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Into the Moral Darkness: (Now a Completed Story!)
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<blockquote data-quote="Nonlethal Force" data-source="post: 3616983" data-attributes="member: 35788"><p>Semeion nearly choked on the wizard’s dreams of grandeur. <span style="color: Plum">“That’s what this is about? You desire to seek glory for yourself? You want absolute power over Tongra?”</span></p><p></p><p>The wizard was not fazed at all by Semeion’s sense of questioning. <span style="color: Red">“Of course! I have spent years developing my network of sources and waiting for precisely the right moment to strike. Years of my work have been culminating to this very moment in history. Years of work have been building to this point - the moment when I become the arcane dictator of Tongra.”</span></p><p></p><p>The wizard’s expression turned to a deep scowl. <span style="color: Red">“And you all will not see it happening. You all will be dead. I am sorry, my dear Opheiluka, that you have chosen so poorly.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ophee smirked at the wizard’s bravado. She turned her head slightly to Semeion’s direction, but did not take her eyes of off her former master. <span style="color: Lime">“Are you wizard types always this interested in personal power?”</span> Her tone was in about as light-hearted as possible considering that she was facing up against an extremely powerful wizard.</p><p></p><p>Semeion replied with a very serious tone. <span style="color: Plum">“No.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ophee returned her full attention to her former master. <span style="color: Lime">“Well, then, it really is a shame then that such a wonderfully crafted plan would be defeated so easily.”</span></p><p></p><p>The wizard smiled. He had taken the time to outline his plan so brilliantly, yet he was remotely curious about the reason that Ophee seemed so confident that his scheming would be so easily foiled. <span style="color: Red">“Oh? What makes you so sure that my plan can be foiled?”</span></p><p></p><p>Ophee allowed an evil smirk to appear on her face, as though she were going to enjoy giving this revelation to her former master. <span style="color: Lime">“Your servants have been compromised. Each of my counterparts has already been detained. Your plan has been de-clawed. Your maniacal ravings are nothing more than the annoying meow of your hungry familiar. Your scheme has been destroyed, whether we live or whether we die.”</span></p><p></p><p>The wizard did not take the news well. <span style="color: Red">“You lie! You could not possibly have known about my plan.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion smiled. A look of sarcasm fell upon his face and he enjoyed announcing the truth of their actions to the wizard. <span style="color: Plum">“And yet, we foiled it. You see, the problem with using drugs to brainwash people’s actions is that it is detectable. Once we knew what you had done to Ophee, it was no incredible leap of understanding to assume you had done it to the others. So, we detained them. And I suppose that I should also mention that some of them came rather willingly. It would seem that your evil scheming did not produce as loyal of followers as you might have hoped.”</span></p><p></p><p>The wizard had heard enough for his liking. His plan had been insulted, foiled, and now mocked. The rage burning inside of him was getting the better of him. <span style="color: Red">“Crang …”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt didn’t let the wizard finish his command. He had been oddly silent ever since the wizard mocked him and began to lose control. <span style="color: Lime">“Kashan.”</span></p><p></p><p>As soon as Brandt spoke, Semeion realized why he had been so quiet as of late. Brandt’s spell was a simple counter spell. It was designed to absorb any magical energy flowing through the wizard before it could manifest itself in the form that the wizard desired. Brandt had been expecting the angry spell to come quickly, and he was careful to be prepared and wait for the assault.</p><p></p><p>Brandt pointed to the wizard and spoke in a hurry. <span style="color: Lime">“Now, Semeion. His spell was designed to kill one of us!”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion already had the wand out of his pocket and pointed in the direction of Ophee’s former master. The words for using the wand came to his mind quickly. <span style="color: Plum">“Beissah Lahzuhto.”