warlock way

Affinity

In a long corridor winding from the entrance, illuminated by blue fire torches, leading to a vast hall that seems to devour any trace of light. The air is dense, heavy with the penetrating scent of death and decay, a suffocating mix of rot and ancient terror. On either side of the corridor rise, like macabre guardians, the corpses of countless creatures. Some are giants, deformed by cruel nature, with some of their bodies in advanced stages of decay, emitting a nauseating stench. Others, smaller, are almost in perfect condition, as if time had not touched them, their empty eyes staring straight ahead, frozen in eternal vigilance.

Skeletal corpses, with yellowed and brittle bones, form rows alongside bodies still covered in decomposed skin and flesh swollen by the gases of death. All are arranged with unsettling precision, as if guarding the corridor, waiting for the moment when something or someone crosses their domain.

At the end of this infernal corridor, in the grand hall, the hooded figure is seated on an old, wooden chair, worn by time. Their black robe blends with the shadows of the place, making them almost indistinguishable from the dark surroundings. The skeletal hand firmly holds the crystal ball, where the image of a child appears clear and defined, as if it were the only thing alive in this nightmare realm. The atmosphere feels alive, as if death itself flowed through the walls and the motionless bodies, while the figure remains immersed in a chilling calm, gazing at the child in the crystal ball.

"Take care of the child; his loss is unacceptable," said the figure in a deep voice, a nearly inaudible vibration resonating in the heavy air.

From the shadows emerged a small snake, a creature of subtle but unsettling appearance. Its skin was a dark hue, almost black, with scales that shimmered with a metallic sheen in the dim light. Its eyes, a deep red, glowed with a penetrating and calculating gaze.

The snake moved with silent agility, sliding its body in a fluid and almost hypnotic manner through the corridor. The shadows around it swirled, creating a play of light and darkness that concealed and revealed its form in an almost hypnotic rhythm. As it advanced, its body seemed to dissolve into the darkness, its contours blurring until it completely vanished into the somber environment.

The hooded figure watched as the snake faded, and with a slow but deliberate movement, let the crystal ball fall. The orb descended in a blink, its glimmers fading before touching the ground. The figure remained in the chair, motionless, as the torchlight slowly extinguished. Darkness overtook the hall, enveloping everything in absolute silence and deep gloom, while the figure remained seated, immersed in their shadowy rest.

In a corridor illuminated with golden light, three carriages advanced surrounded by black knights. In the back of one of them lay Eric, holding a book. Astonished by what had just happened, he turned his head towards the head waiting silently at the top of the window for answers. "What was that?" Eric questioned.

"That was the elemental awakening. The tower created that book to guide the path of magic and other arts. It also serves to facilitate the process for apprentices to begin their path in magic. Obviously, certain requirements must be met to achieve this, as the book alone has no value, even if you are part of the tower," the head responded slowly.

"What requirements are you referring to?" Eric asked, intrigued.

"Well, since this is basic information found in some parts of the book, there is no problem in sharing it. The person in question for elemental awakening must reach a certain level in their mental power to achieve it. Additionally, the most important thing is that the person must have an elemental affinity to achieve it, as meeting the first requirement is useless without an affinity," the head explained patiently to Eric.

"So, how can I know what level of mental power I am at?" Eric asked.

"In the book, of course. Open it to the back. There you will find such attributes, which will help you get a clear idea of your combat level and an estimate of your lifespan, although the latter is speculative," the head commented.

Quickly, Eric turned the book around to open it and see what the head was referring to. On the fine quality pages was written:

Name: Eric
Affiliation: Tower of the Eternal Night
Status: Apprentice
Rank: Adept
Adept: Low
Affinities: Darkness, Chaos, Time
Strength: 0.7
Agility: 0.7
Vitality: 0.8
Mental Power: 1.8
Mana Reserves: 1.7
Lifespan: 120 years

Darkness: This element encapsulates concepts of mystery, void, and the unknown, allowing the practitioner to manipulate and control darkness to obscure, disorient, and protect. Darkness represents not only the absence of light but also the power of the hidden and unexplored, offering the user a connection with forces beyond common understanding and the ability to influence the environment.

Chaos: Represents primordial and disordered energy that defies natural laws and balance. Unlike more structured elements like earth or water, chaos is associated with unpredictability and abrupt transformation. It is the force behind destruction, disorganized creation, and the breaking of established patterns.

Time: Embodies the power to alter temporal perspective, affecting how reality is experienced and allowing intervention in an individual's or event's history. This element is intrinsically linked to the ephemeral nature of existence and mastery over the temporal continuum. However, the use of this affinity comes with severe side effects.

In the carriage, Eric looked at the book with a mixture of awe and concern. The words of the book echoed in his mind as he pondered the power he had just discovered. The golden light of the corridor seemed to dance across the book's pages. As the carriage moved forward, Eric knew that the road ahead was filled with uncertainties and challenges, but he understood that his destiny was intrinsically linked to the affinities he was just beginning to grasp.