The Prince Of Mages: The Revival Of Power

By Diamant Raobelina

The sequel "The Prince Of Mages - Memories" is available on amazon as well.

"You have nothing to worry about, Miron, for the time will come when you will know."

A legend tells that far, far away, on the edge of the magical realms, built on the mountain of darkness, there existed a city, a huge city as ancient as it was cursed.
Only black mages and all those deeply connected to the dark world were allowed to enter this dread place feared by all.
It was there, far from any light, that a young boy named Miron was imprisoned from birth, unable to escape because he was weak. Every day he was tortured and despised, and soon he was chosen for a game that would mean his end.
Yet, despite all these sufferings, he was unable to give up.
And then, the day came that he wished for so much when everything changed. The day he discovered something that no one would have wanted him to ever do, and that had the power to give him freedom.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Diamant Raobelina
• Release date: Nov 5, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005841102

Book preview

The Prince Of Mages

The revival of power

Diamant Raobelina

Copyright © 2012 Author Name

All rights reserved.

ISBN:

DEDICATION

To my beloved Bibou

PROLOGUE

The vast magical world, a world of mystery, adversity, and unimaginable diversity, was founded on laws of blood, inviolable and immortal. Among all the sublime things in this fabulous and terrible universe, there were different stories, each one unique and entertaining in its own way, and one of them told of a battle. One so extraordinary that it became legendary and even crossed the ages. The formidable fight between an emperor as powerful as he was just, and a sorcerer whose very existence defined abomination.

A confrontation as terrible as it was inevitable that every people thought they should understand and approve. A battle of all times between good and harm, light and darkness.

But in the end, the truth was never simple or what each race claimed it to be. And deceptive appearances and manipulations were most often the real causes of their blindness.

The great battle had taken place on top of a black mountain named by the guardian wizards - Stanys, which in ancient languages meant the home of the chosen ones of evil, a remote and unknown territory for the common man, hence the dark wizard's choice to build his huge kingdom there, a city of freedom and darkness that he hoped would be inaccessible to all.

But one day, finally recognizing his mistake, he foresaw the imminent arrival of his greatest enemy, and prepared himself as best he could, using all his talent, his considerable strength, and his formidable will, sparing no effort, in order to be able to lead the fight of his life. Even though he was well aware of the inevitable outcome.

In the Chamber of Spells, with his thick book of invocations, proudly wearing a dark battle uniform, protected by thick armor, and complete with a long cloak of dark night sovereign, the sorcerer had the desperate desire and ambition to summon a beast, the greatest, most powerful, and cruelest of them all, to best balance the long awaited fight. With his hands outstretched, he glowed and recited a spell in a deep, mournful voice. Soon, the entire wall behind him, inscribed with magical letters glowing with a dark light, liquefied and turned into a thick fog, giving access to a colossal door that slowly opened and let out a monster as black as it was sordid, immense and powerful, with thick and rough skin covered with stones, and whose coldness would have frozen any weak being. A monster like the magician had probably dreamed of. Moreover, its sinister amber eyes, devoid of light, looked around with an abject greed that enchanted its master. The latter was smiling triumphantly as he admired the monstrous creature he had managed to summon.

But just as he was about to conjure up a new spell, a deep, sardonic voice suddenly rose, echoing throughout the room with a force that shook even the foundation stones and gradually dissipated the heavy black clouds created by the evil spells.

Oh, that's an impressive beast you have there, Goem. Then he added with a sardonic laugh, And I'm a master at it.

Of course, since you are one yourself, the wizard thought cynically. And the worst of them all.

The magical voice continued.

Mine will be especially happy to play with. I mean, for the short time that thing would be able to resist it.

It was then that powerful magical sparks invaded the place and dissipated the remnants of darkness that filled it, which otherwise had no chance to resist.

Seeing this extraordinary show of strength, the wizard, seething with fury and yet feeling fear crawling towards him like treacherous shadows, stood up and released waves of black mist from his body, then he cried out.

Good. Now, that you have finally decided to come, show yourself to the light, at last, if I may say so.

Oh, and comedian on top of your many talents. I'm finally going to have a good time in your company if you'll allow me that expression as well, dear opponent!

And as soon as his sneer subsided, an entire wall collapsed under the pressure of phenomenal power, and the arrogant, strong ruler with the unbearable mocking laughter, clad in magnificent armor of bright white metal and a long coat of gray velvet, mounted on a huge winged beast whose beautiful silver fur glowed in the slightest light, brandished a magic sword at his enemy.

