Chapter Three: Awakening
AW 1989, Esper Mansion
A young man, his hands bound, was ushered into the Hall of Worship by two Esper guards. When they entered, he saw that many of his fellow Espers were gathered to witness his humiliation. Their glaring eyes watched him as he marched towards the statue of the Heroine where his judge, their leader Lutz, was to pass his sentence. He held his head high even before their glorious leader, unwilling to show any fear or weakness.
Lutz saw the flicker of anger in the young Esper's eyes as he stood defiantly before him. The Esper Lord was saddened to know that this youth had broken Esper Law, had chosen to wield his powers for evil. It would be difficult for him to deliver judgment especially on one so young.
The two Esper guards continued to flank the criminal as Lutz raised his hands, calling for silence in the Hall. All murmuring ceased, eyes turned to the front as Lutz began to speak in a grave tone:
"Kane Magnus. You have committed a terrible crime, one that demands the utmost punishment. Do you know what crime I speak of?"
"Of course!" Kane sneered. "And I tell you now, I am not the least bit sorry for committing it. In fact, I am quite pleased to have done it. What use are our powers if not to force others to do our bidding? We have the power to rule this world, to submit the Parmanians and Dezorians under our power instead of living here in this desolate Mansion! And here we are, using our powers for the good of all the people even for a race that despises us."
There came a slight murmur from the crowd. "Strong words from one so young," Lutz stated, ceasing all other conversations that floated around the Hall. "But we have always been followers of the Light. I am saddened to see that you cast yourself from the Light and embrace the Darkness. Such we cannot tolerate here in Esper Mansion. Thus your punishment."
Lutz then looked at the assembly and declared in a strong voice, "To break Esper Law is a serious crime and as the Law states, one who breaks it will be banished from Esper Mansion, void of their powers. And so, my Espers, Kane Magnus' powers shall be sealed and he banned from Esper Mansion for all time..."
Lutz then uttered a single word to Kane, who felt as if something was being ripped from him. He cried out then, his back arching as he was drained of his magic. The assembled Espers watched in horrid fascination as Kane's powers swirled about him like mist in the morning before dissipating into the air, never to be seen again.
Kane slumped to the floor when the ordeal passed. He felt empty then, his magic gone, and now knew how an ordinary human felt.
"It is done," Lutz sighed. "No longer will you wield magic nor enjoy the safety of these four walls. You shall live among the inhabitants of this planet until you die. This is my judgment. Let it be carried out."
The two Esper guards dragged Kane from the Hall of Worship, the other Espers following after. The procession continued on towards the main entrance of the Mansion, where the guards threw him out into the snow unceremoniously. A bag of supplies was thrown out after him before the portals closed, never to admit him anymore.
"Fools!" he shouted at the Mansion. "I shall prove to you all that the stronger power is what matters! I shall destroy you and your beloved Mansion upon my return! This I swear!"
I never so cursed my position as I did today... The mantle of Lutz weighs heavy on my shoulders...and in my heart. It is a great burden that I accepted when Arian Silver, Third Generation Lutz, named me his successor.
Such was my joy.
Such was my stupidity.
Such was my pain when I banished Kane Magnus from Esper Mansion.
Kane was an exceptional Esper, excelling in magic the likes of which I've never seen in a young Esper. He was headstrong and wild. Perhaps that was his downfall. He thought not of his fellow Espers or the races of Algo, but of himself. He would wield his powers for his own glory, his own gain.
Such ambition was wrong.
Such ambition defied Esper Law.
It is our most vital law that we live by here in the Mansion. In the history of Esper society, no one has defied this very law. He was the first and, hopefully, the last.
I do not wish to perform such a ceremony again.
Excerpted from
The Journal of Gene Landen
Fourth Generation Lutz
One year later...
The two Esper guards standing in front of the entrance to Esper Mansion became alert as a lone figure walked towards them. They could see that it wore a black tunic with matching pants and white knee high boots. White gloves covered its hands and its white cape fluttered in the Dezorian chill wind.
Then the guards gasped when they saw the figure's face. The young man seemed to be chiseled from the very ice itself. The blue eyes were void of emotion, the mouth a thin line. His shoulder-length white hair wavered in the breeze as he purposefully marched towards the Mansion, never breaking his stride.
The guards remained cautious. Who was this person who boldly approached them? They had a bad feeling in the pit of their stomachs as the stranger continued to approach.
"Halt!" one of the guards yelled to the man. "Who dares enter? Suspicious people will not be allowed to enter!"
The young man stopped his approach and stared icily at the two guards, who seem to shrink back in fear. "I've come to pay my respects," he stated coldly, "to Lutz."
Both guards gritted their teeth as sweat began to pour down their faces despite the cold. There was something about this stranger that made them feel uncomfortable. "Who are you?" the other guard asked forcibly. "How would an outsider know about our leader?"
The stranger laughed. "Oh, but I know more than you think, Barum!"
The guard's face lit up at the sound of his name. "You!" he hissed a moment later in recognition of the stranger's identity, taking a defensive position afterwards, his partner doing the same. "You dare return here, traitor!"
