The Den of the Undead

by **Miro** on January 21st, 2014, 6:45 pm

Vien performed his part of the ritual very well, and was soon giving into the Hypnotism. Truly something did change in him. The oath seemed to make him aware of what he was gaining rather than giving up. When looked at it that way, it was hard to refuse. Honestly, how hard was it to run away, if that truly was the initiate's will. Any pledging to him could surely make an escape, always given plenty of opportunities. If they were willing to bear the consequences of stealing magic that was. Being caught meant certain death.

By the time the Hypnotist snapped his fingers the initiate was entranced. Finally a success. The magic wasn't always broken. When it worked, it worked. But sadly he could not use it forever, and before long he would be taking Djed not meant to be cast. He had only enough to complete the initiation he had promised. One that would be peaceful and free of misery. His apprentice need not have their memory scarred by the process. Though to have his prey caught in the ultimate trap, it was hard to remain focused on his promises.

The trance was the Hypnotist's greatest tool, especially in the hands of a master. The technique blurred the line between dreaming and awake, and as such all resistance to hypnosis is removed. And in such a state the mind is able to work in a way it is not when conscious. If properly executed the trance would manifest as a dream manipulated by the wizard. Information came out just as easily as commands went in as well, though not without fault. There were things that the mind tucks deep away and guards. Though with enough skill in hypnosis nothing was out of reach.

But tomorrow held more promise than any day so far this season. Winter held a great treat for him, as the state was seemingly indefinite. It would not kill the Symenestra to go another day without eating, he hoped at least, and it would give him time to recover some of his Djed. For now he would complete the initiation to Reimancy. Though he could not get to testing the trance and working out some magical theory. Truly that would be the greatest treat to come from this. How lucky could an undead get?

Ender was also quite eager to see things advance. But he had something a little different in mind. Though he would have to ask his master. For this reason the Irylid already knew the answer. "I would learn a great deal by performing this initiation myself master. I am going to assume that you will keep this opportunity for yourself despite this. Would I be wrong?" The wizard smirked and responded in a charming voice. "No, you would not. This is my initiate, sworn to Miro, not Ender. You would learn much more by finding your own initiate. When you have done that, then you may perform your own ritual."

Miro produced Res as a thick aqua colored gas from the tip of Ionu's Light and began to form a cloud above Vien. The substance began to condense into liquid and slip into the cuts the initiate had made on his palms. The wounds could be seen being forced open by the liquid, but this was hardly the painful part. The feel of Res inside of ones body was horrid, and it felt like it tore the body as it moved though. The longer it rest in one place though, the worse the sting became. For the master's own, he passed out after the first few chimes, but can still remember every last moment.

Vien's face seemed to reveal he was in quite a bit of pain, but his struggles were only beginning. The wizard guided the rest of the Res to force itself in through the apprentice's mouth and nose down into his lungs. The look on the Symenestra's face now turned to reveal horror as well. He gasped for a moment as he choked on the gaseous spell. The spell was retracted and continued to saturate each breath Vien took. Though the horrid grimace he held did not fade. Slowly the liquid Res was being pushed towards the initiate's core.

Ender had thought about what his master had told him and interrupted again. "If I swear a magical philosophy different than yours, you will not scold me? I would be free to practice magic with apprentices as I see fit? Truly I would?" It was an oddly sincere voice. And the answer was simple enough, the undead had already told him. "You are not my slave Ender, and though you draw your magic from me, you are free to further your power however you please. But you will always serve me above all." A little independence was exactly what the Familiar needed.

But sometimes independence and free will meant conflict of ideals. Not all people thought alike, and indeed the Irylid was different from his master. "Of course I will obey your every order Miro. Thank you, I understand well what you mean for me to do. I have been meditating on it, and I think I have come to a decision. I will teach magic to those who swear to use it to further just causes. Teach magic to those who would use it for the better of the community. In return I believe I shall ask for things akin simple favors. Bits of knowledge, help with a task, and surely it could benefit you as well." It was startling to the Chained One how Ender would give away his master's power so freely. Did he truly not understand?

Miro scowled and the Familiar instantly sensed his disapproval. "Magic is something only meant to be put in the hands of the worthy. Only meant to be given to be used for you, never against. Not all are capable of wielding it, and above all it is not a currency." The fact that this was not understood by now was upsetting. Though there was a strong reason to the system. "Not all will seek magic. I will entrust it to those who will use it for the benefit of everyone and train them. Not all serve your filthy gods who spread their taint across Mizahar." There was a strong clash of emotions between the duo. Betrayal from the master, determination from the Familiar.

"In every city you leech off of the people of just causes, devouring everything they create, and always you take for yourself. I would only give a little of your power to them, and still benefit from it. Though I will obey you, even if my magic comes from you, I am not controlled by lust for power and domination like you are. The only thing that disgusts me more than the Defiler is Uldr himself. I am thankful I did not have to be in his presence, let alone marked by him. With all of the beautiful and glorious gods in this world, I am bound to the one chosen by the worst. All except for Lady Morwen, the greatest of all the divine. You are blessed more than you know."

