Chapter 2: Death Awaits

Serena's right, you're going to need the help of others and you head to Mr. Demar's office.

Mr. Demar's class was probably the only one you didn't struggle in too much. It's not really a popular field given that conjuration can lead to summoning demons. Still, there is use for it on a minor level, though of course it's strictly regulated by most governments.

Mr. Demar was a good professor, but the general agreement by everyone in your class, was that he was REALLY creepy. Plus there were always rumors about him. You always got the impression he was interested in doing a lot more with his area of expertise, but had to settle for teaching. He always seemed to be alright with you though.

When you get to his office, surprisingly it's open and he's busily shuffling some papers around.

"Mr. Demar?"
"Huh? What? Damn it, I thought I locked that door! Oh it's you, what do you want? And lock that door."
"Well uh…I had some questions…"
"Okay, what are they? Out with it." He says continuing to look at some strange parchments.
"Well, uh…I guess it's about magic, and I guess um…"

Mr. Demar looks up at you like he's going to slap you for stuttering so much. You finally speak up.

"I want to know more about Necromancy."

Mr. Demar steps back and gives you a few inspecting stares.

"I dunno what you're talking about, in fact if you don't get out of here I'm going report you to the dean for asking such questions." He warns, but you get the impression that he's not telling the truth. He probably thinks you were sent to spy on him by the dean or something. It's not like he hasn't been held under close scrutiny before.

"Mr. Demar, I'm not trying to get you into trouble, it's me! I really want to learn Necromancy, and you're about the only one I think can help me! I actually was worried about coming to you and I was nervous about the whole thing!"
"Hmm, well I guess I always did think you were inclined towards the dark arts and given your annoying stuttering a moment ago, you do sound like you were nervous. Okay, you want to learn? I'll teach you. I'll teach you like I'm currently teaching so many others right now. Surprised? Yes, the time is coming to pass that we who are inclined to REAL power begin to make our place in this world…permanently. Though I still have concerns about you, I mean while you did about average in my class, I'm well aware that you're not exactly the best student in other fields. I question whether you can handle the power of the dark arts, let alone become a Necromancer."

You stand up straight and reply. "I'm confident that this is my path."

"Good, I'm glad you said that, because there's no going back and this path is not for the weak. We also must maintain secrecy at all times until the day that we may take what is rightfully ours. Now come with me, we're going to see exactly what kind of potential you have."

Mr. Demar casts a spell and opens up a portal. He then prepares to enter it and beckons you to follow him, which you do. Suddenly you're whisked away into a place of near darkness. Given your immediate surroundings you'd guess that you're underground somewhere. You can hear the clinking of chains though nearby and moans.

"Where are we?"
"Your testing area, this where we're going to find out what exactly you're made of. In the next room, you'll find some undead friends. They're currently chained up, but they won't be for long. Now, you can kill them, but as a Necromancer you're supposed to be controlling them, so obviously you should try to do that."
"But I don't know how! You haven't taught me any spells!"
"And I'm not going to, you're going to have to figure this out yourself, but I will say this, it's all about the strength of willpower. Tap into your magical energy and if you have what it takes, you'll succeed. I'll leave you to it."

Demar disappears back into the portal and leaves you all by yourself. You've really gotten yourself into it and now there really isn't any going back, and you can hear the chains from the next room dropping to the ground and the moans getting louder and closer.

There's a large bone on the ground and not much else in the room, and you can't run either as there are no other exits.

You try to prepare and concentrate

You begin to concentrate and prepare for whatever is coming at you. A couple of zombies enter and as soon as they see you they shamble over.

You maintain your calmness and focus, backing up only to get out their reach. It's not work though, but you refuse to give up so you do something that you never thought you'd ever use.

You're underground and there are a lot of roots where you're at, you remember a minor spell you learned in you nature magic class. You cast the spell, and the roots entwine the zombies' feet causing them to be unable to move at you anymore. You then concentrate on controlling them, which now comes a lot easier to you because you don't feel in danger anymore.

When you're sure you have a hold on them, you release the roots and then practice telling the zombies what to do. Sort of fun, like having a pet. Your fun is cut short when Mr. Demar reappears.

"Well, that was an interesting way of handling things. Don't think I've ever seen combining nature magic with necromancy before. Usually the student kills one of the zombies with a fireball or something and then focuses all their attention to control the other one. Still, whatever works, and you are one of the few that's managed to control the both of them with no training in necromancy at all, so you have natural talent. And natural talent will serve you better for this path."
"I understand why you gave me the test, but I have to say I thought you'd start me off on raising the dead rather than controlling them first." You say.
"Ah! Yes, that's a common misconception. You want to know why most necromancers fail even before they get started? Because they lack the control. Raising the dead is relatively easy; controlling them takes a great deal more focus and power. Most of the time a neophyte necromancer will go to the local graveyard and end up getting himself killed by the very bodies he raised because he can't control them. Okay, I think it's time we introduce you to the rest of the class. We'll have lots of time to practice while most of the so called regular students are away for vacation."
"Uh, I'm ready, but I was supposed to go visit my family for vacation…and well also I don't think I've passed all my classes either, specifically the nature magic class."
"What? (Sigh) Very well I shall take care of your grade; I know exactly how to handle the situation and I have a lot more pull in this school than most could ever dream of. As for your family members, I'll leave that up to you. Surely you can think up something to tell them, right?"
"Yeah."
"Very well then, it's all settled. Time to meet the rest of your kind."

