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The Art of Magic The Chess pieces are in place.
Beneath all the Rubble and the sounds of machines that clash with metal. Excavators claw at the earth trying to dig around a huge derelict black ship. It's sharp edges gave the workers a hard time uprooting it, it's red like windows gave an occasional glow making them squint. The cold desert night made it even worse, their exhausted bodies frantically try to finish their task and make an opening through the temple. The smell of the desert and their sweat from working hours on end clashed, Making the entire atmosphere even more unbearable.One of the workers raised his eyebrows as it stared at the ship. "What do you think that is?" He asked the man nearby. The man removed his safety helmet and wiped the sweat off his face as he shrugged his shoulders. "Whatever this this is, it's bad news I tell ya. If it looks like a Gul'ak Crab it ain't safe." He said as he turned off his engines to tell the others to take a quick break."Man Here I am starving out of my wits and you just had to ment
The Art of Magic Night of the Living Dead (I)
The mysterious shadow entered it's interior, after a few twist and turns it finally entered a large sealed room. The shadow like tentacles prodded around until it reached a few buttons and switches. Pulling the switches down pressing on the buttons in an orderly manner, as if he already knew what to do. He made the entire room turn on its lights. Next to the switches were hundreds of rows of huge cylindrical vats filled with large Humanoid insects. They appeared to be suspended in time as they were submerged in an acid like substance.Suddenly one of them twitched, soon it was followed by most of them. Their compound eyes glowed with a menacing red light. They kept smashing their glass tubes with their heads, Some died in the process. However soon enough the glasses shattered and they were freed from their confines. The pungent smell of acid being released woke them up from their daze.Too weak to stand up, they started crawling towards one another. After a few screams of agony they s
The Art of Magic Night of the Living Dead (II)
Alex ran behind his men seemingly afraid of their new opposition. He clicked his tongue as he stared at his dead men. In anger he raised his voice and ordered his men to bring in the big guns. They shot at the Para-Nectas occasionally missing because their arms were shaking slightly.Opposite to Magitech's plight, the man wearing the wolf mask stood in front of the sylphid ship ignoring the commotion his two companions followed behind him closely. Two Hulking Para-Nectas appeared behind them as they screeched loudly swiping at the masked man. Their claws passed him by as if nothing happened, it went through without a resistance. The two insectoids tilted their heads as they stared at their claws.Suddenly the entire image of the masked man flickered once more. Revealing that it was just a hologram. He appeared behind them he lowered his stance preparing to strike. He drew his blade and slashed twice before sheathing his blade. In a mere instant the two Para-Nectas were bisected, and a
The Art of Magic The Temple of Ars Nova
Aurora snapped her fingers and small orbs that emitted flames, lit up the dank cave. It rotated around the three of them. "You haven't told me how you're alive. That was a hydrogen bomb and according to reports you were dead center in the explosion." Sjor'kai said as he observed the orbs slightly impressed.Aurora stared straight into his eyes as if expecting something, "If... and only if we told you. Would you join Ragnarök once more?" Her cold green eyes reflected the flames that gave life to the dark cave. Sjor'kai was the first to break eye contact and looked towards the dark wooden entrance littered with fading rustic paint, Too fragile from the touch of time."No... I don't think I could anymore." He said with a tone that's filled with mockery. Whether it's to himself or Ragnarök, maybe even both it didn't matter at that moment. Aurora then looked towards the ground clenching her fist. "Then what are you going to do with that information? For closure? Don't make me fucking laug
The Art of Magic The Temple of Ars Nova II
Nick coughed loudly and spat the mouthful of dirt in his mouth, "Fuck! This is what I get for even trying to help." Nex chuckled at his predicament. Not noticing the leg sweep the Alpha Para-Necta that was approaching her.The masked man disappeared from his original position. His legs and blade glowed blue as he parried the strike towards the side. Nex saw this and opened her eyes wide. She stared at his back, at Ragnarök's symbol. With conflicting emotions.She sighed and reloaded her guns casually, "Thanks you saved me." She said as she tried to get a read on the masked man, To see if she was right, But the longer she stared something felt wrong. An uncomfortable feeling rose inside her heart. A Strange dissonance from what she's seeing and feeling. She tried to reach for the mask, but her hands just passed through him. He was back in his original position. He dashed once more to sweep on the Para-Necta's leg. It fell with a loud thud.She clicked her tongue as she stared at the ma
The Art of Magic If fated we will meet again...
