Chapter 1: Cobalt

Blurb:

To be cursed is to be an outcast. To be a mage is to be feared. To be both is really bad luck.

Cobalt has been studying under The Magister for years. As a last resort to try and awaken his magic, the aspiring mage is subjected to a horrific fate…which fails. But a mysterious entity intervenes, and he finds himself capable of finally accessing his magic. For once in his life, he has full control over his fate.

Liadrin wants to run away from home and escape the cruel destiny that life has in store. But during her flight, she is accosted and almost falls victim to a sadistic will. This causes an awakening of her own, and she seeks answers. Finding Cobalt, he takes her under his wing as she develops her newfound powers.

One, a mage with only book-learning to guide him. The other, a novice with no foundation to build her mastery from. Finding a place to belong is a goal they both aspire to achieve; but perils await on their path. And along this journey to their fate, they will find solace in one another. 

When two cursed meet

The world quakes at their feet.

Their love pierces through the dark

And may break the world apart.

>>>---<<<

The deep, black pool showed no reflection. A complete and utter void lacking any way to tell its depth. The water was perfectly still. He stared at the placid, serene liquid as he had been for years now. Every morning, he thought, I've looked at this damn pool. And I'm no closer! He grunted in disgust and stood up from his prone position, rolling up his meditation mat and causing a stir amongst the other hopefuls gathered around him.

He didn't apologize for the disturbance. One of the others waiting for an open spot closer to the pool shuffled past him, whispering silent prayers thanking The Magister for this chance. He turned on the whispering acolyte and growled at them, "There isn't any magic here! It's a damned lie."

He felt his blood begin to boil and ground his teeth, venting years of frustration onto this innocent. His sharp canines added to the fierce expression. "He says stare and stare until it awakens, and you know what I've seen? Nothing!" He was shouting at that point, and all but the most devout were staring at him.

The acolyte didn't respond, striding past with eager steps as he laid down his own mat in the now vacant spot and began to stare as Cobalt had done.

"I've learned; I've listened to every lecture. Read every book. Done every damn thing. You're wasting your time!"

The young man scoffed again, storming out of the impressive, black granite building. The whole structure was monumental and astonishing - carved from a single piece of the rock conjured from nothing; a feat only possible by the magic of The Magister.

The Magister, Cobalt thought, if he is so powerful then how come he doesn't just awaken our magic himself? He stomped down the small hill, past the animated wooden men that kept the grounds neat and tidy. He continued his determined march to the acolyte's quarters. These were located across the main courtyard of an enormous estate, high up in the hills above the Scorch Wood.

Before entering the building, he glanced up to the enormous central tower. Cobalt felt a mix of anger and regret settle in his stomach as he gulped down the lump in his throat. I left, so it's done. No point in looking back. He opened the door and made his way to a small trunk under his assigned bunk; taking out the travel clothes he had put away so, so long ago. He made sure to kick at the bed-post, carving a deeper wound into the wood from years of repeating the motion to vent his anger.

After putting on his old travel attire, he went to the kitchen, taking enough food and water

skins to make the dangerous trek through The Scorch Woods. "Hm… leaving so soon, as have so many others" A deep, sonorous voice said.

Cobalt turned and was shocked to see The Magister himself. The man looked to be in his mid-forties; slightly balding with hair slowly going white. But anyone who knew about The Magister knew better than to assume his age. He had been around since the world began, some said.

Cobalt sighed and bowed his head in respect, still angry but giving a begrudging nod of honor to this towering figure, "I tried. So damned long. I've stared in The Awakening Mirror for years of my life. And I'm no closer to becoming a mage."

The Magister chuckled and leaned against the door frame, "Well, it's not for everyone. Especially one of the beast-cursed. I should have guessed that your temperament would get in the way of your awakening."

He was referencing Cobalt's heritage; one of those who was a human blended with animalistic features. In Cobalt's case, he had the ears of a wolf on top of his head rather than regular ears - one of which was torn in half from an injury years ago. This was in addition to the wild mane of hair that always grew back overnight and was a bright, sky blue - one of the signature traits regardless of the beast the cursed took after was always a vibrant, stand-out color.

His bestial nature was compounded as well by the large, bushy blue tail. The changes manifested suddenly at the end of adolescence, as did all who were cursed such as him. He couldn't hide his bloodline even if he wanted to. This, combined with prejudice, and his animalistic predisposition towards anger, explained the rage he felt.

