Chapter ???

William was starting to become a little irritated by his newfound ‘company’. Sure, he could easily outpace the spirits’ shambling walking speed, but more would just show up wherever he went. They started taking notice of him quicker, and then would slowly make their way over to him, several of them gathering around him whenever he was in one place for a while. The spectres had started to come in close and try to touch him, causing him to flinch away, though their incorporeal hands seemed to pass right through his solid form.

Once William had realised that they couldn’t harm him and were seemingly no danger to him, he had calmed down a bit, his fear of them subsiding somewhat. Even though he was still unsettled quite a bit by their appearance and obsessive interest in him, he tried his best to ignore them, and not alert anyone’s suspicion by acting strangely… well, more strangely than usual. However, it was a little difficult to concentrate in class when all the shadows surrounding him were incessantly and incomprehensibly whispering at him in what sounded like dozens of hushed voices.

Eventually William plucked up the courage to return to the restricted section. Going back there made him feel uneasy, as he really didn’t want a repeat of the horrifying scene from when he was last there, even though he had become more accustomed to the spirits by now. But he was becoming desperate for a way to rid himself of them. Not only were their whispers distracting in class, but also made it difficult for him to sleep. In the night, whenever he would open his eyes for a moment, he would find many of them gathered around his bed, smiling down at him eerily.

Lack of sleep of course was making him even more tired, and coupled with the apparitions continually distracting presence, made it almost impossible to pay attention in class. In fact, William had passed out at his desk in class a couple of times now, waking up later in his bed due to Cornelius carrying him back to his room. He knew that this was arousing suspicion, especially among his teachers, and he needed to do something about it before Alexavier found out.

When he got back into the restricted section, he immediately sought out the desk he had been using the last time he was there, assuming the book would still lay open on it. But the book was not there, and standing around the desk made William shiver while he glanced around the room, seeing the local spectres slowly moving towards him. He thought perhaps he had put the book back on the shelf before he had left, so he started searching the shelves for it.

William searched for quite some time but could not find the tome anywhere. This left him at quite a disadvantage when it came to trying to undo whatever it was that the book had done to him. Will was left with no choice but to try searching through the other tomes for any answers, which is what he did for the rest of the night, pouring over countless volumes while seated at one of the small desks.

He awoke once again in his own bed that morning, with no memory of how he got there. It seemed highly unlikely that Cornelius would have come to find him to carry him to bed, given that he didn’t even know William was going to be visiting the library that night. These gaps in his memory were starting to become slightly concerning for Will, but he had no idea what to do about it.

From there, things only got worse for him. William started waking up in random spots in the academy in the middle of the night. This confirmed to him that he had started sleepwalking, or at least that seemed like the most reasonable explanation. He had never sleepwalked before in his life, but perhaps it was another symptom of his overall exhaustion.

Then one night, William woke up in a very unfamiliar place.

It took William a moment to get his bearings. It was pitch black so he had to summon a small purple light so that he could even begin to try to figure out where he was. He seemed to be in a small passageway, well, smaller than the main corridors of the academy but slightly wider than most of the secret routes he took within the walls. Will was standing in front of a door that filled the passage in front of him, glowing runes covering its surface.

One other thing William noticed was that he couldn’t see any spectres in the area around him. He had become so used to their presence at this point that it felt almost strange that they were not around. Concerning, even. Or perhaps this was a dream? Though the chill in the passageway felt rather real, biting at his skin through his nightclothes.

William turned his attention fully to the door, though hesitated in front of it. It was clear that it was sealed with light magic wards, and after all his research Will was pretty confident that he would be able to break them. And he had to admit that wherever he might be, he was curious to see what was beyond the door. It could, after all, be what he had been seeking this whole time. Perhaps he had somehow been drawn to it in his sleepwalking adventures.

Deciding that if he didn’t like what he found on the other side of the door then he could always turn back, William set about speaking the counter spells to start breaking the wards. After his practice with the runes on the cursed book, Will's proficiency at this had developed, and he was working his way through the protection wards quicker than ever before.

William let out a sigh of relief as he managed to eventually break through the final ward, and then stepped forward to close the distance between himself and the door. Will placed his hands on the door and pushed it open, very old iron hinges creaking as it swung inward. Then he carefully took a few hesitant steps inside the room, peering around through the darkness.

The room beyond was circular in shape, with no windows, indicating William was deep in the interior of the castle. Will noticed sconces around the walls of the room, and so spoke a few words, and they lit up with purple flames, illuminating the room with their flickering glow. The room was plain stone and mostly empty. Oddly enough the room had a faint scent of rot, despite appearing to be clean.

In the centre of the room was a mass of spectres, more than William had ever seen in one place before. It seemed as if they were gathered around something which was blocked from Will’s view by their shadowy forms. Whatever it was had their full attention for once, rather than William. Their frantic whispering was louder now than ever, filling the empty chamber with the sound.

