Chapter 1

Demons. They were everywhere. No matter in what direction she turned they all stared, following. There was no escaping their ever watchful gaze.

A darkness lay beyond. Moving closer and closer. Her small body seemed to crumble at the weight of its darkness. Her irises expanded and her pointed ears twitched.

She could hear a humming noise nearby. A constant ring that made her senses dull and caused her head to pound.

Her hands clutched at the wooden staff. It seemed such a futile weapon in the face of such enemies. Nonetheless, she gripped it so tightly that her knuckles turned white and her fingers started to cramp. Her mage robes seemed to cling to her body, as the sweat coating her body caused it to become a second, uncomfortable skin.

Just as she was about to be swallowed by her fear and the darkness, the ringing stopped and another noise replaced it.

"Child! Child can you hear me?!" She clearly identified it as a male. But who could reach her in the place?

Slowly her body seemed to loosen. Whereas before it was taunt and ready, it now felt like someone had commanded her muscles to co-operate.

Her mind cleared and she looked around her properly for the first time. Before her was darkness, whilst behind there was light. Dim, but light all the same.

Hands, decrepit and deformed, grabbed at her arms and yanked at her, pulling on her robes and hair trying to engulf her with their darkness.

She screamed.

Violently, she twisted in the demons hands and flayed her arms about, hoping to loosen its grip on her. Her staff fell to the floor and vanished.

Whimpering she desperately began struggling until suddenly the demons lost their hold and she collapsed to floor.

Hastily, to scrambled across the cold surface, stumbling to her feet and ran as fast as she could towards the light. She flinched when horrible screams of protest began behind her as the demons tried to hold onto her again. This only caused her to run faster, tripping on her robe as she went.

Brighter and brighter the light became until the dark greens and black of the Fade washed away to be replaced by calming blues and yellows.

She could finally breath properly again and she inhaled deeply as the smell of lavender and pine surrounded her. However, her eyes remained shut. No matter how hard to tried to open her eyes and see what was before her, she could not. Would not, for fear that the demons would return and take her away into the darkness forever.

With no warning she was pulled. Pulled away from the smell of wildlife and the sound of the ocean. No, she could her someone breathing heavily above her and could hear a din in the background.

"Child, can you hear me?" It was the same voice as before! Where was he? It seemed to be coming from above her. Still unwilling to open her eyes, her arms reached upwards desperately, seeking the person who called for her.

A calloused hands gripped hers tightly to her right and she held on tightly. She tried to open her eyes now. The fear had lessened. But she couldn't.

Panic was rising in her breast. Why couldn't she open her eyes!? Why couldn't she see!?

"My dear, you must calm yourself. You have had quite the ordeal and have been injured. If you move, you risk further inflicting injury upon yourself."

"Irving! Step away from her! She may be under the influence of blood magic!"

Blood magic? What was going on!

"Gregoir you are mad to think that I would abandon this mage to her fate when I have the capability to help her! Now Knight Captain, I suggest that you step aside so I can assist her."

She could hear a grumble in protest before footsteps receded further away from her. Large, calloused hands covered her eyes and a series of chants were said. She had studied little Creation Magic so knew not the spell the First Enchanter was muttering.

"My dear, open your eyes for me, if you can."

She forced herself to try. Her hands clenched into fists and she started to break into a cold sweat. Slowly, utterly slowly, her eyes fluttered open hesitantly. A yet... she saw nothing.

"Oh child... I am sorry."

No... no no no no no! Why couldn't she see! What had happened to her!

"What is happening?" Her voice was merely a whimper.

"The apprentice Jowan used blood magic to escape the Tower. The blast hit you full force and you have been unconscious since. Do you remember?"

Yes, she did. Lily, Jowan, the Phylacteries. Their stupid plan. She had warned them of their folly! And this is where it lead her.

"Can you help me?" The desperation in her voice scared her. Never had she begged. Not when she was forced to share a room with other scared human apprentices. Not when she was taken from her forest and way from her parents by the Templars. Never.

But now she did. This was what Jowan forced her to lower herself to.

"I have done all I can do my dear. I am sorry. Magic can do many wonders, but injuries caused by blood magic are permanent. I have done all I can do to ease your pain, however."

Blind. She was blind. She was doomed to a world of darkness. Of the never ending blackness. She could not imagine a worse fate. Even Tranquil mages kept all their senses.

"I am sorry."

With that, First Enchanter Irving left her.