He was surrounded by the most powerful wizards he could find. Jae, Life; Devin, Death; Ezra, Balance; Mathew, Ice; Cassie, Fire. He himself was Storm. There was only one school missing, Myth.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcvOpOPfwu
"Samuel?" Jae says, causing him to look up at her.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWObcXBF8Z
They sat in a semicircle, consisting of 7 black iron thrones. He sat at the end, the strongest of the six, followed by Devin, Ezra, Mathew, Cassie, and finally Jae. The throne next to her was empty, as it had been for the past few months since the war counsel had first been meeting.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8pmBu0VZ0
"Yes, Jae?" He replies.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3MhaLLvj4
"What are your thoughts?" She says to him.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡWo2Dv0hDrf
"We should recruit an illusionist sooner rather than later." Mathew says, fingering the hilt of his sword.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbIodbhPAK
"Having one would prove useful if we want to regain lost ground." Cassie nods. Samuel taps a finger on his arm rest, gaze distant. This normally came up at their meetings. Of course, they weren't fairing too well at the moment.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡaE387VSOin
"As far as I know they are all around the same skill level," Samuel replies, as he normally does, "And about half are on the front lines. Magic teaching has slowed significantly over the past few weeks due to the war effort. Unless one of you finally has someone to recommend?"copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7m3o2LMot
"I figured one of us could scout around in town," Jae says, "We've not tried that before."copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNQVk9U5P2
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Devin inquires, "We're in the middle of a war. We don't have the time to---"copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡeh7WPFPtIG
"It's a good idea," Samuel interrupts, giving Devin a sideways glance, "I can do it."copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZCk2IBAGv
"I was thinking Jae or Cassie in this regard," Ezra says, "You're the strongest wizard here, Sam! We need you to keep the pirates from taking more territory."copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yF4d84wF4
"I have trust that you all can hold the fort without me for a time," Samuel chuckles quietly, "Besides, I was the one that found all of you in the first place. I have the eye for power, don't I?" There was a round of nods.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oZK5aejMD
"Don't be too long, then." Devin sighs.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBJ3qHi8lw
Samuel smirks and stands from his throne. "I won't."copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2eUx6X8OK
"Isaac!"copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmBG17Uml7
Isaac turns, hand half raised in the air. He sees his friend, River, running towards him. He was a Myth wizard, much like Isaac was. The only difference was that River was normally on the front lines. This week, though, he was in town for a while, waiting to be dispatched again.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuuiAXKyyl
"What is it River?" Isaac sighs, his hand dropping, "I was just about to practice again."copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9rFxRflim
"Samuel's in town!" River exclaims, catching his breath, "He's looking for a Myth general."copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡbodKlBXEiv
Isaac folds his arms. "You're not seriously suggesting I should introduce myself to him."copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dAqDai3HP
"You've got the talent." River replies.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡmi2oX7RNwV
"I'm just above average. Working illusions takes more time to learn than Fire or Life magic, you know. And time is something we don't have."copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡyznLIgEv3F
"But---"copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9O29VDttl
Isaac takes a quick step forward and places his hand on his friend's forehead. He didn't want to do this, but he knew River wouldn't be convinced otherwise.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfEj6OnRCP
"I will not go." He states clearly, voice buzzing. There's a flash from his hand, and, after a still moment, he backs away from River.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡHns2AmYkQD
River blinks once, then lowers his head. "Sorry, Isaac."copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQvBrJ2U6b
Isaac sighs, changing the topic: "You need better mental wards, River. I keep telling you this."copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡHf7vzADFC6
"Wait... You didn't seriously---"copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7PoFXcEZJ
Isaac knew that River was now aware of what he just did to him.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡ561aCnipWD
"If it gets you off my back about this. I'm not becoming a general. Now I want to practice. Go back to whatever inn you're staying at or something." Isaac sighs, gesturing to River dismissively to leave. River lingers a moment longer in silence.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4plTmPBLUo
"Go." Isaac commands. River, finally, with a glassy gaze, turns and slowly walks back the way he had come.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGosxb2EDL
As he watches his friend trudge off, he could now turn his attention to the presence of a powerful mind he sensed was watching him.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuTfnsLGKX
River hadn't come alone.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzZ1mbEqYA
Samuel smiles to himself from the shadows as he watches the altercation end. That wizard - Isaac - claimed he was 'above average'. He was the perfect Myth wizard, even if he was still weaker than Jae anyways.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GqjC3iCht
Isaac disappears into a shimmering bubble that rose around him. And Illusion Dome. They would be alone. Maybe he could convince him to join his war counsel.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWHWiQzZB9
