Magica Story
It has been a thousand years since the once
powerful planet of Blessing lost it's life-giving
two suns, and countless millennia since the days
of the great magicians. An expedition of alien
voyagers came upon the now ice-covered sphere,
drawn there by an unexplained lone beacon far
below the miles of frozen moisture, they unlocked
a written history of Blessing from it's almost undiscovered
tomb. So begins the story of Magica.
It was a time of celebration. The Book of Magica and the wizards who
had used it's spells so wisely for the good of the people were being
honored in all the great cities of the world. There was, however, an
exception. Where good thrives, evil survives, and evil has plans for
survival.
The celebration of thanks and prosperity would signal the forces of
Evilsyde to begin the attack and ultimate capture and destruction of
Magica. The spells from the Book would be used to turn all of those
unwilling to join Evilsyde into statues of stone and send their spirits to
Otherworld, where they would eventually be assimilated into the energy
needed to drive Evilsyde, and maintain it's power without the necessity
of the Book and it's incantations forever.
Defenses were naturally relaxed during the festive preparations and
although the battle was well-fought by both factions, the minions of the
dark prevailed. Their assault was well-planned and executed to a
fault. After overwhelming their initial opposition, they pushed on to the
sacred ground upon which the Book of Magica rested. They possessed
a much weaker form of magic themselves, and although it would be
normally quite useless against the strength of Magica, the inability of
the Wizards to gather themselves together in time, coupled with the
perfect timing and determination of the attackers, spelled doom for the
Book and it's followers.
the leader of the insurrection was the high priest and executioner
known as Shadowcast. His presence could make the naughtiest of children
become obedient and inspire great fear among the adult population.
This man, most vile, would now be ruler of all and answerable to none.
His reign would plunge Blessing into eternal darkness and prepare the
way for the coming of his master, Astoroth, the Grand Duke of Hell.
The capture of Magica did not, however, mean that Shadowcast had
finally reached his goal. He must now find and conquer Blessing's
Grand Wizard and legendary hero, Eriel. Eriel, who defeated
Evilsyde time and again with his understanding and use of Magica's
spells. He would be the last stumbling block to total domination.
Eriel had removed himself from the general population in anticipation of
everlasting peace and now he devoted all of his energy to meditation and
praise of his God. Lately though, he had been visited by many temptations
in his dreams. Promises of pleasure, riches and power raced
through his sleeping mind. All these lures had been placed there by
Shadowcast, hoping to avoid confrontation between this dominant man
and his own villainous forces. Eriel, however, had resisted these solicitations
and was now warned of some impending danger. He managed to
make his way to the sacred ground by cloaking his identity with simple
spells, only to be discovered just before his attempt to rescue the Book of
Magica, but not before he was able to memorize the most important of
Magica's charms. The spell of Restoration.
The horrors of Otherworld are now revealed to the masses huddled
together for some small measure of comfort. First the adults were separated
from their children amid cries and pleas for help. Next the old ones
were taken away and assigned to a place very near the assimilation site.
They were guarded by monstrous, misshapen denizens of this mist-shrouded
netherland, who constantly harangued the inmates with promises
of pain and extermination. Intermittent bursts of flame shot up from
jagged cracks in the ground, threatening to consume anyone in it's path.
Shrieks of torment could be heard piercing the murky atmosphere, further
unnerving the petrified captives. Only one seemed unaffected by all the
inflicted fear and torment. Eriel's strength and determination soon pacified
the men and women with whom he was confined. When they all
became more calm and subdued, he began to speak to them softly as an
adult to his children. "Long ago you entrusted me to protect the Book of
Magica and to be faithful to it's special purpose. It must seem that I have
failed you and condemned us all to oblivion, but fear not! This hell is
only a test of your faith and resolve. The power of Magica did not vanish
in fire. On the third day I will evoke the spell of Restoration.
United we shall return to Blessing and, armed with the strength of
Magica, we will be triumphant. Many will parish, but Magica and our
souls cannot be restored until three days have passed. Take heart my
friends. Victory awaits you."
Even magic has it's limitations and, as Eriel explained to his flock, the
spell could not be activated until a waiting period of at least three days.
One third of the souls of Blessing would be melded into the Evilsyde
collective before Eriel could be effective with the words of Restoration.
The old ones were the first to go. Cries of encouragement and hope
were shouted to the condemned as they trudged slowly to their fate. One
by one they were thrown into the assimilation chamber where a blinding
blue spark gave evidence of their demise. With each burst Eriel's heavy
heart ached with guilt for his part in this slaughter of his charges. If only
he had not become so complacent. He above all should never have let this
tragedy transpire.
In the compound holding the young adults, an insurrection of sorts was
occurring. A boy of seventeen years called Challis was urging an
uprising among his captured companions. Futile though it was, it earned
Challis a place in the cell adjoining Eriel's. His rantings and ravings
were soon quelled by Eriel's quiet urging and the two settled into serious
conversation. Eriel knew his time of assimilation was near and only
hoped it would not be scheduled before the three day waiting period for
Restoration was ended. Shadowcast wanted to personally oversee
Eriel's termination but couldn't abandon his duties on Blessing until all
was secure. Would there be enough time?
