“In the name of my father, I return you to where you belong.” Vincent reached out and grabbed the Blight Avatar. It laughed and readily accepted his touch, leaking a black substance into him. Vincent held strong though and kept pulling at the avatar. It started to lose its form, and as it melted it was sucked into Vincent
“No! What are you doing?”
“I’m incorporating it into my Soul. It’s the only way I can destroy it, from within me.”
“But what will it do to you?” Alrion looked distraught.
“I can’t say for sure. My Soul will survive, but my body might not handle this concentration of Blight.” Vincent stepped into the avatar’s body and sped up the process. He could feel the creature rebelling within him. But at the same time, he could sense the part of his father that had created it.
I hope you’ll forgive me.
52
The Breaking of a Wizard
Aydan stepped into the forest. He had never been here before, and it was a break from routine. Something must have changed,
Father has been so occupied lately. Maybe he’s had a breakthrough.
It had been long enough. Aydan was a boy no longer. Yet he still suffered the same restrictions. The same need for complete secrecy. He walked amongst his father and the other wizards, and none of them had a clue. He had perfected the skill of hiding in plain sight, but it was eating him away inside.
Maybe we’re at a turning point. Maybe I can finally emerge from the shadows.
Aydan continued through the forest, moving towards the meeting point. Once he arrived there was no doubt. There was a small glade that was a lot more open, but it was still masked well with tree cover.
At least it’s not a cave.
Within moments he heard footsteps behind him.
“Punctuality is a virtue. Glad to see you’ve finally embraced it.”
“Nice to see you too.”
“I’ll overlook that comment, today is an auspicious day. Today, we kick off a new endeavour.” Father looked excited and energised. That was a good sign. He led Aydan to the middle of the glade, then removed a lantern.
“I’ve made a bit of a breakthrough, and I need you to verify it for me.”
“What’s that? It looks like an ordinary lantern.”
“I can assure you it is not.” The wizard turned the lantern around then handed it to Aydan.
“What’s it for?”
“It’s particularly sensitive to a wizard’s Spark. Try it.” The wizard gestured to Aydan. He looked the lantern over, wondering how it worked. He started gathering his Spark and nothing happened. He looked over at the wizard.
“Not that sensitive. Just apply a little.” Aydan nodded and applied the tiniest amount of Spark to the lantern. It roared to life, a medium-sized flame dancing within it. Aydan stared at the flame.
“That’s quite sophisticated. What’s it for?”
“I’m thinking of using it as a test for new wizards. What do you think?”
“It should work, it’s quite sensitive. If a wizard can’t light it, they may not fare well with training.” Aydan thought the conclusion was quite obvious.
“Exactly my thinking.” The wizard held out his hand and Aydan returned the lantern.
Why has he got me testing such obvious things?
“That was just the warmup. I’ve got something much more interesting next.” The wizard reached into his robe and removed a white stone. Aydan received the stone, turning it over in his hand. It didn’t take long to see the black streak through it.
“I haven’t seen anything like this before.”
“Take a close look, tell me what you think.” The wizard studied him, waiting.
So, it’s another test. Let’s see.
Aydan peered into the black substance. It didn’t look natural, but it also didn’t look painted on or separate to the stone. It was somehow part of the whole piece. The more he stared, the more he started to get entranced by the blackness. He imagined it pulsating and beating like it had a heartbeat. He started to become terrified by it and started to reach for his Spark.
What is happening to me?
He felt an uncomfortably warm feeling inside, and a rush of heat. And then, out of nowhere, a gigantic white flame spewed from the stone, rushing into the air and lighting some of the tree cover. The wizard quickly doused the flames. Aydan was in shock.
What just happened?
“Fantastic!” The wizard was looking up at the area that the flames had burned, then turned his attention to Aydan. “Better than I expected.”
“That was a bit surprising.” Aydan wanted to say frightening, but he didn’t want to admit that.
“The reaction was a little stronger than I expected but good. This we can work with.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means you can cure the Blight. Well, in theory. More testing is required. But no matter how I approach it, I can’t do what you can do.”
“Cure the Blight? That’s not possible.” Aydan stared in disbelief.
“It shouldn’t be, at least the way that I’m thinking, but somehow it is.” The wizard started pacing, talking to himself.
“This is what you’ve been working on all these years? Some trippy test for a fairy tale?” Aydan was just getting started. He’d lived a double life from childhood, suppressing who he was, all for this?
“This is no fairy tale. I’ve done many successful experiments, small scale mind you, using the stored Soul Power I have available. The results are consistent. Applying enough Soul Power to a person infected by the Blight should cure them.”
“What is this Soul Power? I’m a wizard, I have Spark.”
“Oh, but you have both. Soul Power is a gift from your mother. Perhaps it’s time to make a trip to see her.” The wizard resumed his pacing.
“I thought you lost contact with her, and it was all too difficult to talk about.”
“It is difficult to talk about. And she lives at the end of the world, she may as well be lost.” The wizard spoke carefully. Aydan could not believe what he was hearing.
