WindsOfFate

BlackBrick Academy [CatMint and Winds of Fate] - {Mature}

Caleb wiped the blood from his lips with the back of his hand and looked at it for a moment. His mana had to be dangerously low for this to be happening, or it could be the fact that he had transformed twice in one day. His Incyus form drew on his life force each time, it was like a double-edged sword. Powerful to cleave through obstacles, but easy to destroy the originator. Caleb slowly caught his breath and stood slowly looking at the staff. He observed it trying to figure out what exactly they were about to give Codal.

"Are we really about to give this to him? It's powerful, dangerous," Caleb replied giving a nod to indicate he could continue. How they would get down was a different story. "Do you remember how to create stairs with the landscape around you? Should've been in the basics, Adventurer's Magic Guide."

Caleb stepped towards Ambrose and felt dizzy. He steadied himself and tried to focus. "If you want I can show you how to do it." Caleb didn't look too good. The color was slowly draining from his face and he was looking pale.

BlackBrick Academy [CatMint and Winds of Fate] - {Mature}

Caleb didn’t know what to say. He thought Ambrose hated him but here he was admitting that he couldn’t do it without him that for lack of confirmation he needed him and that made Caleb’s eyes widen in surprise but he didn’t say anything else he kept running feeling Ambrose grip tighten. The sound of bone crunching and stomping became defeating and he looked back to see the creature snapping its jaws as if hungry for them. It was catching up and he had to do something or else they’d both be dead.

Without thinking of the consequences he quickly scooped Ambrose up in mid sprint and his eyes flashed with power as they vanished and reappeared shortly after just on the outside of the temple though the creature was still coming. Caleb placed Ambrose safely on the ledge. There was nowhere for them to go now. If they wanted they could jump but the outcome was certain. Caleb turned to face the oncoming threat.

Let me help

“Fine,” Caleb said out loud as the surge happened once more and his appearance grew dark and sinister. “GOUL MAH BAHL!”

His voice had changed. It sounded like two different people talking at once. Caleb had moved his hand in a circle and a pentagram appeared. He thrust his hand forward piercing the pentagram in several places before the pentagram shot forth smashing into the exit creating a seal that began to envelop the temple. The creature slammed into the barrier but received a nasty shock causing it to roar for its meal had been taken.

Caleb turned to Ambrose and collapsed against this time on both knees as he spit up blood. He was exhausting his mana and it was killing him. He looked up at Ambrose. “You.... you got it?” He asked trying to regain himself.

BlackBrick Academy [CatMint and Winds of Fate] - {Mature}

Even now Caleb wondered why Ambrose didn't follow through with the plan. Caleb wasn't sacrificing himself, but he didn't think of himself as anything worth saving if it came to it. All the lives he had snuffed out from the worlds he had consumed, it would be mere penance to die to help save those he cared about. Ambrose had a different plan. It seemed that no matter what he thought of Caleb he wouldn't let him do what he needed to do, he wouldn't and it made Caleb wonder if there was a part of Ambrose that could possibly like him though he doubted it now after what he'd revealed to him. Caleb only nodded after Ambrose finished speaking and watched as he slowly made his way towards the staff. Ambrose was careful and Caleb realized his mouth was open and he'd stopped breathing. He quickly inhaled as Ambrose grabbed the staff and a loud rumbling began. This was it. They were going to be buried alive if they didn't get out of the temple and out fast.

Ambrose ran by him but not before grabbing his hand and yanking him. Caleb nearly fell over but quickly regained his footing and ran with Ambrose. The orbs of light followed him, shooting into the tunnel before Caleb sent them ahead to light the way. Bones, bones everywhere. The path was littered with countless skeletons and Caleb wondered why, but then he got his answer when Ambrose cried out fear laced in his voice. Caleb turned just in time to see the creature emerging and his eyes widened.

"This was a bad idea," he commented as they continued to run. "I"ll try to slow it down, keep running and don't stop, the orbs will light the way."

