Everywhere around lies blackened earth, burned hills, and fires rising from every direction! On the ground lie many bodies, some dressed in black cloaks and others in green, while at the same time a fierce battle rages on. Magical spells are hurled constantly, colliding with one another and causing enormous explosions of light and matter.
At the same time, great beasts roam the battlefield, controlled by opposing mages, clashing with one another and bringing massive destruction upon both sides. One side belongs to the mages represented by the alliance of the Kikanes and the Vivantes, who have held power over the world of magic for many centuries. Their enemies, however, a newer faction of powerful mages known as the Odyvii, decided to declare war upon the Kikanes and their allies, believing themselves to be the more capable sorcerers and determined to rule in their place.
This war in the world of magic lasted for decades, with neither side able to achieve complete dominance. But now, in this battle, with the help of the Kikanes Torpenéas and his brother Enithipéas, who decided to withdraw from the faction of the green-cloaks and assist the black-cloaked Odyvii, it finally seems that the balance is tipping in favor of the Odyvii.
The reason the two brothers abandoned their faction was Torpenéas' belief that the green-cloaks would eventually be defeated. He convinced his brother to follow him and join the side of the victors before it was too late. Thus Enithipéas was persuaded by his brother and chose to stand beside him and support the Odyvii.
However, Torpenéas hid from Enithipéas another important reason for changing sides. In truth, Torpenéas was in love with the beautiful black-cloaked Afeni, with her blue eyes. He had loved her for years, ever since their childhood when they studied together at the school of magic. He had been enchanted by her beauty, intelligence, and charm. Yet because of the hostility between their factions, he could never approach her—especially after the war between their groups broke out, which made it practically impossible.
Thus Torpenéas decided that by helping the black-cloaks he might find the opportunity to approach Afeni under better circumstances and perhaps win her love.
And indeed, just as Torpenéas had predicted, in this decisive battle the Odyvii prevailed, thanks in no small part to the crucial contribution of Torpenéas and his brother.
The Kikanes and the Vivantes fought bravely under the leadership of the powerful green-cloaked Ikaros, who possessed a magical sphere that granted him the ability to manipulate time itself for a few seconds. Yet even so, they were defeated by the equally formidable mage and leader of the Odyvii, Sazideas.
Sazideas was the father of Afeni and wielded the most powerful wand ever created, crafted and gifted to him by the race of the Kyrkopes. The Kyrkopes were a race of exceptional artisans who skillfully forged magical tools, weapons, and even powerful architectural constructions. During this legendary war they stood on the side of the Odyvii.
It is even said that the Kyrkopes themselves, in cooperation with the Vivantes, built in the region of Akbazán one of the most dreadful places ever known: the prison of Akbazán. Only the most vile criminals were sent to this prison. The architects of this grim creation were Tarathros and Daiathlos.
In the end, the battle concluded with the victory of the Odyvii—thanks in part to the advice of Torpenéas. He had suggested that they release and recruit several imprisoned mages from Akbazán. Torpenéas, being a Kikane who had once worked there as an agent and guard, knew how to infiltrate the prison easily and free powerful mages such as Kyrkopes and some of the renowned Sentohantes, one of the oldest factions that the Kikanes had defeated in a previous war.
The Kyrkopes who were freed from Akbazán, in gratitude to the Odyvii, gifted them three immensely powerful magical artifacts.
The first was the mighty wand of Sazideas, capable of wielding ethereal magic, allowing him even to strike his enemies with lightning.
The second gift was given to Sazideas' elder brother, the wise Damanes: a cloak of invisibility, making him practically impossible to detect and allowing him to launch sudden attacks upon his enemies.
The third gift went to another brother of Sazideas, Kyrganos—a crystal stone that revealed future events within it in the form of prophetic visions.
With these advantages, the Odyvii managed to overcome the united forces of the Kikanes and the Vivantes.
As a result of the Odyvii victory, almost all the defeated Kikanes and Vivantes were sentenced to life imprisonment in Akbazán.
Within the prison of Akbazán there existed terrifying creatures used as a security measure: the Alnafropes. These beings possessed the dreadful ability to drain every form of happiness, joy, and hope from the minds of their unfortunate victims, driving them into misery, depression, and despair. Almost all their victims eventually died, unable to endure the torment inflicted by the Alnafropes.
