Jericho, the Chaos Magician

Claudia 1:

"Welcome to the next chapter of your new, magical life, Jericho", Claudia said after the crowd dissipated.

Jericho passed out again thanks to the pain he was suffering with that day. Using a second levitation spell, she picked up the boy and began weaving her way through the buildings of Hesten Village and ending up at The Hall, where High Mage Brea resided.

Jericho started to wake up and take in little bits and pieces about where he was and where they were going. His vision was obstructed because his eye had swollen shut, but he could tell he was still in the village proper. This force that was carrying him felt warm and soothing. The pain from Jericho's injuries was temporarily numbed, and the aura surrounding his body was an intense lavender color that reflected Claudia's amethystine eye color almost exactly. Large pillars of redwood came into his view, signaling that they were getting close to the manor gates and the Towne Square. The smell of freshly cooked beef and chicken wafted through the air, bringing a delicious scent to a nose that couldn't take in the intoxicating aroma.

"Where... ow... where are we going?", asked Jericho.

"Keep your mouth shut child, if you want to be able to talk ever again. Right now I'm taking you to High Mage Brea. Your wounds are too severe for me to heal with my magic. Only the best magician in all of Isdrial will be able to help you now", Claudia said.

For an old magical veteran, she sure does talk a lot.

Walking through the great wooden doors of the Manor, Claudia made her way to the High Mage's chambers, where the healing process could commence. From what Jericho could see, the stairs were a rich, deep chocolate brown made from the wood of  the Brijkyańøs, an ancient black oak tree that was rumored to regenerate the flesh of the living. At least that's what Jericho was able to gather from his salvaged magical history books. The halls of the manor were painted a lightweight green color that Jericho thought looked like the outside of a ripe cantaloupe, dotted with paintings of the Great Mages that came eons before High Mage Brea's time on this plane. Power emanated from the frames of the paintings, most likely carved by the Hierophant; guardian of the Brijkyańøs for 1500 years and spiritual protector of Hesten Village.

Large purple doors waited for them at the end of the manor's hall. As they opened, Jericho was blinded by the sheer amount of magical energy put off by the Mage. Walking around a frosted glass array and through the center of Her chambers, Jericho came face to face with the tyrant he denounced merely an hour prior.

"My lady Brea, I come to your blessed chambers to ask you to heal this boy. This boy used magic in a sparring match against Damien Draconi, who decided to take justice into his own hands. While this boy may have pursued the forbidden art of male-wielded magic, his heart does not corrupt itself in the presence of the Mad Kings. I have reason to believe that this boy, Jericho, is the one we've been searching for, and I would like to take him under my wing and train him as such", Claudia pleaded.

"And what if you are wrong, my consort? The decision to forbid the use of magic by the men residing here was unanimous, after all. If this boy is truly expected to be the one I've divined; how can I trust that statement if he was willing to steal forbidden knowledge from the practitioners of yore?", the High Mage retorted. "If you wish to take this Jericho under your leadership, he must prove himself to me and my Council first", she finished off.

"I fully accept that this boy will stand trial in exchange for his full recovery, as does he. Isn't that right, Jericho", Claudia asked. She may have been taking care of him, but in Jericho's mind, she was definitely not on his side. It's either this or lose my hand, so I guess I don't have a choice right now.
Not being able to speak, Jericho slowly nodded his head in agreement.

"If Jericho can pass your Council's trial, then I promise you Lady Brea I will train him to be the greatest chaos magician this land has ever seen", Claudia promised.

"And what if he doesn't, Sister Claudia? What will you do if it comes that you are wrong about this boy?"

"Lady Brea, if this boy does not pass your trial, you may execute me with him. I bet my life on this young man, my Mage. Please heal him so that he may become the savior of Isdrial", she pleaded.

"Very well, your pleas have been answered. Bring him to me, Sister".

The mage stood up from her enchanted throne and began a recitation. Claudia walked over to where the mage was standing and presented Jericho to her. He remembered that the ground was way too soft to be made of stone, and chocked it up to the big shots not wanting to hurt their feet on the poor's ground. Another light, this time orange in color, engulfed Jericho in a warm embracing glow. His pain was numbed as his hand began to merge with his arm again, stitching itself together as small ribbons of vibrant energy found its way through the tears in his body and healed them as they passed through. Soon, Jericho found himself standing dead in front of the High Mage herself, with hair soft as silk, robes made of frÿtreweid velvet, followed by a scent of wood and apples. Her beauty was something not of this world; something not even the greatest tomes could properly describe.

I thought she was 93, this bitch is hot as fuck!

"Jericho, was it? Your wounds barely required my assistance, and the only reason I would help a traitor who denounces me is if I can use that traitor to my advantage", the High Mage spoke aloud.

"My mage, I truly apologize for my actions and pursuing the forbidden knowledge. I can assure you though that I am no traitor. You should talk to Damien after all; he's the one who chopped my hands off claiming that you would condone his actions", Jericho replied.

"It does bother me that one of my best men would be willing to cripple a young boy like yourself over a spell weak as 'Flashbang'. That, however, is not why you were healed. The prophecies of yore have always talked about a magician that would change the course of history for eons. A male-wielder of the most destructive magic; Chaos Magic. Were you ever told the stories of the Mad Kings in your training?"

"I only remember a little cause those classes were stupid as sh-", Jericho was cut off.

"Language around the High Mage, boy!", Claudia warned. "She just saved your life; do you think you can be respectful?"

"Apologies my Mage. I remember that the Mad Kings took over the hearts of man in the XX20's and XX30's, and that many wars broke out attempting to establish dominance over a broken land, but outside of that I couldn't give less of a sh- sorry, I don't recall what happens after", he said.

"That's more than any of the other men in the village could recall. The rest of them believe that actual kings ruled the land and fought wars in that way, when in reality, Isdrial hasn't had kingdoms or monarchies for the last 2000 years", the High Mage responded.

"What does this story have to do with me, ma'am", Jericho asked.

"It seems that your heart is not subject to corruption from the Mad Kings, which makes you the man the prophecies spoke of. You will be the one to save Isdrial", declared the Mage.

"Lady Brea, I would like your blessing in teaching this boy the ways of the craft. The other men will be suspicious if he's practicing in broad daylight", Sister Claudia pointed out.

"Yes very well; you will have access to the men's training ground once a week. My only rule is you must put up a magical barrier around the grounds to protect the boy in his practice. If the prophecies are to be believed, he is the only one who can save us from the Mad Kings, so train him well and keep this secret", the Mage warned.

"Come along then, Jericho. We have a lot of learning to do", said Claudia.

As they left the manor, Jericho was left feeling uneasy about this entire situation. The prophecies, the Mad Kings, secret training.

My life feels like a shitty Shonen anime right now. This stuff can't be real. It just can't be, it's too crazy...

Unless it isn't...