"The Elven Empire, Edryndean, is home to the most volatile and powerful rituals in all of Edreal. Although much of its magic was lost during the fall, its influence can still be felt in the Academy of the Republic, even though its use is frowned upon." — records of Jaldn, the madman.
It's midnight, on Trea street. The lights from the twin moons, Hal and Mal, softly illuminate my surroundings, allowing me to see the road, modest and rustic; consequences of the poverty in the area. Not that it matters, since I'm not here to know if the streets are well-made.
If I remember anything at all, a few more steps, and I'll be in the sphere of influence of M-211, one of the creatures that escaped the containment of the Church of the God of the Moon during the revolt. I have no idea what its element is, I'm pretty sure I was drunk when they explained it to me; not that it matters, normally I'm not even sober enough to remember what I'm hunting.
As I walked, I noticed that the illumination, which was once present, was nowhere to be seen. Complete darkness, which means it's a shadow element creature, and I'm going to have to fight this while not seeing anything, great.
Sounds of growls begin to echo around me — probably some kind of canine — but before I can do anything, an excruciating pain starts to form in my arm; the smell of blood spreads uncontrollably – my arm is gone. Damn sensitives, they never let anyone do anything.
It hurts like hell, but I have to keep my attention, before I lose the other arm.
I quickly consumed my Mentats, one of my last. My senses can now track the wolf, and finally, my brain is able to do the necessary equations for magic in time.
The wolf begins another attack, creating several clones of itself, all attacking me at the same time. Only one is real, but I have no idea which one, and I only have time to calculate one spell.
How do I calculate the damn Louis formula? It's been so long since I studied that, and my fucking arm isn't helping.
What if I can't remember? It's been so long… No, focus, Rhalen, I don't want to die yet.
Taking a deep breath, in the academy style, I begin to remember the formula, L(x) = ∫ab S(t) ⋅ e^(iθ(t)) dt.
Now I just need to calculate the intensity and angle, and I have the dissonance pattern.
I raise my arms and create a light glyph, adjusting it quickly to the formula's variables.
Using my miurga, I energize the glyph, and the Louis-Revera spell begins to show its effects.
A ball of light forms from the glyph, a radiant and ethereal light, its rays cutting through the illusions, exposing the wolf. It seems unprepared for this, stopping abruptly, creating an opportunity window for me.
Drawing a quick impulse glyph, I throw myself at it, trying to touch its body. My glove bears the Church's containment blessing; the moment I touch it, it will be sealed inside it. The wolf tries to react, but I was too fast, my hand hit the wolf's fur, and it stopped instantly, petrified. From the glove, the moon symbols rise, creating what seems like a glyph, but without the structure of one, and then, black chains come out of it and begin to carry the body into the glove. I have no idea how this works, no one ever explained how this works outside the clergy. Even more curious, considering that the wolf had the same symbols on its body.
But this isn't something I need to worry about right now. What really matters is that the Church will pay a big sum for this mission.
And for a new arm.
Priorities, of course.