The only effective way to confront them was through the use of a wand while invoking the protective spell "Onymbator." Otherwise, those rare few who survived encounters with the Alnafropes usually reached the brink of madness and insanity.
Time passed, and Torpenéas fulfilled his dream thanks to the intelligence and courage he had displayed during the great war against the Kikanes. The blue-eyed Afeni was captivated by his wit and abilities, and the two became lovers—though secretly.
Afeni was the beloved daughter of Sazideas, not only because of her unmatched beauty but also because she possessed great courage and sharp intellect. Sazideas was proud of his daughter and surely hoped to see her married to a brave black-cloak of their own faction—not, of course, to a Kikane, even one who had helped them as much as Torpenéas.
Thus the two agreed to keep their relationship secret from the other mages and enjoyed their love whenever they could find even the smallest opportunity in secret.
Such an opportunity arose again when the council of the black-cloaks decided to send a group of mages to Akbazán to carry out a mission. The Odyvii had decided to release certain prisoners who had completed their sentences.
When Torpenéas and Afeni heard about the mission in the council, they immediately volunteered to join the group traveling to the magical prison.
Sazideas, unable to refuse his beloved daughter, did not deny her request. But in Torpenéas' case he hesitated. Despite his proven loyalty to the Odyvii, he was still a Kikane, and it might be dangerous to send him to see his countrymen and former friends suffering in Akbazán. He feared Torpenéas might react emotionally and attempt to free them once he witnessed their condition.
Torpenéas sensed the council's hesitation. Cleverly, he reminded them of his loyalty and his contributions during the great war. Moreover, he explained that because of his former role as an agent and guard of Akbazán, he knew the place well and could be of great help.
In this way Torpenéas managed to convince both the council and Sazideas to allow him to participate in the ten-member group that would be sent to Akbazán.
The ten mages arrived at the prison of Akbazán, which was now under the administration of the wise Damanes, the bearer of the famous cloak of invisibility.
Damanes ordered two guards to guide the group into the depths of the horrific prison of Akbazán, which was divided into three main sectors.
In the first and innermost level of the prison were all the convicts serving their sentences—deprived, of course, of their wands. The conditions in this ring were exhausting. The prisoners were assigned daily labor, while food and sleep were scarce. In essence, under these conditions the prisoners were forced to work like slaves on the various projects imposed upon them by Damanes and the council of the Odyvii, who now ruled the world of magic.
On the second level, in case someone attempted to escape from the inner sector, there existed a labyrinthine complex in which a dreadful beast lay in wait—a creature with the body of a man and the head of a bull: the Minotaur. Anyone who attempted to escape from the inner ring of Akbazán and somehow managed to reach the second sector of the labyrinth would most likely perish there. If they did not die from thirst or hunger within the maze-like ring, they might fall victim to one of the labyrinth's many traps—or even worse, encounter the demonic Minotaur himself.
But even if, by some unimaginable miracle, someone managed to escape the second sector as well, then on the third level of the prison the architects Daiathlos and Tarathros had placed yet another terrifying monster at the exit: Cerberus. Cerberus was an enormous beast with a serpent's tail, resembling a dog with three heads, guarding the exit of the third sector.
However, no one had ever reached the exit of the third sector. For within that same dark level roamed and guarded the most dreadful of demons: the Alnafropes. As mentioned before, they strip every good feeling and every joy from the souls of their victims, casting a freezing cold into their hearts and driving the mind of the unfortunate person who encounters them to the brink of madness. The only way to confront them was through the protective spell "Onymbator."
On this level they rarely placed mages, usually those condemned for the most atrocious crimes, leaving them there until they were mentally and physically exhausted by the Alnafropes and finally died.
Meanwhile, the two guards led the black-cloaked mages through the large, luxurious halls of Damanes' palace until they reached the back side of the building. They stepped outside and were guided by the guards toward a great hill with a massive stone gate.
One of the guards stood before the stone gate and, pointing his wand at it, loudly pronounced the spell "Enaixo Assoumi." The enormous circular boulder rolled to the right, revealing an entrance leading into the interior of the hill.
