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CostOfPower

by Caddrel

The lights ahead flicker, glowing brightly against the darkness. As I move closer, the bodies of the fallen become visible, cloaked in the murky shadows that mire this place. Their torches, still clutched tightly in their hands, glare brightly into my eyes. Murmurs of pain and recognition echo loudly in my head as I slide silently among them. It is close now, very close...

The staff hums softly in my hands, warm to the touch, a firm presence in this world of constant night. It's soft, insidious voice fills my mind. 'Use me, use me now...' I bite back the words that came to my lips upon it's calling, anxious to save it for when the time is right. It's voice goes silent, but I know it will return.

A sound ahead froze me in place. I scan the darkness, anxious for any sign of what awaits. A soft, steady dripping of water comes from deeper within the cavern. Century old stalactites merge out from the gloom, my eyes becoming accustomed to the blackness. And then I see it.

Eyes filled with malice and ancient cunning glint evilly out from the dimness. A huge, spider-like body shuffles forward, clawed feet scraping on the stone floor. Six legs protrude awkwardly from it's torso, and two large pincers on its mouth give it a fearsome, almost predatory look. The creature stands almost three times the height of a man, but has a quickness about it that is deceiving. It moves to attack.

In an instant, my staff responds. Magic flares forth, blue pinpricks of light sent flying across the cave towards the spider. Lightning bursts forth upon their touch, and the creature's shriek of anger turns to pain as the explosions riddle its body. The eyes light up with hate, and it charges.

Closing the distance with frightening quickness, it's pincers snap on thin air as I dive aside. The magic comes again, sending the creature spinning away as lightning explodes against it's side. My strength leaves me as the blow is struck, siphoned off for the staff's use. I stumble forward in shock, my concentration failing along with my body. The spider, knocked on it's side by the magic's power, rights itself with a snarl and comes onwards again.

A shout comes from further back within the cave. The creature in front of me slows, uncertainty coming into it's eyes for the first time. Using the staff as a support, I bring myself slowly back to my feet, my strength returning. As I do so, a large mob appears around the corner in the cave, weapons held ready, eyes widening in surprise as they see the creature standing before them. In an instant, it is charging forward to attack.

Claws tearing, pincers snapping fiercely, the spider tears through them, cutting through their defences as if they weren't there. The group buckles under the attack, then hurl themselves at the thing, weapons slicing at it's skin. The spider screeches as axes bury themselves in it's body, twisting madly in an attempt to shake them off. The fighters cling grimly on, sensing victory is within their grasp.

A sudden weariness comes over me, and the staff goes cold in my hands. It is time to pay the price for my use of the magic and the energies involved. My vision blurs as I am slowly drawn back into myself, and quietness engulfs the cave. Night rises up to greet me, and I fall into it's embrace with open arms.

Do not claim to know all of something you do not possess, and do not wish for something you do not know the full consequences of. Knowledge is both a blessing and a curse.

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Page last modified on March 12, 2009, at 10:35 AM