Zerlleth
12-17-08, 11:58 AM
I'd like to apologize for the verbosity beforehand.:o I'm well aware that this is very long and won't be all that easy to read, but please bear with me, I just like to be thorough and detailed.
Name: Zerlleth Nebriel El-Melloi.
Age: One-Hundred and Eight years (Appears childish).
Race: Homunculus -- A Homunculus is a Humanoid being created artificially through means of Magic, whether accidentally as the consequence of an attempt to resuscitate a dead person through means other than Necromancy or Healing Magic, or intentionally, as the result of obscure magical rituals and/or experiments. Homunculi are rare and are most often perceived as unnatural creatures by the common folk; however, most Magi show great interest in them due to their bodies’ incredible resilience and the complex aspects of their very existence. From the very moment of their creation, most Homunculi are bound to their creator or ‘father’, often being used as servants, assistants or even Guiney pigs, if not rejected when created accidentally. Without their creator, however, most of them will lose their purpose and wither away in solitude after hundreds or perhaps thousands of years; nonetheless some are taught by their ‘fathers’ to have a will of their own and follow their own path, often as a means of securing some kind of legacy; these can sometimes get to live as Humans for many centuries after their creator’s passing. Due to their preternatural nature, Homunculi are most prone to developing Magical Aptitudes and other Supernatural gifts.
Hair Colour: Light grey.
Eye Colour: Deep blue.
Height: Five feet, six inches (5’6”).
Weight: One-hundred and thirty pounds (130 lbs).
Occupation: Wizard – Thaumaturge, Soothsayer and Golem-crafter.
Personality: Most Homunculi are void of a soul or a conscience and therefore unable to manifest any kind of emotion; Zerlleth, however, was given a soul by his ‘father’, High Mage Émel-Sech Valeth El-Melloi, when he was brought into being, so he’s able to feel in a way somewhat similar to that in which most Humans do. Nonetheless, emotions are foreign and rarely comprehensible to a Homunculus, so even after more than century of existence the Wizard still finds it hard to act on his feelings and is often bemused by Human behaviour. While not timid or introverted, Zerlleth may appear as socially awkward and all-around weird to those interacting with him due to the cold, outspoken logic that he conveys in his speech and is so unbecoming of his childish appearance.
Aside from his ‘Guru’ and the few heirlooms left to him by his ‘father’, Zerlleth does not seem to care about much of anything, and it’s rare that he exteriorizes feelings of attachment, curiosity, anger or anxiety when experiencing them, even though he may act on them on occasion. He dislikes watching other people in pain, because he finds it gruesome and unbefitting a person, rather than out of compassion, and feels slightly drawn towards objects, creatures and individuals that aren’t aesthetically pleasing because he finds them ‘unique’.
Appearance: In plain sight, Zerlleth is for all intents and purposes, a child. His frame is small and fragile-looking, slim and void of signs of any strength that would extend beyond what is expected of a human boy of his apparent age. His expression, while cold and somewhat taciturn, still retains some measure of childish glow about it. His hair, however, while somewhat shaggy and slightly dishevelled, gives the boy an air of old elegance and distinguished character proper of children of the Noblesse; a portion of hair falls over the left side of his face, covering his left eye and adding to the mysterious allure surrounding Zerlleth, but nonetheless this is done simply because the boy finds uncomfortable and unnecessary to make use of both eyes at the same time. Most often he wears a set of silver and blue hooded robes, always with a staff made of dark wood in hand. The attire itself, while elegant, seems highly unfitting for a child, causing some people to raise their eyebrows when they lay eyes on Zerlleth.
Skills and Abilities:
-: Soothsayery: The gift of Soothsayery is as old as the world itself. Most Magic Practitioners are said to have it in one way or another, whether it is through their ability to sense the presence of incoming individuals, or the power to anticipate almost every movement their opponents make; those devoted to developing this gift are capable of even foreseeing events may be decades or even centuries away from taking place. Zerlleth’s particular ability allows him to ‘read’ nature; the whispers in the wind, the falling of the leaves, the flow of the river, all carry foreboding messages, and the boy is capable of picking up on, and interpreting them. Most often they come as vague impressions or a sort of intuitive feeling forewarning him of things such as the coming of a certain individual or the advent of a changing event; however, in rare occasions they may appear as a clear, ominous feeling of imminent danger. When this happens, Zerlleth may feel compelled to prevent or at least observe it, even if he’s not suited for it. This is a very basic ability that Zerlleth has barely any control over, working more like an involuntary sense than anything else.
-: Arcane Magic: Zerlleth is an Arcanist, a wielder of Sorcery, trained in the ways of the Craft by his ‘father’ from the very moment of his creation and throughout the High Mage’s life. He’s adept at Spell-weaving due to his condition as Homunculus, and while his unconventional mindset may seem hindering on a social level, it actually allows him to retain a firmer grasp of the concepts and cosmology most typically associated with the practice of Magic. Nonetheless, in spite of this predisposition Zerlleth is still in many ways barely more than an emancipated apprentice, having barely walked the path of the Arcane by his own means; while he understands Magic in principle, he lacks in practice, as only through experience one can learn how Magic, The World and The Self coexist and influence one other. The following are the Spells Zerlleth has been able to perform thus far:
Cloudstep: Cloudstep is among the simplest spells a Wizard may learn. While mentally focusing magical energy around his body and especially his feet, and then uttering the incantation “Alse eune flude”, Zerlleth is able to reduce his body weight for very short periods, making himself literally as light as a feather, allowing him to jump into mid air and glide significantly increasing the trajectory of the jump and decreasing the impact of the landing. This particular magic allows him to perform several physical feats with relative ease, such as climbing up a rooftop and then jumping from said rooftop to another one nearby without risk of injuring or falling. It is particularly useful when attempting to evade and escape assailants. Once the spell has been cast, the incantation needs not be uttered for the next five minutes, however magical energy must be refocused each time a jump is made.
Light Harvesting: This is more of a practical spell than anything else, although it may still have its uses in the battlefield. In order to perform Light Harvesting Zerlleth needs to procure a harvesting crystal -- which is basically any kind of translucent gem -- and hold it on the open palm of either hand in broad daylight while focusing magical energy on the crystal pronouncing the incantation “Erncolte liesz Licmere”. The crystal then draws all particles of light from its immediate surroundings and encases them within itself, instantly turning luminescent. The light in the crystals takes several weeks to wane and disperse, which makes them perfect for uses such as makeshift torchlight during particularly dark nights and places with very little or no visibility, such as caves. However, the crystal can also be shattered, which produces a quick outburst of light that can temporarily blind anyone caught by the flash.
Vanishing Shroud: The Vanishing Shroud is a complex magic that requires a great deal of concentration, as it is a spell that, while useful, it may be easily broken. Instead of focusing his magical energy on himself or an object, Zerlleth must bring it to his surroundings and whisper “Maithen smei aukein auden Augez”, which will instantly cause a field to be created around him. All light that passes through the field will be distorted, rendering Zerlleth invisible to the naked eye; the field, however, is very hard to maintain, as it requires constant concentration, and while Zerlleth is able to move, any brusque movements will cause the magic to unravel, effectively undoing the spell. While invisible, Zerlleth is nonetheless vulnerable to other means of detection, such as sound, hearing or touch, and of course any supernatural methods of scrying.
