Tale of Eldramir

Ezekiel couldn’t help but stumble slightly as Shari pulled him along further and further into the manor. They had gotten a fair distance away from their parents by this point and had passed by several guards that were stationed along their path. Most smiled or smirked as they passed. The thought of a small girl pulling around a small boy was quite the sight compared to their usual monotony.

There were one or two frowns here and there, but from what Ezekiel knew from his years of visits, that was more due to the fact that they thought that Ezekiel and Shari’s behavior were inappropriate, than anything to do with Ezekiel being a Void Mage. Given that Allon had fired a large number of his previous staff for their discriminatory views, and their apparent ties to the Church of Light, Ezekiel felt that he could trust that there weren’t any people out to kill him in the Alkena’s employ.

“Shari! Hey Shari!” Ezekiel yelled as he finally pulled his hand loose from Shari’s grasp. “What’s going on? You’ve shown me stuff in your family’s warehouse before, but this time around you’re really kind of freaking me out.”

Shari took a moment to catch her breath. One of the things that hadn’t changed since they were children was the difference in stamina. On occasion, when Ezekiel visited with his mother, they would play tag with Reya, to help with their cardio and physical development. Ezekiel knew that having an active lifestyle in his new life was important so he tried to balance his studies with his fitness as best he could, but since he didn’t want to stunt his growth, he knew he couldn’t hit the hard weights just yet.

Luckily for him, it seemed that Void Mages have an innately large stamina compared to other mages, who had to rely on their mana to boost their abilities, which was only possible once they reached Tier two. Void Mages, on the other hand, didn’t seem to physically tire unless they pushed themselves past their physical limits in ways not directly to endurance. For instance, Ezekiel could jog or pick up and put down books almost forever but sprinting or lifting heavy weights was something that would tire him out just like everyone else.

This wasn’t as visually stunning or impressive as the feats of elemental manipulation that other mages could do, but it did mean that physical feats when training or playing were often won by him when interacting with the few children that tolerated or enjoyed his presence.

Several seconds after they had stopped, Shari managed to catch her breath and sent a beaming smile in Ezekiel’s direction. Ezekiel couldn’t help but feel both embarrassed and confused as to why she was smiling so happily at him.

“This is different,” Shari said with excitement in her voice, “Most of those relics were broken weapons or tools from cities that fell during the Age of Despair, or from places that were reclaimed and uncovered at the start of the Age of Conflict.”

“Isn’t that when most relics are from now-a-days? Relics from the earlier Ages were mostly destroyed by the Cruor during the Age of Despair, as they drove humanity from their major cities and centers of civilization.” Ezekiel said with a questioning tone of voice.

This information was something that most children didn’t learn until later in their schooling. Usually during the preparatory period between the ages of ten and thirteen, when most kids would be trying their best to either gain an opportunity to enter the Spirit Lands to try and bond with a Spirit, or when they were preparing to enter an Academy by breaking through to Tier two as a Mage.

Due to Ezekiel’s extensive studying, however, he had managed to find out this information much sooner than most children. This also meant that Shari learned some of it during their study sessions when he would tell her tales of the past Ages in order to either get her interested in something or to get her to stop bugging him by scaring her away. The former was usually fun, but the latter got him in trouble with their parents.

“What makes this Relic so special?” Ezekiel couldn’t think of anything that would get Shari this excited over a Relic. They’d seen dozens of basic common Relics before, some useful, most not, but this really seemed like too much.

“I can’t tell you here.” Shari said as she glanced around, not noticing any guards particularly close by. “You’ll have to wait until we get to the warehouse. Daddy can tell you more when we get there.”

Shari then grabbed his hand again, but this time Ezekiel was ready, and instead of being pulled along awkwardly, Ezekiel ran in pace with Shari as they exited the manor’s back entrance out into a moderately sized courtyard. On one side was a large fence and arched gate leading off the property. On the other was a slightly smaller gate that was guarded more heavily than any other areas on the manor that weren’t the Alkena family’s private living quarters and security rooms.

