Chapter 24 The Sand Mage's Seal
The cavern had finally become quiet. Not peaceful. Quiet. The silence that followed the battle felt unnatural, as though Garthuun itself were holding its breath. Broken pieces of black armor lay scattered across the stone floor around Roan. The enormous sword remained embedded in the ground. The ancient hydra's remains had dissolved into the black water, leaving only ripples across the dark surface. Roan sat against a broken pillar, exhausted. Snowy remained beside him. Celestine stood nearby, one hand resting on Lueur Sainte. Gor'Thrak watched the darkness around them. But Tahir wasn't looking at any of them. He was staring at the ring. The Ring Roan slowly raised his hand. The black ring looked almost ordinary now. A simple band of dark metal. No flames. No monstrous armor. No voice. Yet Tahir's expression told everyone that the danger had not disappeared.
"Give it to me."
Roan hesitated.
Snowy glanced toward Tahir.
"Yuki."
Tahir ignored him.
"Roan."
The boy slowly extended his hand.
Tahir crouched in front of him. The difference between them was immediately obvious. Tahir stood over six feet tall, wrapped in layers of black desert clothing and scarves. Antique medallions and charms hung from his belts, clicking softly whenever he moved. His dark eyes studied the ring with cold concentration. He didn't touch it. Instead, he produced a small leather pouch. He opened it. Golden sand spilled onto his palm. The grains floated upward.
Roan stared.
"You're going to destroy it?"
"No."
Tahir's answer was immediate.
"I already know I can't."
Celestine's expression hardened.
"You've encountered something like this before?"
"No."
Tahir examined the ring.
"But I've encountered magic that behaves like this."
His fingers moved. The sand began circling the ring.Ancient symbols appeared in the air. One after another. A language older than the modern kingdoms.
Roan watched nervously.
"What is it?"
"A vessel."
"For what?"
Tahir's eyes narrowed.
"I don't know."
That answer frightened Roan more than anything else.
Tahir raised his hand. The sand compressed around the ring. Golden light surrounded the black metal. The cavern shook. For several seconds, nothing happened. Then
BOOM!
A burst of black energy exploded from the ring. Tahir was thrown backward.
Celestine immediately moved.
"Tahir!"
Tahir caught himself with one hand.
Sand erupted beneath his palm, stopping his fall.
His robes fluttered violently.
A thin line of blood appeared beneath his veil.
Gor'Thrak growled.
"It resisted you."
Tahir slowly stood.
"Yes."
Roan looked at the ring.
"It doesn't want to be destroyed."
"No."
Tahir stared at it.
"It doesn't want to be separated from you."
Roan's stomach tightened.
Snowy moved closer to him.
Tahir noticed.
His expression softened slightly.
"That's why we don't destroy it."
Celestine frowned.
"Then what do we do?"
Tahir looked at Roan.
"We control it."
Tahir removed several small metal charms from his belt. He placed them around Roan. One. Two. Three. Four. Each charm sank into the stone. Golden sand spread between them, creating a circle. Ancient runes appeared beneath Roan's feet.
Snowy immediately recognized the danger.
"Tahir."
"I know."
"You'll hurt him."
"Only if he fights the seal."
Roan swallowed.
"What do I have to do?"
Tahir looked directly at him.
"Nothing."
Roan blinked.
"Nothing?"
"Stay still."
Tahir raised both hands.
The sand rose. Thousands of golden grains floated through the air. They formed intricate patterns around Roan's body. The symbols moved faster. Wind began circling the chamber. Roan felt pressure against his skin. Then the ring became cold. Very cold. The voice returned.
Wear me.
Roan's eyes widened.
"I can hear it."
Snowy immediately reached for him.
"What is it saying?"
Roan clenched his teeth.
"It wants me to use it."
Tahir's expression became grim.
"Don't listen."
The ring pulsed.
Power.
Roan's hand trembled.
Tahir's voice became sharper.
"Roan."
The boy looked toward him.