Miro sighed and accepted what his partner had to say. Ender would always serve him in the end, but as it was said, he was allowed to have his own beliefs. The wizard needed only now to focus on his magic. With the Djed needed for Reimancy spent he could now use the rest for Hypnotism. Ionu's Light was firmly planted on Vien's chest yet again. The Hypnotist closed his eyes and began to channel emotional responses and prepare suggestions. In the dreamlike state the trance provided, suggestions and sudden thoughts were notably improved. Spells that targeted the subconscious were much closer to the surface and were not met with resistance. In this case his spells need only overwhelm the barrier of pain.

Miro began to fill Vien with emotions that would slowly work to wash away the discomforts of the initiation. Feelings of relief, comfort, relaxation and happiness. The Symenestra's pain would weaken, the unnatural feeling of the Res inside of him fade, his clenched muscles relax, and his mind would again be at peace. The wizard looked down to see the spell hadn't been entirely soothing, but seemed to help. A couple chimes still needed to pass before the initiation was over and the Res could be removed. It was at this time that the wizard would finish with his suggestions.

"Vien, your body feels heavy, and you are unable to move. It is as if you are filled with something unnatural, which was alarming, but slowly it is becoming familiar. It is as if you are understanding this foreign feeling within you. You understand that what you feel inside of you is magic, Miro's power transforming you. The pressure within your being is your evolution into a Reimancer. And you feel something else as well. Deep within you is a strong will. You have always known it was there, but now it is focused. It has become your magical instinct, and it guides you. Your will is dedicated to learning Reimancy and serving Miro. You are his apprentice, and Miro your master. An apprentice must always serve his master."

Pressure was building on the Chained One's temple warning him to cease the spell he had just cast. The spell channeled that long had began to weather his mind. A fog rolled in over his mind, and it was obvious he was not going to cast another spell today. In fact, all of the magic had been work, more on his mind than soul. The amount of work it took to perform complex Hypnotism almost was not worth the risk of it failing. But when it worked the exhaustion was easily worth the reward. Though still the limits were clearly defined. At least time was not one of these.

Miro knelt down and placed his staff on the floor. He grabbed Vien by the arm and propped him up and prepared the man to be lifted. The undead's one arm was wrapped about the unconscious man's waist and he was tossed over shoulder. The arm's enhanced strength made up for the lack of Flux, but to stand was not as easy. The wizard struggled to stand with all of his might, and though his knees shook, eventually he was upright. The Symenestra was not even so heavy, but his lame leg did little for him. Gradually he made his way to the bed and tossed down his burden as gently as possible.

What followed was an awkward maneuver that eventually resulted in Vien being tucked in for bed. The Reimancer called his Res to flow out from the man's lungs and slowly leak from his wounds. After which it was released, let dissipate with the caster's will. The blue substance thinned and quickly faded from view. And the undead was ready to be done. He slumped down at the foot of the bed and closed his eyes. It was comfortable enough to allow him a rest. Tomorrow he would be sure not to rise until he was fully rested.

by **Vien Lotus** on January 29th, 2014, 10:57 pm

As the right continued Vien's conscience had all but disappeared into the deepest reaches of his mind thanks to the trance. Now all that was left was a shell of his usual self. Then as Miro began forcing his Res into Vien's body that is whenever the weak side of Vien emerged. He began whimpering ever so slightly as Miro's Res began digging deeper and deeper through Vien. At first Vien seemed to be able to bear the brunt of the pain save for his annoying whimpering; however, when Miro thrust his Res through nostrils and mouth that is when the whimpering stopped. All that Miro could see now was a single tear that gradually fell from his right eye.

As the Res burrowed it's way further and further into Vien's core he remained silent. Even though his conscience was mostly gone he still had the most prmial of all instincts. Never show your fear, and never reveal your weaknesses. He had learned that many moons ago and whether conscience or not he was not going to allow Miro's right to best him. His body embraced the Res until it struck his very core. Once there, Vien's face contorted one last time as the sheer pain overwhelmed him briefly but as the Res settled Vien began to get used to it little by little. It was not like it did not hurt Vien it was more like Vien was ignoring it. Whenever Miro had finished his work the Res receded and Vien's body laid there in silence.

As Miro came forward and picked him up Vien flinched from the touch. Living through such pain made him like a raw nerve and any physical contact sent a shock of pain through him. It was only until Miro threw Vien onto the bed that Vien seemed to relax. The bed was amazingly soft compared to the floor and it was no time before Vien wrapped the sheets around him where he would rest comfortably until awoken.

by **Abstract** on February 6th, 2014, 11:04 pm

Grade Awarded!

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Miro

Award :

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Vien

Award :

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Notes

I'm not going to lie, it was incredibly disturbing to hear Miro think the word 'mom'. He's the kind of person you'd think had been the same age for ever and ever. I'm grinning of the thought of him as a kid. Of course, the mask, black arm, and staff are all included in the picture... which is probably wrong.

Mini Miro!

I'm really quite impressed with Vien for standing up to Miro like that. I think I'd run, just from his mask. Smarter, and safer. If you want more skills, however, try to write more. I know Miro's giving you a lot, so at least three paragraphs would be nice