It was during one such training session that Viktor found himself standing in the center of a summoning circle, ancient runes etched onto the floor around him. At Cade's instruction, he began to chant an incantation, his voice echoing through their underground training cavern.
His words dissipated into the damp air, enveloping the space with an energy so palpable that it seemed to breathe life into the cold stone walls. The runes glowed with an eerie brilliance, their cobalt-blue hue reflecting in Viktor's wide eyes.
The center of the circle began pulsating rhythmically, matching the cadence of his chant. A sense of anticipation hung heavily in the room - a silent yet compelling force urging him to continue, to see this through till the end.
Cade watched from a distance, his eyes scanning the flickering runes with an intensity that belied his calm exterior. It was a spell he had used countless times before; a simple summoning incantation that should not have posed any significant threat to an apprentice of Viktor's caliber.
At first, everything seemed to progress as expected. The magic began to coil around Viktor, responding to his call with a yielding obedience that borne testament to his mastery over it.
But as he reached the climax of his incantation - when he was supposed to bridge the gap between realms and call forth a spirit - something went horribly wrong.
A deafening rumble echoed throughout the cavern as an unforeseen force surged through the summoning circle. The runes erupted in a violent burst of light, strong enough to momentarily blind both Cade and Viktor.
When Cade opened his eyes again, gasping for breath against the sudden onslaught of dust and debris, he found himself staring at a sight he had never imagined.
Standing in the middle of a now cratered floor was Viktor – or at least what seemed like him – but there was an otherworldly air about him, an aura that was too intense to be his alone. His form flickered between human and something else, something ancient and powerful. His eyes glowed with an unearthly light, a mirror image of the runes that had just exploded. The air around him crackled with magic so raw it could only belong to Kirchner... but this was different. It was Kirchner's energy yet magnified, unhinged - a force that Viktor himself was struggling to control.
Cade felt a stab of fear at the sight. He'd seen Kirchner before, but never like this. He rushed towards the center of the circle, ignoring the heat that seared his skin as he passed through the magical barrier.
"Viktor!" He shouted, his voice barely audible above the roaring energy. "You need to regain control!"
Viktor turned to look at him, but his eyes were not those warm shades of brown they usually were nor were they the icy blue of Kirchner's gaze. Instead, they were glowing white orbs radiating power as they locked onto Cade.
His brown locks literally vibrated as the grew solid, almost mimicking the wings on a beetle. Then they began to transform and fall over his shoulder, the brown now turning into a luscious turquoise. His skin which had gained a fair amount of color now became a porcelain pale. Viktor's features continued to change as he stature and silhouette became much more feminine.
"Cade Turner, son of Grand Magus Beatrice Turner. What have you done with my champion?"
Cade stood his ground, swallowing down his fear as he faced the entity. "What have I done?" He repeated, maintaining his composure despite the raw power emanating from Viktor's transformed figure. "I have only sought to guide him, to help him control and understand his power."
A dark chuckle echoed from the entity occupying Viktor's form. "Control? What do you insignificant beings know about control? Power is not meant to be tamed, it is meant to be released."
As she spoke, arcs of energy crackled around her, infiltrating the air with sharp electricity that made Cade's hair stand on end. He clenched his fists tightly at his sides, fighting the instinctive desire to flee. He closed his eyes briefly, mentally preparing for the coming confrontation.
"I appreciate your misguided intentions," the entity continued disdainfully. "But it seems your efforts have led to a rather unexpected consequence - my awakening."
"Who are you?" Cade finally asked, struggling to keep his voice steady.
"I am who I need to be," the response was cryptic and haughty. The entity raised one hand gracefully and intricate symbols began forming in the air. A soft hum resonated as energy currents began swirling like a cyclone around them.
Cade drew in a sharp breath as he recognized ancient symbols and runes floating in the air around them. Cade paused for a moment as he thought back on her words.
"Champion…" He whispered as he bowed his head. Then everything clicked, Viktor Kirchner wasn't just the son of a Emperor and talented mage, Viktor Kirchner was the champion of a God. His face twisted into a smile… He had found his golden ticket.
"Champion of a God indeed," Cade murmured, lifting his gaze back to the entity before him, a strange mixture of awe and excitement simmering within him. He had always known that Viktor held within him a power unlike any other, but this... this was beyond anything he had ever imagined.
The entity occupying Viktor's body tilted her head at Cade's sudden change in demeanor. "What amuses you so, mortal?" Her voice echoed ominously around the cavern.
"Nothing," Cade responded quickly, his smile fading as he straightened up. "Just realizing the magnitude of the situation."
The entity chuckled again, a sound that resonated like thunder beneath their feet. The swirling vortex of symbols and runes around her grew more intense. "What will you do now? You have awoken something beyond your comprehension. Will you run? Hide? Or will you confront me?"
