Sword of Stars

Chapter Twenty Four. Not Enough.

Cecil’s eyes were tightly shut but he could see more than if they were open. The Heterochromatic flows of Essense swirling around his soul were bright and powerful as they snaked around wildly.

Cecil willed the spell to come under his control even though it wasn’t as simple as that. It didn’t stop him from trying though. He grappled with the spell, trying his best to learn its secrets, struggling to understand how it worked and function. It’s so complicated and intricate that I can’t tell the flows apart from one another. It’ll take a hundred years to figure it out…

Cecil heard a faint voice off in the distance. “Cecil. Be careful where you grab. You have to be sure you can control the Essense. You have to be certain and I can only help you in part from where I am,” the Lord Caster warned.

I know. Cecil sent back with a growl. Or at least he imagined his mind’s voice growling, hoping it had the same effect.

He could feel sweat coating his entire body as his mind struggled with the forbidden spell. It was so convoluted that Cecil could barely comprehend a fraction of it. He had to try though.

Perhaps… He grabbed at a flow of Heterochromia and it resisted against him, unwilling to be controlled. He grasped blindly at another and pain exploded in his head.

Cecil screamed in agony and let go of the Essense. He suddenly felt the cold stone floor as his eyes opened and the Essense gem room filled his vision.

“You need to be a bit more careful about what you grab at,” the Lord Caster said from above. His arm was outstretched which Cecil took and allowed himself to be helped up.

“I know,” Cecil said. “It’s just frustrating.”

The Lord Caster put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently. “You can do this, old friend. Perhaps we need some more support. Just me aiding you isn’t cutting it and we are in a hurry.” He let go of Cecil and made his way to the door.

“So we ask the Masters to help?” Cecil asked the Lord Caster as he walked quickly to catch up.

The Lord Caster opened the door and stepped aside for Cecil to enter first. He smiled knowingly. “Indeed.”

The pair made their way down the dark corridor and Cecil couldn’t help but feel his mood darken to adjust. “What if I can’t master the spell in time?” he asked.

The Lord Caster didn’t look at him. “Then we’ll just have to hope that Garek and the cyborg can come up with another solution. We cannot fail.”

They entered the Lord Casters office to find Zeth sitting in one of the chairs near the entrance reading. He looked up as they entered and closed the book. A look of annoyance flickered when his red eyes fell upon Cecil.

“Ah, Zeth, exactly the man I need to see.”

Zeth stood and smoothed off his robes with both hands. “Yes, Lord Caster?” His white hair still shiny with vitality.

“Locate Gael, Zhouhitsu and Saleen and bring them here. Let them know it’s important.”

“Right away, Lord Caster.” Zeth bowed and closed the door behind him as he left.

Cecil raised an eyebrow at the Lord Caster. “Those three? They were the most opposed to casting the forbidden spell.”

The Lord Caster nodded. “Those three.” He began to pace in front of his desk and motioned for Cecil to sit. Cecil let out a small groan as he sat down in the comfortable chair.

“We need those three to come around if we are to stand a chance of mastering the spell. Their help is invaluable and we need them to realise this as soon as possible,” the Lord Caster said.

“Good point,” Cecil grunted.

While they waited for the three Preceptors to arrive they discussed methods of Casting and the perseverance that would be needed to harness the forbidden spell. The Lord Caster paced with his hands behind his back as he talked, nodding and occasionally stroking his beard at what Cecil said.

Eventually Zhouhitsu entered the room and gave a small bow. “Lord Caster,” he said in his thick accent.

“Preceptor Zhouhitsu,” the Lord Caster nodded in acknowledgement, “make yourself comfortable while we wait for the other to arrive.”

Zhouhitsu nodded and sat in the chair next to Cecil. He nodded at Cecil’s friendly smile without emotion. Cecil didn’t think the man ever blinked. The Acasian’s were well known for their impassiveness and ability to hide their emotion at the worst of times. Zhouhitsu was like a stone, cold and unmoving.

After a few more uncomfortable moments Gael and Saleen entered together. The fiery red head was the first to speak up. “What’s this about? I have duties to tend to. Duties that you assigned me, Lord Caster,” she said with annoyance.

The Lord Caster waved his hand dismissively. “That can wait. Right now we need your help with the forbidden spell.”

“How can we help, Lord Caster?” Saleen said respectfully, earning a glare from Gael.

“The spell requires more Essense than we originally thought,” the Lord Caster began.

“Even more than the Essense Chamber can provide?” Saleen asked.

“Yes. I bought only three of you for now to test how much Cecil can handle. If we need more then I shall summon the other Preceptors to aid us. But for now you’ll do. Come.” The Lord Caster led them back into the secret corridor and into the Essense Chamber in silence.

Gael gasped and bought a hand to her mouth. “So this is it…”

“You’ve never been in here?” Cecil said in confusion.

“Of course not,” she snapped. “Only those that the Lord Caster allows can see inside.”

Saleen was looking around, spinning on the spot, her mouth wide in wonder. Zhouhitsu also examined the surroundings and Cecil swore his eyes were a fraction wider that before.

The Lord Caster watched their reactions and grinned long and wide. The rare moment was one to be cherished. After he was satisfied he led them once again, this time to the centre of the room where the most Essense could congregate.

Cecil sat down with his legs crossed and he let out a quite groan as his joints cracked and ached. Silly old man, what are you doing trying to save the world? He felt himself flush in embarrassment and hoped no one had heard the evidence of his old age.

The Preceptors and their leader all got into position around Cecil as he unfurled the scroll and laid it in front of him.

“Conduct your Essense but don’t make a spell. Feed it to Cecil as I direct you. Understood?” the Lord Caster said with sudden severity.

The Preceptors all pulled their hoods over their head and answered in unison. “Yes Lord Caster.”

“Cecil,” he flashed him a reassuring smile, “you may begin when you are ready. We will be here for you.”

Cecil nodded and closed his eyes. Darkness consumed him.