The group of Odyvii followed the two guards and entered the cavern, where they saw steps descending into the depths of the hill. After descending many steps they encountered the terrible Cerberus, guarding a black iron gate and growling at them menacingly.
But one of the guards raised his wand and pointed to a golden harp that stood in the chamber. Saying the spell "Armanio," the harp began to play a beautiful harmonious melody. The monstrous demonic dog immediately calmed down, allowing the guards and the ten-member group to pass without disturbance.
Now they entered the sector of the Alnafropes, where only the most severely condemned prisoners—or the truly unlucky who had somehow managed to escape the previous two levels—would end up.
This time the two guards and the entire group simultaneously drew their wands and invoked the protective spell "Onymbator," which repelled the Alnafropes away from them.
They moved together through the dark sector, and as they walked they gathered the corpses of the unfortunate souls who had been condemned to die there. Using the spell "Methavora," they teleported the dead bodies directly to the palace of Damanes, where they would be received.
Later, officials in Damanes' palace were responsible for returning the bodies to their relatives so that they could be buried.
Torpenéas leaned toward Afeni and whispered that it was terrible—no one should truly be subjected to such inhuman torture and punishment. Afeni agreed, but added that those condemned there were themselves equally inhuman in their souls.
Torpenéas, however, replied that there were also cases of mages who, through mere misfortune while attempting to escape Akbazán, had ended up in the domain of the Alnafropes.
Afeni showed no pity. She answered that it would have been wiser for those unfortunate mages to serve their sentences fairly rather than attempting to commit another crime by trying to escape.
Their conversation ended and they continued collecting bodies in the third sector. After some time, once all the dead had been teleported to Damanes' palace, the group gathered again so the guards could lead them to the second-innermost sector of Akbazán, where the legendary demon Minotaur roamed.
Still protected by the spell Onymbator, they descended several more steps and reached the entrance to the labyrinthine level.
One guard touched the gate with his wand and it opened. The door closed automatically after the last member of the black-cloaked group passed through.
Inside they stood before a silver double-bladed axe, as tall as a man. One guard approached, touched it with his wand, and instructed the others to touch either the axe or his cloak. Once everyone had done so, he quietly whispered a coded spell, and instantly they all teleported together before another double-bladed axe made of bronze.
Beside the bronze axe stood another gate—the exit from the labyrinth that led into the first ring, where the prisoners served their sentences.
The guard touched the gate again and it opened magically, allowing them to pass into the domain of Efília.
Afeni and most of the mages who had never before been to Akbazán were astonished. The innermost sector of Efília was not smaller, but far larger than expected. The ring of Efília contained plains, forests, and even mountains. It was a vast territory where each prisoner had to perform labor according to the severity of their sentence during their imprisonment in Akbazán.
One of the guards removed a magical cube from his cloak pocket. The cube floated before him. He invoked the spell "Exaino," and the cube projected a luminous page containing names and locations of prisoners whose sentences had been completed and whom the council of the black-cloaks had decided to release.
Some names were also assigned new territories within Efília and different duties to perform.
The ten-member group divided into five pairs, and using the spell "Ilips," they absorbed the cube's information with their wands.
Naturally, Torpenéas wasted no time pairing himself with Afeni.
After deciding which prisoners each pair would handle, the black-cloaked mages immediately teleported to their assigned locations. They agreed to meet again at the same place within an hour, where the two guards would be waiting to escort them safely out of Akbazán.
Afeni immediately teleported herself and Torpenéas near a small grove she had noticed earlier.
Torpenéas smiled and said,"I suspect there are no prisoners here in this grove."
Afeni replied,"Exactly as you imagine—and exactly what we need."
Torpenéas wasted no time. He took Afeni into his arms and covered her with kisses. They lay down in the grass beneath a large tree and joined together in hurried passion.
Afterward, once they had finished and enjoyed their love, they quickly dressed so they would still have time to complete their mission.
Afeni took her wand from the pocket of her black cloak and cast the spell "Ixed." A glowing map appeared, displaying the names and locations of the prisoners they had been assigned.
The nearest location marked on the luminous map was Soyente, a small village just outside the city of Trakoum, a place of beautiful palaces, wide stone-paved streets, and many fountains drawing water from the River Erevos, which flowed through the territory.