-: Golem-crafting: Golem-crafting is a specialized magical art, born out of the amalgamation of two Schools of Magic, Conjuration, in particular the discipline of Creation, and Transmutation, that, as its name indicates, is primarily focused on the fabrication of magical creatures known as Golems through use of complex magical rituals and basic materials. Zerlleth was trained in this craft by his ‘father’, who, as expected of a Mage capable of creating a Homunculus, was a Transmutation and Conjuration specialist. Most Golem-crafting rituals are classified according to the basic natural element which is used for the ritual, the primary ones being Aircrafting, Watercrafting, Earthcrafting and Firecrafting. Unlike other magical arts, there is only one basic spell for each classification; what varies in this case is the amount of magical energy spent in the ritual and the materials the Golem is made of. Zerlleth was only taught one basic type of crafting by his father, and as such he’s only capable of creating one type of Golem at present.
Aircrafting: Aircrafting, as the name implies, is a special crafting type in which the basic element used in rituals is Air. The crafting spell for this classification is “Exspiro, ergo sum”. The Golem types Zerlleth has been able to create thus far are the following:
Hound of the Whisperwind: The Hound of the Whisperwind is among the most basic types of Golem that can be crafted. Triggered by blowing a single breath over a fallen leaf and letting the leaf fly away while uttering the crafting spell, it gives shape to a hound-like creature entirely made of super compressed wind that can move at high speed and tackle opponents nearby. While moving and attacking, the Hound loses its physical form and turns into a gust, which makes it impossible to be detected by sight or harmed through physical counterattacks; a single hit is all the creature gets during its short lifespan, and while it’s not a particularly strong, it’s enough to startle opponents and send them tumbling back. After this attack the Golem is dispelled. Normally, Zerlleth is capable of maintaining this Golem for a maximum of three minutes per crafting, having to rest for at least another five before being able to craft it again. For a single day, Zerlleth is able to maintain the Hound for a total of fifteen minutes, in other words five crafting spells; however, by dispelling the Golem before the three-minute limit for each crafting, he can choose to make it last longer in a future casting.
-: Homunculi Traits:
Agelessness: In spite of their Human appearance, Homunculi are first and foremost magical creations. They are not born in the way Humans are, nor are they bound to the laws of mortality that doom men to what some races consider a fleeting life. Homunculi are created, and since the moment of their creation they assume a single perennial form that can go from a toddler to an elder, and this form stays with them throughout the duration of their existence, which can span even through several millennia. Nonetheless, even though they do not age, Homunculi still need to take care of their bodies in much the same way that Humans do. They need to nourish themselves through food, and while the particular composition of their bodies makes them immune to most kinds of natural diseases, they’re especially vulnerable to magical ailments. Neglecting one’s body will cause a Homunculus to deteriorate and slowly wither away like an old book left to gather dust out in the open or a plant left to dry out.
Resilience: Along with their agelessness, the Homunculi’s incredible resilience is among the aspects that cause the most amazement among mortal Wizards. Usually they are immune to pain and are capable of surviving and recuperating from almost all kinds of injuries, which is why some Mages consider them the perfect Guinea pigs for their experiments. Zerlleth, having a soul, however, is vulnerable to pain in the same way Humans are, but his body is still capable of overcoming most kinds of damage. This is not to say that Homunculi possess regeneration abilities of any kind; they still need to be healed from their injuries in the same way as Humans, however there are only two known methods through which a Homunculus can be successfully slain: the first and most practical one is to destroy the heart of the Homunculus which is the core in which their magical energy resides, and in Zerlleth’s case his soul; the second is to bind the Homunculus by forcing it to make contact with one of the original materials that were used in its creation and then perform a lengthy ritual that dispels the magic that brought it to existence.
Equipment:
-: Wooden Staff: A simple Mage Staff made out of a branch of dark wood. It holds no magical properties or abilities of any kind; however it is light enough that it does not hinder Zerlleth to carry it around. This is one of several Staves owned by High Mage Émel-Sech, picked by Zerlleth due to its simplicity when compared to the others. It may be enhanced and imbued with magic over time.
-: Harvesting Crystals: Six colourless translucent gems, all kept in a small pouch, Zerlleth uses these crystal for Light Harvesting.
-: The El-Melloi Grimoire: This Ancient Grimoire is the primary codex of the House of El-Melloi, from which Zerlleth’s ‘father’ stems. All the spells woven by the El-Melloi Magi as well as the House’s millenary knowledge and history are found within the pages of this book, passed on to the family’s greatest Mage of each generation by their predecessor; however, the bloodline of El-Melloi has died with Émel-Sech, leaving its legacy in the hands of Zerlleth. The Grimoire is Zerlleth’s primary source of magical study, but he has only been able to comprehend a few pages from the initial chapters so far, one of the reasons why he decided to leave Émel-Sech’s abode.
Familiars:
Name: Feonathlos. Called ‘Guru’ by Zerlleth.
Age: Unknown, at least One-hundred and eight years.
Race: Eagle – Magical Creature.
Gender: Male.
Height: Thirty-two inches (32 in).
Weight: Twelve pounds (12 lbs).
Personality: Feonathlos is very calm and collected and very knowledgeable in various aspects of Human life. He seems to care a lot about Zerlleth, staying close and keeping an eye on the boy as much as possible, and often acting protective towards him when in the presence of strangers. He’s incredibly observant and insightful, and not particularly aggressive, although he’s not afraid of charge forth in Zerlleth’s defence. In the absence of his ‘father’, Feonathlos has taken on the role of both parental figure and guide to Zerlleth, a reason why the boy addresses him as Guru and treats him with great care and respect. While capable of several forms of speech, Feonathlos rarely converses with anyone other than Zerlleth, and often does so through means of Telepathy, an ability the Eagle seems to have been imbued with by Émel-Sech. Ironically, out of the Eagle and the Homunculus, Feonathlos is probably the more Humanlike of the pair.
Appearance: At first glance Feonathlos appears like any regular Bald Eagle of average size; however, there are many traits that make him quite different from the species he’s supposed to emulate. Most of the feathers on his head, back and tail are silver instead of white, and the feathers on his chest, wings and talons are coloured in a faded blue tonality. His wingspan is of seventy-nine inches (79 in), and the iris in his eyes is hued in strong golden. Two sets of feathers extend from the back of his head, one on the left sight and one on the right, giving the creature a highly imposing, regal air, and his stare, regardless of emotions, is always sharp and intimidating, even to Zerlleth; the boy has remarked on many an occasion. Feonathlos also seems to be impervious to aging, much like Zerlleth is.
