Private Tales The Race for the Rune

A private roleplay only for those invited by the first writer
"I'm fairly certain it knows." Kasim said, though his voice sounded so distant that he might as well have had his nose buried in a book.

There was simply so much information.

Parsing through all of it seemed nearly impossible. He 'read' as quickly as he could, though in truth it wasn't even really reading. The information was simply there, and he had to take it in. It helped that it was translated for him, and even simplified, he thought, but it was still more than he had ever thought possible.

Taking it all and applying it within just a few seconds was daunting to say the least.

Still, somehow the noble managed it. Working quickly, but always double checking everything. Even without the odd headband Kasim wouldn't have moved too fast. Saving Alistair's life was important, but what was the point in saving his life if five minutes later he blew both of them up with the single greatest arcane event in history?

Better to do this carefully.

"Okay." Kasim said as slowly he began to move across the runic switches, doing exactly as the voice was telling him to do. "That's done."

He said, having begun the reconfiguration process. "How do I get him…out?"

Kasim asked the voice.
 
It was unlikely that Alistair was hearing this conversation anymore, as he began doing his own work at whatever he was seeing. His hands seemingly pulled at threads that were not there.

"He had managed to pull most of the arcane reserves into their positions. Once it is all gathered in their areas, then you must begin the emergency transfer procedure...Hmm, the reserves should be completely gathered in...one minute."

Alistair was only moving faster, while the directions that appeared in Kasim's vision made it clear that this would be a time crutch.

The magic gathering back into the room was growing thick, even more so than when they arrived. The high concentration made the atmosphere almost like a mist, but instead of a wet feeling, it made one's hair stand on edge like an electrical current.

"I think I almost have it."

Kasim Areth
 
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The feeling that hung within the room reminded Kasim of being within the same dour halls as the Well.

It was a permutation of power, the essence of it thick within the very air. Yet here there was no malice, no anger or fear. He did not hear the whispering of countless dead, all screaming within their own agony. Instead all that he felt was power. His hair stood up on end, his fingers scrunched even as he continued to follow the voices directions.

A pit formed in his stomach. ”Good.”

He said, trying to push the memories of his families magics away to the back of his mind. Trying to focus on the task at hand.

”It says one minute.” Kasim translated for Alistair, sweat beading on his brow ever so slightly. Then, for what felt like the first time even though he had called to it in panic half a dozen times before; he addressed the voice. ”What is this place?”

He asked deliberately, hoping to have an answer.
 
"Tunnels 3, 7, and 8 are set."

The voice relaid before pausing at Kasim's question, followed by a long pause and some type of small noise in the back of his mind before finally speaking once more.

"You are inside what was once known as the Twilight Malopar. One of several Malopars theorized to exist in the world. These places are areas where the veil between our world and the purely arcane is at its thinnest, resulting in high levels of magical turbulence. Luminor was built around such a zone to contain and harness the energies...Sadly, it seems several safety measures have already faded away and several more will not last much longer."

As the information was conveyed to Kasim, words and symbols appeared in his vision in an attempt to help explain the information, but only some were understandable by a modern mind.

"Tunnels 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 are set. Would you like to proceed with expulsion protocols?"

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The words were foreign, but the explanation made sense even to a primitive like him.

He already knew about ley-lines and the like, and had long theorized that for some reason the veil between worlds was thinner at some point. A confluence of magic in just places would make sense, as would someone advanced like this trying to harvest it.

Yet it seemed that even with such power it could not stop one's people from fading.

The thought made Kasim chew on the Inside of his lip, and as the Voice spoke to him once more he found himself snapped free. His mind returned to the present moment, eyes flickering over towards Alistair sympathetically as he nodded his head. "Aye, aye."

He answered, quickly heading towards where the voice indicated.

"Who built Luminor?" Kasim asked, deciding that now was the best chance to ask questions. For all he knew as soon as he purged this place the voice would go away, and with it would flee the chances of getting any details about this great city.

