powered it with magic encased in this book."
Baannat snatched the book from Neltus hands. He appeared to have difficulty retaining it within his grasp, as if the incompleteness of his body limited his ability to maintain hold over solid objects. Still, he managed to juggle the book long enough to analyze it. He threw it back to Neltus before it fell from his claws.
"The book contained magic without a hint of influence," the slink ghoul acknowledged. "How did you obtain such an item?"
"I forced a young boy with crimson power to enchant three such items; a coin, which I used to reach this place, the book, and the ring on my finger. I will use the magic in the ring to return home."
"Hold up your hand with the ring. Let me see it!"
Neltus did as he was told and allowed the slink ghoul to inspect the enchanted item.
"Interesting," Baannat allowed. "You can still cast spells even though you've been completely separated from the magic? You are more skillful than I imagined."
"I was once able to cast pure crimson magic in a full circle."
The claim sounded more like a boast, and Baannat responded with abject dismissal over Neltus' declaration.
"And I once cast pure white magic in two perfect circles."
Neltus didn't want to sound as if he was challenging the monster, but he saw an opening to reach his own intended goal.
"I know. Do you miss shaping the energy in such a way?"
Baannat found the question insulting.
"Do you think I'm powerless as I stand before you?" the ghoul hissed.
"Not at all, but it's my understanding that you're much different than you once were."
"I am. And to a degree, you're right. The magic contained within physical existence no longer bends to my will as it once did."
Baannat grew quiet. The ghoul turned from Neltus and floated over to the tower ledge. He peered down upon the dark lands, considered the vast number of vicious creatures he once commanded. For a moment, he considered diving toward the gray valley, immersing himself in the angry tides of a cruel existence. He stepped to the very edge of the precipice, but he knew he would go no further. For him, the call of nonexistence had become far stronger than the shriek of brutality.
With another hiss of disgust, the ghoul returned to face the human who appeared to test his tolerance.
"You obviously went through a great deal of trouble to get here. You did not come here simply to stir old memories within me. You have neither the courage nor the audacity for such an endeavor. I can see your fears as plainly as I see your hefty body. I also see the selfishness within you, but your particular desires are lost in the emptiness of your core. That is all I can see, so I cannot determine what you want. Tell me now, and without delay, why have you come to me?"
Finally, Neltus was able to make his desires known.
"Everything you see is what brought me back here. I admit it. My emptiness is the only reason I would risk coming to see you. I want my core back."
Baannat scowled with displeasure.
"I have nothing to do with your missing core."
"I know."
"Then why would you come to me?"
"Because you once lost your magic... but you got it back. I've heard the stories. You fought Enin and Ryson Acumen. During your battle, Enin opened a portal and allowed dark creatures to attack you. They took the magic from you, but you created a new core."
"I didn't simply create a new core. I retrieved what was stolen from me."
The news did not sit well with Neltus, and despite his fear of the slink ghoul, he actually contradicted Baannat's explanation.
"But... after you were defeated by Enin, you created a powerful creature to retrieve what you lost. You combined the skins of other dark beasts into an entity powered by magic. It hunted down dark creatures and pulled their magical essence from them. You mimicked Ingar's Sphere and collected magical energy. You ultimately absorbed that energy... restored what you had lost."
"I created a vessel to hold magic, yes,
Baannat snatched the book from Neltus hands. He appeared to have difficulty retaining it within his grasp, as if the incompleteness of his body limited his ability to maintain hold over solid objects. Still, he managed to juggle the book long enough to analyze it. He threw it back to Neltus before it fell from his claws.
"The book contained magic without a hint of influence," the slink ghoul acknowledged. "How did you obtain such an item?"
"I forced a young boy with crimson power to enchant three such items; a coin, which I used to reach this place, the book, and the ring on my finger. I will use the magic in the ring to return home."
"Hold up your hand with the ring. Let me see it!"
Neltus did as he was told and allowed the slink ghoul to inspect the enchanted item.
"Interesting," Baannat allowed. "You can still cast spells even though you've been completely separated from the magic? You are more skillful than I imagined."
"I was once able to cast pure crimson magic in a full circle."
The claim sounded more like a boast, and Baannat responded with abject dismissal over Neltus' declaration.
"And I once cast pure white magic in two perfect circles."
Neltus didn't want to sound as if he was challenging the monster, but he saw an opening to reach his own intended goal.
"I know. Do you miss shaping the energy in such a way?"
Baannat found the question insulting.
"Do you think I'm powerless as I stand before you?" the ghoul hissed.
"Not at all, but it's my understanding that you're much different than you once were."
"I am. And to a degree, you're right. The magic contained within physical existence no longer bends to my will as it once did."
Baannat grew quiet. The ghoul turned from Neltus and floated over to the tower ledge. He peered down upon the dark lands, considered the vast number of vicious creatures he once commanded. For a moment, he considered diving toward the gray valley, immersing himself in the angry tides of a cruel existence. He stepped to the very edge of the precipice, but he knew he would go no further. For him, the call of nonexistence had become far stronger than the shriek of brutality.
With another hiss of disgust, the ghoul returned to face the human who appeared to test his tolerance.
"You obviously went through a great deal of trouble to get here. You did not come here simply to stir old memories within me. You have neither the courage nor the audacity for such an endeavor. I can see your fears as plainly as I see your hefty body. I also see the selfishness within you, but your particular desires are lost in the emptiness of your core. That is all I can see, so I cannot determine what you want. Tell me now, and without delay, why have you come to me?"
Finally, Neltus was able to make his desires known.
"Everything you see is what brought me back here. I admit it. My emptiness is the only reason I would risk coming to see you. I want my core back."
Baannat scowled with displeasure.
"I have nothing to do with your missing core."
"I know."
"Then why would you come to me?"
"Because you once lost your magic... but you got it back. I've heard the stories. You fought Enin and Ryson Acumen. During your battle, Enin opened a portal and allowed dark creatures to attack you. They took the magic from you, but you created a new core."
"I didn't simply create a new core. I retrieved what was stolen from me."
The news did not sit well with Neltus, and despite his fear of the slink ghoul, he actually contradicted Baannat's explanation.
"But... after you were defeated by Enin, you created a powerful creature to retrieve what you lost. You combined the skins of other dark beasts into an entity powered by magic. It hunted down dark creatures and pulled their magical essence from them. You mimicked Ingar's Sphere and collected magical energy. You ultimately absorbed that energy... restored what you had lost."
"I created a vessel to hold magic, yes,
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