History: For as long as Zerlleth can remember Feonathlos has always been there. He seemed to have already been with Émel-Sech for a long time when Zerlleth was created, and both his ‘father’ and the Eagle seemed to acknowledge is tacitly more than once. The boy has asked his Guru about his origins several times, but Feonathlos brushes it off every time, claiming that he was with Émel-Sech for so long that he does no longer remember how they came upon one another in the first place. Zerlleth believes that due to the many outlandish aspects of Feonathlos’ existence, it’s likely that he is an old creation of Émel-Sech; however, there is more to the Eagle than what he’s been able to discern.
Skills and Abilities: As an Eagle, Feonathlos is capable of flight and possesses a keen sense of sight. He also has an intelligence and knowledge well above the average person, and is capable of several forms of speech. His lifespan seems to be extremely long as he has not aged a single day since Zerlleth first met him. Feonathlos also has the ability to communicate telepathically with other people, and is well-versed in the ways of Magic, even though he appears incapable of casting any spells as of yet.
History:
“From the very gorges of oblivion have I cast a soul into a form of flesh and a beating heart, a radiant shimmer of life crafted by mortal hands. Have I stepped into the realm of God in my zeal? Have I now challenged the sun and thusly doomed myself to be charred by its radiance?”
--Notes of High Mage Émel-Sech Valeth El-Melloi,
On the birth of the Homunculus.
A Crafted Son – One-hundred and eight years ago...
Of the reasons behind his ‘birth’ Zerlleth knows nothing; only that he was created by his ‘father’ on a rainy night, amidst the halls of a castle built in the mountains of Corone, where the slopes turn to cliffs and the western sea clashes with the island to the rhythm of the setting sun. Amidst lightning and clouds, veiled by the obfuscation of the nightshade, Émel-Sech brought forth what he considered to be the greatest of his creations, in the presence of only one witness, an Eagle gifted with speech; one not at all afraid of speaking his mind, much to the Mage’s annoyance.
“I cannot say, Émel-Sech, that this is a wise thing to do. If anyone were to learn of this you would be regarded as a madman, and that poor creature would suffer in ways it does not deserve!” Feonathlos roared, raising his voice above the clash of thunder with great indignation and fluttering at the coming of the raging wind making its entrance through an open window.
“This is a fool’s deed, Mage, a fool’s deed--”
“Silence!” The elder roared back, shooting angry glares at the bird while pacing through the room, in his mind and with his fingers making an account of all the steps taken thus far to perform the ritual. He stopped suddenly and turned to the animal. “Has your time as a bird made your brain dull, Feon?” He retorted with a smirk. “You certainly don’t sound like your usual self tonight.” He shook his head in disappointment and resumed his pacing. “You keep distracting me with your protests when you know there’s nothing to protest about. No harm should ever come to him lest we allow it... You would not leave this boy to suffer alone when I’m no longer in this world, would you?”
“Of course! Even though I do not see the wisdom in this... I have already given you my word and I am not one to falter, Émel-Sech.” The Eagle replied, his words boasting with pride. “Although... I do not see what you seek to accomplish with this...” He continued, now more sombrely. “This will not quench your guilt, old friend.”
Looking back at Feonathlos with sorrowful eyes, Émel-Sech nodded. “I know.” He said. “I am not able to undo the past... But at least I can bring forth a new future for this soul. Now, let us commence!”
With a single wave of his left hand the Mage brought a complex array of runes into existence, the shimmering patterns appearing on the stony floor of the room, all circling a group of objects that appeared to be carelessly positioned. He then knelt and pressed his hand on the nearest rune, uttering a chant in an incomprehensible language with his eyes closed in careful concentration. Followed by this simple act there was a bright silver flash that came from the centre of the circle of runes and enveloped all that was within the room, blinding forth the Mage and his avian companion but for a moment.
As the light subsided, in the midst of constant blinking the Elder made out a small figure lying on the floor in the centre of the circle of runes, where the materials ought to be. Clothless and seemingly asleep, it lay undisturbed even by the storm raging outside. It was a child, a male boy of fair skin and silver hair.
“He’s... younger...” Feonathlos remarked while flying to Émel-Sech’s side. “What shall you call him?”
“I shall call him... Zerlleth.” The Mage responded decidedly as he neared the boy with a warm blanket in hand to wrap his body with.
“Zerlleth... Nebriel... El-Melloi.”
Father And Guru – Ninety-one years ago...
“Father. What is that?”
“What is what, son?” Émel-Sech asked back absentmindedly.
“That.” Zerlleth tucked his father’s hand into his and pointed in the direction of a shimmer in the air, a creature fluttering about no more than three feet above the grass of the mountainside. Upon looking down, Émel-Sech took notice of how mesmerized the boy was by it. His eyes moved only to its flight, blinking to the flapping of its wings. The elder smiled and gently passed his fingers through the boy’s hair.
“That, my boy, is a butterfly.” He replied. “It is one of the most enigmatic creatures in our world. It starts its life within an egg, slowly growing until it breaks out and turns into a caterpillar, waiting for a long time in order to grow some more. Then, one day it wanders away to in search of a place where it cannot be harmed by any predators, and there it encases itself within a pupa and after many, many days and nights of lying still, it breaks out of this shell no longer being a hairy caterpillar, but a beautiful winged butterfly.”
“Hhhmmm...” The boy sighed. “Guru has wings too. Was Guru a caterpillar as well?” The boy asked again, turning the Eagle who was resting on the branch o a nearby tree.
Feonathlos chuckled. “I’m afraid not, boy. I have a bird’s body, not an insect’s.”
“I see...” Zerlleth said, letting go of his father’s hand and running after butterfly as it flew around, always stopping a few inches short of stepping on it or reaching it with his hands. He crouched and watched in puzzlement as it lay on a flower or the grass and then rose back up into the air a few moments later. Both Émel-Sech and Feonathlos watched him a similarly curious manner.
“I wonder why he keeps calling me Guru...” The Eagle said.
“Well... I suppose he regards you as more than just a bird pet, hence the need to make use of some type of honorific when addressing you.” Émel-Sech responded quite thoughtfully. “Luckily, I have no such need.” He let out derisively and smirked, to which Feonathlos reacted by flying straight into his head and aggressively flapping his wings on his face while making a few light scratches with his talons.
“Stupid bird!!” Émel-Sech yelled spitefully while raising his fist at the Eagle as it flew towards the sky, cackling loudly while soaring into the clouds. He then turned his eyes on the boy as he kept running after the butterfly and calmed down, his thoughts leaving the petty quarrel behind in favour of his son. He was still so innocent and naïve, but soon he’d have to start teaching him the Craft.
“Even childhood has to end someday...” He sighed while rubbing his sore face.
Wizard Boy – Fifty-six years ago...
“Exspiro... ergo sum...” Zerlleth muttered before blowing gently on a leaf.
