The Circle

Adrian stood in the middle of a ring. Blood dripped from her nose. Her breaths were quick. She stood before a huge man, he stood more than a foot over her head. He chuckled as he rushed forward. She grit her teeth and slipped to the side, as she did she brought her fist into his abdomen. It was like hitting a brick wall. She winced as he brought his elbow into her back. She fell to her knees.

This fight was her first fight when she’d come to the small town. A man at the bar invited her after a bit of conversation. A man that she soon became friends with, Jed. He cheered for her from the sidelines. Her blood splattered on the white flooring of the ring as the huge man brought his foot into her side. The ringmaster stepped forward waving his arms. “Break it up!” He called.

Adrian staggered to her feet. She grabbed his arm. “N-no.” She spoke, her mouth bloody. “I’m not giving up.” She spoke.

The brute of a man looked down to her and began chuckling, “You think you’ll win?” He asked and leaned down. “You’re going to get yourself killed you little spitfire.”

Adrian smirked. “Maybe.” She brought her elbow harshly into the side of his head. He staggered back and snarled rushed toward her again. She bobbed and weaved, focusing. It was then that she spun, putting all of her power behind a power kick to his jaw. The tower of a man toppled to the floor, unconscious.

The room filled with a roar of applause. “Good choice Jed!” The ringmaster chuckled as he stepped to her. “Everyone welcome Adrian Riggs.” He held her arm up.

**

“Wh-who…circle…?” Julius sat up from his slumped position. He looked to Sylvia. “Of course.” He gave a nod and then stood. “Right after breakfast hm? And a special drink from Rose, the old mage was up late last night working on it. To help keep your magic at bay just a bit longer.”

Adrian’s eyes cracked open. She moved and winced, her arm was on fire. “Breakfast…sounds…wonderful…” She grit her teeth as she sat up, her head throbbing. She looked to Sylvia and gave a gentle smile. “Good to see you pulled through and we aren’t all burnt to a crisp.” She chuckled and stood. She looked to the bandaging on her arm. “I knew that was going to hurt…” She muttered and then laughed slightly before she left the room.

Julius watched her leave and then shook his head. “She’s quirky.” He looked to the princess. “I trust you slept well?” He asked as he led her from the room.

Rose was busy bandaging Adrian’s arm. Adrian grit her teeth as the old woman peeled back the cloth to reveal her singed skin. “Can’t you just heal it?” Adrian groaned, though it was more of a whimper.

“No dear, that would leave horrible scarring.” Rose spoke as she pasted it. “Just one more application, it’ll be healed by tomorrow. It already looks to be mostly healed.” She began cleaning the burnt skin and applying a paste to it.

Adrian looked away, tears welled in her eyes. She’d never felt an injury like this before.

“Come on.” Julius spoke and led Sylvia into the kitchen. He began moving about and rummaging for food. “Ugh Rose you never have anything.” He muttered. “Grits it is.” He began cooking on the old woodstove. “You look a lot like your mother.” He spoke as he stirred in the grits to the water in the pot. Julius smiled to her, “I can show you something at the tower, that may help you understand more of who she was.” He spoke and searched her eyes.

Soon enough Adrian stepped into the room. Her arm bandaged again. She gave a soft smile to Sylvia. “Not too far now.” She spoke. She let out a sigh. “We should be there by early afternoon today.”

“Especially with the way Ullr flies.” Julius chuckled.

“Hm, just because my dragon is faster.” Adrian grinned.

Julius scoffed as he poured four bowls of grits and set the table. “Don’t dig yourself a hole, Adrian.” He smiled to her. “I have to protect you from Grand Master remember.”

Adrian took in a breath, “On second thought maybe we shouldn’t go to the tower.” She sighed and let out a bit of a worried laugh.

Julius scooped grits into his mouth and shook his head. “Don’t worry, Adrian.”

Rose set another drink before Sylvia. “Drink up, this will keep you calm.” She smiled as she sat at the table with them. “Help keep those powers of yours at bay for a bit longer.” She spooned the grits and smiled. “Excellent choice young man.”

Julius huffed, “The only choice, Rose.” He replied.

Adrian let out a laugh then, nearly spitting her grits from her mouth. She held her hand to her mouth and chuckled then. “At least it isn’t Brussel sprouts.” She glanced slyly to him.

“Oh I see.” Julius looked to her and rolled his eyes. “Just see if I ever cook for you again.” He finished up his bowl.

Rose chuckled, “Ah you two.” She smirked. “it is always a pleasure.” She took up the bowls. “Good luck dear.” She placed her hand on Sylvia’s shoulder. “You will do well.” She nodded.

Adrian stepped outside and the three of them walked from the town. They made it back to the huge oak tree and she once again lifted her fingers to her mouth, whistling for Ullr. Julius smirked as he lifted his hand and snapped, sparks came from his fingers and his eyes swirled with the colors of embers. Moments later the two dragons flew down and landed. Julius climbed upon his dragon. Ullr tossed both Adrian and Sylvia onto his back. “I see Ullr is as playful as always.” Julius chuckled.

“Would you expect anything less?” Adrian chuckled as she pulled her goggles down. “Hang on tight.” She placed Sylvia’s arms around her waist again. They shot into the sky just moments later. The flight took them to the north. The valleys below them began to ripple and turn to foothills. Soon enough mountains jutted up toward them. Snow began to fall from the sky. “Hang on, we have to fly through a few caverns. After the tower was located by the king wards were placed up to hide the tower from those who were not invited.” She spoke over her shoulder to Sylvia.