</span></p><p></p><p>The tip of the wand immediately sparked as if it was highly charged with static electricity. A small circular force erupted from the end of the wand and grew in diameter as it flew across the room to strike the wizard. Brandt’s plan had worked. The wizard was not expecting such a strong attack to come from Semeion. When the force passed through his body, the wizard’s muscles in his face, arms, and legs all relaxed. Outside of his ability to barely remain standing, the wizard looked completely unable to move.</p><p></p><p>Semeion smiled at the wand. <span style="color: Plum">“Now that I could get used to!”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt ignored Semeion’s comments for a moment. <span style="color: Lime">“Ophee, take these!”</span> He opened his robe and pulled out a simple set of manacles that were suspended from his belt. <span style="color: Lime">“Secure your master’s wrists together behind his body. And hurry, that spell will not have a long effect!”</span></p><p></p><p>Once Brandt had tossed the manacles across the room to Ophee, he turned to Semeion and addressed the young mage’s comment. <span style="color: Lime">“In due time, Semeion. And you do realize I’ll need a wand of that kind of power back. It is on loan from the temple. Reah will want to make sure it is returned.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion smiled as he saw Ophee making sure that her former master was properly detained. <span style="color: Plum">“Yeah, I figured as much. A wand powerful enough to completely stop someone in their tracks is too powerful to wander the streets of Fingerdale with anyway. Should it ever be stolen …”</span></p><p></p><p>Ophee interrupted Semeion once she had completed her task. <span style="color: Lime">“The manacles are secure, Brandt. He won’t be using his hands any time soon.”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt nodded. <span style="color: Lime">“Those are special manacles. Of course, like any set of manacles they will prevent him from making the gestures needed to cast many arcane spells. However, they have also been created with a subtle negative energy. They will prevent any arcane spell casting for as long as they are on the wearer.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ophee frowned as Brandt spoke. <span style="color: Lime">“Well, if you don’t mind me saying, then, I thought that was a little anticlimactic. I mean, don’t get me wrong, but I expected more of a challenge out of my former master. His arcane power is greater than any of our own.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion’s jaw fell slightly open as Ophee spoke. <span style="color: Plum">“Oh, sure. Go ahead and jinx us why don’t you? The spell hasn’t worn off yet and the wizard certainly isn’t into custody yet. Besides, we’ve not yet seen how the battle with the Wizard’s College guards has fared. It’s a bit early to be proclaiming victory, no doubt.”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt turned to Ophee and offered a bit more constructive criticism to her comment. <span style="color: Lime">“Your master was defeated for two simple reasons. First, we had better strategy. He was not prepared for me to handle the simple task of countering his magic while Semeion snuck in with a greater spell than he is normally able to cast. The fact that I was content to simply counter him no doubt put him at ease and made him unprepared for Semeion’s strike. The second reason as to why your former master was beaten so easily may be even more significant. Your former master had allowed his anger and thirst for power to overcome his mind. He telegraphed his actions to me with every word. I knew precisely when the spell was coming, and who it was coming towards.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion raised his left eyebrow in curiosity. <span style="color: Plum">“Oh?”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt nodded. <span style="color: Lime">“Ophee’s betrayal had hurt him badly. The spell was designed not only to slay Ophee, but to destroy every part of her being. I knew what was coming before he even spoke a word.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ophee’s expression suddenly took on a more serious tone from her earlier comment about having an easier time with her former master. <span style="color: Lime">“Well, I suppose that will teach me to complain. He could kill me with a single word?”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt nodded solemnly. <span style="color: Lime">“Kill is not the word I would use for it, Ophee. Obliterate would be more likely to be accurate. He was a dangerous foe. And while I do agree that the action was extraordinarily anticlimactic, do not think the fight was easy. We attained a great amount of knowledge before the fight. Keeping the conflict from beginning too early was no simple task.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion nodded. <span style="color: Plum">“It was a rather successful conflict, wasn’t it?”