If it could even be called that.

At this point the place seemed more like a massive magical contraption than a place anyone would truly live.
 
"Well, that question is simple. That would be the Celestial Panasophical. A gathering of arcane experts who studied and mastered the world around them. The greatest magical minds to ever live."

The explanation seemed rather rehearsed, maybe not even the crown's own words. While Anna explained all of this, several formulas flashed into Kasim's vision to show that the construct was doing something.

"Great, with the work we have done. Your friend has nearly a 35% chance of surviving the expulsion."

Without elaborating further, there was a change in the energy in the room as several openings appeared throughout all of Luminore creating a loud scraping sound. This was quickly followed by a great surge of magical energy, enough that even Kasim would feel it. At first, the energy would feel warm, almost energizing but as the surge grew the feeling would only rise in intensity quickly escalating to pain.

What started out as a grunt from Alistair quickly evolved into a scream as the entire facility around them shook from the near unquantifiable amounts of arcane energy from through the city.

Kasim may be the only one to notice, but the air itself would feel thick and viscous, but also hot and steaming. Small ruptures in the air showcasing spontaneous magical fluctuations as reality itself seemed to spend the magical energy that was oversaturating this place.

In the back of Kasim's mind, he would hear, "Magical density levels should return to normal in 10 seconds, 8, 8..." continuing its countdown.

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Stress permeated every part of Kasim's body. Alistair's scream had become distant and muted, drowned out either through the former jester's own mind, or as a result of the arcane tempest which still raged on all around them.

He watched in silent horror as the magics moved through the great machine, stunned into a quiet fascination as everything continued on in it's great works.

Kasim had a thousand questions, more, perhaps. He wanted to know what this place was for, why they had built it, how. There was so much to know. So much that he could guess at, and yet at the same time he wanted to destroy all of it.

He saw what this place could do on accident.

The threat it posed.

Kasim knew that it should not exist. Knew that there were people back in Vel Anir, and the world over, who would use something like this for conquest and destruction. They couldn't let that happen. "HANG ON ALISTAIR!"

He shouted through the din as the countdown continued.

"WE'RE ALMOST DONE!" Almost.
 
Slowly, but indeed, the density of the magic in the area slowly disappeared as the city's safety measures removed the dangerously high levels of magic. Alistair's own screaming had gotten lost in the rush, and by the time it was over, the screaming had stopped.

Alistair had fallen to his knees and slumped, dangerously closer to collapsing on the ground. His eyes just looked into the empty air, maybe attempting to see something no one else could.

For all of the energy that had only recently permeated this large room, everything was incredibly still and silent. That was until the crown once again spoke to Kasim.

"Expulsion measures were successful. Mana levels have returned to normal. However, Luminore energy levels are depleted."

It was true, the apparatuses that had, only moments ago, been thrumming with arcane power were now silent and even looked dim in the low light of the area. The large arcane conflux that had swirled in the center of the room had now shrunk to the size of a horse.

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A certain calm descended upon the room.

The dangerously powerful magics slowly dissipated, leaking from the room like water moving through a sieve. Kasim could feel it, the hairs on his neck relaxing, some of the tension in his muscles seeming to ebb. Slowly but surely everything around them returned to…normal, if it could be called that.

Serenity finding its way back into the chaos that they had just endured. As Alistair fell, slumping to his knees, Kasim quickly closed the distance between them. He caught the boy before he could fully fall, half-supporting him with his shoulders as the voice once again spoke into his ears. ”Hang on there kid.”

Kasim told Al, his arm wrapping around the young noble.

”I think it’s time we got the hell out of here.” There had been enough excitement and curiosity for one day.

”How do we get out?” He asked the voice. ”And how…”

Lips thinned, and then he nodded to himself. ”How do we stop anyone else from getting in?”
 
Slowly, Alistair began to reign in control of his senses. It was like all of his senses were being overwhelmed simultaneously, but eventually, it died down. However, there was one glaring issue when everything calmed down, he still couldn't see.

