Arcane: The Mastery of Arcane Gifts

PROLOGUE

When the boy stepped down from the hover-cabbie, he had instantly marveled at how desolate the location was. Of course, as a six-year attendant of The Mastery of Arcane Gifts, he had studied the Land in most excruciating detail, using satellite-fed images and holo maps. But nothing compared to seeing the real thing, especially when you lived in a city that seemed to be even busier than New York.
The cabbie's driver was a blue-eyed, winged elf who was just waiting for a financial breakthrough but for now, was driving passengers to feed his wife and two children. It wasn't as if he was poor, though. When you lived in a magic-infused place like Fairytale Land, things like never-running out larders and self-filling flagons of wine were common.
The elf rubbed his thumb and forefinger eagerly, the universal indication for "pay up, please!" The boy dropped an entire pouch of reydmar, the Land's coin, into his cupped palm and waved him away.
"Keep the change."
The elf was more than elated to do so.
"Thank you," he said, looking into it. About sixty reyd in gold sat there. He said a euphoric thank-you again and, putting the cabbie into gear, powered himself into the surrounding darkness of Greater Desolacy.
As soon as he disappeared the boy stamped his feet on the ground. A red rune traced itself at his feet, and a mar of red engulfed him. When the dust and color cleared, he was gone.
He appeared in a cavern as dark and desolate as the place he'd just teleported from. The cave was hewn from rock and seemed to be insubstantial. Red mist hung over like a cloud in the cavern and within its scarlet depths a shadow stood, made opaque by darkness.
"My lord." The boy knelt in a manner of respect.
The shadow moved. "You came."
The boy nodded. "Yes. I bring good news, my lord."
"Good news?!!" the shadow asked.
"Yes, my lord. The Spellsmaster has been found."
The shadow laughed quietly. "And how is the finding of my possible defeat good news, my son?"
"The prospect of your release."
The shadow was silent; he hadn't heard those syllables in a long time. "Release?" he asked.
"Yes, my lord. As you said, his body provides the perfect host for your Sliver. And with his power you'll be unstoppable!"
"We shall be unstoppable," he said, using his dark fingers to stroke the boy's head. "How could I claim honor that your sacrifice gave me?"
"I thank you, my lord. On the subject of the Spellsmaster, his name is Keith. Keith Thomas Oscar. He shall be among the first-years."
"Perfect. All the time needed to place the Agapí over him. My, will he be spilling his guts after that."
"We also have an unwilling Voluntas in the offices of Consulate and so many in the school. This time we shall be one step ahead."
"Yes, we shall. Now tell me about this boy."
The boy waved his hand; a section of air before him was rent, and a boy looking no younger than fourteen appeared, lying in a bed. His eyelids moved rapidly; he seemed to be in some sort of nightmare.
"Like I indicated, his name is Keith Oscar. Grew up in several foster homes before he moved in with the Vigos. Honestly, I don't believe he poses a danger to our cause. He's quite feeble-looking."
The shadow moved."Do not underestimate kid heroes like him. I underestimated Zach Stein the same way. Now see where that got me. I can feel the blessing of my odious sister even from here."
The boy was silent.
"But don't worry. He won't be this haughty for long. Even blessings can be broken."
The two remained silent, looking at him as though he was already a dead boy. Three portals and sixty dimensions away, the boy named Keith Oscar woke up, breathing heavily.