Soon they dipped down and cut through a cavern of ice. Ullr tilted from side to side, protecting his wings, his movements were precise and quick. They emerged on the other side to an empty valley that opened into a beautiful lake. Walls of ice surrounded. Clouds hung low. Though as they drew closer Adrian could be heard speaking in an old dialect. The clouds began to move away revealing a gorgeous tower that pushed up toward the peaks of the mountains. It sat at the edge of the huge icy lake. “Welcome to the Magi Tower.” She smiled as they landed.

She slipped from Ullr and offered a hand to Sylvia helping her down. Julius landed a few minutes later and jumped down. He looked to the two and then to the drawbridge that lowered from the tower. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to the grand master.” Julius spoke.

Adrian hesitated slightly before she stepped forward with him she glanced to Sylvia and offered a smile as they stepped into the beautiful building.

“Is that….” A voice asked. “That’s Adrian.”

“She’s been missing for 5 years!” Another spoke.

“Julius found her!!” Another exclaimed.

Adrian winced slightly. She followed Julius into a huge library were they weaved through the bookcases that were arranged in a maze like circle around the center of the room. There was a platform with a bunch of runes drawn onto it. Julius smiled and stepped on. “See you at the top.” He spoke and then disappeared.

Adrian looked to Sylvia she gave a nod. “Come on with me.” She stepped onto the platform at the same time and took in a breath. The platform pulsed and then suddenly the world around them went back for a few seconds before they reappeared in a huge room that had windows on every side.

“Adrian.” A voice spoke. The grand master. He stood in his mage robes a smiled upon his lips. “How wonderful for you to grace us with your presence.” He stepped forward to her and looked into her eyes for a moment before he turned his attention to Sylvia. “Julius tells me you’re Sylvanas’ daughter?” He asked, “And that the noble king has infused a Azeralite crystal into you?” He gave a gentle smile. “Come let’s see what we may do.” He glanced to Adrian. “I’ll deal with you later, Adrian.” His voice was cross.

Adrian took in a breath, she didn’t step from the platform for a long moment before she finally left it and walked from the room. She glanced around the tower and sighed softly. Julius caught up to her and touched her shoulder. “It’s okay.” He spoke.

“I shouldn’t have come.” Adrian looked to him. “This was a mistake.”

Julius took in a deep breath. “I don’t believe so, you belong here, Adrian.”

“No, I don’t.” She spoke as she pushed a door open. It was to her quarters. Everything was as she’d left it 5 years ago. She fell onto her bed and stared up at the ceiling. “He only wants to ensure that my powers do not end up in the hands of the wrong person.” She spoke softly. “We should be fighting against the evil in this world…not protecting ourselves from it.”

“Adrian.” The grand master spoke as they stepped to the room.

Adrian still stared at the ceiling, she huffed slightly as she sat up, she was prepared for the lashing. She stood but didn’t speak a word. Julius turned from where he stood at the window and looked to Sylvia and then to the grand master before his eyes finally rest upon Adrian. He crossed his arms. “She saved the princess you know?” He spoke up then, breaking the long awkward silence.

“I’m aware of what she’s done. She couldn’t have performed such a daring rescue if she hadn’t been away from the tower, it seems fate has written it so.” He paused before he looked back to Adrian. He stepped forward and stared into her eyes. “You stopped the infusion of Azeralite.” He spoke. “How much power was left in the stone?”

Adrian took in a breath, “The infusion was nearly complete.” She replied. She was tense, uncomfortable.

The grand master nodded then. “I know that the gem you wear around your neck is very dear to you, Adrian. But….” He paused and searched her eyes. “The power must be balanced, without the completion of the transfer of energy the princess is a ticking time bomb, the magic of the Azeralite will swarm within her until it destroys her like it destroyed Murdoc, though I fear the destruction of young Sylvia may be even more dramatic with the amount of power she holds.”

Adrian took in a breath, her eyes fell from his. She silently reached up to her neck and curled her fingers around the beautiful silver necklace. She pulled it over her head and then held the Azeralite stone in her hand. She looked to the beautiful design around it, the tree that rest over the top of it, the tree of life. “I…want it back.” She spoke, her voice broken. “Even if it is drained.” She held the gem to the grand master then.

He took it and flipped it over in his hands for a moment. He seemed to be deep in thought. “I will prepare this.” He looked to the princess. “Meet me back in my office in an hour, I will have the rune ready by then.” He paused a moment. “This won’t be painful, so no need to worry. We may not even have to use all of the magic in this stone.” He gave a gentle smile before he left the room.

Adrian bit her lip slightly. She felt as though she’d just thrown a piece of her mother away. “He is going to perform the ritual that Murdoc created.” She spoke, “To gather the energy from the crystal. It should leave you feeling rather empowered.” She crossed her arms and let out a long breath.

Julius watched her for a moment before he turned his eyes to Sylvia. “How about I show you around, hm?” He stepped toward the door. “Let’s give Adrian a bit of time.” He nodded and ushered Sylvia out into the hallway. “I’m surprised she gave that up so easily.” He spoke as they started off down the hall. Julius stepped onto another platform, “Come on then.” He spoke and they were taken to another floor. He stepped from the platform and looked to her. “The Archmage chambers.” He spoke and looked around. “Your mother spent a great deal of time here, studying, practicing, learning, even teaching me.” He gave a soft smile. “I kept all of her journals.” He stepped over to a bookcase and pulled an old leather box down. “If you want to read them…it may offer you more insight to who she was.” He set the box on a desk that was riddled with papers from his search to find Adrian. There was a map which several red X’s were on, where he’d checked for her. 5 years of searching resulted in a lot of research.