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt nodded in agreement, but turned to the wizard who in many ways had become his pupil. <span style="color: Lime">“Always learn a lesson from your battles, Semeion. Learn how easily power corrupts the soul. Learn how easily a tactical advantage can mean victory even for those who are considered weaker. Learn how arrogance and secrets lead to corruption and destruction.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion nodded. <span style="color: Plum">“And I have also learned how one’s past may come back to haunt them. Without Grick, this wouldn’t have happened. The fact that we considered his life valuable and worked hard to detain him while keeping him alive further opened us up to this abuse.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ophee smiled at Semeion. <span style="color: Lime">“Yet, because you kept Grick alive I was able to meet you all. Because of Grick being alive and directing my former master’s plan through you all, the evil schemes of my former master were defeated. Had my master gone a different route, they might not have been able to foil his plan. All of this was made possible because you kept Grick alive. Tongra is a safer place today because of the honor among you and your friends.”</span></p><p></p><p>[Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section]</p><p>Semeion nearly choked on the wizard’s dreams of grandeur. “That’s what this is about? You desire to seek glory for yourself? You want absolute power over Tongra?”</p><p></p><p>The wizard was not fazed at all by Semeion’s sense of questioning. “Of course! I have spent years developing my network of sources and waiting for precisely the right moment to strike. Years of my work have been culminating to this very moment in history. Years of work have been building to this point - the moment when I become the arcane dictator of Tongra.”</p><p></p><p>The wizard’s expression turned to a deep scowl. “And you all will not see it happening. You all will be dead. I am sorry, my dear Opheiluka, that you have chosen so poorly.”</p><p></p><p>Ophee smirked at the wizard’s bravado. She turned her head slightly to Semeion’s direction, but did not take her eyes of off her former master. “Are you wizard types always this interested in personal power?” Her tone was in about as light-hearted as possible considering that she was facing up against an extremely powerful wizard.</p><p></p><p>Semeion replied with a very serious tone. “No.”</p><p></p><p>Ophee returned her full attention to her former master. “Well, then, it really is a shame then that such a wonderfully crafted plan would be defeated so easily.”</p><p></p><p>The wizard smiled. He had taken the time to outline his plan so brilliantly, yet he was remotely curious about the reason that Ophee seemed so confident that his scheming would be so easily foiled. “Oh? What makes you so sure that my plan can be foiled?”</p><p></p><p>Ophee allowed an evil smirk to appear on her face, as though she were going to enjoy giving this revelation to her former master. “Your servants have been compromised. Each of my counterparts has already been detained. Your plan has been de-clawed. Your maniacal ravings are nothing more than the annoying meow of your hungry familiar. Your scheme has been destroyed, whether we live or whether we die.”</p><p></p><p>The wizard did not take the news well. “You lie! You could not possibly have known about my plan.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion smiled. A look of sarcasm fell upon his face and he enjoyed announcing the truth of their actions to the wizard. “And yet, we foiled it. You see, the problem with using drugs to brainwash people’s actions is that it is detectable. Once we knew what you had done to Ophee, it was no incredible leap of understanding to assume you had done it to the others. So, we detained them. And I suppose that I should also mention that some of them came rather willingly. It would seem that your evil scheming did not produce as loyal of followers as you might have hoped.”</p><p></p><p>The wizard had heard enough for his liking. His plan had been insulted, foiled, and now mocked. The rage burning inside of him was getting the better of him. “Crang …”</p><p></p><p>Brandt didn’t let the wizard finish his command. He had been oddly silent ever since the wizard mocked him and began to lose control. “Kashan.”</p><p></p><p>As soon as Brandt spoke, Semeion realized why he had been so quiet as of late. Brandt’s spell was a simple counter spell. It was designed to absorb any magical energy flowing through the wizard before it could manifest itself in the form that the wizard desired. Brandt had been expecting the angry spell to come quickly, and he was careful to be prepared and wait for the assault.