Prologue - Forbidden Magick
Voices rang out loud, echoing in the underground cavern, chanting, ancient words that flowed effortlessly, vowels and consonants wrapping around each other. Their beat was melodic, calling to magick deep within the speakers, pulling it to the surface and out into the air.
The spell was an old, nearly forgotten, one. The savage way in which it forced magick out, and how one must call it, had long since been declared Black Magick. One could feel the tendrils of oppressive darkness in the air, so malicious it seemed to choke the air.
In the candle light two cloak shrouded figures knelt. Dark red salt fell from between their fingers making symbols and intricate knot systems in a circle. Symbols meant to force Magick out completely from someone.
Indescribable fear filled her, bound with copper at her ankles and wrist she was unable to get away. The blood soaked gag stopping her screams of terror. Looking at the circle she knew her fate, and knew that it was unstoppable.
Tears fell from her eyes as the chant changed, becoming darker and more sinister, calling to the magick filling the air and bending it to their will. With the magic being pulled from the air was the warmth; until all one could feel was a bone-deep frigidity. Too soon the chanting reached its peak and she felt herself being tied down on the circle.
The salt seemed to burn her skin, but she didn’t feel any warmer. Petrified she could only watch as the two figures reached for their daggers. The endless chanting pounding in her head as the figures knelt once more over her naked body.
The pain was terrible as they drew the blades down her body, methodically slicing veins so that rich red blood spilled out of her. Freezing, burning, bleeding she could only plead that death came soon. It seemed she would get her wish when the figures stood above her, holding out their own forearms and slicing deep.
The black blood of the Esteria poured down onto her body. Mixing with her own red blood and sinking like acid into her skin. When the vile black blood touched the salt a sudden wind ripped through the cavern, extinguishing the candles. However, the room was not plunged into darkness as the salt itself seemed to glow.
All of a sudden she could no longer breath, she felt the horrible ripping of her soul as her magick was forced from her body and into theirs….
