.
Izabelle said, “We need to look up?” Both her and Jael gazed up into the open sky and saw nothing except for the open sky, two seagulls and a fluffy white cloud.
“Nothing,” Vaan said.
“Well, maybe I need to go back to the roof. Hold on, guys. I’ll be right back.” Jael jumped up onto the roof once again and looked up. From here, the angle was right to see a mysterious door installed on the old building, high up on the edge. Downright inaccessible without wings or magick. It was angled in such a position that Vaan could not simply make a pillar to reach it. His own magick. Frekkis’ athletic ability, maybe, Jael mused. But it was unlikely any of the others could safely launch themselves up without finding some new spell. It was odd. Who would put a door on the edge of a building? Could it be the actual door of this Mikhal fellow? He seemed nothing but strange; perhaps even this eccentric? He returned to the others and told them what he saw.
“Wait for me here. I’m going to check it out. If I don’t return soon, assume I got in. We’ll meet up at the inn.” He gestured for Frekkis to come along, and she dashed with him atop her back, sweeping Jael aloft to the top of the building.
Beside the door, there was a small platform on which to stand, and a sheet of paper posted on the door. Ye who seek my aid need to speak of my name. Jael said, “Mikhal Vigarte.” The door slid soundlessly open and Jael and Frekkis entered. On the other side, an old man stood in wait, a wry smile on his old face. Jael bowed politely.
Mikhal Vigarte was a Telekinetic mage, a reclusive but wise old man who dwelt in his building with a hermit’s lack of interest in venturing forth. He wore glasses and his hair was long and black with only a few streaks of grey to give away his age. He had no ordinary magick, locals had rumoured him to be a sort of seer. He could see things happening all throughout the land. His magick spell, Satellite, allowed him to activate his vision. Because of this magick, and perhaps his utter lack of other hobbies, he had a certain notoriety for gathering information from anywhere around the kingdom.
“Greetings. What does a young mage such as you want from an old man like me?” Mikhal welcomed Jael to his building, gesturing him to enter.
Jael entered, politely keeping his attention from wandering to the strange paintings on the walls. “I heard you are a wise man and you can answer any question I might have,” Jael answered.
“Hmm. What are the things that haunt you, young one?”
There were many things that troubled Jael, but only one drove him here. “I would like to know about the four Titans.”
Mikhal crossed the room slowly and deliberately. Sitting down on a solid wooden chair by a desk covered in drawings and writings, he adjusted his seat with a telekinetic gesture, turning to face Jael once more. “I’m afraid I do not know much about the Titans. But I can tell you about their magickal powers. The one you have encountered here in Belthasar is the Tiamat. He brings forth massive tidal waves. Another titan attacked the northern part of Bristal. Many say that he is an Earth Bearer. He is rumoured to be the Terra. The other two Titans have not yet appeared. No reports are circulating the kingdom about them. According to the defence minister of Bristal, the four Titans are the four generals of the Dark Mage. The four Titans are Tiamat, Terra, Efreet and Quetzalcoatl.”
“These Titans, are they really that powerful?” Jael asked. The old man chuckled sadly. “Listen to me, child, the four Titans are trained by the Dark Mage himself. Their magick is infused with Malevolent magick. Yes, Malevolent magick. Even if you have not heard of it, surely the name inspires the terror it holds. It can enhance the power of one element at the cost of one’s sanity. The Dark Mage developed Malevolent magick throughout the years. Did you notice something unusual with Chollo’s water? His water is darker, as if stained by wickedness, tainted by evil. They are powerful mages. If you choose to face them, face them with an army,” Mikhal warned.
“Who is this Dark Mage?” Jael followed up.
“His name is Dio. He is the leader of Malevolentiam. Malevolentiam is consisted of six major persons. Dio is the head; the second in command is an unknown woman, and the four generals, also known as the four Titans. Under them is an army of mages striving for power,” Mikhal stated.
“I see. Well, we must stop them from invading the kingdom at all cost. Do you have any advice for us?”
“The light will always shine even in the darkest midst,” Mikhal replied vaguely, nodding sagely.
“Uhm... okay... I’ll bear that in mind! Sir, do you know me by any chance? Am I familiar to you?”
“I’m afraid not, young one,” Mikhal said.
“You see, I do not know who I really am. I was raised by a mother, but she said that I was not her child by birth, and I was still a child.” Jael stared at the wall, at Frekkis sitting quietly. The paintings again caught his eye and he let his gaze wander them one by one. “Back then. When she died. So I did not fully understand.
All I remember is, when I was still a child, she used to tell me that she saved me from the flames.”
“My apologies, young one, but I do not know about your past. I cannot help you there,” Mikhal answered.
“I understand,” he said, disappointed. One of the paintings caught his eye. A haggard man on his knees, bright light emitting from his eye sockets. The agony of tremendous magick bursting out from within spoke to Jael, an inner suffering reminding him of Vaan’s mysterious trance-like rage.
