Title: Tiles of Creation.

Prologue

Author: William D. Gregory

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: This is original fiction. The characters and the world belong to the author.

Notes: This is set in the world of Anhop.

Anhop (An-hop)

With this world I'm taken a totally different approach to creating. It's your standard Fantasy world with magic, dragons, goblems and such. And its the setting for the story I'm working on. However, I'm developing this world as I write the story. To sum up, the world is locked in a gathering evil, and our hapless characters are stuck trying to figure out what this evil is, and eventually having to destroy it.

It's your standard Fantasy world with magic, dragons, goblems and such. And its the setting for the story. If you can imagin a town in central Europe during the High Middle Ages (Midevil times), then you've nailed the setting.

William

By William D. Gregory.

The room was illuminated by a single candle. Its soft glow created an island of warmth in a sea of cold blackness. The withered old man squinted his aged eyes as he gazed upon his masterpiece. Before him sat a single four by six inch tile made of gold which glowed intensely, producing an unearthly aura. The withered man touched his scribe to the tile to complete his illumination of a woman of unsurpassed beauty. As he etched the finishing lines the aura intensified. With the last scrape of the scribe, he began to chant. The guttural sounds, at first incomprehensible, turned to words of power spoken in an arcane language. He continued to chant, and the aura grew, not only in intensity but size.

"Alsitook alna nota beck tor," rung through the room. With each repetition the aura grew, and grew. Soon the aura threatened to burst forth from the room. A blue flame appeared at the end of the scribe. Golden sparks flew from the scribe as it was consumed in a brilliant blue fire. Moments later the withered old man was consumed by the brilliant blue light. Ages passed. . .

He looked about. All was as it should be; what felt like time standing still was only a few moments passing, but the aura was gone. A smile of accomplishment parted his wrinkled face. "There shall be no more," he spoke. He caressed the tile lovingly. The gold shimmered in the candle light and the woman looked up at him and smiled. "You are the last. The final piece. With you, my masterpiece is completed." The woman look again and smiled brightly. "You are Alyon!" his voice boomed. "You are the last and greatest tile. With out you, the others are nothing. You are the supreme one. You are fashioned in the likeness Alyonisous the Goddess of Creation; the Creator of all that is. You are the one. The one tile that makes the others work. YOU, are the greatest tile." The illuminated figure rose from the surface of the tile and stood upon it. Her beauty betrayed her unearthly origins. She looked lovingly at the old man and smiled again. Color came back into his white eyes as he gazed upon her with fascination; and for a brief moment, youth returned to his face. "Oh, you are the one," he spoke directly to the woman, "the key. With out you the others have very little power." The tile returned to its original form as he picked it up. "Now, for your place with the others."

On the far wall sat the rest of his masterpiece. May more tiles sat upon twelve shelves. Some were made of iron, copper and others of silver. On the highest shelf, sat three more gold tiles. He passed Alyon in front of the tiles, as if to introduce her to them. She glowed white as he passed each tile, the higher he went, the brighter she glowed. On the top shelf he stopped at the first of the three gold tiles. This one was different, also made of gold, but its illumination was of a horrid beast. He presented Alyon to this tile, and she glowed bright enough to blind a man. None of the other tiles showed any type of reaction to Alyon, except this one, it glowed with an all consuming blackness. The type of blackness that light cannot escape from.

"You," the hatred and disgust made his words heavy. "All you can see is a means to an end. A way to fulfill your unending desires. And you glow, with such anticipation at the slightest idea that you can twist some one to your will." He pointed accusingly at the beastly tile, "I nearly died creating you. Of all the tiles, you are the vilest. The worst!". He stopped as bad memories about this tile had flooded his mind, "yet, you are the only one I fear." For a moment, dread filled him and he questioned the legitimacy of his masterpiece, but for only the briefest of moments. He placed Alyon at the other end of the shelf.

Its time for bed. I must rest now. But soon I shall put my tiles to the test." He thought as he hobbled towards the door. He waved his hand, drawing strange symbols in the air, "Alita nooshota." There was a faint flash of yellow light behind him. He turned back to his masterpiece, and inspected his latest incantation. A sheet of semitransparent yellow hung in front of the tiles, their silhouettes vaguely showing through.

