Ancient Magic
Author: Matthew Harris
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

It took a few moments, but before long the confused form of Professor Newton strode over to the window and opened it up.

“Sophia… Richard…? What are the two of you doing up here?” He asked as the window swung open.

Sophia pushed past the other Immateria, “Well, once again Professor, you were so engrossed in your studies of the arcane that you were unable to hear us all but breaking your door trying to get your attention downstairs.”

The professor had the good sense to look cowed under Sophia’s admonishment.

“Ah, I apologise, Sophia, you see I’d just gotten into the midst of a particularly interesting piece of magical lore from an Immateria priest who lived back in the fifth century BC, it was a fascinating work-” The Professor was clearly getting riled into his storytelling.

“I’m quite sure it was incredibly interesting, Professor Newton,” I cut him off before he could annoy Sophia too much. “But what we have to show you today will no doubt tickle your intellect just as much as a
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  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   Baby

    My head span as my mind battled with the ragged edges of the transformation to becoming feral. I couldn’t believe I’d let it get to this stage. I hadn’t even been this far gone the first time I’d refused to drink. This time it wasn’t even about refusal, either. Id become so wrapped up in our mission and learning more about the history of magic that I hadn’t noticed how bad my thirst had become. “Quickly, follow me,” The Professor said, I barely understood him through the haze of my weakened mental state. “I fear that young Richard doesn’t have much time left before he turns completely.” Sophia grabbed my arm, her grip was like iron and it almost felt like she was going to crush my bones. The Professor led the way and Sophia followed, dragging me along as I moaned and groaned, desperate for relief from the burning that was in my throat and chest. My breathing had become hot and ragged and I felt as though I was two steps from plunging my fingers into my own body to rip my damn t

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   Rage

    The Professor didn’t attempt to stop me as I stomped back up the stairs to the library. I barely remembered the way back to the area of the house thanks to how badly I had been breaking down in the moments before I’d drunk the newborn's blood, but I managed all the same. Just the thought of what I’d been forced to do made me want to heave. Sophia was close behind me, and while she hadn’t said anything I could feel the tension in her footsteps. It was as if she were expecting me to turn around at any given moment to try and attack the Professor. I’d been tempted, but I’d already made my choice. If I were going to disobey her command I would have done so when she’d issued it, not now. The Professor was an issue that I would deal with at some point in the future, though. That much I was certain of. I made it back up to the library, grabbed the idol, and then tossed it over to Sophia. She caught it deftly with one hand and pocketed it without hesitation. “Let’s get out of here,” I

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   Tinker

    While I had expected Sophia to want us to return to Gunnersbury park straight away she actually had me drive us back to Battersea Power Station so that we could travel back down to the depths of the Immateria City. “Your head isn’t in the right space,” Sophia had offered as an explanation as we travelled through the warp gate down to the city. “You need time to chill out before we go on any missions. It’s understandable considering what the Professor had you do.” I wasn’t about to disagree with her. The last thing I wanted was for us to get into a sticky situation and then for me to be the reason we ended up failing, getting captured or worse even killed. “We need to try and come up with a plan, anyway,” I said. “Whoever the rogue is they won’t be able to take over our minds without the idol, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t still going to be powerful. Not to mention we don’t know how many people he’s taken over. They’re basically like hostages at this point.” Sophia agreed with

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   Saturation

    “So the concept is simple,” I began to explain. “From reading a bit about the nature of magic and the way the Immateria interact with it I’ve been able to narrow down that certain types of magic need to be transmitted through the neutral magical field that’s present throughout the world.” “Right,” Sophia said with a quirked eyebrow.“Well, with that in mind, I’ve developed a device that will saturate an area with higher levels of that neutral magical field,” I continued. “It’ll then give that field a positive charge, which won’t hurt anyone in the area, but will stop anyone from being able to transmit anything through the field.” The realisation dawned on her slowly then all at once, “Which means that you should be able to stop the rogue from giving any instructions to the people they’re controlling, right?” "Exactly," I nodded, proud of my work. "But before we put it into action, I need to make sure it works. And the best way to do that is by testing it on the bond that allows you

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   A God

    I took a deep breath and followed Sophia into the grand lobby of the mansion, my hand resting loosely on the hilt of my wand. We’d come this far, and I was determined to see this mission through to the end. As we entered the lobby, I was struck by the beauty of the room. The high ceiling was adorned with intricate mouldings, and the walls were covered in lush, golden wallpaper. But that beauty was marred by the sight of several people slumped against the walls, their eyes closed in a deep sleep. Sophia and I exchanged a knowing look. When they had been disconnected from the rogue Immateria the people must have instantly fallen asleep. Perhaps it was their brain's natural defence against such a psychic onslaught. Whatever the reasoning behind the sudden unconsciousness of the humans in the mansion was beside the point. The fact they’d been knocked out meant they’d be less of a hassle when the fighting began. The last thing we wanted was a bunch of people running around like headl

