Ripples of Shadow
Chapter 8 - A Grave Mistake

“Again. But focus more this time, you’re letting your mind wander.” Mitsume’s eyes narrowed in the direction of the voice. Kaihlyn stood a good twenty paces in front of her, a brilliant staff of seemingly pure silver was held casually in her hands, a gift from Archmage Rhonin. Mitsume held a similar one in her own hands. She paused to draw a breath.

They stood in the center of a massive floating rock. It was one of the few pieces of earth that hovered near Dalaran’s immense anti-gravitational field. After the meeting with Rhonin and the other Archmages of the Kirin Tor, Mitsume had inquired Kaihlyn about the field surrounding the city. The warlock attempted to explain to her how the ley lines were focused intently by magisters from all over Azeroth to support the incredible field of energy that held Dalaran aloft. Mitsume understood the principle after some explanation; however seeing it applied to such a massive area was another thing.

The city was clearly visible just a few hundred spans away, to Mitsume’s right, but now her concentration was elsewhere. “Mitsume, we have a very important task ahead of us this evening, and I need your utter devotion to learning what I must teach you.” Kaihlyn’s voice rung high and clear through the air to her. Their task tonight was important, probably important enough to turn the tides of this war against the Blue Dragonflight.

Their meeting with Rhonin several days ago had brought a few things to light. Firstly, Arthas was not the only threat to Dalaran, in fact he was far from the most imminent. Malygos, the aspect of Magic itself recently declared war on all mortal magic users, and was beginning an assault on the city of the Kirin Tor. Malygos led the Blue Dragonflight, and was intent on eradicating magic from the face of Azeroth. The only problem with that was, quite simply, it would eradicate all life as well. Rhonin had explained that attempting to destroy or even alter the ley lines that surrounded the planet would inexorably destroy all life on the planet in the process. As a result, Rhonin had hand picked several powerful magic-users to meet a direct assault against Dalaran itself this very evening. Kaihlyn and Mitsume were two of that very group.

Mitsume breathed deeply and readied herself. Nodding to Kaihlyn, she raised her staff and concentrated. The air around her prickled, and began to radiate energy. A violet aura enveloped her as she poured some of her being into the space around her. She felt the arcane energy around her coalesce. It rushed into her body like a tidal wave, attempting to overcome her. Using the methods Kaihlyn taught her, she reached out with her mind, thwarting the energy attempting to tear her apart. Arcane magicks ripped about her body in a torrent, wildly tearing at her. But she stood still, feet planted on the cold rock below her. Mitsume pulled at her own energy, and slammed the butt of the staff into the ground. The violet magic around her shimmered, and moved. The torrent that a moment ago was attempting to destroy her funneled itself into her staff like some great maelstrom. And then the air was still.

“Very good!” Kaihlyn exclaimed as she rushed over to Mitsume. The warlock had a smile on her face as she approached her companion. “You were successful in pulling the arcane energy around you into that staff. Do you now see? By absorbing the arcane around you, and harnessing it like that, you are able to increase your own power tenfold!”

Mitsume wavered as she stood. Her feet felt unsteady. She could feel the energy pulsing in the staff, pulsing inside her. She felt…incredible. “Never before have I been able to wield this much power…I-I’m not sure how to handle it.”

Kaihlyn’s smile turned from mirth to playful. “You handle it just the same. Just because I have taught you to harness more energy around you, does not mean it will react any different to your commands.” She paused for a moment, considering the mage in front of her. “So…fortified with new magic…care to try it out?”

Mitsume smiled in her own right. “Try it out? You mean…you want to have a little duel? Sure, why not!”

Kaihlyn nodded at her, and returned to her previous spot twenty paces away. “When you are ready!” She called.

Mitsume simply answered by shielding herself with some of the energy she had just harnessed. The last thing she wanted was for Kaihlyn to get the upper hand right off the bat. She felt the energy flowing through her as she rushed forward towards her target. The power almost seemed to control her instead of the other way around. Fire flew from one hand and ice from the other simultaneously. The power coursing in her veins was incredible. She felt almost drunk. Kaihlyn spun her staff in front of her, and Mitsume’s attacks dissipated a foot from her face. Then the warlock was a blur. She ran off to Mitsume’s right so fast she could barely keep track of her.