Chapter XI
Palin slowly regained consciousness. His first reaction was fear. The lightning that burned and pierced his body did not kill him! There would definitely be another attack. Raistlin would not let him live. Palin wailed and curled up on the cold stone floor, waiting in fear for the second incantation. The sparks from his thin fingers once again experienced the pain of tearing and exploding...
Silence. Palin held his breath and listened attentively. His whole body trembled with fear, but he could not hear anything. He carefully opened his eyes. He was in the darkness, so dark that he couldn't even see his fingers. Raistlin? Palin carefully raised his head from the wet slate and whispered. Uncle? Palin! a voice shouted. Palin's heart was suddenly filled with fear. He couldn't breathe.
Palin! The voice appeared again. It was a voice filled with love and pain. Palin breathed a sigh of relief and fell back to the stone floor with tears of joy.
He heard the sound of boots on the stairs. The torch lit up the darkness. The footsteps stopped, and the flames swayed slightly, as if the other party's hands were trembling. Then, the footsteps turned into hurried running, and the fire appeared beside him.
Palin! Son! Palin was pulled into his father's arms. What did they do to you? Caramon sobbed as he picked up his son's body and let him lean against his thick chest.
Palin could not speak. He leaned his head against his father's chest, listening to his racing heart and smelling the familiar smell of leather and sweat. He enjoyed the feeling of his father's arms protecting and taking care of him for the last time. Then he sighed and looked up at his father's pale, panicked face.
It's okay, Dad. He pushed his father away and said gently," I'm fine." It was true. He sat up straight and looked around in confusion. But where was this?
Caramon growled... outside that terrible place. He let go of his son, but still looked at Palin with suspicion and worry.
In the research room, Palin murmured in confusion, his eyes turned to the closed door and the white eyes floating in front. The young man stood up.
Be careful! Caramon hugged his son again. I told you, Dad. " I'm fine," Palin said firmly. He shook off his father's hand and stood up without help. What happened? He looked at the sealed door.
The evil ghost stared at him without blinking. You go in... there, Caramon's eyes turned to the sealed door, and his eyebrows were tightly locked. Then…the door closed with a bang! I tried to barge in…Dalama cast a spell as well, but the door still wouldn't open. And then there came more... more of that thing... He pointed at the eyes, grimacing... Here it comes... I... I don't remember after that. When I woke up, Dalama and I were in the study…
said a voice behind him. If you would do me the honor of having breakfast with me.
" That's the only place we have to go now," Caramon said in a low, stern voice as he turned to face the Dark Elves who had appeared silently behind him." Go home." And no more magic! He glared at Dalama and roared. If necessary, we will walk. Neither my son nor I will ever return to this cursed place again--
Dalama walked past him without looking at Caramon and came to Palin. Palin stood silently beside his father, his hands folded in the sleeves of his white robe, his eyes lowered, showing appropriate respect to the high-ranking mage.
Dalama stretched out his hand and pressed on the young man's shoulder.
Quithain,Magus, the dark elf said with a smile. At the same time, he went forward and kissed Palin's cheek according to the elven etiquette. Palin stared at him, blushing in confusion. The Elvish language from before rolled in his mind, seemingly meaningless. He had learned some Elvish from his father's friend, Tanis. However, after experiencing so many things, his mind was in a mess. He tried hard to recall what they meant, because Dalama was standing in front of him, looking at him with a smile.
Quithain... Palin muttered to himself. It meant…congratulations. Congratulations, Magus…
He gasped and looked at Dalama in disbelief. What did that mean? said Caramon, glaring at the Dark Elf. I don't understand-he's one of us now, Caramon. Dharama took Palin's arm and escorted him past his father. His test was over. He had passed the trial.
I'm sorry you have to go through all this again, Caramon, Dalama said to the tall warrior. Caramon was sitting at a table carved with exquisite sculptures in the Dark Elf's luxurious study. He looked at the other party with a red face. There were still traces of concern, fear, and anger between his eyebrows.
" But," Dalama continued," we all thought that you would do everything you could to stop your son from taking the trial. Can you blame me? said Caramon hoarsely. He stood up and walked to the huge window, looking at the dark shadows of the Shucon Forest.
No, Dalama said, we won't blame you. That's why we came up with this method to bait you. Caramon frowned and pointed at Dalama. You don't have the qualifications! He was too young! He might die! Indeed, Dalama said softly, but this is a risk we face every day. This is a risk that you and your son face every day when you go out to fight…
This was different. Caramon turned his head away with a gloomy face.
Dalama looked at Palin, who was sitting in a chair with a tasteless wine in his hand. The young mage stared blankly ahead, still unable to believe what had just happened.
Was it because of Raistlin? Dalama said with a smile. Palin was really talented, Caramon, just like his uncle. Like Raistlin, he only had one choice, and that was his beloved magic. But Palin's relationship with his family was unusual. Although he would still make the same decision, it would break his heart.
Caramon lowered his head and clasped his hands behind his back. Palin heard a muffled sound behind him. He immediately put down the glass and walked to his father. Caramon reached out and pulled Palin closer. Dalama was right, the burly man said hoarsely. I'm just thinking of you, I'm worried... worried that you'll be like him and abandon me for magic... I'm-I'm sorry, Palin. Please forgive me. Palin's answer was to hold his father tightly, and his father held the white-robed mage with amazing strength. You have passed the trial! Son, I'm proud of you! Ramon said in a low voice. So proud--
Thank you, Father! Palin stammered. There was nothing to forgive. I finally understood-the young mage's words were cut off by my dad's strange strength. Caramon patted his son's back and returned to the window to continue looking at the Shucan Forest.
