This is the basic storyline for a webcomic project I am working on. Feedback is appreciated. Title is not final yet. Thank goodness.
Prologue
Once upon a time, I was destined for great things. That's what the magi always told me, anyway. Growing up in a society like mine, that's high praise. I had the talent, the drive, and most importantly, the backing for it.
And right now, I'm throwing it all away.
I wake up before the call for morning devotions - long before anyone else is awake. I pick up my pack from where I stashed it - two days ago under my bed - get dressed, and place the note I've carefully written and addressed to my brother on my desk. I stop and look at it for a moment. I wrote and re-wrote and re-re-wrote that letter so many times, and I still feel like it isn't enough. Would it ever be enough, I wonder? He'd probably be angry no matter what I wrote anyway. Marxa isn't the forgiving type. Say what you will about his brilliance, but the man holds hefty grudges.
I look away from the note finally, giving in. Someday, I tell myself. Someday, he'll understand. Maybe. I hope.
I open the door, peering outside before sneaking quietly into the corridor. No one's out, just as I expected, but you can never be too careful with magi.
A few hallways and a couple of sets of stairs later, I'm at the exit - the back door of the kitchens. The door is locked, of course, but it's a small problem. Drawing a deep breath, I purse my lips and blow into the keyhole - as high-pitched a whistle as I can safely perform. The lock clicks, and the door swings open soundlessly for me.
Child's play. Good thing it isn't the magi's enchantments I'm dealing with here. I'd have a harder time keeping quiet then.
I go out, closing the door behind me. The cold night air stings my face. It's been a while since I've been outside, and my body is regretting it. I cough, my lungs barely able to choke down the icy air, and finally pull my scarf over my face. A little better. I go down the steps, taking great care not to slip on the ice. I look up at the colossal mountain range that looms over my home, and my stomach twists. This is a terrible idea, I tell myself. I don't need to go now, do I? I can wait until spring. I wouldn't freeze to death, at least.
A quiet voice speaks in my mind right then.
Are you coming?
The memory freezes me in my tracks.
I can't wait. I know I can't wait. An involuntary groan makes its way past my lips.
Yes. Wait for me.
With one last look at the home I had known for the past twelve years, I start my slow, shambling way down the path, up towards the mountain.
I know exactly where to go. I've walked these paths many times before, looking for a break from studying, occasionally running away from Magus Corrin, my tutor. Memories.
I trek the familiar trail, carefully make my way through the undergrowth and rubble. Long ago, this was a well-tread trade road. Now, it barely passes for a deer trail. All the better. No one would think to come looking for me this way.
Seriously, they wouldn't. No one, in the one thousand years my homeland has existed, could ever imagine that I could be going where I'm going right now. They'll look in all the wrong places. They'll never find me. They'll have no idea of where to look. It's perfect. And absolutely, completely terrifying.
I come to a rock face, covered in old vines and moss and leaves and other various bits of tree dandruff. I look around, making sure I'm in the right place. Yes, I see the stack of rocks I made last time, right by that twiggy old tree. I run my hand along the stone, slowly walking forward. Suddenly, my fingers make contact with a sudden, unnatural groove. I brush off the relatively recent coating of old leaves, revealing a strange, spiral-shaped symbol carved into the rock. I place both hands on it, close my eyes, and take a deep breath.
I have no idea if this will actually work. A part of me - a big part - is hoping that it won't. Then, I could go back to my room, go back to sleep, and then go back to work tomorrow. Pretend nothing had happened. I'd just had a sleepless night. Maybe Corrin would actually relent and give me a break. The candidate exams were finished, after all.
Are you coming?
I sigh, resting my forehead on the rough stone.
Of course.
Softly, my lips almost touching the carved symbol, I whisper, "Let me out."
I feel the energy channeling up my legs and through my arms into the stone, filling my chest with a strong, exhilarating hum. The stone seems to wait under my fingers, considering.
Then, a crack appears in the middle of the spiral symbol. It goes along the spiral's line, and extends out. I step back. The stone seems to disappear along the crack, and soon a doorway appears, a crude circle suddenly cut out of the rock face.
I stand there staring for a moment. I can't believe it actually worked.
There are no more excuses. There is nothing holding me back. And right now, I sincerely wish that there was.
I take a deep breath, and start walking forward. I go inside the mountain, the sudden deadening of the air a welcome reprieve from the sharp bite of winter outside.