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   A Fall

    The black vortex of magical energy consumed everything in its path, and for a moment I thought I was going to be simply wiped from existence with the rest of the furniture. But when the field passed over me all I felt was a little bit of a tingling sensation. Clearly, the effect wasn’t as potent on living creatures as it was on inanimate objects. I wasn’t sure how my clothes survived the transition, but I wasn’t about to start complaining either. “I told you I was a god!” The rogue gloated, he was floating a few feet off the ground now, his eyes glowing a dark ominous red. “Well, this is the stage of my godhood! In this space anything I will becomes reality, and there’s nothing you can do to stop me!”I rolled my eyes and pulled out my wand, readying a spell. This rogue was like some kind of b-movie villain, and I was ready for his boasting to stop. Sophia was already standing in front of me, her fists crackling with arcane energy. She shot the rogue a hard look. “You’re not a god

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   Insignia

    The aftermath of our battle with the rogue was nothing short of catastrophic. The once grand and luxurious halls of the mansion had been left in ruins, as if struck by a tempest of dark magic. Splintered pieces of furniture littered the ground, and the walls were scorched black with the residue of powerful spells. It was as if a dragon had descended from the sky and unleashed its fury upon the building. The very air was thick with the scent of smoke and char, and the creaking crackles of destruction echoed hauntingly through the halls. It was a grisly reminder of the power of the Rogue Immateria, who had wreaked havoc upon what would have once been a beautiful and peaceful place. Everywhere I looked, evidence of his malevolent influence was apparent - shattered vases, broken mirrors and torn tapestries. The most poignant sight was the way the floor had been singed with the outline of a great symbol. The lines were scorched into the woodwork as if they had been seared into the ve

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   Debriefed

    As Sophia and I made our way through the building of the Immateria council the weight of our failure hung heavy on my shoulders. The Rogue had slipped through our grasp, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that our mistakes had put much more than just ourselves in danger. As usual, the council chambers were dimly lit, casting long shadows across the ornate furnishings and polished floors. The members of the council were all gathered around their table, their expressions grim as we entered. “Well, well, well,” one of them drawled, “News of your return to the city has already spread to us, and we are well aware that you were unable to defeat the rogue.” I gritted my teeth, but Sophia stepped forward with the same calm confidence that she always seemed to embody while dealing with the council. “The rogue was more powerful than we anticipated,” Sophia explained, “And not just that, he mentioned… a patron, an unknown source that was giving him assistance.” The mood in the room changed a

Latest Chapter

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   

    Council Report

    As Sophia and I huddled together over the massive oak table in the heart of our lab, we meticulously compiled our findings on the ominous runes and the Cloaks' sinister intentions. Our research painted a terrifying picture: a plan to bring about the end of the world. I could feel the weight of the knowledge in the binder we carefully assembled, its pages brimming with secrets that could tip the fragile balance between the Immateria and human realms. Our hearts raced with the urgency of the situation, and we knew we had no time to waste.The moment we finished, we rushed out into the labyrinthine underground old city, our feet pounding against the cobblestones as we wove our way through its ancient passages. We exchanged glances, our expressions a mixture of determination and fear, fully aware of the importance of our mission.As we raced through the city, the shadows around us seemed to dance and flicker, as if they were alive. The air was thick with the scent of centuries-old stone a

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   

    Research

    Standing amidst the remnants of the chaotic battle, I hesitantly approached Sophia to offer my condolences for the loss of her friend. The words caught in my throat, my voice wavering with the weight of what we had just experienced."I'm sorry about Marcus," I finally managed to say, my gaze lingering on the table where he had met his gruesome end.Sophia's expression remained stoic, her eyes betraying no hint of the pain she must have been feeling. "It's okay," she replied, her voice strong and resolute. "I know we'll avenge him in the long run. I just wish I could have killed him myself."I couldn't quite grasp the complexity of her relationship with Marcus, but I knew better than to pry. Instead, I decided to shift the focus to the task at hand. We needed to unravel the mystery of the runic symbols and the ritual Marcus had mentioned before his death.Together, we approached the table, our eyes drawn to the intricate runes carved into its surface. Neither of us recognized the symbo

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   

    The Final Cloaks

    As Sophia regained her composure and launched herself back into the fray against the remaining Cloaks, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. With her renewed vigor, I could now focus on providing her with much-needed support. The adrenaline coursed through my veins, and my mind raced with the possibilities of spells that could turn the tide of battle in our favor.Deciding on a strategy, I drew upon my magical reserves and cast a wide-range frost spell, chilling the air and coating the floor with a treacherous layer of ice. The temperature in the room plummeted, and our breaths fogged in the frigid air. Sophia, ever the agile fighter, vaulted into the air just as the icy surface began to solidify beneath her, avoiding the frosty trap.The Cloaks, caught off guard by the sudden change in their environment, found their feet frozen to the ground. Their attention momentarily diverted from Sophia, she seized the opportunity to eliminate several of them with swift, brutal efficiency. The f