The leaf flew out of his grasp and glided in the air for a few seconds before stopping in a suddenly as if frozen in time. It then crumpled and crumbled away, but as its fragments fell, they flew into each other and from them a rapid whirlwind emerged. And as the wind spiralled through the outer garden of the castle it slowly began to turn solid and take shape. Within counted seconds a small creature stood before the boy, his father and the Eagle that rested on a nearby statue. It had the shape of a wolf cub, but it bore a snow-white, bushy mane while the rest of its fur was dark and thin.
It looked at the young Wizard who was the closest to it and barked, breaking into a dash leaving its form midway to turn into a rapid gust that caught Zerlleth head on and caused him to stumble back a few feet.
“Very good, very good in need...” Émel-Sech remarked quite calmly, bringing his hands together and clapping slowly several times while nodding to the boy. “My boy, you are quite proficient with Magic, just as expected of a bearer of the El-Melloi name... But you still need to practice your tripping.” He added more warmly, walking over to Zerlleth and leaning down to pick him up.
“I still need more practice.” The boy humbly admitted to himself while dusting his robes off. “Golems are not very easy to conjure.”
“Indeed they are not...” The elder replied very thoughtfully. “But you should not dwell on it too much, son. Rushing the learning of Magic will not make it easier, only much more dangerous. Remember that very well, my boy. For a Wizard there are no such times as early or late. Everything occurs as it musts, when it musts.” He finished with a smile.
“Yes, father.” Zerlleth nodded.
Émel-Sech leaned forward and gave him a kiss on the forehead. “You’ll be a great Magician someday, son. It shall happen. Now go back inside and practice with the spell-book.”
“Alright!”
He watched the boy run through the doors of the old castle with a smile, but as soon as he was alone Émel-Sech let out a deep sigh. Reaching for his staff, the old Wizard walked across the garden to a stone bench near the statue where Feonathlos rested. The bird gave him a quizzical look and flew to his side.
“You seem troubled, old friend.” Feonathlos said. “If it is the boy that worries you, it appears to me that he has progressed quite well.”
The elder shook his head in sign of denial. “It isn’t that, Feon. Zerlleth is every bit as adept with Magic as I had foreseen. He is talented much like all of his kind. He will most certainly become a strong Wizard someday; perhaps even stronger than I am. It isn’t him that worries me. The boy will be fine as long as you are with him...” He uttered with a tinge of nostalgia.
“I see... So it is you, then...”
“Who else?” Émel-Sech replied. “I do not fear death, Feonathlos. It is not for a Wizard to do so. I can feel it already. I know that my time in this world is ending, but I have come to accept that. I have seen more than the eldest warrior. Three... maybe four lives of men have I lived. It is only fair that I too leave the realm of the living. Man was never meant to live for as long as I have. But it saddens me that my son has to walk his path alone.”
“He shan’t be alone, Émel-Sech. I made a promise and I intend to keep it.” The bird stated proudly.
“I know, my friend. I know you will watch him. But I also know as well you do that life is a maze one has to find his way through by one’s own means, even when one’s not alone. He will suffer in ways he does not deserve, just like you said, because that is the way of this world. But he will also find joy in places most unfathomable and feel it in ways undiscovered. That is also the way of this world. Regrettably, what saddens me is my own selfishness; that I wish to see him find his way through life, even though I know that I cannot... that I must not.”
Feonathlos nodded in silence, and then said: “Yes, this is true, but it is also true that you are still alive and need not dwell on this now, just like you said to your boy just moments ago.”
“Yes, I know.” He replied. “I still have enough time to make sure he’s ready. After all, for a Wizard everything occurs as it musts, when it musts... even death.”
Last Page – Thirty-four years ago...
“Come close, my child...” Émel-Sech’s faint voice called.
The boy nodded and approached the bedside with caution, his hands gently grazing the bedposts as he stepped closer to his bedridden father. He took a seat on a stool by the bed and reached for the old man’s right hand tucking it in his own while staring warmly into his worn-out eyes. The High Mage sighed and gave the boy a smile through the sea of silver hairs that comprised his long beard and moustache. Feonathlos stood nearby, resting quietly on the railing at the foot on the bed. The only sounds filling the room for a moment were the crackles of the fireplace.
“Do you have... your spell-book?” The elder asked finally breaking the silence.
“Yes, father. I have it by my side just like you said.” Zerlleth replied while fumbling inside his robes and taking out the book.
“Very well...” Émel-Sech took the book from the boy’s hands and began flipping through its pages, commanding them to change on their own with naught but a flick of his left forefinger. “This is the Grimoire of El-Melloi. In this book lies the history of our lineage... More than three-thousand years of knowledge are written in its pages. Legends crafted, kingdoms risen and fallen, lives and deaths... and the knowledge of thirty generations of Grand Magi. This book was given to me by my Great-grandfather when I was but a boy. You’ve had it for a while now, but it is time to make it your book.”
The flipping stopped on the very last page of the book; it was a black page, the only blank page, but the paper appeared to be flickering mildly to the lights of the fireplace, sometimes showing flashes of letters and words.
“These are the names of the Magi who once were bearers of this book. You will find their stories within its pages, along with mine, and one day yours too shall be in it. But first you must present yourself to the Grimoire.” Émel-Sech said, snapping his fingers and having a quill pop into existence. “Take it, and write your full name in this page with it.” He instructed.
Zerlleth nodded and took the quill from the air, grabbing the book and slowly inscribing his name into the last page, just like his father told him to. “Zerlleth... Nebriel... El... Melloi...” He mumbled as he wrote.
“Good... very good... Now you are the bearer of the Grimoire of El-Melloi. You are the last heir of our lineage, and as your story begins, it is only fitting that mine comes to an end.”
“But why?” The boy protested, his eyes filling with tears. “You are a High Mage! If you wished you could live on forever, just like Guru and I!”
Émel-Sech smiled to his son, reaching for his face and wiping his tears away. “This is the way it must be...” He simply said. “One day you will understand... Until then, I’ll be waiting and watching... from the place beyond the stars...My son...”
To Challenge The Sun – Two years ago...
“Are you sure this is what you wish to do, boy?” Feonathlos asked Zerlleth while glancing back at the El-Melloi castle.
“Yes, Guru. I’m sure.” The boy answered nonchalantly, his eyes staring forth into the road ahead. “I do not think myself capable of learning anything more within the walls of the castle. It has already taught me all it can. Besides, father always used to say there was no tutor like the outside world. It just... worries me... to leave this place unattended... what if something happens to it? What if there is--”
“Do not concern yourself with that, Zerlleth.” The Eagle interrupted him light-heartedly. “This, child, is the Castle of El-Melloi. I truly pity the fool that attempts to sneak inside without your permission. He’s in for quite the nasty surprise.” He snickered.
“Hhhmm... Now I want to know what happens...” The young Wizard mused, staring quizzically at the castle.
“Ugh! Let’s just go, kid. The world is far more interesting than whatever tricks Émel-Sech and his relatives left within that castle, trust me. You will have plenty to be awed about out there.”
Scratching his head for a moment, the boy sighed and turned around. “Alright, then, let’s go... If I could fly like you this journey would be a lot easier.” He fatly let out to his winged companion.