BlackBrick Academy [CatMint and Winds of Fate] - {Mature}

There was concern in his eyes when Caleb looked into them but even then he knew it was just because Ambrose was a genuinely nice guy who cared about the well-being of others. Such a kind heart had no business in a temple so far from home with Caleb of all people. He noticed he had scooter closer to him and Caleb wondered what was going through his mind. I can tell you

Caleb stepped back as if afraid that Ambrose would further reject him as if he would say something else to crush him. It seemed odd to be in this situation. Here they were, they had found the staff and now came the issue of retrieving it.

“I doubt magic will touch such a sacred relic, my guess is once’s it’s removed you will find out what happens. It could be a swarm of deadly creatures, could be a barrage of arrows or something more sinister. Creating an escape plan is best since our only exit is the entrance we took coming in,” Caleb said as he cleared his throat and exhaled calming his body. “I promised I would keep you safe Ambrose and I will do just that. ILLUMEN ALHMA!”

The orbs of light shot from Caleb and covered every inch of the room. Ambrose had found an exit and Caleb nodded. “I will get it for you, just promise you won’t stay behind you’ll take it and go.”

BlackBrick Academy [CatMint and Winds of Fate] - {Mature}

A simple nod was all he could offer Ambrose at this point. He was ready to get this over with and steal a staff that didn't belong to them but some creature that wanted power. Was he truly no better than Codal? Did Ambrose see him as just another creature bent on destroying and spreading chaos? He'd only allowed his power to seep out when they were in trouble or needed help in different situations, but then why did his power not come when he faced the demon? Why had he been so weak against the demonic force? Why had he allowed it to damage him? Caleb shook his head as he tried to focus knowing that if he didn't get it together, they could die in this temple.

Ambrose moved forward and Caleb followed. The sound of crunching bone filled his ears and he closed his eyes briefly to push the sound to the back of his senses while his orbs floated in an atomic pattern around him illuminating the way with the help of Ambrose's orb of light. Caleb really didn't know what he could do to fix Ambrose's view of him. He often thought about the kiss they'd shared that night, and how things had gone so far south after that moment. Sighing, he didn't realize that they had stepped into an open area until Ambrose spoke exclaiming that they had made it. The staff was in front of them giving off dangerous power.

"Ambrose I don't..." was all Caleb could get out before Ambrose dropped and Caleb's eyes widened in shock. He cursed and rushed to Ambrose examining the situation. There was a gap between them. The floor had opened up beneath Ambrose and it seemed that Ambrose was dangling, holding on to whatever edge he could. Caleb's mind began processing various scenarios as he tried to figure out what to do. I can save him if you let me have fun. The inner voices spoke to him and he shook his head. He focused and moved his hand expertly. Thrusting his hand forward he utilized magic to grab Ambrose. The energy wrapped around Ambrose and lifted him, though it drained Caleb. When Ambrose was safe Caleb collapsed to one knee and groaned. The display of power earlier with the Magaldors and now with saving Ambrose was straining his body. Caleb was strong, he was proficient in magic, but he had to remember that every spell weaved, every bit of mana used came with a price.

His nose bled slightly but he picked himself up and wiped it away. "Be careful," he said to Ambrose regaining his composure.

BlackBrick Academy [CatMint and Winds of Fate] - {Mature}

Caleb was deep in thought as they walked further into the temple. He was barely noticing anything as he stepped on bone and the sound of crunching broke the silence. He eventually looked up and sighed realizing they had come to a fork in their path. Ambrose was confused as to which way to go and he had looked at Caleb momentarily before quickly looking away. Caleb sighed. He knew he’d fucked up. He felt bad. He was conflicted. How could he keep such a secret from Ambrose? It had been a double edged sword. He was relieved that he’d spilled his secret to Ambrose but Ambrose had further rejected him and it hurt. It hurt to the point that Caleb didn’t know what to do next.

Looking down each path, he closed his eyes and allowed the temple to give away its secrets. A soft breeze came from one of the tunnels and Caleb opened his eyes and pointed.

“The path on the right has a slight breeze, while the one on the left is cold and unyielding. A breeze normally means an exit. My guess is to go where there is no breeze but I could be wrong,” Caleb said not really present but offering his help in the situation. “If you want to split up we can. You go right and I go left,” he added before going silent. He made a circle with his pointer finger and thumb and watched as an orb of light formed. He did it three times and watched as three orbs floated around him.