“That necklace belonged to Adrian’s mother.” Julius spoke, “Her family was killed in a raid led by soldiers when she was a young child. The murders were brutal, the entire town slaughtered and burned to the ground.” Julius reached up to a book within his bookcase. He brought the book down and opened it. “I’m not sure if you’re aware of the things that your father has done to our kingdom.” He glanced to her. “But, from the short time I’ve known you, I know that one day you will make it right…” He searched her eyes a moment. “The raid on Reichlin….the city still stands in burnt ruins. It was never rebuilt. The king blamed raiders. Though, he could say whatever he wanted as no one survived. But, the truth is his soldiers, his own royal guard murdered those people. Because of an uprising, because of a belief. He murdered an entire town of people to silence them.” Julius took in a breath and sighed softly. “Anyone that stands against the king can almost expect a death threat….or death.” He set the book down on the table. It was a journal that he’d kept of the wars over the years. All of the slaughter happened once the king took over. The previous king was good to his people and had great ties with the circle and grand master alike. That is how the king knew of the tower and of the great power the mages held.

Julius took in a breath. “Is there anything I can answer for you, princess?” He asked curiously.

**

Adrian pushed into the grand master’s office. He looked up from the floor where he was drawing the rune. He paused a moment before he returned to the drawing. “It is good to see you again, Adrian.” He spoke.

She crossed her arms. “Will you believe me now?” She asked looking to him, her eyes swirled with magic. “That king is the murderer behind everything that happens in this kingdom.” She spoke her voice angry. “He nearly killed his daughter. I had to carry her to my home and heal her, and I’m not that great at healing…” She shifted slightly. “He sent his dogs after us, they turned my house upside down, threw people out into the cold searching for her like she was a diamond. Like someone stole the crown jewel. Though, I’m sure all of her life she’s dreamed of escaping that place.” She spoke quickly.

The grand master finished the rune and stood. He offered a nod. “Yes, I am sure she has.” He looked to Adrian. “Going after the king will put the entire circle at risk, Adrian.” He spoke his eyes searching hers. “I do not advise it. Even if he is the one behind the attacks.”

“You know he is.” Adrian grit her teeth. “Stop hiding it from me like I’m a child. I spent 5 years away from this tower and in those 5 years I learned more about the kingdom than I ever learned here. I’ve learned about the corruption that surrounds that wretched man, I saw what he did to Osray last year. All because of a small collection of people that had an option and voiced it. He leveled that city. I saw it in the eyes of a dying man….the horrors…those soldiers were the same soldiers that attacked Reichlin….the same soldiers that murdered my parents. The king needs to be stopped.”

The grand master took in a deep breath and sighed. He watched her for a moment. “Remember the top?” He asked. “How it spins perfectly balanced when the proper speed it applied, though you spin it too quickly and it will lose control, just as if you slow it down it will eventually fall over.” He stepped to her. “You are walking a dangerous line, Adrian. You are the most powerful mage in this building and you are trying to get yourself killed.” His voice was cross. “Every step you’ve taken since you were a child we have had to rush to protect you. You’ve always rebelled in some way, but this time. I will not allow it.” He shook his head.

“I will go after the king.” Adrian spoke, “You can’t stop me from ending him.”

The grand master stared to her then. He let out a sigh, “Just as I couldn’t stop you 5 years ago when you disappeared. We all thought you were dead. We need you Adrian. If you get in the wrong hands…” He shook his head. “If the king captures you…” He grit his teeth. “Look.” He stepped over to his desk. He opened the drawer and stepped back to her. He held a small bracelet in his hand. He clasped it over her wrist in a quick motion.

Adrian staggered, her chest heaved. The silver magic faded from her eyes and the bracelet began to glow. Her eyes fluttered slightly.

The grand master stared into her eyes. “A mage came back from the castle, he barely escaped with this life and this is what they put on him. It took less than a second for this to be slapped on his wrist and he became weak, defenseless.” He took in a deep breath. “If you want to take down the king…” He paused a moment. “I will help, but we need to do this carefully. We must infiltrate without him knowing. We cannot risk you becoming his puppet, Adrian. Nor can we risk him getting his hands back on his daughter.” He let out a soft laugh. “If he were to acquire both of you?” He shook his head. “The war would be lost before it even began.” He reached down and unlocked the bracelet from her wrist.

Adrian took in a breath as her magic rushed back through her body. Her eyes turned a full silver. Her power felt stronger than it ever had. “Then what do you suggest, grand master?” She asked, “If he has tools like this, what else has he created?”

The grand master set the bracelet back into his desk. “I have spies at the castle that send me information weekly of the horrible things that our king is creating. The experiments that are conducted.” He shook his head. “The man is a monster and a tyrant….but there is always a way.” He looked to the door as it opened. “Julius, princess. Come in.” He spoke.

Adrian crossed her arms, she glanced to them her brows tucked together. She then looked back to the grand master as he pulled the necklace from his pocket.

“Adrian, I will need your assistance, as this is your gem, it has bonded with you.” The grand master spoke. Adrian stepped forward to him and took the jewel into her hand. She looked to the grand master and followed him into the center of the rune. He pulled a blade that was covered in glowing inscriptions. He lay it in her palm, the sharp blade pressed against her skin. “You know what to do?” He asked and stared into her eyes. Adrian simply nodded. The grand master waited for her to take the hilt of the blade.

Adrian took in a deep breath, she began to speak an incantation. The azeralite began to pulse within her palm. Her eyes glowed bright white as she continued. The rune beneath her began to glow, it was dim at first. Adrian suddenly sliced her palm open and gripped onto the necklace. She then slammed her fist into the center of the rune. A huge wave of power pushed through the room, books fell from the shelves, wind toppled over a few things. A flash of bright white light also filled the room then, it was blinding.

