Callie's Heroes

PART III - PERFECT CIRCLES

“Excellent demonstration, Recruit Vanis,” Trainer Terrin said. “That is a fine example of an Iron Tier Ritual Circle. There are a few minor things you could improve, but you have the skill well in hand.”

“Thank you, Sir,” Vanis responded with a nod.

The two remaining Warlock recruits were sitting in rapt attention, watching their fellow recruit cast his spell. Terrin had already instructed them on how to query their Symbiotes, and focused all their attention to one skill in particular, the Ritual Circle. In fact, this morning, the only spell the Warlocks were going to cast was Ritual Circle, over and over, until they each had it perfect. “You will need to learn to cast this spell without even a thought, near instantly and while moving, and perfectly every time,” Terrin had lectured. “With it, your Nether-based attack spells are significantly more powerful, and without it, your Demon summons cannot be held in place and they will kill you, and everyone around you in moments.” He sent a not-at-all-subtle glare at the pink-bonneted Dunni, who shrunk under the gaze. “Our Demons are critical to our battlefield power, and the tiniest of mistakes will be absolutely dire.”

Dunni looked guiltily into his lap. Terrin had explained to Fynisse that Dunni was effectively on probation after his little demon-summoning stunt, and that there was no room for any more disobeying of orders. Dunni, to his credit, had apologized to everyone for bringing discredit to the Warlocks and vowed to take things seriously going forward, and the pompous attitude he’d displayed previously had nearly evaporated, leaving him quiet and attentive.

“Vanis, since you largely have the spell perfected, work directly with Fynisse. I’ll work with Dunni.”

“Of course, Sir,” Vanis said. He and the Lionkin stepped away, finding a spot partially shaded by a large tree.

“I’m really nervous,” Fynisse said in a whisper, glancing briefly at Terrin, who was speaking with Dunni. “I’ve never cast a spell before.”

“It will come quickly,” Vanis assured her. “And more importantly, there is no risk if you get it wrong with this spell, unless you run out of mana. So if you feel weak in any way, we’ll take a break.”

Fynisse nodded. “Would you cast it one more time? I think it will help to see it again.”

“Of course. The most-important first step is to calm your mind. You’ll be able to feel the mana within you, and then direct it how you wish. You just focus your thoughts and will the Circle into being.”

RITUAL CIRCLE

At the Elf’s feet a two-meter wide circle of green flashed into existence. It glowed with power and seemed to pulse with a life of its own. “There you are. One direct link into the Nether. Anything I cast while standing in the circle that uses Nether energy will be much more effective, and anything I summon into it will be barricaded until I can take control. Just don’t be standing in the circle when you summon something.”

Fynisse knelt and looked at the glowing lines on the ground. As she touched one, she felt a little resistance and a prickling sensation, and quickly pulled her hand back. “That is so amazing,” she said. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Vanis waved his hand and the circle evaporated. “You try now. Calm your mind just like you did when you queried your Symbiote, and simply call forth the spell. In the words of a friend of mine, ‘you’ve got this’.”

Hesitantly, Recruit Fynisse stepped a short distance away. “Okay, I’ve got this,” she said as she hesitantly put out her hand and for the first time ever poured mana through it. There were a few sparkles of light along the ground that quickly faded as the young Catkin suddenly gasped, eyes opening wide in shock and excitement.

“So, tell me, what happened?” Vanis asked in a tone more inquisitive and educational than worried.

“I felt it! I felt the mana leaving me!” Fynisse said with obvious wonder. “It just surprised me, that’s all,” she added sheepishly.

“Very good. Try again, but this time, maintain your focus and push through, so the casting is able to complete,” Vanis guided. “Remember, it can’t hurt you.”

Swallowing hard, Fynisse closed her eyes and tried again. “Ritual Circle,” she mumbled quietly, even though she knew she didn’t need to say the words out loud. As she held out her hand, sparks of green flashed again in intricate patterns around her as mana poured from her outstretched hand. Focusing, she held her surprise in check this time and kept going. Slowly the circle wove itself together, creating the tap into the Nether. Vanis could see it was a sloppy, slowly created, and barely-woven circle, but it was indeed actually functional. Fynisse slowly opened her eyes, looked at the circle on the ground around her, and then hopped in giddy excitement, clapping her paws together. “I did it!”

“Very, very good, Fynisse!” Vanis cheered. “Especially for your second try. It took me at least four dozen attempts before I could barely close my own circle when I first learned it. Now, before you dismiss it, kneel down and look at your work closely.”

Holding the channeled spell in place, Fynisse knelt, running her fingers along the lines and patterns, which weren’t prickly to her touch this time. Looking closely, she could see tiny gaps and wobbles, but also could feel the circle was closed enough that the way into the Nether was functioning. “Not very good, is it?” she asked with a disappointed tone.

Vanis knelt, reached out and put his hand on the Catkin’s shoulder, ignoring the discomfort of invading another Warlock’s circle. “Only your second try,” he said quietly. “You’re a natural.”

Fynisse brightened at the praise, but then frowned. “I can feel the mana draining from me as I hold it open.”

Vanis dismissed her concerns. “Shortly the mana needing to be channeled will become hardly noticeable. Efficiency improves with practice, but again, if you start to feel weak, we must take a break. Never exceed your mana pool unless you have absolutely no other choice.”

Fynisse nodded, only half-hearing the lecture, as she continued to explore the Circle’s green patterns at her feet.

“Next, before you dismiss your circle, use your mind to explore it, not your eyes. It has a connection to the Nether, and you can use that to empower your spells. At higher tiers it will also restore our mana, as well.”

Fynisse once again put out her hand, touching the glowing, bright green center of her Circle. “I can feel something. It’s powerful. Is that what you mean?”

“Precisely. That is Nether magic. That is what Warlocks manipulate.”

“It’s a little scary how much is out there on the other side of the Circle. I can sense it. Is it dangerous?”

“Any power is dangerous,” Vanis warned, “and raw Nether will annihilate anything it touches, with quite destructive results. But, heed your lessons well, and the danger will be minimized. Are you ready to continue?”

The Lionkin stood, shaking out her arms. “Okay, I’m ready. What next?”

“Now, Warlock Fynisse, dismiss your Circle and we shall do it again. In time, this will become as simple as walking.”