Death's End

Chapter 3 - Guild

The open sky hung an intense afternoon sun, the kind with which anyone would expect to come with a heat haze. But there was no sweltering heat even as Jerius walked with Mirayoung out in the open massive space behind the wall and garrison of the Guild; instead it was a cool temperature, ever just right and perfect.

Magic. Jerius thought of the temperature.

In front of him was a barren land, but Jerius knew better that it was but another illusion created by illusionary spells. As they continued north, the landscape before them shed its invisible cloak to reveal another wall of old-class majesty that Jerius had not seen before. Studying military fortifications as a Prime Sorcerer of Nox, he could identify the Guild as a concentric castle with both outer and inner walls.

But it was also not simply a walled fortress with conventional architecture. Towering trees with green canopies were planted on both sides of the inner wall, reaching heights beyond the manmade fortification. Intermixed with them were climbing plants and flowering vines of different species, forming what looked to be a sporadic and messy view. But Jerius recognised them for what they were‒parts of a magical array.

"The Guild does live up to its name," Jerius said.

"From the times of old, where the trio of empires ruled, the Guild has existed. When the trio of empires perished, and smaller empires began like Nox with its conquest of the west, the Guild has only grown mightier and fiercely independent like a bastion of hope, power and peace among a sea of battles and chaos," Mirayoung replied. "And now, as the world fragments even more with no clear might, the Guild grows stronger. This is the most impressive city you'll ever see, young Lyvia. This is the city of magic, the home to the Guild."

"I know all too well about the infamous pride that plagues all mages at some point," Jerius said.

The magician's pride was something every arcane practitioner needs to grapple with and overcome. Lady Lyvia had warned him on the first day of his training. Commanding the elements and arcane forces had an intoxicating effect on mortal flesh and mind. The more talented and powerful the magicians were, the more susceptible they became to a sense of self-importance. And in a place like the castle of the Magician's Guild, where magic reigned supreme, the intoxicating effect had gone unchecked.

He knew the task at hand was a difficult one: convincing the magicians of the danger they would be in.

"We're entering the Guild," Mirayoung warned him with a sideward glance. A huge, shimmering mark of energy separated itself to form a rift big enough for two people to walk through. As they did, the fine hairs on Jerius's back stood, feeling not just powerful, but intelligent magic evaluating and granting him access to the inner city. Once they passed through, the magical entry returned to its original form.

"This feeling," Jerius said as the tingles on his skin remained perceptible.

"Harnessed spirits," Mirayoung said. "Lady Lyvia is a High Magician. I'm unsurprised you haven't had such an experience."