BlackBrick Academy [CatMint and Winds of Fate] - {Mature}

When he had finished speaking, when he had said all he wanted to say to Ambrose, the man he had started to develop confusing feelings for glared at him. His eyes accused him of so many things. He looked at Caleb as if he were a monster as if he was responsible for things he hadn't even done. Then his words struck him in the heart and crushed him. Ambrose told him he was no different than Cobal or any of the other beings trying to end life, but Caleb was different. He had turned over a new leaf since arriving on Earth. He had seen the life here and valued it above all to protect it. He had risked his life over and over to save lives here, but Ambrose didn't know that. Perhaps he was the reason the demon had come through, it had sensed him and wanted his allegiance. Caleb had to turn away to avoid showing the hurt on his face, the complete destruction of his heart.

He grew silent once more unsure what to say to Ambrose, but when Ambrose began to experience panic symptoms, Caleb approached only to stop to give him space. Tears still in his eyes, he watched as Ambrose overcame it and looked at him telling him to focus on getting the staff for Codal. Caleb managed a weak nod pushing the emotions away and following behind Ambrose, but with a bit of distance between them. He was so distant, he was not in his right state of mind to be on any mission, especially now when the guy he really liked just destroyed him with his looks and words. They entered into the temple and Ambrose produced an orb of light but Caleb wasn't paying any attention. What he wouldn't tell Ambrose is that he had become one of the creatures on Earth, a human in order to remain here because he knew that they were worth saving. He had given up the life of an Incyus and become something close to a human.

He was actually surprised by how swiftly Ambrose was able to produce the orb of light and although Caleb wanted to show him how to produce more than one, he stopped himself from doing it and sighed. He would follow along and make sure Ambrose finished this mission, then all they had to do is collect the knives and get back to BlackBrick. He was sure Ambrose would never speak to him again. and he couldn't blame him.

BlackBrick Academy [CatMint and Winds of Fate] - {Mature}

Caleb couldn't shake the fact that at every turn he was pushing Ambrose further away from the possibility of any type of relationship. Ambrose probably didn't trust him, and yet Caleb hoped there was a flicker of something there. Sighing, Caleb had stood fully and followed behind Ambrose silently. He didn't speak unless a question was asked of him or his navigational skills were used, but other than that he remained silent. Ambrose's distance did not go unnoticed, and Caleb was mentally kicking himself for letting his other side out to play. It had been a very long time since he'd let that side of his being out to play and he could tell that it yearned to be free, to roam and consume life, but he had trained, he had kept up with his mantras and he had done everything in his power to keep it at bay, to understand what it meant to be at peace.

The walking continued and he stepped over the land thinking about everything that had led them to this point. When they had finally reached the temple, Caleb knew he had to keep his promise and tell Ambrose what he truly was. Ambrose signaled that they had arrived, the first words he'd spoken to Caleb since they left their camp. His voice was like sweet honey to his ears, though he doubted Ambrose knew the spell he had over him. The fact that if Ambrose wanted he could destroy Caleb's heart. Caleb stepped up to the base of the stairs that led into the temple and looked at Ambrose.

"I guess this means I have to tell you everything right?" Caleb said taking his attention from Ambrose and gazing into the distance. "Where to begin? I guess explaining what I am will give you insight. I'm an Incyus, though you probably read about my kind in the library of deadly creatures. Anyways, an Incyus is a being made of pure arcane energy. We roam the worlds and consume life, at least that is what we used to do. The Headmaster and I decided to turn a new leaf and settle here on Earth, but not without stirring up our presence to other beings."

Caleb sighed and turned his attention back to Ambrose. "I know what you must think of me. I'm a monster, but I wanted to keep you safe, it's what I've always wanted since I met you and I know you hate me, I know you would rather not be on this mission with me right now but..." Caleb went silent and looked down at his hands.

