Zeph Malston: The Aether Mage

Bernard took Zeph and Avery back to the mansion. Since the girl had nowhere else to go, she would be staying with them temporarily. He wasn't sure how the demon and his followers managed to attack the Avery estate without being detected by the spiritual energy monitoring device he and Relina had built. It was another thing he needed to work on.

The old mage was sitting at the desk in his study, tapping his finger while deep in thought. Zeph walked into the room and closed the door. Bernard could tell that the boy was worried. "Have a seat," he told his grandson. "You look more upset than usual."

"I just saw a kid from my class who lost her family because of a demon attack that we couldn't stop. It was just too close to home. You know?" Zeph was wondering if the same thing could happen to his friends and no one would know until it was too late. "How did the demon get by our detection?"

"I'm not sure, but I will definitely find out." Bernard stopped tapping the desk. "I've got the valir looking around the city for any signs of a disturbance. The authorities are on high alert for the foreseeable future. If anything happens, we'll know.

"Aren't we going to hunt them down?" Zeph asked with a tinge of anger.

"We can't do that unless we know where they are." Bernard held out his hand as Zeph was about to say something. "Hold on, I've got a call from Eli." A projection of the elf's face appeared in the air.

"We found a few things at the Avery place. One of them is a sealed lockbox with the Malston crest on it. None of us can get it to open." Eli informed the old mage. "I'm pretty sure it's set to only open for you. "What do you think?"

Bernard took a moment to consider his options. The box could be a trap, and he would need a safe place to try and open it. "Bring it to Aether Labs. I can set up a secure room there and I don't think it would be wise to bring it near our home."

After giving Eli some more instructions, Bernard ended the call and started to talk with Zeph again. "I assume you want to go with me to find out what's inside?"

"Of course." Zeph leaned forward. "What do you think is inside?"

"Some answers, hopefully," Bernard said. "You should get to sleep. We may have a long day ahead of us."

"Hopefully it's a good one." Zeph got up from his chair and left the room. "Goodnight grandpa."

"Goodnight."

_________________

Kelbraga was sitting in a room alone guarding the "Lock" on the ley-line. The spell that kept the river of magic polluted was set up in several places along its course. This was the location that held the core of the spell. It was a rundown outpost long abandoned south of the city of Asperitus.

Currently, the demon was trying to come up with a plan to keep Lord Malston occupied. Strategic thinking wasn't something he was particularly good at. Like most demons, he was more inclined to charge forward and slaughter than plan anything. That wasn't what his lord wanted.

Demon Lord Resdin saw the value in strategy and created pacts and deals with humans in order to learn more about their ways. It was paying off because his territory in the ethereal plane was expanding more and more. Other powerful demons were simple and just attacked for territory, believing in brawn over brains. Not him, Resdin saw how the humans waged war and decided to take them as an example.

The followers that he was left with were the most powerful of those loyal in Asperitus. All were warlocks who sold their service in return for power. Unlike Avery, they had little use other than being soldiers. Demonic energy increased their power immensely, but it also damaged their minds. It would be difficult to keep Malston busy for the rest of the year with this group.

Kelbraga sighed. Malston would be busy investigating what he'd done to the Avery place. That would keep the old mage occupied for the time being while he came up with something. He wasn't worried about being detected, because he had wards that kept Malston from finding him and his pawns.

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The next day, Zeph went with his grandfather to Aether Labs. Bianca stayed with Lili, Ivy, and their family to guard them in case something happened. Semara stayed at the mansion to watch over Ashley. She refused to come out of her room, still trying to deal with her grief.

When they got to the labs, Bernard led Zeph to a testing area that was being warded and sealed with spells by some of the other engineers. In the center of the room was the box that Eli spoke of. Several men were studying it. The Elf was in the room as well, alert in case anything started happening.

"What have you got for me?" Bernard asked as he entered the room with his grandson.

One of the researchers near the box, a green-haired woman, answered. "It doesn't seem to have any enchantments other than a seal. We believe it is designed that only you can open it, like Sir. Eliastrad assumed."

"Seem?" Bernard asked with a somewhat dissatisfied tone. "You're not sure?"

"Actually my Lord," another researcher joined in, "The box has special wards on it that prevent detection. According to many of our tools, it doesn't even exist."

Eli spoke, "It must have something important if Avery wanted to hide it that badly. The scryer that pulled his memory said that the man knew he was going to be killed by the demon. This might be his last will and testament."

"That may be," the green-haired researcher said. "Unfortunately, we can't glean any more information about this thing."

Bernard thought for a moment. "I would like everyone to leave the room and activate its defenses. I'm going to open the lockbox." He continued speaking before anyone could interrupt him. "It may be a trap, but I am confident in my ability to overcome it."

The engineers activated the spells in the room and left, followed by the researchers. Eli and Zeph were reluctant to leave Bernard, but the old mage gave them a look. That look told him that he had made up his mind. Zeph watched from a reinforced window as his grandfather approached the lockbox.

The old mage was casting several defensive spells and barriers on himself, trying to foil any trap the box may have. When he was comfortable with his defenses, Bernard placed his hand on the Malston crest and sent a surge of his magical energy into it. He felt the spell on the box study his magic, and then a small pulse of energy washed over him. It felt like it was studying him. After three seconds, the magic receded back into the lockbox and he heard a small click.

The box opened slightly. Some were expecting an explosion or something, but there were no traps. When Bernard lifted the top of the box all the way, he saw a spellbook and a letter. The letter was addressed to the Lord of Asperitus. Bernard checked it over with his magical sense and made sure it was safe before picking it up and reading it.

--To Bernard Malston,

If you are reading this letter, then it means that I'm dead. Hopefully, my daughter managed to avoid the same fate. I ask that you find her and take care of my child. She was not involved with the demons, nor knew what I was doing. As payment for her safety, I have enclosed information about your enemy that you will undoubtedly find valuable.

Several months ago, I was approached by a demon. Seeking power, I agreed to a contract with the being. My family was on the decline, and our future was looking grim. The demon offered me power and wealth. In my weakness, my greed overcame my reasoning.

The demonic power that he gave me affected my mind more than I thought it would, and I became cold and distant from my family. Soon, I barely considered them as anything more than a distraction or ruse to keep up appearances. My days were dedicated to fulfilling tasks given to me by the demon Kelbraga.

From what I know of their plans, the demons wish to taint the ley-lines with negative energy and perform a ritual that would allow them to use the corrupted ley-lines power to create demons on a massive scale. They wished to turn our country into a country of demons. The ritual would also allow those of us who were loyal to our masters to leave our humanity behind and become demons ourselves.

I failed in my duties to keep the plans from being discovered by you and the contract with Kelbraga was terminated. He ripped the power granted to me from my body. For the first time, in a long time, I was able to think clearly and with a conscience. The demon was about to kill be, but I begged for a way to live. He gave me a choice, to give up 1,000 souls, my daughters or my own. I needed time in order to guarantee Ashley's safety, so I accepted. She was unaware of the demon, and I knew that the cruel creature would not spare anyone close to me. That is why I created this lockbox for you.

Inside are the spells that I have used to hide my demonic host and his minions, as well as the ritual that created the convergence. I don't know if these spells will allow you to prevent their plan, but I know that the ritual doesn't have enough negative energy in the ley-lines to accomplish their original goal. There are also locations of the hideouts I am aware of the names of many demon followers.

I ask that you use this information and keep my daughter safe. My family's grimoire is also inside. Please give it to her and tell her that I am sorry.

-Jonathan Avery

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