Chapter 3: Chapter 2
Elder Ryo's P.O.V.
"What news have you on progress with the search?" I ask into the mirror portal. The Octavian dragon Elder speaks to his translator in the primordial language of the mythical creatures. He then comes forth to the mirror and into its view. The boy stands beside the dragon Elder's large head.
"The Elder says he believes that I am the one," the boy speaks as he shrugs half his jacket off to reveal his left shoulder. A black tattoo spreads down his arm to his elbow. The Elder speaks to him again. "But he is not sure. The Awakener is the one who can confirm the mark. We'll know for sure once she is found."
"I see." I pace over to my desk, the mirror turning on its rotating axis to follow me. "If I have calculated correctly, she will awaken herself very soon. I already know who she is, it is just a matter of timing. The mark will unleash itself only when the guardians are needed."
"Have the other Elders found their mark holders?" translates the boy.
"No, they have only gotten slight rune sensors in the Astral Field. They have not been able to pinpoint the whereabouts of them, though."
The door to my study bursts open as Rick explodes in with a look of fear distorting his face. The heavy wooden door slams back against the wall and bounces off it. The figurines on the study's shelves shudder momentarily. "Elder Ryo! There's a storm of Black Magic approaching fast!" Rick's chest heaves in a large breath and his features relax partially.
"Black Magic?" I say incredulously. But that cannot be! I turn back to the mirror and try and hide my horror with a tight smile. "I must go dragon Elder, please excuse my abruptness. I will contact you as soon as I can. I must deal with an urgent matter. Etunya rilorsil."
"Etunya rilorsil," the dragon Elder replies in his own, deep rumbling voice. His large head dips in respect. I return the gesture before ending the mirror conveyance. When his image is gone I let my features drop and I spin on my heel to face Rick.
"There's a storm approaching and it will be here within the next half hour, possibly less," Rick sputters quickly. "I was in the Astral field meditating when I noticed it. A black mass heading this way."
I can feel it now, slowly making it's way towards the castle. The disturbance is upsetting the Astral field. It hasn't seen such a thing in so long. There's no trace to lead it back to it's starting point either. Where could it have come from? Black Magic was lost with the books, how can it possibly be here now? If there had been a summoning or creation of it then all of the Elder's would have felt it. It's impossible to go unnoticed. No masking field is that strong.
"Notify the town. I want everyone inside the castle. I cannot stop this storm. I am incapable of that amount of power and I do not know what this storm is or if it has a purpose. Someone clearly sent it. Go to every house. Send out the guards too. Make sure that everyone is alerted," I order sternly.
"Yes, Elder." He leaves, not bothering to close the study door. His voice carries throughout the halls as he yells orders to the guards posted at every corner. On my desk, I push papers aside to uncover the foretoken message scrawled on a piece of royal blue paper. Its inky letters were written by a very old hand.
"Blackening forest, burning mark, forsaken/ Bearer beneath struggling, to Awaken," I read. My fingers linger over the page. A blackening forest... I suddenly sense a presence, like a spirit, somewhere at the edge of town. It's probably just a wandering spirit. Its aura is a lazy navy blue. In the Astral field, its movements are drifting back and forth as it makes it's way across the town towards the other side where the edge of the Silver Mountain Forest is. I dismiss the sensor and leave my study, locking it behind me.
When I enter the entryway of the castle, guards and servants are rushing about while townspeople are ushered inside. It's a frenzy of fear, near panic, and confusion.
"This way, please!" I shout over the commotion. I wave my hand towards the ballroom which is large enough to hold everyone. It's hundred foot doors open when I whisper a rune. They tower over us as they echo on their hinges. The townspeople look to me and follow as I lead them into the vast ballroom. There's a steady pour of them streaming through the foyer into the castle. "Please make yourself comfortable. I will explain when everyone is inside!" I yell to reassure them.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone