The Search for Power

[Strazio Rockwell]

Strazio knew he would have to be more careful out here in the Pale Moors. His anger subsided and he rubbed his arm, sore from his recent display of power. Still he felt something odd during that outburst, his magick felt unrefined. Energy that once poured into him effortlessly was fleeting and difficult to control. Either magick was fundamentally different here or Strazio was weakened from the trip. He slogged forward, away from the marshland and out towards the darkened grassland. Around him darkness and haze swirled even the air in the moors was uninviting Annoying Strazio thought, he had been wandering through the moors for about an hour and a half and all he managed to do was get waterlogged.

As he walked shadows darted just out of sight, crawling through his peripherals and causing him to double-take more than once. Shadowy whispers spoke into his ears and sent chills down his spine. The clouds grew thick and the sun was barely a pinpoint of light in the sky.
"Something foul is a foot. Show yourself devil of the darkness" energy crackled and jumped through Strazio's fingertips. His whole body started to sizzle and steam drifted from his damp clothing. He was prepared for something, anything; or at least he thought he was.

From the shadows an inky humanoid figure emerged, it came from behind and tried to wrap itself around Strazio's shoulders. Startled, but not frightened Strazio pulled back and launched a short blast of energy from his palm. The blast disintegrated the shadow, but in its place another one emerged from the darkness. The shade was met with another withering blast, obliterating its fragile form. Whispers and threats swirled around Strazio, as did wicked shadow creatures. As they came forth he would blast them back into the void, but their numbers seemed endless.

"You're trapped here forever Strazio" The voices taunted and in return he launched a bolt of energy, scattering the darkness if only for a moment. The darkness closed in and the air became thick and muddled. More blasts of energy were fired into the darkness and Strazio began to feel the toll of his magick. His palms were singed and his arms bruised. A shadow wrapped itself around his waist and tried to drag him to the ground.

"You won't be able to kill him Strazio, you're going to die here alone" another blast laid the specter low. Strazio yelled into the darkness "Is that all you have? I can take whatever you can throw at me!" From the shadows a man stepped forth, covered in a dark red cloak. The face was unmistakeable and his voice even moreso.

"Come on Strazio, come and kill me" the man laughed and Strazio roared in anger.

"Damien! You bastard!" Strazio rushed forward and in a puff of smoke the man disappeared, thrusting Strazio into the heart of darkness. Another trick, whatever was taunting him could see into the darkest reaches of his mind. Coughing and fumbling, Strazio found his power waning and his body weakening. The darkness was consuming every fiber of his being. His last shred of power coalesced into his chest, this was his last chance. He fell to his knees and kindled the fire in his chest. A hand from the darkness touched his chin and lifted his head. A woman dressed in plate around smiled at him. Her hair was short and ruddy brown and a scar ran across her neck.

"Mara..." Strazio almost lost concentration, the sight of this woman was enough to illicit hesitation. She knelt down to his level and leaned in close.

"You're the reason I have this scar..."

"How dare you" He released the energy in a massive shockwave, scattering the darkness. The voices dissipated and the shadows disappeared, Strazio was left with his pained breath and the maddening silence of the moors.