Instead, it was an overwhelming canvas of so many colors that assaulted his vision. He felt the support of what he assumed was Kasim, and quickly tried to push himself to his feet. He thought he was the outline of someone next to him, but it was still hard to discern all the information.

"I'm...I'm ok...I think."
Assuming that Kasim was speaking to it, the crown quickly provided some information to its wearer. Even providing an arrow on the ground that led him in the correct direction, that only Kasim could see.

"Emergency exit lift can be found down this hallway. L...."

Even though it was an artificial spirit, the crown seemed to hesitate from saying anything else as it reviewed the second question that Kasim had asked.

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"Just relax, kid." Kasim told Alistair, his voice holding a surprising amount of calm as he listened to the voice in his head.

He nodded along, taking in the context clues of a lift, but wondering briefly if once more this place was something far beyond what they originally thought it was. A city seemed unlikely now, no, this place was a marvel.

One that they couldn't understand.

Perhaps with time. Decades upon decades of study, they could find value in this place. Truthfully, Kasim already saw the value here. There was no doubt in his mind that both he and Alistair could use this place to become famous the world over, but that was the problem.

People, organizations, whole nations would fight over this place to try and control it. To use its magics and the power that could be found here. There was no keeping this secret, and unfortunately, this particular secret could end half the world. "There was nearly a disaster here today."

He reminded the voice.

"There is every chance that another will happen, sooner." Kasim explained. "This place is marvelous, but we don't understand it, and there are people in this world who..."

The Noble looked over at the body. "This place cannot fall into the wrong hands."
 
Now that Alistair could focus on the world around him and not the searing pain of pure arcane mana running through his mind, he had a lot of questions. For one, who was Kasim talking to?

No one was answering back, had Kasim also gone crazy during all of that? If that was the case, then Alistair would feel far more shame for his acts.

Kasim would likely be unsettled to find that as he turned to look at the deceased body, where his once fresh kill lay, was now gone. The body of the man was gone, the only sign that he had ever been there was the bool of blood from the knife wound that Kasim had enacted.

Kasim's new crown was silent for a moment, as he got a sense that it was deep in contemplation over his new predicament.

"Duty to protect Luminore...Destroying Luminore will protect it, but not...All of my creators lost knowledge..."

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Kasim nodded, not even paying attention to Alistair as he remained entirely fixed on his current goal.

Doing this was painful.

He did not want to destroy a creation like this. Luminore should have been studied and used, it's machinations and functions likely could have sent the whole world into a golden age. Problem was; that golden age would never be reached.

Kasim knew it for a fact. He had traveled the world. He had met dozens of Kings, Emperors, Counts, and everything in between. Some were good, some were bad, but all of them were by and large the greatest fools around.

"It has to be done." He insisted to the voice.

"This place...It was built for a different time, by a different people." Kasim seemed to look around the room. His eyes resting where great magic confluence had nearly threatened to explode outward. "It should be with them. As a memory, a lesson."

He said. "One that can be learned from, but not in ways that it will also be a danger."

There had to be books, papers, something they could take. "I promise you, this place, your creators will not be forgotten."
 
The crown remained silent for several seconds, but images began to fill Kasim's head. Images of the great works that Luminore had managed to create, fantastical magics, and combinations of the two. Almost like the crown was trying to convince Kasim, but slowly the images also began to show some of the powerful militaristic uses. Ancient dragons were destroyed in seconds, cities obliterated without a fight, all at the hands of a few mages.

"I...will begin self-destruction protocols. Magical information crystals must be collected before destruction. Not many are left."

The last part was not a command, but almost a plea from the spirit that lay inside the crown, begging for this history to be protected.

By now, Alistair had slowly pushed himself to his feet, stilling looking a bit unsteady but standing.

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There was wonder.

There was fascination.

The images that flickered through his head were like nothing he had ever seen before. It was not just the pictures of those things themselves which the young Noble was shown, but an understanding. At least the path two it.

