Inner Demons

Prologue

The darkness pressed in on Elymas, cold and heavy, as his tiny dingy was lowered toward the water. He was not a petite man; years of study, endless hours spent at his desk had taken their toll, leaving him with weak muscles and even weaker belt buckles. His considerable stomach and massive robes took up most of the boat, leaving very little room for the men lowering him down to sit, and with his thinning hair added to the ensemble he looked more like a friar than a magician.

Despite his many layers, Elymas shivered as water misted up from the cliffs below, forming tiny water droplets on his robes. An errant gust of wind brushed past, rocking the boat. Elymas's eyes widened and his arms pin wheeled in an attempt to keep them from tipping, but he only succeeded in hitting his companions.  Significantly chided by their glares, he settled back into his former position -arms crossed and head down- determined to stay still for the rest of their decent. Stopping him from once again making a fool of himself.

Elymas grumbled under his breath, burrowing deeper into his robes.  If he could have had his way, he would still be at Gyan-Radeer, warm and dry. He would not have had to come out to this island. His hands would not ache from spending the entire day carving runes and placing enchantments. And he most certainly would not be worrying about the speech he would have to give tomorrow in front of the Supreme Governor, but things were changing.

Tomorrow would mark the beginning of The Awakening, and everyone had to play their part. Elymas could not hide in Rhian's shadow anymore. Lost in thought he barely noticed when the dingy finally touched water, and as the steady rhythm of paddles on water washed over him, his thoughts again returned to his speech.

There was so much to say, so much to remember. Thankfully, Rhian had given him the speech weeks ago to begin practicing. She had known of this endeavor and its outcome before anyone else could have ever fathomed its beginning.

This was what set her apart from the other magicians. She could see the future, and because of that gift she could influence it as well. Her raw talent gave her an advantage, but her wit and her drive made her a leader. Her words stirred something inside Elymas as he rehearsed them under his breath.

"My governor and my people, there are plagues that grip our city. They lie dormant in every one of us. At a moment's notice they can reduce our strongest to the shadow of the people they once were. Up until this point we have only been able to treat the symptoms, but that changes today. The plagues I speak of are our own emotions, things such as anger, fear, sadness, and greed. As you have already seen in your own lives these constructs of our minds can turn against us at any time. We are slaves to their every whim, but no longer.

Today we have found the cure. Today we will remove the plagues that have held us back for centuries. We will eradicate crime and end violence once and for all. Today we will truly be Awakened...."