“Don’t worry, boy... one day you might...”
--To Be Continued...
Name: Zerlleth Nebriel El-Melloi.
Age: One-Hundred and Eight years (Appears childish).
Race: Homunculus -- A Homunculus is a Humanoid being created artificially through means of Magic, whether accidentally as the consequence of an attempt to resuscitate a dead person through means other than Necromancy or Healing Magic, or intentionally, as the result of obscure magical rituals and/or experiments. Homunculi are rare and are most often perceived as unnatural creatures by the common folk; however, most Magi show great interest in them due to their bodies’ incredible resilience and the complex aspects of their very existence. From the very moment of their creation, most Homunculi are bound to their creator or ‘father’, often being used as servants, assistants or even Guiney pigs, if not rejected when created accidentally. Without their creator, however, most of them will lose their purpose and wither away in solitude after hundreds or perhaps thousands of years; nonetheless some are taught by their ‘fathers’ to have a will of their own and follow their own path, often as a means of securing some kind of legacy; these can sometimes get to live as Humans for many centuries after their creator’s passing. Due to their preternatural nature, Homunculi are most prone to developing Magical Aptitudes and other Supernatural gifts.
Hair Colour: Light grey.
Eye Colour: Deep blue.
Height: Five feet, six inches (5’6”).
Weight: One-hundred and thirty pounds (130 lbs).
Occupation: Wizard – Thaumaturge, Soothsayer and Golem-crafter.
Personality: Most Homunculi are void of a soul or a conscience and therefore unable to manifest any kind of emotion; Zerlleth, however, was given a soul by his ‘father’, High Mage Émel-Sech Valeth El-Melloi, when he was brought into being, so he’s able to feel in a way somewhat similar to that in which most Humans do. Nonetheless, emotions are foreign and rarely comprehensible to a Homunculus, so even after more than century of existence the Wizard still finds it hard to act on his feelings and is often bemused by Human behaviour. While not timid or introverted, Zerlleth may appear as socially awkward and all-around weird to those interacting with him due to the cold, outspoken logic that he conveys in his speech and is so unbecoming of his childish appearance.
Aside from his ‘Guru’ and the few heirlooms left to him by his ‘father’, Zerlleth does not seem to care about much of anything, and it’s rare that he exteriorizes feelings of attachment, curiosity, anger or anxiety when experiencing them, even though he may act on them on occasion. He dislikes watching other people in pain, because he finds it gruesome and unbefitting a person, rather than out of compassion, and feels slightly drawn towards objects, creatures and individuals that aren’t aesthetically pleasing because he finds them ‘unique’.
Appearance: In plain sight, Zerlleth is for all intents and purposes, a child. His frame is small and fragile-looking, slim and void of signs of any strength that would extend beyond what is expected of a human boy of his apparent age. His expression, while cold and somewhat taciturn, still retains some measure of childish glow about it. His hair, however, while somewhat shaggy and slightly dishevelled, gives the boy an air of old elegance and distinguished character proper of children of the Noblesse; a portion of hair falls over the left side of his face, covering his left eye and adding to the mysterious allure surrounding Zerlleth, but nonetheless this is done simply because the boy finds uncomfortable and unnecessary to make use of both eyes at the same time. Most often he wears a set of silver and blue hooded robes, always with a staff made of dark wood in hand. The attire itself, while elegant, seems highly unfitting for a child, causing some people to raise their eyebrows when they lay eyes on Zerlleth.
Skills and Abilities:
-: Soothsayery: The gift of Soothsayery is as old as the world itself. Most Magic Practitioners are said to have it in one way or another, whether it is through their ability to sense the presence of incoming individuals, or the power to anticipate almost every movement their opponents make; those devoted to developing this gift are capable of even foreseeing events may be decades or even centuries away from taking place. Zerlleth’s particular ability allows him to ‘read’ nature; the whispers in the wind, the falling of the leaves, the flow of the river, all carry foreboding messages, and the boy is capable of picking up on, and interpreting them. Most often they come as vague impressions or a sort of intuitive feeling forewarning him of things such as the coming of a certain individual or the advent of a changing event; however, in rare occasions they may appear as a clear, ominous feeling of imminent danger. When this happens, Zerlleth may feel compelled to prevent or at least observe it, even if he’s not suited for it. This is a very basic ability that Zerlleth has barely any control over, working more like an involuntary sense than anything else.
-: Arcane Magic: Zerlleth is an Arcanist, a wielder of Sorcery, trained in the ways of the Craft by his ‘father’ from the very moment of his creation and throughout the High Mage’s life. He’s adept at Spell-weaving due to his condition as Homunculus, and while his unconventional mindset may seem hindering on a social level, it actually allows him to retain a firmer grasp of the concepts and cosmology most typically associated with the practice of Magic. Nonetheless, in spite of this predisposition Zerlleth is still in many ways barely more than an emancipated apprentice, having barely walked the path of the Arcane by his own means; while he understands Magic in principle, he lacks in practice, as only through experience one can learn how Magic, The World and The Self coexist and influence one other. The following are the Spells Zerlleth has been able to perform thus far:
Cloudstep: Cloudstep is among the simplest spells a Wizard may learn. While mentally focusing magical energy around his body and especially his feet, and then uttering the incantation “Alse eune flude”, Zerlleth is able to reduce his body weight for very short periods, making himself literally as light as a feather, allowing him to jump into mid air and glide significantly increasing the trajectory of the jump and decreasing the impact of the landing. This particular magic allows him to perform several physical feats with relative ease, such as climbing up a rooftop and then jumping from said rooftop to another one nearby without risk of injuring or falling. It is particularly useful when attempting to evade and escape assailants. Once the spell has been cast, the incantation needs not be uttered for the next five minutes, however magical energy must be refocused each time a jump is made.
Light Harvesting: This is more of a practical spell than anything else, although it may still have its uses in the battlefield. In order to perform Light Harvesting Zerlleth needs to procure a harvesting crystal -- which is basically any kind of translucent gem -- and hold it on the open palm of either hand in broad daylight while focusing magical energy on the crystal pronouncing the incantation “Erncolte liesz Licmere”. The crystal then draws all particles of light from its immediate surroundings and encases them within itself, instantly turning luminescent. The light in the crystals takes several weeks to wane and disperse, which makes them perfect for uses such as makeshift torchlight during particularly dark nights and places with very little or no visibility, such as caves. However, the crystal can also be shattered, which produces a quick outburst of light that can temporarily blind anyone caught by the flash.
Vanishing Shroud: The Vanishing Shroud is a complex magic that requires a great deal of concentration, as it is a spell that, while useful, it may be easily broken. Instead of focusing his magical energy on himself or an object, Zerlleth must bring it to his surroundings and whisper “Maithen smei aukein auden Augez”, which will instantly cause a field to be created around him. All light that passes through the field will be distorted, rendering Zerlleth invisible to the naked eye; the field, however, is very hard to maintain, as it requires constant concentration, and while Zerlleth is able to move, any brusque movements will cause the magic to unravel, effectively undoing the spell. While invisible, Zerlleth is nonetheless vulnerable to other means of detection, such as sound, hearing or touch, and of course any supernatural methods of scrying.
