THE MAGICIAN

 

Damian a washed-up magician discovers his family holds a deep and dark secret…

CHAPTER FOUR

Damian was puzzled as he stood on skulls as he sank deep into its crevices. They were black like obsidian and were in thousands astern across a vast land, they were pulling him deep into the ground like a sinking ship. He screamed for help but no sound came from his mouth. The sun was bloated and it was dark as night, the sun’s red gleam radiated like a blood moon, its fire burning infernal. From a distance he could hear a ribald evil laughter, as he the sound of crushing skulls beneath his feet became more prevalent.

The black skulls filled with cartilage were fragile like a loose skeleton bone covered in soot. Where am I? he asked himself. He walked slowly over the skulls trying to regain balance and composure. He drowned in its profanity like a sinking ship. As he looked up, he could see a huge withered tree that seemed to be old as age itself.

The huge tree had a huge trunk and its leaves were no longer existent, like a lost memory. On top of the tree was a body that looked somewhat familiar. He gasped in shock at the horrific sight, the body was suspended on a noose hanging from one of its branches. On his docile body were engraving on his torso that said:

                              Death created time to grow the things that it would kill.

The engravings were curved in blood and gore. Atop the head of the deceased body was a crown of antlers and thorns. His face was covered with blonde hair that blew radiantly by the ghastly wind, causing a nail-biting chill over him, leaving him with goosebumps. He looked again at the body and to his amazement it was him.

Rhode Island, Providence

Damian woke up from his expired dream with a jolt gasping for air. He was drenched in sweat. He leaned over the bed side table and drank some water. It was just a nightmare he consoled himself. He looked pale and pall, his heart was throbbing fast and in synchronization with the sound of the train that lingered in the air.

He woke up in a dimly lit apartment dust and the scent of mildew rented the air. Across the room was Loise, his mother and Clara Osborne, her sister arguing over something he could not decipher. From the sight of Damian’s awakening Loise rushed towards him, handing him a warm towel. She tried to wipe of the perspiration but Damian reluctantly pushed his head back and took the towel to wipe it himself.

“Another nightmare?” asked Loise

“Yes” confirmed Damian.

“Quickly explain it to me…” said Loise.

Damian explained the whole dream with great precision: the black skulls, the dead body and the engraving on its chest vividly.

“You might have the sight” said Loise.

“What do you mean” asked Damian.

“The Magic Order have three fraternities: The seer, the healer and the enforcer” said Loise.

“The seers are able to transmigrate in between portals and go into a deep trance where they can see the future and locate enemies of the Magic Order. The healer from its name is able to heal any kind of wounds and finally the enforcer is able to cast strong and powerful dark magic spells to destroy its enemies. Let us go we do not have much time. Trigon is at hand” she said eloquently.

Clara Osborne with great disdain rolled her eyes and followed them out of the motel room.

“Where are we going?” asked Damian.

“All your answers will be answered my child, be steadfast and have faith” said Loise.

Loise hailed a taxi cab from outside the establishment and they all entered the tiny cab.

“Providence Library” she said to the Indian cab driver.

A few moments later they arrived at their destination. The library was huge, decorated with gargoyles at the roof watching over the people like silent sentinels. The entrance was filled with huge steps that gave room to a huge double door that stretched twelve feet high. Inside there were a thousand if not hundreds of books that seemed to be infinitely spread across the towers of the library.

Loise approached the receptionist librarian and handed her a golden coin. On it was an angel like figure its wings spread across its surface and on the other side was a daemon of some sort with hooves on his head and a serpent for a tongue. The librarian nodded swiftly and stood frantically. She took the coin and put it in her small pouch inside her overall.

They went deeper and deeper into the library, the librarian pushed a lever and a hidden room appeared. Inside was a stairwell that snaked down like a spiral, a deep descent.

“Lestra inferna!” she said in great strength her hand glowed with fire lighting the way in great supreme light. A spell cast that seemed all too powerful and ominous. They reached the lower level and put the lamp lights on, inside was an even a bigger library spread across several rooms.

“Impossible” said Damian beneath his breathe.

“Damian, welcome to the Magic Order Headquarters” said Loise.

“In the next few weeks, you will be trained in the dark arts, practicing with you and your sister until you’re ready to face Trigon.” Said Loise.

Damian in complete shock agreed with bubbles of excitement while his sister looked at her mother suspiciously.

The journey had just begun.