Star Mages: The Dark Initiation

by Jeremy Jexter

off,” Anerius said to the tall, gray being who crouched down behind him observing the convoy.

  “Was I to leave such a malevolent presence unattended to?” Saros replied in a deep, scathing voice, “I found nothing however, it is most strange.”

  “I felt it too... perhaps it was nothing, we should simply focus on protecting the Chancellor.”

  “Can the Illuminan Guard not protect him well enough?”

  “You are aware that he has had ten assassination attempts on his life this month, clearly someone means to destroy him and they appear to be quite skilled. Just focus and let us complete this mi—”

  “You needn’t tell me what to do, Human,” Saros replied, looking at Anerius with pitch black eyes. “I intend to pass this test, however, if any dark forces rear their heads I shall slay them where they stand.”

  “I know you hate the Galactic Fellowship as much as I do... because of their treaty with the Yenari, but you must calm yourself.”

  Saros looked to the convoy angrily. “This so called diplomatic meeting is nothing more than a slap in the face to all whose people have been attacked by the Yenari. How dare the Fellowship make peace with them... the Chancellor is a fool and so are those with him!”

  Anerius gritted his teeth. “Calm yourself Saros, lest the dark elements take you. This peace treaty will mean no one else will be harmed by the Yenari.”

  “I am well under control. Do not mistake me for a weak, treacherous wretch such as Alzio,” Saros replied.

  Anerius eyed him then inhaled deeply. “I’m sure there is an explanation for—”

  “For what, Human? You know what he did, and unless something is done everyone in Illumia shall be dead soon.”

  Anerius said nothing and watched the envoy begin to move off. He knew Saros was right—something had to be done and should he face Alzio at some point in the far future—he knew what he had to do.

  “Do you sense that?” Saros said suddenly, looking around here and there.

  Anerius looked up, “Yes... a dark force... again? How could this b—”

  “I shall go investigate, whatever it is shall not escape me this time!”

  “Saros, wait... we must protect the Chancellor in case whatever it is tries to attack him! Saros!” Anerius yelled, watching as Saros darted off across the building top, teleporting until he was out of sight.

  Anerius quickly followed the convoy as it moved off even faster. He perceived another reverberation in the elements—something was certainly amidst.

  His eyes darted towards the Chancellor’s vehicle which had been continuing along its path. His movement came to a halt as he felt the reverberation grow stronger.

  It was dark and foreboding.

  It didn’t take him long to find the cause; a solitary figure poised atop one of the buildings—garbed in the red, male armor of an illuminan guardsman—taking aim at the government convoy which now made its way to the entrance of the building where the Diplomatic Conference of Planets was being held. The anti-gravity ballistic weapon the figure held alarmed Anerius.

  He teleported swiftly across several buildings, leaping atop a passing flying vehicle, causing it to shake and swerve under his weight much to the protest of the driver.

  Anerius knew he only had one chance to stop the attack.

  He leapt from the vehicle and teleported instantly. He was not used to teleporting in midair. It was a clumsy maneuver that set him off from his course—his body appearing off the left of his target.

  His breath—the world around him appeared to freeze as he plummeted to the floor and rolled to a crouching position. Without a second thought he held his hand outward—a surge of wind emanating from his palm which knocked the ballistic weapon from the guardsman’s grip.

  The guardsman immediately turned his attention to Anerius, grabbing a laser projectile handgun holstered at his waist. In a quick movement, the gun was drawn and pointed towards him.

  Anerius was ready for it.

  Bringing both hands together quickly at the thumbs, he drew them apart just in time to create a long, blade of fiery, blue light which he used to skillfully deflect the lasers which had fatally sped towards him.

  Before another blast could be fired Anerius extended his free hand, causing a fiery ring to erupt around the gun which the figure dropped in haste.

  “Don’t move!” Anerius yelled to the guardsman who began chuckling.

  “Well done, Anerius Novengard,” the guardsman said, placing both hands into the air in surrender.

  “How... do you know my name?” Anerius asked. “Who are you?” he asked, walking over to the guardsman and removing his helmet. He did not recognize the face which was a palish blue, as though dead.

