Dual Heritage Ch. 05

Mark took the book, flipping through its pages. "What is it?" he asked.

"It's the history of the arcanists."

"I don't really see how reading about history is going to help me," he said, trying to keep the disappointment out of his voice. "I need to learn how to use my abilities, not memorize names and dates."

Julian just raised an eyebrow and shook his head. "You can't skip the foundations and expect to build a strong structure. It's essential reading if you want to understand the path you're on."

Mark sighed but knew that he didn't really have a choice.

"I want you to read this book in its entirety, lad," Julian said firmly. "Take your time, absorb the knowledge within. Come back to me in two days' time, and we'll see where we stand."

"Got it."

"Right then," Julian said, his accent thickening. "Luna, escort im out?"

As Julian called out for Luna, she suddenly appeared beside Mark, causing him to stumble out of his chair in surprise. "Whoa!"

Julian let out a chuckle. "Ah, don't mind Luna, lad. She has a way of sneaking up on people."

"Right, thanks for the warning."

Julian nodded, his eyes once again serious. "Remember, lad, read the book and come back in two days. We have much to discuss."

With that, Luna stepped forward and gestured for Mark to follow her out of the room.

As Mark stumbled out of the shop, Julian chuckled to himself. "Poor lad," he muttered in his thick accent. "He has much to learn."

Luna appeared at his side, and Julian turned to her. "See him out, will ye?" he said with a nod towards the door. "And be sure to keep an eye on him. He's got potential, but he's also green as a spring pea."

Luna nodded and with a small smile closed the door behind Mark as he walked away.

Mark sat down on his bed and gingerly opened the book that Julian had given him. The cover was old and tattered, with frayed edges that spoke of years of use. The pages inside were yellowed with age, and the ink had faded in places, but the words were still clear and legible.

What am I getting myself into? he thought as he began to read.

The stories were dark and disturbing, filled with gruesome details of experiments and rituals that seemed to defy all sense of morality. He read about powerful wizards, witches, and magi who came together to explore the depths of magic, with the sole goal of understanding it at a deep level, no matter the cost.

They tried many things, from spreading plague-ridden fleas across cities to locking humans in closed spaces with no light for days, to injecting harmful viruses into human bodies and watching as they killed off their loved ones. They believed that magic had no limits and that they could use it to reshape the world according to their will.

Mark felt sick to his stomach as he read about their exploits. How could they justify such atrocities in the name of knowledge? He wondered. And what had become of them? Had they succeeded in their quest for understanding?

As their power grew, so did their influence. They began to experiment on a larger scale, using their knowledge of magic to manipulate kingdom politics and court intrigues.

Some of their experiments were successful, leading to advancements in medicine and science. But many others were dark and dangerous, causing widespread harm and destruction.

How can anyone justify this? It's monstrous.

Mark read about one experiment where they created a potion that could give a human being incredible strength and speed, but at a terrible cost. The potion caused the person to become increasingly aggressive and violent, eventually turning them into a mindless monster.

Another experiment involved using magic to control the weather, causing catastrophic storms and floods that devastated entire villages and cities.

Is this the kind of power I could wield? Do I even want to? Mark questioned himself.

They experimented with necromancy, trying to raise the dead and control them as their own personal army. They delved into the secrets of blood magic, using the life force of others to fuel their own dark ambitions.

They played with fire and didn't care who got burned. Is that my future?

Despite the danger and destruction they caused, the arcane clan continued to gain power and influence. They began to attract more people like themselves, who were drawn to their promise of knowledge and power.

They delved into darker and more dangerous practices, experimenting with the creation of artificial life, the manipulation of time and space, and even attempting to cross over into other dimensions.

As their power grew, so did their hubris, and they began to see themselves as above the laws of the land. They ignored warnings from the ruling authorities and continued to conduct their experiments in secret, even going so far as to eliminate those who stood in their way.

Over time, they were called many names by those who feared and misunderstood them, but they began to refer to themselves as arcanists.