"It's your stupid method! If you're so powerful then why can't you just cast a spell and awaken my power!" He had drawn himself up to his full height which wasn't tall at all; Cobalt was quite short and lean, in fact. Hardly an imposing figure. Nonetheless, he felt more powerful as he attempted to intimidate the powerful man before him.

The Magister tutted and shook his head, "That's not how this works. The magic is inside you. I can't force it out." He smirked, "I was hoping you'd be a breakthrough."

"Why take me on as an acolyte if you knew it wouldn't work?!"

"You are the first beast-cursed come to my estate to try and awaken their magic. Easily one-hundred acolytes have tried to awaken themselves in this past year alone. Many don't last longer than a few months before they give up and go home." The Magister put his head down to his chin and sighed, "You've been here for… I suppose two years?"

"Five," Cobalt corrected with a growl.

The Magister's eyes lit up as he grinned at the beast-cursed man, "Really?" He turned and gestured, "Come with me. There's one more method we can try. After that, well, let's just say you don't have any magic within you…or at least none we can awaken."

Cobalt felt the lump return to his throat and a faint butterfly of hope in his stomach. Years of trying. Years of study and lecture. And now he takes an interest? Okay, old man. Last chance. Then I’m gone. He put the sack of food on the counter and hurried after The Magister.

He followed the master of all magics up to the spiraling tower; an enormous structure with easily twenty floors, each a concentric ring growing larger and larger the higher it went. The design defied any logic of architecture or structure; and some of the layers even floated slightly apart from each other when the weather was nice.

Cobalt had never been inside the building before, and hesitated before stepping over the threshold. "Nice place," he commented as he stared at the open chamber with a large, spiral staircase in the center.

"When an acolyte has been attempting for three years - rare, these days - I give them one last chance at awakening. If this doesn't work, then nothing will. And then I send them on their way." He turned to look at Cobalt, "I am sorry that I lost track of time with you…the magic has been…odd, as of late. Time hasn’t flowed correctly for me in the past few years."

The Magister ascended the stairs as Cobalt followed, pondering his words. The ascension took quite some time, and as Cobalt thought on the words, it dawned on him. Is that why he hasn't been going out in the world and performing miracles? He just lost track of time?

He shook his head at the thought crossing his mind. Nonsense. He's The Magister. He must have a different reason for staying here. Looking at each floor they passed, he could easily understand why someone would want to stay here. Every floor was immaculate and dedicated to a specific purpose; decorated in ornate, varied styles. The lap of luxury that made the acolyte's quarters feel like a prison in comparison.

They went up to the top of the tower and emerged on a ledge. Cobalt was sucking in deep lungfuls of air and his legs were shaking from the exertion as he collapsed upon reaching this highest level. The Magister barely broke a sweat as he turned to face the beast-cursed acolyte. "Do you know why I built my tower here?"

Cobalt shook his head as he took deep breaths, uttering words in between gasps, "No…no clue…seems…weird."

"I chose this place for two reasons. The first," he held up his index finger for emphasis, "Is the difficulty in reaching this location. The second," another finger, "Was because this is the highest place in the world. Did you know that? You can't get any higher up than here."

Cobalt looked up at The Magister, confused, and spoke more completely after catching his breath. "I thought that The Skyshear Mountains-."

"That's what most think. I have ensorcelled this mountain to appear as if it is not as high as it really is." The Magister waved his hand as a blast of purple, sparkling energy washed out from his palm; bathing the landscape. Cobalt gasped as the world seemed to fall away from them; his breathing grew labored and he shivered, wrapping his clothes tight around himself. The Magister seemed unphased and grinned…but there was some strain to his facial expression.

The view was gorgeous and the two just stared before the awesome beauty that laid before them. Cobalt felt light-headed from the lack of oxygen when The Magister finally broke the silence. "Here is the last chance you have to awaken your potential. Come, join me." He gestured as Cobalt stood up to stand next to him, carefully shuffling towards the edge.

"I'm afraid of heights, sir."

The Magister put a hand on his shoulder and smiled, "Perfect! That makes this even more effective." He pushed Cobalt, and the beast-cursed acolyte screamed as he plummeted from the top of the world.

Next Chapter >