The warehouse itself was a large building, about a quarter the size of the Alkena’s manor, but that was only the portion of the warehouse that was above ground. It was the most bland and basic looking structure in the entire estate. It had gray walls with no seams or areas to indicate connecting joints or support structures. And the only thing that stood out from its appearance was the slightly slanted roof for water runoff. Beyond that, it was just a massive rectangular box with no details.

Ezekiel had been here enough times to know that there were several floors beneath the ground, of which he had only been to the first subfloor, as anything deeper was restricted to those who hadn’t signed any contracts. After coming to an agreement with the Church of Ten and the Prime Guild, not even Hunters were allowed to go deeper without official documentation from the proper officials of at least one of those organizations.

This was a feature of the Alkena family that had been around for four generations. The auction house itself, and the warehouse, were considered a gift to the then Tier four Hunter who founded their family and took residence in the city of Harkem. It was a shame that the Alkena family had since fallen to the status of lesser nobility due to the more recent generations not having Hunters in the Alkena bloodline, but even so, their business practices had managed to retain their status to a larger extent than most.

This was something that annoyed many Nobles and members of the smaller Churches, but since it was supported by branches of the only two organizations that operated throughout the whole of the lands claimed by humanity, there wasn’t much anyone could do about it.

Making their way towards the smaller of the two gates, Ezekiel and Shari approached the team of guards that stood in front of the entrance to the warehouse. Shari held up a small amulet that granted them entry into the warehouse after she gave three of the guards a complex sequence of hand signs.

She only had to redo the second one once, and that was only because she tried to go too fast and snubbed her finger against one another as she did so.

This didn’t set the guards off, however, as Shari was still young, and the hand signs were complex enough that rushing through them too quickly was a sure-fire way to screw them up. But taking too long was also something that couldn’t be done, as it meant that one was having to put in what should be unneeded effort to perform what should be a trained task

“Alright, young Lady, feel free to enter. Your father previously informed us you would be coming with young Ezekiel at some point. But please be aware that your father has a guest, and that he is having to deal with another party that’s interested in the things I’m certain you two are here for.” The leader of this team of guards said as he waved Shari and Ezekiel through with a smile on his face.

“Thank you, Kars. We’ll try not to disturb them too badly.” Ezekiel said as they walked towards the warehouse. “I’ll be sure to keep this one in line.”

“Zeeekeee.” Shari whined as Ezekiel allowed her to shake his hand in frustration at his teasing.

Ezekiel just reached up and ruffled her hair, causing her to squawk in indignation. Ezekiel had no qualms with continuing his ruffling as they walked forward, however, as he knew full well that Shari knew he didn’t like it when she called him that.

The guards saw this and just laughed it off in good humor. They enjoyed seeing their little Lady having fun with her friends. They didn’t think Ezekiel was too bad either. Especially when he was willing to spar with the guards to learn how to use weapons. They couldn’t help but think it was such a shame that such a talented and hardworking young man was a Void Mage. They were certain that Ezekiel would become great if only he could use magic.

Gates closed behind Ezekiel and Shari as they made their way towards the warehouse. Ezekiel finally let go of Shari’s head as they reached the side of the warehouse. Shari held up her amulet and flipped open a small area at the front that resembled a photo locket. Inside was a small needle that she pricked her finger on. She didn’t even flinch whilst doing so. The locket then glowed briefly as lines on it lit up. Shari tapped the walls a number of times, listening to the sound the stone made as she did. After one particular tap, Shari smiled before touching the amulet to the wall.

Ezekiel didn’t understand how this was an accurate method of figuring out where the entrance was. But he assumed that the Amulet allowed its owner to hear differences in the taps made when it was activated with blood as it was when Shari was using it. Such a thing would be necessary, as

The amulet turned dull once again as a seam opened in the featureless wall.