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   

    Take Down

    As I continued to face off against the Cloak, it became increasingly clear that they were an exceptionally formidable opponent. Their raw power and proficiency in magic far exceeded what I would have expected from someone who was supposedly just a member of a random gang. I couldn't help but wonder if this was simply due to my own lack of magical experience, or if there was more to the Cloak than met the eye.My thoughts were interrupted by the sudden appearance of a barrage of ice shards, each as thick as my arm, hurtling through the air towards me. Reacting on instinct, I managed to narrowly avoid the freezing projectiles, feeling the icy wind that accompanied them as they whizzed past. Had any of them struck me, I had no doubt that I would have been incapacitated, if not worse.Seizing the opportunity to retaliate, I drew upon my eidetic memory to replicate the Cloak's own spell. With a swift motion of my wand, I sent a flurry of ice shards back at my adversary, hoping to catch the

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   

    One on One

    My eyes remained glued to the fierce battle unfolding before me, the sheer ferocity of the combatants sending waves of trepidation coursing through my veins. Sophia and the demon were locked in a dance of death, each striving to gain the upper hand and deliver the killing blow. The brutality of their exchange was both terrifying and mesmerizing, a testament to the deadly forces at play.Sophia's movements were fluid and agile, her lithe form gracefully weaving through the demon's lumbering attacks. The creature's strikes were powerful, sending tremors rippling through the ground with each devastating blow. Even as an Immateria, I knew that if Sophia were to suffer the full brunt of the demon's strength, it could very well be the end of her. To make matters worse, she had to contend with the sporadic potshots from the remaining Cloaks, their spells merely adding to the chaos and danger of the situation.Despite her agility and prowess, it was clear that Sophia's lightning-infused claws

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   

    Demon

    I groaned, the pain radiating through my body as I gradually regained consciousness. My head throbbed, a dull ache pulsing in time with my racing heartbeat. I hadn't anticipated the intensity of the spell I'd crafted, and the lingering disorientation was a testament to its potency.Shaking my head in an attempt to dispel the discombobulation, I squinted through the hazy aftermath of the magical explosion, straining to make sense of the situation. Though my ears still rang, muffled and distant, I could perceive the sounds of battle continuing to rage around me. It seemed that my desperate gamble had not been in vain.As my vision slowly cleared, I could see that my rudimentary spellwork had provided the opening Sophia needed. Some of the Cloaks were beginning to recover from the disorienting effects of the flashbang, their expressions contorted in a mixture of rage and confusion. But they were no match for Sophia's raw power and finesse.With the grace of a skilled dancer, Sophia had w

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   

    Flashbang

    “We don’t have time to plan, Parker,” Sophia hissed. “You’re new to magic, but I’m strong and you can hold your own. We have to do this, or Marcus is going to die… and gods know what will take his place.” Sophia, who I had previously known as someone who couldn’t ever be unnerved, someone who laughed in the face of danger and stayed cool no matter what… was practically beside herself with worry. I could tell she knew we needed a plan, she didn’t want to run in half-cocked, but she was also quickly running out of time and patience. “Fine then, the plan is we go in hard and fast. Take them by surprise and try to overwhelm them with superior force,” I said with a sigh. It wasn’t much, it wasn’t even really the beginnings of a plan, but given the circumstances, it was all we had and it’d have to do. The air was thick with the stench of blood and the smell of burning incense. Sophia and I broke cover and smashed through the door together, finally alerting the cloaks to our presence. T

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   

    Hive

    I walked through the darkened halls, my heart pounding in my chest. The air was thick with the stench of mildew and decay. The walls were covered in peeling wallpaper, and the floorboards creaked under our feet. I held my wand tightly, ready for anything that might come our way.Sophia walked beside me, her claws extended and at the ready. Her sharp eyes scanned our surroundings, searching for any signs of danger. She was the best partner I could ask for on this mission. She was fierce, smart, and unwavering in her determination to stop the Cloaks.We had received intel that the Cloaks were planning something big. Something that could spell doom for the entire Immateria City. We couldn't let that happen. We had to stop them at all costs.As we walked, the sound of chanting grew louder and more distinct. It was coming from downstairs. We shared a look of concern and horror, knowing that we were getting closer to the heart of the Cloaks' operation."Sophia, do you hear that?" I whispere

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   

    Stakeout

    I studied the map intently, feeling the rough texture of the aged parchment under my fingertips. My eyes traced over the faded ink lines, marking the location of the Cloak’s hidden lair. Sophia stood beside me, her intense gaze fixed on the same spot. I looked up at Sophia, and saw that her expression mirrored my own determination. "We have to be careful," I said, my voice low and urgent. "Who knows what they're up to in there." Sophia nodded, her jaw set. "I agree. We need to gather as much information as we can before we make a move." I bit my lip, thinking. "Perhaps we could stake out the hideout for a little while, observe their movements. That way, we'll have a better idea of what we're up against." Sophia's eyes brightened at the suggestion. "Yes, that's a good idea. We could hide on a nearby rooftop and keep an eye on things." I grinned. "I'm glad you agree. I've got a feeling this is going to be dangerous, but I'm ready for it. We need to put a stop to whatever the Cloa