Julius staggered back, nearly falling over from the force of the power that came from Adrian. He watched as the Grand Master stepped forward and carefully lifted Adrian’s now limp body. Set her down on the couch and then looked to Sylvia whom he ushered into the center of the rune. He placed the bloody necklace into her hand and pressed it against her chest as he began to speak the incantation. The world kicked up with power around them, almost like a whirlwind of power. The grand master was eventually pushed back by the force of the power as it lifted Sylvia into the air, the Azeralite gem pulsed and glowed brightly as the power began to seep into her.

Julius rushed to Adrian’s side and knelt, he brushed her hair from her face. “Adrian?” He asked. Her eyes cracked open and then closed. “Hey, are you okay?” He asked worried. She slowly opened her eyes again. “Come on.” He lifted her up and cradled her in his arms. Adrian’s head lulled to the side and lay against his chest. He’d never seen her become so weak before. Though, this spell that was performed to pull the power from the gem. It was one of the most challenging spells that Murdoc had ever written…

Julius stood with a loose jaw, he’d hugged Adrian to his body as the wind swirled in the room. Furniture kicked over and a few books flew through the air. “Grand Master!!!” He called, his voice fearful. Though just as suddenly as everything seemed out of control…Sylvia was left laying on the floor unconscious.

A young mage stepped forward, he removed his robes leaving himself in a tunic and pants. He carefully wrapped Sylvia in the warm cloth. “Grand Master…what happened?” He asked, his voice trembled slightly. He’d stepped into the room as everything was happening.

“Azeralite my boy.” The grand master responded. “This is Murdoc’s daughter.” He grinned, he knew. He knew before Sylvia knew. It was the only explanation as to how she could handle the Azeralite infused into her, any normal human would have been so pumped full of the poison by now that they surely would have died.

The young mage carefully wrapped his arms under Sylvia and stood. “Oh…” He spoke, his jaw loose.

“Put her in the Archmage chambers, she may rest there.” The grand master spoke. With that the boy nodded and carried Sylvia off through the tower. He tucked her in carefully before he left to allow her rest.

Julius carried Adrian to her chamber. He carefully set her down and dabbed a bit of blood from her nose. Her breaths were small, her brows tucked together and then her expression would relax. He tilted his head slightly. “What are you dreaming?” He asked out loud as he studied her.

**

Wind whipped around kicking Adrian’s hair around easily, she fought against the wind as thunder rumbled loudly. Flashes of lightning blinded her for seconds at a time as it scattered across the skies. Rain pelted against her face as she held her arm up. Her body was soaked and heavy. She took in deep breaths as she fought to gain control. She spun around just as something came barreling toward her. Adrian held her arms up just as a figure tackled her harshly. She skidded to the ground as pain rolled through her ribs from the blow. As she rolled to her back she scrambled to her feet to find herself staring to a creature that floated about a foot from the ground. The feet had long claws and a tail curled around the legs from beneath a red cloak. A book floated in the air near the creature, wrapped in chains that wrapped around his body. He was bound by the book it seemed. His face was burned on one side. His hands were jagged claws. He was something from a nightmare. His horns stuck from his head and curled around on the sides much like a ram’s horns. This was demon…

Adrian took a step back as she stared to the creature that summoned a ball of flames in one of his hands. “Who sent you?” She spoke, her voice stern, though inside her pulse raced. “Who are you?!” She yelled this time, her eyes flashed with the silver of her magic.

The demon chuckled and landed on the ground, it stepped toward her. “The scientist.” The creature reached forward with such speed that Adrian couldn’t back away, he clutched around her neck. “The king’s scientist. He recovered a drop of your blood.” The demon tilted his head. “It made you easy to locate.” He snickered and licked his lips. “Though, the king has no idea what you are.” He smirked then, his face sinister. Adrian struggled against him, choking. “You’ve no idea who I am.” He cackled. The demon’s features began to morph until he was an ordinary human, his hand still gripped around her neck. His eyes were an entrancing blue, he had short well-kept black hair and a nicely trimmed beard. He wore mage robes. “Look at what they did to me, Adrian.” He spoke, his voice soft. He twitched slightly. “What I’ve become.” He grit his teeth and squeezed her neck harder. Adrian fought against him, fighting to breathe. Suddenly the features morphed back. “I’ll find you girl.” The demon spoke, “I’ll hunt you down and I will bring you to the king.” He vanished into a smoke then.

**

Adrian sat up with a gasp, she gripped her neck, bruising formed on her skin. She choked slightly.

“Adrian.” Julius spoke, he turned just as she shot up from the bed. “Adrian?”

She rushed down the hallway in a full sprint and burst into the grand master’s office. “Grand Master…” She breathed. “Where is Elias?”

The Grand Master looked up from a journal that he was writing into, his office was cleaned from the events earlier. “Elias Alabaster?” He asked then.

“Yes, where is he?” She spoke quickly.

“He went south to investigate something for me….why do you ask so urgently?” He closed the journal. “What happened to your neck, Adrian?” He stood and examined her.

“The king’s scientist did something to him.” She held her hand to the side of his head, her eyes glowed white as she shared the nightmare. “They’ve performed a blood magic…” She whispered.

The grand master’s eyes fluttered as the dream was forced upon him. He stumbled back, his eyes wide. “They had to force him to do that…” He breathed. “They had to know that you knew him…he had been searching for you with Julius…I don’t understand I just spoke with him yesterday before he headed back out.”

Adrian breathed heavily, she paced slightly. “They’ve unleashed a mage hunter on me….a demon…to find me and retrieve myself and the princess…he’s going to tell the king what I am….” She took in quick breaths.

“Adrian.” The grand master placed his hands on her shoulders, stopping her. “We need to set up wards, he got your blood. So….” He took in a breath. “You’re not going to like this, but we must perform a dark magic to stop this, to keep him from your head. Otherwise he is going to drive you insane from the inside out.” The grand master stepped over to his bookcase and held his hand out, a book floated down from about five shelfs above him and landed in his hands, it opened up to the page he wanted. “See here…” He read, “To ward of a mage hunter one must separate the soul from the body, only to return it to the vessel it once belonged…”

Adrian stared to him. “You…you’re suggesting that I basically kill myself, Grand Master…” Her eyes were wide.

