The Sorcerer: Ortus

By Daniel Rodriguez

It had been a thousand years since Yoden was at war with his once young apprentice, Arkham. Magic, it seemed for the poor sorcerer, had more power in his realm than he had anticipated. Companionship is craved in the enormity of the cosmos, companionship in the form of an apprentice.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Dec 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9781483547022

Book preview

flight.

Prologue

An Unfortunate Turn

It had been a thousand years since Yoden was at war with his once young apprentice, Arkham. Magic, it seemed for the poor Sorcerer, had more power in his realm than he had anticipated. Yoden had not foreseen the creation of Dark Magic. In a way how could he? For Yoden was the first of his kind. From what part of the universe did he arise, is unknown. That was one of many pieces of the puzzle of his life that he would have to decipher for himself. This famous Sorcerer had only one goal, to create a world of his own. No one wants to be alone in the big empty cosmos, so Yoden created one for himself.

As time took its toll on Yoden, he became stronger and wiser. He achieved a great deal of power throughout the years by practicing his sorcery. But with this great power came a price. As he grew more powerful, his appearance started to change. His rag-like clothing was transfigured into a glowing blue robe bearing insignias of a crescent moon and stars on the back. The sleeves showed strange markings of some sort of lost language. Yoden’s face became older and full of wrinkles. His hair turned snowy white and grew down his arched back. His eyes became as blue as the clearest morning sky and his beard stretched down his chest. But nothing compared to what he cared for most, his hat. It was given to him when he arrived on this plane of existence. The conical hat was effervescently blue, sparkling and gleaming with small diamonds. A Crescent Moon and Stars were embedded in the surface of the hat. Once this hat was placed on top of his head, he would be unstoppable.

It was several years that passed after Yoden’s final transformation into Sorcerer that he began to ponder the idea of an apprentice. Someone who would learn what he knew, someone who could assist him and carry out his legacy to the far reaches of the universe. For Yoden knew that there was life outside of his world.

In a place where Yoden was the sole inhabitant, there was little hope of finding an apprentice. One would have to be created. Grueling months passed as he looked through ancient books for a solution for his problem. His constant diligence would pay off. He found an ancient spell that told of the legendary Zaifer stones. They were amulets found in the belly of a great boulder, that when found and prepared correctly, could create life from where there was none before. Three were necessary to form a complete being, one for the Body, one for the Heart, and one for the Soul. The mighty Sorcerer searched for many more months, gathering the precious materials he needed, making final preparations for the night he was to bring his apprentice to life.

As he pried the last stone from the boulder, Yoden placed the Zaifer stones on the center of his table without hesitation, drenched them in lamp oil and lit the rocks on fire. The flames grew higher and higher in the stone cottage. They grew to such a degree that the entire cottage appeared to be engulfed in flames. But Yoden did not worry, he could control it, he was the master of his own destiny. A few waves of powder left his hands, changing the flames to blue to red to purple. A bolt of lightning followed to give it strength, a mighty blow of wind to give it speed and a thunderous clap to give absolute courage. Then in a blink of an eye his hands crashed down, bringing all the flames to a raging stop. Through the smoke rising off the grand wooden table, Arkham was born.

The boy grew quickly. A bright young fellow, and like many men he had a strong ambition for adventure and understanding the big questions. Yoden did not care for the rubbish of adventure and frolicking. Every morning Arkham would clean the cottage, feed the animals, and eat his meals. The training always commenced in the evening after the sun had vanished from the sky and the moon lit up the land. Yoden did not speak a word; it was his nature to be mysterious. He would act the steps necessary for proper achievement, and Arkham would follow. Yoden was becoming pleased with his apprentice. He was learning at a grand pace, a pace Yoden was not too sure an apprentice should convey.

Years passed, and like Yoden, Arkham started to transform. His clothing was as black as night decorated with insignias of fire and the sun. His sleeves were colored in shades of dark purple and black with strange symbols even Yoden’s mind couldn’t decrypt. His eyes were as red as the flames that created him, his hair as sharp and trimmed as thorns to a rose. Once this transformation was complete, he challenged Yoden to a duel of sorcery. A match Yoden refused to allow.

Arkham became impatient with Yoden. He was no longer able to practice magic, unless he was given permission from the Sorcerer. It was an insult to challenge your Master to a duel of any sorts despite the high ranking Arkham had achieved. But as any good student, Yoden’s Apprentice began to question his teacher. Why should one have a master, when one could be the master of oneself? With that notion in mind, he snuck into Yoden’s chamber. There he found poor Yoden asleep on his grand armchair, not knowing of the treachery that was about to commence. His precious hat, his source of power, was floating above the circular wooden table next to his lit fireplace. The hat was glowing, surrounded by a white-blue mist given off by its crystal clear diamonds.