The word "arcanist" became synonymous with powerful magic users who delved deep into the mysteries of the arcane.

The arcanists themselves saw their name as a badge of honor, a testament to their dedication to unlocking the secrets of magic.

It was said that the most powerful of the arcanists could bend reality to their will, that they could create entire worlds with a wave of their hand.

Could I become like them? Powerful but morally compromised? Mark pondered.

There were whispers of secret societies that worshipped the arcanists as gods, performing dark rituals in their honor. Some even claimed that the arcanists had the power to control the minds of others, turning them into their loyal servants.

There were rumors, too - stories of arcanists who had made deals with demons and other dark entities, trading their souls for even greater power. Some said that the arcanists had created portals to other worlds, and that they had summoned unspeakable horrors into our realm.

He also read about the their quest for immortality, and how they had experimented with powerful magic to extend their lives. Some claimed that they had even succeeded, and that there were arcanists who had been alive for centuries, hidden away in secret locations across the world.

As Mark delved deeper into the arcane book, he was so engrossed that he barely noticed the sound of footsteps. It wasn't until Ria entered his room that he looked up.

"Hey, Mark," Ria said, looking at him curiously.

She quickly closes the distance between them and sits on his lap. Her juicy thighs warm up his lap.

"Hey," he wraps his arms around her waist as she sits on his lap. He can feel her warmth and the softness of her body against his.

They sat in silence, simply enjoying the closeness. Finally, Ria broke the silence. "What are you reading?"

"Just some research," Mark replied, recalling his conversation with Julian. "Remember I mentioned Julian this morning? He recommended this book."Ria nods as he continues. "He told me to read it before going back after two days."

"What's it about?"

"It's just some old stories about magic and stuff," he answers, trying to sound nonchalant.

Should I tell her the truth? Mark pondered.

"Is everything okay?" she asks, concern etched on her face.

He pulled her closer, his face buried in the crook of her neck. "Now it is," he whispered.

Ria leaned into Mark's embrace and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. He could feel her breath on his neck as she held him close.

For a moment, they just stayed like that, lost in each other's embrace. But then Ria pulled back slightly and looked into Mark's eyes.

"Mark, are you sure everything is okay?" she asked again, her voice soft and full of concern.

He decided to come clean not wanting to keep any secrets between them. "Actually, there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about."

Ria's face clouded with worry. "What is it?"

Mark took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "Do you know about Arcanists?"

"Yes. My dad often told me about them," she said, her voice serious. "He used to call them the worst of the magical society."

"He seems to hate them, Huhh?"

Ria nodded solemnly. "He had his reasons," she replied. "He said they were dangerous and unpredictable. They often dabbled in dark magic and caused trouble wherever they went and feels pretty grateful that they no longer exist."

"Well that's just great."

"What happened?"

"What if I told you that I am one?"

Ria's eyes widened in surprise and confusion. "What?"

"Yeah, you heard me right," Mark said with a smirk. "I'm a dark magic dabbling troublemaker, according to your dad's definition."

Ria's expression shifted from surprise to concern. "Mark, are you serious?"

He nodded, his expression serious now. "I didn't know what it was at first, but Julian explained it to me. He said I have the potential to become a powerful Arcanist if I learn how to harness my abilities."

"This is too dangerous."

"I know, but I can't ignore this," Mark said, his voice firm. "I need to explore this part of myself and see where it takes me.

"Why would you hide something like this from me?" she asked. "Do you not trust me?"

"It's not that, Ria," he said, his voice gentle. "I just didn't want to lose you." he paused waiting to find how to respond. "When we first met it wasn't exactly a typical interaction."

"What was wrong with how we met?" She asked, her brow furrowing.

"Uhh.......I don't know. It... was... kind of rapey."

