Time pagoda

<p> The realisation that Sky was dead hit Ares hard; whilst their time together had been very brief he had already formed a bond with the two earth mages. Jason with his simple by strong approach and Sky with his considered intelligence and cautiousness. Both of them had left a lasting impression on Ares.<br/><br/>After shutting Skys eyes Ares bowed his head and said a quiet prayer for him. Whilst not being directed to anyone or anything in particular Ares hoped that Sky found peace wherever he went.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>Jason was completely unconscious and after a few seconds of silence Ares went back to his body. The map he had in his head was now somewhat useless; he had no idea where they had dropped and could only work out he was in the vicinity of the Time Pagoda. After dragging himself to Jasons body Ares tried to move him. He soon found it was impossible; with his own injuries and lack of mobility he was unable to even budge Jason.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>"I'll leave you here friend but I will be back." He said to the unconscious Jason. He could feel his wounds very slowly knitting together and figured that only the time pagoda would ensure he healed quickly enough to be of any help to Jason. After putting him into the most comfortable position he could Ares started dragging himself through the collapsed rock and towards a mild glow he could see in the distance. <br/><br/> <br/><br/>The tunnel wasn't particularly long and it seemed that now he was on the final floor the traps had been deactivated; it was likely no-one expected him to get this far. He didn't know what had happened above but assumed that whatever those faceless monsters were they would be able to escape.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>As he crawled the glow became more and more bright; he soon got to the end of the tunnel and it led into a huge domelike room. <br/><br/> <br/><br/>The room was a few hundred meters in diameter and a large stone circle was etched on the floor. Instantly Ares identified it as a very ancient and complicated magic circle; only ghosts knew what its purpose was now.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>In the very middle of the circle was what was glowing. A three story building made of what looked like crystal stood proudly. Despite being translucent Ares could not see through the building. It was plainly adorned with a pointed roof and no visible windows. A large crystal door was ajar at the front.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>"The time pagoda." Ares muttered to himself as he continued to drag his body forward. Even he could work out that this was what he was looking for; just the ancient feeling pulsing from the building was enough for him to be full of awe.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>As Ares got closer and closer to the door he felt the world behind him slow down; the feeling was similar to a warm breeze with a profound feeling accompanying it. Ares dragged himself to the large door and placed his hand on it and pushed forwards. The door swung open and allowed him to see a large throne of sorts in the centre of the pagoda. The throne drew him forward and without realising he had sat upon it and tightly gripped the armrests. He briefly took account of the time he had spent in the facility. <br/><br/> <br/><br/>Whilst so much had happened in a short period he had used barely six hours to get where he was; the remaining eighteen hours were left for him to use the pagoda. He knew this would be his moment to truly become a mage and escape the Saints Mark curse. <br/><br/> <br/><br/>The ten-thousand-time dilation had begun the moment Ares sat in the throne, he could feel now a feeling of isolation from the outside and felt that whilst his mind moved faster and faster the world was strangely still around him.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>Ares knew what he needed to do; the last few months had left him with numerous enemies and very little power to resist. Now was the time to grow stronger. His eyes filled with resolution as he started his metamorphous.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>The first few months Ares was sat inside the pagoda he let his body heal; the broken bones knitted together and his body became stronger and more perfect. He didn't waste the time whilst he was healing also probing his own strength and ensuring that he meditated and strengthened his magic core.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>After healing Ares found that he could move more fluidly he combined the persistent mediation with physical practice using his claws in conjunction with his spells. It took another next year before he perfected his void spell knitting together the spell into his body and allowing him to call it instantaneously. At the same time, he felt that he had become infinitely close to breaking through to Adept. His magic reservoir had now morphed from becoming a vast sea to a misty like substance.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>This was the step into becoming an Adept and as Ares felt the last of the magic power becoming a mist a hazy light emitted from within him as he advanced. He instantly felt power coursing through him and a feeling of almost invincibility overcame him. Luckily this feeling was fleeting and soon the power settled within his body and his determined gaze focused back on training.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>The years continued as Ares focused on condensing the misty magic reservoir into a single point and developing a magical crystal core. This was potentially the hardest change and would mark the difference between him being an Adept and becoming a Spellcaster. When he wished to vary his plans Ares took the time to research void; push, slash and phase. He even had time to research auxiliary magic location to a higher level.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>It was bizarre but as he grew stronger Ares felt his mind became clearer and clearer; to learn spells became almost easy and he could even cast them with more success. The saints mark became more and more active and without Ares realising it magical knowledge was seeping into his mind. He had yet to activate the information but any questions he had on spells would instantly be illuminated in his mind.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>Whilst he wasn't keeping track anymore fifteen long years passed for Ares; the time pagoda kept his worldly desires away whilst he stayed young and grew stronger and stronger. After the fifteen years Ares had become a different person. He was now at the pinnacle of Adept and was far stronger then before. He thought to himself that he could probably singlehandedly destroy every mage from the light guild he saw before.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>Unlike other breakthroughs Ares was aware that the move from Adept to Spellcaster had certain risks associated. He hadn't known about it before but the knowledge from the Saints Mark had now informed him of the true risks.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>When the magic reservoir was condensed it would become unstable; it was at this point the mage would have to impose his will on it and keep it compressed until it stabilised. For most mages this was a fairly simple process as their magic power was not too large. Unfortunately for Ares due to the series of events his magic was substantially more powerful than an average mage and his advance would carry untold danger.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>After a day of preparing his mindset he shut his eyes and started to focus.</p>