Palin turned to face Dalama and looked at the dark elf in confusion. Trial, he said hesitantly. Everything seemed so real! But I'm still here…Raistlin didn't kill me…
Raistlin! Caramon looked around vigilantly, his face pale. Relax, old friend. said Dalama, raising his thin hand. Trials vary from person to person, Palin. For some people, the trial was so real that it could cause terrifying consequences. For example, your uncle almost died in his encounter with us dark elves. Jestaris 'trial had crippled one of his legs. However, for others, the trial was only carried out in their hearts. Dalama's expression darkened, and his voice trembled slightly due to the pain in his memories. That could also cause irreparable side effects, sometimes even more serious than other side effects…
Then, all of this only appeared in my mind. I didn't really enter the bottomless abyss? My uncle isn't really there? No, Palin, Dalama had regained his composure. Raistlin was dead. We have no evidence to the contrary other than what we have said. Of course, we don't dare to be certain, but we believe that the image your father saw was real. It was given to him by Paladin in order to reduce his grief. We only told you that Raistlin might still be alive to trick you into coming here. In fact, there were no such signs at all. If Raistlin was still alive, it could only be in the legends…
And in our memories, Caramon muttered from the window.
But he looked so real! Palin protested. He could feel the soft velvet on his fingertips. His pale golden hands were burning as they touched. The ice-cold, smooth Mazi Staff. He could hear her solitary whisper, see her golden hourglass-shaped eyes, smell the rose petals, spices, and blood…
He trembled and lowered his head. " I know," Dalama sighed. But that was just an illusion. The evil ghost was still standing at the door of the seal. It would not change in the future. You didn't even enter the research lab, let alone the bottomless abyss.
But I saw him walk in-Caramon protested.
That was just a part of the illusion. I'm the only one who sees through all of this. In fact, I was the one who helped create this illusion. Palin, this was designed for you to make you feel very real. The trial was not only to test your skills as a mage, but more importantly, to teach you to understand yourself. There are two things you must know. The truth about your uncle and the truth about yourself.
Know yourself…Raistlin's voice echoed in his mind. Palin smoothed the white robe on his body. " I know which faction I'm loyal to," he said softly, recalling the tragic moment when he stood in the dimensional passageway. Just like what the Sea Mage said, I chose to be everyone first, and then I would reap the greatest benefits from it.
Dalama smiled and stood up. Young man, I know you can't wait to go home and reunite with your family. I won't delay you any longer. I almost regret that you didn't make the other choice, Palin. The dark elf shrugged. It would be good to have you as my disciple. However, you will also become a good opponent. I am honored to be part of your success. Dalama extended his hand.
" Thank you," Palin said, blushing. He gratefully took Dalama's hand. Thank you…I appreciate everything you've done.
Yes, murmured Caramon, walking from the window to his son. He also held Dalama's hand, and his huge palm almost completely wrapped around the elf's slender hand. I-I think I'll let you use... that spell... to send us back to Solace. Tika must be worried to death. Well, Dalama and Palin winked at each other. Come closer. Goodbye, Palin. We'll meet again at Villais Tower.
There was a light knock on the door. Dalama frowned. Who was it? he asked angrily. I've given the order not to disturb!
It was obvious that the door had opened on its own. Her white eyes sparkled in the darkness. Forgive me, my lord, said the fiend. However, I received orders to give this young mage a parting gift.
Who gave the order? Darama's eyes flashed with anger. Jestaris? He dared to enter my tower without my permission-no, my lord, the Wraith has drifted into the room. His cold eyes drifted to Palin. The Evil Ghost slowly floated towards the young Wizard, its fleshless ghostly hand reaching out. Caramon shot forward to block his son. No, Father, Palin held down his father's hand that was pulling out the sword. Stand aside. It had no intention of hurting me. What do you have for me? The young mage asked Evil Ghost, who stopped in front of him.
Withered Bones 'hands drew a magic symbol in the air. Mazi's staff appeared out of thin air in Ghost's hand. Caramon cried out in alarm and retreated several steps. Dalama looked at the evil ghost coldly. Your mission has failed! The dark elf's voice rose in anger. I swear on the Queen of Darkness that I will make you suffer in the bottomless abyss for eternity!
" I didn't fail," the Wraith replied. His hollow voice reminded Palin of the realm he had entered in the illusion. The seal on the door of the research lab hasn't been unlocked. The key is here, as you can see. The evil ghost stretched out his other hand, and the silver key was in his palm. Everything was the same as before. No living creature had ever entered the research lab.
" Then who is it?" Dalama asked angrily. Suddenly, his face turned ashen and he could not continue. There were no creatures…The dark elf shivered and slumped back into his chair, his eyes wide open as he stared at the staff.
" It's promised to you." Evil Ghost handed the staff to the young mage. Palin trembled as he took the staff with both hands. When he touched it, the crystal at the top emitted a cold and pure light, enveloping the entire room in silver light.
This is a gift from the true master of the tower. With the staff, Evil Ghost said coldly and gave his blessing. The white eyes lowered in reverence and then disappeared. Palin grabbed the staff and looked at his father in surprise.
Caramon blinked and looked at his son with tears in his eyes. Let's go home, he said quietly, hugging his son.
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