Once again Mr. Demar takes you through another portal. You're still underground, but now you're in a more structured setting with actual bricks rather than a cave like setting.

You're soon introduced to the rest of Mr. Demar's "class" known as the Dark Order. Some of whom you've actually seen on campus or even in your other classes. Those that know you are surprised.

"You're letting THAT guy in here? I remember him back in Illusion class, and he ended up creating clones that punched the professor in the face!"
"That's nothing, back in Evocation class; he ended up setting the professor on fire."

"Okay that's enough class! I can assure you that he has the potential to master the dark arts. He wouldn't be here if I didn't think so. Now Trelik and Felsa, you're coming with me, the rest of you practice your lessons and one of you help our newest associate here get started, we're all in this together you know."


After Demar leaves with two of his students, you're left to your own devices as it seems nobody wants to help you. You look around the study area a bit and you start to pick up one of the many tomes lying around until someone comes up to you.

"Hey, do you even know what those are for?" an ugly student asks you.
"Well, they have a skull on the front, and from the looks of them they contain descriptions of various types of undead creature. My guess necromancy."
"Yeah, so what do you know of it?"
"Not much, that's why I'm here obviously, isn't that why everyone else is?"
"Not at all, in fact you're only the fifth necromancer-to-be here. Most of the students are into studying how to control the infernal planes. You know Demonology. There's even a guy studying on the lost art of temporal magic."
"Temporal? You mean time?"
"Yep, a lot of people forget about that one being outlawed as well. Good reason, considering it could really fuck up something if not used properly. I'd actually stay away from Quayle, I think all that studying on time has made him a little loopy. He tends to talk backwards, and sideways a lot. Even Mr. Demar has a hard time keeping him on track."
"Interesting, so what's your name, are you a demonologist?"
"Me, nope I'm one of the disciples of death as they say. My name's Sebastian. You might as well meet the others, you'll be working with."

Sebastian takes you over to two other students. Catalina and Irwin. They nod at you and go back to their training which involves creating a some sort of bone golem. Catalina looks somewhat familiar. Sebastian tells you the other is Trelik who just left with Mr. Demar.

"He's the most skilled, besides Mr. Demar of course." Sebastian says.
"So what exactly do I start on first?" you ask.
"I'd start out with raising and controlling some skeletons. I know you probably did the zombie thing, but you'll need to hone your skill a lot and skeletons are easier to practice with. Take this book, and get started. You'll find the bone pits down the corridor and to the right, don't go left though; the demonologists got some bad ass demon locked in a circle down there. He's really pissed off too. Best stay away."

You take one of the necromantic tomes and head down the corridor. On your way there, you begin to hear a voice penetrating your head.

"You, come here. I know you. You seek power. I can give you that power; you need not waste your time studying anymore. I can grant it to you instantly. You want to be a master of death? Come to me…"

This voice is very tempting.

You head down the left corridor

You feel compelled to follow the voice and you head down the left corridor where eventually you come across a demon sitting in a couched position in a circle. He's looking at the chalk that creates the circle around him, before looking up at you. He's a lot bigger and meaner looking than even the demons you've met on campus. He certainly doesn't seem happy to be trapped. You suspect that they summoned this guy up from hell recently.



"Who are you?"
"My real name is unimportant, but you can call me Velzix…and you are the new disciple of Demar's delusional bunch of would be shit starters. They believe that they will be able to take over this school by using the dark arts. And perhaps they may, but such a victory will be fleeting. Mortals lack long term vision. They will not be prepared when the entire world unites against them…but you can be spared that fate. Free me, and I promise you that you will become a powerful force in the struggle ahead."
"While that sound tempting, demons are known for their deceitful nature and infamous for getting around loopholes in so called deals they make." You say.
"Yes, it is something we pride ourselves on…very well I will not harm you when you free me. That is what you worried about isn't it?"
"It had crossed my mind."
"Okay, now you may free me."

You free Velzix

You easily remove the chalk around Velzix.

"Ah yes, another lack of vision, if they had been smarter they would've also placed a magical barrier around the chalk circle and bound me in magic chains. Well, now they shall pay for their arrogance!"

Velzix now free from his prison lets out an unearthly roar and pushes you aside to take revenge on his captors. As you recover and get off the floor, you can already hear the sounds of battle, followed by screams.

You hesitantly head towards the study area, and there you see carnage. The demon has easily killed everyone and is now casting some sort of spell.

"Now that I'm free, this world is going to suffer. That puny mortal Demar's petty plans pale in comparison in what I have in mind. He'll be first on the list that I'll track down. Shouldn't take long." He says and opens a portal to the infernal realm where upon several smaller demons come pouring out eager for blood. In fact they see you and begin to step towards you.

"H…hey! You said no harm would come to me!"
"I said that I would not harm you. I never said anything about them! Ha ha! Like I said you mortals lack such vision!"

You don't even have time to run before the demons jump on top of you and begin to rip you to pieces, the only good thing is you were spared the horrors that Velzix unleashed upon the world.