Chapter 182 - The Spawn of Dark Magic

2700 words a day is really feeling like a lot lol. I'm only counting new words, and so far I've managed to hit 2300, 1400, 1200. That includes editing and stuff, but it's just such a high target! I am speeding up though. It's progress...

Silence filled the chamber. Every one of them were caught up in the horror before their eyes. All Hump could do was stare at the dozens of faces that patterned the tree’s trunk. Their eyes like wide, hollow disks in the bark. Their mouths shrinking and expanding in soundless screams. Alive and suffering, entombed within a living prison. Hump felt sick to his stomach.

Logic first, Hump told himself. It was a wizard’s greatest tool. He breathed deeply, envisioning the rivers within him and throwing all the emotions rushing to the surface to its waves, letting them wash away. He could dwell on this later, for now, he needed to be present. He needed his mind clear.

What are the facts? They were in a den of warlocks, seemingly protected by unfamiliar magic or some sort of monstrous tree. He studied the tree. Thick roots buried into the ground, rupturing the tiled floor. Looking up at the branches, the leaves appeared as if the sun’s light was shining through them. The light originated from there, and Hump could only think essence could be responsible for that, yet he sensed nothing. The flower blossoms were small, but almost bulged at the centre, reminding him of tulips.

“Are those really people?” Corvin whispered, his voice carrying in the small chamber. “How could they be trapped inside?”

“It’s rare, but I know of dungeons and their spawn that have the ability to trap a human soul,” Natalie said. The woman was Ricard’s second in command. Previously, Hump had only seen her assigning adventurers’ guild requests at the academy, but she was a fourth circle sorcerer of Vesta, and an adventurer at the peak of bronze rank. “There are few fates worse. I have never known of them outside of the Fallen Lands, and certainly not heard of warlocks messing around with such powerful dark forces.”

“We should destroy it, Ricard,” his other party member, Jessica, said. “We can’t leave them to suffer like this.”

“No,” Ricard said. “No. Do not touch it. Nobody go anywhere near the tree.”

“What are you saying, Ricard?” she asked.

“We will report our finding and leave the decision of what to do next to more important people,” Ricard said. “It is not our place. We don’t know what the tree is, but considering its location, it is surely of significance. If we’re able to discover its purpose, then at least their suffering will mean something.”

It was a sentiment Hump could understand. He glanced at his own party, who remained in the corridor to the chamber along with the other adventurers. Natalie and Jessica remained at the chamber’s edge, while Ricard stood to the left of Hump.

“Then what do we do?” Jessica asked. “They’re suffering. It’s cruel to leave them to this fate.”

Ricard gave the tree a guilty look then gave out a breath, turning to face the rest of them. Where the rest of the room appeared panicked and pale from the tree’s presence, he seemed unperturbed.

“Cruel but necessary. If we destroy the tree, we may also destroy the souls rather than free them. It will take time to find a way to release them, if it’s even possible. Natalie, what do you make of it?”

She studied it with sad eyes and sighed, shaking her head. “I can’t sense anything. Whatever it is, it’s disrupting my ability to detect essence in the room. That must be how the warlocks have kept their activities so well hidden. The good news is, that means I can’t tell if those are actually souls trapped inside. It could just be markings on the tree, or a result of its power.”

Hump didn’t believe for a minute that it could be anything other than souls trapped inside. Warlocks practiced sacrificial magic, and much of their rituals relied on the power of blood and souls. It was too fitting, and when it came to magic, one’s thoughts and perspective were so often vital to its success. It was the mind that made it real, so fitting usually meant correct.

She took a step closer but then suddenly backed up, swaying on her feet. “Its presence seems to attack the soul somehow. I can’t get any closer.”

“That’s going to make it difficult for our researchers,” Ricard said bitterly.

It was then both he and Natalie noticed Hump, and Hump suddenly became very aware of just how close he was standing to the tree compared to the rest of the adventurers. A moment later, Hump felt every eye in the room on him.

“It’s Wizard Humphrey, isn’t it?” Ricard asked.