"If I were to confront you, will you at least tell me-a mere insect to you, Your name?" Cade asked averting his eyes once more.
The entity simply laughed as she looked down on the man. Raising his head by the chin she whispered her name into his ear.
"Sataneal."
Cade froze for a moment. His heart threatening to explode in his chest, he had bitten off more than he could ever hope to chew. If he had heard right Viktor Kirchner was the champion of an Elder God.
Slowly, Cade composed himself and looked into the blazing orbs of Sataneal. "It appears that I have," he admitted, his voice barely a whisper against the chaotic hum of energy enveloping them. He could feel the god's power radiating from her in relentless waves, each one seemingly more potent than the last.
Sataneal watched him with an air of amusement, her eyes dancing with a hunger for chaos that made Cade shiver. "So what is your next move, mortal?" She asked, a cruel smirk playing on her lips.
Cade took a deep breath, steeling himself against the overwhelming force before him. He had always prided himself on his ability to think on his feet, to adapt swiftly to unpredictable circumstances. But this... this was unlike anything he had ever encountered.
He glanced over at the summoning circle; its once vibrant runes now reduced to ashes. If he could recreate it, perhaps he could reverse the awakening.
"I intend to correct my mistake," Cade stated firmly, meeting Sataneal's gaze head-on.
The god laughed again, a sound so abrasive it almost physically hurt. "And how do you plan on achieving such an impossible feat?"
Cade squared his shoulders and drew upon every ounce of courage he possessed. "With faith and determination - two things that gods so often underestimate."
Sataneal arched an eyebrow at him, clearly amused by his audacity. "Very well," she said in a voice like shattered glass. "Make your attempt."
Cade inhaled deeply, trying to calm his nerves as he stepped away from the god's oppressive aura. He cautiously approached the remnants of the circle and then it hit him like a wave crashing against the shore. His body was being torn apart, sliced into pieces by an invisible force. He felt his head being blown off, the cave exploding around him, and the town of Hoff being reduced to nothing but a crater. Visions of destruction flooded his mind - of the entire Continent of Grisha being obliterated in an instant. Countless ways that he could meet his end raced through his thoughts, each one more gruesome than the last.
He stopped in his tracks and fell to the ground in a flurry of panic just to turn around and see the Goddess had not even moved an inch.
A cold laugh echoed through the cavern. "Is that it?" Sataneal taunted, her voice filled with condescension. "Is that all the 'faith and determination' you have?"
Silence filled the cavern as Cade struggled to regain his composure. The visions of devastation were still echoing in his mind, each one bringing a fresh wave of fear and doubt. But he couldn't afford to give up now. Not when so much was at stake.
With great effort, he pushed himself back to his feet, steadying himself against the stone wall of the cavern for support. His gaze never wavered from the god, even as she reveled in his struggles. Maybe he was an insect compared to her power, but even an insect had the ability to sting.
"Far from it," Cade snapped back, his voice filled with a newfound determination. His words echoed throughout the cavern, a stark contrast against Sataneal's cruel laughter.
Another surge of energy rippled through the air, intense enough that Cade swore he could see sparks dancing around Sataneal's form. Her amusement had turned into curiosity now; she was willing to watch and see what he would do next.
Desperately pressing down his fear, Cade reached deep within himself for the magic that lay dormant there, stirring it back to life. He extended a shaky hand towards the remnants of the summoning circle, willing his magic to rekindle the dead symbols and runes.
At first, nothing happened. Sataneal let out another peal of laughter, echoing harshly off the walls of the cavern. But slowly, almost imperceptibly at first, the ashes of the circle began to glow. A faint, pulsating light that slowly grew stronger, beams of light erupting from the ashes to form symbols anew.
Sataneal's laughter gradually died down. "How amusing," she murmured while watching the runes reconstruct themselves. "You have more tenacity than I had thought."
"Tenacity, desperation... I'm not sure where one begins and the other ends," Cade admitted with a weak chuckle. He focused on his magic completely, feeling it strain against his control. He could feel a bead of sweat trickle down his forehead as he painstakingly rebuilt the circle.
The entire cavern held its breath as the final rune was ignited. Cade stumbled back, utterly exhausted but also triumphant as the newly-formed summoning circle began to pulsate with energy once as it had before.
The God watched in silence, her form flickering as though mirroring the pulsating energy from the circle. Her face remained expressionless, but her eyes burned brighter – a sign of surprise perhaps or just curiosity.
Cade took no time for respite, even when every muscle in his body screamed for rest. He dug into the depths of his strength and extended a shaking hand towards Sataneal.
"Now!" he shouted, pushing his magic into a crushing wave directed towards her.
