Arcana: A recollection

by Liberty of the Aether Project

In time, the other beasts became bold enough to try and end my life. However, they did not come at me the same way as before. Rustles started coming from above me now, as well as at all sides. My blood nearly froze when I realised that they were capable of strategising. It was clever, if they came at me from every possible angle, then there was definitely no way that I could avoid all of them. Or, so they though. They dropped from the canopy like a stone from trebuchets would rain on a city. The beasts lurking in the bushes ran out as well. What was fortunate was that they had given me the time to think about what my next move would be. With great concentration, I raised the ground around me in the shape of a ring, in order to shield myself from the attackers emerging from the dank forest floor. Great thuds echoed through the forest as they slammed against my temporary shelter, and the beasts falling from above impaled themselves on my sword. While I had managed to stay alive for another moment, the beasts did not so quickly give up on attacking me from the ground. It was now a siege, and they constantly rammed themselves against my earthen wall. Willpower is what determines how powerful one’s magic is, and it was my willpower versus their strength and numbers. Even now, I can remember the strain it had put on me. Fragments of my mind started to splinter as they continued their assault. Blood was what they desired, I could hear their bloodlust with every primal grunt and inhuman howl they made as they crashed onto my barricade. Eventually, their attacks began to wane. Unable to overcome my protective shell, they simply wandered off into the undergrowth. This was a great relief, since I had spent the last of my strength at that moment. Given how exhausted I was, both mentally and physically, my memories at this moment are kind of blurry. What bits and pieces I remember involve a lot of stumbling along the path, and eventually coming to a clearing. I remember light as well, searing light which made me close my eyes after wandering the darkness of the forest for such a long time. I found that the clearing was also void of any trees, enabling the wizard’s artificially crafted sun to shine its light. Another metallic stump was in the middle, and it too had another sack filled with food on it. Growls of protest came from my stomach, and I remembered that I had not eaten a thing since I had arrived here. Hungrily devouring what food the wizard had left me in my older sack, I decided that I would be more conservative with this new supply of food. Just as I picked it up, the wizard’s voice came echoing from every direction.

  ‘Your first test has been passed with flying colours. You were surrounded at all sides, and knew you could be attacked at any moment. You took what time you had and devised a cunning strategy. Excellent work.’

  ‘I know you aren’t one for questions, but what were those things?’

  ‘I should be the one asking you that.’

  ‘Excuse me?’

  ‘You will understand in time, Jacques. I honestly know nothing of the beasts which dwell in this forest. You should know them better than I do.’

  ‘Always with cryptic wordplay, wizard. Asking for a blunt answer is too much for you, isn’t it?’

  ‘There are kinds of wisdom which can only be gained by yourself. No amount of tutoring from anyone else will ever give you the knowledge you seek.’

  ‘I cannot help but wonder if you are just toying with me for your own sad pleasure.’

  ‘Perhaps. Perhaps not. Either way, I have the greater good in mind.’

  ‘I tire of these games of words. Why not just let whatever ancient evil that is chasing me destroy my mind?’

  ‘This evil is not something you alone have discovered. It has cast its shadow across the land for some time, and I believe you have the potential to finally purge it from this world. I may not be the most virtuous of men, but I do know that having something capable of destroying entire kingdoms fester beneath a mountain is not a good idea. I like Arcana, and I would hate to see it destroyed.’ Once again, his voice died on the wind, and I was left alone in the clearing. Unable to continue, I chose to rest for some time. Though I could still feel the bitter cold seeping from the forest, the warm light of the sun was rejuvenating and I felt refreshed. The wizard’s test was designed with a very strict and linear path, and looking back, the pathway I had entered by had closed itself, thereby making it impossible for me to retrace my steps. Ahead of me was yet another path through the forest, yet this one was different. Strange torches burned with bright blue flames, casting an eerie light through the bizarre forest. Having eaten and rested, I felt vigourous and ready to continue ahead. I also gained a sliver of confidence from being able to find off the mysterious creatures from earlier, but at the same time reminded myself that I should remain wary. Choosing to not rely on irregular torches, I grasped one of the blazing torches and carried it with me. Sure enough, the torches eventually stopped appearing as I delved deeper into the forest. I expected more beasts to be watching me, but it was eerily silent. Not even a single bird sang or a single leaf moved on this path. A disturbing paranoia slowly built up within me, even though my senses were telling me that there was nothing here. That’s when I felt it. Invisible hands reached out of the very air, attempting to drag me down towards the ground. They came from everywhere, and I slashed hopelessly at the air, trying to strike my ethereal attackers. As more and more hands clasped onto my person, they violently slammed me face first into the dirt. Since I did not have time to make a rational decision, I manipulated the flames on the torch I had taken and swirled it around me into a fiery whirlwind. Whatever was grasping me quickly let go, and I swore that I heard cries of pain echoing through the forest. Immediately I sprung up from the ground, and used the whirlwind as a shield as I charged along the path.

