"Dig deep, adherent," Through the void of consciousness, Mayala's voice was a guiding beacon of focus, "your path shall be made clear."
Dig deep; easier said than done. It took every drop of mana that I could muster to withstand the trials of The Channeling. For ten years I studied as an initiate of Al'Shen, plucked from the quiet life of peasantry by ordinance of the illuminated order. The matrons of Al'Shen had seen something within me—a spark of the source. Through their instruction had I began my journey into the realm of mysticism and the arcane. Every night of grueling study, of bitter failures rectified by the lick of a switch, had culminated in this transcendental moment; ten arduous years.
My 'gift', the unique, singular focus of every magi, would soon be revealed to me—had I the fortitude to accept it. All magi possessed a gift, some more specialized or niche than others. One's gift dictated their path within the the hallowed halls of the order, set expectations and limits. To many, such a moment may have been the capstone of their journey as magi, though the rite was not without its dangers. The Channeling wore on one's senses and stripped bare the weaknesses of the mind. Some survived, many didn't. All that remained was ascension or death.
A sweat formed at my brow and again Mayala offered aid, "You're so close, adherent." Though I could not see her through clenched eyes, the honeyed scent of the Dark Elf sorceress cloyed at my senses and obscured the pain. Mayala had been my mistress in all things: mother, sister, teacher and the occasional friend. For a woman of her age, I was surely not Mayala's first adherent. While the Dark Elf's exact age remained an unknown variable, beauty had yet to abandon her. Though her counsel usually bordered on abusive, an unusual tenderness laced Mayala's words.
I obeyed, harnessing the roiling tide of energies as it swelled within, giving it direction and focus; the feeling was euphoric. As I felt myself descend into a trance, I heard the voice of the matron once more, "Do you feel it? You are nearly there. Do not falter now!" Such strain, my very spark extended to its absolute limits, my body shook with effort. I felt the magic coalesce in a crescendo around me and then...nothing.
There was no grand revelation, no transcendence, just a blank nothing. A darkness so complete that I could see nothing but blackness. And then, the light.
"Mistress," I blinked, the tremble in my hand settling, "have I failed?" the jungles of Il'Kadur stretched beyond the view of my balcony, two red suns crawling over the horizon; daybreak. My sweat cooled and brought with it a sticky dampness that soaked my linen shirt, clinging it to my flesh.
Mayala, clad in the regality of her ceremonial whites, matched the gown's brilliance with her smile, "You've done it, adherent." The sister's words carried no weight; had I truly completed the Channeling? I felt no difference. No thrum of power filled my ears. "Have I?"
The question hung in the air, unanswered. My mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. I looked down at my hands, palms up. Mayala interjected, "I can feel it, some fledgling power begging to be actualized. Your source has been channeled properly, adherent. All that remains is the act of realization." Mayala approached, the angular bent of her robes catching my eye, "Take my hand and shed the title of adherent, join us as a full fledged brother of Al'Shen."
I felt like beaming from cheek to cheek but muffled the urge with a stoic nod. Mayala extended a manicured hand that I eagerly accepted. We attuned, as was customary for adherents and their patrons, and chanted in unison the spell of actualization. It was supposed to be simple, as Mayala would use a fraction of her power to draw out my gift and allow me to harness the newfound ability for the first time; things did not go as planned.
Between chants, I could sense a slight twitch in the Dark Elf's expression. Grace befit Mayala, and to watch her squirm—even if momentarily—piqued my curiosity. "A-Adherent, wait. T-This power..." Perhaps we both could feel it, my 'gift'. It was unlike any act of sorcery that I'd ever encountered in my readings. An extension of my will, torpid at first then eager to expand, hungrily lapped at the bond between Mayala and I. Mayala was leagues stronger than I yet even she struggled to resist the invading tendril of my blossoming power.
The sensation of power, however, grew exponentially with each passing second. "A-A-Adherent!" Spittle foamed at the corners of Mayala's typically pursed lips, her very mind splayed before me like a platter of knowledge and memories. Shadowy imagery of Mayala's youth, of her first loves and heartbreaks. Hopes. Fears. Aspiration. Lusts; I lingered upon them for a moment longer. It all felt so raw. So alluring. What was once power unchecked and autonomous had quickly fallen under my own discretion. My better judgement understood the dire ramifications of my actions but...how could I stop? This my gift, and to utilize it now felt as easy as breathing. The sisters of Al'Shen had not prepared me for this power, nor had I known of anyone harnessing such potent abilities on the eve of their ascension. What was known to me was that magics involving such psychic violations were strictly prohibited and frowned upon by all conclaves; from Al'Shen to every other order. Yet this newly realized power felt all too natural. As if possessed by intrigue, I continued to delve deeper into the forbidden annals of my mistress's mind, keeping a firm grip on Mayala's hands as she continued to convulse and sputter; One by one, the ward's of Mayala's mind collapsed in tandem with her silent pleas. It was by the grace of the source that a sense of morality returned to me. I stopped my vulgar intrusion and withdrew the shadowy tendril of my will, acclimating to the new power in full as Mayala collapsed onto the polished floor.
"Such a terrible gift should not be possible...such magics have been forbidden since the dawn of the conclaves!" She groaned, rolling onto her side. "Why? Why does the source allow such atrocities?" Her voice was hollow, haunted.
I stood, taking a step back, "I don't know, mistress." I knew only that I had stumbled across a secret few would willingly divulge. "I'm sorry, Mayala." I bowed, "I shouldn't have...it's just..." I gestured helplessly. Irreparable damage had been done to our bond as student and teacher, yet even still the power within me tempted at a solution; if I could only sway her emotions. I pushed these dark thoughts within.
Mayala nodded, the motion sluggish, "Yes...yes you should not have." The Dark Elf sorceress slowly sat up, wiping away the tears that pooled in her cerulean eyes. "It's just as well. This discovery must be kept secret, else the council will surely seek retribution."
"For what? I did not choose my gift but it is mine and mine alone!" The air cooled, Mayala immediately noticing the sudden shift.
"Control yourself, young man, I—I only..." my mistress struggled to regain her composure after such a psychic intrusion, "Something is stirring inside of you. A power that none can contain but yourself. It is your burden to bear. I fear that the council will seek to punish you for this transgression."