“However, I do know of a seer who has the magick to see into a person’s past. His name is Rohan the Sage. He lives in Erradia and serves the queen,” Mikhal added, gently.
“I see. Thank you, sir,” Jael said, and he rose slowly. “One more thing, sir.” He gestured to the painting, the captured agony of magickal prowess ripping apart a man’s self-control frozen eternally in brush. “Do you know anything about this? A cursed sort of magick that throws someone into a trance, controlled by the magick itself, greatly increasing the mage’s magickal capabilities?” “I suppose you are speaking of Fate magick,” Mikhal said.
“This I can tell you of. It is an ancient magick, created long before Teliko Mageia. Maggus had ordered his most trusted apprentices to craft a very powerful spell, the totality of their respective element. Each apprentice spent years crafting these mighty, so-called superior spells. He called it Fathis Mageia.
“Because of the immensity of each spell, the spells themselves gained a sort of consciousness all their o
wn. The Fathis Mageia took refuge, sleeping inside the very souls of their creators, waking in moments of extreme stress and overtaking the magickal limitations of the mage, bestowed with the full capabilities of the Fathis itself. It was only as each of Maggus’ apprentices died that each Fathis awoke from its slumber in search of a new bearer. You see, child, upon the death of its bearer, the Fathis wakes and moves on in search of a new host. Over the centuries each Fathis Mageia has disappeared into the body of a powerful mage, biding time in dormancy. Commoners call it Fate magick.
“We shall meet again, young one,” Mikhal replied.
Jael bowed and thanked him before leaving. Then, he and Frekkis headed straight for the inn where Vaan and Izabelle waited. He related everything learned from Mikhal as well as his planned next moves. “We need to go to Erradia and help with the kingdom’s defences against Malevolentiam. Also, this Rohan can answer my questions about my past. Maybe my dream really led me to this city. I need to know about my past.”
“So, when will we go to Erradia? Don’t forget that you still have the free training at Demijia. It would be foolish not to claim your reward,” Vaan said.
“Oh right! The Demijia training. I’ll go to Demijia tomorrow to inquire while you guys work or train,” Jael said.
The next day came and Jael parted ways with the rest of his party and went to Demijia, the famous academy of Belthasar. Demijia was a large castle-like structure with dozens of towers assorted and attached throughout the grounds. Filled with mages of all ages and from across the continent, education in Demijia was lavish but worth the money. Some of the most famous mages across the land started in this exquisite academy.
Jael went inside the edifice of Demijia and inquired about his free training. The receptionist informed him he just needed to wait for the registration and then could start training at once. “Demijia offers different trainings and classes. We can train a mage’s advancement in their element. There is also a training in which we awaken the hidden spells within a mage. Of course, we have basic elemental magick and secondary elements if you want to acquire one. May I know your primary element and which course you want to take?”
“My element is fire. I would like to enrol in your course regarding the hidden spells,” Jael replied.
“Very well then. Please walk this way.”
Astonishment crossed Jael’s face too quickly to chat about as he witnessed many mages training different spells of the rarest elements. Some were in classrooms and others in training grounds. The entire courtyard of the Grand Academy was massive and connected with different elements and mundane maps posted on every turn, filled with more to read than Jael ever wanted to bother with. There were different terrains fit for training a certain element. Almost every element could be learned inside the Grand Academy of Demijia. Such great sights exhilarated him and Jael felt excited to be here, surrounded by such possibility.
Jael followed the receptionist, and he was ushered to the west part of Demijia. “This is the Agni Department. This is where fire trainings are being held. Please be comfortable while you wait for your instructor.”
Jael sat on a rugged brown mat across from a large hearth burning bright without any fuel source. Rows of shelving were filled with mystos of flame, both common and extraordinarily rare mystos locked behind safety glass on display. He examined the collection, admiring a curious blue-green bottle that glowed with an intense inner flame that seemed almost to be alive in its magickal containment.
The instructor exited the back office, came to him and said, “Welcome to Demijia. You are Jael, yes? I understand you placed third in the races. Quite impressive. I am Steve, and I will be your trainer.” Steve Amaranthe was a middle-aged mage instructor, short and stern looking, with a deep groove in his forehead. He explained he specialised in fire magick and trained student mages in Demijia. As they walked towards the training grounds, he continued to explain what to expect from this training course. He was stern in terms of training only because he wanted to help all mages under him to progress. This was exactly what Jael had been hoping for.
As they walked toward the training grounds, Steve asked Jael about his background and Jael, feeling safe enough in Steve’s presence, shared everything about his adventures. Eventually the topic turned to the subject of his upbringing. Jael told Steve that he didn’t remember his past whatsoever, and also shared about his battle with his double and how his copy cast Dragon’s Breath. “My double said that I am ‘feeble’ to not know this spell,” Jael said. “Maybe you can help me awake this spell?”