Ezekiel and Shari entered into the warehouse with the opening closing behind them as soon as they both passed the threshold. Shari then placed the amulet she used to get in here on a small plate on a low pillar next to the entrance. The plate then lowered down into the pillar and descended down a hole that immediately closed after it was finished. This was another automatic security precaution which would activate if the amulet to enter wasn’t deposited immediately after entering.

Ultimately, the entrance and exit were in two entirely different areas, so even if you could get in, you wouldn’t be able to get out if you didn’t know the completely different steps necessary for exiting. The only other option was to overpower and break your way out, but that came with its own problems. Usually in the form of the Guilds or Churches coming along to fight anyone who broke out.

“I still think it’s likely that someone in the past got trapped in here and starved to death.” Ezekiel muttered under his breath as he looked around nervously.

“And I’ve told you that papa and mama said that those were only rumors spread by the guards to scare off pests. Besides, contracted employees of the Alkena Auction House, with special permissions granted by the family head conduct regular checks on the warehouse specifically to ensure that there are no trespassers poking their noses where they don’t belong.” Shari explained with her hands on her hips with an indignant expression on her face. She was clearly reciting something that her parents told her, and her pose was something Ezekiel figured she thought made her look proud and imposing.

Her ruffled hair that was straying all over the place just made her look like she was pouting angrily rather than proudly showing off.

Ezekiel just patted her on the head before turning away and walking towards the center of the warehouse.

“Zeeekeee!” Shari whined out once again. This time she pulled out a small brush from a pouch in her belt before going through the motions to fix her hair.

The two walked past several rows of miscellaneous items. Weapons, armor, potions, pills, tools, basic clothing, and various other things, both useful and not, were hanging on hooks, sitting on shelves, or leaning on stands. A fair number of these shelves, stands, and hooks were surrounded by a dim forcefield of orange light. A basic alert spell meant to burn whoever reached for the items without the proper keys. For the majority that weren’t surrounded in the small forcefields, those were mundane items that were usually kept in piles or mass-produced stockpiles in specific areas.

Ignoring the various items surrounding them, having seen them many times before, Ezekiel was more interested in what was going on in the center of the warehouse. Shari was too distracted with her hair, but he could faintly hear voices discussing something as they got closer and closer, but whilst they weren’t whispering, whoever was talking was still keeping their voice quiet.

“I’m telling you... we can’t just... he’s... young...”

“It’s not... all... he just... touch... full responsibility.”

Deciding that they’d probably get in trouble if they just snuck up on Allon and whoever he was talking to, Ezekiel decided to call out to get the two gentlemen’s attention.

“Lord Allon! Shari and I are here! Should we come back later? It seems like you have a visitor.” He called out as he and Shari rounded one of the corners right next to the center of the warehouse.

The two men, now in sight of Ezekiel and Shari, straightened up from the table they were both leaning on. Both looked like they had gotten caught with their hands in the cookie jar.

“Ahem, ah, Ezekiel. It’s good to see you. And Shari! How’s my dear little lady doing today?” Allon said as he greeted Ezekiel before approaching and picking Shari up to give her a hug and a twirl before settling her down. “I wasn’t expecting you quite so soon. I figured I’d have a few more minutes with my guest here before I’d get to see you both.”

“We can come back later if you’re still busy.” Ezekiel said as he looked between Allon and his guest. He couldn’t help but take a moment to further examine the man who Allon was talking to.

An elderly gentleman with grayish violet hair and a graying violet beard, with bright violet eyes looked at Ezekiel and Shari as the approached, with Allon. He wasn’t dressed the same as most of the guests that Ezekiel had seen on occasion when visiting the Alkena Manor. Those people were dressed in suits that were made of the finest materials that were meant to show off their wealth and power within the city. Usually their status as nobles and fellow rich merchants.

Wrapped around the man’s neck was a violet and green snake that coiled around him like a shiny scaly scarf. The snake yawned as it looked at Ezekiel and Shari, opening its mouth wide, and showing off a lack of venomous fangs.

The man was dressed in half plate armor, with greaves and gauntlets covering his limbs. The rest of his body seemed to be covered in layers of clothing over a form fitting bodysuit. It reminded Ezekiel of the armors he’d seen in video games and other fantasy RPGs in his past life on Earth.