Eriel realized some of his own strong qualities in Challis and decided
that this was an opportunity not to be lost. He instructed Challis to
remove all anger from his mind and hate from his heart. Only the pure
could receiver and transmit this most important of spells. Convinced that
this young man was ready, he joined with his spirit and gave him these
words. "Sanasha Gorath Sollis Arcanna." Words that would resurrect
the masses if delivered correctly and in time.
Over two days had passed before Shadowcast was ready for travel to
Otherworld to deliver Eriel to his fate. His journey through
Otherworld was marked by what could pass for cheers, if they weren't
shouted from the mouths of utterly inhuman shapes and forms. Upon his
arrival he instructed the guards to take him straight to Eriel. Once
there he announced with great satisfaction that he would personally
supervise Eriel's execution in a matter of hours. Nearby, Challis loudly
voiced his objection to this treatment of his newly met hero and was
rewarded by kicks and punches until he could no longer speak. Eriel's
heart sank. Had he misjudged Challis and entrusted his people's future to
a reckless youth? Eriel's mind wondered to his own younger days. He
too had been reckless and foolhardy, but in time had outgrown these traits
and become the adored leader of Blessing. He wondered if Challis had
yet experienced love. Eriel himself had turned his back on the beautiful
and innocent Annica. She was his intended from birth, but he couldn't
let love for this saintly child cloud his duties to Blessing and the Book.
One hour remained in the wait for Restoration. Eriel's hopes were
soaring. Surely Shadowcast would fail once again. But as that thought
surfaced, so did Evilsyde's dark leader. Eriel was led away with head
held high, but as he passed Challis he gave just the slightest nod. A
gesture that wasn't lost on the youth. Eriel was then taken to the assimilation
chamber and strapped to the cross-like structure in the middle of the
room. Seconds were all that stood in the way of resurrection or
destruction. Shadowcast walked to Eriel, presumably to gloat one last
time to his old nemesis. Eriel welcomed the time that would be wasted,
but at the last moment Shadowcast seemed to reconsider and raised his
arms in signal for the end to begin. The arm dropped and, with a crackle
and hiss, Eriel was no more. Shadowcast and his minions erupted with
joy. Never again to be slaves. Now to be masters.
Challis heard the cheering and knew that Eriel has passed without time
to summon the spell. Now only he could influence the future. He heard
the rattling of armor and realized they were coming for him. Soon the
guards appeared and dragged the struggling Challis from his confinement.
One of his jailers struck him a mighty blow across his face and
suddenly all his anger left him. He was sure of what he must do.
Thunder starts from silence and he would be thunder.
Challis was taken to the chamber and secured to the cross. Shadowcast
approached him and asked if he had any last thing to say before assimilation.
Challis smiled and said he did. Then with an evil laugh,
Shadowcast raised his arm and announced that his question was only a
final killing joke. It was now or never. As the arm fell in signal,
Challis shouted out the spell, "Sanasha Gorath Sollis Arcanna" and all
hell actually broke loose. Challis and the good folk of Blessing were
bathed in an incredible rush of light. Shadowcast and all his wicked
throng writhed in agony in the darkness they were spawned from, as the
fierce illumination sought them out and consumed each troll, ogre and
gargoyle in a horrible melting frenzy. Shadowcast, hiding in the last
black space to be found, watched the light creep irresistibly toward him.
At the last moment he cloaked his body with his unpriestly robe and
muttered what sounded like an oath as the light touched the cloth. Now as
each remaining citizen of Blessing was transported instantly back to
their home, they found themselves standing among thousands of recognizable
stone statues. These monuments represented their fallen comrades
and would ever be a lasting testament to the dangers of evil and the
power of Magica.
Now came the time of mourning. Funeral pyres brightened the night sky
for weeks and songs of sorrow could be heard across the land long after
the flames had sputtered and died. When the prolonged periods of
grieving had ended, the citizens and their council directed attention to
the task of anointing a new leader and protector of the restored Book of
Magica. The choice seemed a simple one. Challis had resurrected the
populace and the Book, but many questioned his youth and inexperience.
The debate raged on as the time of choosing approached. The candidates
were summoned to the sacred place. Eloquent speeches were
made on behalf of them all. Only Challis lacked a champion and it
seemed certain that he would be passed over. "Will anyone speak for
the boy?" asked the council. The question was greeted by silence as the
judges turned away to cast their votes. Then the quiet was broken, A
handsome woman with golden hair, now flecked with traces of gray,
spoke. "Challis must be chosen. This is the secret I have carried with
me for all these years. Although I was once rebuffed by my only true
love, Eriel, our brief union produced the young man standing before
you. Eriel was never to know that he had sired this free spirit, but he
will live on through his son's achievements if you now find him worthy."
So spoke Annica, mother of Challis.
The decision was now reached quickly, Annica's revelation left little
doubt in the minds of the councilors that Challis should indeed succeed
his father. Evilsyde had been defeated, Shadowcast was hopefully
destroyed, Challis had been chosen to lead his people and, despite the
huge number of casualties, the old way of life began again. But, evil does
not easily die. Shadowcast did indeed survive and persist in his attempts
to challenge and conquer Blessing. Great battles would be fought.
Brave heroes would rise to the occasion and legends were created.
There was, of course, the unforgettable War of the Darkpeace when
Challis.........Ah! But that's another story.
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