"Remember what happened."
Roan's breathing became uneven.
The Obsidian Knight. The anger. The fear. Attacking Gor'Thrak. Attacking Celestine. Almost losing Snowy.
Roan closed his eyes.
"I remember."
"Good."
Tahir moved his hands.
The golden sand suddenly compressed around Roan's arm. The ring flashed black. Then the sand transformed. Golden runes wrapped around the ring. One. Then another. Then another. The symbols locked into place.
THOOM.
A wave of energy traveled through Roan's body. He screamed.
Snowy immediately stepped forward.
"Roan!"
Celestine caught Snowy's shoulder.
"Wait."
Snowy looked at him.
Celestine's eyes remained fixed on Tahir.
"He knows what he's doing."
Snowy reluctantly stopped.
Tahir's magic intensified. Golden sand formed a spiral around Roan. Black energy erupted from the ring. The two forces collided. Gold against black. Binding against corruption. The cavern trembled.
Tahir's robes whipped around him.
His eyes glowed faintly beneath his veil.
"Ancient sand..."
The runes brightened.
"...bind what cannot be broken."
The black energy surged.
Tahir pushed harder.
"Contain what cannot be destroyed."
The ring screamed.
A monstrous sound filled the cavern.
Roan nearly collapsed.
Snowy grabbed his shoulders.
"Stay with us."
Roan nodded weakly.
"I..."
He struggled to breathe.
"I'm here."
Tahir gave one final command.
"Be sealed."
BOOOOOOM!
The golden runes slammed into the ring.
The darkness vanished.
Silence returned.
The ring became completely black again.
But something had changed.
The oppressive presence was gone. Not destroyed. Contained.
Tahir lowered his hands.
The sand fell to the floor.
Roan looked at his hand. Nothing happened. He expected the armor. The darkness. The voice. Instead nothing.
He looked confused.
"Is it gone?"
Tahir shook his head.
"No."
Roan's expression fell.
"The armor is still there."
"But now..."
Tahir crouched beside him.
"...it belongs to you more than it belongs to the ring."
Roan stared at him.
Tahir continued.
"I have sealed the influence that was consuming your mind."
"So I can transform again?"
"Yes."
Roan looked toward the shattered remains of the Obsidian Knight.
"Then what's the difference?"
Tahir's voice became cold.
"Before, the armor used your fear."
He pointed toward the ring.
"Now you must use the armor."
Roan remained silent.
Tahir leaned closer.
"And if you lose control again, I cannot promise I will be able to bring you back."
The words chilled him.
Roan nodded.
"I understand."
One Final Warning Tahir stood. He looked at Celestine. Then Gor'Thrak. Then Snowy. Finally, Roan.
"The transformation is powerful."
Roan listened carefully.
"It may be stronger than anything you currently possess."
Tahir paused.
"But that strength comes with a price."
He pointed toward the ring.
"Every time you use it, the seal will be tested."
Roan looked down.
"And if it breaks?"
Tahir's eyes became hard.
"Then the armor will consume you again."
Snowy stepped closer.
"Then we won't let him face it alone."
Tahir looked at him.
"I didn't say he would."
For the first time, there was the faintest hint of approval in Tahir's voice.
He turned back toward Roan.
"Use it only when everything else has failed."
Roan nodded.
"Only as a last resort."
Tahir extended his hand
Roan took it.
The older mage pulled him to his feet.
"Good."
Roan looked at the black ring.
It remained silent. But he could feel its power sleeping beneath the seal. Waiting. And somewhere deep inside the darkness something waited for the day Roan would need it again.
Tahir looked toward the ancient passage ahead.
"We should leave."
Gor'Thrak hefted his weapon onto his shoulder.
"Agreed."
Celestine retrieved Lueur Sainte.
Snowy stood beside Roan.
The five members of the Luminous Fangs gathered together once more. They had entered Garthuun searching for a mystery. They had found something far more dangerous. And none of them yet understood why the ancient ring had chosen Roan.
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