DORULL STORIES - PRISONER OF THE AMULET
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Solitude in the past never
presented a problem for Sanomis Ti’nullaim. Even more so, he often found peace
in it. The company on the other hand offered annoyance most of the time. His
interests differed from those of others. It was no wonder he spent so much time
working. Occasionally even extending it on purpose, as so to avoid the social
gatherings or other activities.
But now Sanomis realized he
actually missed all of these activities. He missed the work even more. That
became obvious after just two weeks. Being trapped inside like this, had shown
him he was never alone before. If for nothing else, his module was always there
with him. Keeping him company. Its presence was the first he truly missed. Even
more than his own body.
This compartment contained only
Sanomis’ mind. There was nothing else inside but an endless train of thoughts,
rushing at enormous speeds. He could not slow them down, nor even try to stop
them. They were all there is in here. Overwhelming him at first, before he
could learn to endure this constant noise. Soon he even found a way to utilize
them. As he began creating the situations from his imagination.
Sanomis found it to be the only
way in which he could keep his mind checked. This also helped him keep track of
time. At first that seemed like the most important thing. But as the time went
by, he felt less and less eager to know how much exactly. And when by his
calculations, tenth year passed, he lost the need completely. The time had no
meaning, even more so because he was damned to spend eternity there.
This fact alone helped him looking
for other means of engagement. pushing him to finally make a revelation
regarding his newly acquired magical abilities. What surprised him, and at the
same time brought him joy was learning he could use them here. Or so he
thought. But what else could be this ability to transcend into the strange looking
plane filled with shadows and misty objects. Sanomis soon realized this place
stretched across the entire planet. In fact it was the exact replica of the
world. He recognized some of the places. The ones he had the pleasure of
visiting before.
He continued exploring them, as a
force of habit. But soon he began wondering about it. Surely this place had
some purpose. Perhaps he could even find a way to interact with it. Or the
ghostly figures he saw in there. Sanomis could not know how fortunate he was
for being incomplete. Otherwise he’d pay dearly for his inexperience and
ignorance. Since only his mind was present, there was no real danger in any
soul touching him. Or hurting him. In this state they could not even see him.
In time, Sanomis learned more and
more. Often and prolonged exposure to this plane, lying on the other side of
reality, created a tight bond. He became a part of it, while honing his skills.
Most importantly he started sensing the locations of his missing parts. Some of
which he even managed to find much later. The exploration led him all over, and
it was the catalyst for strengthening his magic. Soon enough, Sanomis found a
way to materialize them, just with the power of his thoughts.
They had no physical effects on
the shadow plane, but he wondered with interest could it be possible to use
them here in actuality. As if he would even be able to try to do that. He
wouldn’t even know where he was if he hadn’t seen it in the shadow realm. He
was at peace with the fact, he’ll spend eternity here.
Sanomis was preparing to jump in
the shadow plane once again, seeing he recently found himself in that exact
field, on which vards captured him. He was eager to finish that journey, even
if it meant this way. The imaginary way. If for nothing else, but to
visit the village of Vur-Paan. And once again, he was prevented from doing so.
Barely noticeable flow of energy
came from somewhere to the left of his position. It was a magical energy. There
was no doubt about it. Everyday practice in the realm of shadows taught him how
to detect it. This excited him even more, for it was proof it wasn’t usable
just there. The energy belonged to a person. It was some hundred meters away,
but it was approaching. Perhaps the person could also sense him. Sanomis
thought for a moment, hastily deciding to act. He wasn’t going to miss this
opportunity. Who knew if one would ever come again.
“Who goes there?” Sanomis said,
after he casted a speak projection spell.
This magic worked in the shadow
realm. That was certain. He tried and tested it, as well as many others, on the
souls he came across there. And every single one of them could hear him. But
here, in the real world, that could mean naught. The vibration of the steps he could sense, suddenly and abruptly stopped. The magic was
working. The person could hear him.
“I won’t… hurt you.” Sanomis
carefully chose his words.
“W-who…who is there?” frightened, young, female voice came from the darkness “W-where are you anyway?”
“Sixteen steps in front of you.”
Sanomis answered.
“But I don’t see anyone.” the girl
said “Why are you hiding?”
“Look down.” Sanomis retorted “You
can’t miss me.”
