Left alone to her...its, own devices, the one wrapped in golden flames would have busied itself with work immediately. That being the forceful creation of a vampire, for the first time in, at the very least, this century.
Normally, vampires are creatures of choice, beings created from individuals that chose willingly to bind themselves to the spirits of the deceased for greater power. An existence that violated the natural order by simply being, yet one that remained restricted by the very same laws of the world. The question then was..."why?" Why was it that an existence so fundamentally opposed to the natural still remained bound to its rules?
It was this very thought that first created a spark in a certain mad elf. The fundamental concept behind magic, was the manipulation or superseding of the world's natural laws to create a desired effect... the means to let fire dance, to let earth flow, to return the dead to the living. If magic could change the natural laws to allow for what would once be considered miracles, then why could it not be used to break the singular law binding that which was unnatural? With this notion in mind, it would be then that the cogs of a fevered mind began to turn relentlessly, theorizing and formulating, conducting experiment after experiment behind closed doors, until finally a potential solution was found.
A singular circle for the base, with the primal elements inscribed upon its circumference, the foundation upon which magic was originally invoked. Tangent to each, a smaller, more refined circle, upon which the specifications of each element would be detailed: their most common manifestations, their constraints, their purposes in the natural order, and so forth. Essentially, whatever was needed to appease the elements, to “lull” them into a state of security, to make them ripe for modification. The finally, a final series of minute circles connected to each “offering” and upon them the true form of what many knew to be “spells” in this day, runes to dictate what was to be changed by the harnessed elements, what aspects to modify, what orders they were to “obey”. And with that, the basics for a large scale ritual were complete, a thrice layered magic circle upon which offerings were granted to all of the elements and their roles specified.
However, this alone would not be enough to break the natural laws of the world altogether. No, for while certain properties of the world would be altered (albeit, usually enough for most magic that an average wizard might seek to perform), to shatter a law powerful enough to bind one which was almost apart from the natural order...another “clause” so to speak was needed. A fourth circle in which precise overriding orders were to be given to each component of the spell circle already constructed, orders in a way that would cause them to flow together into a paradoxical and self destructive loop, that would ultimately cause the laws which governed the world for a moment to shatter altogether in that space...till the greater part of the world around it forcibly dissolved the error. But until it did, the space inside would create what was essentially an “unrestricted space”, a new realm within a realm, bound by nothing. And it was in that small window, no doubt that a soul could be forcibly bound to another.
One issue however, remained with such a grandiose ritual though. The vast amount of energy, necessary to power it... and most of all, the means to survive it. Countless goblins, young soldiers, and captive beasts had Enigma attempted it upon, but none had managed to survive the process. And as time went on, and the rift opened in Southern Badaria, other experiments and ideas filled her mind such that the concept altogether fell to the way side. Even when she had acquired a potentially suitable subject upon which to perform the ritual...she instead, opted to travel and, distastefully enough, fall in “love” with it. Now however, after an encounter with the beast she had sought she had originally sought to create, and an appropriate subject with which there was little useless “sympathy” to be had... now finally the ritual could begin and another arcane discovery achieved in the “Wanderer's” quest for perfect enlightenment.
Searing the circles into the ground beneath the unfortunate vampire hunter with golden flames, allowing her lifeblood from crucifixion to naturally seep into the small trenches that were created, the golden winged individual would diligently recreate that which had required the efforts of many sleepless nights to accomplish. Then once, all that was necessary to complete the materialistic component of the ritual would be etched into the ground, the ceremony would begin in earnest as the golden flamed individual repeated the steps of an experiment long abandoned.
First, invoke the elements in their most primal state, a clear image of each in mind, draw upon the energy being offered, and grant them a form more suitable: a ball of flame for fire, a bolt of thunder for lightning, and so forth. Next, make them bend, give them an appropriate task, taking great care so as to not deviate from their natural state. It is vital that equilibrium be maintained for as long as possible, regardless, for while some laws of the natural law are easy to manipulate, others are far more fickle. Swirl them towards one another when this is done, ensuring that each elements start first towards ones similar to it. Stir well, carefully increasing discrepancy between them till the critical point…then turn it the other way, and send them all into a destructive loop. It Is in this time that the laws governing even magic will be undone, and thus possible to transfix a soul onto another…if the subject and source remained alive still.
And indeed, the room was covered in naught but darkness for a moment, the only light to be seen coming from the now glowing ritual circle and the golden flames of its creator. Spectral figures would then begin to appear, one after the other, only few of them in humanoid form. Amongst them?... A massive serpent, though far diminished in size and stature from the last it had been seen, one that would rise to head’s height with crucified offering as it snaked forward hissing and eyeing the latter appraisingly.
”Sss….Ssso thisss is the one?... The one who ssstruck me downsss?”
There would be contempt in its voice, yet… amusement at the same time. Possibly, for the speculative, even admiration. After all, though being reduced to a spiritual form had certainly weakened it, to strike down a serpent foretold to bring about the end of a world was…impressive and worthy of praise. Such that it seemed almost eager to enter what it believed would be its new host, as it moved to coil upon the unconscious creature.
”How ironic that it isss that ssshe who sssought to end me, will now feed me for the ressst of her daysss.”
There would then be murmurs about the rest, perhaps some accusations of treachery, or betrayal. However, both the serpent and the phoenix would appear unconcerned, for both knew the greater master they served.
”There isss no need to worrrysss… Asss alwayssss I am sssimply sssampling the morsssels of the world. There are too many…delicaciesss remaining for me to consssume to sssimply devour the world in a sssingle unrefined gulp. A gourmet….that I am. I will sssseee you all ssssoon… one way…or another….ssss~”
And with that, the snake would then open its jaws, as if to swallow the shadowmancer whole… but instead, seeming to fade into her as its spectral body came into contact, fading away until not a trace of it was left. Then, when the deed was complete, light would return to the room… and the ritual would end.
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The completion of the ritual however, and the end to the darkness which had spread throughout the small home would not signify the disappearance of the golden flames however. Nor would it even bring about the fading of the other specters in the room, as many of them began to speak in sync.
“And with that complete… only one thing remains to ensure the continuation of the legacy…You know what you must do Gradis.”
To which, the mighty bird of flame in humanoid form would thus respond, perhaps with a bit of hesitation in its layered voice, out of sorrow mayhaps, but not enough to show that it was deterred from its task.
“Yes. I do. I shall approach the demon who calls herself Lanai…
The cowl of flame receded back into the nude elven frame it was possessing, leaving naught a trace of its manifestation save for a slight golden tint in each of the heterochromatic eyes, the voice too returning to that of Enigma’s, even managing to include some of her normally carefree tone.
”And I will then embrace her… feigning love and devotion. And then when she feels most secure, I will impale her. Her existence has caused the Wanderer to deviate from the responsibilities, oaths, and duties to the Collective. And with that, she must be driven away, or… exterminated. Her, and this unnecessary life that now grows as a result.”
Raising a single hand, “Enigma” would then stare at it for a momentarily, watching as golden flames emerged, at her fingertips and then “hardened” to form an incorporeal blade. Yes…with this, the deed would be done easily enough. If this Lanai truly did “love” the mad elf as she claimed she did, there wouldn’t be any reason for her to be suspicious, or any time for her to react. And even if by some miracle that she did, it would be more than enough of an excuse for them to part and never walk the same path again. Yes, Enigma would then be alone in her travels once more, without anything to bind her or obstruct her in the pursuit of her, no… the Collective’s ultimate goal, the obtainment of infinite wisdom and knowledge.
Thus with this notion in mind, the phoenix possessed high elf would depart from the home… off to strike down her lover.
~ 