Cressane Chronicles

CHAPTER 1

        A cool, winter breeze with a hint of spring lazily drifts past the busy harbor city of Palicidan. Sweeping past vibrant hues of colorful clothing, hung on clothes lines stretching taut between third and fourth story apartments, it continued onwards into crowded throng of merchants leaving the city.
        Trade is an important, if not vital aspect for the economy of Palicidan. As such, traders were treated equally, if not better, than the current king and queen of the city. Of course, that’s not saying much when the king of this city is too scared to walk out of his own palace.
        The traders stopped and stared, entranced, as most newcomers do, at the city arch. Engraved in the arch is the entire history of the human race. The engravings were performed by the Ancients in The Time of Wonders. As such, they are works of art as well as works of magic, since most of the images actually depicted moving scenes.
        I felt the wind pull at my cloak and thought how nice of a day it is. Not being too warm or too cold, today is a perfect day.
        Pulling my attention back towards the duel, in which I was a spectator, I was surprised to hear a wizard in a red robe yell an incantation. Out of oblivion, a dragon wreathed in flames appeared. The crowd gasped in astonishment, moving back in surprise.
        The wizard in the flowing blue robe gaped for a second before singing a quick beautiful song. As the song reached its crescendo a cloud of rain appeared overhead. as the rain formed into a puddle, a water elemental slowly took form.
        The summoned creatures stood still for a moment, sizing each other up, when suddenly the dragon unleashed a torrent of fire.
        The flaming missile caught the slow moving water elemental square in the chest, leaving a gaping hole. The elemental took the blow without flinching and slowly put its hands together. As it spread them apart, a slow, revolving sphere of liquid formed in the empty space in between the hands. Reaching moderate proportions, the elemental hurled the sphere with such force that his body was thrown with the sphere and into the dragon. A violent hiss erupted to the cheers of the onlookers as both creatures ceased to exist. Shaking hands, the two competitors made their bows to the crowd and exchanged money.
        Speaking of money, “Here you go Assylian," Therigis shouted over the noise of the crowd. “Much thanks,” I replied. Therigis has always compensated me well on previous adventures and today was no exception.
        “I might have another job for you shortly,” Therigis said.
        “I’d like that,” I replied.
Saying our goodbyes, we departed.