As William hesitantly stepped towards the writhing mass of shadows, some of the apparitions looked up and towards the sound of his echoey footsteps on the stone floor. The voices quieted a bit as more and more of the spirits noticed the wizard’s presence, and then there was a mass of shambling movement as the spectres cleared a path in front of William to whatever they had been surrounding.

William realised it was a small stone pedestal, upon which lay an object that he couldn’t at first discern the nature of. He slowly stepped forward through the path the shadows had cleared for him and stood right in front of the pedestal. Even upon closer inspection, Will still couldn’t understand exactly what the item was. It was smallish, and it could be held in one hand. Its base lay flat against the surface of the pedestal but the upper surface was ridged, and covered in glowing runes, just as the door had been. It also had four holes, two at each end, through which glowed a bright purple light.

William glanced at the apparitions that surrounded him and the pedestal now. They all seemed to be looking at him expectantly, as if they were keenly waiting for him to take the item. Will hesitated once more. Was it a good idea to do what the shadow people wanted him to? However, Will felt like this was it, this is what he had been after all along. The dark gem was inside that protective casing, and it was his for the taking. Had the book in fact summoned spirits to help him reach his goal?

Slowly William reached out towards the item sitting on the pedestal, his eyes locked onto it. When his finger touched the casing, he felt a stabbing pain quickly race up his arm, causing him to quickly pull away. Of course, he needed to break the protection wards on the item first. Shaking the pain from his hand, Will turned his attention to doing just that. Once he had removed all of the wards and the runes went dim the casing cracked open down the middle, falling away to reveal the brightly glowing violet gem.

The gem was attached to a length of cord, so William reached out and grabbed that, lifting it up and letting it dangle in the air like a pretty stone pendant on a necklace. He then took it in his hands, running his fingers over its faceted surface. He attempted to feel for the dark magic power inside the gem, but he couldn’t feel anything.

Given the fact that the gem was attached to a cord, William assumed it was supposed to be worn like a necklace. So, he raised the necklace up and lowered it down over his head. He even slipped the gem down inside his shirt so it was resting against his chest, so the power would be as close to his heart as possible.

Then he really did feel the power surge through him, and a sudden searing pain in his chest, which knocked the air out of his lungs a little bit, and the flames in the sconces around the room darkened. William leaned forward to steady himself against the pedestal, and once the pain started to subside, he glanced up and around the room. The shadowy spectres had vanished, but now there was another figure standing a short distance behind Will instead, and the wizard turned around fully to look at it.

This apparition was not like the other spirits he was used to seeing. Instead, it took the form of an actual person, though the slightly transparent nature of its form and shadowy tendrils coming off it indicated that it was still not corporal. It seemed to be a man with dark slicked back hair and dark pointed beard lining the edge of his angular jaw. His eyes were almost fully black apart from a pinprick of light in each that seemed to act like a pupil. His face was accentuated by his long-bridged nose. His well-built body was dressed in a white dress shirt and dark jacket with feathers around the shoulders.

Finally, someone found the blasted thing! Do you have any idea how long I was trapped in there? the apparition snapped towards William; long slim eyebrows pulled downwards in a scowl. Because I sure fucking don’t! But it felt like a damn eternity, that’s for sure! He threw his hands up in the air to emphasise his point.

William flinched away slightly from the intimidating figure, though his eyes were locked onto the apparition as he looked it up and down with fascination. “Who are you?” Will mustered up the bravery to ask.

Who am I? What kind of stupid question is that? the apparition questioned brusquely. I’m Azrael, the Dark Lord of Undeath! Surely you have heard of me?

“I cannot say that name or title is familiar to me,” Will said to the spectre.

The apparent Dark Lord of Undeath stared at William with clear bafflement. H…How is that even possible! Azrael exclaimed indignantly. I used to rule this world, everybody knew and feared me! I surely would have been mentioned somewhere in your history books?

Will shrugged and shook his head, giving the spirit a sympathetic look. “Not in any book I have ever read,” he stated plainly.

Then you have clearly been reading the wrong books! Azrael fumed, glaring at William intensely. Unless… did Alexavier erase any mention of me from history? He would do that, wouldn’t he, that good for nothing piece of-

“You know Alexavier?” Will asked quickly, interrupting the spectre’s tirade.

Azrael stopped and gave William a dubious look. Well of course I do! He was my… I mean, he was the one who trapped me in this gem in the first place! he exclaimed with annoyance. And I take it from the way you asked that question that he’s still around?

“Yes, he’s the Grand Magus of the wizards’ council. He has always been here,” Will explained.