***

The door to the laboratory swung open, startling awake the gangly youth laying in the hall. "Master?" the boy asked the figure in the doorway. The withered old man hobbled on his cane into the hall, the door closing silently on its own. His snow white hair dropped in braids that drug on the floor. "Boy? What are you doing here?"

"You told me to wait here for you master." The old man nodded in acknowledgment as he visually down dressed the ragged child. "You have stayed by this door for the last three weeks?"

Reluctance fill the child's face, "It has been five weeks since I last saw you master."

"Five weeks? How puzzling. No matter how it passes, time flows, quickly or slowly, depending on where you are or what you are doing. But, you staid here the entire time?"

"Yes and no master," the child cringed in anticipation of a blow from the walking cane, but none came. "I left only to do my chores and find food."

"Yes, that's right. You have not yet learned enough of the art to create your own substance from it. But!" A half smile crept across the man's face. "You have shown your devotion to me by spending your time awaiting my return here in the hall way." He waved the boy off. "Return to your room. Tomorrow I shall teach you a new lesson."

The youth could hardly keep control of himself and blurted out the unthinkable. "The lesson of Alinshock master?" Rage fill the old man and the boy doubled over in pain as the end of the cane rammed into his stomach.

"FOOL!" And the man struck the boy a second time. "Do you think you are ready for the lesson of Alinshock?!? You are an arrogant young arse. You are not ready for the lesson of Alinshock. I only mastered the lesson a few years ago and you dare think you can master it now? You will never master that lesson if you cannot control your greed for power." The boy cringed with each word as he tried to hide in the corner. "You have shown your devotion but your greed is getting the best of you." The man turned down the hall and slowly hobbled away. "The lesson of Alinshock is not taught, it is discovered," he added smugly. "I shall consider your words and decide if you still deserve a new lesson in the art."

The boy watched as his master disappeared around the corner. Tears rolled off his cheeks as he massaged the pain out of his shoulder. A cool breeze caressed his face. Is there a window open in the tower? He question. Turning to investigate the breeze a chill run up and down his spine. The youth spun around, locks of grimy blond hair fell over his face. He looked at the door to the laboratory with trance like curiosity. His guts began to churn and he burned with the desire to open the door. He reached for the door.

***

Two days had passed and the boy had not return to his master's laboratory. He tried to explain his desire to enter that room. He knew it was forbidden for him to do so. He'd considered sneaking a peek in the past, but always thought better of it. The other night was different though. He felt something compelling him to open the door. However, the pain from the short beating reminded him of the consequences of disobedience. The master may be old and fail looking but he could swing his cane quite convincingly.

For the last two days he felt the urge to go to the laboratory but always managed not to. However, this time was different. That old crone had promised me a new lesson. But he's been sleeping for two days now. He promised my parents to teach me the art. I'm ready! I don't care what he thinks. I'll show him. The boy's mind ran with wild accusations and ideas of revenge as he wandered throughout the tower. He came to the hall leading to the laboratory. "The door," he spoke softly. "What do you hide?" He reached for the knob and there a was a flash of light.

Images passed before him. Images of greatness, a tried and true sorcerer. A master of the lesson of Alinshock. Conqueror of nations, a man to be feared. Every thing he had ever wanted flooded his mind. Fame, fortune, glory, power, women, gold; it was all his. He grasped the door knob and the images became stronger. Its in here, he though, everything I ever wanted and everything that old fool would never teach me. The door opened and he stepped over the threshold.

But it was just another room, nothing special about it and the images were gone. He scrutinized its contents in the dim light. A desk, boarded up window, and a heavy drapery. His master had spent five weeks in here but it appeared as though no one had entered the room in years, dust covered everything. He examined the drapery; a faint yellow glow leaked out from the bottom. Pulling them back, he stared at a sheet of pulsating yellow light. He could see some shapes behind the light but no details.

"Hello there," came a voice from behind him. The boy spun around to see a young man dressed in multicolored britches and a green tunic. His short hair stood straight up as he smiled warmly at the boy, "I've been waiting for you."

The boy trembled with fear. "Whoo. . . Who are you?"

"I am what you seek. What you want. I can give you everything that you have ever wanted." He pointed a finger at the boy, "I am the answer to all your dreams. Your wants. But if you must have a name, you can call me Coreton." Coreton slowly walked towards the boy. "Everything you have wanted. Everything you've lusted for, I can give you."