Chapter 2

        Not knowing what to do with the rest of the day I decided to return to the High City and possibly visit the Rogues Guild. Walking down the busy street, I walked up to a hippogriff monster and paid him a few copper for a ride to the High City.
        Getting on the beast, I was surprised at how beautiful and majestic these creatures were. Looking like a cross between a horse and an eagle, their body was covered in feathers. A long beak at the end of its face reminded me that these creatures were very dangerous if threatened.
        A sudden jerk by the creature forced me to grab the reigns as the beast broke into a gallop. Leaping off the bluff, we free fell for a few seconds, before it unleashed its wings about ten feet from the river, and just like that we were flying. As suddenly as it started, it was over.
        Stepping off the Hippogriff, I entered the High City. Being the crowning achievement of Palicidan, it took the finest wizards of the time to create the city. High City received its name because of the face that it floated on a mountain high above Palicidan.
        Being the home of the richest politicians and magicians, the city proudly displayed its owner’s wealth. Walking down the brick streets I could not help but stare. Unable to do the simplest of magic, magic that all humans can perform, I was constantly amazed at what could be accomplished.
        The manor garden held flowers as tall as trees and trees as small as flowers. Statues roamed freely, and it is rumored that the trees in the Royal forest did the same. Dragons, protectors of the skies, flew freely and everywhere life flourished.
        An abrupt change in air temperature made me grimace. Looking up, I saw that the cooling clouds no longer wreathed the blazing sun. Rushing into the Lucky Woman, the pub where us rogues met, I was instantly relieved. My white hair and albino body cannot take the suns rays for prolonged periods of time,
        Upon entering, I immediately saw two Minotaurs, from the planet of Cypruss, fighting. All the other customers were simply cheering the two on and were placing bets on the outcome.
        Personally, I am surprised none of the watch had been called. Normally, this sort of argument is not allowed in an establishment as fine as this. However, it was none of my concern.
        I had hoped to have a mug of ale; under the circumstances it could wait. Besides, later I would buy some silver dust and maybe have a line or two.
        Silver dust is an addicting and expensive habit, one I should probably quit, yet every time I try I go through horrible withdrawal. The whole reason I became a thief was to pay for the rising costs of my habit.
        I started drugs as a means of escape after my mother died. For a while it soothed my pain, but now it seems to just add to it. For me at least, it’s a love hate relationship.
        Heading to a trap door in the floor, I inserted my bronze key and lifted up. Descending down the rusty spiral stairs, I noticed they had gruesomely aged. Mold creped around the hand rail and the steps were falling apart. The room I am entering smells musky and the air is dirty. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, I was greeted by a familiar voice.
        “You’re early for a change,” Devan, the guilds wizard told me.
         “I thought you might have purchased a mistress from upstairs before coming,” Devan hinted cunningly.
         “I probably will later, but I figured I would be early for a change,” I replied snidely.
         “I got some money from Therigis, so I thought I would buy some blow.”
         “Chances are it is to be wasted tonight on drugs and women, eh?” Devan shot back.
         “Seeing as how we are all here,” I continued ignoring Devan, “Why don’t we go ahead and start the meeting!”
         Lasting only an hour, I accepted one job as a personal favor for Devan. He requested that I steal a set of notes from the wizard Allen Ursone.          Devan confessed that Allen’s spells were both stronger and better.
         “How much will you pay me Devan?” I inquired.
         “I will give you a pair of adamantium knuckles. Knowing you the way I do, and knowing the job will be completed, I will give them to you in advance.”
         “That sounds fair enough,” I replied as he handed them over. Trying them on, I found they were the best knuckles I’d ever owned. Devan must have known I would like them because before a word of thanks could form on my lips he said, “I knew you would like them,” smugly.
         “Well it’s getting late and I think I’m going to enjoy the rest of the night with some silver dust and a nice female companion,” I replied.
         “You will have to rent a room because no high-class prostitute will sleep with you in your place.
         “You are still living in the under city,” Devon inquired.
         “That I am,” I replied as I walked away.

Chapter 3

         “I need to buy a bag of silver dust,” I told a finely dressed young man in the back corner of the pub.
         “It’s going to cost you. This stuff is getting harder and harder to get; new custom officials are not taking bribes to have it shipped in.”
         “How much is it?” I asked.
         “10 gold,” he said.
         “Fuck! It was half that a moth ago. Next week it’ll be 20 marks,” I exclaimed in dismay.
         “Do you want it or not?”
         “Not!” came my quick yet unwanted reply.
         “Whatever, you’ll be back tomorrow begging me to sell to you.”
         He was right.

Chapter 4

         Waking up at my home in the under city, the first thing I did was make my way back up to the world of light. With the man’s voice resonating in my mind, I headed back to the High City to buy a bag of silver dust. 
         “Hey Assylian,” a voice behind me called.
         “Hey,” I replied to Devan.
         “Are you going to steal those notes for me?” He asked.
         “Just had to buy my medicine first,” I said with a grin.
         “Give me an hour or two and those notes will be in your hands.”
         “Well, I got some business to attend to, but I’ll meet you back here in a few hours.”
         So saying, Devan seemed to go into some kind of trance. The air thickened in the room and a fiery ball expanded to occupy the space between us. The ball grew to unimaginable proportions, but curiously did not burn. Then, slowly, the fire started to swirl, and as it stopped a fiery metal portal stood in its place.
         I briefly saw a wooded forest, and Devan entered the portal. As he did it made a small pop and vanished out of existence.
         “Showoff,” I muttered pissed off.
         Walking out of the Lucky Woman I continued to the back alleyway. Opening the porthole I cringed as it made a loud screeching noise. Looking down, a dark and seemingly endless abyss appeared. To make things worse, I forgot a torch and could use no magic so as to light my way. Oh well, this was not the first time I had been in the under city. After all, this is my home.
         Climbing down the rusty iron ladder I descended further into the abyss of the sewers, being molested by a powerful and pungent odor.  The smell is bad enough to make any sane person, obviously excluding me, ascend back to daylight. Glancing down at my new adamantium knuckles, I concluded that I could deal with it.
         Reaching the bottom, I discovered the source of this overpowering stench, SHIT. The only consolation was that I knew where in the under city I was. I was close to the Great Bazaar.
         The Under city is larger than Palicidan itself, and much more diverse. It’s known mostly for its crime operations as well as the arena. One wanting to establish themselves as a gladiator was always welcome at the arena, as well as anyone wishing to become rich by betting on the matches.
        Today, I first had to visit the Great Bazaar and pick up some supplies. I could get the best deals there for my money, and since I knew virtually all of the vendors I could get my hand on illegal objects.
         Finally, reaching the Bazaar, I immediately headed towards Pierce’s shop. Pierce dealt with highly magical objects of significant power. He also had special creatures for sale.
         Heading into the shop the smell of sulfur lingered like the scent of a lover’s perfume. Looking around, I saw hundreds of little vials and plenty of scrolls. Mr. Pierce’s voice asked,” May I help you, young Master Cressane,” out of nowhere.
         “I am actually hoping that you will convince me what to buy,” I replied.
         “I have enough gold to buy whatever it is you wish to sell me.”
         “In that case, may I suggest a particularly new idea of mine that I have been wishing to put to good use,” Mr. Pierce said slyly.
         “If you are up to it, I can insert a demon’s essence into you body.”
         “Why would I want to do that?” I asked.
         “Because demons can use magic and this demon will be able to do spells through you.”
         “I’ll do it,” I said without a moment’s hesitation.

Chapter 5

         “I must warn you; this might turn out badly for you.”
         “How so?” I questioned.
         “There is a chance, a small chance mind you, that the demon you choose might take over your body whenever you are experiencing particularly strong emotions.”
         “That’s a chance I am willing to take,” I responded quickly.
         “Now what kind of demon would you like to choose?” Pierce asked.
         “If I may suggest, I have one named Fenrir, which seems to match your personality and fighting style.”
         “Well, that’s the one I’ll choose!”
         It seemed to take forever for the ritual to be completed but soon enough, it was done. I had come out with a tattoo of a pentagram on my back. This, I was told, was so that the demon could not leave my body. Better yet, I came out of the ritual with the power to use magic.

Chapter 6

         Walking out of the Great Bazaar, a voice within my head startled me.
         “Why have you summoned me?” It asked.
         Pierce had warned me about speaking to the demon. Only talk to it when you are commanding it, he told me. So when it first spoke to me, I chose to ignore him.
         Continuing down the street, I finally made my way to the Magicians Corner. It’s rumored that around this area, a Black Dragon made its home. One day, I vowed I would find it and kill it. Today was not that day.
         The Magicians Corner is guarded by a pair of earth golems. At first, I’d thought simply to buy an invisible cloak but further research showed that the golems could see invisible objects as clear as day. The only other option was to ask Fenrir for his help.
         “Fenrir, I command you to get me through this.”
         “As you wish, master,” he replied.

******

         Immediately after Assylian commanded me to help him, I took control of his body and upon sizing my adversaries up, I decided I would best be able to help him if his body was in my original form. Upon deciding this, I began the transformation.
         My skin began to itch and burn as long thick fur sprouted all over my body. My muscles expanded and became two, three times as large as they normally were. My clothing became tight, looking down I see my shirt rip in half as my biceps and pectoral muscles expand. The lower half of my face grew, as a short wolf’s muzzle took over the lower half of my face. I ground my teeth in pain, only to find my mouth filled with blood as the razor sharp teeth punctured my soft, pink gums.
         By now my howls attracted the interest of the golems and they were slowly lumbering over to investigate. I decided that I would not give them the chance.
         Rushing up to the nearest one, I dodged into a roll a s the beast took a gigantic swing. One hit from that hand would crush my human host body and in turn kill me. As I rolled between its legs, I sprang up and started pounding the shit out of its back knew with my adamantium knuckles.
         Grunting, the golem swung at me as a human would swing at a particularly annoying fly. Looking up, a sudden idea took form in my mind. The golems were easily 20 feet, large enough that my plan could work.
         Running behind the nearest one, I easily jumped into its leg and punching holes in the rock body allowed me to scale up to the golems back. I then took out a few daggers and threw them into the other golems face. This did nothing but get the creatures attention.
         So far, so good. The second golem then came up from behind the golem I was on and pulling its fist back, preparing to pummel me. At the last second I dropped to the ground and watched as the first golem dropped to the ground in a heap of rocks.
         The golem left looked confused as it realized that my broken body was not in the rubble. I’d had enough playing around and so I brought down lightning on the remaining golem. I watched with excitement as its body was literally eaten away piece by piece as each lightning strike hit home. I had done as my master requested and it was now time for me to relinquish control of his body to him.

