Age Of Magic: Genesis

Entry 2: After The Flame and Into The Folly

Marcenia, once a city of serene canals and shimmering waters, now lay in ruins. Ashes and rubble were all that remained of the beautiful Hydromaegi capital. Dalek Orn wandered through the desolation, his heart heavy with sorrow. The air, once filled with the harmonious sounds of flowing water, now echoed with a haunting silence. The streets that had bustled with life were now desolate, strewn with debris and the remnants of shattered dreams. "Hello?! Is there anyone around?" Dalek's voice rang out, desperate and strained. But there was no reply, only the whisper of the wind through the skeletal remains of buildings. As Dalek roamed the ruined streets, he realized that the survivors of the siege were likely hiding, still processing the trauma, and awaiting aid from the neighboring elemental factions. Hope for rescue and rebuilding lingered, but the immediate future seemed bleak. Determined to find something useful, Dalek hurried to the remains of his former home. The once cozy house, filled with love and memories, was now a pile of rubble. With a heavy heart, he began to sift through the debris, searching for anything that could aid him in the uncertain days ahead. Amidst the wreckage, his hand brushed against something familiar. He pulled it out and wiped away the dust, revealing a book: "Hydronichi - Beginner's Guide to the Magic of the Hydromaegi." Excitement and sadness intertwined as he held the book. The prospect of learning magic thrilled him, but the absence of his father to guide him filled him with grief. "Mom, Dad... Why?" he cried, tears streaming down his face. "Why did you have to go and abandon me?" The weight of his loss pressed down on him, but he knew he had to carry on. For his parents, for himself, and for the future of his people. He resolved to honor his father's legacy by mastering the Hydromaegi arts and to live with the modesty and open-mindedness his mother had exemplified. He opened the Hydronichi, skimming through the pages. The first chapter, "Ofrietz -- Beginner Offensive Spells," beckoned him. He gathered whatever could be salvaged from his ruined home and set out with a heart full of determination and a mind swirling with uncertainty. As he wandered away from the ruins of Marcenia, Dalek whispered a silent vow to rebuild what had been lost. But first, he needed to find safety and allies. He decided to head to Heropi, a small town in the Spirtomaegi nation. Though he would have to cross an entire ocean, he hoped the citizens there would be neutral in this war. Studying a map he found in the ruins, Dalek plotted his course. "Heropi, a small town in the Spirtomaegi nation. The only problem is I'll have to cross an entire ocean to get there." With determination fueling his steps, he made his way toward the docks. The journey was exhausting, and as night fell, he realized he needed to rest. He set up a makeshift tent with some wood and a blanket he had retrieved from his home. "That should do it," he muttered, trying to find some comfort in the small shelter. But sleep eluded him, his mind too full of thoughts and fears. He glanced at the Hydronichi and decided to pass the time by attempting his first spell. "Welp, since I can't sleep, let's see if I can do magic instead," he said, walking a few feet from his tent. Opening the book to the first chapter, he focused on the incantation. "Nomiri!" he recited, hoping to conjure a bubble of water. But nothing happened. Frustration bubbled within him. "Nomiri!... Nomiri!... NOMIRI!" Still, there was no result. "Ugh, never mind," he sighed, returning to his tent. This time, exhaustion finally overtook him, and he fell into a deep sleep. The cold embrace of the wind woke him as it swept away his entire tent. "Oh... my... nuggets!" he shouted into the wind, but there was no one to hear him. Resigned, he decided to head to the docks instead of trying to rest further. Hours later, he arrived at Gnoram, a small port on the far side of the Hydromaegi nation. Relief washed over him as he saw that the Pyromaegi's conquest hadn't reached this part of his homeland. He scanned the signs, searching for one that pointed to Heropi. Finding it, he followed the directions to a large brown ship. "Whew. It's still here," Dalek said, grateful that the ship hadn't yet departed. But as he approached, he saw it beginning to leave the dock. Panic set in, and he ran towards the edge, shouting, "Wait!" But his cries were lost to the wind. In his frantic run, he stumbled over a rock and fell into the ocean. As he fell, he reached his hands out, hoping to cushion his fall. Miraculously, he found himself floating on the water's surface. Experimenting, he waved one hand forward and began to move in the direction of the ship. "Yes!" he exclaimed, realizing he was doing magic. With renewed determination, he propelled himself towards the ship. As he neared, he saw a rope dangling from the side. Summoning a small spout of water beneath him, he managed to grab it and climbed aboard. Panting and soaked, he looked around, blending in with the crew. Glancing over the railing, he whispered, "Heropi, here I come." With that, he found a spot to sit, finally allowing himself to rest and await his next endeavor.