</p><p></p><p>Brandt pointed to the wizard and spoke in a hurry. “Now, Semeion. His spell was designed to kill one of us!”</p><p></p><p>Semeion already had the wand out of his pocket and pointed in the direction of Ophee’s former master. The words for using the wand came to his mind quickly. “Beissah Lahzuhto.”</p><p></p><p>The tip of the wand immediately sparked as if it was highly charged with static electricity. A small circular force erupted from the end of the wand and grew in diameter as it flew across the room to strike the wizard. Brandt’s plan had worked. The wizard was not expecting such a strong attack to come from Semeion. When the force passed through his body, the wizard’s muscles in his face, arms, and legs all relaxed. Outside of his ability to barely remain standing, the wizard looked completely unable to move.</p><p></p><p>Semeion smiled at the wand. “Now that I could get used to!”</p><p></p><p>Brandt ignored Semeion’s comments for a moment. “Ophee, take these!” He opened his robe and pulled out a simple set of manacles that were suspended from his belt. “Secure your master’s wrists together behind his body. And hurry, that spell will not have a long effect!”</p><p></p><p>Once Brandt had tossed the manacles across the room to Ophee, he turned to Semeion and addressed the young mage’s comment. “In due time, Semeion. And you do realize I’ll need a wand of that kind of power back. It is on loan from the temple. Reah will want to make sure it is returned.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion smiled as he saw Ophee making sure that her former master was properly detained. “Yeah, I figured as much. A wand powerful enough to completely stop someone in their tracks is too powerful to wander the streets of Fingerdale with anyway. Should it ever be stolen …”</p><p></p><p>Ophee interrupted Semeion once she had completed her task. “The manacles are secure, Brandt. He won’t be using his hands any time soon.”</p><p></p><p>Brandt nodded. “Those are special manacles. Of course, like any set of manacles they will prevent him from making the gestures needed to cast many arcane spells. However, they have also been created with a subtle negative energy. They will prevent any arcane spell casting for as long as they are on the wearer.”</p><p></p><p>Ophee frowned as Brandt spoke. “Well, if you don’t mind me saying, then, I thought that was a little anticlimactic. I mean, don’t get me wrong, but I expected more of a challenge out of my former master. His arcane power is greater than any of our own.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion’s jaw fell slightly open as Ophee spoke. “Oh, sure. Go ahead and jinx us why don’t you? The spell hasn’t worn off yet and the wizard certainly isn’t into custody yet. Besides, we’ve not yet seen how the battle with the Wizard’s College guards has fared. It’s a bit early to be proclaiming victory, no doubt.”</p><p></p><p>Brandt turned to Ophee and offered a bit more constructive criticism to her comment. “Your master was defeated for two simple reasons. First, we had better strategy. He was not prepared for me to handle the simple task of countering his magic while Semeion snuck in with a greater spell than he is normally able to cast. The fact that I was content to simply counter him no doubt put him at ease and made him unprepared for Semeion’s strike. The second reason as to why your former master was beaten so easily may be even more significant. Your former master had allowed his anger and thirst for power to overcome his mind. He telegraphed his actions to me with every word. I knew precisely when the spell was coming, and who it was coming towards.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion raised his left eyebrow in curiosity. “Oh?”</p><p></p><p>Brandt nodded. “Ophee’s betrayal had hurt him badly. The spell was designed not only to slay Ophee, but to destroy every part of her being. I knew what was coming before he even spoke a word.”</p><p></p><p>Ophee’s expression suddenly took on a more serious tone from her earlier comment about having an easier time with her former master. “Well, I suppose that will teach me to complain. He could kill me with a single word?”</p><p></p><p>Brandt nodded solemnly. “Kill is not the word I would use for it, Ophee. Obliterate would be more likely to be accurate. He was a dangerous foe. And while I do agree that the action was extraordinarily anticlimactic, do not think the fight was easy. We attained a great amount of knowledge before the fight. Keeping the conflict from beginning too early was no simple task.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion nodded. “It was a rather successful conflict, wasn’t it?”