I am here, Goem. And dazzled with all the light necessary for you to see only me. And I am glad to see that you have prepared yourself to the best of your ability for our fight. For, as I'm sure you've realized, the time has come for me to end your existence.

And what finally made you decide? asked the opponent curtly, clearly harboring a murderous desire.

The ruler shrugged, a small sardonic pout on his face.

Who knows? To anyone else, I could have taken the trouble to cite various reasons, even noble ones, if that would reassure them. Reasons such as justice, duty, freedom, and they will have no choice, no desire, but to believe me. But to you, who are perfectly aware of my true nature, I would simply say boredom. In short, he concluded with a careless gesture, "whatever the reason, I will put an end to what all these weak and whining people have not had the power to do.

The dark wizard sneered fiercely.

For someone who willingly entered my territory, you're being rather condemningly arrogant and probably also fatally careless to think you could beat me here.

But I am. the relaxed and confident visitor confirmed. And no matter what you say, you would, I know, have given anything, including this repulsive city you seem to love so much, much to my surprise, by the way, for it not to be true.

Then, judging no doubt that the verbal exchanges were enough, the creature of darkness went on the offensive. It opened its big mouth and launched a powerful shot at the arrivals. But his glowing and very fast opponent protected himself by creating a huge spherical shield around him and his master and easily stopped the attack. The haughty ruler patted his creature's fur, satisfied.

Good job, boy. Now I'll let you have your fun. I only hope for your sake that he holds out long enough to satisfy you.

And his master jumped off his back with superb skill.

Have fun!

The silver creature rushed toward the black monster, who did the same, snarling, roaring like a beast flying toward its fate. Their terrible collision destroyed the entire room. While the black magician, unsheathing his sword, ready to fight, was waiting for the emperor who was rushing towards him, his sword of light, skillfully brandished and clearly displaying the expression of someone who did not doubt his victory. And deep down, although it hurt him deeply, the magician never forgot this fact.

Their battle lasted three long nights. The blows and shots followed one another with immeasurable power, devastating everything in their path, dragging the city into flames and desolation.

But in the end, as it was written, the magician was totally, irretrievably defeated. Lying on the cold, dilapidated ground atop the only place that ever wanted him, Goem, the black magician, watched the emperor slowly and inexorably approach him, his wounded body already regenerating and glowing with vigor and perfect detachment under the blinding glare of the silver armor. Finally, having arrived on top of the defeated and looking at him, alternating mockery and intolerable sneers, the sovereign put a contemptuous foot on the bruised body of his broken opponent and pointed his scepter at him.

My plan was to get rid of you Goem. But in the end, it seems to me that it would be too great a loss, especially for the future I envision in my mind and look forward to with delight. Isn't that your opinion too, my boy? the victorious tease inquired as he turned to his creature, who was resting victoriously on the corpse of the black beast, his beautiful shiny fur reddened by the blood of his slain foe, and answered with a neutral growl..

And what have you finally decided to do to me, your majesty?

Something that is particularly close to my heart and for which you would probably have preferred death in the end.

And as he said this, he raised his head to be quite able to imagine the terrible images that filled his mind.

Taking advantage of the emperor's brief moment of inattention, the mage concentrated and deployed his last bit of strength to activate a powerful and singular spell.

What did you just do, Goem? the warrior of light asked, curious.

Something I am particularly keen on and have always promised myself to do to ensure my posterity.

I see, remarked his interlocutor, strangely amused.

Then as the spell took shape, a slight tremor like the symbol of a last breath was heard, then from the ruined ground came out four statues of giants engraved with deep arabesques. They rose, then stood up proudly and with a disconcerting intensity before heading each towards a cardinal point. Taking their respective places, they turned towards the city, and the marks engraved on their rocky bodies lit up darkly, then they opened their mouths wide and a thick fog came out, a magical fog that quickly covered the whole isolated kingdom. A little intrigued, the triumphant emperor decided to let the spell unfold, then crossing his arms, his foot still crushing his enemy, he took a lazy pause to follow the scene without showing the slightest concern as he was so confident in his immeasurable power, curious about the result. But disappointed, he shrugged his shoulders and threw a remark with a mocking disdain.

Wait a minute? That's it!

A venomous look answered him to which he was totally insensitive.

I expected a little originality, Goem, but that was pretty lame. And while out of compassion and to commend your worthy efforts, I recognize that it's a pretty powerful spell, I could dispel it without a problem. But I won't, he decided after a few seconds of awkward silence, with an unreadable smile. Besides, you know he won't be able to keep me here, one way or another, right? Nor any of my blood.

Yes, I know that. But the others, those who are not fortunate enough to share even a drop of your blood so cursed, will remain prisoners.

