2nd of Winter, 518 A.V.
A weight had formed just behind the eyes, one that clouded his thoughts and made them sluggish. Each beat of his heart renewed his awareness of the ache that filled his head. While a cloak was unnecessary, Kynier had brought his mostly for the ability to pull the hood low over his eyes. Syna’s morning light was unhindered due to the clear skies, and it agitated his eyes. Rubbing his brow and forehead with a few fingers added temporary relief that dissipated the moment he stopped. Yesterday had not been the first time he drank ale, but it was the first time he had in such a large quantity. Perhaps not large by most people’s standards, but it had been enough for him.
Making his way towards Stumble Alley, Kynier was going to check in with Doler. The crazed wizard usually had something at the beginning of the seasons. On the one hand, Kynier hoped not, so that he could retreat to a private place and hone his arcane skills. On the other, he wanted the distraction. Something to take his mind off just about everything involving his own life. And while he wasn’t sure if he considered yesterday fun or not, it wasn’t something that he could do every day. And he certainly hoped that his new… landlord… wouldn’t try to make it happen every day.
Stepping into the abandoned storefront, Kynier made his way across the thick web and feces stained floor to the empty shelves that lined the opposite wall. At a set a little off center, he took a fist and struck the back section in the designated pattern to get the wizard’s attention. Twice, once, then three times. After that, he retreated to the center of the shop like he usually did. Often, he wondered why it was that Doler did not want people to be in close physical proximity. And while Kynier was not a social person, Doler made Kynier look like the life of a party by comparison.
After a few chimes of waiting, Kynier wondered if this was going to be a day where the wizard kept to himself all day. The secret passage did not open, and no sound could be heard from the other side. Kynier’s thoughts went still has his mind delved down to the depths of his soul. He brought his fingertips together below his core as he found the reservoir of his Djed. Kynier allowed his mind to be swept away in the currents of his power. Rather than try and manipulate it to his whims, he opened himself up to it. Without provable cause, he felt his power flow freely throughout his body. Eyelids drooped closed as energy ran through his body.
The headache from yesterday was drowned out as an internal warmth spread throughout his being. No physical manifestation appeared, but his Djed filled his body, just below the surface of his skin. Gently, he guided the power to pushed against the center of his body. Until now, he had only attempted to manipulate his astral limbs. In a calm state, surrounded by dust in a place no one ventured, it was the most opportune time he’d have in a long time. Kynier started with the shoulders and used his Djed to push them out of place spiritually. As the tethers to his body came undone, and his astral form loosened, the shoulders began to slack.
As he pushed against the upper section of his torso, he felt his heart race, and doubt crept into his mind. What would happen if he removed the astral torso from his body? His limbs became useless and slack when they were disconnected, would the same bet true of his heart? Would his lungs stop filling with air or his heart cease to beat? The Djed flowing through his body responded to his anxiety and doubt, changing from a gentle stream’s flow to more whitewater rapids. Taking a few deep breaths, he tried to regain tranquility.
While the flow of his magic eased a little, it did not return to its former gentle pace. Accepting the risk, he pushed more on his torso’s astral form. The muscles of his chest went slack, followed by those of his abdomen. While he could not feel it anymore, Kynier could still sense the heartbeat through his pressed fingertips. Air continued through his nose and out his mouth, causing him to worry only a little less. As his torsos separated, Kynier tried to swell his astral chest. While his limbs could stretch and interact with the physical world, what his torso could do was less clear. The mage felt it swell and expand beyond the limitations of his physical body.
It was a little terrifying to be honest. Retracting a foot or a hand was a natural instinct, but this was going beyond the typical shape and function of a mortal body. Taking an instant to fortify his mindset, Kynier pushed further on his astral form to stretch it as far from himself as he could. The navigation was different. One didn’t need to be aware of where their torso was generally speaking. So, when he felt the wooden surface of the shelves against his chest he paused and pulled back in surprise. A half smile came to his lips before he swelled again to press against the shelves. After a chime of doing so, he brought himself back, not wanting to push further than he could come back from.
Silence passed during the chimes it took to resettle his spirit back into his body. No clamoring or thumping came from beyond the secret passage. What was the wizard doing? After Kynier had completely resynchronized he went forward and slammed his fist against the shelves again, only much harder than he did before. After generating his coded knock, he stood by the shelves silently to listen more closely. After a few ticks, he heard something from the other side. Some sort of scuffling. Then he backed away from the shelves to the center of the shop and waited.
Word Count: 1,015
Boxcode credit goes to Gossamer!
