Fan Fiction ❯ Black Mage: Beginnings ❯ Temptress of Fate ( Chapter 1 )

Black Mage: Beginnings

By: Mistress of the Dark

Chapter One: Temptress of Fate

The sun shone brightly on the rolling green hills of Shirnock Valley, and white fluffy clouds were scattered through the sky of various blues and seemed to drift by without a care in the world.

Most residents of Shirnock were very carefree and content, filling each day with laughter, even as they worked. But some people will always crave adventure and change, and will not give up until they find some.

Such a resident in Shirnock that day was a young Half-Elf named Adalia, who happened to be off on her own, exploring the outer reaches of the valley in search of something interesting. She had spotted a cluster of caves far off in the distance and was climbing over rock and hill to reach them when she fell and tumbled over, landing on her back. She grimaced in pain and, grumbling, dragged herself into a sitting position. She put a delicate white hand on the small of her back and concentrated, feeling the warmth of her own healing magic spread and calm the pounding ache. Adalia sighed,

"Now if only they would teach us magic that could blast these boulders away, we wouldn't have to heal ourselves in the first place!" She mused quietly. She stood up and continued on, walking quickly through the tall grass towards the caves, "or at least equip us with decent swords..." She plowed forward.

Why was she running? There was no need. But deep inside, it was as if something was calling her to those caves and their dark depths. Consciously, she decided that there was bound to be some sort of-something there. At Adalia's side were her bow and arrow, and it kept getting caught in the grass. "...Dreadful weeds..." She muttered, pushing thick vines off her clothing and bow. She ran faster when she saw how close she was getting. It's almost as if it's calling me. She thought, not sure whether to smile or to turn and run the other way. Adventure, Adalia, it's adventure that's calling you. Don't you dare turn your back now!

Before she knew it she had arrived at the caves and she halted abruptly, breathing heavily. She looked back and realized suddenly how far she'd wandered from the village. Her mother would be wondering where she was soon and-

A soft whisper seemed to drift up from the entrance to the first cave and Adalia shivered, turning slowly towards it, "It wants me," She whispered. She stood still a moment until the sensation died away and then thought how completely absurd she sounded, "A cave, is a cave and does not have wants and needs." She said loudly to herself, but looked in at the darkness and her will wavered. "Still..." And she entered the great solid structure with one hand on her bow.

The walls had a strange but beautiful glow to them. It wasn't quite a color, but unique and just as enchanting as any other color in the spectrum. Just like me, Adalia thought suddenly, taking it all in. For she herself wasn't all just one thing-she was half-human but possessed all the things that defined what it was to be an Elf. Everyone had always remarked on her incredible beauty; however, others had also remarked that her human side would one day lead her into unspeakable trouble. Adalia had always ignored those particular comments.

As she walked on something began to bother her. Exactly what it was, she didn't know. The cave became darker as she travelled deeper-that was to be expected. But at the same time, it was almost oppressive. Adalia tried to concentrate on what was going on around her. She knew there had to be bugs or other slimy creatures at her feet. She imagined a large spider brushing her leg and she jumped, disturbing the immense quiet. Get control of your fears, Adalia. You've faced much worse creatures than insects. Her mother's face came to mind for a moment before she continued on, trying to ignore her own thoughts. And it was as if her carelessness for not bringing a torch was forgiven, because the walls began to glow again, this time a deep red. It reminded the young temptress of fate of blood, and she shivered.

She stopped suddenly when the single path ended and branched into two different directions. The one to the right held the red glow, but darkness clung to the other's walls. Adalia looked from one path to the other, her head swiveling quickly as she fought the desperate feeling in her mind that seemed to scream at her to reach a destination. For reasons she could not attempt to explain, her blood pressure skyrocketed, along with her heartbeat, and adrenaline raced through her. Before she even consciously realized what she had chosen, her body took off running through the dark road-the redness and any trace of light gone from its depths. She ran and ran, knowing only the need to find the place she was supposed to be.

Even evil makes itself look inviting. Beauty is often its disguise.

And then there was a light-very small and dark-if there could have been such a thing. Adalia stood panting, her breath coming in short gasps. But she walked slowly forward, drawn to the center of the antechamber. A small black sphere glowed on the floor and she peered at it from above. Crouching down and pressing lightly on it, it went farther into the earth. A great rumble resounded through the small space and the wall in front of her lifted. She walked on through it, all the while staring in front of her as if under a spell.

The young elfling/human was then confronted by a raised platform, and it was lit with the same indescribable glow as was on the walls at the beginning of the cave. Atop it was a single golden diadem, spinning continuously in the air. It was too far up for Adalia to reach so she looked around for some sort of clue, searching the air ravenously, "I've come all this way!" She yelled to no one. And then she found it-a small hand-sized panel on the platform. She pressed her small hand into it and pushed and the structure began to lower ever so slowly.

The girl's eyes lit up with what could have been greed, but was merely hunger as well as anticipation. But then she heard a voice,

"For your efforts. Your curiosity has not gone unnoticed." It came from nowhere and yet somehow everywhere. And then a new sensation-Adalia began to shake, her body sweating and convulsing, a surge of power/pain searing through her veins. She let out a scream and fell to the floor.

And then it stopped.

The platform finally hit the ground, a loud thud interrupting the silence, though not for long. The diadem was now at last attainable and it stopped its spinning. Adalia gazed at it, but was still completely unnerved and perplexed at what had just happened that she simply sat in the cold dirt. And hen the spell that seemed to captivate her earlier left her, and she stared in sudden horror at the golden-orbed crown. She rose slowly, turned to take one more look, then ran back to Shirnock as fast as was possible.

While she ran, half-terrified back to safety, a curious power was building inside her-a new ability that was sure to have lasting repercussions.

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