The man also had a sash tied around his arm with a symbol on it. It wasn’t a symbol that Ezekiel recognized, but he was certain it must’ve belonged to one of the guilds. A fairly high ranking one as well, if his memory wasn’t failing him.

The various Guilds of the world were composed of Hunters and Mages that were determined to fight the Cruor on their home turf, often going into the Desolate regions of that world that had long since been claimed by them in order to find and recover lost Relics from ruins of the Age of Growth and Age of Hubris. The various guilds were broken up into five Tiers.

The top Tier only had one guild, and this was the Prime Guild. This guild was the only guild that had a Tier five member, and its main job was to ensure that no other guilds were overstepping when it came to Hunters dealing with the affairs of the various cities around the world. This Guild had a pure white sash with the symbol of a black featureless face on it.

Beneath the Prime guild were other guilds going down from Tier four to Tier one. Tier four guilds have black sashes and were required to have at least three Tier four Hunters among their ranks.

Tier three guilds have gold sashes and a minimum of at least one Tier four Hunter.

Tier two guilds have green sashes and at least three Tier three Hunters or Mages in their ranks.

Tier one guilds have blue sashes and at least one Tier three Hunter in their Ranks.

The sashes worn by guild members also had a number of lines in a noticeable color used for indicating what Tier an individual guild member was at.

The violet haired man in front of Ezekiel had a black sash and three violet lines running around it, with a symbol of a roaring lion emblazoned on it. This man was a Hunter that was at least as powerful as either one of his parents, although clearly, he was much older. Ezekiel couldn’t help but wonder why that was. Were his parents just geniuses or was it just that difficult to breakthrough to Tier four that this man had been at Tier three for a very long time.

“There’s no need for that, young man.” The violet haired man said as he gestured to both Ezekiel and Shari to relax. “Ah, my apologies, I still haven’t introduced myself, even though I know both of your names. Please, call me Ishkel. I am a Hunter and executive of the Roaring Ruins guild. I am the man who found and retrieved the Relics from the newly discovered ruin in Erenon forest.”

Both Ezekiel and Shari were a little bit starstruck as Ishkel introduced himself. Both of them knew that Ezekiel’s parents were Tier three Hunters, but they weren’t part of the guild, so it was assumed, at least by Shari, that they weren’t combat Hunters, but rather they were just Mages that were lucky enough to bond with Spirits to help them advance.

“Indeed. This is one of my friends who has had ties to the Alkena family since the days when my own father was still alive.” Allon explained as he gestured towards Ishkel. “Though I’ll admit, whilst he brings me the most interesting of Relics, he also brings the most troublesome as well.”

Ishkel’s face didn’t change from its serious look as Allon spoke about him. Nothing said was incorrect after all.

“Regardless, it’s actually a good thing you both are here right now.” Ishkel said as he stared at Ezekiel. “As it just so happens, I am in need of your help with the Relic that little Shari has likely already told you about on your way here.”

Allon’s face took on a look of furious rage as he glared at Iskel.

“I thought I told you already! We are not using Ezekiel in your experiments!” Allon nearly shouted as he moved to stand in front of Ezekiel and Shari.

Ezekiel’s eyes narrowed at what Ishkel and Allon were saying, and Shari was growing nervous as she heard her father yelling. The only times she knew her father to yell at were when someone was in great trouble and was likely to be forcibly removed from their property. She didn’t like it when her parents got angry. She thought they got scary when they were angry.

“I’m not saying we’re going to. I’m simply going to present the issue we are both facing right now, and if the boy is willing, we will go through with it. That is all.” Ishkel said in a matter of fact one.

“So, you’re saying I can leave right now, and nothing will come of it? You won’t chase me down, take me captive, threaten my family or the Alkena’s, and by that, I mean taking steps to ruin their business as well.” Ezekiel spoke up as he started to glare at the old man in front of him. “I am a Void Mage after all, so I can’t imagine you’re all that approving of my presence.”

