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((Faelnirv is liquid, comes in a flask like ale. xD That's why its so effective - been brewed. And I believe it is alcoholic.))

Ephlas took the Faelnirv and consumed it. He took in a much larger amount than was practical - only a tiny amount of Faelnirv was required to re-energize a man.

But Ephlas exploded with energy, not literally. He was up and at the window in a second, already forming symbols in his hand, a faint glow appearing from the fingers of his other hand, which was being held behind his back.

"Kristos, teael norfogt..." Ephlas whispered, preparing his spell.

You see, there are two types of magic. There is structured, efficient magic that requires an incantation of the proper words, in a magic language, which has certain effects, and there is Deep Magic. Deep Magic is something that is only innately accessible, and completely unteachable by or to anyone.

Deep Magic requires no words; it acts upon itself. Deep Magic is uncontrollable, and it is everywhere. To use Deep Magic, the Magus calls upon the natural magic in the air - its like a mist of sorts, which is everywhere, and thicker in some places than others.

The Gravity Mines is likely a place where Deep Magic thrives in huge proportion.

When calling upon Deep Magic, the Magus does not control it, only summon a generalized purpose in his or her head. Then the Deep Magic proceeds to fulfill this requirement. However, if one calls upon too much magic, and they cannot control it, they die. And the magic runs amok, usually destroying life in a large radius.

Deep Magic can be summoned and influenced, but it is not controllable by anything. There is always a chance that something will go horribly awry, when summoning Deep Magic. You don't create it, and you don't initiate it; you just move it, sort of, and urge it from its idle drifting into a strong current of Power.

But you must know when to slow and stem the current, else you and everyone around you will die.

This is why Magi structure their spells with specific incantations. If you use the word for 'fire' in the magical language, you won't suddenly make a tree spring to life by accident.

Deep Magic is also not able to be summoned on command. It is an instant thing, a reaction of sorts, especially common when Magi are in peril. However, most are not aware of Deep Magic's existence when they first use it, because it is a secret art not passed down into the hands of the young, inexperienced, and strong-minded.

Another thing - magic in general is more powerful in environments shrouded in Deep Magic.

The Great Storm off the coast of Ylos is one example of a tremendous gathering of Deep Magic. It is as much a natural force as water, or air or fire. It is just simply less noticeable to those of non-magical nature.

Ephlas was chanting a spell to attack or hinder the soldiers, while simultaneously calling upon Deep Magic to shield Raedou and friends against the Mind Assault.

Hopefully, it wouldn't cause very much drainage to Ephlas' energy, since the Mindbreakers would attack him most assuredly.

Still, a favorite Mindbreaker technique was to turn their enemies against one another. If they found that all their foes were well-guarded, they would probably give up and focus all their efforts on the largest threat - the Magus.

Bael observed the battle with his mind. It was... quite fortunate that he had had the prudence to withdraw. He, and the other two would as well, immediately sensed the sudden intake of air pressure that signified a magic cast.

"Stem that spell!" Bael shouted to one of them; this meant to assault the mind of the caster vigorously, in order to attempt to cause the caster to lose concentration. It was a tactic that usually did not work, for most spells were cast before a Mindbreaker could respond quickly enough to effectively disrupt the incantation.

Bael himself drew his sword; it was a magic-forged sword which helped him in some way, some secretive way he had divulged to no one. It quivered and vibrated in the air, letting out a low hum as it worked itself.

The Emperor had decreed nothing against magical items. It was also fortunate that Bael had 'acquired' two cursors that he had procured some time earlier.

Apparently, Perrault had not been efficient in keeping track of all of them. They were quite a subject of fascination to Bael, and he studied them intently when not tracking down and killing Magi.

"Just shut up and get into a cannon!" scowled Raedou.

Perrault ran up the stairs.

"I'll help with cursers!" he said as he opened up his pack.

It was then that he noticed that two of his cursers were missing. Atlhough it made him seem somewhat paranoid, it was true that Perrault logged down the creation and use of every curser in his possession.

Oh well, he thought, It's not like anyone will use them wrong...

He pulled out a gray-colored curser and yelled the magic words.

"VUN VATARIS!"

The curser began to shake violently, and shined a thin ray of light down at the soldiers.

"I suggest you all cover your ears!" he yelled, covering his own.

Suddenly, the curser screamed at an ear-piercing frequency, sending constant pulses of pure oversound at the soldiers, who grabbed their ears, writhing and screaming in excruciating pain.

The caped Ganzi saw this spell from where he and his allies stood.

"I've never seen such a spell before." he said as he turned to the shorter Ganzi.

"Begin the Mindbreak." he ordered.

The shorter Ganzi nodded and settled down to concentrate.

It was not a easy job breaking into such a resilient mind... and the shorter Ganzi soon began to struggle.

"I need help...!" he groaned, shivering in exhaustion as he attempted in vain to break the mage.

The caped Ganzi joined in the break, taking a deep breath and then, remaining still.

"Please, Lord Bael..." he asked, "Aid us. This mage is fighting back... hard."

((Well, I'm off for tonight. See you guys tomorrow. This battle is getting so intense!))

Clem slowly got up. "Oh, Elysia... That freaking hurts... And why does everything taste grey?" He sat up. his arm was covered in blood, but his pack was intact. the thunder of a cannon shook him to alertness, "Don't shoot me! I have papers of immunity!"

---

(yes, it's concrete.) Aria frowned, "so... Where would Valthere be living again? I know he's in a noble house..."

"House Ores. He should be near the city center. The Ores house crest has a phoenix on it."

"Always the scholar Vinn..." Aria smiled.

Farfarello kicked Ephlas in the side, as Farfarello is a bit of a moron (albiet very fun to write). "Hey, I can fix this, you know."
He gulped down another mouthful of the preserves, ignoring the shakiness of the lodge.

(yes... Psychodine is a drug that makes a mind 'disappear' from the abilities of Mindbreakers. It's very expensive, but a biologist can create some with the right materials. Side effects may include slight dizziness, as well as a flood of endorphins. Psychodine is not addicting, but overdosing can lead to serious problems. A doctor should be consulted before Psychodine is taken. Psychodine is not for everyone, and may cause uncomfortable bowel movements in non-magi, or in some cases, death, if the Psychodine is taken by a mindbreaker.)

Clem found himself in the building. from the looks of things, there was a man who didn't look too good, a magus, possibly, and it seemed the cannons were inside the building...

He noticed the man seemed to be suffering an invisible attack. drawing two and two together, he realized that this Magus must be being attacked by mindbreakers.

He frantically looked in his pack until he withdrew a needle and syringe. he came up behind the magus, (not knowing his name,) and offered his assistance, "Y-You may want an injection of this... It's a Psychodine booster... I think since I'm in the same building you must've aided me when I blacked out, so..."

Farfarello clicked his tongue at Ephlas, though was still detirmined and patient. One of these days...
As Clem hurried to Ephlas's side, Farfarello laughed a bit, "Why hello there." Another tremor shook the lodge.

Farfarello merely laughed. "Any luck with that mushroom?" He asked, a bit mockingly.