  “How do you feel protecting the Chancellor Anerius? Knowing that peace will be sought with your enemies. The Yenari.”

  “How do you... did someone hire you? who are you working with?” Anerius asked, pressing a square on his sleeve trying to contact Saros. No response.

  “I work for no one. I am working with no one, now answer the question. How does it make you feel?”

  “It doesn’t matter, you are under arrest,” Anerius said, turning the guardsman around and placing both hands behind his back. “I do not know how you know me but we will get to the bottom of that soon.”

  “Under arrest? Why, the best is still yet to come,” the guardsman replied before quickly pressing a button on one of his gloves, creating a portal which he fell backward into.

  “Wait!” Anerius yelled, glancing over to the convoy which had safely made it within the security of the gates. He then hurriedly leapt into the portal seconds before it closed.

  The Dark Initiation

  He found himself on the other side within a large abandoned building with the guardsman who had been lying upon the floor dead.

  Next to his body was a figure dressed in dark armor, helm and cloak—facing a large window.

  “Welcome Anerius,” the dark cloaked figure said, the familiarity of his voice making Anerius stay rooted to the spot.

  “M-master Alzio?” Anerius queried, watching as his old master turned around, a broad grin upon his hooded, red face.

  “I have been waiting for you,” Alzio said, floating towards his old student who immediately extended a hand in warning.

  “Halt! you are wanted by the Fellowship for thievery and treason,” Anerius said, narrowing his eyes, his heart thudding against his chest violently. He tried to calm himself... to connect with the cosmic element—the heart of all things.

  He failed.

  “Bah! curse the Fellowship! a failed interplanetary consortium of incompetents!” Alzio suddenly shouted, “curse the Order of Illumia also for having become their mere pets! Have they poisoned your mind Anerius?” Alzio now hovered directly before Anerius and removed his hood.

  “Is it true that you... stole secrets from the Order before you disappeared ten years ago?”

  “Yes. You see, such secrets should not be in the hands of fools.”

  Anerius was shocked but continued. “You... you sent that comet to destroy the space colony?”

  “Yes. This colony is a travesty, do you know its true history?” he asked Anerius who remained silent. “Then I shall tell you. You were no doubt told it was built as a means for different beings whose governments belonged to the Fellowship to live amongst each other in harmony. However, the real reason it was built was for the Fellowship to cement their despicable plans unhindered by planetary constraints.”

  “I—what do you mean?” Anerius asked.

  “Those secrets I obtained from the Order tell a tale. A sinister tale of interplanetary domination, not freedom as some may think.”

  “Those secrets contain the means of practicing dark and forbidden magik, of the Ita,” Anerius said, unable to control his emotions any longer.

  Alzio grinned. “This is also true, the power of dark magik far exceeds that of the natural order of things. The power to control even a large planetary body for
example.”

  “The comet... y—”

  “Yes, controlled by my magik, are you surprised Anerius? Don’t be, there is even more that can be done with dark magik”—Alzio pointed to the body of the dead guardsman—“the power to switch bodies and escape death for example.”

  “Unbelievable! Why... why all this?” Anerius asked, shaking his head.

  “It was all necessary to bring my plan to completion,” Alzio said, now walking around Anerius full circle, appraising his student with a sly grin, “When the comet destroys this colony, the Yenari will be blamed for the attack and it will cause tensions within the Fellowship... the foolish Chancellor’s petty attempts at delegating peace will mean nothing then.”

  “So, the attack on the Chancellor I foiled was planned by you?” Anerius said, side glancing the guardsman’s body.

  “Indeed! but that was only part of the reason... I had to find some way to get you to come here, I knew your initiation was soon at hand and what better way to get the order to send you?” Alzio said, “You were always the best among your brethren. I have never wished for offspring, however, you have always been like a son to me. Join me Anerius, let us vanquish the Galactic Fellowship and usher in a new era of freedom! I know you despise them for offering the Yenari peace.”

  “I—”

  Anerius’ words were cut short by Saros’ voice which resounded from behind him. “By decree of the Galactic Fellowship you are under arrest, Alzio!”

  “Ahh, Saros. I am surprised you found me here.”

  “Do not be, the stench of your treachery made it easy,” Saros replied, bringing his hands