They teleported to Soyente to retrieve two prisoners and transfer them to the region of Kezan, deep within wild forests far from the other territories of Efília.
Hidden within the forest of Kezan, the Odyvii planned to establish a school of magic, which would function as a reformatory for young, rebellious, and delinquent mages.
Kezan was the ideal place to build the school inside Akbazán because it was isolated from all other regions of adult prisoners. Under the cover of the dense forest it would be practically impossible for anyone unaware of its existence to find it.
Thus the young mages who would attend the School of Movinto would serve their sentences in Akbazán quietly and safely.
Torpenéas placed black cloths over the eyes of the two prisoners, and only when they teleported to the facilities of Movinto did he remove the blindfolds.
After arriving at the central building of Movinto, Afeni and Torpenéas informed the supervisor that they had brought these two prisoners to assist in the construction of the school's facilities.
The supervisor, accompanied by a team of overseers, received them and directed the prisoners to where they needed to work.
At the School of Movinto, many other prisoners were already present and working. Some helped with the construction of the buildings, while others paved wide stone roads that crossed the grounds of Movinto through large, beautiful gardens filled with fountains.
Then Torpenéas spoke the spell "Idex," and the luminous map projected from his wand showed them that their next destination was the region of Mozadia.
Torpenéas and Afeni discussed the new school of magic for delinquent youths that the Odyvii had decided to build. They both expressed the opinion that perhaps it was excessive for such a school to exist inside Akbazán. The school would host young teenage mages who had committed serious offenses. Naturally, their lessons would remain purely theoretical, since they would not be allowed to possess or use wands, just like the adult prisoners of Akbazán.
They arrived in the region of Mozadia and saw enormous trees, each over forty meters tall. Afeni and Torpenéas stood before one especially gigantic tree whose trunk contained a large hollow opening shaped like a gate.
They approached the hollow trunk, where a guard stood waiting. He asked for the reason for their arrival and their identities. Afeni and Torpenéas presented their credentials and requested the prisoner Thadalos, explaining that they were to transfer him to the sector of the Alnafropes, where the dreadful demons would execute him as punishment.
Thadalos had been caught repeatedly stealing food and drink. The last time he attempted to steal wheat and corn from the storage cellar, a guard discovered him. Thadalos killed the guard to silence him, dismembering the body and hiding the pieces among the wheat.
However, the supervisors eventually discovered the remains hidden in the grain, and after interrogations began they uncovered the perpetrator of the gruesome crime. Thadalos was placed in isolation while awaiting the decision of the Council of the Black-Cloaks regarding his punishment.
The guard asked them to follow him. They climbed broad stairs inside the hollow tree until he handed them over to two other guards after explaining the reason for the two mages' visit.
The two guards, together with Afeni and Torpenéas, passed through long corridors and halls inside the enormous tree and finally descended to its base, where Thadalos' prison cell was located.
They took custody of Thadalos. Torpenéas looked at him with contempt, his expression filled with disgust and hatred. He tightly tied a black cloth over Thadalos' eyes while insulting him.
They climbed back up the stairs, and Afeni told Torpenéas to wait for her in the great hall of the hollow tree while she ascended to the upper levels to deliver a letter from Sazideas and a magical insect to the supervisor.
Afeni climbed several winding floors until she met the supervisor Idmitar. She explained that the enchanted insect was to be placed inside the food cellar so it could alert them if anyone attempted to steal again or if anything suspicious occurred.
Afeni then returned downstairs and rejoined Torpenéas so they could take Thadalos to the Alnafropes.
With the prisoner blindfolded between them, they teleported back to the gate where the two guards of Damanes had originally brought them. The guards and the other black-cloaked agents were waiting there, along with another prisoner.
"You took quite a while. What happened?" one of the guards asked.
"We were delayed in Kezan, waiting for the guard there to receive and brief the prisoners we transferred," Torpenéas replied.
Then, cleverly changing the subject, he added, "The facilities of Movinto are truly impressive—beautiful buildings and large gardens."
Everyone gathered behind the two guards. One of them touched the gate with his wand and it opened magically, allowing them to enter once again into the second level of the vast labyrinth.
They stood before the bronze double-bladed axe, and the guard whispered the password with his wand. Instantly they were teleported before the silver axe. The guard touched the gate leading to the sector of the Alnafropes, and together they entered.