And that gives me a wonderful idea for my next battles.

The wizard gave his opponent a piercing, hateful look, then sketched a faint, ironic smile.

I can't believe all these idiots think you're good. If only they could see what you really are in all your darkness, a darkness so opaque that even I can't conceive it, then they'll probably lose everything that makes them genuine.

The emperor simply laughed at this suggestion and certified.

Even their simplest smile. But don't worry, Goem, he continued with feigned seriousness, "I think they're all more or less aware of the truth already. It's just that they're too scared to admit it.

I sincerely feel sorry for you, your majesty.

And I thank you for that. It touches me, really.

The ruler offered him a smile of false gratitude, the same one he would later display in front of the imposing sarcophagus in which he had just locked his defeated opponent.

Then, after a last malicious greeting to the sealed prison, he left with grace and nonchalance the immense room where the magician was to rest, and closed the double door with a carefree gesture of the hand without even needing to turn around.

He walked away from the huge building built in the heart of a cursed forest, forbidden to the light, and climbed on his silver beast, which flew in the grey sky with a majestic radiance and power.

When the emperor returned to his empire, a nation whose unparalleled beauty and prosperity was famous and envied throughout the magical lands, he was acclaimed by all. His empire experienced moments of tremendous euphoria and rejoicing. His exceptional and unparalleled triumph was transcribed in golden letters and magical lights in the history books. And, at that time, no sovereign was ever more loved than him.

But when the festivities and the cries of joy finally died down, the victorious and beloved ruler went to his usual place of solitude and freedom, a hidden garden with a thousand secrets, ignored by all and protected by invincible spells. It was a huge and worrisome room, whose walls covered with sacred and moving paintings were perfectly divided into two parts.

One of them represented a kingdom of infinite light with a joyful people, living in harmony in a peaceful and prosperous kingdom led by a generous and upright ruler.

The other represented a dark kingdom, eternally devastated by the scourges of the world, where the people fought tirelessly and cruelly for everything, under the satisfied and sardonic gaze of a sadistic and tormented ruler.

The place that reflected with perfection what he was.

***

This was the story of this battle told like a fabulous tale. Then life was to resume its unchanging march and flow like rain from the magical mountains of Vaegos. Good or bad, the inexorable evolution took place, and the legend that made the magical nations tremble became a myth. And as Goemantis wished, the eternal mist preserved his broken kingdom and his life's work.

But what no one expected was that mages with the same dark souls and wrong view of things were allowed to enter this closed place of the world. And so, although the simple folk were perpetually afraid of Stanys and its great city of mists, the black magicians inspired by their defeated pioneer began to visit the legendary realm. And so, year after year, they continued to invade it for various reasons, some to seek refuge, some to exercise their magic and atrocious authority, and some simply to conduct research to strengthen the power of darkness.

But later, as the city slowly gained power and notoriety, part of the cursed place was transformed into a refuge for children that was named Athok and was given that title in name only, a monumental and atrocious fortress ruled by a dark mage whose greatest and main passion was to destroy children. A mage named Sirkol, banished from the world of magic for his unforgivable acts.

CHAPTER 1

It was night. The full moon, a round and immortal star, reigned in a sky filled with sparkles, revealing an unchanging beauty, and yet seen from these inaccessible heights, strangely sinister. The compact mist took on a terrifying and mysterious aspect under the light of the moon, and the nocturnal creatures invaded the dark and forbidden realm, howling with terror, roaring in the vast and deep forest, covering almost the entire territory of Stanys, the so-called forbidden mountain. Their eyes glowed in the darkness, and they all fought with terrifying savagery for their survival. An imposing edifice, located in the middle of these fearsome lands, perfectly hidden from the invisible black peaks, was illuminated by stellar reflections and countless menacing artificial lighting.

In the heavy and dark sky, a whole cloud of flying creatures appeared, hunting in groups and savagely sharing each captured prey. One of them suddenly broke away from the reaper gang, and with suspicious eagerness, swooped down on a large animal with bulging eyes and a gray stained body, and caught it easily. When the beast, with its prey clutched in its cruel claws, joined its companions, they fought over the animal and reduced it miserably to pieces. But after swallowing its fatty flesh with relish, another beast, of colossal size, appeared just behind them and caught almost the whole swarm in its voracious maw before landing heavily on the ground, and chewing its catch with visible satisfaction, drooling over a few scraps of flesh and bone. Its sharp teeth glistened in the night. Then, licking its lips pleasantly, the beast quietly joined its other companions, who also showed the image of having been fully satisfied with their hunt. The bloodthirsty beasts moved in the darkness, their only realm, faithfully guarding the squalid refuge founded by an ancient magician who loved cursed stories.

