Prologue “Dark Knowledge” (An attempt at writing Fantasy)
The Great Hall was dimly lit with a few dying candles and the meager moonbeams that the clouded moon could spare. Rows of ancient wooden shelves towered over the narrow corridors of the massive library, each brimming with the aging tomes that covered different fields of magical knowledge. All of it was here, it had to be, basic annihilation, thunder crafting, illusion summoning, spell disarming, tree speaking, clerical healing, treaties of peace and war, and the biographies of notable sorcerers. Knowledge and power converged together within these ancient corridors overlooked by stone walls and heavy wooden shelves.
The sound of iron hinges penetrates the silence. A cloaked hooded figure enters as if not to disturb the quiet of the night and approaches the library ledger. He turns past page after page seeking that which is hidden from most practitioners. He utters a silent curse and places the ledger back; it must be here somewhere…within every place of magical knowledge there is always a space for what the ignorant label foolishly as unnatural.
“The knowledge you seek is close, child.”
“But where?” he exclaims “if I am to find the Codex I require answers! You promised me the power that was mine by right. Instead, you’ve led me straight into the heart of the academy without direction.”
“Patience child, do you think the magisters would have left the Codex lying around in plain sight? Of course, it’s hidden, they fear what it contains, perhaps however, if you lack the resolve to risk the danger perhaps, I was mistaken about you…”
“I’ll find it” he said.
“Good. Remember child, true power requires sacrifice. If you lack conviction to do what must be done now you will surely fail when payment is exacted of you. To falter at this point will mean a painful end, the powers that you are seeking cannot be called upon lightly. Steel yourself.”
He removed his hood to reveal a youthful face with soft features and slightly pointed ears revealing his mixed heritage of human and elven descent. Had circumstances been kinder his face could be described as pleasing and filled with a cheerful disposition. He closed his eyes and began to concentrate while feeling the faint trickles of powers build within him. He summoned the magical energies required for the spell, built it up inside himself until it began to bubble, and at the last moment released it with a single word.