"I've returned here for vengeance!" Kane declared, his eyes glinting dangerously.
"What vengeance?" Barum countered mockingly. "Lutz sealed your powers, remember? What could you possibly do?"
Kane's mouth turned into a smirk as he said, "Plenty."
With that said, he raised his hand towards the sky. A loud roar of outrage shattered the stillness, shuddering the mountains themselves. It was a roar that could penetrate fear to even the bravest of men.
Espers included.
The guards watched in horror as a monstrous black winged lizard with a crested head and enormous claws dove from the sky and landed besides Kane. It towered over them, spreading its leathery wings to their full length, each as long as two houses standing side by side. It was as tall as the Mansion itself as it stood on its hind legs, its long serpentine tail curled behind it.
The creature craned its long neck upward as it roared once more, shuddering the Mansion to its very foundation. It then lowered its head, reaching for the Esper guards, its mouth opened wide to reveal several rows of sharp teeth, tall as an average person.
Kane's smirk grew wider as he listened to their tortured screams.
The Arch Dragon, a horrific beast not seen on Dezoris for over a thousand years, was a very useful beast to control. The inhabitants believed them to be extinct, a nightmare gone away to the depths of the mind. They are deadly foes, very powerful and ferocious, intelligent and cunning, a dangerous combination for an enemy to possess.
"Destroy the Mansion!" he ordered his dragon when it was done with the guards. "Burn it to the ground!"
The dragon roared as it took to the skies...
"What's that roar?" an Esper inquired.
Similar questions rippled throughout the rooms and halls of the Mansion as Espers, young and old, wondered. Those who were curious enough headed towards the doors to find out themselves.
However, those doors burst wide open by a gush of wind that knocked those Espers that were close by against the walls. Cries of shock soon turned to gasps of alarm when they saw who it was that had created the blast of air.
"Did anybody miss me?" Kane asked sarcastically as he entered. He then gazed around, relishing at the Espers' fears, and more than once, he heard his name whispered among them. "I would take your silence as a no," he continued with a smirk, "but no matter. Let my welcoming party begin!"
Another roar reverberated throughout the Mansion before a stream of fire erupted from above, causing panic and chaos among the Espers. The dragon circled the Mansion, spewing out fire and destruction, enjoying the screams of the Espers who were disorganized to retaliate.
But that soon changed.
The Espers fell back and began to regroup at the Inner Sanctum where the open space could provide them a view of their flying foe. There, they were split into two groups. One group would handle the dragon while the other would recapture Kane. They prayed that they could hold out until Lutz would return to help them.
Kane realized their plan, but was already prepared to counter it. He smiled confidently as he saw the group of Espers coming towards him. He stood unafraid. "Come, Kila!" he called when they were close enough to attack.There came a roar, softer than the dragon's, but no less powerful. A four-legged creature suddenly jumped in front of Kane and roared, bearing its saber fangs at the Espers. Originally, it had been a musk cat, but due to Kane's black magic, it had grown more powerful and larger than it was before. Also, instead of yellow fur, it was covered in black from head to tail.
The Espers hesitated at the sight of the cat. Sensing their fear, the cat roared before charging towards them, sinking its fangs into the first Esper and raking another with its claws. They screamed as this vile creature tore through their ranks.
Kane just laughed as he reveled in his destruction...
The battle was long and costly. Espers fell under the might of Kane's dragon and the ferocity of his cat. Yet, the Black Esper did not join in the battle, only watched in malicious glee as his pets whittled the Mansion wall by wall, tile by tile, Esper by Esper...
"Warla!" an Esper cried out, creating a magical barrier to shield himself from the dragon's fire. He held it in place until the fire abated then fell to his knees exhausted, leaning against his staff for support.
"Where is Lutz?" he growled softly beneath his breath. "Does he know that his people are in danger?"
"I do."
The Esper looked up in surprise to see Lutz standing before him. "M-Most reverent!" he gasped, ashamed now of his earlier comments.
Lutz wore a soft smile as he offered a helping hand to the Esper. "It's all right," he said as the Esper took his hand and stood up. "I am here now."
Seeing that the Esper was fine, he turned and looked up at the sky where he saw the dragon circling for another round at the Mansion. As the dragon opened its mouth to spew forth another stream of fire, Lutz raised his hand...
Kane watched in shock as his dragon went down, engulfed in its own flames.
I know that you are out there, Kane, a voice spoke after in Kane's head. Surrender now or suffer the consequences.
It is you who should surrender, Kane returned telepathically. I've waited for this moment, Lutz! I shall prove to you now that my dark powers are greater than yours!
He raised his arms to the sky and disappeared from the snow mound he had watched the attack from to appear a moment later at the Inner Sanctum where Lutz and his Espers were gathered.
As soon as he arrived, Kane telepathically ordered Kila to halt his attack and come to his side. Espers gasp as the cat appeared next to Kane, who smirked as he stroked his head.
"Is that the proof of your newfound power?" Lutz asked, gesturing towards the cat.
