The Sorcerer's Gate

twelve

First, Alyx began their session by listing off abilities— Sorcerer abilities. Every Sorcerer is born with one ability, while a Seer is born with all. The list of powers contained Apparition, Compulsion, Divination, Elemental Control, Hypnosis, Levitation, Portal Creation, Shapeshifting, Sonic Screaming, Telekinesis, Telepathy, Teleportation and Summoning.

If Aster's head wasn't in a whirlwind of madness before, it was now. She knew deep inside herself that she could trust these people. She didn't know why, but she knew it. This information she was learning meant that she was not like any other Sorcerer to walk among Norvislair. She was something entirely different— wholly unique. An individual. She wondered what that meant for her and Jaxtyn.

In front of Alyx laid the Sorcerer's Code of Ethics text. He began to read off the page, "In the world of Sorcery, each person may adhere to a code of ethics. To abide by this code means to follow the abolishment of specific powers or abilities. The following powers are banned: Compulsion, Hypnosis, and Summoning. Any Sorcerer who practices them will be charged with treason. This said Sorcerer will face trial and the royal Council."

"What happens if you're born with that ability? You aren't allowed to practice it? Sorcererss get one chance-- one ability and they can't use it?" Aster asked.

"These powers are banned within good reason. No Sorcerer is born with the banned abilities; however, that doesn't halt people from straying away from the code. They choose to learn how to wield these powers by their own sick thrill," Alyx said as he took a sticky note and bookmarked the page.

"How can you be born with only one ability but have the option to learn others?" Aster asked.

"There is no option. The banned powers are forbidden," Alyx said. "Are you trying to think of ways that The Seer couldn't possibly be all that special?" he added narrowing his eyes at her.

"No, I'm just saying, if I am this-," Aster said the next word very quietly, "Seer, then how am I any different from all the other Sorcerers? This text says anyone can learn any power. What makes me so different?"

"Aster, you're very different," Alyx said, looking at her with a concentration that unnerved her. "You have the power to wield every ability that exists. The banned powers are works of a darker magic than any of us possess. Yes, other Sorcerers can be exposed to these banned powers, but they will never wield every other single power like you can."

"It's all very confusing," Aster said flipping ahead of the text while Alyx sat with his elbow to the desk and his palm holding up his chin. "What's so bad about these banned powers anyway?"

"Compulsion is the act of controlling another person's mind. Hypnosis is similar, but it works in a larger sense. A Sorcerer is able to manipulate a single person's mind through Compulsion, whereas with Hypnosis, they are able to manipulate an entire town," Alyx said.

"Great, teach me Compulsion first and I can compel you not to kill people and to speed this whole lesson up," Aster said growing weary of all the information in front of her and still harboring a grudge for his actions this afternoon.

Alyx rolled his eyes and Aster could've sworn he was hiding his smile from her. "Do you want a break?" he said looking up at the big clock that clicked on the ledge of the fireplace."We could check in with Jean and Elouise, see if dinner is ready."

"I could suffer through ten more minutes," Aster said. She could've sworn some part of Alyx took her comment seriously.

"Am I really that awful company?" he said with a forced sort of smile that Aster convinced herself there was something beneath it that suggested he might genuinely feel hurt.