-: Golem-crafting: Golem-crafting is a specialized magical art, born out of the amalgamation of two Schools of Magic, Conjuration, in particular the discipline of Creation, and Transmutation, that, as its name indicates, is primarily focused on the fabrication of magical creatures known as Golems through use of complex magical rituals and basic materials. Zerlleth was trained in this craft by his ‘father’, who, as expected of a Mage capable of creating a Homunculus, was a Transmutation and Conjuration specialist. Most Golem-crafting rituals are classified according to the basic natural element which is used for the ritual, the primary ones being Aircrafting, Watercrafting, Earthcrafting and Firecrafting. Unlike other magical arts, there is only one basic spell for each classification; what varies in this case is the amount of magical energy spent in the ritual and the materials the Golem is made of. Zerlleth was only taught one basic type of crafting by his father, and as such he’s only capable of creating one type of Golem at present.
Aircrafting: Aircrafting, as the name implies, is a special crafting type in which the basic element used in rituals is Air. The crafting spell for this classification is “Exspiro, ergo sum”. The Golem types Zerlleth has been able to create thus far are the following:
Hound of the Whisperwind: The Hound of the Whisperwind is among the most basic types of Golem that can be crafted. Triggered by blowing a single breath over a fallen leaf and letting the leaf fly away while uttering the crafting spell, it gives shape to a hound-like creature entirely made of super compressed wind that can move at high speed and tackle opponents nearby. While moving and attacking, the Hound loses its physical form and turns into a gust, which makes it impossible to be detected by sight or harmed through physical counterattacks; a single hit is all the creature gets during its short lifespan, and while it’s not a particularly strong, it’s enough to startle opponents and send them tumbling back. After this attack the Golem is dispelled. Normally, Zerlleth is capable of maintaining this Golem for a maximum of three minutes per crafting, having to rest for at least another five before being able to craft it again. For a single day, Zerlleth is able to maintain the Hound for a total of fifteen minutes, in other words five crafting spells; however, by dispelling the Golem before the three-minute limit for each crafting, he can choose to make it last longer in a future casting.
-: Homunculi Traits:
Agelessness: In spite of their Human appearance, Homunculi are first and foremost magical creations. They are not born in the way Humans are, nor are they bound to the laws of mortality that doom men to what some races consider a fleeting life. Homunculi are created, and since the moment of their creation they assume a single perennial form that can go from a toddler to an elder, and this form stays with them throughout the duration of their existence, which can span even through several millennia. Nonetheless, even though they do not age, Homunculi still need to take care of their bodies in much the same way that Humans do. They need to nourish themselves through food, and while the particular composition of their bodies makes them immune to most kinds of natural diseases, they’re especially vulnerable to magical ailments. Neglecting one’s body will cause a Homunculus to deteriorate and slowly wither away like an old book left to gather dust out in the open or a plant left to dry out.
Resilience: Along with their agelessness, the Homunculi’s incredible resilience is among the aspects that cause the most amazement among mortal Wizards. Usually they are immune to pain and are capable of surviving and recuperating from almost all kinds of injuries, which is why some Mages consider them the perfect Guinea pigs for their experiments. Zerlleth, having a soul, however, is vulnerable to pain in the same way Humans are, but his body is still capable of overcoming most kinds of damage. This is not to say that Homunculi possess regeneration abilities of any kind; they still need to be healed from their injuries in the same way as Humans, however there are only two known methods through which a Homunculus can be successfully slain: the first and most practical one is to destroy the heart of the Homunculus which is the core in which their magical energy resides, and in Zerlleth’s case his soul; the second is to bind the Homunculus by forcing it to make contact with one of the original materials that were used in its creation and then perform a lengthy ritual that dispels the magic that brought it to existence.
Equipment:
-: Wooden Staff: A simple Mage Staff made out of a branch of dark wood. It holds no magical properties or abilities of any kind; however it is light enough that it does not hinder Zerlleth to carry it around. This is one of several Staves owned by High Mage Émel-Sech, picked by Zerlleth due to its simplicity when compared to the others. It may be enhanced and imbued with magic over time.
-: Harvesting Crystals: Six colourless translucent gems, all kept in a small pouch, Zerlleth uses these crystal for Light Harvesting.
-: The El-Melloi Grimoire: This Ancient Grimoire is the primary codex of the House of El-Melloi, from which Zerlleth’s ‘father’ stems. All the spells woven by the El-Melloi Magi as well as the House’s millenary knowledge and history are found within the pages of this book, passed on to the family’s greatest Mage of each generation by their predecessor; however, the bloodline of El-Melloi has died with Émel-Sech, leaving its legacy in the hands of Zerlleth. The Grimoire is Zerlleth’s primary source of magical study, but he has only been able to comprehend a few pages from the initial chapters so far, one of the reasons why he decided to leave Émel-Sech’s abode.
Familiars:
Name: Feonathlos. Called ‘Guru’ by Zerlleth.
Age: Unknown, at least One-hundred and eight years.
Race: Eagle – Magical Creature.
Gender: Male.
Height: Thirty-two inches (32 in).
Weight: Twelve pounds (12 lbs).
Personality: Feonathlos is very calm and collected and very knowledgeable in various aspects of Human life. He seems to care a lot about Zerlleth, staying close and keeping an eye on the boy as much as possible, and often acting protective towards him when in the presence of strangers. He’s incredibly observant and insightful, and not particularly aggressive, although he’s not afraid of charge forth in Zerlleth’s defence. In the absence of his ‘father’, Feonathlos has taken on the role of both parental figure and guide to Zerlleth, a reason why the boy addresses him as Guru and treats him with great care and respect. While capable of several forms of speech, Feonathlos rarely converses with anyone other than Zerlleth, and often does so through means of Telepathy, an ability the Eagle seems to have been imbued with by Émel-Sech. Ironically, out of the Eagle and the Homunculus, Feonathlos is probably the more Humanlike of the pair.
Appearance: At first glance Feonathlos appears like any regular Bald Eagle of average size; however, there are many traits that make him quite different from the species he’s supposed to emulate. Most of the feathers on his head, back and tail are silver instead of white, and the feathers on his chest, wings and talons are coloured in a faded blue tonality. His wingspan is of seventy-nine inches (79 in), and the iris in his eyes is hued in strong golden. Two sets of feathers extend from the back of his head, one on the left sight and one on the right, giving the creature a highly imposing, regal air, and his stare, regardless of emotions, is always sharp and intimidating, even to Zerlleth; the boy has remarked on many an occasion. Feonathlos also seems to be impervious to aging, much like Zerlleth is.