“Let me get this straight. You know exactly where my mother is and haven’t bothered to contact her. Only now, when it’s convenient for you, you’re thinking of going to see her?’
“Don’t be silly. Where do you think I received the orbs charged with Soul Power? We’ve been corresponding for some time. It’s slow and strictly business, but she knows and supports what I’m doing, even though we have our differences.”
“This just gets better and better.” Aydan threw his hands up in frustration. “You’ve kept me in the dark about everything. I’m not a child anymore.”
“Easy, son, I was just protecting you. There are burdens you don’t need to bear.”
“I feel like I’ve been bearing them anyway. Why have you spent both our lives on this fool’s errand?” Aydan glared at his father defiantly.
“It’s better you don’t know. Let’s just leave it at that.”
“I refuse to do any more until I know the truth. Either include me or admit that you’re just using me as a tool, and I’ll be gone for good.” Aydan’s heart was racing. He wasn’t sure where this had sprung up from, and it surprised even him. But he meant it.” The wizard sighed and walked in closer.
“Son, this is not an easy thing to discuss. But you deserve to hear it. Many years ago, on my travels, I was researching the power of Spark, and looking for sources of it. I must admit I was jealous of the Mystics, they were able to build around a source of great power, and I had visions for what wizards could do with that same sort of organisation. My research brought me to something strange.” The wizard had a faraway look in his eyes, then he continued.
“Something didn’t feel right, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. So, I investigated. And I found myself standing before it. The source of the Blight. There was no question.” The wizard started to shake his head. “My curiosity drove me forward. Why had my search brought me there?�
�� The wizard looked pained.
“What did you do?” Aydan almost whispered.
“All I did was touch the wall with my hand. But my contact changed it, irreversibly. In that instant, the fate of the world was altered.”
“What happened?”
“My touch created a being of intellect. I saw it form before my very eyes. And it spoke. It spoke of the wonder of creation, of the opportunities that now awaited it. But the creature was very new, very immature. I knew it would take time to grow, take time to realise its own aspirations. But it was the beginning of everything.”
“Everything? Like what?”
“The Blight was a force of nature. Unpleasant, but random and contained. But I gave it the means to act independently. It started to organise, it created enough trouble that Valrytir sent the four generals. They were turned to the Blight’s cause and have started to wreak true havoc. Who knows what will happen if we let this continue!” The wizard looked weary. Truly, the burden was weighing him down. And he didn’t look eased by sharing it with Aydan.
“You really are responsible for all this. All the terror, and the Blight activity.” Aydan was amazed. It hadn’t seemed possible, but now. Now he knew. He understood.
“Yes. I cannot allow my legacy to be one of darkness. I must right my wrong. Together, we must solve this.” The wizard held out his hand. Aydan shied away.
“This is too much. I’ve gone from being hidden and ignored, to being required for your redemption. I can see your pain, your sense of responsibility. But I’m not the answer. I’ve lived enough of my life under your thumb, trying to compensate for your mistake.”
“Don’t you dare walk away from me. I’ve given you everything. You will save our family and save the world.”
“In secret still? I thought it could be different. But I see now nothing will change. True, I know the reasons why. But you’ll still keep me hidden away. I’ll still have to pretend to everyone that I’m not what I truly am. All to protect you and your plans. I’ve had enough.” Aydan turned to walk away.
“Andar. Stop. Please. Let’s talk about this.” Granthion grabbed his hand and stopped him from going. Andar turned and shook off his father’s hand.
“Calling me by my true name won’t make a difference. You took everything from me. I have no relationship with my mother, I cannot be my true self with anyone. I can’t do it anymore. I need to start living for myself.” Andar walked away, forcing his legs to move before he lost the willpower to follow through.
I can’t keep going like this. I need to try living for myself. He will find a way to do what he must, he always does.
Andar kept walking through the forest, trying not to think about what had just happened.
53
Legacy
Alrion opened his eyes and peered into the gloom. It looked like they were back in the cave. He found his Spark and manage to create a weak orb of light and attach it to the wall. The effort almost made him pass out.
Why am I so exhausted?
The memories of what happened flooded back. Particularly the torrent of Soul Power that had flowed through him. That probably did something.
Father!
Alrion looked around for his father. He almost missed him. Vincent was lying on the ground, and his skin was incredibly pale. Alrion ignored his pain and rushed over, gently lifting his father up into a sitting position against the nearest wall. Alrion collapsed next to his father, the effort sapping the last of his strength.
“Dad, you’re still with us.”
“For now. I fear the worst.” Vincent weakly pointed at his leg. Alrion could see a glimpse of his father’s foot, and the skin was pure black.
“You can fight this. We won.” Alrion frantically searched his body for any semblance of power or magic. He found nothing.
“I don’t think we can, not now. But you’re right, we did win. That creature is gone. Look at the wall.” Vincent leaned back and closed his eyes. Alrion looked over at the dark wall of Blight. It seemed almost inert now, it didn’t have the same vitality and motion that it did before. And there certainly wasn’t a figure in black addressing them.