</p><p></p><p>Brandt nodded in agreement, but turned to the wizard who in many ways had become his pupil. “Always learn a lesson from your battles, Semeion. Learn how easily power corrupts the soul. Learn how easily a tactical advantage can mean victory even for those who are considered weaker. Learn how arrogance and secrets lead to corruption and destruction.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion nodded. “And I have also learned how one’s past may come back to haunt them. Without Grick, this wouldn’t have happened. The fact that we considered his life valuable and worked hard to detain him while keeping him alive further opened us up to this abuse.”</p><p></p><p>Ophee smiled at Semeion. “Yet, because you kept Grick alive I was able to meet you all. Because of Grick being alive and directing my former master’s plan through you all, the evil schemes of my former master were defeated. Had my master gone a different route, they might not have been able to foil his plan. All of this was made possible because you kept Grick alive. Tongra is a safer place today because of the honor among you and your friends.”</p><p>[/Sblock]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Nonlethal Force, post: 3616983, member: 35788"] Semeion nearly choked on the wizard’s dreams of grandeur. [Color=Plum]“That’s what this is about? You desire to seek glory for yourself? You want absolute power over Tongra?”[/Color] The wizard was not fazed at all by Semeion’s sense of questioning. [Color=Red]“Of course! I have spent years developing my network of sources and waiting for precisely the right moment to strike. Years of my work have been culminating to this very moment in history. Years of work have been building to this point - the moment when I become the arcane dictator of Tongra.”[/Color] The wizard’s expression turned to a deep scowl. [Color=Red]“And you all will not see it happening. You all will be dead. I am sorry, my dear Opheiluka, that you have chosen so poorly.”[/Color] Ophee smirked at the wizard’s bravado. She turned her head slightly to Semeion’s direction, but did not take her eyes of off her former master. [Color=Lime]“Are you wizard types always this interested in personal power?”[/Color] Her tone was in about as light-hearted as possible considering that she was facing up against an extremely powerful wizard. Semeion replied with a very serious tone. [Color=Plum]“No.”[/Color] Ophee returned her full attention to her former master. [Color=Lime]“Well, then, it really is a shame then that such a wonderfully crafted plan would be defeated so easily.”[/Color] The wizard smiled. He had taken the time to outline his plan so brilliantly, yet he was remotely curious about the reason that Ophee seemed so confident that his scheming would be so easily foiled. [Color=Red]“Oh? What makes you so sure that my plan can be foiled?”[/Color] Ophee allowed an evil smirk to appear on her face, as though she were going to enjoy giving this revelation to her former master. [Color=Lime]“Your servants have been compromised. Each of my counterparts has already been detained. Your plan has been de-clawed. Your maniacal ravings are nothing more than the annoying meow of your hungry familiar. Your scheme has been destroyed, whether we live or whether we die.”[/Color] The wizard did not take the news well. [Color=Red]“You lie! You could not possibly have known about my plan.”[/Color] Semeion smiled. A look of sarcasm fell upon his face and he enjoyed announcing the truth of their actions to the wizard. [Color=Plum]“And yet, we foiled it. You see, the problem with using drugs to brainwash people’s actions is that it is detectable. Once we knew what you had done to Ophee, it was no incredible leap of understanding to assume you had done it to the others. So, we detained them. And I suppose that I should also mention that some of them came rather willingly. It would seem that your evil scheming did not produce as loyal of followers as you might have hoped.”[/Color] The wizard had heard enough for his liking. His plan had been insulted, foiled, and now mocked. The rage burning inside of him was getting the better of him. [Color=Red]“Crang …”[/Color] Brandt didn’t let the wizard finish his command. He had been oddly silent ever since the wizard mocked him and began to lose control. [Color=Lime]“Kashan.”[/Color] As soon as Brandt spoke, Semeion realized why he had been so quiet as of late. Brandt’s spell was a simple counter spell. It was designed to absorb any magical energy flowing through the wizard before it could manifest itself in the form that the wizard desired. Brandt had been expecting the angry spell to come quickly, and he was careful to be prepared and wait for the assault. Brandt pointed to the wizard and spoke in a hurry. [Color=Lime]“Now, Semeion. His spell was designed to kill one of us!”