Aurora went near the altar and observed it from top to bottom. Nick stared at the three statues as he put his hand on his waist. He scratched his chin as he narrowed his eyes. "Don't you guys get like there is this Temple of Doom-ish kind of vibe? Like from this statues." He said as he poked the sword lodged on the statues. Everyone looked at him as if he was an idiot. Nex raised her eyebrows, "Temple of what?""You know from that movie. Well it's an old-" He stopped Midway noticing that no one here gave a damn. "Nevermind..." He said as he sighed. Nex went near him and patted his shoulders and gave him a smile filled with mockery.Nick however ignored all the mockery and kept fiddling with the swords. After a while he leaned his arm on the large sword handle pushing it down and a large click was heard. A loud rumble was heard from a distance. Nick immediately felt cold sweat start to appear behind his back. He smiled wryly towards the others glaring at him.But soon a door opened. Ni
The Art of Magic Nex the Bounty Hunter
Nex chuckled to herself weakly, "All I wanted was to become stronger. Was that too much to ask?" She said in a soft voice. Nick smiled wryly, "To be strong huh. Yeah, still a kid." He said as he chuckled. Nex frowned, "Fuck! you look as young as me so don't even try!"But as Nick was about to reply the rumbling sounds stopped. He furrowed his brows he stared at the dark narrow passage they went through earlier. A loud crash was heard as the huge Para-Necta dug around the walls to get to the room. Nick ran as fast as he could while assisting Nex. However his speed was affected by the extra person. He caressed his ring a small vial appeared and he threw it towards the right entrance. He threw Nex after the vial exploded with white mist. She struggled to try and reach out to Nick.>He chanted and a large wall made of the materials of the temple popped up underneath separating her from her partner. "Shit! Nick!"He smiled at her as he dodged the Para-Necta's strikes, "Yo
The Art of Magic The Backend Deal
What came out front the narrow hallway, was Alex and his men seemingly exhausted from the previous battle. They were probably chased by those Para-Nectas. Only 8 of them came out of the hallway. They immediately saw Nex leaning in the corner. They aimed their guns at her direction, However Alex quickly stopped them. He gave an amicable smile towards Nex. She spat on the ground and lowered her guns."Miss Nex, What a coincidence. It seems you and Magitech are really fated." He said as he pulled a chair and sat down. He gestured for Nex to do the same. He looked at one of his men carrying a large bag, he pointed towards the table and said, "Let's rest."Nex was glaring at all of them not letting her guard down. He laid out an entire array of canned goods. It's tempting aroma wafted through the air. "Why don't we have a truce, And join us? What do you say Miss Nex?" She narrowed her eyes as she stared at him directly in the eyes. "What are you playing at Alex?"He shrugged his shoulders,
Latest Chapter
- The Art of Magic
The Tour (I)
The trio circled back towards the entrance while celeste blabbered on about the buildings architecture and defenses. "Since you are guests of Sir Nicholas, I bet you already know that msot of the artifacts here are the real deal relics from the age of gods, the age of magic and so on and so forth."She said not notocing the glint on Nex's eyes. "Most of these artifacts are have actually been used to fend off the invaders during the war. Some were even personally used by the twelve." She said as she pointed towards a large golden shield and a golden spear with its tip burning with blue flames.
- The Art of Magic
The Great Library (IV)
Celeste carefully trotted along as she approached both Nex and Setsuna. The slowly hid behind the bookshelves as she peeked through the books.While doing so she listened in their conversation. Nex picked up books on whatever the hell caught her interest. However her eyes never stayed on one book for too long. She sighed as she closed another dusty tome. "If Nova was here I'd already fed him everything in this library." She said shocking Setsuna. "Feed him? Feed him how? like a fish?"Nex scratched her cheeks but before she could answer she spotted a fresh pair of eyes staring straight at them with unconcealed interest. Her eyes gleaming in curiousity as she leaned in the shelves much closer forgetting that she was concealing herself."Well... for starters nova eats for some reason like the rest of us who needs energy to survive. I remember him telling me he's converting the innate mana residing on things to fuel his energy reserves or something. I don't know. I'm not too sure on how
- The Art of Magic
The Great Library (III)
Nex peered over the gilded gates widely open as they could be. She scratched her chin as she looked around only to see gigantic shelves that towered over her containing various amounts of books. Rows of them that seemingly span towards infinity warding of any sane person who would wander the halls of vast knowledge.Ranging from dusty tomes to the more wierd and eccentric stuff like a crystal ball that could help them see the original owners memory. All of it were guarded by armed guards patrolling and keeping an ever watchul eye filled with vigilance.She turned around and saw various items incased in glass, while also engraved in glowing red magic circles. Setsuna stared at Nick once more and tilted her head as she eyed all the thing all around them. "This place is a library right?"Nex on the other hand approached the desk as her eyes darted all over the place seemingly impatient to just out right steal the things that caught her eye. Nick sensed this as the facepalmed and stared a
- The Art of Magic
The Great Library (II)
