Despite being a natural occurrence and having been studied for centuries, magic was an ever evolving mystery.  Even the great mages of renown were great because they had managed to stumble upon another aspect or tapped a vein of magic that had not been discovered before.  The library at the Academy was a treasure throve of knowledge that most mages neglected.  Many were just interested in gleaning the basics or anything that would give them an edge in battle.  

Arn however, had been an adept reader and faithful researcher.  He have vast amounts of time due to his neglect for social functions and self-imposed isolation.  The mage had devoured volumes, his sharp mind able to not only understand but retain the knowledge of people long turned to dust.  In a time before the wars that plagued Belisio and Viem there had been an boom in the study of magic called The Age of Discovery.  Before mages were nothing more than heavy artillery, they had been virtual poets.  One only needed to read the incantation that would focus magic that would produce something as simple as a lovely flame that floated in the air, dancing like a living being, to immolating flames that could be shaped like monsters of destruction. 

Thanks to this devotion to delving deep into the study of magic in all its forms, both academic and religious, the master mage had achieved a great deal of control, connection, and understanding of the Aether.  Because of this, he was feared by some, respected by others but avoided by many.  The offer to hold a high prestigious position in the council of mages at the royal court had been somewhat influenced by the desire to keep an eye on him and ensure he was not a threat to the current Arch Mage.  

His assignment to the Shooting Stars had been in an effort to tempt fate and perhaps the issue would resolve itself.  Yet, no challenge had been able to best the mage.  Indeed, his appointment achieved the opposite.  They had tried to kill Arn the mage but had instead given birth to the Hellspawn.  In some small way, they had tempered his rise in power.  Constant missions prevented the mage from practice and study.  The battle field had no need of theories and research.  The master mage was rusty, but all the knowledge he had gathered was still there. 

Since meeting Eilis and their Mind Meld, there had been a reawakening in his hunger for power.  When he had met Tourmaline, a severe desire to possess the sheer power that the shadow mage channeled through his lovely protegee had been birthed.  As he found himself weakened by his manipulation of the Aether, there had been a sort of a very conscious difference despite how impressive the casting had been.  So he had turned to a technique he had dug up in an old dusty tome.  

The process was to become a free conduit for the flow of the Aether.  The magic would heal and repair much faster that was possible.  It would refuel the spent energies.  The process was dangerous and required extreme control.  The consequence would be loosing one’s very soul, or energy, as it was washed away by the torrent that was allowed to enter one’s Thread.  In this state, he was little more than a vegetable.  He was still alive but barely responsive.  Coming out of this coma like state would be dangerous if done too fast.  

That was not to say he was powerless or disconnected from the world of the living.  Being immersed in the Aether and the Thread, he was able to somehow sense those being that he had connection with.  When Eilise took her place in front of him, a warm bright glowing shape was her ethereal avatar.  Even in his astral form, the master mage could not hope but smile.  He light was so pure, so lovely.  It made the master mage wonder how it was possible that such a dark shadow could be attached to it.  Or perhaps that same purity was why such symbiote was able to attach itself to his innocent protegee. 

[color=f6989d]"I am sorry, I know I probably made you worry, but I saw no other way..."[/color]

His own Thread pulsed.  Her words felt far away.  His senses barely working.  Arn’s physical body could do no more than groan softly.  He could not tell her that he would always worry.  That he would rather endure a million torment that see her sport a single injury.  He wanted to conform her.  To protect her.  So far, he had not done a very good job.  There was a twinge of desperation in his soul.  He needed to be stronger.  He needed more power.  A slight tremble would be felt in the Aether as he opened up the dam doors of his Thread to let more energy in.  His astral form gritted its teeth at the surge. 

He saw other light beings.  A bright light-blue brilliance could only be that of Tobi.  The young mage had always had a shiny personality.  A dashing almost ruby like light was unmistakenly Tyrhallan.  A pretty pinkish glow must be the Knight lass who had been riding with his unoffial apprentice.  Arn could not help but be thankful that they were all ok.  There was some strain and wavering of the lights but over all they seemed safe. 

It all seemed to be going well.  The master mage even heard the Venray lord state they should make their escape.  A small sense of relief appeared on the physical face of the comatose mage.  From what he could sense and the snuffing out of nearby lights, the battle was reaching its climax.  He did not need his eyes to know that Olysium was lost.  The might of the Empire had been great.  Escape was the only way to survive.  Who know how many , if any at all, of his Shooting Star brethren had survived.  [color=0054a6][i]“I need to get stronger”[/i][/color]  Arn thought.  

He heard Tyrhallan’s mention of the promise.  Felt Eilis spirit blink as guilt assailed her.  He wished he could reassure and comfort her but his body only managed a soft gasp. The poor girl probably felt that all this was her fault.  He wished he could tell her that she was worth any danger and trial.  That she should not think every loss as an expended sacrifice.  Rather, a willilng price paid for  her freedom.  Uilles and his nephew knew she needed to be protected.  The party seemed to begin their exit strategy.

Suddenly, there was a quiver in the Thread.  Dark shapes, not as midnight black as the shadow of Tourmaline but still enough to dampen the glow of the Thread.  It took Arn a second or two to pin point the voice.  The haughty, dangerous tone of the black haired witch made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.  Not truly because of fear, but because he knew that in his state there would be nothing he could do to help.  A groan escaped the lips of his physical body.  

His astral form saw the ruby light flare up.  Tyrhallan was no doubt ready to fight again.  But even the man’s spirit energy was spent to be of little help.  So what should they do?  Tobi was no match.  A sudden idea appeared in the master mage’s mind.  What if?....it might work.  It was at least something to try.  But how to communicate it?  Recalling yet another manuscript he had read, the master mage took in a deep breath.  Even his physical self reacted.

The astral Arn extended his arms, energy flowed out.  The Aether pushed against him, as he tried to go beyond his own Thread.  With extreme concentration the battle mage pushed past the membranes of the Threads and directed his energy to the three other shapes.  His head hurt tremendously as his will alone propelled his energy wisps.  A single image was impressed into each mind.  Eilis and Tobi, being the magic users, would get a clearer picture.  The two knights would get just a sense of urgency the sudden urge to close their  eyes. 

Tobi, looking at the newly arrived pair gawked.  His mouth fell open.  To his young eyes, they looked like very sexy ladies.  There was something sensual about the pair.  At the same time, his magical aptitude was able to sense the dark energies that was being given off by the sisters.  The young lad shuddered. [color=00aeef] “Who the hell are they.” [/color] He asked of nobdy in particular.  Apparently, the Knight Captain knew them and was not fond of them.  That was all the veteran battle mage youth needed.  He was thinking of casting a burst of air at them perhaps when Arn’s imprint reached him.  [color=00aeef]“Wha..”[/color]  The young mage asked confused looking in the direction of the unconscious master mage.  The urgency in the mental image quieted any further question.  

The young lad obeyed without question.  Not even knowing how he knew what to do or that it was Arn who had directed him.  Pulling on the Aether, Tobi shouted.  [color=00aeef]“Eyes…now!”[/color]  Lifint up both hands as if cuping a gobblet, he expelled a blinding bright orb that expanded and grew exponentially in the blink of an eye.  The glare would be like looking directly at the sun with a telescope.  

The astral master mage could sense the effect of the spell on the Aether.  He saw the flare up, even in his spirit form he had to turn away from the source.  Concentrating again, he shouted in his mind.  [color=0054a6][i]“Go now!”[/i][/color]  He hoped that the pair of dangerous witches had been caught enough out of guard and that the bright flare had blinded them.  It would be hard to overcome the effects.  Hopefully it would gain the group the necessary advantage to escape.