Chapter 7

         Looking around, I saw the destruction my demon wrought. He was definitely worth my investment. I could not wait to put him to further use.
         Walking up to the locked cellar door to the Mages compound, I looked around to make sure no one was watching and inserted my pick. The first try, I pushed to fast on the lever and broke the pick. The second time I was successful.
        Opening the door, I entered the Mages Guild. The room was dimly lit, which suited my purposes most excellently. Creeping around, I found this room safe and free of any people. I knew I could not continue to be this luck in the remaining rooms.
         Going up the stairs, I ran into my first problem; a man sitting in a chair at the top of the stairs. He did not appear dangerous, but looks can be deceiving. The stranger was dressed in snowy white robes and looked to be 18-19 years of age. His chin had a faint wisp of a black beard, otherwise he was hairless. He seemed to be sleeping, but I knew from previous experience that looks can be deceiving.          Reaching into my pocket, I took out my last remaining dagger and extending my arm, threw the dagger with a flick of my wrist. When it seemed as if the dagger would strike, it came to an abrupt stop about an inch from his face.
         An invisible force turned the dagger until it was facing in my direction. Then it was thrown with such incredible strength that I had no time to get out of the way. The dagger whizzed through the air before plunging into my gut.
         Looking down, I saw that blood was gushing out of the perhaps fatal wound. Fighting to stay upright, I found I could not. Suddenly, the ground was rushing up to me as I went into shock from the loss of blood. That’s when He took over…

Chapter 8

        Opening my eyes, I see the first thing I must do is save my human host. Placing my hands on my host’s wound; I picture the wound closing in my mind. Pushing the thought into existence, I watch as the wound begins to heal.
        I then picture a fireball and sending it flaming in existence, grin as the fiery flame of death closes in on my opponent. Just as I thought it was over, the mage formed an ice wall that blocked the attack.          He ran down the stairs quicker than even I could run and dove head first into my host’s body causing me to fall down and hit my head. The problem with human bodies is that they are pathetically frail and thus I blow I would normally shrug off in my original form knocked me out.

Chapter 9

        I awoke with a nauseating dizziness, almost forcing me to black out once more. I could not believe that my demon failed me. I would have to get him removed and get a more powerful creature as soon as I got out of this predicament.
        Thinking about it, I could not even guess what kind of predicament I was in. They must have locked me up, but walking over to the door, I found that it opened with ease. Walking out, however, I was instantly confronted by the mage that I attacked earlier. From the look of his body, my demon’s fireball did some damage. His skin was covered in fiery, red welts and places where the flesh was scabbing over and peeling off.
        “You almost had me there Assylian,” the mage announced cheerfully, “Fortunately, I was able to set up an ice shield that took the brunt of the force before your fireball exploded into me. If I hadn’t, I would have been annihilated.”
        “Why did you let me live?” I asked curiously.
        Obviously not wanting to answer the question, he evaded by asking his own, “Would you rather I hadn’t?”
        “I’m thankful you did, but that does not answer my question, why?”
        Seeing that he could not distract me, he answered, “I’m hoping you will join the Mages Guild. We are always willing to have new blood join our forces. If you do accept, my brother, Allen Ursone, and I, Kologhan, shall teach you.”
        “Can I still be in the Rogues Guild?” I asked without showing any emotion upon hearing who his brother was.
        “Perhaps,” Kologhan replied.
        “What happens if I do not decide to join?”
        “You better hope a miracle happens, otherwise you won’t be leaving this compound alive. Before you make the decision though, how about we go get ourselves some drinks and you can ask any questions you might have. Of course, I will be doing likewise,” Kologhan suggested. “I shall even be so generous as to pay for the drinks.”
        When we got to the bar, I ended up fairly drunk. The girls came up and asked if I would join them in a dance, and I gladly accepted. Maybe I would get lucky this night.