Kasim did not just see the magics, but understood them. What they were, how they had been made, the beginnings anyway. He knew what this place was, what it could do, and yet with all the wonder and amazement also came horror.

Weapons of war flashed before his eyes, fingers drawing into a tight fist.

Then the voice spoke. Shattering the moment of contemplation Kasim had been standing under. "We'll take them."

The Noble said without hesitation, reaching down and helping Alistair to stand. Ensuring he didn't sway or fall when he did.

"Tell us where to go." He said, then waited.
 
The crown did not waste time in giving directions, instead forming a glowing blue arrow that seemed to hover in the air in front of Kasim, directing him.

"First, the records hall. Then we can leave."

Another image filled Kasim's mind this time showing a large cavernous room filled with row upon row of gems, but only a few glowing, the Records Hall.

Alistair felt more steady on his feet and was even able to discern a human outline that he was now sure was Kasim. However, the thing that really through him off was the glowing blue arrow that now floated in front of them. He could see that so clearly.

"Woah, that's a start."

In this room, it wasn't like he was blind. In fact, the problem was he was seeing too much. So many colorful trails flew past his vision. It took a little bit of focus, but Alistair slowly was able to differentiate the floor, the walls, and Kasim. That would have to do for now.

"I'm ready."

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"Convenient." Kasim said just a second before Alistair did, the words of his companion prompting his fellow Noble to truly take a look at him for the first time since the beginning of all the chaos.

He peered over towards the Dreadlord, a frown almost immediately pulling upon his lips. Eyebrows raising just a moment later as Alistair seemed to notice the blue flickering lights. A frown touched Kasim's face, but he only pursed his lips ever so slightly.

"You can..." He hesitated, not wanting to break some sort of spell Alistair was in if that was what was allowing his eyes to still function. "See that?"

He asked slowly, not able to help but stare at the boys eyes.

It was clear that the magic of this place had ravaged Alistair's eyes, perhaps done something else. At a simple glance though, Kasim could tell the boy probably shouldn't have been able to see the lines on the floor, much less anything else.
 
Alistair rolled his eyes at Kasim's jokes.

"Obviously, it's a floating blue arrow. It's kind of hard to miss." Emphasizing the point by waiving his hand harmlessly through the arrow breaking apart only for the arrow to quickly reform.

He looked back at Kasim with a smirk. He still could not directly see the man's features, but he assumed that was simply something the room was doing after the large amounts of magic that had just jettisoned through it.

"We don't have all day. Let's go."

Alistair moved to follow the arrow, thankfully the floor was relatively flat meaning there was no debris for the young Dreadlord to stumble over.

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For a brief moment Kasim lingered where he was, having been somewhat stunned into silence.

On on hand he admired Alistair's confidence. In a strange way the boy reminded Kasim of himself at the same age. Brash, curious, and never allowing himself to slow down for even a minute. Knowing that taking even a second to process might just have it all comes falling down.

"This fucking city." He said to himself, but the voice in his head would easily be able to tell he did not mean Luminor.

No, even after all the chaos and danger they had experienced here Kasim did not curse this place. He was not sure if he ever could. There was something…wondrous about the place, and despite it's inherit dangers he couldn't help but feel his heart ache as he finally followed after Alistair. He did not want to destroy this ace, he did not want to have to do it.

But he knew they had to.

Knew that the burden fell to them.

Without any further hesitation, although keeping a careful eye on his companion, Kasim followed the arrow. Him and Alistair navigated through the confusing and confounding halls, this time their guide ensuring they did not aimlessly wander. Instead finding the repository only a short while after they had set out.
 
The repository was pretty easy to find thanks to the arrows. Was the city doing that, or was it Kasim's crown? He had noticed Kasim talking to something, maybe that was it.

As they arrived in the room, several lights in the room turned on to illuminate the entire room. However, to Alistair, it was pretty dark. Instead, only several small beads of light were scattered over the room.

