Nocturnal Academy 16: Cracking the Great Cosmic Mirror

By Ethan Somerville

Professor Albrecht Longenfang steps through the Great Cosmic Mirror to the Magick Earth, his mission to track down the alternate version of his lost love, Vulpina Vixen. He knows it’s a one-way trip and a silly idea as Vulpina is currently with Tobias, the alternate version of Toby Thompson, but he has to try.

Finding Vulpina is easy. She is a disciple of High Priest Ruthan, at the Church of the Great Cosmic Mirror. Albrecht even gets the chance to tell her about the death of her Science Earth counterpart.

But then he gets into a fight with Tobias and is banished from the church. He finds himself back out on the street, unsure what to do next.

Then Millicent Jorgensen, meditating in front of a mirror, decides to cross over and join him. Unfortunately she has no way to return – save through the giant mirror at the church. Realising he has an obligation to look after his former student, Albrecht takes her back to the church.

But High Priest Ruthan and his disciples have tired of simply lurking in the shadows, hiding from the authorities while trying to recruit new followers. The time has come to act, to finally bring Magick and Science together. And Caroline “Karuna” Collins believes she has figured out the way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Storm Publishing
• Release date: Mar 1, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370285853

Ethan Somerville

Ethan Somerville is a prolific Australian author with over 20 books published, and many more to come. These novels cover many different genres, including romance, historical, children's and young adult fiction. However Ethan's favourite genres have always been science fiction and fantasy. Ethan has also collaborated with other Australian authors and artists, including Max Kenny, Emma Daniels, Anthony Newton, Colin Forest, Tanya Nicholls and Carter Rydyr.

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Nocturnal Academy 16

Cracking the Great Cosmic Mirror

By Ethan Somerville

Copyright © 2017

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SMASHWORDS EDITION

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PUBLISHED BY:

Storm Publishing on Smashwords

Nocturnal Academy 16 – Cracking the Great Cosmic Mirror

Copyright © 2017 by Ethan Somerville

www.stormpublishing.net

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Chapter 1

Professor Albrecht Longenfang landed lightly on soft green grass. Making sure his glamour was still secure, he turned to look behind him, at the portal he had just jumped through. He hoped to see Icarus one more time, perhaps give him a signal that he had arrived safely, but the hole was already swirling closed and disappearing.

Even though the Magick Earth appeared very much like the world he was used to, with normal-looking lush green grass beneath his thick-soled hiking boots, and carefully cultivated European natives forming a secluded grove around him, Albrecht was still standing alone on the soil of an alien world.

And Icarus was right – he had absolutely no way of returning.

It was a sobering thought. But the deed was done. Best to put the past out of his head and focus on what he had come here to do. He had a mission to find his lost love, and he would see it through to the end. He wasn’t naïve enough to assume his plan would have a happy ending, but the youngest, most fanciful part of him hoped that once Vulpina saw him and he explained why he had come, she would realise that they were meant to be together and accept him with open arms.

Professor Longenfang shifted from his muscular, two-metre tall human form into that of an amphicyon, a massive prehistoric beardog. He was big and muscular, covered with thick white fur. His jaws were powerful enough to bite through a car door – even if he wasn’t a supernatural Tooth and Claw master. Beardogs had been far larger than normal dogs, but Albrecht, being a supernatural, was absolutely enormous. Hence the powerful glamour he erected around himself, designed to protect him from all bar the most powerful of mages and priests.

He hoped he wouldn’t run into any before he reached his destination.

Placing one massive, clawed paw in front of the other, Albrecht headed from the alcove of his arrival. As the soft grey haze of dawn crept into Hyde Park, birds started to chirp in the trees, and small animals rustled in the undergrowth. With his enhanced sense of smell Albrecht detected their small bodies. He recognised mostly imported creatures; rabbits, squirrels, rats and mice, brought in for the park’s wealthy visitors to hunt.

And also for him later, when he got hungry. He hadn’t brought any money or supplies with him, and he would have to rely on the wild animal within to survive. Not that he had a problem with that. Before meeting Vulpina he’d gone into the bush regularly to clear his head and simply be one with nature.

Only recently had he become a bit too complacent.

Albrecht stepped onto a gravelled path and made his way towards the nearest street. At the moment it was relatively quiet, but he could already hear the sounds of a pre-industrial city slowly stirring itself. The smell of various fires filled the cool morning air, and he detected some delicious cooking aromas; bread, biscuits, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms and bacon. Soon a large cart rattled past, driven by a tired-looking driver in a rough woollen tunic. His splintery wooden conveyance was filled with large wooden barrels that bounced and rattled, only tied down with a few frayed ropes. Albrecht paused to watch and marvel, still struggling to accept that he was here on the Magick Earth.