They invoked the spell "Onymbator" and began walking through the dark domain of the dreadful demons.
The group untied the hands of the condemned prisoners and left them behind in the darkness of the third sector, immobilizing them with the spell "Espago."
From somewhere far away came cries and pitiful moans from other prisoners condemned in the realm of the Alnafropes, begging for help and mercy.
The black-cloaked mages continued following the two guards, each of whom carried a magical compass that always indicated the correct direction toward the exits of the levels of Akbazán.
Suddenly a condemned prisoner approached them, muttering incoherently and blocking their path.
Torpenéas looked closely and realized that the man was a Kikane—his childhood friend Ixaeon.
Torpenéas grabbed him by the shoulders, shaking him.
"It's me, your friend Torpenéas!"
Ixaeon paused, stopped muttering, and fell to his knees, begging his childhood friend to save him from the terrible beasts of the sector.
"Take me out of here, please!" he cried.
One of the guards cast the spell "Ktepoiso," pushing Ixaeon away from them.
Shocked, Torpenéas demanded to know why his friend had been sent to the Alnafropes—a place reserved for the most vile criminals.
The guards glanced sideways at him and replied coldly that it was none of his concern.
Afeni intervened, explaining that Torpenéas deserved an answer since Ixaeon was his friend.
Reluctantly, the guard who knew the passwords for the axes explained that Ixaeon had been sent there as punishment for seducing and having an affair with the wife of one of the guards from the first sector, Efília.
Torpenéas was about to respond angrily, but Afeni squeezed his hand tightly, stopping him before he could cause further trouble. He lowered his head and swallowed his anger.
Soon they reached the gate leading out of the third sector. The guards instructed everyone to stand behind them. They touched the gate with their wands and it opened.
They passed into the final part of Akbazán, where the monstrous Cerberus guarded the way.
The guards approached the demonic dog and enchanted the magical harp again with the spell "Armanio." Its soothing melody calmed the beast, allowing them all to pass safely.
They climbed the stairs leading toward the cave's exit. A guard stood before the stone gate and loudly pronounced "Ainexo Assoumi." The gate rolled open to the left, and they finally exited the prison of Akbazán.
The group returned to Sazideas' council to report the results of their mission. However, the other black-cloaked agents—except Afeni—did not miss the opportunity to report Torpenéas' unexpected behavior during the encounter with his childhood friend Ixaeon.
Afeni tried to defend Torpenéas, but this only provoked an even stronger reaction from her father, Sazideas.
Thus Sazideas and the council imposed a heavy fine upon Torpenéas and warned him that if something similar happened again they would not be so tolerant.
Torpenéas saluted Sazideas and the council bitterly, nodded silently in acceptance of the punishment, and departed.
Nearly two months passed. Afeni, who had realized weeks earlier that she was pregnant, decided to reveal the news to Torpenéas.
Overjoyed, Torpenéas lifted her into his arms and kissed her. Then he asked somewhat anxiously:
"Did you tell your father?"
"No," Afeni replied. "You are the first to know."
Torpenéas answered firmly, "Your father must know as well."
Afeni reminded him that Sazideas imagined her marrying a worthy and distinguished Odyvii.
Torpenéas replied that he would reveal their secret relationship himself—now that she was pregnant it was no longer right to keep it hidden.
"Unless you disagree," he added.
"I agree," Afeni said, though she admitted she feared her father's reaction.
"Don't be afraid," Torpenéas reassured her. "I will tell him everything—and the joyful news that he will become a grandfather."
Afeni hoped he was right.
A few days later Torpenéas visited Sazideas at his magnificent palace and revealed the entire truth about his relationship with Afeni and her pregnancy.
He stood silently, waiting for the lord's reaction.
For a moment Sazideas was stunned by the unexpected news—but soon afterward he recovered and, filled with joy, congratulated Torpenéas on the happy news that he would soon have a grandchild.
Relieved, Torpenéas happily accepted Sazideas' congratulations.
Soon afterward he shared the joyful news with Afeni, and together they visited Sazideas to receive his official blessing for their marriage.
Torpenéas and Afeni were married, and a few months later they had a son, whom they named Etydamon.