Without Starlight

Walls are Meant to be Broken

~Chapter 11: Nicholas~

Nicholas was pulled from his brooding by screaming. He straightened, listening. It didn't sound good. He cautiously made his way to the door. Over the screaming, he could hear a voice that made him relieved. Master Climens was in the hallway.

"Master Climens!" Nicholas yelled, pounding on the door with his fist. "Master Climens!"

"Oh, Nicholas, my boy!" Master Climens yelled from the other side of the door. "I got Broom's warning. Are you all right?"

There was mumbling on the other side. A female's voice spoke across the door. "How do we know that you are the real Nicholas and not anther Tragoon trying to trick us?" 

He recognized that voice. "Your Highness?"

"Answer the question." The princess ordered.

"Okay." Nicholas thought about it for a moment. "The first night of the ball, I didn't give you my real name, instead I used the name Ember.

There was a moment's silence. "It's him." Abagaila said faintly.

"Nicholas," Master Climens said, "how are you feeling, magically?"

That was an easy question. Shortly after sundown, he'd felt his magic being pulled out of him. He was starting to feel the strain of the Tragoon's spells, whatever they were, causing him to feel drowsy. "For the moment, I'm fine, but it's getting worse."

"Right, Nicholas stand back from the door. I'm going to blast it down." Master Climens said. Nicholas backed up against the wall next to the door. There was a flash of light around the edges of the door and a loud pop. The door didn't move.

A sharp pull in Nicholas's gut made him double over. He felt his magic being ripped from him, burning through his very being. The Tragoons had just cast a huge spell. "Master Climens." He groaned.

"Yes, child." Master Climens sounded irritated. "I know that that didn't work."

"Its not that." Nicholas sat down on the floor. The burning left him as the spell was finished, leaving him feeling empty.

"Master Climens," Princess Abagaila sounded panicked, "look."

There was a moment of silence. "Master Climens, what happened?" Nicholas asked. He knew that whatever was happening was because of his magic.

"Nicholas." Master Climens sounded urgent. "I need you to focus on your magic."

"What happened?" Nicholas questioned. He used the wall to help him stand again.

"Focus. Nicholas, please, focus." Master Climens pleaded. "I think the room itself is the conductor for the spell that the Tragoon are using to steal your magic. Right now, I need you to focus on your magic until I can get you out. It might take some time, it might not. When you feel them pulling, pull back with all you got. The bigger the spell, the easier for you to feel them. Do you understand?"

"...Yes?" Nicholas held his head, he was dizzy. There was no way that he could pull back.

"Good." Master Climens spoke soothingly. "Now, I need you to get away from this entire wall." In a fainter voice he said: "You too, dear."

Nicholas closed his eyes. "Why?" Master Climens didn't answer. "Why do I need to get away from the wall?" He asked louder.

"I promise I'll pay you back the damages." Master Climens said cheerfully. "Now, move!" 

A force pushed Nicholas back. He watched as the wall to the left of the door rippled like a rock thrown into a pond. The ripples increased until the wall looked like it was vibrating. Then, the wall stopped and collapsed like a curtain being dropped. Master Climens smiled and waved through the dust.