But the domain was now ruled by a new and equally feared black magician, who that night was looking forward to a deadly and dastardly game of his own.

Great shifting shadows crossed the surrounding courtyards, devouring every creature they encountered in their path, and spilling their blood everywhere. They scaled the thick walls of the building to rush through the lighted French windows and into them. The visible lights that pierced the darkness were extinguished as they passed. Shadows ran down long, wide corridors lit by magic lamps and crystal chandeliers, all breaking in the wake of the waves of shadows. They approached an imposing door engraved with powerful, indecipherable spells in shifting black letters. The dark mass stopped for a fraction of a second before opening it and invading the entire room.

Two guardians - an old mage and a very young one - emerged from the thick pond of shadows before bowing to a man sitting in a stately chair, wearing a long gray tunic embroidered with silver threads. Ironically, the wizard's servants themselves wore beautiful ash-white uniforms with silver metallic outlines that also carried spells as fearsome as they were dark. The old servant, whose name was Köel, had long, straight white hair and various markings on his giant body. What set him apart from the others was his eyes, one of which was closed with a powerful spell to protect it and keep it in good condition, for it was said that it was able to see everything that was totally invisible and unknown to others. The younger, who bore his name well - Johes, which in the ancient language meant the offspring of slaves, had short, curly, dark brown hair and a thin face, openly sadistic, most unstable character and hated the light. He was an awful beast who would stop at nothing to contemplate the deep suffering of the people.

Sirkol looked at him with irony and amusement, having felt his blatant enjoyment of devouring nocturnal beasts and all sparks of light during his insane crossings.

We are here, master, the wily Köel announced respectfully.

Sirkol nonchalantly turned his wine glass, gazing at the red liquid illuminated by the dim starlight with a kind of perverse fascination, before drinking it with his eyes closed.

Master? the old wizard insisted, without getting an answer.

Finally, the director decided to answer.

I heard Köel.

He took a deep breath, but continued on an entirely different subject.

Do you know my dear servants that I have always loved this kind of drink? So much so that I drink them every day and in every flavor. And yet, strangely, they have never quenched my thirst, not once. I even feel, with each passing day, a growing and intolerable dissatisfaction, which eats away at my spirit, and which is only extinguished when the full moon shines, perfect in the perennial night of Stanys. What a pleasure it is to live through this short period and all that it represents.

Then his expression changed and became as cold and rigid as ice.

But I was almost impatient to wait for you. And you know perfectly well that's one of the things I can't tolerate, don't you? .

Yes, we know that, master. We apologize for the inconvenience. the two servants declared, bowing again.

It's good that you understand. After all, I never repeat a warning a second time.

Though shuddering under the explicit threat of those terribly articulate words, the two guardians were equally excited and delighted. For like their master, they loved evil, and especially Köel, despite appearances. For unlike his young partner, he was frighteningly calm, more mysterious and devious, hiding behind impassivity his greedy and devious nature. In a way, he was even more inscrutable and indispensable than his director in the immense and complex machinery of the dark world. For if one considered things correctly, Sirkol, despite his impeccable qualities as a man of the world, his remarkable intelligence and his irrefutable ability to lead, was at heart and above all a cruel, heartless and totally bloodthirsty being, even to the detriment of all his pleasure in making others suffer. Köel, on the other hand, with his keen sense of observation and his well-hidden ambitions, knew how to evolve in the shadows, to adopt any profile and to accomplish any mission, which is why he had always, since his youth, occupied positions of high responsibility in any organization he joined, except that of leader. No, this position at the top never attracted him because it required a place in the sun, which he could not bear. The gaze of others and their judgments. He was an observer, not an observed.

All set?

Perfectly, master, Johes replied, his face expressing an unhealthy pleasure of anticipation. We apologize again for our delay. But you would be pleased to know that they are all hungry, hungry to the point of insanity, and eager to eat anything as long as it looks like fresh meat. You will be very happy to see this for yourself during the show".

Sirkol smiled pleasantly but cruelly at this satisfying news.

Like you said, it's perfect then.

Sirkol stood up, still holding his empty glass in his sharp-nailed hand, as he admired his office, whose walls and floor were covered with two-tone marble and granite, black and virido. It was a large room, where an entire wall was occupied by a shelf filled with thick books whose contents concerned everything that had to be known about the field of black magic, or various other subjects related to the dark worlds. A huge bay window offered a breathtaking view of the terrible and timeless forest of Stanys. And another wall was entirely occupied by a huge life map, representing all the children of the shelter.

