World of Agatha - 25 Corruption

In Morgana’s new lair, the dark wizard sat on a crude table, drinking tea and playing with the most beautiful white gem.

As the diamond in the rough ran through her fingers, she gave an amused smile.

“I am so glad for taking the right decision back then.”

Morgana lived for months on a dungeon on the other side of the forest and as she searched the underground for useful things, she came upon this treasure.

It was nothing like the golems’ hearts.

No. This was much more precious.

The natural world was infused with magical energy. Some places more and others less.

So, found in particularly rich areas, there were ores, stones and other such substances of great value. Objects that fed on pure natural magic.

Druids particularly loved these materials as they evoked the purest and most untainted forms of power, something that was particularly dear to their hearts.

However, this also made so that, for someone like Morgana, it was the most difficult kind of material to use.

As soon as the core felt the advances of Morgana’s corrupted soul, it would actively resist until it was destroyed, which was very troublesome.

The dark wizard originally wanted to use the stone to create a better defensive system for her dungeon. After all, this would not require the gem to be changed on a deeper level.

However, this would be a terrible waste and so she resolved herself to wait for the discovery of a new method. Something which eluded her…

At least until the Wisdom Tree shared its enlightenment.

….

A unicorn was held by chains made of the purest silver in a poorly lit room.

On the pillars supporting the chains, Morgana set many restriction spells.

When it came to such spirit guardians, it was always better being excessively careful than the opposite.

Its fur was magnificent, having a shade of shining and stainless white. But the unicorn’s most distinguishing characteristic was a great horn which adorned its head like a kingly crown.

Even now the creature stood there proudly, looking at Morgana with disdain.

The dark wizard knew this look all too well, as many defeated heroes had shown it to her in the past.

It was the manifestation of a unique kind of overconfidence. One which was born from a deep and annoying sense of self-righteousness.

“Disdain me as much as you want. No spirit is unbreakable and no hero is incorruptible. None.”

The dark wizard thought to herself in amusement.

A bowl of delicious-looking meats and a basin filled with water were placed in front of the creature.

“Feast.”

Morgana commanded.

At first, the unicorn attempted to resist her word of command, but its determination proved futile.

With practice and new knowledge, Morgana’s charms had become much stronger. The creature could only resist her will for a short time before submitting.

This continued for twenty-eight days and twenty-eight nights during which the guardian spirit ate fell meats and drank cursed water.

At each day, the unicorn appeared just a little bit weaker and more submissive, making Morgana’s job much easier.

On the last night of the full moon, Morgana pulled a lever and many doors on the ceiling opened, allowing the light rays to shine upon the creature.

However, those rays were tempered with by glass obstacles and, as they came down, the glow changed its color to red.

Under the moonlight, the unicorn started to change. It’s hair, once white, became jet black, having an eerie luster to it. The horn turned crooked and horrible to behold.

But the eyes were the worst of it all. This creature’s gaze was piercing and showed great malice. Ugly red jewels from hell.

This was a black unicorn. A creature fruit of Morgana’s corruption.

“Pat”, “pat”.

The wizard lightly caressed its mane.

“See? The darkness is so much more pleasant. And just like that, there is no more temptation.”

Morgana said with a sneer.

Now the fallen beast looked at her with reverence and unwavering devotion.

It was her property now. From today until the end of time.

“Release.”

Morgana ended her spell. Not the bindings which restrained this new servant but the transformation itself.

And so the unicorn was no more. Reduced to its original condition. That of a precious gem.

Now, however, the stone was pitch black, as the once white diamond had changed to resemble a perfectly polished onyx.

…

Through the forest flew a beautiful red bird, far above the tree line in order to avoid the plentiful dangers that lurked beneath.

It was Mordred, Morgana’s familiar and he was sent out with a very special mission.

This fey spirit had always been the dark wizard’s most trusted servant since it was the only one who couldn’t possibly betray her, as their souls were eternally entangled together by the most binding of contracts.

Mordred landed on a place marked by death and the forest had been greatly scared by a great fire.

As the bird landed, his body started to twist and transform. And so the small creature quickly changed shape, becoming a dashing young man dressed in a dark hunting outfit.

His black hair was neither too long nor too short. But what drew the most attention were his eyes, which were always calm, like a bottomless pit waiting to swallow the world.

In fact, they were much like Morgana’s in that sense. Although she lacked the nobility of his form in everything else.

After the dark wizard had entered in contact with those gnomes, fairies and especially the Wisdom Tree, her powers started to grow at an accelerated pace, which resulted in Mordred recovering much of his old capabilities.

Among his most distinguished skills, was the power to change forms. Some were fair and beautiful, while others were dark and terrible to behold.

Surveilling the surroundings Mordred found no threats and so decided to proceed with the task at hand.

And so, he took something from his pocket.

It was a magnificent dark gem.

“Alright. Let us begin.”

The familiar infused his mana on the stone, activating it.

Around him, many ghosts from the past appeared only to be sucked in by the gem. They were not true souls, however, as those individuals had long departed this world.

Death leaves a permanent mark on the land. Violent deaths most of all.

In other words, this place in which fairies and gnomes gave in to their hatred and slaughtered each other was consecrated by the massacre, becoming unholy.

Right now, Mordred, as instructed by his mistress was channeling this power through the stone and storing it for later.

As the last ghost was captured by the gem, the man took a deep breath.

“One finished. Many more to go.”

Morgana had secured several locations of old and bloody battlefields and, as such, commanded Mordred to visit them all in order to feed the gem.