Ria's eyes narrowed and her lips pulled back in a snarl. "There are a lot of things in this world that could be labeled as 'rapey', but I'm pretty sure our meeting wasn't one of them," she growled, shaking her head in disbelief. "I don't see how our first encounter could be classified as anything even remotely close to that."

Mark's eyes widened in surprise at her animalistic response, "Okay, okay, maybe 'rapey' was the wrong word," he knew better than to argue with her when she was like this. "I didn't mean it like that. I just meant that our meeting was...unconventional."

"What do you mean, Mark? Do you not desire me anymore? Was it not as satisfying for you as it was for me?" Ria asked, her voice edged with confusion and hurt.

He struggled for a moment, searching for the right words to say. "It's not that I didn't want you. No, no, you were... it was........It's just that I didn't know who you were. I mean, it was amazing, really, probably the greatest thing that's ever happened to me. But then I realized that I didn't even know your name or anything about you. And, to be honest, I was a little scared that I might have hurt you."

"But that's how it works between a Magus and maga."

He sighed. "I understand that, but you have to understand that I wasn't raised like you. For all her training lesson Aunt never wanted me to mingle with the supernatural community. She always hoped that my abilities would remain dormant and that I could live a simple and happy life. So, when I found out about my powers, everything was new to me, and I didn't know how to handle it."

"Well you can rest easy. It was definitely awesome getting fucked by you."

He chuckled awkwardly, "And you say stuff like that so casually. I got confused in all of this. I know it is not enough of a reason but this is what it was. It's been a whirlwind, you know? I didn't expect to have such intense feelings for someone I just met."

Ria's eyes softened. "I get it. Discovering a new part of yourself can be overwhelming, especially when it involves someone else."

"I wasn't ready for what Lida told me about my heritage and how Arcanists are perceived by other supernaturals," he said, his voice heavy with emotion. "She also cautioned me about the risks of delving into my powers. And then, she spoke about the intensity of the bond and how it works, which left me feeling even more bewildered."

Ria listened intently, her hands tenderly combing through Mark's hair. He looked up at her with a sorrowful expression. "I'm sorry, Ria."

Ria's expression softened as she reached up to run her fingers through Mark's hair, trying to offer him some comfort. She could see the weight of Lida's revelations weighing heavily on him.

"It's okay, Mark," Ria murmured, her voice soothing. "You don't have to apologize. You were just trying to make sense of everything."

Mark let out a deep sigh and leaned his head into her touch. "It's just...I never even knew about this side of myself until recently, and now I feel like I'm in over my head. But I can't ignore it. I need to explore this part of me, even if it's dangerous."

"I get it baby. Just promise me you'll be careful. I don't want to lose you."

"I promise that I........"

Ria's fingers paused, her eyes widening. "Wait, you're not just an Arcanist. You're a Magus too!"

"Yes, Ria. Congratulations, you figured it out."

Her expression turned into a playful pout. "Hey, don't be sarcastic with me."

"Who, me? Sarcastic? Never." he retorted, waggling his eyebrows.

Ria rolled her eyes. "Well, I can't say I'm surprised. With all the crazy stuff that's been happening lately, it makes sense that you have some powerful blood in you."

"What do you mean?"

"Our bond. Your Arcanist lineage likely enhances it."

"How so?"

"Think about it, Mark. Arcanists are known for their ability to manipulate magical energy, and as a Magus, you have the ability to harness and channel that energy. When combined with our bond, it creates an even stronger connection between us." Ria's hand resumed its soothing strokes through his hair.

He shrugged. "Yeah, I guess so. But it's not like I have much control over it."

"I am damn sure about it," she said in a low voice. "You have no idea how much my body craves for yours. Your touch, smell, taste...I am craving for everything all the time."

Mark shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Well, it's not like I'm complaining about it." He reached out and traced a finger along Ria's jawline, his touch sending shivers down her spine. "But sometimes it feels like it's too much, you know?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, the bond between us is so intense. Sometimes it's like I can't think straight. I feel like I'm drowning in your emotions."