As I go in, the doorway silently closes, and I am left in darkness.
No way left to go but forward.
Prologue
Once upon a time, I was destined for great things. That's what the magi always told me, anyway. Growing up in a society like mine, that's high praise. I had the talent, the drive, and most importantly, the backing for it.
And right now, I'm throwing it all away.
I wake up before the call for morning devotions - long before anyone else is awake. I pick up my pack from where I stashed it - two days ago under my bed - get dressed, and place the note I've carefully written and addressed to my brother on my desk. I stop and look at it for a moment. I wrote and re-wrote and re-re-wrote that letter so many times, and I still feel like it isn't enough. Would it ever be enough, I wonder? He'd probably be angry no matter what I wrote anyway. Marxa isn't the forgiving type. Say what you will about his brilliance, but the man holds hefty grudges.
I look away from the note finally, giving in. Someday, I tell myself. Someday, he'll understand. Maybe. I hope.
I open the door, peering outside before sneaking quietly into the corridor. No one's out, just as I expected, but you can never be too careful with magi.
A few hallways and a couple of sets of stairs later, I'm at the exit - the back door of the kitchens. The door is locked, of course, but it's a small problem. Drawing a deep breath, I purse my lips and blow into the keyhole - as high-pitched a whistle as I can safely perform. The lock clicks, and the door swings open soundlessly for me.
Child's play. Good thing it isn't the magi's enchantments I'm dealing with here. I'd have a harder time keeping quiet then.
I go out, closing the door behind me. The cold night air stings my face. It's been a while since I've been outside, and my body is regretting it. I cough, my lungs barely able to choke down the icy air, and finally pull my scarf over my face. A little better. I go down the steps, taking great care not to slip on the ice. I look up at the colossal mountain range that looms over my home, and my stomach twists. This is a terrible idea, I tell myself. I don't need to go now, do I? I can wait until spring. I wouldn't freeze to death, at least.
A quiet voice speaks in my mind right then.
Are you coming?
The memory freezes me in my tracks.
I can't wait. I know I can't wait. An involuntary groan makes its way past my lips.
Yes. Wait for me.
With one last look at the home I had known for the past twelve years, I start my slow, shambling way down the path, up towards the mountain.
I know exactly where to go. I've walked these paths many times before, looking for a break from studying, occasionally running away from Magus Corrin, my tutor. Memories.
I trek the familiar trail, carefully make my way through the undergrowth and rubble. Long ago, this was a well-tread trade road. Now, it barely passes for a deer trail. All the better. No one would think to come looking for me this way.
Seriously, they wouldn't. No one, in the one thousand years my homeland has existed, could ever imagine that I could be going where I'm going right now. They'll look in all the wrong places. They'll never find me. They'll have no idea of where to look. It's perfect. And absolutely, completely terrifying.
I come to a rock face, covered in old vines and moss and leaves and other various bits of tree dandruff. I look around, making sure I'm in the right place. Yes, I see the stack of rocks I made last time, right by that twiggy old tree. I run my hand along the stone, slowly walking forward. Suddenly, my fingers make contact with a sudden, unnatural groove. I brush off the relatively recent coating of old leaves, revealing a strange, spiral-shaped symbol carved into the rock. I place both hands on it, close my eyes, and take a deep breath.
I have no idea if this will actually work. A part of me - a big part - is hoping that it won't. Then, I could go back to my room, go back to sleep, and then go back to work tomorrow. Pretend nothing had happened. I'd just had a sleepless night. Maybe Corrin would actually relent and give me a break. The candidate exams were finished, after all.
Are you coming?
I sigh, resting my forehead on the rough stone.
Of course.
Softly, my lips almost touching the carved symbol, I whisper, "Let me out."
I feel the energy channeling up my legs and through my arms into the stone, filling my chest with a strong, exhilarating hum. The stone seems to wait under my fingers, considering.
Then, a crack appears in the middle of the spiral symbol. It goes along the spiral's line, and extends out. I step back. The stone seems to disappear along the crack, and soon a doorway appears, a crude circle suddenly cut out of the rock face.
I stand there staring for a moment. I can't believe it actually worked.
There are no more excuses. There is nothing holding me back. And right now, I sincerely wish that there was.
I take a deep breath, and start walking forward. I go inside the mountain, the sudden deadening of the air a welcome reprieve from the sharp bite of winter outside.
As I go in, the doorway silently closes, and I am left in darkness.
No way left to go but forward.
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