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Chapter 48
By AlphawletallX
Long ago mages on this world were plentiful, both ancient class mages and minor class mages alike. Both mages that specialized in the dark forces and mages that specialized in the white forces. Magic and ether use was widely practiced, however, the ancient mages that could produce ether within their own bodies were a rarity. Among this rare group of mages was a handful who were known as the protectors of the planet. Rangarion was one of them. These protectors seeked out candidates who were aligned with ether and trained them in the arts of magic and the responsibilities entailed. However, not all ancients were protectors. Some were ambitous necromancers and warlocks who had been overcome by the lust for power. This group of mages had no regard for life and caused pain and suffering to the human race. This eventually led to a war between the dark mages and the protectors. A war that nearly destroyed all life. The outcome of the war resulted in many casualties. The evil mages were wiped out and the protectors had suffered massive casualties, only six of the most powerful remained. They decided to cast a spell that would put them in suspended animation only to awaken when the world was in danger...
As Rangarion lay by the fire he began to doze off, only to be awakened by light fall of rain. The light drizzle did not disturb him, however it did prevent him from falling into a much needed sleep. Unable to sleep, Ran began to ponder the reason for his summoning. He had many questions. He thought to himself:
"How is the world in danger?"
"Have the others been summoned as well? If so, where are they?"
"What does this have to do with the boy?"
Rangarion was lost in his thoughts and before he knew it, it was raining hard. He found himself in the middle of a storm! As the heavy rain fell upon the old man it felt like needles piercing his skin. As he scrambled for shelter against the stinging strong wind, a bolt of lightning struck a few meters behind him. The lightning was quickly accompanied by a loud crash of thunder. Several more bolts of lightning struck dangerously close to his location. He knew something was a foot. Rangarion was clearly under attack! He sensed the presence of a powerful dark mage, but he couldn't pinpoint the source. It was almost as if the mage was there, but at the same time, not there. Rangarion managed to conjure up enough ether and strength and quickly did away with the storm.
"SHOW YOURSELF!!" Yelled Rangarion.
There was no response and the presense he had detected was gone.
Rangarion was seriuos now, he knew he had to find the boy. In an attempt to avoid unecessary attention, Ran made his way to the outskirts of Coeptis. Judging by what he had seen in his vision and dream, He knew the boy was somehow connected to the white ethereal forces. Besides the storm, ever since his awekening, Ranagarion could not sense the presence of any mages in his immedeate area. Locating the boy was going to be more difficult than he thought. Weary from the spell he had just cast to dissipate the storm, Ran found it difficult to concentrate and was about to give up. Then it occured to him. If the boy visited him via astral projection, he must be unconscious somewhere and in the "Ethereal Plain".
Rangarion closed his eyes and in ancient language began to chant. He visualized the ether flowing through his body, from the bottom of his feet, up through his stomach, past his solar plexis, it made its way to the back of his neck where the ether exited his body. The discharge of ether was accompanied by his consciousness. He saw himself floating above what seemed to be his lifeless unconsciouss body, in a place which was clearly not his destination. Rangarion found himself in a dark place filled with the cries of suffering and torment and an all too familiar dark presence. He quickly knew where he was and realized he should not have attempted astral travel in such a weary state. Rangarion had never been there but he knew he was in the "Lower Astral Plain". The place where the souls of the departed, dark malevolent forces are imprisoned. The place where he himself, centuries ago, had banished so many dark mages to...
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