[/Color] Semeion already had the wand out of his pocket and pointed in the direction of Ophee’s former master. The words for using the wand came to his mind quickly. [Color=Plum]“Beissah Lahzuhto.”[/Color] The tip of the wand immediately sparked as if it was highly charged with static electricity. A small circular force erupted from the end of the wand and grew in diameter as it flew across the room to strike the wizard. Brandt’s plan had worked. The wizard was not expecting such a strong attack to come from Semeion. When the force passed through his body, the wizard’s muscles in his face, arms, and legs all relaxed. Outside of his ability to barely remain standing, the wizard looked completely unable to move. Semeion smiled at the wand. [Color=Plum]“Now that I could get used to!”[/Color] Brandt ignored Semeion’s comments for a moment. [Color=Lime]“Ophee, take these!”[/Color] He opened his robe and pulled out a simple set of manacles that were suspended from his belt. [Color=Lime]“Secure your master’s wrists together behind his body. And hurry, that spell will not have a long effect!”[/Color] Once Brandt had tossed the manacles across the room to Ophee, he turned to Semeion and addressed the young mage’s comment. [Color=Lime]“In due time, Semeion. And you do realize I’ll need a wand of that kind of power back. It is on loan from the temple. Reah will want to make sure it is returned.”[/Color] Semeion smiled as he saw Ophee making sure that her former master was properly detained. [Color=Plum]“Yeah, I figured as much. A wand powerful enough to completely stop someone in their tracks is too powerful to wander the streets of Fingerdale with anyway. Should it ever be stolen …”[/Color] Ophee interrupted Semeion once she had completed her task. [Color=Lime]“The manacles are secure, Brandt. He won’t be using his hands any time soon.”[/Color] Brandt nodded. [Color=Lime]“Those are special manacles. Of course, like any set of manacles they will prevent him from making the gestures needed to cast many arcane spells. However, they have also been created with a subtle negative energy. They will prevent any arcane spell casting for as long as they are on the wearer.”[/Color] Ophee frowned as Brandt spoke. [Color=Lime]“Well, if you don’t mind me saying, then, I thought that was a little anticlimactic. I mean, don’t get me wrong, but I expected more of a challenge out of my former master. His arcane power is greater than any of our own.”[/Color] Semeion’s jaw fell slightly open as Ophee spoke. [Color=Plum]“Oh, sure. Go ahead and jinx us why don’t you? The spell hasn’t worn off yet and the wizard certainly isn’t into custody yet. Besides, we’ve not yet seen how the battle with the Wizard’s College guards has fared. It’s a bit early to be proclaiming victory, no doubt.”[/Color] Brandt turned to Ophee and offered a bit more constructive criticism to her comment. [Color=Lime]“Your master was defeated for two simple reasons. First, we had better strategy. He was not prepared for me to handle the simple task of countering his magic while Semeion snuck in with a greater spell than he is normally able to cast. The fact that I was content to simply counter him no doubt put him at ease and made him unprepared for Semeion’s strike. The second reason as to why your former master was beaten so easily may be even more significant. Your former master had allowed his anger and thirst for power to overcome his mind. He telegraphed his actions to me with every word. I knew precisely when the spell was coming, and who it was coming towards.”[/Color] Semeion raised his left eyebrow in curiosity. [Color=Plum]“Oh?”[/Color] Brandt nodded. [Color=Lime]“Ophee’s betrayal had hurt him badly. The spell was designed not only to slay Ophee, but to destroy every part of her being. I knew what was coming before he even spoke a word.”[/Color] Ophee’s expression suddenly took on a more serious tone from her earlier comment about having an easier time with her former master. [Color=Lime]“Well, I suppose that will teach me to complain. He could kill me with a single word?”[/Color] Brandt nodded solemnly. [Color=Lime]“Kill is not the word I would use for it, Ophee. Obliterate would be more likely to be accurate. He was a dangerous foe. And while I do agree that the action was extraordinarily anticlimactic, do not think the fight was easy. We attained a great amount of knowledge before the fight. Keeping the conflict from beginning too early was no simple task.”[/Color] Semeion nodded. [Color=Plum]“It was a rather successful conflict, wasn’t it?”[/Color] Brandt nodded in agreement, but turned to the wizard who in many ways had become his pupil. [Color=Lime]“Always learn a lesson from your battles, Semeion. Learn how easily power corrupts the soul. Learn how easily a tactical advantage can mean victory even for those who are considered weaker. Learn how arrogance and secrets lead to corruption and destruction.”