“We did it. I can’t believe it.” But Alrion couldn’t revel in the moment. He could see that his father was dying.
“Alrion, what will be, will be. We must accept our fate.”
“Surely there’s something I can do.”
“Yes, there is.” Vincent paused, a pained look on his face. “Listen closely.” Vincent drew in a few sharp breaths. Alrion held his father’s hand.
“Son, now’s the time to discuss what happens next. My body is failing, I will be gone soon. But not lost. I will live on in you, and your mother. Your memories, and the feat we achieved here today, that will give me eternal life.”
“But you won’t be here.”
“Not in the same way, but just trust me. Also, I need you to promise me something.”
“Yes, what is it?” Alrion leaned in closer.
“Don’t tell anyone about me being a wizard. This is your quest and your achievement.”
“Your story deserves to be told!”
“No, it does not. I can be the supportive blacksmith that followed his son to the end of the world. That’s good enough for me. There’s no need to confuse things now.” Vincent coughed, a ragged sound that pained Alrion just to hear it. After a few moments, he settled down.
“Now, I left your mother with some writing that explains a lot. Some you will already know. But it may help fill in the blanks and understand me better. I’m sorry for hiding so much from you. In that way, I was too much like my father.”
“Dad, it’s alright. I know you were trying to do the best for everyone.” Vincent shook his head.
“No, I was a coward. And angry. And I ran away from my responsibility. And yes, my father was not an easy man to work with, but he was brilliant, and he gave me impeccable training. And I still couldn’t step up. So, I lived a whole new life. I changed my name and pretended my old life didn’t exist. But you can’t just close the door on your past, as we have discovered.” Vincent opened his eyes and stared directly at Alrion.
“But you, my son, you achieved all this with minimal training and minimal information. You used your instincts, you took chances, and you trusted people. You succeeded where I could not. I am so proud of you, and I know your grandfather is as well. You are the true hero, and it was my pleasure to be here to witness you.” Vincent cried, the tear turning black as it ran down his face.
“Dad, I had the best preparation. You taught me everything I needed and gave me the desire to be better. You’re my hero.” Alrion could feel his father’s life slipping away. His pulse was weak and fleeting.
“What do I do now? I need your advice.” Alrion wanted to ask his father so much, but there was no time.
“Alrion, I can’t possibly tell you that. But I can get you started.” Vincent closed his eyes. “Go back to our home and investigate my workshop. I’ve left something there for you. It will show you the way.” Vincent’s face tensed. He gripped Alrion’s hand hard.
“Dad?”
“Goodbye Alrion. Be free and find your own path.” Vincent sighed and relaxed. His body started to disintegrate and turn into a fine black dust which floated away. And within a few mere moments, there was nothing left of him. Alrion couldn’t hold the tears back, and he lost track of time. Until everything became black.
54
Aftermath
Alrion felt an overwhelming warmth. He opened his eyes and saw a figure standing over him.
“Dad, you came back?” As his vision improved, he saw the dark shape next to him was someone else.
“It’s me, Lara. Are you alright?” Lara sounded incredibly worried.
Maybe I’m in worse shape than I realise.
“Mostly. Don’t touch the black stuff.”
“I figured that. Can you stand?” Lara bent down and put her arm around him. With her help, he managed to get himself to a
standing position, albeit hunched and leaning on her.
“I lost my dad.” Alrion sobbed into her shoulder. He couldn’t help it, he didn’t even intend to say that.
“I’m sorry, Alrion. Let’s get you out of here, then we can figure this all out.” Together they took a step forward. It wasn’t as hard as Alrion thought it would be. His body felt numb and worn out. But at least it was moving. They struggled wordlessly through the cave, Alrion not knowing what to say, or having the energy to mutter any words. After an age, they came to the strange lake, the one infused with Soul Power.
“Stop.” Alrion eased himself down near the water’s edge. He leaned in and cupped water in his hands, drinking it carefully. The hydration was nice, but the Soul Power burned as it flowed through his body.
“This water has Soul Power in it.”
“I thought there was something odd about it.”
“I’m all burnt out, so let’s try to keep this quick.” Alrion knew he wasn’t fully explaining what had happened, but he couldn’t say any more. He was just too tired. Lara seemed to understand though.
“We’ll be quick through the water, don’t worry.” Lara took the lead, letting Alrion travel in her wake. The lake did seem to have a restorative effect, even though his body couldn’t handle the Soul Power. The burning feeling came and went, and when they emerged at the other end Alrion dropped to the ground and lay on his back.
“I feel like I’ve just run for a week straight.” He tried to slow his breathing, bit by bit. His body was not really paying attention. It was doing whatever it wanted.
“I’m not going to pester you with questions, but… did it work?”
“Yes,” Alrion rasped. Lara nodded and didn’t ask any follow-up questions. Alrion closed his eyes and rested a little. After a few moments Lara woke him, and they were off again.
Once they finally reached the exit, Alrion stumbled. His body wouldn’t go any further.
Soul of Light (The Hidden Wizard Book 4) Page 38