“That’s right, sir,” Hump said.

“How are you holding up so well in its presence?”

“Hump has a knack for soul strength,” Marcela said.

“I’m a Rank 3 wizard and have encountered monsters that target the soul before. It forced me to improve my control and soul strength. You may know Wizard Vivienne—she’s helped me since then.”

“I see,” Ricard said. He nodded toward the tree. “Could you give us a wizard’s perspective on the tree? If you’ve got any techniques that might be useful, any help finding out what it is would be appreciated.”

Hump stared at the tree, a growing anxiety building in him. “There is one thing I could try. It’s a blank spot for me too, but perhaps using Magic Eye I may be able to see something. It’s a spell that enhances one’s perception of magic.” Hump held out the captured warlock’s staff to Ricard. “Please could you hold this?”

Ricard took it and watched curiously as Hump took out a prepared bundle of herbs from his pouch and opened his spellbook.

SPELLBOOK

Magic Eye

Enhancement | Ritual | Tier 1 | Range: Line of Sight

Description

Enhance one’s perception to see representations of magic in the physical world.

Notes

y.889 – Starris – Magic detection is expensive. It cost me an arm and a leg to get this spell. Not mine, fortunately, but I think the point stands! Best not to use with alcohol or other, erm, compounds, it can lead to a nasty trip.

“Spark,” he muttered, setting the bundle of herbs alight, before chanting the words of the incantation. He felt the dizzying effect of the smoke on his mind, and his vision blurred. Essence swam in the room on waves of colour, radiating from all the enchanted pieces of equipment and residual essence in the room. He turned slowly to the tree, the chamber becoming darker, the colour gone from essence.

As Hump’s eyes fell upon the tree, it was as if the world stopped. Hump’s mind blanked. All sights and sounds faded away and the overwhelming sensation of death washed over him in a dark wave. Shadow poured from the tree in a clouded haze. It filled the room. Oozed into every crack of it, seeped into the ground, enveloped everyone nearby. Screams echoed through the chamber. So many screams, desperate and howling. Human. Despair incarnate.

The stink of rotten meat and death climbed its way into his nose. He could taste it. it crawled down his throat, clinging to it. He wavered on his feet, stomach churning. Something brushed against his skin, sending cold shooting through his body, chilling him to the bone.

He heard a voice. It was too faint to make out the words, but he thought it was calling him. A moment later, a face appeared in front of him, blocking the tree from sight. The darkness diminished. He could still smell it. He could still hear the screams, but at least they were quietened now. He could think.

“Wizard Humphrey.” It was Ricard before him. “Can you hear me? You need to end your spell.”

Hump cut the flow of essence and his vision faded, the chamber returning to normal. He was on his feet at least, though he’d dropped his herbs. They smouldered on the floor nearby.

“I’m alright,” Hump said, though he could still taste whatever power the tree possessed.

“What did you see?” Ricard asked, urgency in his voice.

Hump looked at the tree once more. To his unenhanced eyes, it was as eerily beautiful as it was before. “It was made with the foulest of dark magic. I cannot tell it’s purpose, but there are certainly souls within, and they are in agony. They scream out for release. is dark magic. The souls of those trapped within scream out for release.”

He described what he’d seen. Ricard’s look of concern only deepened as he spoke.

“Gods guide us,” the Chosen said when Hump finished, pressing a hand to his forehead.

“My mother must be informed,” Marcela said. “I fear the city may be in even more danger than we foresaw.”

“Indeed. Natalie, take word to her. We are finished here. Request her presence here when she is finished on her end, and then find Sir Roderick. I would like his opinion on the matter too.”

“Got it,” Natalie said.

“In the meantime, we’ll secure the area.” He looked over the rest of them. “Terrance, you and your squad are free to go. Tend to your wounded. I’m sorry for those you’ve lost.”

“Thank you, sir,” Terrance said. “I believe that would be best.”

“If you need any assistance, we’re here,” Marcela said.

“I’ll let you know, my lady.”

