10. Atikus

Chapter 10

Atikus

W eeks had passed since I watched Keelan ride into the distance as he headed toward the cave. I longed to hear word of his journey, hoping that Jess would receive him well and the rift between our two nations could begin to heal. I knew it would take time, but the months following the Siege of Saltstone would be critical in ensuring people’s faith that peace was possible. Without positive action, fear and animosity would cement into irreparable hatred.

The new Arch Mage’s robe, emblazoned with a living, swirling image of the Phoenix on my chest, rustled as I strode toward the audience chamber. I paused to examine busts of prior members of the Triad and artwork depicting Melucia’s vast countryside. A thrill tingled up my spine as the weight of destiny settled onto my shoulders. I was now one of a small few who would shape the future of my country.

Since my ascension to Arch Mage, I had barely paused to ponder how my name and actions would be scrawled in history’s tomes. Now though, the immensity of my new role consumed my thoughts.

The last statue before reaching the grand oak doors to the audience chamber was of Melucia’s first Arch Mage, Elena Greiga. Her majestic gaze scanned high and far, her slender neck leading to a sharp chin and square jaw. The artist somehow captured a depth of compassion and wisdom in her eyes. Surely, this was some work of magic. It stole my breath.

“Is it getting to you?” a deep voice rumbled from behind, snapping me from my daze.

I turned to find Captain-Commander Dev Albius a few feet away, quietly observing.

“And so it begins.” I smiled, then turned and strode into the audience chamber where the new Merchants’ Guildmaster and the Eye awaited our presence. Albius grunted and followed.

Hours later, the newly minted Triad adjourned our first session.

We barely scratched the surface of the impossible task of rebuilding the capital and repairing the damage to our nation. While Grove’s Pass and Saltstone endured the brunt of the Kingdom’s attacks, many port cities faced naval blockades. A few lost ports to bombardment. Much of our merchant fleet had also been destroyed, crippling a significant portion of our nation’s ability to move goods. The Melucian military, such that it was, had also been devastated, and the Rangers now numbered less than a tenth of their original force. The Captain-Commander replacing the traditional role of the Armsmen’s Guildmaster among the Triad was further testament to the sorry state of our armed forces.

Then there were simpler, yet somehow weightier matters—the people of Melucia who had suffered the incalculable loss of fathers, sons, mothers, and daughters. An entire generation of men had been wiped out by Irina’s flames and armies. The returning women, children, and elderly faced lonely gaps that could never be filled, but it felt good to begin to rebuild, even if it was a humble beginning.

I grasped forearms with Albius, and we smiled at our newly shared sense of purpose. Beatrice, our new Merchants’ Guildmaster, stepped between us, gripping each of our forearms and pulling them apart. Her next move shocked us further, as she pulled us forward and embraced us awkwardly.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do, but I’m glad to be doing it with you two. I’ll do my best to keep the petty politics of the Merchants at bay so we can move things forward.”

I noticed Albius’s wide eyes and winked at the Commander. “Dev, I believe she may match you on backbone. You might want to watch yourself.”

I chuckled and looked down at Beatrice with affection. She slapped me on the chest. “Don’t you get all comfortable, Atikus Dani. It’s my people who make the food, and I’ve seen how you like to eat. You’d better behave if you know what’s good for you.”

A rough bark of a laugh slipped from Albius as I feigned offense. “My dear lady, I am shocked you would threaten an old man’s hunger.”

The embrace broke apart with a sense of relief at our burgeoning camaraderie. I had turned back to my seat to gather my notes when a wave of dizziness caused me to stagger, then collapse onto the cold stone before my chair.

The others raced to my side.

“Atikus, are you all right? What happened?” Beatrice asked with alarm.

I could barely hear her. My head swam, and my eyes turned glassy.

In my mind, a shrill voice echoed. “You may have won the day, but you will not defeat me. I claim you, Mage Atikus Dani. You are my Vessel now.”

My eyes widened, and I gasped, struggling to breathe.

My hands flew to my head, as if pressure would stop the presence from devouring my self-control. When that did nothing to help, I reached within myself and seized my Light. A brilliant flame exploded through me as I unleashed its raw power.

Irina’s spirit screamed an otherworldly wail, and I felt her writhing within my skull.

The pressure began to ease, and I laid my head back to gather myself, but Irina’s spirit redoubled her effort.

Searing pain lashed my weary mind.

Tendrils of malice slammed against my brain, probing for weakness.

My mental shield held, but only just. Sweat poured down my face.

“Atikus, can you hear me? Please, open your eyes,” Beatrice shouted.

But the battle raged within.

I dared not spare a moment lest my attacker gain advantage.

Wave after wave hammered my protections.

I’d been caught by surprise and was unable to turn the fight. It was only a matter of time before Irina wormed her way inside.

My strength faded. My magic dwindled. Hers only grew.

How is she capable of such power without a connection to the world of life?

Irina’s laughter echoed through my consciousness. “You always were a dense old fool. You are my connection now. I have access to your reserves and your link to the currents. I will never tire, so you may as well relent. Be my Vessel willingly, and I will allow a sliver of your consciousness to survive.”

“NO!” I screamed aloud.

“I was hoping you’d say that.”

Irina narrowed her focus into a single needle-sharp point, then rammed her will into my shield with all her strength.

It was all too much.

Her presence flooded through, consuming my individuality and sense of self. The mighty Mage whose mind could forget nothing cowered in the face of Irina’s ravenous desires. She dove into the recesses of my memories, searching, clawing—until she found a hidden remnant that shocked her into stillness.

In that moment of respite, I drew into myself and gathered the last vestige of my power. Sensing my end, I held nothing back, hurling all that remained of my waning strength at the spirit.

She did not raise her own defenses, and my magic bore into her, a wave crashing against a rocky shore.

Irina’s balance wavered, then her strength faltered. Her spirit was flung from my mind, and I braced myself, walling off my mind with the last of my power.

But Irina’s spirit fled.

I fell across the chamber’s floor, my shimmering robes spread like spilled blood.

I reached toward the Eye, but my vision clouded as darkness consumed me.