As Arkham approached, it started to gradually descend down towards the table. Arkham approached the hat, snatched it from its resting place and bolted toward the chamber door. As soon as he started to push it open, it slammed shut in his face, faded into the stone covered wall and engulfed in blue flames with such a force that it pushed the menacing Arkham back into Yoden’s chamber. Arkham turned to see Yoden standing across the room, a flaming look pierced out of his eyes. He knew what had happened, he knew what was coming next. In Arkham’s grasp, the hat turned a dark black, spewing flames from the once crystal-clear diamonds, and the symbols had turned to nothing but ashes. Arkham felt a power he never felt before. It called to him, it drew him in.

Arkham glared at Yoden, placed the hat on his head and said, Call me, Master.

And just like that, Arkham unleashed a destructive bolt of lightning towards the Sorcerer’s chest that shot him through the chamber walls and out into the field behind his home. The night was still, clouds obscuring the moon. The time to act was now. Yoden swooped himself up and prepared for the battle of his life. He looked toward his cottage, and saw it engulfed in flames, as it had been only once before.

I hope you like what I have done with the place, it seems more vengeful now. You know Yoden, I appreciate all that you have done for me, I really do, but I don’t think you have what it takes to be a Sorcerer anymore! Arkham exclaimed with another raging thunder strike at Yoden.

Yoden stood his ground, blocking as many of Arkham’s impaling bolts of lightning as he could. The dark magic from his own hat had wounded him. The Sorcerer’s chance to heal himself with his own magic was not possible since you cannot heal yourself using magic that caused the pain. Pain, the sorcerer thought to himself, was something that he had been able to avoid until now. The only chance he had of surviving this night was to retrieve the source of his power, his hat.

It is okay, Master. Arkham said smartly. It will not hurt… . much.

Arkham gave a sinister smile and the battle began.

Yoden and Arkham fought, sorcerer versus sorcerer. Despite Arkham’s knowledge of Yoden’s weaknesses, the old magician stood his ground against his Apprentice’s blows, showing his achievements in the mastery of his own magic. But the young man had learned techniques of his own, techniques that gave him the upper hand over his old Master. Arkham gave a crushing blow to the legs of Yoden. Yoden fell to the ground and did not have the strength to move. Arkham created a fiery wall that encircled Yoden entirely. Arkham lowered his arms still encircling Yoden in a fiery doom and spoke.

"Poor Yoden, it is near the end and nothing nor no one will ever know of your life. Does it make you feel sad that no one cares? Do you feel alone again? Or does the blood of your soul that pours down your cheek reveal the truth? I am not like you. It is time for me to give you a lesson."

Arkham grabbed the flames around Yoden and wrapped his torso tightly raising him above the ground. He whispered maniacally.

When you create something out of Dark Magic, you are going to receive something Dark. You should have never used those stones, Master. It was not wise, you old fool. For I, Arkham, your former apprentice, am your dark Brother.

Yoden’s pupils dilated to such a degree that he was getting light headed.

Arkham continued laughing and jumping around Yoden as if he was some small child.

Why do you think your hat works on me? Because I am you. And like all family members, when there is one that does not have a clean bill of health, it is time for them to go. Sorry. So, like the Sun overpowers the Moon every morning, this is the end for you my brother.

Arkham created a sharp-ended lightning bolt, and engulfed it in flames. He reached back as far as his arm could go and began to release it.

Yoden, looking at what could be his last glimpse of life, stared into the sky. The clouds had all gone. The Crescent Moon was as bright as the whitest of snow. Yoden felt a power overtake him, feeling the strength returning to his body. As Arkham’s fiery-bolt collided with Yoden’s chest, a brighter bolt shot forth from his heart. Once this collision happened, Yoden was released from his fiery binds and wrapped Arkham in a web of White-light. Now Yoden had the upper hand. Arkham did not know about the power of the Crescent Moon. It was a power that solely belonged to Yoden, Master Of Light. With one quick shock, Yoden electrified Arkham in the web of light, and the Hat flew off his head as fast as a bullet. In one sudden push, Yoden shot a wall of light toward Arkham and threw him across the field into a ditch. Yoden called the hat back to him and it quickly transformed back to its original state and like a shooting star, both the Mystical Hat and Yoden disappeared into the night. Arkham limped out of the ditch, his robe burned by the light, his skinned scarred by the rays of the lightning shock. He looked around, and did not see Yoden.