“He’s right.” Julius stepped forward from the doorway. “If the king has a mage hunter demon after you that’s the only way to stop the damn things. They are relentless especially if it has been made from someone that knew us.” He crossed his arms. “I’m going to go check on Sylvia….you know where I will be.” He gave a nod, worry in his eyes.

“Of course.” The Grand Master spoke. He began drawing out a rune on the floor. His eyes looked back and forth to the book and after about ten minutes he’d finished.

Adrian stumbled slightly, her head felt fuzzy. Her vision flashed with the demon, she could hear his cackle. “I’m find you.” His voice spoke in her mind. She held her hand up to her head and groaned slightly.

“Adrian?” The Grand Master spoke, he touched her shoulder and she flinched away. He grit his teeth. “Adrian.” He gripped her shoulder and stared into her eyes, his glowed white as he looked to her. Suddenly he was bombarded with images of the demon. He grit his teeth and stepped back from her. “I’m sorry.” He spoke as he stepped up to her. “I have to do this before he figures out where you are.” He swiftly moved behind her and wrapped his arm around her neck, holding her back against him. Adrian fought against him, she let out a yelp that was muffled. The Grand Master tightened his grip tighter until her body became limp in his arms. He pulled her and lay her in the middle of the rune. “Okay…” He spoke. “Hopefully this works.” He began to speak the lines of the spell.

The rune began to pulsate a deep red. He stepped forward and lifted her arm and sliced into it. Her blood ran along the lines of the rune soaking into it. Her chest began to heave as he continued the spell. The Grand Master glanced up to her, her expression filled with pain. Though he didn’t stop. He continued through the end when he carefully lowered the book to see if it worked, his finger remained on the second step of the incantation. Adrian’s body tensed and then suddenly she became and loose as a rag doll. The Grand Master rushed forward and knelt at her side. He felt her neck. No pulse. She wasn’t breathing. His hands trembled as he started reading the next portion of the spell. His pulse bounded. If this didn’t work, he had successfully killed her…

**

Adrian gasped for air. She was a wisp of a body. She looked to her transparent hands. “Grand Master?” She asked, she stood just a few feet away. She could see her body on the floor. She looked around the world was black and white, lifeless, colorless. She could hear his words, as loud as day. She watched as he finished the spell and stared over her. Waiting anxiously. “Oh no…” She whispered and stepped forward. She looked to her body. “Come on…” She bit her lip. She watched the grand master feel for a pulse.

“Come on Adrian…” He spoke as he waited. His expression filled with joy after a moment when he felt a pulse. He nodded. “That’s it.” He brushed hair from her face. “Alright…now you just have to wake up.” He nodded.

“No….no wait…” Adrian followed him as he stepped to his desk and set the book down. “Wait you’ve missed something…” She panicked. She glanced back to her body, he’d separated her soul completely. She rushed back over and went to reach to her body though her hand slipped right though and separated like smoke. She grit her teeth. “No….no…come on….” She glanced around. The world began to morph and change around her. She stepped forward and the tower was lost from existence. She stood in a city. Her expression relaxed. Reichlin. The city of her childhood. Children ran around and played. She rushed forward and looked around.

“Adrian.” A familiar voice spoke. “Look at you.”

“Mother?” She turned to see her mother and father standing on the doorstep of her childhood home.

“You’ve grown so much.” Her father spoke. He stepped forward and hugged her tightly. “Why are you here?” He asked, his eyes filled with concern. “You shouldn’t be here…”

“You need to get out of here before you’re stuck here…” Her mother spoke. “Why are you here Adrian?”

“I…” Adrian looked around, she couldn’t remember. She furrowed her brows. “I don’t…” She blinked several times.

**

The Grand Master took in a breath as he lifted Adrian and carried her limp body down the hall. “Come on girl.” He spoke. “Wake up.” He looked to her and grit his teeth. “Julius.” He pushed the door open and set her down. “Julius…I…”

Julius had been asleep in his chair next to the bed. He sat up quickly. “Wh….” He looked to Adrian. “What happened?” He asked, concerned. “Did you?”

“Yes. But she hasn’t awaken…” He bit his lip.

“How long has it been?” He asked astonished.

The Grand Master thought for a moment. “A few hours…”

Adrian’s expression was blank. Her skin was pale. Her breathing even. Without a soul she was nothing more than a breathing living shell of a human. “A few hours…it’s supposed to be fast…” Julius bit his lip. “I can’t go into the astral world…n-no one can…if she gets lost in there…”

“We lose her forever…I know…” The Grand Master bowed his head in defeat.

Adrian turned in the spirit world to looked to the form. She drew her brows together and glanced to her parents. The world around her began to shift and change. “I…” She took in a breath and clasped onto the hand of the blue outline. Everything went black.

**

Adrian’s body jolted violently from the first shock her head lulled to the side lifelessly. Julius stepped forward but the Grand Master put his arm out, barring him back as he watched Sylvia. His eyes curious. The second shock sent a wave of electricity through Adrian’s body. Suddenly everything came back, she gasped in a huge breath of air, her eyes shot wide open. Her eyes glowed a bright silver, her hands clenched into fists. Electricity swirled within her pupils for a moment before it calmed and disappeared. She breathed heavily, her chest ached. She stared to Sylvia, “I…what…happened…” She breathed. “Where…” She looked around, her expression confused. She lay her head back and stared up at the ceiling, her hand on her chest, her heart was racing. “How did I get here?” She asked as her eyes looked over the beautiful stained glass.