@Catmint

BlackBrick Academy [CatMint and Winds of Fate] - {Mature}

Caleb watched the exchange between Magaldors and Ambrose. He watched as he tried to scare them by showing a bit of magic, but the leader of the Magaldors didn't back down and warned them once more that if they didn't leave he would attack them again. Caleb sighed and closed his eyes. Did he really want to reveal this side of himself to Ambrose? He'd hidden this part of himself from Ambrose since he met him. He hadn't tapped into it, and he meditated daily to keep it at bay, but in order to get out of this situation, he would have to release him and let him out to play for only a short time.

"You should be afraid Magaldor. You know what I am," Caleb said his body shaking slightly, "You know what my kind can do. Last chance to leave."

"You are a trespasser, it is my duty to guard the sacred forest, even if I die."

"Don't say I didn't warn you," Caleb said before the transformation took place. There was a surge of primal arcane energy that surged through the area absorbing into Caleb as his eyes opened and revealed the glowing pulsating orbs of energy. His face looked as if it were cracking as if energy was about to break free. He started levitating as he glared at the leader. The magaldor backed away slowly but fired their arrows at Caleb and Ambrose. Caleb's hand raised and all the arrows stopped, bursting into flame. Caleb vanished and appeared behind the leader. He placed his hand on the head of the leader and the magaldor screamed as if in agony. His body twitched violently and a smile crept onto Caleb's face but when he saw Ambrose, he knew he had to reign in his power.

"I will give you a chance to live, take your wounded and go," Caleb said as the rest of the magaldors rushed over to their twitching leader who was stuck in a painful nightmare. The scurried off and Caleb closed his eyes, breathing and regaining control once more. He looked at Ambrose, not wanting to address the issue at hand, but realizing that he had no choice. "I...I will explain once we reach the temple," Caleb said softly. The sheer power that he displayed would feel familiar to Ambrose, it would feel like the Headmaster had come into the area with his piercing gaze. The truth was that Caleb was not human, neither was the Headmaster. They were beings from another world. They consumed life force, draining worlds and leaving. That was what he was, he was an Incyus, a being formed of arcane energy, feeding on the life force of creatures they encountered. It wasn't until they came to earth that they started a new life. They were free here, but now that they'd come to this forest, Caleb's identity was in jeopardy. "Shall we go?" Caleb asked looking at Ambrose with apologetic eyes.

@Catmint

BlackBrick Academy [CatMint and Winds of Fate] - {Mature}

Caleb smiled as he looked over at Ambrose. Ambrose had no idea the effect he had on Caleb. The sheer presence of the curly haired man made a smile appear on Caleb's face. His touched would send shivers down Caleb's spine, and yet Ambrose didn't know, how could he know? They were only friends if that. As far as Caleb knew they were simply partners on this mission to find the blade that would put an end to the demon plaguing their school. Caleb trusted Ambrose, but he held a secret from him and many others. Only the headmaster knew and it was something he didn't know if Ambrose could handle.

"The map would be a good place to start if we want to complete this by nightfall," Caleb said as he watched Ambrose. He feels it too. Caleb could feel that there was something off, something wasn't right. It was silent, and normally there were birds chirping or some creature making loud noises in the distance, but in that moment it was silent and only when the arrow pierced his shoulder did he realize the danger they were in. He grunted as the force of the blow sent him shooting backward, landing hard on the ground. Ignoring the pain, he ripped the arrow out of his shoulder and glared in the direction it came.

"You are NOT welcome here outsider," a strange voice called out. "Your kind feeds on chaos, destroyers of worlds, you are NOT welcome here."

Caleb ripped his shirt revealing his chest and the bleeding wound. A few quick hand gestures set his hand ablaze with magic. He thrust an open palm onto the wound and held in the urge to scream as the magic did its job.

"LEAVE NOW!"

"We come in peace," Caleb replied. "We just need to retrieve something and then we will leave."

"Outsiders are NOT permitted," the voice replied. "Last chance..."

A few warriors stepped out of the bushes surrounding them. The ones with the bows sat in a few trees a couple of feet away with their sights on Caleb and Ambrose. Caleb stood up fully holding the bloody arrow in his hand. He counted each of the barbaric creatures that stood around them.

"Magaldors, keepers of the forest," Caleb said softly, "They're an archaic society and a pain in the ass. Only two ways to get through to them."