The boy stopped trembling and a smile appeared on his greedy little face. "Everything?"

"Yes, everything," Coreton replied.

"Even the lesson of Alinshock?"

"Oh yes. I can give you that," Coreton replied jovially, while shaking the boy's shoulder; "but why stop there? Why not take the world?" The boy laughed. "What would I do with the world?"

"Any thing you wanted." A grin parted the boy's lips and he turned to the yellow sheet of light. He looked inquisitively at the sheet and gently touched it. It pulsated faster and multicolored rings flowed from his hand. He pulled his hand away and peered through. Beyond the sheet, he could barely make out twelve shelves, all filled with tiles. Coreton strolled over to the boy's side and put his hand on the boy's shoulder. "That is the only thing stopping you."

"What of my master?" A tinge of fear and hatred crossed in his words.

"By the time that old fool gets here," Coreton grinned devilishly, "he can be your first victory." The boy only nodded. His mind set firmly on defeating the master's incantation. Walking around the room he look impatiently for an answer. In the corner sat a small crystal orb upon a pedestal. The boy stopped and peered into the clear orb. My master's Orb of Seeing. I've watched him use it several times. I wonder if I can remember how he does it. He took the orb to the yellow sheet. As he pushed the orb against it, the sheet pulsated in a rainbow of colors. The harder he pushed, the more rigid the sheet became until it was as hard as stone. He closed his eyes and spoke, "Orb of Seeing, show me how my master cancels this incantation." He pulled the orb away and peered deeply into it. Nothing happened. Frustration blossomed in his gut as the minutes passed. Ready to quite, the orb became hazy. He peered deeper in to the orb. The image of his master in this room tumbled up from the depths of the haze. It'll only show me once, I must remember everything. He cupped the orb as it detailed how to cancel the incantation.

The boy dropped the now clear orb and stood erect. "Alacaza Lota mooo," he spoke while waving his hand like the orb showed. Nothing happened. The yellow sheet was still present and pulsated normally. "I don't have the power to do it Coreton." Frustrated, he punched the sheet and the sound of cracking bone rug through the room as his fingers smashed into the sheet. "I broke my fingers. I can't make the symbols," he screamed while cradling his smashed hand. Coreton peered deeply in to the boy's eyes. "If you want it badly enough you can make them work," and he straightened the fractured digits. The boy's face flushed with pain as he turned and repeated the incantation. Again, nothing happened. Coreton put his hands on the boys shoulders. "Again," he commanded, his voice ringing in the room.

The boy repeated the incantation, his face lost all color as he forced his smashed hand to work the complicated symbols. The yellow sheet turned blue and pulsated faster and faster. The sheet then rotated and folded itself into a rising sun. Drawing in its rays, all the remained was a circle of blue and then it to disappeared. Before the boy stood a wall filled of many ornate and beautifully illuminated tiles. Some were made of gold, others silver, a few were iron but the majority of them were made of copper. Scanning the may shelves, he searched for one tile in particular. Finally he came upon a copper tile with a young man in multicolored britches and a green tunic illuminated on it. He snatched it up, pressing it close to his breast as if it was his most treasured object in the world. Coreton's voice rung in this head, "what is it that you want?"

"Power!" the boy yelled as he bound for the opposite end of the wall. He stopped in front of a tile with crossed lighting bolts on it. Touching it, the lighting jumped off the tile. He swung around, following the lighting as it arced over his shoulder. Standing next to Coreton was the figure of a man made of lighting. "From what element shall your power be derived from," the figure questioned, it's voice crackled with static.

The boy swing around and scanned the wall again. "What element? A single element?" He began pacing, clutching the two tiles while pondering the question. He faced the two figures, "what element? No my power cannot be limited to only one element. I must have all of them." Coreton smiled broadly at the boy, while the lighting man stood motionless. Again he searched the wall. On the bottom shelf he found four iron tiles decorated with elemental symbols. He snatched these up and added them to the tiles next to his breast. As he picked up the tiles a breeze began to blow. It then turned in to a mighty wind. He struggled to maintain his footing as a cyclone appeared next to Coreton. He stared angrily at the new arrival, "Four! There are supposed to be four of you? Where are the others?" The cyclone swirled but did not respond to his words.