Of course he has. Been living up the high life, lording over the humans in my place while leaving me to rot in eternal imprisonment. He’s a typical narcissistic psychopath, and always has been, Azrael said with clear distaste. Anyway, could you hurry up and give me control of your body, kid, so I can finally go and get some sweet revenge on that old codger, Azrael requested in a languid tone. Maybe trap him in a gem, see how he likes it!

“Wh… What do you mean? Give you control?” Will asked in slight alarm.

Yes, it is rather irksome, I have been trying to take control of your body the entire time we have been having this conversation, but it seems I am unable to, Azrael explained in a strangely casual manner. I think you have to give up control to me willingly, so go ahead and do that so we can get this show on the road.

Will’s eyes widened in surprise. “I’m not giving you control of my body!” he exclaimed.

Well, why not? Isn’t that why you sought out the gem? For power? You’re small and pathetic, but I’m not going to be overly picky, and I can still make you powerful beyond your wildest imagination! Azrael said, taking a step towards William. Especially since, given your eyes… you seem to be a darkling, just like me.

“A what?” Will asked tensely, trying to lean away from the spirit slightly as he closed in on him.

A human born with natural dark powers, destined to bring the world to ruin, Azrael said with a smile, reaching out and cupping William’s chin in a hand which had blackened fingertips with long sharp claws. Will could just barely feel like something was touching him, which was more than any of the other spirits had ever been able to achieve.

“I don’t want to do that!” Will exclaimed, pulling away from the spectre’s touch.

Azrael’s hand fell back by his side. Oh come on, we can plunge the world into darkness together, it will be fun! the spirit said in what seemed to be an attempt at an encouraging tone. You just have to relinquish your mortal vessel unto me so I can begin to wreak havoc and destruction across the lands once again, it’s that easy!

William stood up straight, glaring up at the apparition. “No,” he said firmly, setting his mouth into a firm line. 

What do you mean, no? Azrael asked in apparent confusion, as if he couldn’t comprehend his offer being rejected. I am the lord of darkness, one such as yourself should be thankful to give their body to my cause.

“I wanted to find the gem to enhance my powers and help me show everyone that dark magic isn’t all evil and destruction!” Will explained passionately.

Azrael stared at William in slack jawed disbelief. You can’t be serious! the apparition finally said in frustration. You can't use my full dark powers without relinquishing control to me! Stop playing games and submit to my will! Azrael reached out and grabbed Will by the shoulders, glaring furiously down at him as he attempted to shake him, but could only move him a little bit.

“I’ve had enough of this,” Will suddenly announced. Nothing in his research in the restricted section had mentioned anything about an evil dark lord being trapped in the gem, and Will didn’t want to risk it taking control of his body. So, he grabbed a hold of the cord around his neck and tried to yank the gem up out of his shirt.

Except… it didn’t budge. William tried yanking on the cord again but just felt the tug of resistance against movement. Will’s eyes went wide in panic as he quickly tore open his buttoned-up nightshirt at the front and looked down at his chest. The gem wasn’t just stuck against his skin but had become embedded into his flesh in the centre of his chest. He tried to grab at it and pull it off, but he couldn’t even find a grip on it.

Did you really think I would just let you take it off, put me back on that pedestal for another eternity? Will heard Azrael snark, the spectre having taken a few steps back away from Will. Think again boy, you’re stuck with me now.

“No… no no no this isn’t what I wanted!” Will exclaimed, his breathing becoming short and sharp as he desperately attempted to pull the gem off.

When that failed, William looked around quickly with wild eyes, and then sprinted off out of the room. He ran out the warded door and pelted down the corridor beyond it as fast as he could. Eventually he came across another, more plain door, without any runes on its surface. Will opened it and quickly slipped through, closing it behind him.

William blinked rapidly as he looked around the room he was in, moonlight streaming in through a large window allowing him to see the shapes of furniture in the dark. Then he realised where he was. This was the Grand Magus’s office. Will soon found himself leaning back against the door, and then sliding down into a seated position against it as he breathed heavily. He needed to try and calm his panicked state, as he knew it wasn’t going to do him any good.

What was all that running about? the deep voice asked in a rather mirthful tone. Will’s whole body jolted with surprise, and he quickly looked up to where the sound was coming from. Azrael was standing over him, leering down at him malevolently. Will wasn’t sure how he hadn’t realised he was there. But then again, the man was basically a ghost.

William frowned heavily, deciding not to dignify the question with a response. Instead, he turned his attention back down to his chest and, now more calmly, attempted to remove the gem that was embedded there. But it was no use, he could find no grip on its glowing violet surface at all, or make it budge an inch.

I’m afraid your efforts are pointless, Azrael said in a very self-satisfied tone as he crouched down in front of Will. He reached out to put a finger underneath Will’s chin as Will raised his head slightly to look up at the spectre defiantly. I’ll never give up such a perfect vessel.