Immortal Dead

One Ember is All it Takes

I followed closely behind Capra, for some reason something about her seemed a little...off. She looked different but I couldn't immediately tell what it was. As wierd as this may come across, she seemed drained. Like she had some of her life just ripped out of her. I was about to ask but before I was even able to open my mouth she pulled me towards her, seconds before a firebomb landed on the ground. I surveyed the area ahead and saw where it came from, there was a large house with a few more of those zombie like creatures all trying to hit us from afar. I conjured a small ball of fire and fired at the wooden structure they stood on, causing it to burn and collapse, leaving all the creatures to fall to their deaths. Capra gave me a slight smile and a nod of approval. We continued on our way, following the overgrown, dirt path through this old town, we kept our wits about us as to not give anyone a chance to catch us off guard. The further in we traversed, the more piles of bodies we started to see. The stench was bad enough to smell from across the town. 

We came across a small hut amidst the rotting buildings and decomposing bodies. Capra pointed ahead "He ought to be in there, follow close and let me speak first". We approached the door and Capra knocked twice before opening it. Inside was dimly lit by a few candles, there were scrolls and books all over. I closed the door behind us, causing a drawn out creaking noise. We took a few steps forward, trying not to step on anything inside this messy home. I could hear footsteps making their way up what sounded like old, creaky wood. Just then a new figure appeared before us and stretched out their arms. "Ahh Capra, it's good to see you again my dear." Capra put a hand on his shoulder "It's good to see you again Oswin, I wish it was under more relaxed circumsances but for right now-" She looked at me, and then back to him "This one is in need of your teachings." 

He approached me up close. The man wore an old dark robe that appeared to be ripped at the sleeves. His hair had started to grey, and he had a fairly long beard that still bared just a hint of it's original black color. "I don't believe we've been formally introduced." He said, reaching for my hand and shook it "My name is Oswin Leofric, teacher of all things of the arcane." Even though I had never met the man, he gave off friendly vibes, and I felt relaxed in his presence. "Leeroy Jenkins." I replied as I shook his hand. He smiled at me, and then took a seat at his desk. "So tell me Leeroy, what is it you've come to me for? What is it you wish to learn?" I leaned against the wall and responded calmly "I wish to learn to control my power better, and to learn how to wield it in new ways. I have been gifted with control over fire and I wish to put it to better use." 

He started to look through his scrolls, quickly skimming through them untill he found one particularly long one. He rolled it up and handed it to me "Give this a read shortly, but for now I wish to see what you already know." Capra cleared her throat "Oswin, while he does need to learn, he needs to learn quickly. Just the essential stuff for now is all that's required." He sighed "Always in a hurry these days, alright lad. Let's go outside and you can show me what you know." I then spent the next couple of days doing nothing but studying, practising and repeating. Oswin seemed to know everything, but due to our limited time I feel as if he was holding something back. But regardless, I did improve. I could use my power for longer periods of time without feeling drained of energy, and I learned new ways to utilise my flame. By the end of the second day, it was decided that what I had learned would suffice, and that we would move on tomorrow. 

After a decent night sleep, we were ready to leave, but Oswin had one more thing for me. "Here lad, take this pouch. Inside you will find something that will fuel your natural abilities, and revitalise you in your time of need. I started to open the pouch, but he stopped me. "Ah ah, not yet. Save it. You must not become reliant on them if you are to truly learn, and improve further." I nodded, and put the pouch in my pocket. We all said our goodbyes, and we were off. Leaving Oswin back to his isolation amongst his decrepit village. 

I felt a new sense of confidence now as we travelled. I had a better understanding of what I was capable of, and that gave me a sense of security that I had lacked before. Whatever we came across next, I would be ready to meet it head on.