1 Chapter 1: The sacrifice

"When it comes to it, really, it's not that hard to figure it out. Nonetheless, what comes easy to some may not be so for others… but don't mind me, I'm just digressing" said the hooded man to the afraid young woman who had no idea what her master was talking about.

"I shall say"- he continued- "in my defence, that regardless of my joyous time living…"- stopped the man while apparently starring at nothing; then, continued- "among beautiful creatures such as yourself"- the girl's fear changed for confusion at this words -"wealth, power and prestige; I never felt complete".

The man's speech suddenly stopped, he glanced her and without hesitation stabbed himself twice. Two holes appeared where lungs should have been and with a hoarse voice that came not from his mouth but his stomach, he continued his chatter.

"Immortality, my dear; not love, not wealth… I have no desire of those things, if I ever had any, only immortality is worth fighting for" a strange voice could be heard in the air in coming out from the man, and while blood spilled continuously through his wounds he seemed stronger than ever.

"Don't do this master"- said the girl-"I know I haven't fulfilled your heart's desires, but it shouldn't have to come to this. Please master, reconsider" she pleaded but at the same time she was relieved.

When her master dragged her in the middle of the night without any previous warning she feared that her live was coming to an end. Her awkward magical abilities and the lack of progress dictated that she would soon had to be replaced by a new apprentice. Such day never came and she concluded that her looks might have worked in her favour. However, that night, she felt desperate. Thoughts of an uncertain future clouded her mind and she felt as if the claws of death were climbing through her spine.

After some time of travel they reached their destination, an empty space in the middle of a forest where draws were half made, apparently by her master, and some odd sort of stone was placed in the middle of it. The girl calmed as she saw her master rushing to finish the odd drawings in the ground.

Although her magical abilities were poor, she tried to compensate with study and in the process of it, she stored in her memory many things. Her master book collection was abundant, at least for normal standards, and she was allowed to peruse at wimp. Having a wide understanding of many magical related subjects she started to analyse her surroundings.

She tried to talk to her master but to no avail, he was focused in his task and he paid no attention to her. Some minutes passed and she realised that most of the symbols were unknown to her, even the magical geometry was off.

After two hours there, the day was coming to an end and soon the night would fall, yet she still had no clue of her master intention. When he seemed to have finished, he signalled her to meet him next to the stone. With horrified expression she finally understood the reason for her ignorance regarding that particular magic. Blood magic, sacrifices, demons; all that were things she always overlooked considering them rather unpleasant subjects.

Although seemingly unattached and cold, her master wasn't a cruel man. The idea of a magical blood ritual involving sacrifice could have never crossed her mind, but here they were and all things were suddenly clear in her mind. Her incompetence as an apprentice had leaded her here and there was nothing she could do. Many stories she have heard of mages conducting sacrifices to increase their power using as fuel their untalented apprentices. It was quite a spread practice which was the main reason for many to fear becoming one. However, those who were deemed worthy and skilful by their masters where granted many gifts, things that a poor girl like her could only dream of.

All of these came to her mind when she saw her master sacrificing himself. She remember all that had happened that day up to this point and how powerless she felt when trying to think of a plan to scape. Never in her wildest dreams she imagined what she was witnessing, her master sacrifice was disconcerting. When she finally recollected herself and tried to help him he was adamant against stopping what he had started.

"Alas! Shouldn't this be painful? Is this, my glorious hour, easing whatever discomfort I should be feeling? In fact, I have never felt better" thought to himself while showing a gruesome smile. He then directed his attention to his apprentice while tossing her a package.

"I'm sorry child. I have siphoned most of your power throughout our time together, that's why you never had any progress; and for that… I apologise" he collected all the blood, bathe the stone with it and continued.

"I brought you here to witness my greatest…no, our lifetime greatest creation. Since I only manage to do this with the help of the power I borrowed from you, it is only natural that I give you, as a reward, all the knowledge behind it. I won't be here to witness it all, so… you must do it for me. You may indulge my curiosity in the afterlife" finished the hoarse voice of uttering the master's thoughts