The pungent aroma of incense filled the room. Candles flickered wildly causing the shadows to dance with smoke in a wraithlike waltz. The mage in the center of the room held a wooden staff in his left hand. In his right hand he held a blue crystal. He had been in a meditative trance for several hours chanting an ancient spell.

He had attended the Academy of Magic for most of his life and apprenticed under the High Wizard Eldred for a decade. It was now that he would undergo initiation as he approached his second decade of life. Each mage at the academy would create their magical staff. The staff would embody the strength of magic the mage possessed within. In accordance to tradition, the staff was wooden, representing the mage's connection with earth and its creatures. The crystal was the mage's connection to the beyond and the divine. Joined together the entire staff enhanced a mage's inherent ability.

"By the elemental spirits of enchantments high, hearken my words," he said. Raising the gem, "by the power of Saphirin join together. Pyrfuer ignite magic within, Watarser defend the arcane arts, Aerein connect their properties hence, and Erdetha maintain strength."

Placing the crystal atop the wooden staff it glowed softly, then seemed to pulse as the light filled the room. As it lessened, it surrounded the mage before condensing into the crystal. A wind seemed to circle around him and the flames of the candles extinguished. He chanted quietly and the crystal glowed softly and the wicks of the candles ignited once more. He grinned to himself as he felt the tingle of magic emanating from his staff. Putting a blank look on his face he exited the room.

The High Wizard Eldred was leaning against the wall, arms folded, his own staff leaning against the wall next to him. Taking his staff and using it as a walking stick he noticed his mage exiting the room. He had a twinkle in his old eyes as he approached, "well Erik, do I sense a staff of significant power?"

Erik turned to him, "I thought I sensed someone nervously pacing outside the door."

Folding his arms Eldred said in a serious tone, "I know not what you speak."

Erik's serious face turned into a grin, as did Eldred's.

Patting him on the shoulder Eldred walked with him down the torch lit corridor. "Are you ready for later this evening?"

"I would be speaking falsely if I said that I was not nervous," Erik said.

"It is only natural," Eldred said. "But I have great faith in you and your abilities."

Erik nodded and headed to his chamber. Placing his staff against the wall he proceeded to put on his new robe he laid out for himself. It was as black as a starless night and conformed to his movement so he appeared as a shadow. Opening an ornately carved chest he placed various talismans and charms he had acquired from his years at the Academy within the confines of his robe. Going over to his staff he chanted a spell to tests its efficiency. It immediately shrank to the size of a regular wand so it could be belted at the side. Nodding to himself he chanted another spell and it returned to its normal size. Staff in hand, he proceeded to the main chamber of the Academy.

Other mages filled in the chamber, with staffs of their own. Most were keeping a serious face, but others were noticeably nervous. Erik entered and stood next to the female mage Maris.

"Nervous?" he asked her.

"Petrified," she said plainly.

Erik suppressed a grin. She was second in rank after him in their Magus class. They were often engaged in verbal sparring trying to outwit the other, but they only ended up tying as their verbal sparring got them reprimands about pride.

The head of the Magus Council, Cyril the Enchanter, stood before the young mages. The High Wizards who had trained the mages stood behind him across from their respective mages.

"The time has come for each of you to enter a new realm of magical awareness. The abilities you've harnessed in the Academy will aid you on your life journey. The knowledge imbued to you by your Masters will act as a stepping-stone to further enlightenment. Trust in your powers and most importantly trust in yourself to guide you."

The High Wizards stepped up to the younger mages presenting their staffs to them. The High Wizards proceeded to chant a spell and the staffs were surrounded in a light. The crystals glowed and the wood seemed to melt down into a metal chain with small links. With the crystal hanging at the end of the chain, they placed it over the mage's head so it acted as a necklace. The High Wizards then drew the hood of the mage's robe about their head so their faces were covered in shadow, and then returned to their respective positions behind Cyril the Enchanter.

Cyril spoke again, "you will each go before Master Phineas the Oracle of the Sight. It is there that you will discover your journey which will determine your destiny."

Master and mage walked side by side to be presented to Master Phineas. When it came time, Eldred nodded to Erik and they walked into the chamber. Eldred stood off to the side and Erik drew back his hood standing before a darkened figure. The Oracle stepped forward; the light of the candles caused shadows to obscure his face until it was revealed in the light. He looked that of a middle aged man but his frost blue eyes revealed the wisdom and experience that comes with age. He regarded Erik with those eyes and they seemed to penetrate into his very soul.

"I see much regarding your fate Master Erik," the oracle said staring into his eyes. "A fate that will affect us all."

Erik blinked at the oracle's words and Eldred raised an eyebrow curiously.

"You must journey to the Mountain of Ice and awaken the creature within. Tame its powerful energy in order to defeat the growing darkness. Many perilous events will transpire soon and in the end you will face the perpetrator of this darkness. The future has been obscured with shadow, but this much is clear, it is you who will help lift the shadow," the oracle said.

"Darkness?" Erik asked.

The oracle nodded sagely. "One has been practicing the Forbidden Dark Magic and will make their self known soon. There is nothing we can do to prevent him, yet you may be able to stop him."

"Me? Why me?" Erik asked.

"I know not," said the oracle. "But this is your task. Set forth to the Mountain of Ice as soon as you are ready."

Author's Note: Well, hope you all enjoyed that chapter. This is a story I'm writing for my boyfriend and I decided to share it. I'm trying to expand on the world of magic without taking any other authors' idea by adding a dash of creativity and a pinch of influence from the greats. Reviews would be nice. *Taps her staff having the review button glow ever so slightly*