Julius stepped forward and knelt across from Sylvia, a smile upon his lips. “That’s an incredible talent you have, princess. To bring life back.” He looked down to Adrian as her breathing began to even out.

“Take her to rest, Julius.” The Grand Master spoke. “She’s been through a lot…” He stepped forward. “Princess.” He nodded in approval. “I’ve never seen a mage pull something like that off. You just jumped into the astral plane, into the spirit world, like it was nothing.”

Julius carefully scooped up Adrian into his arms as the Grand Master began to speak to Sylvia. He carried her off and set her down on her bed. “Do you need anything?” He asked as he tucked her in.

Adrian’s brows quivered slightly. “What happened?” She asked. “Where am I?” She glanced around the room.

Julius’ expression fell then, he took in a slow breath. “Adrian, you’re just exhausted.” He gave a gentle smile, hoping that truly was the answer. “Your soul was separated from your body…you…basically died…” He searched her eyes. “Rest, okay? You’re safe, this is the magi tower.” He nodded then.

Adrian stared to him a long moment. “I can’t remember.” She shook her head. “I can’t remember what happened.” Her eyes still glowed silver as the magic swirled within her body.

Julius took in a breath, “Sleep, Adrian. You’re exhausted. Your mind is confused.” He placed his hand on her forehead. His hand lit with a blue magic. “Just sleep.” He spoke his voice smooth.

Adrian’s eyes fluttered, her breaths went from jagged to smooth as she slipped into the dream world. Julius looked over her for a few moments before he stepped from the room and made his way back to the grand master’s office. “Grand Master.” He spoke as he entered.

The grand master turned from speaking with Sylvia, “Yes Julius?” He looked to him with concerned eyes.

“Is it possible for Adrian to have memory loss from what happened?” Julius asked. “I’ve never witnessed a soul separation before…”

The grand master gave a nod. “Yes, it’s possible. How confused is she?” He asked.

“She doesn’t remember anything…” Julius shook his head. “She isn’t sure what happened.”

“She just needs rest.” The Grand Master nodded. “No need to worry. Her mind and body are exhausted, that is a very trying thing to be separated…and the longer she remained in the spirit world the more she is bound to forget.”

Julius nodded, “Of course.” He spoke and then looked to Sylvia. “Princess, would you like to meet our tailor? He could create a clothing for you, to your liking that won’t disintegrate to your powers. Or is there anything else I may answer?”

Julius crossed his arms as he watched the mage work his magic. He nodded in approval of the clothing an soon enough they were back in the Archmage chambers. He sat down and let out a long sigh as Sylvia asked of Sylvanas. “There is much to learn.” He gave a smile then. “That room you spoke of?” He stood then and moved to the back of the room. He pushed a bookcase a few inches to the side and then pushed in on a broken piece of brick. “Sylvanas spent most of her time here, when she was mentoring me. Even the Grand Master hasn’t been in here since her disappearance. I kept it a secret, as she asked me to.” Julius spoke as a door slid open, revealing a hidden room. It was a beautiful room with a gorgeous oak wooden floor. It had a bed that was lofted up on top of a bookcase. “She spent hours in here.” He smiled as he motioned for her to follow him in. “I’ve kept the it the same, it’s just as she left it.”

Julius moved and sat down in a chair that sat angled toward a coffee table in the middle of the room, a couch was parallel to the coffee table. “Your mother was a selfless woman. She gave everything so as to benefit someone else…the Grand Master told me that he told you why she left.” He crossed his arms. “It was the first that he’s even spoken it to me. I can see that it pains him still that she gave herself to the king to save the circle, the tower. We would have all been enslaved by the king or dead, if he couldn’t get what he wanted we would have most certainly ended up dead.”

Julius shifted slightly, “Murdoc was her love. They were perfect for each other in every way.” He smiled then, “She was his balance. In every way that she was selfless and giving, he wanted to push harder become stronger. She held him down, she tethered him. She fought with him when he spoke of gaining the power of the Azeralite but…eventually Murdoc went through with his plan…and thus that is how we have you, princess.” He searched her eyes. “Murdoc took in much of the Azeralite’s magic, but his body couldn’t handle it, he didn’t last a year after he infused himself with it. He left the circle merely days after he performed the ritual, he knew he was unstable. In that time, the king heard of our Grand Master leaving the Circle, that is when we were attacked. Murdoc was the Grand Master of the tower back then…there is a process for the next grand master, we were unprotected. Sylvanas was set to be the next Grand Master, but she gave herself to the king. She offered herself for the lives of all of the mages in the tower. After she left…we fortified the tower and it is hidden away like you see it today, no one without an invitation can arrive here. Or even locate the tower.”

Julius thought for a moment, “Your mother in her free time, outside of her studies loved to play music.” He spoke as he stood and moved over to a pile of books. “She was quite the musician, an incredible ear.” He dusted a few things off to reveal the keyboard of a piano tucked beneath books and papers. “I’d hear her playing in the early hours of the morning sometimes. The songs were lively, or sad, depending on her mood…” He looked to Sylvia and thought for a moment. “I can…show you something.” He spoke and then moved and sat next to her on the couch. “Adrian is much better at this than I am, but I can dabble in a bit of the telepathic magic.” He chuckled, “Here.” He cupped his hand to her cheek and stared into her eyes. “Just, relax and let me take you there.” He spoke his eyes began to glow red.

**

The world around them was filled with the smell of fresh rain on the streets. “Julius.” A voice spoke. “Have you found anyone?” Sylvanas stood in her mage robes. “I can feel it…but where are they?” She moved through the streets.