All Icarus had had to do was punch a few keys on his Magick keyboard, and the evil, intelligent Mirror of Albiroth had complied, opening a portal to this previously nearly inaccessible realm.

A few years earlier Albrecht hadn’t even heard of this bizarre place, let alone travelled to it what – three times now? Yes, this was his third visit. But he hadn’t seen much during his previous two ventures; just the park, a couple of streets and the Church of the Great Cosmic Mirror.

He hoped to see a little more this trip, but he needed to visit the church first. He knew exactly where to go. It wasn’t far from where he’d arrived; just down the first cross street he came to and on the next road along. When the rickety old cart had rattled off, Albrecht resumed his journey. Putting his nose to the ground he took in more interesting smells along the way; damp leaves, mud, horse manure, food scraps, cats, dogs and rats.

He arrived at his destination a few minutes later,

At first Albrecht thought he had made a mistake; in front of him stretched an old warped wooden fence with several panels missing and marked with graffiti. Beyond lay … nothing. Just a dirty vacant lot dotted with puddles and littered with garbage.

No. Albrecht shook his massive head to clear it. That’s what they want you to think. That place had more Magick protecting it than the Nocturnal Academy, which was meant to appear old and deserted, but still actually there.

That was when he detected it; a faint tang of sulphur, the distinctive odour of Magick.

A large, plain stone building with tall, narrow windows shimmered into focus. Albrecht blinked and narrowed his eyes to clarify it. He couldn’t remember it being that hard to spot last time. But right now simply keeping that thing visible was giving him a headache. Or that could have been coming from the sleepless day he’d had. It had taken him a while to decide to leave everyone he knew and mentally prepare himself for this one-way journey.

Putting his nose back to the ground, Albrecht sniffed around the outside of the place, making doubly sure of it. The glamour had been extended to include other senses, but after a few minutes he could both see and smell the place properly. His headache faded.

He pushed the gate with a front paw and it creaked in to reveal a neat stone path, leading up to the front door. At the moment it was closed. Would he be allowed entry? If not then he would have to find another way in. How did one break into such a heavily protected building anyway?

But he didn’t need to worry, for at that moment the front door creaked open to reveal a tall figure in a long dark robe with lightning flashes embroidered all over it. Without leaving the doorway the figure raised an arm, beckoning to the Professor.

Albrecht stepped through the gate and it swung closed behind him. Almost immediately the distant sounds of smells of the slowly awakening city faded, to be replaced by an eerie silence and the smell of … nothing. All Albrecht detected was the smell of the man in front of him. He was a bit sweaty, like he’d been working or exercising.

I felt you cross over, said High Priest Ruthan.

Professor Longenfang rose up onto his back legs, shifting back into human form.

I remember you now. Longenfang?

Yes – my name is Albrecht Longenfang.

You came here a couple of years ago to rescue one of your students – a girl named Milly. You and your friends started quite a ruckus, but you were right – Milly had been brought here against her will. But I wasn’t at all happy about the Jesuit monk who followed you, and who now knows exactly where we live.

I wouldn’t worry about Marco. He hasn’t told anyone yet, and I doubt he will.

Ruthan folded his arms. Since we haven’t been stormed by the Catholic Church yet, I gathered. But I’m still concerned. That monk may yet reveal his secrets to his masters. So why are you here this time? The High Priest’s pale blue eyes were piercing. To Albrecht he appeared to be in his late thirties or early forties – it was hard to tell. He was quite well built and fit for a priest, and wore his blonde hair cut very close to his skull.

Albrecht gave what he hoped was a dazzling, white-toothed smile. He knew he was gorgeous and charismatic. He had turned many a head in the past, male and female. But shut away in the Nocturnal Academy, he didn’t get the chance to use his charms very often. Why, I’ve seen the light and I’m here to join the flock, of course. He spread his hands.

Ruthan did not return the smile. He remained in the doorway with his arms folded, his eyes cold. You may be able to persuade ordinary people and maybe even others like yourself, but not me. I’m a High Priest, and that grants me certain abilities. An immunity to your supernatural glamour, and the power to detect when I’m being lied to! He prodded the Professor in the chest with a sharp, bony finger.

Albrecht’s smile faded. It was worth a shot.

I emerged out of the goodness of my heart to find out what you wanted. I could quite easily go back inside, close the door, and leave you out here. Even if you did manage to break through the front door with your great supernatural strength, you would never be able to find your way through the labyrinth. It only obeys me.

Albrecht remembered that awful thing and shuddered. It had confounded even him, a highly disciplined Tooth and Claw Master.

Now I’m a very busy man, but I’m willing to hear your story.

Albrecht sighed. Fair enough, but you’ll probably think I’m being a silly, romantic schoolboy.

