The World Of Fantasy

The Chains Of Pressure

Braylin took a deep, steadying breath. He clenched his fists and prayed to the deities that this would work.

Then stepping forwards onto the performance mat he took the piece of chalk offered to him by his teacher, a strict, aloof looking man by the name of Alfred Butler.

He nodded his appreciation and Alfred simply gave him a stern look that screamed 'get on with it.' Braylin gulped nervously and started drawing the symbol on the floor, medium sized. The size out did most of the other student-mages but was still relatively small. He didn't want to be unable to control his summon, hopefully he could pass this trail.

Excitement became to blossom in his chest, he would have smiled had he not been so nervous. He felt his tan skin prickle with sweat and he pushed his blue glasses up his nose. His brown hair falling in his eyes, he swiped it aside. He then filled in the necessary symbols and stepped back, he scanned over the pentagram and saw no errors.

He then chanted "I conjuro te" with the most powerful voice he could muster. Alfred wrote something down with his magic - mages could write simply using a spell to make the tiny flakes of skin that all skinned creatures posses, and shed regularly, appear black, hence using it as ink. - Braylin felt nervous, he had obviously messed up by using such a simple enchantment, but his mind had blanked and so he reverted back to the basics.

The enchantment star began shimmering, a white mist began seeping out of the ground and in a tornado in the center. Braylin squinted and felt his heart pound with adrenaline and raw nerves.

The mist cleared and what remained was a scorpion like creature that was a brown-black in colour, with orange markings.

Its dark eyes bored into his, he stared at it, he couldn't place his emotions, fear or awe. He couldn't tell.

Alfred looked shocked for a moment, after all the scorpion itself was not rare- it being summoned by such a small circle is what was rare.

Braylin stared, he was at a complete blank "Continue." Alfred's intimidating voice echoed, breaking him out of his reverie.

Braylin stuttered out a confirmation and stepped towards the scorpion. He kneeled beside him and picked up a small black gem, he took a breath and breathed out on it gently. The gem did nothing for a moment, then it started shifting.

The sudden weight in Braylin's hands made him stumble, his face turning scarlet at the show of clumsiness. He looked down and saw a finely crafted saddle made of animal hide. Braylin blinked, when you came for these tests at fourteen you summoned a creature, that became your companion, whether you chose to keep it or not is up to you. And then they gave you a cloud gem, the small black jewel gives you your weapon, normally consisting to your specialties. Like a dagger or sword.

What good would a saddl-

Oh.

He looked up nervously at the scorpion-like summon. He then looked back at his saddle and a rock sunk in his stomach.

He was totally going to die.

Braylin took a shaky step forward and steadied himself, perhaps showing no fear would help...

The scorpion didn't react, its dark beady eyes staring at him, seeing through him. Another step and no other reaction. Braylin was now right in front of the beast, he could see the twitching of it's partially raised tail, he gulped and got a sudden blast of courage.

This beast could decapitate him with a flick of the tail should it so desire to, he knew this, the beast knew this. All he could do was hope, and approach slowly.

Braylin gripped the saddle in his hands, he was dragging it behind him. It was only fit for one person to ride on. So the seat itself was small, however the straps were large, so that they would properly secure around the terrifying creature.

Once making in to the side of the scorpion he placed the saddle on the side and pushed, it became easy as the saddle slid up the smooth outer-shell of the beast.

Soon the saddle was secure.

He had done it.