Whispers from the Plane of Shadows
Burned at 09:22 AM
The sun shined bright that day, and
the colorful flags of the fair swayed in the wind. The markets were
bustling people and wares of all sorts are spread out. Exotic cuisines
from distant lands, mundane equipment, baked goods, hunting weapons of
all sorts, fruits and vegetables and arcane components are scattered
all over.
Three young men in bright robes, signifying their
station or nobility, were walking down to the market, to see what they
could get. They were students of the arcane, studying under a very well
known wizard. Today, they have decided to test their newly learned
skills and abilities, and what better way to test it when the market is
crawling with people who are also familiar with magic.
"I dont
think you can do it." Said the young mage with a shaved head. "You
haven't even mastered the simple light spell, and you think that you
can try to move from one place to another instantly?"
"I think I
can." replied the red haired mage. "I've read the scroll very
carefully, and I think I should be able to cast it without any
problems. I found a spare scroll in my uncle's study. I've been
memorizing the spell for three days now. I think I can do it."
"Then
this perhaps warrants a contest." replied another man with blonde hair.
"I have learned a few spells myself. And you" he said to the bald mage
"dont think I dont know that you can cast dimension door yourself. I've
seen you look through the spell in the academy several times."
"Okay, so what kind of contest are talking about?" said the bald mage
"The
falls outside the city, we're all very familiar with the place, I think
that's the best place to go to." said the blonde youth
"Fine." said the the fiery mage, "I'll go first. If you dont get there in time, it's your turn to buy us ale at the tavern."
Without
waiting for his companions to agree to his deal, he started his newly
learned incantations. As he completed the spell, flames started to
appear in the air; he used his hands to pry open the flame that
eventually shaped itself into a portal of sorts. Without looking back,
he stepped in and the flaming portal closed.
"Did you see that?" said the bald mage.
"Yes, something is very wrong. I think he didnt say the spell right..." the blonde mage responded.
"We'll
find out when if he doesnt get there when we do." finished the bald
mage. He uttered mystic words and his shadow moved to touch another's
shadow and from there he descended from within his shadow.
The
blonde mage, seeing that he had no other choice, followed the two. With
a couple of words arcane words, he took to the skies. He knew from the
lessons from their master that planar travel is a very risky business.
He was sure that his friends had at least the precaution to protect
themselves from the natural hazards of the Elemental Plane of Fire and
the Plane of Shadows.
....meanwhile
The flames opened to a
dismal place. This place was devoid of color and as if he was looking
through smoked glass. After gathering his wits about, he deducted that
something had gone wrong with his spell and it transported him
elsewhere. He saw three robed figures from a distance. They were in a
dark place, a place where the walls of this plane perhaps touched
another. It did not seem that they noticed him, so he decided to move
closer to hear what they were talking about. He couldnt fully
understand what they were speaking of and he could only gather
information based on what he could glean on their discussion.
Fortunately, he had learned the language of the Infernal Planes as they
were conversing in that dark language.
Robed Figure 1: .......sacrifice..?
Robed Figure 2: ....blood......death.......I......no........achieve that?
Robed Figure 3: ......the effect........two birds ...one stone.
Robed Figure 2: How?
Robed Figure 1: Are..................that........sacrifice.......instead?
Robed Figure 3: Yes. We eliminate the villain and we will have enough power for our own ascension.
Robed Figure 2: Then it is best that we----
The
darkness consumed him. The cold touch of the void claimed him and
piercing daggers of cold had covered his body. Then the silence broke
and it was clear to him now. The colors of the world had returned and
two familiar faces were there beside him. The cold mountain water
splashing on his face.
On Screen...
wanna burn some?