He walks through the exterior of the Illusion Dome and glances around. He was no longer standing on the cobblestone street. Instead, he was staring out at a large grassy plane, the sun frozen high in the air above him. The atmosphere was unnaturally still. There was no warmth, no cold, no breeze, no sound. Nothing moved. Isaac was also gone, though Samuel knew he was somewhere within. After all, he had made the Illusion Dome in the first place.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HF6DnsFY1
But this Dome was something on another level. All the Domes he had been in were there to boost the magic skills of the wizards within it, like small arenas where wizards reigned superior, and even then they had limits on how strong the boost was. This Dome had completely changed the environment around him. And, somewhere within him, he could feel his magic swirling, strengthening.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEOGHcPDpH
Electricity sparks from his body to the ground, making sure there was no one else close to him or trying to sneak up on him. All he felt was the ground, which, even then, felt both strange and familiar under his feet as he slowly strides around the field.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡIccSZUSxj1
"Why are you here?" He is suddenly asked.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ROC5v3f3q
Samuel jumps in surprise. The voice sounded like it had been asked right in his ear. But there was no one even close to him!copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡm72Z8wG6K3
"Is this Isaac?" He calls.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQlD9zVSCH
"You don't need to yell." Isaac sighs, stepping into view. Samuel's eyes widen. The wizard just... materialized in front of his eyes, fading into view as he walked.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNj5CfKxFI
The Myth wizard stops a few feet away from Samuel, slipping his hands into his pockets and giving the Storm wizard a hard stare.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡunPFuEAoJj
"Didn't you hear me?" Isaac asks, "I'm not joining you."copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MJAan5QH6
"How unfortunate," Samuel sighs, looking around, "This skill of yours would be useful to have on the field." It sounded like this wizard didn't care much about the war.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOEYK0Ms6a
Isaac narrows his eyes. "I'm not saying I don't care about the war. I am just declining your offer."copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaBXSyH1q6
Samuel turns back to Isaac. "How did you---?"copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9GCszmoD2
"I would expect you would have a better mental barrier than everyone else with all the power you possess," Isaac huffs with a sly smirk, like he knew something Samuel didn't, "But you of all people need the most work on it."copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1IlC7SdRg
"You..." Samuel growls, the air around him electrifying. Isaac scowls and flicks a hand in his direction. Samuel's eyes widen as his flow of magic is halted by some sort of artificial barrier within him. The electricity around him cuts off.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡGseVHgRw5A
"I don't want to fight." Isaac tells him.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPU4X0Co9A
Samuel stumbles back in surprise, a hand over his chest as his magic swirls in a rage. "What did you do to me?"copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqzyWugTu9
"It's my Dome. Don't you think I have some control over who and what are in it?"copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡzljTkTVp6w
"It's a very different Dome than what I'm used to."copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡoL6wn1CpGA
"I know," Isaac smirks with a slight chuckle, "That's why this is just a demonstration." Samuel furrows his brow. This wizard was confusing.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDYoVHlRhX
"Ah, everyone calls me confusing." Isaac laughs. He gives Samuel a small bow. "Isaac the Mind Seer, at your service. In truth, I'm honored to be in your presence."copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzkzevSHFO
"Mind Seer..." Samuel hums, "Is that your ability?"copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUSrBchCxj
"It's an ability, yes. As far as I know I'm the only one that has it. Of course, I can't read everyone's all the time, depending on what their mental barrier is like."copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSSRGmZDWC
"And your Dome?"copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡBov9N3LqXC
"Daily practice for an hour or two. Someone needs to research Myth magic more in these trying times, no? Especially since education is starting to take a slide." Isaac raises a curious eyebrow in Samuel's direction, as if waiting for confirmation. That was probably something else he got from Samuel's thoughts.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3QMimtmFh
Isaac begins pacing around Samuel. "That's not all. I can know your war plans, personal connection with the other generals, your own magical skill and ability, your childhood, your past meetings." He stops walking with a grin. "You need a better mental barrier."copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9a5XwjHGpf
"I thought you said you didn't want to join." Samuel hums with a small smile.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMaGSkVUZe
Isaac shrugs with a grin. "No one knows what my intentions are. In this case, I'm just playing hard to get. I knew you weren't going to give up on me after seeing this." He waves a hand at their surroundings, his Illusion Dome.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZVrhBaRh0
"And your friend?"copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSsg9RsHH2
"He can be annoying." Isaac folds his arms. "He brought you to me, didn't he?" Samuel nods quietly, though he figured that Isaac already knew that fact anyways.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsmYqqbner
Finally, Samuel holds out his hand. The Myth wizard approaches and takes it. The two shake.copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wicabF20e
"Welcome to the Great War."copyright protection247ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyRV7uSlyM
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