"Pretty dim room, but I guess that makes it easy for us."

Alistair was already walking over to one of the glowing orbs that he could see, which also happened to be one of the gems that the crown was pointing Kaism to.

The crown spoke up in Kasim's mind, "Most of the gems no longer function properly due to the magical energy necessary for recording having leaked out over time. However, there are a few left, but I am not sure how long they will last."

Kasim Areth
 
Kasim slowly looked over the din room, a frown touching his face for a brief moment as he considered their options. After a few seconds he slowly stepped forward into the room.

"For you, I think." The noble said idly, his eyes slowly surveying the crystals all around them. As he walked he couldn't help but think what he knew each one of them must have represented at one point. The sum total of knowledge within the room.

He could not even begin to think just how much…had been lost.

A great sort of despair flickered through the older noble as he went around the room. Gently he picked up those crystals indicated by the voiced, wrapping them with the poncho which hard kept him warm as they'd gotten deeper into Luminor. "Is there a way to sustain them?"

Kasim asked the voice as he plucked the fifth one free.

Glancing over at Alistair to ensure he was still nearby. Still not entirely sure how those new eyes of his worked. Another fascination that this place had wrought.

An accident? Or a decision made for Alistair by the whims of lady fate? Kasim ceased staring at the boy, drawing his attention back towards the crystal and the voice. Reminding himself that it was best to solve one problem at a time.
 
Alistair remained silent after his comment because for every gem he picked up and collected there was a brief flash of imagery giving him a sneak peek into the information that the gem contained. Wonderous works of magic, art, and architecture that while Alistair could not completely comprehend, more than inspired him with new ideas.

He grew more enthusiastic as he hurried to collect the rest of the gems.

"Unlikely, the recording gems were contained in very carefully crafted gemstones designed for the very purposes. The fact that they are deteriorating at all means the gemstone's structure has been damaged. To sustain them, the magical energy would need to be transferred to a structurally sound gemstone. I do not believe your people are capable of creating them."

As Kasim raised a gem to look at it, the crown would scan the gem with a flash of blue-green light.

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Kasim nearly jumped when the light flashed out to scan the gem, but he kept himself in check with a slight hitched breath. "Ah."

He said, not entirely sure if he felt insulted.

His words earlier had, of course, said much the same. The level of sophistication in this place was truly something, and these gemstones holding knowledge? It was...truthfully, it was past even his level of comprehension of how something like this would be made.

One could create an archive, but using magic. He had a sense that this was...more. Something different, though he could not explain the how.

"Well, suppose some paper will have to do." Kasim mused as he plucked the last crystal. "I'm going to be doing a lot of writing."

The noble mentioned with a chuckle to Alistair.
 
Alistair was walking back with his own collection of gems, smiling ear to ear. The amount of information swimming through his brain was enough to create several new runes, maybe even something more incredible.

"I'll be here to help."

He just needed to get out of this place so that he could see again. Then they could just copy all of this information down for future use.

"So, what's next? We're leaving, right? Find the others, maybe..." His sentence slowly trailed off as a thought came to him. They had managed to release all of the arcane energy of this place, and it had gone outward. What if it had hit the rest of their expedition?

"We might want to find the others quickly."

Kasim Areth
 
Kasim offered another weary glance towards Alistair, not sure if he would be helping with any writing at all.

Though now was hardly time to argue about that. "Yes."

He said suddenly, remembering that they had brought others before. Keeping the string of curses on the tip of his tongue to himself Kasim quickened his step somewhat. Carefully stuffing the crystals he'd taken into his bag.

"We should get back immediately." Kasim said. "And hope they're not dead."

The noble added with a grimace.

Luckily, such turned out not to be the case. With the helpful voice in his head guiding their way. It did not take long for Alistair and Kasim to find their way back to the base camp. Walking into the massive hall where they had separated from the rest of the group not soon after having left the crystal room.
 
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