[/Color] Semeion nodded. [Color=Plum]“And I have also learned how one’s past may come back to haunt them. Without Grick, this wouldn’t have happened. The fact that we considered his life valuable and worked hard to detain him while keeping him alive further opened us up to this abuse.”[/Color] Ophee smiled at Semeion. [Color=Lime]“Yet, because you kept Grick alive I was able to meet you all. Because of Grick being alive and directing my former master’s plan through you all, the evil schemes of my former master were defeated. Had my master gone a different route, they might not have been able to foil his plan. All of this was made possible because you kept Grick alive. Tongra is a safer place today because of the honor among you and your friends.”[/Color] [Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section] Semeion nearly choked on the wizard’s dreams of grandeur. “That’s what this is about? You desire to seek glory for yourself? You want absolute power over Tongra?” The wizard was not fazed at all by Semeion’s sense of questioning. “Of course! I have spent years developing my network of sources and waiting for precisely the right moment to strike. Years of my work have been culminating to this very moment in history. Years of work have been building to this point - the moment when I become the arcane dictator of Tongra.” The wizard’s expression turned to a deep scowl. “And you all will not see it happening. You all will be dead. I am sorry, my dear Opheiluka, that you have chosen so poorly.” Ophee smirked at the wizard’s bravado. She turned her head slightly to Semeion’s direction, but did not take her eyes of off her former master. “Are you wizard types always this interested in personal power?” Her tone was in about as light-hearted as possible considering that she was facing up against an extremely powerful wizard. Semeion replied with a very serious tone. “No.” Ophee returned her full attention to her former master. “Well, then, it really is a shame then that such a wonderfully crafted plan would be defeated so easily.” The wizard smiled. He had taken the time to outline his plan so brilliantly, yet he was remotely curious about the reason that Ophee seemed so confident that his scheming would be so easily foiled. “Oh? What makes you so sure that my plan can be foiled?” Ophee allowed an evil smirk to appear on her face, as though she were going to enjoy giving this revelation to her former master. “Your servants have been compromised. Each of my counterparts has already been detained. Your plan has been de-clawed. Your maniacal ravings are nothing more than the annoying meow of your hungry familiar. Your scheme has been destroyed, whether we live or whether we die.” The wizard did not take the news well. “You lie! You could not possibly have known about my plan.” Semeion smiled. A look of sarcasm fell upon his face and he enjoyed announcing the truth of their actions to the wizard. “And yet, we foiled it. You see, the problem with using drugs to brainwash people’s actions is that it is detectable. Once we knew what you had done to Ophee, it was no incredible leap of understanding to assume you had done it to the others. So, we detained them. And I suppose that I should also mention that some of them came rather willingly. It would seem that your evil scheming did not produce as loyal of followers as you might have hoped.” The wizard had heard enough for his liking. His plan had been insulted, foiled, and now mocked. The rage burning inside of him was getting the better of him. “Crang …” Brandt didn’t let the wizard finish his command. He had been oddly silent ever since the wizard mocked him and began to lose control. “Kashan.” As soon as Brandt spoke, Semeion realized why he had been so quiet as of late. Brandt’s spell was a simple counter spell. It was designed to absorb any magical energy flowing through the wizard before it could manifest itself in the form that the wizard desired. Brandt had been expecting the angry spell to come quickly, and he was careful to be prepared and wait for the assault. Brandt pointed to the wizard and spoke in a hurry. “Now, Semeion. His spell was designed to kill one of us!” Semeion already had the wand out of his pocket and pointed in the direction of Ophee’s former master. The words for using the wand came to his mind quickly. “Beissah Lahzuhto.” The tip of the wand immediately sparked as if it was highly charged with static electricity. A small circular force erupted from the end of the wand and grew in diameter as it flew across the room to strike the wizard. Brandt’s plan had worked. The wizard was not expecting such a strong attack to come from Semeion. When the force passed through his body, the wizard’s muscles in his