At What Cost?
© Punk Rocker Arashi (2006)
Just a little story I wrote in english a couple years ago.
Disclaimer: I do not own Raistlin nor anything Dragonlance.
The soft, black robes fluttered around him as he walked through the empty streets. It was none other than Raistlin Majere, Master of the Past and Present. He didn't come through the front gates nor a side door. Raistlin had no need for such mortal boundaries.
Nobody saw him enter, yet one knew of his arrival. Astinus of the Great Library of Palanthas, deep in his work, halted and looked up momentarily.
There was no light to show Raistlin the way. He needed no light to guide him for he had walked this path in his mind for centuries.
As he passed the white marble houses and stores, it seemed as though he didn't even notice them. The windows were like a skull's eyes, peering through the darkness to see everything and yet nothing.
Raistlin walked swiftly and silently, not stopping until he reached the only building in the gorgeous city of Palanthas made of black marble. The accursed tower of the magic users, the Tower of High Sorcery. Here he stood, waiting at the gates of the tower everyone feared, like it was nothing.
A fierce howl of agonizing pain awoke everyone in Palanthas. All lied awake, adults and children alike, not moving. Even the guards stood, paralyzed.
The screech passed and another came. Raistlin stood unmoving. A face that looked as though it was made of smoke appeared and ghastly hands reached out as if to touch his soul. They reached inside of his body going to his heart, then stopped as the celestial being heard the penetrating whisper of one who has been through enough pain to die a million times over.
"I am the Master of the Past and Present, my coming was foretold. For me, the gates will open." Raistlin's harsh and killing tone pierced the haunting soul of the black robed mage of this cursed tower.
Another shriek rang and the spectral figure, bowing, withdrew from either sight of a kender or an elf.
Raistlin shuffled through the gates as they creaked open and shut slowly behind him. The Master of the Past and Present was, alas, home... But at what cost?
"I have given everything for this moment. My friends, my family, lives of those whom I did and did not know..."
Raistlin looked around at his surroundings, pondering. All was dark and sinister, but somehow seemingly bowed in reverence for their new master.
"I have lost all for my studies and gained these dark, miserable surroundings. I have not but walls of books yet to be read to show for all my sacrifices. There is much to be done." He looked longingly out a window, but merely for a moment before his usual facade came back to place.
With a sigh he disappeared into the shadows, leaving no trace that anybody was ever there except the fear that had crept through every living creature there.
I believe it is not something in which could be called a happy experience, giving everything up for the single desire of power. Sure Raistlin now has the very thing he strived so long for but, as was said, at the cost of all dear to him as well as others in return for dark, lonely, and miserable surroundings.
Human's problems nowadays, I think, are that they don't think enough about the consequences simply for the reason of truly knowing what they may gain or even lose before doing things. In these cases, it can be good but it can also turn out quite sad.