The cat growled, baring his fangs. "You dare insult my Master!" he spoke.
"Calm down, Kila," Kane said. "He will not insult me after I've killed him."
Cries of outrage rang throughout the Inner Sanctum at Kane's threat. Some Espers were already moving towards him, their hands glowing with their telemental powers, but stopped when their leader raised a hand.
When all was silent, Lutz spoke: "Your threat is duly noted, Black Esper, and as such, I cannot allow you to continue on like this. I shall end it here."
Kane laughed. "No! It is I that shall end it here, Lutz! We shall see who claims victory, my dark powers against yours! Icla!" He held out a hand towards his adversary as he shouted that single word, a spear of ice shooting forth from the palm.
"Flaeli!" Lutz countered with a bolt of fire, canceling out Kane's attack.
"Very good, Lutz!" Kane congratulated as he clapped. "I see that you have countered one of my new spells quite easily."
"There's always a way to counter spells, old and new alike," Lutz returned. "To invent new spells is a rare gift few Espers possess. It's sad to see such talent wasted for the wrong ambition." He then pointed his staff towards the Black Esper as he shouted, "And for that, I must stop you!"
"Then come, fool!" Kane challenged. "Come and face your destruction!"
And, thus, a new battle commenced, one that pitted good against evil. There could be only one victor.
They battled for long moments, matching spell for spell. Espers shouted encouragement to their leader while Kila roared for his Master. It seemed that they were equally matched, not one gaining the higher ground. Then suddenly, Lutz saw Kane waver a bit and he took that as a sign of weakness.
"Legeon!" yelled Lutz as he swung his hand towards the Black Esper.
A massive burst of energy bombarded Kane and he was flown back from the blast. He landed and slid a few yards back before stopping. He struggled to climb back on his feet, but his strength was spent and he fell to his knees. "H-How could this be!" he whispered in disbelief. "Why...?"
"Because I have to." Kane looked up to see Lutz standing over him, sadness in his eyes. "Not only for the sake of the Espers, but for all of Algo," he continued. "And now, you shall join the darkness in eternal slumber."
"No!" Kane shouted in protest as Lutz placed a hand on his head. His scream died out as his eyes closed in sleep, his body limply falling to the snow.
"Master!" Kila cried out as he pounced towards the Black Esper's body. "What have you done to him!" he demanded Lutz.
"Put him to sleep, hopefully forever," Lutz replied calmly. "I sense that you are loyal to him." Kila only growled. "His body shall be sealed in a remote region of Dezoris," he continued a moment later. "You are welcomed to watch over him."
Without waiting for a response, Lutz teleported the two to the region he spoke of...
After a long and costly struggle, Kane was finally recaptured and sealed so that he no longer could return to harm others. The threat to the Mansion has been detained.
But for how long?
Though he has been sealed, there is the possibility that he could awaken. His dark magic was very strong. Even I had a hard time defending myself against it. It shows that I may have to choose the next Lutz soon.
It seems that I am running away from my responsibility, but I feel old. I grow weary of this life. But I feel sorry for the next generation Lutz for if the Black Esper does return, then I hope that he can do what I could not.
Kill him.
I pray that it shall not come to that.
Excerpted from
The Journal of Gene Landen
Fourth Generation Lutz
Present day...
Kila found the mountainous region—the remote region that Lutz had sent them to—quite comfortable, finding a cave near his Master's seal. It was there that he lived for nearly three-hundred years. It was there that he kept watch of his Master's seal, hoping that he would one day awaken.
Today, his loyalty was finally rewarded.
His head shot up when he felt a slight rumble in the earth. He could hear snow tumbling down the nearby peaks as that slight rumble gradually grew stronger. He pounced out of his cave before it would crumble above his head. As soon as he was outside, he looked around...
...and saw the seal on his Master had broken.
Could it be..., he thought as he sprinted towards the seal, hoping that his Master has finally awakened.
He saw that the ice that encased his Master was indeed broken, or to be more precise, cracked, but the Master was not awake. Suddenly, his eyes opened. Kila watched expectantly as his Master, with a cry of sheer power, burst through his prison, the ice chunks flying at every direction.
The black cat padded forward, halting before Kane. "Welcome back, Master," Kila greeted in a gruff voice as he bowed his head.
The Black Esper began to chuckle—softly at first—then loudly, his laughter echoing among the crags, setting loose snow tumbling down the peaks once more.
"I have returned..." he whispered joyously to the steel sky as he spread his arms wide to embrace his freedom...
Lutz!
Rune, who had been kneeling in front of Gene Landen's grave, blinked in confusion as he looked up towards the northwestern sky.
In his mind's eye, he saw a ferocious dragon descending on the Mansion. He closed his eyes as the screams of the Espers echoed around him. He could feel the heat from the flames, could smell the scent of death...
And could feel his dark presence.
His eyes snapped open. He stood up and looked down at the tombstone. It is as his predecessor had feared.
The Black Esper has awakened.
"Kane," he whispered ominously as he looked up at the sky once more.
"Kane Magnus."