Chapter 6: Dhryzic

Chiri Krane gasped for air. Trembling on the cold dark marble floor. She was thrown by the shadow like a discarded rag doll at the feet of its master.

This was the third occasion she had been dragged into the Abyss by a shadow. Still she thought there would never come a day when it was not insanely terrifying experience. Completely isolated from the outside world, the Abyss was commanded by the magic users of a single family. Darker than a night without stars or the deepest part of the ocean, every second felt suffocating. At times it was silent enough the hear the blood rushing through your veins buzzing in your ears. Then, other times it contained the petrifying screams of anguish from every living thing it had ever consumed, their tortured wails entrapped there for all eternity.

“Crazy bastard.” Chiri wheezed. Lifting her head enough to glare intently at the black patent leather shoes of Cazer Krane. “I see this foul-mouthed wench decided to return to us.” He remarked coolly. Peering down at her loftily from an armchair, he cradled the perfect curve of his angular jaw in the palm of his hand.

Cazer Krane was a strikingly handsome, albeit condescending man of high-standing linage. His slick black hair, unmarred skin, and pronounced features blessed him with an effortless elegance that remained unmatched within their Order. Watching from his perch as she pitifully clutched his knees. Chiri purposely squeezed them tighter than was necessary, hoisting herself from the ground shakily.

Conscious of the many eyes on them in the grand foyer of the Night Gate quarter she bowed formally, whilst glowering at him.

“Excuse me, I have returned Director Krane.” She replied. Public reprimands were common occurrences among the magical divisions in the Alliance. Typically, dealt out with ample amounts of humiliation for the lesser party involved, one could only hope they were swift in nature. Adhering to a strict hierarchical system within the organization, each Director’s authority was paramount. Their decisions only usurped by Elders or royalty, to cross a Director was inexcusable among their ranks. Any misconduct against their direct instruction was viewed as comparable to mutiny.

Tapping his long fingers on the arm of his chair Cazer said, “Would you care to explain the unauthorized leave of absence?” His low voice clearly indicating his displeasure, she bowed a little deeper as he continued, “Or perhaps you might begin with your blatant violation of curfew, Chiri?” A crowd beginning to accumulate around them, as by passers stopped to eagerly witness the Director’s punishment of the Night Gate’s sole Dhryzic. Chiri could hear their malicious whispers.

Dhryzic’s were abominations for mages. They were criminals that possessed no dark magic lineage, but who had the audacity to use it for their own purposes. Unlike elemental mages, anyone that displayed even a remote affinity for magic could become a dark mage through study. However, to do so without descending from a family that held a long tradition of dark magic was forbidden. Considered, the bane of pureblooded magic mages Dhryzic’s were abominable creatures, only deserving of the lowest positions within their society.

Pride was a vice Chiri was no longer afforded. Whether she was made to lick his shoes before the entire order or be beaten by them one by one, she would suffer no embarrassment from their venom.

Regaining her composure her ordeal with the Abyss, Chiri straightened. Keeping her head lowered, she did not dare to meet his eyes now, as she answered, “There was a werewolf.”

“I don’t believe that was your assignment.” He observed, critical of her response.

“No, Director.”

“Care to remind me?” Cazer enquired.

“Pest control against Murland Moles for the surrounding farmland, Director.” Chiri’s voice was clear as she replied to his questions. Their conversation easily overheard by their audience. It provoked a ripple of laughter from the onlookers.

Murland Moles were simple pests. While bigger and more devasting to crops than an average mole, they barely qualified as magical creatures and were mostly reserved for trainees or children as practice targets. To be assigned such a task was demeaning for any mage of considerable power and experience, but Chiri had gladly accepted the assignment in order to be free of this place for just one day.

“Can I not even trust you to conduct a simple extermination?” asked the Director, anger clearly dominating his tone.

Guilty at having committed a horrible act of betrayal towards Cazer. Although justified, Chiri felt she was well deserving of any punishment that came her way. After breaking every rule imposed during the probation period he won for her, Chiri had gone so far as to hide like a fugitive from him for several days. Enacting a curse, she had evaded the detection of his shadows by severing her own. No longer able to follow or interfere, she was removed from the scope of Cazer’s magic during the near entirety of her absence.

However, curses without a medium required a lot of concentration and energy to maintain. Most of this spent by the time she had reached the Alliance walls; Chiri had of course been easily overpowered the moment she stepped back within his domain.

“I’m truly remorseful for my actions.” Chiri replied docilely.

There was a faint crack as Cazer clenched his hands into fists, the knuckles turning white. He announced his sentence for her disobedience promptly thereafter, “Your access liberties are revoked. You may not step one foot outside of the walls of this establishment. Are we clear?”

“Yes, Director.”

“You will also relieve every one of their night patrol duties. If you are uncapable of that, I will be forced adopt less humane forms of discipline.”

Standing, he leaned in close enough for only her to hear. His voice lowered to a threatening whisper, he said “I’m not finished with you yet.”