Yoden! I will find you! You hear me Brother! You can’t hide Forever! Arkham screeched into the night sky.

He looked around, to see if he was still there waiting to attack. He screamed in pain and disappointment for not destroying Yoden when he had the chance. Arkham fell to his knees, looked into the night sky and opened his arm wide, belted out a frightening screech with bright apple-red lightning discharging from his fingertips. As quickly as he screamed, he disappeared in a flash of lightning.

The War had begun.

Chapter One

The Diamond in The Rough

It was the summer of 2002. The park was filled with families of all sorts. The celebration of what the former guardian, Wyatt, had begun. The job that was entrusted to Goobert was to provide some insight on what this extraordinary man created, in essence, overnight. Kids of all sorts came into his kiosk; some children asked silly questions,

Who is this man? the little girl asked pointing to a portrait of a man.

Why that is Wyatt. Goobert explained.

Oh, okay.

Watching all these little children walking around his store and looking at the memories of one of the most important man in history brought sadness to Goobert. Yes, they see all that Wyatt drew, yes they saw the creations of his imagination, but they did not know the sacrifice he had to make. Only a few handfuls of people know the truth. But unfortunately, it’s not everyone’s destiny to know. Besides these negativities, it was the summer of imagination. It was the summer of exploration. It was the summer, which changed the course of history.

It was late in the afternoon when Goobert encountered him. The kiosk was empty, children and families walked past him without even a glance inside. Then he appeared out of thin air.

I see you lost your touch Goobert. He whispered.

What. Who said that? Show yourself! Goobert exclaimed.

A dark figure appeared from the corner of the sculpted metal underneath the structure.

You. How dare you show your presence in here? Get out before I … .

Before What! Nox shouted.

The lights flickered; the shout was echoed throughout the entire dome of the kiosk. It was strange that no one around the kiosk heard it. Nox proceeded to speak,

You know better than I that you are not allowed to touch me in this realm. Plus, I just came to give you a message. Arkham wants you to join him. You know he does not ask twice. He is quite fond of you, and wishes you reconsidered your previous answer.

"Well, as much as I would hate to decline twice, he does not deserve to posses such power. As long as I am alive I will do everything in my power to take it back." Goobert demanded.

Oh well, he will be disappointed. Nox sighed.

Nox glided upon black smoke to the front of Goobert’s cashiers desk and snickered,

He will never come you know. This Apprentice. Nox began to fiddle with a picture of Wyatt sitting on Goobert’s counter.

It’s been what, 50 years. Since he moved on, he took the only hope you had left to find an apprentice for poor Yoden. Face-it, all hope is lost. It’s a shame really; you could have been a great asset in our mortal-war.

Mortal-war? What war? What did you say you treacherous murk?

As fast as Goobert remarked Nox’s body vanished.

A mortal-war? Could Arkham be planning a war against humanity? That would mean he has found a way in. The Law of WED has been disrupted. Goobert thought to himself.

Nevertheless that encounter with Nox needless to say was suspect. But so is living among the mortals for so long. Time moves at a grand place, but the humans have given time a container, and now Goobert is trapped alongside of it.

It was now December 15, 2002 and Goobert’s Kiosk was getting less and less active. Goobert would get a couple of kids here and there but no one would stay for long. It was almost about time to close. Goobert was restocking the shelves with hats for the following day when he felt something strange. It was not like a presence he felt before. It was not dark. It was not good. It was light. Then something odd happened. The lights of the kiosk started to grow brighter & brighter. The stars and the moon imprints on the outside of the hats Goobert was restocking began to glow. In his moment of shock Goobert dropped a hat in front of a little boy. A boy maybe six to seven years of age picks up the hat and gives it to Goobert.

Here you go mister. He said.

Why thank you child. And what is your name? Goobert replied.

His name is Deo. And he will be in a lot of trouble if he doesn’t stop running ahead of me. The woman said. I hope he was not giving you trouble? I saw him pick up a hat off the floor and hand it to you.

No please. That was my mistake, the boy… Deo, just startled me that’s all.

He has a knack for doing so believe me. I live with him. Forgive me where are my manners, I am Chloe Tinsley. She introduced.

I am Goobert. You may call me Goob for short. Goobert replied.

Goobert? What a curious name. Ms. Tinsley acknowledged.

As curious as your little adventurer you have there. Goobert replied.