DARK DEALINGS: A Warlock's Legacy

6. Father of Witchcraft

The three of them wandered further into the bustling market square, where the hum of voices and the lively rhythm of drums signaled some sort of performance. Elowen's attention was immediately drawn to the crowd that had gathered around a small, makeshift stage. Bright banners fluttered in the wind above it, and children sat at the front, wide-eyed with excitement. On the stage, actors in elaborate costumes were casting small spells that made colored flames spark from their hands, mesmerizing the audience.

A man dressed as a warlock stepped forward, accompanied by a dazzling display of illusionary animals—a golden eagle swooping above the crowd, a silver wolf prowling at his side, and a crimson serpent winding around his arm, hissing to life as he recited lines in a deep, booming voice.

"What's this?" Elowen asked, nudging Kadas, her voice tinged with excitement.

"It's a re-enactment," he replied, leaning closer to her. "They're telling the story of Aurelius Morn, the Father of Witchcraft."

Mirra grinned, crossing her arms as she watched the show with a sense of nostalgia. "I haven't seen this one in years. They used to put it on every spring festival, but I suppose they're bringing it back to honor the coven's upcoming trials."

Elowen's gaze was locked onto the stage, where the actor portraying Aurelius Morn waved his staff, sending arcs of golden light into the air, symbols of power and influence. "He seems... powerful," she said softly.

"That he was," Kadas said. "Aurelius Morn was the first warlock to unify the covens, a visionary who believed in balancing strength with wisdom. He's the reason we have the Trials of Ascension—meant to guide us, to make us worthy of wielding true power."

The actor's booming voice echoed over the crowd. "And so, with magic in his veins and the wisdom of ages past, Aurelius Morn forged a path that none before him dared to tread. He dared to seek powers beyond our realm. Powers that would change the course of magic forever."

The crowd gasped in awe as the illusionary animals flickered and vanished, only to be replaced by swirling, shadowy figures that danced around the actor, each one embodying an arcane symbol or ancient rune.

The scene shifted, and two actors stepped forward, their faces painted with red and black to look like demons. "And in his final years, they say, he ventured into forbidden arts—summoning creatures not of this world. Beings that could fulfill the desires of mortals... or curse them eternally."

Kadas caught Mirra's eye, a knowing glint shared between them. Elowen noticed, glancing between them with curiosity. "Is there truth to that? About Aurelius creating a summoning spell?" she whispered.

Mirra nodded, her voice low. "The Succubus summoning spell, yes. He's said to have devised a powerful ritual to call forth entities that no other sorcerer could. Some say he succeeded in summoning a powerful succubus, an entity that would serve only the most skilled of warlocks."

Kadas added quietly, "But it came at a cost. Aurelius disappeared shortly afterward, leaving behind only fragments of his work—pages scattered across the nine covens. Some say it was to keep the spell from falling into unworthy hands."

Elowen's brows knitted together in fascination as the actor portraying Aurelius Morn raised a thick tome into the air, its cover adorned with arcane symbols. "Behold," he declared, "The Grimoire of Fiendish Desires! A book of unparalleled secrets, its pages torn and scattered, to be found only by those who dare to seek."

The audience murmured in awe as the stage lights dimmed, and shadowy illusions projected pages drifting across the stage, each one disappearing into the darkness.

"Sounds familiar, doesn't it?" Mirra whispered, nudging Kadas with a smirk.

Kadas gave a small, rueful smile. "Too familiar." He was beginning to understand why the coven guarded its secrets so closely. Power, he was realizing, often came with mystery—and danger. He hadn't realized the lengths people would go to obtain what they didn't fully understand.

On stage, the actor portraying Aurelius turned toward the audience, his voice dropping to a whisper that somehow carried through the crowd. "And to this day, those who dare to wield the power of the succubus must be willing to pay the price. For magic is a hungry fire, and all fires must be fed."

As the performance concluded, the audience burst into applause, many murmuring to each other with excitement about the old legend. Elowen turned to Kadas, her expression one of awe. "I never knew magic could be... so dangerous."

"Magic is dangerous," Kadas replied, his tone more serious. "It's powerful and alluring, but it's not something to be taken lightly. That's why the trials exist. They're meant to test us, to see if we're ready to bear the weight of such knowledge."

Mirra placed a hand on Elowen's shoulder. "And that's why Kadas will pass them. Because he understands that true power isn't just about strength or skill. It's about knowing the cost—and whether you're willing to pay it."

Elowen nodded, her face filled with respect for Kadas. She finally saw not just a talented warlock, but someone who respected the weight of his own power, a responsibility she hadn't fully grasped until now.

"Thank you both," she murmured, "for sharing this with me. For letting me glimpse into your world."

Kadas offered a faint smile. "There's more for you to see yet, Elowen. More than you know."