Terrance and his eight remaining squad members left. They’d lost five, and one more had taken serious injuries.

“Marcela, spread your parties out and guard the area. Keep the public away. Nobody is allowed inside, and that includes other adventurers. I want as few eyes on this as possible until Countess Daston arrives. Keep one party in the main chamber to keep watch over the prisoners until we’re done here. I don’t want them moved.”

“Understood,” Marcela said. “What about the tree?”

“Jess and I will remain on guard here,” he said.

They each gave their affirmations, then watched as Natalie headed further back into the corridor, drawing her wand. Essence surged, and she drew a circle with it in the air, carving into the world with her essence, a portal emerging. She glanced back at them, and then she stepped through, the portal closing behind her.

“Here,” Ricard said, handing the warlock staff back to Hump. “Thank you for your help, Wizard Humphrey. Take some rest if you need it.”

Hump felt better with every step he took away from the tree. Once they rounded the corner and entered the main chamber once more, he took a long, deep breath.

“You okay?” Celaine asked.

“Just trying not to throw up.”

They entered the main chamber once more. A dozen guards were inside, the prisoners all bound up at the centre of their formation. Hump noticed the wizard he’d fought was awake once more. Terrance and what remained of his squad headed up to the surface. Their wounded and dead had already been taken out from this doomed place.

“Hump, you and your party keep watch here,” Marcela said. “Corvin and I can take the street. You take a break.”

Hump gave her an appreciative smile. “Thank you.”

Hump took a seat against a stone support in the room and rested his head against it. He placed his staffs on either side of him and opened his spellbook, looking for the new entry he knew was in there.

Item Index
Staff of the Basilisk

Artifact | Earth | Silver

Description

A staff crafted from shadow ebony, with the hearthstone of a basilisk as its focus.

Origin

Captured from a warlock wizard, Sheercliff City.

Abilities

Enhance control over earth essence.

Channel essence into the focus to contain and condense essence. Additional affinity with earth essence.

It was a good staff. Potentially more suited to him than his own, but there was no chance Hump would trade in his heritage for the weapon of a warlock. He turned back a few pages to find his own.

Item Index
Staff of Mastery

Artifact | Universal | Silver

Description

Crafted from the wood of a thousand-year-old oak and a dungeon pearl, this magical staff has been handed down through generations of wizards.

Origin

Crafted by Markus Lanthre, Elenvine Enchantery of Excellence

Abilities

Enhanced focus when channelling essence through this staff.

Enhanced control when channelling essence through this staff.

Channel essence into the focus to contain and condense essence. Essence can be used to empower spellcasting.

Notes

y.509 – Ivish – Master Nithrandal commissioned this staff for me on my eighteenth name day and it has served me well ever since. Treasure it.

He wondered at what point he had to upgrade it. A silver ranked artifact was a respectable piece of equipment. Far and away enough for any young wizard that had not yet manifested his soul. He had much time still left with it, though the thought of one day growing beyond it suddenly dawned on him. It felt like he was outgrowing his master and leaving his legacy behind.

His thoughts were interrupted when he sensed essence once more. A portal appeared before him, and Natalie stepped from it. Marcela rushed back into the room through the entrance Ricard had made during his party’s entry.

“You’re back quick,” Marcela said. “What happened?”

Natalie looked at her and frowned. “Countess Daston isn’t coming.”

“Is she hurt?” Marcela asked, worried.

Natalie shook her head. “Forgive me, no. She doesn’t need to come. Their attack was successful. Only, they discovered another tree in their base too. Following our news, she suspects…” she sighed. “She suspects that every base has one. This may be why they’ve gone undetected for so long.”

Hump let his spellbook fall shut. It was terrible enough for a single instance of this dark magic to exist in the city. If there were more of them… it was unimaginable.

“Did she have any idea what it is?” Hump asked.

“If she did, she didn’t say,” Natalie said. “Though I do not think I have ever seen Countess Daston so unnerved. Now if you excuse me, I have orders I must convey to Ricard.”