Sataneal made no attempt to move away or defend herself. The wave of magic crashed into her form creating an ethereal disturbance around her. She gave him a small smile, one that didn't reach her eyes. "Foolish mortal," she said almost tenderly before she was consumed by blinding light.
Had he done it? He had amplified his magic using the circle, using the summoning circle to mimic his own magic to make it more potent. It was an advanced light purification spell, one capable of vanquishing up to Tier 6 beast.
And as the light faded he saw it, Viktor's body lay flat his brown hair had returned.
"Thank the-
"God's?" The voice called out. "Do you truly believe a spell from a mage who isn't even at the pinnacle of his own world could work on me?"
Cade froze, his heart pounding in his chest as the familiar voice filled the cavern. Turning slowly, he found himself staring into the face of Viktor, Only now Viktor's eyes weren't their usual warm brown but an intense gold, and his features held a cruel edge that was all too reminiscent of Sataneal.
Viktor - or perhaps it was Sataneal using Viktor's body - smirked at him. "Did you truly believe you could control a God? Your audacity is as impressive as your ignorance. But that's neither here nor there. The truth is neither you or the boy summoned me." The Goddess's cold tone was now replaced by an almost alluring, honey coated song.
Viktor's body once again returned to it's previously feminine state. As the Goddess simply waved her hand and out of the rocks became a table and two chairs.
"W-what…" Cade's voice faltered.
"Would you like some tea?" She asked, cups and a kettle appearing out of nowhere. "You know, when Viktor was like two I had a similar talk with his mother. Just like this, then a little bit later she was brutally murdered." She said with a smile.
Cade had actually met Elden once, she was seventeen while he was only twelve. For a summer she studied with his mother a Grand Magus. Back then he had no idea the woman was the most recent wife of Emperor Kirchner, he simply knew her as Elden Kov. A slightly odd but undoubtedly beautiful, smart, and certainly powerful.
His mind raced back to memories of Elden, her graceful movements as she scribed powerful runes with ease, her radiant smile that somehow managed to hold a hint of sadness. He remembered looking up to her, his young self awestruck by the sheer magic Elden commanded.
Snapping back to the present, Cade stood there frozen, staring at Sataneal whose form now mimicked Elden's. "Why are you doing this?" His voice came out strained, laced with confusion and more than a hint of fear.
Sataneal just shrugged, her gaze focused on the steaming tea in front of her. "I am having a little fun," she replied nonchalantly, almost dismissively, stirring the tea in her cup.
"You Monster!" he spat, his energy surging with rage. "Is this some sick game to you? Playing with people's lives as if they were nothing but pieces on a board?"
Sataneal shrugged, her gaze never leaving Cade's. "Perhaps," she replied, her tone nonchalant. "It's all just a matter of perspective, isn't it? To me, you mortals are merely playthings."
Cade clenched his fists tighter, the anger boiling within him threatening to spill over. He had to stay focused; losing control now would prove fatal.
"And what about Viktor?" He asked, fighting to keep his voice steady. "Is he just another plaything to you?"
"Oh, Viktor." Sataneal sighed and leaned back in her chair, swirling the tea in her cup thoughtfully. "He's special, that boy. You'd be surprised just how special."
Her words sent a chill down Cade's spine. Special? What did she mean by that? Could it be that Sataneal had more sinister plans for Viktor than he'd initially thought?
"As for your student," she continued, placing her delicate cup down onto the table with a soft clink. "He's more valuable than you can imagine. More than just a mere pawn in our game."
"Our?" He let out.
The girl in front of him simply giggled as she put her finger up to her lips.
"Shhh," she said, her eyes glinting dangerously in the dim light. "There are certain things even a mage as talented as you can't comprehend." Then, she stood up and brushed the imaginary dust off her dress.
Her piercing gaze fell on Cade's exhausted and confused form. "For now, just know that you have passed my little test."
"A test?" he repeated incredulously. His disbelief soon turned into anger. "You dare play with our lives for your amusement! What gives you the right?"
Giggling once again, Sataneal moved closer to Cade, eye-level with him now due to her delicate feminine form mirroring Elden's. A wicked smile played on her lips as she said in a whispery voice, "The right of the Gods, dear Cade."
Her statement echoed around the cavern, the seriousness underlying her playful demeanor causing shivers down his spine.
The God stepped back from him, her eyes returning to their previous ethereal glow before finally turning to leave. Just as suddenly as she had appeared, Viktor's body was returned to him, his brown eyes replacing Sataneal's golden ones.
Viktor crumpled onto the floor of the caverns, unconscious but alive. Relief washed over Cade despite his anger and confusion at Sataneal's words.
Stumbling over to his fallen companion, Cade checked for a pulse and found it steady though weak. Letting out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, he sunk down beside Viktor on the cavern floor.
Next Chapter: 44-Desperate Defense