7:Mystic Theurge

From Reydala

It was several moments after watching Elsa leave before Aknier made his way over to the Well of Tears. Aknier knelt, and began to pray. The calmness and peace that followed within the area was a stark contrast to the day they had prevented Jaze's death, and still juxtiposed to his memory and nightmare of the event. Everywhere was silent, even the recent dead who had been violently slained in battle. Aknier wondered how many more tears were poured into the well.

Many hours passed when Aknier stopped praying for a time. He pulled out his spellbook, pouring over his spells as accustomed, though keeping a watchful eye on the well itself. He wondered to himself if this was correct really...though he knew that like his devotion to Mulinel, he needed to devote time to his arcane studies to fully appreciate the strength and knowledge it offered. More hours began to pass after Aknier stopped reading and prayed once again. Aknier began losing track of exact time, only that the sun was rising on what seemed to be only a few hours of meditation. He grew tired (and the depravation from the past few weeks did not help), but was still deathly afraid to sleep. More prayers to Mulinel, more breaks to study and train his magic. He longed for something to happen, a sign from the goddess or *something*. It seemed to him that the sun was moving faster somehow, it rose and set several times. Hunger set in while he fasted. Aknier became dazed and in a trance-like state for periods...and when he could keep his wits about him, he found scribblings of prayer in his spellbook. Finally, Aknier could no longer fight his body, and succumbed to unconsciousness.

Instead of the horrible dream he was expecting, Aknier "awoke" in a place that seemed insubstantial. There was nothing around, only a solid but dimly lit floor beneath him.

"Ah, sleeping beauty finally got up. It's about time you know!"

Aknier saw a flash of white out of his eyes. With surprising reaction, he scrambled to his feet, unsure of this voice or where it came from. Yet it had a strange familiarity...

"I apologize for the 'brashness' of this one...we know you've endured more than most mortals could ever imagine in their lifetime."

The second voice was different and yet the same. It too had the same familiarity, and a calming effect with it. Aknier whirled around and looked behind him to see two figures. One was a acolyte dressed in a robe of blue, the other seemed to be a wizard dressed in white...

"Oh come on!" said the wizard. "I was only having a bit of fun."

The acolyte sighed, at this comment. Aknier manage to stammer out only a few words. "W-who are you?! And what in the name of Mulinel are you doing way out near the Well of Tears?"

The wizard looked up, and pushed the brim of his hat with his staff. "Well, erm...it uh...might intrest you to know you're technically *not* at the Well of Tears right now..."

Aknier clenched his fists for a moment and yelled, "Are you with Arciel? What do you plan? I guarantee you that I don't go down without a fight!"

The acolyte approached Aknier slowly. Aknier tried with withdraw himself, but the acolyte managed to grab one of his hands. It felt strangely calming, and Aknier felt himself suddenly lacking the initial fear he once had.

"Aknier, please do not fear us. Why have you become so angry as of late? We've been worried for your sake." Something about his words made Aknier feel as though he could trust in this man. "I...I don't know. I suppose lately it feels like everything has been crashing down." He paused.

"Go on."

"I can't sleep at night, and I'm afraid to do so. For the past several weeks I haven't been able to rest because of a reoccurring nightmare involving the battles I've fought ever since I left Sanoan..."

The acolyte closed his eyes for a moment. "I think it's deeper than that."

Aknier said nothing at first, and then broke. "I have a church that fears me for my ability, and my other peers with that ability scorn or mock me for my beliefs. I don't know who I am, or what I am, honestly."

The acolyte smiled warmly. "So then...you are neither Wizard nor Cleric. Would I be right?"

Aknier nodded without a word.

"Then perhaps you are something else entirely."

Aknier looked up at the acolyte in wonder and slight confusion. "Something else?"

The wizard spoke up. "It's a riddle! You're neither, and both, at the same time! Use your head!" Aknier became utterly confused, and then realized what they were speaking of. "No...no, that's impossible. Mulinel has no Theurges, that would be a contradiction."

"Would it? Don't you remember what Metaphon said?" The wizard cleared his throat for a second, and then pretended to be Metaphon as he spoke, "Varaan often questioned the morality of the arcane arts several times, but he ultimately realized they were a tool, and it was the caster who gave them purpose." At the end of this, the wizard looked at Aknier, smiled, and winked at him. Aknier sat in silence for a few moments before finally accepting his fate.

"So...she isn't upset with me for my path?" The acolyte leaned in towards Aknier. "Well...in your use of the Arcane, she's not...but your anger itself does. The Well of Tears has filled much since you were first there, and the hate you hold in your heart only worsens it, I'm afraid." Aknier sighed for a moment. "But..." the acolyte continued, "perhaps if you were more self concious about yourself...I think it would make her much happier."

Aknier nodded, and sliently promised himself that he would not fall again. The wizard laughed a little, "She has heard. I think it's time, yes?" Aknier looked up one more time in bewilderment. "You did not tell me your names..." The acolyte looked at him curiously. "Oh, excuse me. I am, Aknier Wavereader." He smiled. The wizard looked around for a moment, and then grined sheepishly. "Well...funny...that's my name too..." It hit Aknier what had just came to pass...and he finally understood.

Then a great blue light appeared out of nowhere. A light unlike Aknier had ever seen before. The light seemed all encompassing, greater than anything Aknier had ever known. It began to form into the shape of a watery humaniod...a woman...an elf?

"Aknier..." a female voice echoed seemingly in his mind, a soft, gentle, reassuring voice...Aknier suddenly recognized her for who she was. Feelings of happiness overwhelmed him, though the feelings of doubt of his past actions returned.

“Come on, we just talked about this!” Aknier had completely forgotten about his wizard-self, or the cleric for a few moments. He straightened himself out as much as he could. The cleric spoke once more, “She wouldn’t be here if she was unhappy with you.”

“It is time,” he said. The cleric turned to the wizard. Aknier was confused as to what this meant. “Yes, if this doesn’t work out...I’m charging you rent.” The wizard responded playfully. Aknier looked back and forth between the two, before giving up trying to understand.

Both figures began to glow. They became ethereal and continued to shine light until they were nothing more than as such. Both lights decended upon Aknier…they began to revolve and swirl around his body. First slowly, then faster. As the lights sped up, they became rays, rays which orbited around Aknier, weaving a pattern in the shape of a sphere. Faster and faster they continued to revolve until Aknier himself was encased in a great bluish-white sphere. It suddenly collapsed and imploded into Aknier, and he felt himself washed with a strange…sudden energy. It was as though his very soul was changed, entirely.

There was nothing but silence and his goddess before him, after the transformation. Mulinel extended her arm and reached to Aknier with her hand. It occurred to him that he had seen this before…it was familiar somehow…and this time he reached back. She embraced him, as everything began to fade.

“Become an emblem…of your people…my child…”

Everything went blank for a few moments. When Aknier awoke, he was lying infront of the Well of Tears again. The sun shone brightly in the sky, he estimated it was about noon. As Aknier looked into the well, his reflection started him. His eyes seemed to be more piercing blue, almost glowing. There was something different about his robes as well…though Aknier couldn’t quite place exactly what it was that was different…he could only tell they moved differently. Aknier gave one more prayer of thanks, and stood up, watching the sun. He knew now without doubt of his future…his life in dedication of Mulinel. This time, he would not fall. Not ever, again. And he smiled…

A cry pierced the tranquil air. Aknier looked around, confused. A silouhette blocked out the sun. Was that…a giant bird?!