It was a large animated painting reflecting all shades of blue, on which glittering golden dots shone, signifying the young lives trapped in the cursed city. Each radiant dot differed in its mass of light as well as its size, as the quality of strength and magic differed for each child. And one point in particular, representing a young child locked in a dark room, shone even less brightly than all the others, so dying even that it looked as if it would soon fade away.

"How can a being with the least amount of light, life and magic be what he is?

Sirkol raised his eyebrows waiting for his younger, more violent guardian to clarify what he was saying.

So insolent, sardonic and... this time Johes' expression changed, unimaginably strange...

In other words the kind of person you hate the most, because you can't understand them or reach them.

Johes, shaking his head, looked again at this point of life that seemed to be no more one, seemed not to be able to bear the sight, lost patience and reached out to the so weak source to send a powerful wave of darkness crashing down on it. The point wavered under the young Johes' sinister attack, and everyone in the room could feel the pain the child felt as the dark waves assaulted him.

But the dot soon, as usual and inexplicably when he was so very weak, pushed back and overcame the onslaught of cruel magic that had fallen upon it, and soon regained all of its stubborn, dying light. The young black mage groaned in frustration as Sirkol mercilessly mocked the failure of his young, hateful guardian.

How pathetic, Johes. But it's time for you to understand that there are things in this world that you can never defeat, let alone extinguish.

Johes shrugged his shoulders and became angry.

The light has never been a necessity, my master. It is only a world of false hope created by the weak.

But precisely for the case that bothers you so much Johes, you can't talk about light. You don't have that excuse. Sirkol noticed with a significant sneer. Then, he raised his eyebrows and turned to his young servant.

I notice you still like to turn out the light, Johes, or more intensely than usual. More than passion, it's an obsession for you, the driving force of your existence. But we both know it wasn't the light that beat you a minute ago, right? .

Johes shook his head, exasperated.

That being, which all can't help but call a fallen prodigy, is made for the light.

For this rather, I wonder. But what is certain is that he ignores it and will always ignore it. So what's the big deal?

The only problem is that he hasn't been turned off yet. the young servant shouted bluntly, foaming with rage. And that he is what he is! That's why he must die. This very night. Because he will never understand the darkness. Even his coming here to Athok is shrouded in mystery. he added spitting resentfully, his eyes burning with hatred, jealous of all those who were gifted with extraordinary like the young prodigy he had just attacked though without much effect, and whom he seemed to hate and envy more than the others.

None of us will probably ever know how he got to the black doors of the building, or more precisely the identity of the deceitful and talented person who put him there. But if this foul stranger is anything like this abominable child, then he too would deserve to be punished.

How cruel and cowardly you are, Johes! Exclaimed the black magician with a significant gesture, falsely horrified, even though he hid it as best he could, everyone, his servants and Stanys fellow men, knew that he was the most affected by his failure to sense the presence of the child carrier. You are trying to get rid of in another way what you have been unable to destroy on your own.

You are the one who condemned him! the servant protested angrily, deeply offended.

Oh, that's right. Sirkol admitted with a casual nod. I only decided to take care of something you'll never have the strength to do yourself, he added, absentmindedly playing with his glass before smashing it to dust. Anyway, you're as weak as a radiant little bird, Johes. So, to console you for your countless failures, I'll let you rejoice in the fall of your invincible enemy.

The young servant clenched his fists to the point of tearing skin, burning with murderous rage.

I will do it. I will watch him suffer and die without missing a moment of that unforgettable sight, the one whose existence I cannot bear.

Sirkol approached the bay window and gazed out at the night landscape, a vast world of darkness, populated by terrible beings. Their glittering eyes and bodies moved through the black mass of misty veils.

The round moon and its invulnerable rays illuminated with its opaline brightness this banished kingdom. Sirkol saw his face and body reflected through the bewitched glass of the bay window, his gray hair combed back, falling over his shoulders. His amber eyes clearly showed his undying adoration for all that the light hated. But the most fascinating and frightening thing about him was his large body, whose color was perpetually split between black and white, and covered with symbols as ugly as they were deep, representing a powerful shield of harm that protected him from any external attack.

You may leave now. Go prepare our little prodigy for the feast, and don't forget to take his faithful friend with him. If he really must perish, at least let him not be alone. After all, we are responsible for a children's shelter. We must look after the welfare of our little charges and give them our best.

Very well, master, Köel replied, steadily putting on an unreadable face.

The two guardians bowed deeply to the wizard before descending into the sea of shadows and leaving the room with a deafening roar. Sirkol continued to gaze out the window at the night, then turned