I stared at the amulet hanging from my neck as I cupped it in my hand. It had seemed like such a gift a year ago. I’d unearthed it from the ruins of a lost civilization. Had I known the truth behind power it held I would have left it where it laid. If only I’d been so lucky…
I staggered as I forced my body off the ground where I’d been kneeling. My legs had been unreliable for weeks now. With each step my breathing became more labored. I just had to make it to the kitchen. I braced myself on the wall. At least if my strength wasn’t enough, I could slide down the wall this time. I focused intently on each step. It wasn’t far now.
My thoughts shifted to the shining, pristine blade that awaited me. I’d thrust it onto the table after spending far too long working on it. I was lucky I hadn’t impaled myself on the fall to the ground. A smile spread across my face. It was a beautiful blade indeed. At least if my last effort to save myself was futile, the final blade I crafted would stand as a magnificent legacy of my work as a blacksmith.
I stood in the doorway to the kitchen now, the blade within my sights. Just a few more steps and—
The book! I’d forgotten the book!
What was wrong with me? As weak as my body had become, my mind hadn’t yet begun to slip. Not until now, at least. I would need the book if I was going to do this properly.
After I’d discovered the power that the amulet gave me, I had sought out help on how to wield its power. I now understood how foolish that had been. If only I’d left alone…I wouldn’t be dying. I understood the power very well now. I probably didn’t need the book. But I wanted it. Just to be sure. One tiny misstep would guarantee my demise, not that my odds were very good anyway.
Slowly, reluctantly, I turned back towards the study. I now knew better than to walk any distance while holding a blade. I was better off fainting from weakness. As I began the slow hobble back, I tried not to focus on how exhausted I was. It was depressing. A year ago, I’d been the most eligible bachelor in the village. Now, I’d be lucky if someone came to me for a sword, let alone a husband. My power had frightened the entire town, and rightly so. Anyone who hadn’t been frightened off by the power was scared away by the idea of my condition. It wasn’t public knowledge how I’d become so sick so quickly.
The book was still open on the desk. I slowly reached across and slid it towards me, grasping it closed when it got to the edge. I felt a wave of relief flood my body. I had the book. Now I just needed to get back to the sword. Invigorated by the relief I felt, I made my way back to the kitchen, more quickly this time. I hadn’t felt such hope in weeks; I hadn’t moved so quickly in weeks. I would need this energy to perform the magic well.
I threw the book down on the table and quickly flipped through it to read the instructions one last time. It was simple enough. A hand wave, a few words in Latin, and then a stab, right through the glimmering purple gem that was currently resting on my chest. I raised my hand and took a breath. This had to be absolutely perfect.
The words flowed out of my mouth effortlessly as I gracefully waved my hand through the air. As I directed the amulet’s power toward the shining silver blade it began to glow, a trademark of the amulet’s power. As I finished the incantation, I practically ripped the chain from my neck, smacking the bejeweled piece in the middle of the table. Then, I grabbed the sword.
Clutching the hilt in my sweaty, shaking hand, I prepared myself. Odds were, I’d be dead in a second. At least I would know it. I raised the sword above my head and brought it down with all the power I could muster. The amulet shattered, releasing a beam of bright light. And I…
I was still alive.