The Undercroft Gauntlet

Chapter 8: Through Talen's Eyes

Author's Note: I am not entirely satisfied with how this chapter was written. I'll most likely make some alterations till I'm happy with the flow, but the key story points will not be changed.

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"Ominis' intentions are well placed, but he's also crippled by them."

Sebastian Sallow paced aggressively between two pillars in the Undercroft, his hands stuffed inside his trouser pockets. Talen was sitting with his back to the wall, massaging his scalp. His head had fallen to his chest. The air was thick and hot, and beads of sweat rolled down both boys' noses.

Sebastian continued, "Ominis is so afraid of― everything. He refuses to act, be it a calculated decision or an urge. He's paralyzed. He's so terrified of consequences, he won't follow through. He won't take risks. He won't be there for me, even now, when I need him the most. That makes you my best hope, Talen."

Talen pinched the bridge of his nose, "no. No, no."

"Listen," Sebastian sighed, "don't let Ominis scare you! It's not about the tool: it's about the person that uses them."

"Dark magic is not a tool," Talen retorted, frustration building in his voice. "It's a weapon. A weapon that erodes those that use it."

Sebastian scoffed, "those are Ominis' words, not yours."

"Ominis has nothing to do with this," Talen said. "This is between you and me, and I am telling you what I believe― no, what I know. Dark magic will destroy you. I've seen it."

"As long as power is being wielded by good people," Sebastian argued, "then the power can be used for good."

Talen shook his head and sharply inhaled, "listen to yourself, Seb. You're not trying to convince me― you're trying to convince yourself."

"You're selfish and a coward, just like Ominis."

Talen sneered, looking up at Sebastian and feeling his lip curl. "I can't believe you'd say that."

"I don't want to say that!" Sebastian put his face in his hands, "but Anne needs me― needs us― and you two won't step up."

"We are stepping up!" Talen rose to his feet. "But we can't follow your lead. You're dabbling with things you don't understand."

Sebastian's lip quivered, "you may be right, but only you two can help me. Don't you get it, Talen?"

Talen's shoulders fell: Sebastian's eyes were wide and glistening.

"I know how dangerous this all is, and I know how little I currently understand― that's exactly what makes you and Ominis so necessary!"

Sebastian paused, waiting for Talen to respond, but Talen crossed his arms.

"Ominis is the heir of Salazar Slythering!" Sebastian yelled, trembling. "He has power in his very veins. Powers... that I'll never understand. That damned spell book is filled with strange symbols, and a language that I'm sure is early script of parseltongue― he could help me translate it! Hell, Ominis has more potential than me simply by birthright!" Sebastian ran his fingers through his hair, "And you, Talen! You can see fountains of ancient magic― the bones of the world flow right through you. You have gifts that no one else alive has."

Sebastian pounded his fist against a stone column, and Talen swallowed a dry lump in his throat. Sebastian's eyes were narrow and full of force. Desperate.