Once the golden Barrier disappeared the entirety of the Hidden Grand Library of Alexandria was unveiled to them. Golden sparks of light scattered across the air creating a majestic sight to behold. A huge Fortress lay before them gilded in all its glory. Unblemished, Untainted, and Unseen by the unworthy. A towering drawbridge slowly lowered in front of them.What awaited inside was a large plethora of knowledge awaiting to be seen by curious eyes. NEx coudn't help but whistle in surprise, "You mages really know how to go all out." Nick coudn't help but scratch his nose in embarassment from her words. "Well, Faust can be a little eccentric but that man knows how to make things a little more grand than what they should appear." He said as he led the two inside the castle in the middle.Setsuna looked around and saw huge watch towers and wyverns chained beneath them. Gigantic ballistas that watch over the cosmic skies, ever watchful of potential intruders. On the pathways were infantrym
- The Art of Magic
The Great Library (I)
"One of the largest and most significant libraries of the ancient world. Created by the nine goddesses of arts themselves. Regarded as the capitol of knowledge and learning. The central gathering of all the most rare and mysterious books in the world. Not only that everything in that place is disaster proof, especially fire!" Nick said as he stared the the two slacked jawed women. "I welcome you two to the Great Library of Alexandria!" He said as he spread his arms wide. He then slowly panned towards Nobody who was nodding along at the grandeur. "Can we find records of you in there?" Nick asked as he crossed his arms scrutinizing every movement of Nobody. However he just shrugged, "You'd be extremely lucky to find it when it's buried in all these books. However I'm fairly sure you've read most of the library's contents don't you Nick?" Nobody said as he tried to step inside however a huge golden barrier suddenly appeared out of nowhere barring his entry towards the library. Nobody fr
- The Art of Magic
The Wiccan Bazaar (IV)
The two finished touring around the Bazaar. They found Nick waiting for them at a bench with his arms folded in annoyance. The moment he saw them he raised his eyebrows, "So Did you enjoy the 'Bazaar that looks like the Golden Heart?'" He said as he scoffed. Nex scratched her cheeks, "Well, although it looks familiar. It's different enough to warrant exploring. Thankfully the roads are familiar to not get lost..." She said as her voice slowly shrank. "That's the point! Familiar enough not to get lost. But different enough to merit exploration!" Nick shouted at them. Setsuna crossed her arms and chimed in, "I still think it's a little lazy." Nick shrugged his shoulders, "Hey! if we could save money by just doing a simple palette swap and a small and minor adjustments then more power to it." He said as he snapped his fingers and showed Nex al the ingredients have been bought. "So should we summon it now?" Nick looked at Nex. However before she could answer, Nobody popped out of the sha
- The Art of Magic
The Wiccan Bazaar (III)
"It seems that only you are capable of summoning whatever this thing is. Hopefully not something truly bad. Who gave you this anyway?" Nex Shrugged her shoulers. "Where's Nova when you need him. His name is Nobody, and as far as I'm concerned... He's the one who has helped me the most in this long and arduous journey. He gave me those pages." Nick scratched his chin, "Not exactly a helpful pseudonymn." Nex shrugged her shoulders, "I feel like he's sort of sealed at the moment. There's like a time limit he could manifest himself. He is a tall man in a black suit, his face covered by the shadows, has glaring and ominous yellow eyes? This is his symbol." She said as she snapped her fingers and recreated Nobody's symbol.A Glowing Red Circle filled with undecipherable inscriptions that wriggle as if it's alive. In the middle of it all was an Inverted Ankh Painted with blood.Nick shook his head, "It's definitely not an egyptian god nor a mage of the same discipline. No one would dare use
- The Art of Magic
The Wiccan Bazaar (II)
"Well you're in luck kiddo. All the shit listed here is available in The Wiccan Bazaar! I just hope that this thing doesn't eat your face, Setsuna's, or mine!" Nex shrugged her shoulders, clearly not giving any fucks. Setsuna on the other hand took the page from Nick's hand. Then immediately passed it back to Nex, "Yeah... Have no idea what the fuck any of these mean." She said as she leisurely sipped her coffee.Blair handed them their breakfast as she prepared Nex's and Setsuna's clothes. "Eat up! It's gonna be a long day." He said as he and the gang chowed down on Blair's amazing breakfast. After a few minuites of lazing about Nick finally stood up and drew a magic circle on the ground. "This portal is technically encrypted and it changes on a weekly basis." He said as he snapped his fingers and a portal appeared beside the magical circle. Blair put her hands on her hips as she stared at Nick, "You do know, I have to clean your messes right?" Nick scratched his cheeks, "Uhh, everyt
- The Art of Magic
The Wiccan Bazaar (I)
Nex woke up feeling refreshed more than usual. She stretched her body and did some light exercise. She was no longer plagued by jolting pain everytime she woke up. She sucked in a batch of fresh air as she excitedly exited her room and almost bumped into blair on her way out.Blair's eyes were wide open as she stared at Nex awake and about. "Oh my, It seems you woke up on your own today Nex." She said as she put her hands on her hips. Setsuna came out of her door a little groggy, but awake nontheless. The moment she looked to her left and saw Nex energetically standing in front of her door all lucid, her jaws dropped. She tried pinching her cheeks only to wince from the pain. "What the hell? Am I in some kind of mirror dimension?" Nex chuckled, "Hey! no matter how thick my face is, I could still get hurt y'know?" Setsuna shrugged her shoulders, "Can you blame me? It's like a rebranding. It's almost freaky." She said as she moved towards the cupboards and start to brew herself some co