Julius glanced over to her, “We will find the survivors. Be it few or many.” Julius nodded as he stepped forward. He looked down as a splash came from in front of him. He looked down to young Adrian. The scene played out and soon enough he took her to Sylvanas. Adrian was a terrified child yet Sylvanas cupped her cheek and calmed her nearly instantly. “She’s a mage, Slyvanas.” He spoke. “A strong one, look at what she has around her neck.”

Sylvanas pulled at the necklace and then hugged the girl. “I knew her mother.” She whispered softly. “She was a good woman. You must take care of this girl, Julius.” She searched his eyes.

Julius furrowed his brows. “M-me?” He asked and shook his head. “Why me?”

Sylvanas took in a breath. “Can’t you see it? The wars? The attacks? The king has been to the tower nearly every day in the past week since Murdoc disappeared…” She bowed her head slightly. “He aims to use us, to….enslave us Julius.”

“He can’t do that.” Julius piped up. “He has no right.”

Sylvanas looked into his eyes. “He will do as he pleases, look at this city. His soldiers did this.” She muttered and looked around the burnt city, she looked to the dead bodies and sighed. “A child, orphaned…alone…because of different thoughts…because the people of this city believed they could protect our kingdom better than our king.” Sylvanas paused again. “I’ve arranged to leave, to go with him. I…” She looked away. “I won’t be returning.”

“You offered yourself for trade?!” Julius looked to her with wide eyes. “You can’t! You can’t do this Sylvanas, he will use you until you are dead, he is a monster!” His voice was angry.

“I won’t allow him to destroy anything. I will do what I can, but the tower is in danger. If I do not go, his soldiers will march on us, and we will lose and become slaves to the king. Those of us that survive will have our magic extracted from us in every way possible.” She sighed softly. “You have to be strong for this one.” She looked to Adrian and gave a gentle smile. “She’s young, but bright, she’ll do great things.”

**

Julius sat back he blinked a few times. “She was kind.” He spoke and gave a nod. “She gave the tower a fighting chance…you see why the grand master won’t launch an attack? He’s so terrified of losing more mages…” He shook his head. “The king will use us a puppets if he can, in his games of war.” He paused then. “I feel like I’m talking your ear off…” He shifted and stood. “Have a look around, if you need me I’ll be at my desk.” He gave a soft smile.

Adrian lay on her side, curled slightly. Her brows quivered a bit and her fingers curved and clutched onto the sheet of the bed. As Sylvia began to hum the melody, her pained expression softened. The grip that she held on the bed loosened. Her breathing slowed.

**

Adrian cried as she stood in a hazy world. The world around her would flash and jump around. She held her head. “Stop…” She whispered, “Just stop.” She grit her teeth. All of her memories. Things were split into pieces, shards of her past. Everything bombarded her. She fell to her knees in the world, the ground changed from grass, to cobblestone, to mud…it continuously changed as her memories passed by. It was something that could drive anyone mad. Though suddenly the memories slowed…

Adrian stood before the princess in the warehouse. She clicked the buttons on the device to release her and then found herself running through the thick heavy snow. The worlds colors lined up now. Shards of other memories didn’t interject. Her memory sped up through the moments she’d shared with Sylvia since she’d saved her. And then, she suddenly stood outside of her body, staring to the Grand Master. She watched as everything played out, as Sylvia saved her. The world spun around her, Adrian looked around as wind whipped at her body. She took in quick breaths until suddenly the world grew silent. The sounds of the sweet melody leaked into her dreams. Adrian glanced around in the darkness, her breaths shook.

**

Adrian’s eyes fluttered open. “Sylvia….” She spoke, her eyes were swirling with magic. She looked around the room as she thought of her dreams. “You saved me.” She spoke, her voice soft. “Thank you.” She gave a gentle smile.

The door pushed open then. The Grand Master stood, “Adrian, you need to see this.” He spoke, his brows pulled together.

Adrian looked to Sylvia for a moment and then stood and followed the Grand Master. They moved through the tower and out onto a balcony. In the distance the ward that protected the tower rippled and flexed. “What is that?” She drew her brows together.

“The demon that was in your mind, I wasn’t quick enough.” The Grand Master spoke. “We need to get you and Sylvia out of here. Do you remember how to get to Trego?”

Adrian gave a slow nod, she looked to the barrier that protected the tower. “I’m not leaving you to wage a war against that demon.” She spoke, “I won’t let the king take more from me.” She glanced to Sylvia a moment before she looked back to the Grand Master.

He took in a breath. “You can’t just….”

Suddenly Adrian jumped forward from the balcony. She dived through the air and moments later the roar of Ullr could be heard echoing off of the land.

The Grand Master grit his teeth. “She’s going to get herself killed.” He spoke as he turned and ran inside. Julius was running down the hallway as they entered the castle.

“What’s happening?” Julius asked.

“The demon is here for Adrian and Sylvia….and Adrian just went after him.” The Grand Master responded.

**

Adrian leaned into Ullr as they cut through the barrier. She looked down to the demon that stood, his hand held up toward the barrier, red lightning came from his hand. She looked around, he’d only come with a handful of soldiers. Arrogant fool. Adrian gripped onto Ullr as they dove down toward them. A blast of ice came from Ullr’s jaws as they landed. Adrian slipped off his side. She drew her sword and sliced the back of a soldier’s legs, knocking him to the ground. “You want me?” She called to the demon.

The demon turned his eyes to her and grinned. “You’re making this too easy.” He lowered his hand and turned to her. He held his hand toward her and suddenly a red energy surrounded Adrian. It lifted her from the ground.

Adrian gasped, it felt as though he was squeezing the life out of her. “E…..Elias….” She choked. “Elias…d-don’t let him do this…”

The demon snickered, “Elias can’t hear you, stupid mage.”