We were all silly romantic schoolboys once. Now out with it. I don’t have all day.

Longenfang scratched the back of his neck and looked away, wondering how on Earth to begin. Not long ago, I met a wonderful woman and we fell madly in love. I asked her to marry me, and she said yes. We would have tied the knot this year, in April. But last year she was killed.

Ruthan lowered his gaze. I am sorry to hear that. What happened?

It was during the incursion of Necronis.

Ruthan’s severe face darkened at the mention of the Unmaker. Yes, I experienced his power, and when I looked through the mirror I could see his horrible screaming face glaring back at me.

The thought that Necronis could have affected the Magick Earth’s Immaterium hadn’t occurred to Albrecht, and he shivered. But of course the Dark God had the power to touch both worlds. He was equal and opposite to the Creator. We managed to close the rift, but not without great personal loss, Albrecht continued soberly. The Jesuit, Marco, should have died but because he happened to be on the same side of the Great Cosmic Mirror as his mysterious counterpart, he lived. My sweet love … was not so lucky. She was disintegrated to ash and bones. Not even a supernatural can come back from that.

Ah, said Ruthan. But forgive me – what does this have to do with your presence here?

My fiancé’s name was Vulpina Vixen.

Ruthan’s blue eyes widened. Oh. Oh dear. Now I understand. You … you want to see her again, don’t you?

I do.

Ruthan frowned and rubbed his chin.

She is still with you?

She is. Ruthan continued to think. She has atoned for her sins and her powers have been returned to her. But what do you honestly think will happen? Do you think that as soon as she sees you she will fall into your arms? She may be physically identical to the counterpart from your world, but she is still her own person. She has a life here, and although Tobias is young, he is still her boyfriend. He won’t step aside for you.

I just want to talk to her, explain about her counterpart and what happened to her. She deserves to know that, doesn’t she?

She does. After all this church actively encourages knowledge about counterparts.

Albrecht spread his hands again. If she refuses to see me despite all my entreaties, and wants absolutely nothing to do with me, then I’ll leave and never bother her again.

Ruthan stared intently at him. You will return to your Earth to resume your old life?

I can’t. I don’t have any way to go back. I came here knowing this would be a one way trip.

The High Priest gaped. You gave up everything just to see a woman who might in all likelihood slam her door in your face?

Yes. Like I said before, silly schoolboy stuff. But other people have done far stranger things for love.

They have. Ruthan took a deep breath. Very well. It would be unreasonable of me to refuse your request. It is innocent enough.

Albrecht couldn’t believe his senses. Thank you so much!

Ruthan lifted a finger. But be warned; first sign of trouble and I will personally remove you from the premises. Once kicked out you will not be able to return. The door will be locked and if you break in, the maze will block you. Am I making myself clear?

Perfectly.

Ruthan moved aside so Albrecht could step into the plain stone foyer behind him. The High Priest shut the door, now cutting the Professor off from the outside world completely. Albrecht shivered; he really didn’t like this place; its complete lack of smell apart from ageless stone, and the way the light just seemed to be … there.

How is this place even possible? he asked Ruthan.

Various high level enchantments have been placed over this building, shifting it from reality and protecting it. Ruthan walked towards a door that had just suddenly appeared at the far end of the room. I recently made sure an even more powerful one was placed over the area, designed to fool all but the very highest level mages and priests. Only the Pope would be able to see through it now. Fortunately he is yet to visit this provincial little backwater. And even if he does see this building, he won’t recognise it for what it really is. He strode through the door and disappeared.

Albrecht hurried after him. Is that horrible maze of yours active right now? I don’t fancy running through it at the moment.

No. I’ve allowed you here and there’s no need to put you through any particular lessons. Ruthan took Albrecht along a perfectly normal corridor, down some stone stairs and into that enormous underground cathedral that he remembered from last time, with its impressive columns and enormous mirror at the far end.

But a lot of the long rows of pews he remembered were gone. Only a few remained at the back, where a couple of worshippers sat deep in prayer. A large area had been cleared and something was being inscribed on the floor. Longenfang couldn’t see it properly from this angle, but he knew a huge Magick rune when saw one.

Tall brass holders containing candles had been placed at the cardinal points, and gemstones glittered at regular intervals. At the moment the candles were unlit. A number of people were working diligently on the rune, marking it out with chalk. Later it would be overlaid with blood or salt. Albrecht sincerely hoped the latter. But because he wasn’t a mage, the sigils within the circle seemed to squirm and blur before his eyes.

Albrecht recognised one of the individuals crouched near the centre. She was quite short and well built, with long grey hair flowing down her back. She was dressed in a black robe, but was wearing a multi-coloured shawl over her shoulders. She had a thick book in one hand, and a piece of chalk in the other.

Caroline? Albrecht