The room began to get hot and started to rumble. The heat increased and he was thrown across the room as a mountain of living rock burst through the floor. Still clutching the tiles, he stared blankly as the mountain turned to face him. Then he screamed in pain as his hair burst into flames. Scrambling to his feet, he backed away from the column of flame that had appeared next to him. He fruitlessly tried to smother his burning hair as the flame moved towards him. He shrieked in agony as he was backed into the corner, the flames methodically closing in.

A cool wave washed over his body and he felt weightless. The breaking wave of water passed through the wall behind the boy and carried him away. His body was tumbled about inside as the wave carried him back to the center of the room and deposited him at the apex of a semicircle formed by the six creatures. Four voices rung in his head "We do your bidding, but respect is desired." He struggled to his knees and stared up at the assembled creatures; the tiles leaving deep indentations in his chest.

Coreton was the only one he knew by name, but the others, their intentions were clear. The man of lighting represented power, the thing he wanted most. The four creatures of the elements represented the basis of his new power. All that was lacking was the power itself. He studied Coreton, his brain trying to figure his role in this but to no avail. I will have everything that I've ever wanted, he though. Coreton smiled as he gazed down at the boy. There is no time for wondering right know. I must have my power. "What now Coreton? Tell me what I must do now!"

"You have most of your power now, but it must be finished. Made real and lasting. You must choose who shall give you your power." Coreton pointed to the top row of tiles. The boy looked up and watched as one tile floated up above the rest. "You must choose one of those three tiles. That will finish your power and you will have what you want." He stared intently at those tiles. One was illuminated with a horrid beast, the other one, a simple looking man dressed in a white rode. The middle, showed a half man, half woman figure. One half was black the other white. The boy nodded and closed his eyes.

Concentrating, he floated off the floor and rose up to the top shelf. He hovered in front of the tile with the white robed man on it. He gazed into the tile for an eternity, while he fought off the urge to move left. Gliding to the left, he briefly stopped at the half man, half woman tile but the urge to move left overcame him. Finally he stopped in front of the beastly tile and gazed at it intensely. For a brief moment, panic ran through his body, but it passed as an evil smile crossed his face. "I have found it Coreton," he yelled as he touched the tile. The boy lifted it from the wall and placed it with the others. Dropping quickly back to the floor, the tiles leapt from his chest. They swirled around him, each producing a tail of colored light that walled him in. Suddenly they stopped and fell to the floor in a ring around him.

Coreton and the other beings were gone. Now towing over him was a horrid black beast. The sight of it made the boy tremble fear. It snarled at him, "What is it that you want child?"

"I want the Lesson of Alinshock, I want all the power in the world, to be the greatest of them all!" he replied "Now give it to me!" The beast smiled, its fangs dripping with saliva It reached out and took the boy's hand. "You will have what you want but there is a price to be paid."

"No matter what the price I want it," he replied.

The door burst open as the old man charged through, blue bolts of electricity swirled around the head of his staff. "Stop!" he screamed. The beast and the boy looked at the old man and both smiled. "Its to late old man," they replied. The beast turned in to an inky black cloud. He stood in horror as he watched the black cloud being sucked in through the boy's ears.

Turning to face the him, the boy's eyes were glowing black orbs, his skin a dark gray. "Now I shall have my revenge old man," the boy snarled like the beast. Alyon floated to the floor and stepped between the two. The boy looked intensely at her, "Its time, complete the task," he commanded her. Alyon raised her hands and the tiles flew off the wall and swirled around the pair. The floor began to tremble as the roof of the tower was torn asunder, exposing the starry night. Alyon glowed with an intense white light as ominous black clouds filled the night air.

The withered old man stood in awe at the sight of his creation at work. He had dreamed of what it might look like and now he experienced it first hand. Suddenly he remembered what was happening and he lowered his staff. "I cannot let you do this! Alyon, stop now!" A sweet, innocent voice sung in his head, "once it has begun it cannot be stopped except with its completion." The old man closed his eyes and whispered quietly to himself. There is a point in every incantation where it can be disrupted and stopped by an external force. But I have no means of knowing when that point will be, he thought as he completed his spell. "I am sorry Alyon." A bolt of red light rocketed from his staff, knocking him off his feet, and struck Alyon in the back.

End