History: For as long as Zerlleth can remember Feonathlos has always been there. He seemed to have already been with Émel-Sech for a long time when Zerlleth was created, and both his ‘father’ and the Eagle seemed to acknowledge is tacitly more than once. The boy has asked his Guru about his origins several times, but Feonathlos brushes it off every time, claiming that he was with Émel-Sech for so long that he does no longer remember how they came upon one another in the first place. Zerlleth believes that due to the many outlandish aspects of Feonathlos’ existence, it’s likely that he is an old creation of Émel-Sech; however, there is more to the Eagle than what he’s been able to discern.
Skills and Abilities: As an Eagle, Feonathlos is capable of flight and possesses a keen sense of sight. He also has an intelligence and knowledge well above the average person, and is capable of several forms of speech. His lifespan seems to be extremely long as he has not aged a single day since Zerlleth first met him. Feonathlos also has the ability to communicate telepathically with other people, and is well-versed in the ways of Magic, even though he appears incapable of casting any spells as of yet.
History:
“From the very gorges of oblivion have I cast a soul into a form of flesh and a beating heart, a radiant shimmer of life crafted by mortal hands. Have I stepped into the realm of God in my zeal? Have I now challenged the sun and thusly doomed myself to be charred by its radiance?”
--Notes of High Mage Émel-Sech Valeth El-Melloi,
On the birth of the Homunculus.
A Crafted Son – One-hundred and eight years ago...
Of the reasons behind his ‘birth’ Zerlleth knows nothing; only that he was created by his ‘father’ on a rainy night, amidst the halls of a castle built in the mountains of Corone, where the slopes turn to cliffs and the western sea clashes with the island to the rhythm of the setting sun. Amidst lightning and clouds, veiled by the obfuscation of the nightshade, Émel-Sech brought forth what he considered to be the greatest of his creations, in the presence of only one witness, an Eagle gifted with speech; one not at all afraid of speaking his mind, much to the Mage’s annoyance.
“I cannot say, Émel-Sech, that this is a wise thing to do. If anyone were to learn of this you would be regarded as a madman, and that poor creature would suffer in ways it does not deserve!” Feonathlos roared, raising his voice above the clash of thunder with great indignation and fluttering at the coming of the raging wind making its entrance through an open window.
“This is a fool’s deed, Mage, a fool’s deed--”
“Silence!” The elder roared back, shooting angry glares at the bird while pacing through the room, in his mind and with his fingers making an account of all the steps taken thus far to perform the ritual. He stopped suddenly and turned to the animal. “Has your time as a bird made your brain dull, Feon?” He retorted with a smirk. “You certainly don’t sound like your usual self tonight.” He shook his head in disappointment and resumed his pacing. “You keep distracting me with your protests when you know there’s nothing to protest about. No harm should ever come to him lest we allow it... You would not leave this boy to suffer alone when I’m no longer in this world, would you?”
“Of course! Even though I do not see the wisdom in this... I have already given you my word and I am not one to falter, Émel-Sech.” The Eagle replied, his words boasting with pride. “Although... I do not see what you seek to accomplish with this...” He continued, now more sombrely. “This will not quench your guilt, old friend.”
Looking back at Feonathlos with sorrowful eyes, Émel-Sech nodded. “I know.” He said. “I am not able to undo the past... But at least I can bring forth a new future for this soul. Now, let us commence!”
With a single wave of his left hand the Mage brought a complex array of runes into existence, the shimmering patterns appearing on the stony floor of the room, all circling a group of objects that appeared to be carelessly positioned. He then knelt and pressed his hand on the nearest rune, uttering a chant in an incomprehensible language with his eyes closed in careful concentration. Followed by this simple act there was a bright silver flash that came from the centre of the circle of runes and enveloped all that was within the room, blinding forth the Mage and his avian companion but for a moment.
As the light subsided, in the midst of constant blinking the Elder made out a small figure lying on the floor in the centre of the circle of runes, where the materials ought to be. Clothless and seemingly asleep, it lay undisturbed even by the storm raging outside. It was a child, a male boy of fair skin and silver hair.
“He’s... younger...” Feonathlos remarked while flying to Émel-Sech’s side. “What shall you call him?”
“I shall call him... Zerlleth.” The Mage responded decidedly as he neared the boy with a warm blanket in hand to wrap his body with.
“Zerlleth... Nebriel... El-Melloi.”
Father And Guru – Ninety-one years ago...
“Father. What is that?”
“What is what, son?” Émel-Sech asked back absentmindedly.
“That.” Zerlleth tucked his father’s hand into his and pointed in the direction of a shimmer in the air, a creature fluttering about no more than three feet above the grass of the mountainside. Upon looking down, Émel-Sech took notice of how mesmerized the boy was by it. His eyes moved only to its flight, blinking to the flapping of its wings. The elder smiled and gently passed his fingers through the boy’s hair.
“That, my boy, is a butterfly.” He replied. “It is one of the most enigmatic creatures in our world. It starts its life within an egg, slowly growing until it breaks out and turns into a caterpillar, waiting for a long time in order to grow some more. Then, one day it wanders away to in search of a place where it cannot be harmed by any predators, and there it encases itself within a pupa and after many, many days and nights of lying still, it breaks out of this shell no longer being a hairy caterpillar, but a beautiful winged butterfly.”
“Hhhmmm...” The boy sighed. “Guru has wings too. Was Guru a caterpillar as well?” The boy asked again, turning the Eagle who was resting on the branch o a nearby tree.
Feonathlos chuckled. “I’m afraid not, boy. I have a bird’s body, not an insect’s.”
“I see...” Zerlleth said, letting go of his father’s hand and running after butterfly as it flew around, always stopping a few inches short of stepping on it or reaching it with his hands. He crouched and watched in puzzlement as it lay on a flower or the grass and then rose back up into the air a few moments later. Both Émel-Sech and Feonathlos watched him a similarly curious manner.
“I wonder why he keeps calling me Guru...” The Eagle said.
“Well... I suppose he regards you as more than just a bird pet, hence the need to make use of some type of honorific when addressing you.” Émel-Sech responded quite thoughtfully. “Luckily, I have no such need.” He let out derisively and smirked, to which Feonathlos reacted by flying straight into his head and aggressively flapping his wings on his face while making a few light scratches with his talons.
“Stupid bird!!” Émel-Sech yelled spitefully while raising his fist at the Eagle as it flew towards the sky, cackling loudly while soaring into the clouds. He then turned his eyes on the boy as he kept running after the butterfly and calmed down, his thoughts leaving the petty quarrel behind in favour of his son. He was still so innocent and naïve, but soon he’d have to start teaching him the Craft.
“Even childhood has to end someday...” He sighed while rubbing his sore face.
Wizard Boy – Fifty-six years ago...
“Exspiro... ergo sum...” Zerlleth muttered before blowing gently on a leaf.
The leaf flew out of his grasp and glided in the air for a few seconds before stopping in a suddenly as if frozen in time. It then crumpled and crumbled away, but as its fragments fell, they flew into each other and from them a rapid whirlwind emerged. And as the wind spiralled through the outer garden of the castle it slowly began to turn solid and take shape. Within counted seconds a small creature stood before the boy, his father and the Eagle that rested on a nearby statue. It had the shape of a wolf cub, but it bore a snow-white, bushy mane while the rest of its fur was dark and thin.