Suddenly the demon was slammed to the ground with a large claw of Ullr. The dragon snarled as he pinned him. Adrian fell to the ground and collapsed to her knees. She grinned. “Couldn’t have been a few seconds sooner old friend?” She asked as she stood to her feet. The dragon snarled as the demon burst into flames he withdrew his paw and leaped back.

Adrian turned and sliced through a soldier that rushed toward her. She locked her sword with his and leaned forward, her eyes glowed bright. “You’ll help me deal with this demon.” She spoke.

The knight stepped back and turned toward the demon. Adrian was attacked by another knight whom knocked her to the ground. She grit her teeth as he stood on her chest. “Sir, I’ve captured her!” He called.

Adrian pulled her pistol from her thigh. “Not so much.” She spoke as she pulled the trigger. She rolled from beneath him as he toppled to the ground. She stood as the demon ripped the other knight to shreds. “What is it that you really want?!” She called to him. She held the pistol aimed at his head. “You want me right?” She asked.

The demon stepped forward, he grinned to her, his forehead pressed against the barrel of the pistol. “You wouldn’t shoot Elias.” He morphed into Elias’ form.

Adrian turned her eyes away slightly, “You’re not Elias.” She spoke. “Tell me what you want demon.” She looked back to him, her eyes glowing brightly.

The demon chuckled. “It is the king that wants you.” He smiled. “You and his daughter.” He snickered. “With your power he could easily destroy the other kings. Though, with Sylvia he will strike fear into those kingdoms. Not one will rise against him.” He tilted his head and then suddenly he clutched forward. His fingers curled around Adrian’s neck.

Adrian grit her teeth. She shut her eyes and pulled the trigger. Though her hand lowered and the bullet pierced into the shoulder of the demon. Adrian felt a burning sensation in her own side. She opened her eyes to see the hilt of a blade sticking from her abdomen. Her breaths shook slightly. She looked into Elias’ eyes. It was painful, what the demon was doing. Though she told herself it wasn’t Elias…her mind wouldn’t listen. “Stop!” She screamed. Suddenly magic engulfed her. A wave of magic burst from her body. The demon was forced back. She rushed forward and slammed him to the ground. Adrian pinned him down. They tossed and turned until the demon pinned her. He reached his clawed hand forward and wrapped it around her neck. “I’m taking you.” He stared into her eyes.

Adrian choked, her eyes glowed, her body trembled. The demon was attempting to take her soul. His arm began to glow a bright red.

Ullr flew through the skies back to the tower, he roared, his eyes wide. He landed harshly on the balcony. A few bricks fell from the balcony. He bellowed again.

Adrian gasped as the demon’s clutch was released from her. Blood dripped from her nose. The world around her rang, the colors dimmed. Her vision tunneled. As the Grand Master helped her to her feet she held her side. Blood leaked through the gaps between her fingers.

“Grand Master.” Julius spoke as he stepped forward. He caught Adrian and she stumbled forward. He held her to his chest.

“I can heal her.” A mage stepped forward. One of the battlemages, he was a healer for the regiments.

Julius looked to the mage and nodded. Adrian clutched onto him, the world around her was muffled. “Elias is…okay?” She asked, worried.

Julius took in a breath as he watched the mage take her from his arms. He looked to Sylvia then. His brows tucked together. “It won’t be an easy trip to get to Lunafreya.” He spoke, “She’s the only hope for Elias.” He then gave a smile. “That was very well done.” He nodded to her. “Sylvanas would be very proud of you, princess.”

Adrian whimpered as the mage cleaned the wound. Her blood leaked to the ground. The demon had stabbed her with an enchanted blade. It caused her to become weak rapidly. Adrian’s eyes flashed with red static. She groaned as the mage began to heal her. She grit her teeth and stood with his help after the light faded away. She looked to the grand master for a moment before she stepped over to Ullr who nosed her caringly. “I’m okay.” She spoke softly. She looked to Sylvia, the red static remained in her eyes. “Let’s go.” She spoke. She climbed onto Ullr and then waited for Sylvia. She pulled her goggles down and they shot up into the skies. He spun and cut through the caverns quickly. They didn’t have too much time. If they took too long the mages at the tower would have to end Elias’ life, they could only subdue the demon for so long before he would break their hold.

Adrian grit her teeth as static ran down her arms. She shook her head slightly, shaking the strange feeling from her mind. “Mt. Grace is quite a ways away.” She spoke over the wind. “We will have to be quick, Elias’ doesn’t have much time.”

Adrian looked back ahead then as they flew on. Ullr let out a roar as they flew toward a set of large mountains that were capped in snow. Snow began falling on them as they made their approach. Adrian shivered slightly. Ullr whined as wind whipped against him and sent him to the side violently. He regained himself and landed harshly. “It’s okay my friend.” She slipped from him. “We can manage.” She nodded. “Thank you old friend.” She cupped her hand on the side of his large jaw. Ullr turned and then disappeared into the storm.

Adrian looked to Sylvia, “He can’t make it through a storm like this.” She spoke as she stared up the side of the mountain. She glanced to Sylvia as they entered a set of caverns. The wind howled outside. She shivered. Static surged through her body once more which caused her to stumble slightly. “Sylvia…” She spoke as she caught herself. She looked to the princess. “What you did…” She searched her eyes a moment. “You were really incredible. I am in debt to you. That demon would have killed me. I…” She shook her head. “I let him get to me…Elias and I were close…he’s like a brother to me…I just couldn’t kill him…” She looked away. Another surge of energy rushed through her body. Adrian stumbled and took in a quick breath. “What…is happening…” She breathed. Her eyes filled with red static for a moment. “We have to push through these caverns…LunaFreya won’t be far after we come out the other side…the storms are to protect her…”