OOC: Optimalist, I'm knocked out.
InC:
The first thing Heimdall saw when he woke up was Veneficus. He was bleary-eyed and tired, and seemed to be charred. He was being supported by two other vampiric mages, slowly healing him with soothing shadow energy. Heimdall knew that he was being healed himself, and he felt more relaxed and at ease. However, his mind still ached; he knew he had a headache from the trauma of somehow knocking out Veneficus with a thunderbolt.
"A good duel," said Heimdall. "It was quite the experience."
Veneficus flashed a tired smile. "I thought I had you. Twice. You're a sneaky one, and a better fighter than I am. But tell me; exactly what happened that caused you to win?"
Heimdall thought. He had no idea.
It definitely has something to do with the shard in my brain. The Thunderbolt is an aether spell, too; that's an interesting connection to make. "I don't know," said Heimdall.
"Well," said Veneficus, "You are probably the greatest psionic I have ever seen. You will fit right in besides me at the head of the Dark Army. How does that sound?"
"No," said Heimdall slowly. "Although I appreciate the offer, I have a debt to repay to my friend, and wandering is my life."
And I need to know. I need to know more about myself and the hidden powers that I truly have.Veneficus smiled once more. "I understand. But before we depart, I have something to offer you."
"Really?" said Heimdall. "You needn't."
"It is only custom that after a magical duel, the loser presents the winner with a tribute as a reminder of their battle." Veneficus ordered a nearby vampire in a strange language; the vampire departed and came back with a strange orb, similar to the one at the top of Veneficus's staff. It then floated towards Heimdall, who held it in his hands.
It felt smooth and unusually cool to the touch. It was about the size of his fist, but was perfectly spherical. Thin black tendrils crawled out of its core, forming a strange, iridescent network of shadowy roots floating in an eternally red sphere. "It's beautiful," said Heimdall.
"Beautiful and deadly. Think to it."
Heimdall reached his mind outwards towards it, surprised to find...
"It's alive?"
Veneficus smiled. "A Shadow Egg. Give it a mental jolt to hatch it into a powerful creature of Darkness that will obey your every command. It does not need sustenance. I am so fascinated with these items that I had my staff constructed with a replica of a Shadow Egg at its tip."
Heimdall pocketed the egg reverently. "Thank you."
"You have already repaid me with a great duel, Ulitharid. And now, I have matters to attend to. Journey well; I have a feeling we will meet again." With another smile, Veneficus chanted a spell and disappeared.
Heimdall gazed into the distance. He realized exactly how tired he was; his wounds were healed but his muscled and mind ached. Just then, he felt a soothing ripple echo through his mind. It instantly cleared his headache, and Heimdall looked up. He saw nothing. "Who did that?"
Impressive work, Ulitharid.Heimdall simply glanced all around. There were a few vampires milling around, but the source of the mental voice was much closer. Heimdall then felt a light weight on his shoulder. He shrugged, and a strange, purple butterfly flitted out.
Was that you? he projected towards the being.