It looked at the young Wizard who was the closest to it and barked, breaking into a dash leaving its form midway to turn into a rapid gust that caught Zerlleth head on and caused him to stumble back a few feet.
“Very good, very good in need...” Émel-Sech remarked quite calmly, bringing his hands together and clapping slowly several times while nodding to the boy. “My boy, you are quite proficient with Magic, just as expected of a bearer of the El-Melloi name... But you still need to practice your tripping.” He added more warmly, walking over to Zerlleth and leaning down to pick him up.
“I still need more practice.” The boy humbly admitted to himself while dusting his robes off. “Golems are not very easy to conjure.”
“Indeed they are not...” The elder replied very thoughtfully. “But you should not dwell on it too much, son. Rushing the learning of Magic will not make it easier, only much more dangerous. Remember that very well, my boy. For a Wizard there are no such times as early or late. Everything occurs as it musts, when it musts.” He finished with a smile.
“Yes, father.” Zerlleth nodded.
Émel-Sech leaned forward and gave him a kiss on the forehead. “You’ll be a great Magician someday, son. It shall happen. Now go back inside and practice with the spell-book.”
“Alright!”
He watched the boy run through the doors of the old castle with a smile, but as soon as he was alone Émel-Sech let out a deep sigh. Reaching for his staff, the old Wizard walked across the garden to a stone bench near the statue where Feonathlos rested. The bird gave him a quizzical look and flew to his side.
“You seem troubled, old friend.” Feonathlos said. “If it is the boy that worries you, it appears to me that he has progressed quite well.”
The elder shook his head in sign of denial. “It isn’t that, Feon. Zerlleth is every bit as adept with Magic as I had foreseen. He is talented much like all of his kind. He will most certainly become a strong Wizard someday; perhaps even stronger than I am. It isn’t him that worries me. The boy will be fine as long as you are with him...” He uttered with a tinge of nostalgia.
“I see... So it is you, then...”
“Who else?” Émel-Sech replied. “I do not fear death, Feonathlos. It is not for a Wizard to do so. I can feel it already. I know that my time in this world is ending, but I have come to accept that. I have seen more than the eldest warrior. Three... maybe four lives of men have I lived. It is only fair that I too leave the realm of the living. Man was never meant to live for as long as I have. But it saddens me that my son has to walk his path alone.”
“He shan’t be alone, Émel-Sech. I made a promise and I intend to keep it.” The bird stated proudly.
“I know, my friend. I know you will watch him. But I also know as well you do that life is a maze one has to find his way through by one’s own means, even when one’s not alone. He will suffer in ways he does not deserve, just like you said, because that is the way of this world. But he will also find joy in places most unfathomable and feel it in ways undiscovered. That is also the way of this world. Regrettably, what saddens me is my own selfishness; that I wish to see him find his way through life, even though I know that I cannot... that I must not.”
Feonathlos nodded in silence, and then said: “Yes, this is true, but it is also true that you are still alive and need not dwell on this now, just like you said to your boy just moments ago.”
“Yes, I know.” He replied. “I still have enough time to make sure he’s ready. After all, for a Wizard everything occurs as it musts, when it musts... even death.”
Last Page – Thirty-four years ago...
“Come close, my child...” Émel-Sech’s faint voice called.
The boy nodded and approached the bedside with caution, his hands gently grazing the bedposts as he stepped closer to his bedridden father. He took a seat on a stool by the bed and reached for the old man’s right hand tucking it in his own while staring warmly into his worn-out eyes. The High Mage sighed and gave the boy a smile through the sea of silver hairs that comprised his long beard and moustache. Feonathlos stood nearby, resting quietly on the railing at the foot on the bed. The only sounds filling the room for a moment were the crackles of the fireplace.
“Do you have... your spell-book?” The elder asked finally breaking the silence.
“Yes, father. I have it by my side just like you said.” Zerlleth replied while fumbling inside his robes and taking out the book.
“Very well...” Émel-Sech took the book from the boy’s hands and began flipping through its pages, commanding them to change on their own with naught but a flick of his left forefinger. “This is the Grimoire of El-Melloi. In this book lies the history of our lineage... More than three-thousand years of knowledge are written in its pages. Legends crafted, kingdoms risen and fallen, lives and deaths... and the knowledge of thirty generations of Grand Magi. This book was given to me by my Great-grandfather when I was but a boy. You’ve had it for a while now, but it is time to make it your book.”
The flipping stopped on the very last page of the book; it was a black page, the only blank page, but the paper appeared to be flickering mildly to the lights of the fireplace, sometimes showing flashes of letters and words.
“These are the names of the Magi who once were bearers of this book. You will find their stories within its pages, along with mine, and one day yours too shall be in it. But first you must present yourself to the Grimoire.” Émel-Sech said, snapping his fingers and having a quill pop into existence. “Take it, and write your full name in this page with it.” He instructed.
Zerlleth nodded and took the quill from the air, grabbing the book and slowly inscribing his name into the last page, just like his father told him to. “Zerlleth... Nebriel... El... Melloi...” He mumbled as he wrote.
“Good... very good... Now you are the bearer of the Grimoire of El-Melloi. You are the last heir of our lineage, and as your story begins, it is only fitting that mine comes to an end.”
“But why?” The boy protested, his eyes filling with tears. “You are a High Mage! If you wished you could live on forever, just like Guru and I!”
Émel-Sech smiled to his son, reaching for his face and wiping his tears away. “This is the way it must be...” He simply said. “One day you will understand... Until then, I’ll be waiting and watching... from the place beyond the stars...My son...”
To Challenge The Sun – Two years ago...
“Are you sure this is what you wish to do, boy?” Feonathlos asked Zerlleth while glancing back at the El-Melloi castle.
“Yes, Guru. I’m sure.” The boy answered nonchalantly, his eyes staring forth into the road ahead. “I do not think myself capable of learning anything more within the walls of the castle. It has already taught me all it can. Besides, father always used to say there was no tutor like the outside world. It just... worries me... to leave this place unattended... what if something happens to it? What if there is--”
“Do not concern yourself with that, Zerlleth.” The Eagle interrupted him light-heartedly. “This, child, is the Castle of El-Melloi. I truly pity the fool that attempts to sneak inside without your permission. He’s in for quite the nasty surprise.” He snickered.
“Hhhmm... Now I want to know what happens...” The young Wizard mused, staring quizzically at the castle.
“Ugh! Let’s just go, kid. The world is far more interesting than whatever tricks Émel-Sech and his relatives left within that castle, trust me. You will have plenty to be awed about out there.”
Scratching his head for a moment, the boy sighed and turned around. “Alright, then, let’s go... If I could fly like you this journey would be a lot easier.” He fatly let out to his winged companion.
“Don’t worry, boy... one day you might...”
--To Be Continued...