Chapter 10

        A few days later, I started my first lesson with Allen as my instructor. I did not know yet how I would explain that I was unable to perform magic, so decided just to wing it. If I released my demon, I was pretty sure Allen would be murdered. After all, that’s the only thing Fenrir seemed to enjoy doing.
        Walking into Allen’s room, I am instantly dumbstruck. Everywhere magic showed, from the ceiling depicted a bloody battle being fought, to the floor which was some type of green moss. The walls held magical swords and scepters of all shapes and sizes that pulsed with a light of their own. Light came from a pale blue flame from the torches and in the center of the room, a black cauldron gave off a psychedelic smell and large bubbles of neon orange kept oozing off the sides.
        “This is quite a room,” I exclaimed in wonder.
        “Thank you,” Allen replied, “I have put a lot of time and effort into creating it. For today’s lesson, we will not be using anything as wondrous as what is in this room. I must teach you how to do the simple tasks before I can trust you with more advanced works of magic.”
        “Actually Allen,” I said as I began taking off my shirt, “I cannot perform magic. I never have been able to, the only reason I did earlier was from the help of a demon.” I then proceeded to show Allen the pentagram which contained the demon within me.
        “This is amazing! I will have to talk to the Lady Eldar about this. Everyone in Shira can use magic. I’ve never heard of someone who can not and then to think you have a demon in control of your actions for periods of times. Yes, I will most definitely need to talk to her.”
        “I’ll come back tomorrow then?” I asked.
        “Yes,” Allen answered as he left the room in the hurry, “you do that.”

Chapter 11

        “You’re late,” a surprisingly young woman told me.
        I could not believe how pretty she was and replied, “I’m sorry Lady Eldar, I lost track of time, I pray you will forgive me.”
        “I don’t have time for tardiness,” she snapped. “You’re lucky your case is of such great importance.”
        “Yes, Lady Eldar. Thank you, Lady Eldar.”
        “First things first, I am going to remove you demon. I don’t know what possessed you to be possessed. All I can say is that it’s not a very wise decision on your part.”
        “Of course, you are right Lady Eldar,” I replied.
        “I know I am. Now to get rid of the demon you must drink this potion. This will allow you to enter a meditative state so that you can sense the demon on its own basic level. I could just break your pentagram and let the demon control you; however, I would be forced to kill your physical body to kill the demon within you.”
        Taking the potion, I swallowed the nasty drink in one gulp. Breathing calmly, I let my mind wander and entered a meditative state.
        Entering an unknown space, I found thousands of worlds passing me by. Finally, I found one that spoke to me and realized it was me. The world was full of life that teemed in a pale, green forest. Birds sang, beasts roared, and insects hummed. All spoke to my inner self.
        Something is out of place here I sensed. Then I found it, in the middle of a moonlit glade          , a white wolf stood trapped in a cruel cage. It was a beautiful creature that looked to weigh 175 ponds and stood six and a half feet tall, about the same size as me.
        A sudden rustle of branches warned me of another presence. Getting into a fighting stance, I watched a large, black wolf step into the moonlight.
        Knowing this was Fenrir, I asked, “What do you want?”
        “I am here to make you a deal and to warn you,” he said cripitcally.
        “What could you possibly warn me about?”
        “I am a demon, yes, but I am your demon. I am your inner self. You have never truly wanted to use normal magic. That’s why you wanted a demon to do it for you. You want to be unique. Why should you start being normal now? The only thing Pierce did was awaken me. You kill me and you kill a part of yourself.”
        “And what is that white wolf?” I asked.
        “Ahh… that’s your other self. The one you have kept caged up, afraid to let everyone see.”
        “Can I somehow release it?”
        “You could, but I would kill it.” Fenrir replied.
        “But I could release it into the physical world and let it be your protector. In fact, that is exactly what I will do.”
        Speaking a few strange words, Fenrir prepared to release my other side. Suddenly, a hot fire erupted in my gut and then continued deeper into my very soul. Screaming, I fought to stay alive. I managed to hold on for a moment, then the blackness I was fighting engulfed me.

Chapter 12

To Be Continued...