The Last of the Empyrean

Chapter 3 - Magical History

As the weeks seemed to fly by in our Magic History class we learned extensively about beings know as elders, or there ancient name Empyrean. In our book they are described as follows, "Thousand's of years ago, the Empyrean's were the most powerful race of mages to exist in all of creation. As humans began to use magic for themselves, the Empyrean began to loose there power. Being deprived of the gift of magic, they had great opportunities thanks to their erudition. But one day all the Empyrean disappeared from creation. Some legends say that they created the mages of today, and for fear of being stripped of there magic destroyed the Empyrean, however this is only a rumor, and the true reason the Empyrean disappeared is still unknow." 

"The first ever trace of magic documented was around 5,000 years ago, when four immensely powerful beings roamed all of creation along with three other races before humans rose to power, these beings are known as the Empyrean, the first of the magical race.", Professor Cordelia started her lecture.

"The Empyrean controlled all magic, and only allowed the humans and the other races to access it through offerings. This allowed all races to thrive in a once hellish world, the Empyrean offered protection, sustainability, and fertility.", she described.

Written on the board were each of the four elemental runes, she referenced saying, "Each of the four Empyrean harnessed one of the four elements Earth, Fire, Water, and Air. When they came together they created life, and likewise help sustain that life". 

"Until the other races demanded more from them, they felt entitled to the Empyrean's power. Refusing to give them anymore help, humans found ways to steal the magic for themselves, but not knowing how to control the power many of them died in pursuit of power.", she explained "However, for those that survived the chaos and learned to control it were corrupted with power, it was too much for their souls to bare. This is why in your third year here at Ebbaron Academy we teach you how to contain your chaos.", she reassured us before ending her lecture for the day.

In our books it describes that when the Empyrean disappeared they left behind a curse which states;

"Those that have forsaken us and seek to steal our power we grant you this gift as we take our leave of this world, but you will not know who has been gifted with chaos until it is too late. Chaos will consume them and when at their most powerful they will die, for those that can control the chaos with in it will eat them alive leaving only a darkness that is no longer human."

"This terrified mankind and at the first signs of chaos they cast mages out forcing them to live in forests and caves, many of the mages who survived and controlled their chaos sought revenge for being tossed aside, this only heightened the fear of the other humans." Mrs. Cordelia explained.

A few weeks later we began to learn of the mages of the dark ages, "The most famous mage ever documented lived over 3,000 years ago in a forgotten kingdom named Camelot, and her name was Merlin". "Merlin was one of the oldest and most powerful mages of her age, we still use a great number of her teaching's today.", Professor Cordelia described. 

"Merlin signified a turning point in magic, when Camelot first rose to power it seemed to be out of no where. With ruler King Arthur at the helm and his mage, Lady Merlin, at his side." she stated. "King Arthur received a great amount of skepticism from other kingdoms and their rulers." "However after seeing the great strides King Arthur was making with the aid of the mage, Lady Merlin, the other kingdoms began to take mages of their own into their courts.", she explained.

"However not having the experience that Lady Merlin possessed, the other kingdoms soon began to crumble under the corrupt mages. The other kingdoms soon came to Sir Arthur and Lady Merlin for help.", she said.

"Merlin was the first teacher of young mages, she would take in young women who shown signs of chaos. She provided them with the knowledge that she gained only thought difficult trials she faced throughout her life", "Merlin disappeared 100's of years ago, but the mages she taught decided to come together and create this school of magic, so that other young mages could have a safe place to learn their magical skills and continue to be an asset to the kingdoms they courted", she said referencing the building around us.

"When this school was first started there were only two teachers and they only taught four mages at a time.", she explained. "They were taught the basics of magic and how to control it, however they did not contain the knowledge that Merlin had, and soon after the young mages suffered terrible fates". "Now realizing they only knew a small extent of Merlin's knowledge and the amount of young girls born with an undeniable magical ability, they consulted with other mage's in Merlin's court and soon came together and agreed to share their combined knowledge.", she continued.

"As each year passes we gain more knowledge about magic and the abilities you all posses and it helps us immensely in learning knew ways to help those who may come after you.", she said sincerely. "Who knows some of you all may find yourselves teaching other young mages here at Ebbaron Academy one day.", she said ending class just before the bell chimed.

As the school year cam to an end and we finished our knowledge on the first known history of magic we all gained our next rune, the rune of the past, which has the shape of an hourglass lain on its side with the left side not connected at the ends. As the runes began to appear on my classmates on their left wrist, mine formed on the side of my neck just under my ear. 

This baffled both Professor Cordelia and Madam Mara, but none the less, I received the rune like everyone else so they decided to put no more stock in the matter and instructed me to continue on with my studies.