“What kind of spell is this?” Steve asked and Jael narrated about what happened back in the final stop in Terrania. Steve nodded. “This sounded like a pretty advanced spell. Whatever the matter, we shall try to make it come out of you. I’m telling you, I am a rigid trainer. You will follow every instruction I give, you will endure every attack you receive and you will need to believe in yourself,” Steve said, and they began the training.
“I will do my best, master!” Jael shouted in excitement. “Okay, first, show me your magickal intensity. Show me your 100%,” Steve said and immediately he cast his finest, shouting, “BLAZIAAA!” Flames surged and roared from within.
“Enough,” Steve said. “If you want to perfect your flames you need to concentrate on your inner core. Let me show you how to intensify your flames.” Steve uttered, “Fiery Soul.” A burst of intense flames erupted from deep inside of Steve’s body. They were lethally focused, sharp blades of fire that cooperated with Steve’s every will, and bent and danced with his gestures.
“Do you understand how I did this? You can do this too, Jael. Now let me show you my evolved flames,” Steve stated, and he intoned, “Fiery Spirit!”
Steve’s magickal flame grew with precise authority over the domain of fire, and the very air itself seemed to boil around him, churning in visible blistering waves. At his core, Steve’s fire almost glowed white in the daylight, and Jael was shocked, blown away by such intensity with such perfect control. Not an emotion showed on the master’s face; the fire was his, not he the flame’s. “Now, Jael, let me see yours again.”
Jael immediately cast Blazia once again. Jael’s flames intensified a little but not enough for Steve. Steve did not ask him to dismiss the spell. Instead, he shouted, “Fiery Spirit!”
The flames expanded larger into Jael’s spell’s area of effect, chewing away at them and eventually consuming right through his own flame barrier. Jael shouted in pain as the spell broke down his last defence and began to consume his flesh. Immediately Steve cancelled his flames and attended the burns.
“That will be enough for today. Remember what you learned here today. As you go home, you need to find your inner core, Jael. Remove excess thoughts. Focus deep inside. You are now dismissed. Come back tomorrow at the same time,” Steve said, and he left the training grounds.
“What great power he has. I am lucky to be trained by this great mage,” Jael murmured, and he went back to the inn.
Jael met up with the others inside the inn and they shared their day’s experiences. Izabelle successfully killed some creatures that she was able to sell to the market for money. Frekkis was in high spirits because she felt a little stronger than before. They called it a day and rested. Pushing to their very limits, they had to train in preparation to face the Titan Chollo, else perish in the face of adversity. All would need to grow stronger and braver than ever before.
Far away from the main continent of Bristal a fortress floated, looming in the night. There Chollo met up with the Dark Mage. Dripping moonlight scattered pinpricks of glitter through the nearly pitch-black room where the Dark Mage sat silently upon a large throne. “My lord, the queen refuses to surrender,” Chollo reported.
The leader was silent, contemplating in the shadows. Finally, he reached a decision. “Terra, obliterate Vistregio. She will surrender after we wipe out her cities one by one,” the Dark Mage added, and he laughed maniacally.
The morning sun
shone upon Jael, waking him from his generally restless slumber. He leapt from his bed in excitement, stumbling into his pants and boots. “Training!” he shouted. The others woke to his loud voice. Jael quickly prepared for his training. He went through a series of stretches and breathing exercises, took his morning meal and hurried off to Demijia before Izabelle and Vaan rose.
“Quite energetic…” Izabelle murmured as she stretched out her body, yawning in exhaustion.
Vaan replied ruefully, “Yeah. You’ve go through that kind of energy every single day when you’re with him.”
After preparing, Jael rushed across the city to Demijia to start his training. In his haste, just before reaching Agni Department, he accidentally bumped into a student mage. The man immediately whirled around and bore down, snapping, “Watch where you’re going, thug.”
Jael backed, raising his empty hands. “I’m very sorry.”
The man huffed and fumed in provocation. “Don’t you recognise me? I am Drix Arkedam. I will be the next great mage in the whole kingdom of Bristal!”
“Apologies, but I’m running late–I need to get going!” He took off. He didn’t have time to waste arguing with a pompous, arrogant person over a misstep. Training to do!
Upon his arrival in the training room, his new flame master, Steve, immediately commenced the training. Jael observed, picking up key pointers from Steve regarding the containment magick. However, Jael still had the tendency to waste magick power through his concentration attacks. Unable to control the exact amount of flames to be focused to any part of his body, days passed by before Jael trained the basics of magick containment. Yet Steve was impressed by his student’s commitment and lack of complaints in his dedication to the practice and acknowledged he’d done well.
Teliko Mageia: Curse of the Frozen Flame Page 13