Ishkel and Allon both looked at him in curiosity. They didn’t know where a child Ezekiel’s age had gotten such wild ideas from, but Allon realized that he couldn’t fault Ezekiel for thinking the way he did. He knew for a fact that Ezekiel had been accosted on the streets more than a few times for being a Void mage, so these were probably threats he’d heard before.

Ishkel, on the other hand, looked like he had just suffered one of the greatest insults of his life.

“No, young man, I will not be doing any of those things. And whilst I admit I don’t have too many positive thoughts on Void Mages, that is simply because this world revolves around magic, and you simply don’t have any. Even the few who have managed to waste enough pure mana crystals to become a Tier one Void Mage have never been able to do anything with the mana that they have. If anything, I pity Void Mages for not having a use in society beyond that of an extra pair of hands.” Ishkel said, his voice containing a tone that indicated he was slightly annoyed.

“If you are wondering why, you specifically, then please do not think you are special. I simply do not trust most people with what I am hoping to do, and I am hoping that you will help me with this task because Allon trusts you. He’s bragged and boasted about you more than enough in our previous meetings when talking about his daughter and her friends that I feel like I have at least some ideas about your character.” Ishkel continued to explain both his purpose and reasoning for being here.

Ezekiel looked shocked for a moment before giving Allon a thankful look as he was once again surprised at how much this man and his family seemed to value him when so many others did not.

“What, exactly, do you need help with?” Ezekiel asked as he stepped to the side to look around Allon’s figure.

“Ezekiel, you don’t have to do this.” Allon said as he looked down at the young man, he considered family. “We should at least wait, and perhaps ask for your father to be here before you agree to anything.”

“My father has his own duties to attend to as one of the city’s guard captains. He was lucky enough to not have to cover the early morning shift today, and I’d rather not force him to be late for his work just because of me.” Ezekiel said stubbornly.

Ishkel gave Ezekiel an appraising look, as if trying to tell whether or not Ezekiel was just saying these things as an excuse, or if he really meant them. Apparently, he liked what he saw, because he gave a small smirk before turning and stepping around the table.

“The task is simple. I wish for you to use this mana crystal, and use the absorbed mana to attempt to activate this, Relic.” Ishkel said as he gestured to a shallow box laying open on the table in front of him. “As I believe you know, some Relics can only be used or activated by mana of a certain type. Every type has been used on this Relic, but none have done anything. And since mana absorbed from pure mana crystals automatically convert into a person’s mana type when used, we need a Void Mage to activate this one.”

As Ezekiel approached in order to take a look at what was in the box, he couldn’t help but freeze up momentarily as he saw what exactly the relic was.

It was a black opal pendant, in the shape of a human hand. It looked just like the pendant he had worn in his past life, only it was of a different body part.

“From what we can tell, it should be a Relic left by the Ancient of the Void, as we can sense the mana inside it, but not any elemental affinity. Given that the Relic was also found in a temple in the ruins dedicated specifically to the Void, it is almost certain that the Ancient of the Void left this behind.” Ishkel continued to explain.

Ezekiel didn’t hear him though. Instead, he walked forwards to the table and began reaching out to the Relic, as if in a trance. He could feel a pull coming from inside of him.

“... Ezekiel, are you okay?” Shari asked as she noticed something strange with Ezekiel.

Allon and Ishkel looked at Ezekiel and noticed that something was wrong as well.

“Ezekiel!” Allon called out with concern in his voice as Ezekiel reached out to the pendent.

“Young man, you need to absorb mana from the crystal first or you won’t-”

Ishkel’s voice cut off as Ezekiel picked up the pendant. A bright flash of pure white light burst from the pendant, nearly blinding the occupants of the room.

“EZEKIEL!!!” Shari screamed as she rushed forward, only able to watch as Allon caught him as he fell to the ground.

The last conscious thought he had was noticing that over half his stored motes of mana had been drained into the pendant, and then everything turned to black.