Hi, so you guys probably all hate me for ending it on a cliffhanger, and I don't blame you but I have GOOD NEWS... THE STORY'S NOT OVER YET!
Chapter 13
Emi and Calythé padded gently out into the hall. Saffa ran up to them. "Thank goodness. I have terrible news. Thunder's gone."
"What?!" they both quavered at once.
"I'm going to look for him," Calythé announced, shouldering her harp and shadowbeam staff.
"Why? He's the one who pushed you off of the bridge," Emi questioned.
"Because, he's my brother. And once I've gotten him back I'm going to give him a sisterly hug, tell him how good he looks, and then throttle him."
Meanwhile...
Thunder wandered aimlessly through the wilderness. His body didn't know where it was going, for in his mind two forces bickered.
Unclaimed, one snarled. You're becoming unclaimed. Look at yourself. Your power is fading. Nobody would care if you just died.
That's not true, countered another. Lots of people like you. There's Topaz, and Saffa, and that cute little Emi, and Embrea…
Topaz isn't interested, Saffa's too young, and Emi's too shy. Also, Embrea is dead.
A tear leaked from Thunder's eye. He was becoming unclaimed. His powers were weakening, and his hair and eyes were reverting to the muddy gray-brown color of an unclaimed magician.
A new voice spoke in his mind, but unlike his own, the voice was tinged with darkness. Ah, Thunder Zevulon. I understand your plight. Being unclaimed is the worst fate a magician could ask for. Never fear, dear boy, for I can make you powerful again. I can make you the most powerful magician in all of Terraria if you let me.
Thunder pondered that for a second. Then, blinking his eye and bowing his head, he succumbed. The muddy color flowed away from his hair, replaced by shimmering, blinding white. His eye flashed silver and blinked once, turning red. Thunder felt a tremendous rush of power. It was exquisite. He felt the magic flowing to every part of his body and every fiber of his being. And, at that moment he opened his mouth, and for the first time in many, many years he threw back his head and laughed, a booming, delighted belly laugh that rolled through the forest. He leaped in the air and pumped his fist, howling with delight.
One more thing, though, the voice wheedled. You shall become my servant. If you wish not to be my servant… well, I'll kill you. Do you accept?
Thunder opened and closed his mouth. Then, in a voice rusty and cacophonous with disuse, he croaked, "I accept."
The voice chuckled. Very well, but be warned… with great power comes great responsibility…