She frowned, taking a deep breath as she tried to control her own feelings. "I'm sorry, Mark. I don't mean to overwhelm you."

Mark shook his head again, his expression softening. "No, it's not your fault. It's just...something we have to deal with, I guess. But I wouldn't want it any other way." He leaned in and kissed her gently.

He cupped his hands around Ria's face as they kissed, not wanting the moment to end anytime soon. As they pulled away from each other, Mark held onto Ria's hand tightly as if it was the only thing keeping him grounded on this earth.

When Mark finally looked up again, he saw an expression of awe on Ria's face that made his heart skip a beat.

"What is it?" He asked quietly, not wanting to break the spell of the moment between them.

"It's our bond - it's so strong and powerful I can feel it within me." She brought her free hand up to touch his face tenderly and added,"We have connected on so many levels beyond comprehension - emotionally through our love and trust; mentally with our magical powers; physically with our bodies - It's like we have become one soul connected by an unbreakable bond."

Mark's eyes softened as Ria spoke, and he reached up to hold her hand against his cheek. "I know," he said softly, "but as I have said it scares me sometimes. I've never felt anything like this before."

"Don't be scared, Mark," she whispered. "Our bond is a gift, and we should cherish it."

Mark smiled, but his expression was still tinged with uncertainty. "But what if it becomes too much?" he asked. "What if we can't handle it?"

Ria shook her head. "We will handle it together," she said firmly. "No matter what comes our way, we will face it together."

As he looked into Ria's eyes, he felt a sense of peace wash over him. Mark marveled at the connection he shared with Ria. They had surpassed the boundaries that divided them and had evolved into something more than just two people. Love and trust had forged a strong bond between them, but their magical abilities had taken their bond to a whole new level.

"Mark, I want you to know that I don't give a damn about whether you're an Arcanist or not. That doesn't change how I feel about you."

His eyes softened as he heard her words. "Thank you, Ria. That means a lot to me."

They embraced each other tightly, both of them feeling the strength of their bond as it enveloped them in its warm embrace.

15

Mark made his way to the college campus the next day, walking past familiar buildings and bustling students. He attended his morning classes, taking notes and asking questions. As the day progressed, he found himself with a rare moment of respite in the afternoon. With a sense of anticipation, he made his way to the stairs outside the library. With a content sigh, he pulled out the book that Julian had given him and continued to read.

He began reading the entry written in delicate handwriting, feeling as though he was peering into the past-

As I continue my experiments, I can't help but feel a sense of unease. At first, I believed that my work was for the greater good of society. But now, as I look at the innocent lives I have destroyed and the devastation I have caused, I can't help but question my actions.

I am torn between my desire for knowledge and my growing realization that my actions have had disastrous consequences. I fear that I am no longer the person I once was, that I have become someone unrecognizable

I thought I was doing the right thing.

I was seeking knowledge and power, just like any other arcanist. But as time passed and my experiments grew more dangerous.

Mark flipped through the pages until he came across an another entry written by a same person. The handwriting was shaky, as if the writer's hand had been trembling while he wrote.

I am filled with an unbearable pain and regret that consumes me every single day. I used to believe that the ends justify the means, that anything is worth doing if it brings us closer to knowledge and power

But I was wrong. I was so wrong.

I have conducted experiments on fetuses in pregnant women, and the thought of it fills me with disgust and horror. I can't bear to look at myself in the mirror anymore. I am a monster, a creature of darkness and evil. And yet, I cannot stop. I am trapped in this cycle of violence and madness, a pawn in a game I do not understand.

I fear what my mother and sister would think of me if they knew what I have done. Would they see me as a monster? Would they be ashamed of me? I can't bear the thought of losing their love and respect, but I know that I have already lost something much more important - my own sense of morality.

I have committed atrocities that I can never take back. All I wanted was to make the world a better place, or at least that's what I told myself.

As Mark continued to read through the book, he came across another entry. This one was even more harrowing than the last.