Kenric opened his pale icy blue eyes, blinking to remove the haze that covered them. A bitter cold wind blew into the cave he had taken up residence in, blowing snow and ice in at his face. A moment of concentration and a thin wall of heat covered the caves entrance holding back the winter's wrath, while a knot of air diverted the wind away from his cave. Even the smallest amount of channeling had brought sweat to Kenric's forehead and the Dar Khelegur fought with all his will to stay awake.
The cave glittered in the morning's light reflected off the snow and into the cave. Ancient symbols were carved into its walls, dating back to the age of Twilight, or at least so Kenric thought. For weeks he had lived in this cave, in self imposed exile from all comfort and things he loved, driven by his obsession to unravel the secrets of this cave. The part of his brain that upheld the higher values of the elves thought he was insane to give up his wealth and power to live in a cave like some cyclops or aelfborn, but he had come this far, and would not stop, not when he was so close.
The translations he had done called this cave a test to unlock great powers, granted by the all father, placed here by the Elven church to await someone, or some cause, worthy enough to use it. While the cave was designed for a prelate or priest to take the test, Kenric thought perhaps enough spirit channeling could turn the metaphorical key in the lock.
He had spent his long weeks here meditating, focusing, and channeling spirit energy at the rune at the back of the cave, the rune that meant focus point, or keystone. The world was changing around him, cities rising and falling, and still he sat trying to prove himself to the cave.
Kenric's teachers had often commented that he had a high amount of spiritual energy and mana, and in the deep dark places of his mind he knew it was a gift from mad Saedron, a gift that came with the price of a seed of insanity. Kenric had dreamed of this cave for weeks before he left the tower to seek it out. He had been chosen by the fate spinner herself to find this cave and to unlock its power.
Kenric stood and moved before the keystone rune, and closed his eyes, his hands held out in front of him with palms outward. A soft blue light covered them as the slightly mad channeler focused all the spirit energy he could control at the rune. The dizziness came, and the sweat, the pain of pure exhaustion as his muscles burned, and still he pushed on. The magic was taking a heavy toll, but he needed to finish this! The need drove him on. Kenric swayed where he stood, fighting to stay conscious, just a little more and it would work, he was sure of it! He knew the amount of energy he was channeling would kill him if he kept it up, and not a normal death, but a final death with his soul torn to shreds and cast to the void, but still he pressed on. Sweat turned to blood and trickled down his skin, either way it would all be over soon, and he accepted his fate.
Suddenly, as he gave of his life, the keystone turned, and Kenric was filled with pure energy and comforted and cradled the exhausted, starved, and half-mad channeler. It asked of Kenric "What do you want?" and the only reply the Elf could think of giving slipped past his lips.
* * *
"To be with my family... Lok-ri."
* * *
The sun was shining bright when Kenric opened his eyes. Guards, with swords drawn had surrounded him. The breeze that blew over the hard deck of the great ship was salty and fresh. Kenric's eyes look up the mast and saw the great standard of Lok-ri, and smiled before his eyes closed again... and soft words escaped his lips, "I'm home..." and he fell into unconsciousness.
When he woke up again he was in a small cabin aboard the gently swaying ship, and a servant was leaving a plate of steaming food beside his bed. Kenric sat up and looked into the mirror against the wall.
"Leave me." He barked to the servant who paled and left as fast as he could without running. He turned his attention back to the mirror and began to laugh, a harsh cackle of a laugh. No wonder the servant had been so scared; the magic had changed him. Kenric didn't recognize himself in his reflection, his blond hair was now a dark green, his blue eyes were now hazel, and his face was marked with scars... and the skin tone was green... green as endless sea they now sailed upon. He was Gwaridorn.