  Again, I emerged into another clearing, except this time a small cottage was in the middle of it. After dismissing my whirlwind of flames, I took the time to wander around the tiny building and inspect it. Each window revealed no light, the entirety of the cottage’s inside was pitch black. In time, I came to the conclusion that I could not trust the shadows obscuring the structure’s interior, and cracked open a window. I created a small light globe and made it float inside, providing a measure of light for me to observe with. Strange and vaguely humanoid shapes seemed to be moving around in the shadows, scurrying away from the dim glow of my orb. One figure, however, did not hide as the others did. It shambled towards the broken window, most of its body hidden by filthy rags. When I glimpsed its face, I actually gasped in horror. It looked vaguely human, but it was withered and had grey and hideous skin. Its jaw hung loosely from its skull, and two sunken and black eyes stared at me. What was most horrible of all, however, was the gargling noise it was making the whole time. It did not move any closer to me, however. Simply standing there, it just continued to stare at me and gargle. I still had my torch, and I didn’t care what potential treasures or boons I could find inside the cottage. Creatures which envelope themselves in darkness can bring nothing but ill fortune. So, I simply laid my torch at the bottom of the wooden structure, and watched as the blue flames began consuming it. The gargling monstrosity made no movement, even as the flames crawled up its body and engulfed its rags in puffs of smoke. It simply continued to stare at me. I had not noticed it earlier, but there was something very sad about the figure. The others now lacked their comforting shadows and moved as far away from the fire as they could, but this one ignored it. For a moment, it closed its mouth and gave me a withered smile. Before the flames caused the roof to collapse on top of it, it managed to croak out two words.

  ‘Thank you.’

 

  An eternity seemed to pass as I watched the cottage burn away, becoming nothing more than ashes. When the last of the flames smouldered and died, the Wizard appeared again.

  ‘A most interesting session. Well done, Jacques!’

  ‘What were those things?!’

  ‘They are my own creations. Small fragments of ideas rendered into flesh. Rather interesting, don’t you think?’

  ‘Dark dreams must hide in every corner of your mind, wizard. That thing thanked me for killing it.’
>
  ‘I know. It was the personification of what was happening to you before you came to me. It was a diseased and rotten chunk of your mind which has been growing steadily because of dark influences. You have now killed the part of you which was going to lead you to a nameless death. The darkness can never overcome your mind again.’ He leaned forward, and whispered a few words quietly.

  ‘None of this was ever real.’

 

 

  I was back in his tower, right where I had left off in the library. The wizard was also standing there, giving me a small smile.

  ‘That entire world was something I fashioned out of fragments of memories in your mind. Strong steel which shelters all beneath it, shadows of memories which have chased you for your whole life, dark thoughts which would lead you to your own destruction, all combined in order for you to master yourself. You have taken a blade, just as a physician would, and cut away the diseased flesh of your mind. You are whole now, and there is no one in this world which can ever use magic to influence your mind or body again. Your tutoring is over.’ Though I found myself questioning the prospect of being able to form a world in my mind, my thoughts were wholly different. It felt as though my mind had been wandering through fog for quite some time. Now, my thoughts were clear, sharp and precise. Arcane power surged through my body, and I could almost feel it crackling in the air. Noticing this as well, the wizard smiled with satisfaction.

  ‘It had suppressed your power by infecting your mind with its darkness. You are free now, and realised some of your potential. It will take time to fully hone your abilities, and the grains of the hour glass do not wait for any man, Jacques. I have taught you what I can, and you must find your own way now.’ He was right. There was nothing more for me to learn here. I quickly gathered some meagre stores of food, and was about to leave before he stopped me.

  ‘Before you go, you should take this.’ A blurred object began to appear in his hands and slowly took form. I realised it was the weapon I had used in the dream world.

  ‘I believe this to be an appropriate parting gift, along with one last piece of advice. Magic bends and blurs the lines between reality and ideas. Remember to keep in mind the difference.’

 

  I did much pondering on his words. He told me that I had to find my own way. Not knowing which direction to go in and where to start, I took a moment to think. I decided that it would be best to gain perspective on the very thing which had been the source of most of the antagonism in my life. I found open roads, and soon was on my way to Harkon, the kingdom to the west. Arcana has its shares of mysteries, but I soon found Harkon had plenty to share as well.

  Brahm seems disappointed.

  ‘We still haven’t reached the point where I enter the story?’

  ‘We will deal with that in our next session, Brahm.’

  ‘Very well then. I think we have rested for long enough. I’m going to get the men together and get us out of these mountains.’ With Brahm off, Isaac takes the time to ask a few more questions.

  ‘I just want to know, Jacques. Why was it you’re so secretive about your plans?’

  ‘Well, let’s just say that my idea would not be too popular in the King’s courts. Noblemen in this country like to observe what the more important political figures are doing. Brahm’s status as a Councilman would have doubtlessly attracted plenty of attention as we’ve been travelling. If the wrong person overheard our plan, I do not like what prospects it could have.’

  ‘But, you’ve been talking for days and days about being an Arcanian. Wouldn’t that be damaging to Brahm’s reputation?’

  ‘No. My heritage is well known to the noblemen. Officially, I’m Brahm’s prisoner. My services to his caravan are part of my “sentence.”’

  ‘But... you just spoke of magic for quite some time with our chronicle. What if someone overheard that?’

  ‘We’re in the Giant’s Spine, Isaac. I know that the noblemen have many eyes and ears, but it would be foolish to send spies into these mountains, especially alone. Nor would anyone be stupid enough to take such a task upon themselves. Even I couldn’t survive out here if I were alone. Those beasts we saw in the tunnels... They would’ve been only one of the many different kinds of beasts which hunt along this mountain chain. And a frozen spy would make for an excellent meal.’

  ‘Well, if you’re certain...’ Just as these words are spoken, a single shadow-cloaked figure slips away from the refuge, escaping the notice of anyone in the caravan. Not even Jacques or Brahm notices as the figure disappears along the frosty path leading towards Greatspire Castle.