face, arms, and legs all relaxed. Outside of his ability to barely remain standing, the wizard looked completely unable to move. Semeion smiled at the wand. “Now that I could get used to!” Brandt ignored Semeion’s comments for a moment. “Ophee, take these!” He opened his robe and pulled out a simple set of manacles that were suspended from his belt. “Secure your master’s wrists together behind his body. And hurry, that spell will not have a long effect!” Once Brandt had tossed the manacles across the room to Ophee, he turned to Semeion and addressed the young mage’s comment. “In due time, Semeion. And you do realize I’ll need a wand of that kind of power back. It is on loan from the temple. Reah will want to make sure it is returned.” Semeion smiled as he saw Ophee making sure that her former master was properly detained. “Yeah, I figured as much. A wand powerful enough to completely stop someone in their tracks is too powerful to wander the streets of Fingerdale with anyway. Should it ever be stolen …” Ophee interrupted Semeion once she had completed her task. “The manacles are secure, Brandt. He won’t be using his hands any time soon.” Brandt nodded. “Those are special manacles. Of course, like any set of manacles they will prevent him from making the gestures needed to cast many arcane spells. However, they have also been created with a subtle negative energy. They will prevent any arcane spell casting for as long as they are on the wearer.” Ophee frowned as Brandt spoke. “Well, if you don’t mind me saying, then, I thought that was a little anticlimactic. I mean, don’t get me wrong, but I expected more of a challenge out of my former master. His arcane power is greater than any of our own.” Semeion’s jaw fell slightly open as Ophee spoke. “Oh, sure. Go ahead and jinx us why don’t you? The spell hasn’t worn off yet and the wizard certainly isn’t into custody yet. Besides, we’ve not yet seen how the battle with the Wizard’s College guards has fared. It’s a bit early to be proclaiming victory, no doubt.” Brandt turned to Ophee and offered a bit more constructive criticism to her comment. “Your master was defeated for two simple reasons. First, we had better strategy. He was not prepared for me to handle the simple task of countering his magic while Semeion snuck in with a greater spell than he is normally able to cast. The fact that I was content to simply counter him no doubt put him at ease and made him unprepared for Semeion’s strike. The second reason as to why your former master was beaten so easily may be even more significant. Your former master had allowed his anger and thirst for power to overcome his mind. He telegraphed his actions to me with every word. I knew precisely when the spell was coming, and who it was coming towards.” Semeion raised his left eyebrow in curiosity. “Oh?” Brandt nodded. “Ophee’s betrayal had hurt him badly. The spell was designed not only to slay Ophee, but to destroy every part of her being. I knew what was coming before he even spoke a word.” Ophee’s expression suddenly took on a more serious tone from her earlier comment about having an easier time with her former master. “Well, I suppose that will teach me to complain. He could kill me with a single word?” Brandt nodded solemnly. “Kill is not the word I would use for it, Ophee. Obliterate would be more likely to be accurate. He was a dangerous foe. And while I do agree that the action was extraordinarily anticlimactic, do not think the fight was easy. We attained a great amount of knowledge before the fight. Keeping the conflict from beginning too early was no simple task.” Semeion nodded. “It was a rather successful conflict, wasn’t it?” Brandt nodded in agreement, but turned to the wizard who in many ways had become his pupil. “Always learn a lesson from your battles, Semeion. Learn how easily power corrupts the soul. Learn how easily a tactical advantage can mean victory even for those who are considered weaker. Learn how arrogance and secrets lead to corruption and destruction.” Semeion nodded. “And I have also learned how one’s past may come back to haunt them. Without Grick, this wouldn’t have happened. The fact that we considered his life valuable and worked hard to detain him while keeping him alive further opened us up to this abuse.” Ophee smiled at Semeion. “Yet, because you kept Grick alive I was able to meet you all. Because of Grick being alive and directing my former master’s plan through you all, the evil schemes of my former master were defeated. Had my master gone a different route, they might not have been able to foil his plan. All of this was made possible because you kept Grick alive. Tongra is a safer place today because of the honor among you and your friends.” [/Sblock] [/QUOTE]
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