Into the Abyss

With one voice the wizards intoned: “Varkos sed nophial, the offering is given, we are taken together. Let space and time unite us as one. Sis Velkos, nor pleatrium nos becrum.” The lines and runes of the pentacles were all glowing brightly now. The central three wizards now concentrated on the material in their brazier, a spherical ball composed of dirt from all over the world and from different geological eras, sulfur, water, and blood surrounding a hollow cavity filled with oxygen. Slowly the ball began to smolder, small flames beginning to appear on it.

All but the three core wizards fell silent, “Now all is complete, we the Trinity of Power, Jehenna, Elrose and Trisfelt, have brought the Five Realms together as one, Man, Earth, Fire, Air and Water. We have bound them together with Space and Time so that the Seven Essentials of Spirit and World are joined.” Now, the inner circle joined in, “All is contained by the Eleven Pentagrams of Power, now and forevermore.” The voices and minds of the other wizards joined their brethren, “We are the Thirteen Who Control. Our hands are the guiding force, our wills the pillars of power.

“Thus it is Thirteen controlling Eleven, holding Seven, made of Five, based on Three. Three, Five, Seven, Eleven, Thirteen, the prime conditions now met, all power unite! Dominae provebem se fiat lux.” With these final words, all met as one. Bright white light of the entire spectrum radiated from the central brazier.

Rays of magical energy sprang from the center, striking each of the three. A circle of light was formed. Where the circle of light intersected the primary pentagrams inner pentagon, light walls formed, creating a wall of light along the inner pentagon, and then speeding out along the arms of the inscribed star. The energy was controlled by their united minds, it was shaped and molded by the power they had summoned. Mentally they chanted the ancient words that would guide the force, the combined will of the thirteen wizards which dictated the growth of power. The power was constrained by the pentacles, but the direction it grew in was controlled by their will.

Within instants, lines of light traced the primary pentagram. Then the secondary pentagrams flamed brilliantly as they were lit. The primary set of pentagrams flashed briefly, achieving balance and then beams of energy shot down the specially warded and inscribed tunnels to each of the relays. As the light hit the relay stations, those pentacles flared to blinding full power, and the outer circle between relay stations flashed to life. To an individual who was not one with the power, the entire array would be almost impossible to look at, however those inside did not notice it.

The power was theirs; it was to be commanded. Now came the forming of the sphere of force that would protect the school. “Sanctum dominae, fortuum nostros,” spoke the single voice of the thirteen. “Guard and protect us walls of power, Sid velum se crostat. Scerbum si voltan. Nek sid faltos epiterum. Sig nos leum trig falthos. Shield of Might, Hand of Fate, protect and guard us, this we ask, this we command.”

As the chant continued, the walls of light that lined the outer circle began to expand both upward through the ground and downward below their feet. The words were once again lost in the roar of power being channeled through the pentagrams. Sound however did not matter. As all wizards knew: it was the formation of the words within the mind of a wizard that focused the power.

The earth did not stop it nor impede the flow of energy in any way, since the earth was a part of the energy. Upwards through the depths it moved, until it reached the surface, it climbed up the walls of the castle. To those outside, the walls of the castle seemed to shimmer and suddenly glow white with the burgeoning power. The force walls continued upward beyond the castle walls, slowly they began to bend inward and grow together, until they eventually came together at an apex. Thus a perfect dome over the tower and courtyard was formed, perfectly mimicking the domed room directly below the apex of the force dome. Below their feet the dome was inverted forming a perfect sphere.

Those people inside and out could still see through the force walls, in daylight, but in the predawn darkness, it appeared as if a white nearly opaque dome had been placed over the school. As the walls closed, one man among the besieging army frowned in annoyance, he had hoped to catch them before Lenamare could get those damn wards up that he was so fond of bragging about. Oh well, one way or the other, he would win, pentacles or no pentacles.

The Five Elements

Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit

Curriculum Vitae: College of Wizardry

University of the Council States