“Oh, but you are not a person!”
the girl exclaimed “But who are you? What are you?”
“I am Sanomis.” the geologist
answered after briefly pondering “I am…an amulet.”
“An amulet?” the girl took a few
steps back “What kind of amulet?”
“A magical one.” Sanomis answered.
“Magical you say?” the girl said,
“What kind of magic do you know?”
“Different kinds.” Sanomis answered,
unsure what exactly to say.
“Can you show me?” the girl asked.
“Sure.” Sanomis answered.
“Can you, let’s see…make a fire?”
the girl asked “I am cold. And also, I’d love to cook something.”
“Sure.” Sanomis said once again
“But I can’t do that on my own.”
“What do you mean?” The girl was
confused.
“I need your help.” Sanomis said.
“Why?” the girl asked “How could I
even be able to help you? This is all very strange.”
“I am not trying to trick you.”
Sanomis said, recognizing her reluctance “I just hope we could find a way to
help one another.”
“What would you need my help for?”
the girl asked again.
“Well now, you could be dearest,
and take me with you out of this hole.” Sanomis said.
“How did you even end up here?”
the girl asked.
“I fell.” Sanomis answered, after
a brief pondering.
“Don’t you mean you were dropped?”
the girl asked “Did you fall out from someone’s pocket?”
“Yes.” Sanomis corrected himself.
“And no one returned to look for
you?” the girl was fast to ask “Despite you being this amulet, wielding all
kinds of magic?”
“I hope someone was looking for
me.” Sanomis said “But that was a long time ago. They are probably dead by
now.”
“When was that?” the girl asked.
“I am not quite sure.” I stopped
counting when ten years had passed.” Sanomis answered “I can only assume it
passed at least ten times as much.”
“You’ve been here for more than a
hundred years?!” The girl was surprised to hear that.
“I guess.” Sanomis answered,
remembering the life span of these people is much much shorter than vard’s.
“And you were aware of everything,
this entire time?” the girl asked.
“Yes.” Sanomis said.
“That must’ve been torture.” the
girl said “I mean you are an object, and all. Time has no effect on you. But
still…If you have the perception of time, what could you even do all this
time?”
“I practiced magic.” Sanomis
answered.
“Of course you did.” the girl
smiled “Well then, let’s see what you can do. What am I supposed to do?”
“First you need to collect some
firewood.” Sanomis said.
“I have plenty of wood.” the girl
said lively “My problem was, I just couldn’t find a way to light them.”
“Then all you have to do is to
pick me in one hand, and point another towards the wood.” Sanomis said.
“Wait a second now, you want to
channel this spell through me?” the girl was reluctant again “That is quite
dangerous. What if something goes wrong?”
“I’ll make sure nothing happens to
you.” Sanomis tried to calm her down.
“I don’t know. I’m not sure how
that will even work.” the girl persisted, “You see I know a bit about magic.”
“I know you know.” Sanomis said “I
called you when I sensed your energy.”
“You sensed me. Oh, I wished I
could do that.” the girl sighed “But I am still a beginner.”
“I was under the impression you found me that way.”
Sanomis sounded a bit disappointed.
“The truth is I stumbled upon this
cavern by accident, while looking for the exit out of this damn labyrinth.” the
girl admitted.
“What were you doing here?”
Sanomis asked.
“I was searching for the cave lichen.”
the girl answered “Our druidess sent me here to fetch some. I am her pupil.
Well, one of them.”
“And did you find it?” Sanomis
asked.
“I have!” the girl was excited for
a second “But what good is it, when I can’t find the way out of here?”
“I can help you with that.”
Sanomis said.
“You can?!” the girl exclaimed
“How?”
“Because I know where the exit
is.” Sanomis answered.
“You do?!” the girl jumped lively
“Why haven’t you said that immediately? Can you show me the way?”
“Sure.” Sanomis said “You mean
right now?”
“If you don’t mind?” The girl was
ready to leave.
“I thought you wanted to eat
first?” Sanomis remembered.
“There’s much tastier meal waiting
for me back home, than this skinny lizard.” the girl said.
“Fair enough.” Sanomis said “By
the way, what’s your name, miss?”
“Sarrae.” the girl answered.
“Glad to meet you, Sarrae.” Sanomis said “You have no idea how much.”
THE END
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