A young man walked down the streets of New York, music playing loudly in his headphones. He looked to be in his late teens, no older than 18. The young man looked down at his phone, then up again, clearly not very familiar with the area. He continues to walk, heading for a dilapidated looking building wedged between two pristine sky-scrapers. A worn down sign hangs over one of the front windows. On it, the words "Leander's Bookstore" are inscribed in the wood. I wonder what interesting books I can find here. He says to himself. Hopefully something about magic… or maybe a book about runes. He walks through the door, which is almost falling off its hinges. A loud creaking noise comes from the door as it opens. Suddenly, a voice comes from behind him. Can I help you, young man? He turns around and sees an elderly woman standing there behind him. How did yo- The young man begins to speak, but is quickly interrupted. It's quite rude to just enter without knocking, young man. The lady scolds, her gray hair swaying slightly as she shakes her head. The young man introduces himself, reaching out for a handshake. I'm Samael, nice to meet you. His tone was serious, a clear indicator he was there for something specific. The elderly woman introduces herself as Hana. She doesn't reach out to respond to Samael's handshake, prompting him to let his hand fall back to his side.
I will get straight to the point. Do you have any books on magic or the runic arts? Samael asks Hana. The elderly woman raises an eyebrow and gives Samael a curious look. Why would a young man like you be interested in something like that?Those are just myths after all. Nothing more. Hana responds, but a strange glint in her pale blue eyes makes him wonder if she truly believes what she told him. Please, I am merely quite interested in topics like these. If you have any books or archived notes I'd be very interested in seeing them. Samael looks the elderly woman straight in the eyes as he speaks, the fire of a knowledge seeker evident in his eyes. Very well, young man. Come with me. Hana led Samael across the dilapidated store to a robust wooden door on the back wall. The door was made of pine, with steel reinforcements across its width. 2 large locks, brass in color, dominated the right side of the door. Hana pulls out a key-ring, from somewhere he couldn't quite see and inserts one of them into the top lock. As she turns the lock, geometric lines light up all over the door. The light moves as complex shapes take form. Sharp, ridged angles dominate the look of the shapes as they take on their finalized form. Samael's eyes strain to make out the shapes, their form blurring. I forget how fragile unawakened mortal minds are. Close your eyes child, lest you lose them, and your mind. His head starts pounding, feeling like nails are being plunged into his brain as he watches on. No matter how he tried, he was unable to close his eyes. Despite the soul wrenching pain, he could not look away. It's real!? How does it work? Deep down I always had some doubt, but it's actually real!? What incredible workmanship.Samael's mind raced with possibilities and theories. The sharp pain in his head grew to a crescendo, then everything went dark.
Samael awoke to the mutters of Hana. Her low voice speaking to seemingly no one. He couldn't quite pick up the words she was saying, and what little he did pick up seemed like nonsense. Uruk minda… anak ereli avás… gir el anak… He turned his head towards Hana's voice, and when he saw her, shock rattled his mind. She looked completely different. No longer was she the frail old lady he'd met when he arrived at the book store. Her formerly snow white hair had gained deep blue streaks and her skin was a silvery gray color. The wrinkles were gone as well, replaced by supernaturally flawless skin. What happened? Where am I? Hana looks over at Samael. Her eyes are no longer human. Her pupils were vertical slits, still the same pale blue color. Oh my. The little mortal woke up. What a surprise.You're lucky you know. If I hadn't saved you, your soul would be shattered.Your soul is strong for a little mortal. Seek me when the time is right. A playful smile lingered on Hana's face as she faded into the air. Wait! I have so many questions! Samael's plea was met with deafening silence. A thought appeared in Samael's head, one that wasn't his own; You'll know when the time is right. Samael slowly got up. His head was still pounding with a headache. He looked around the room once more. It looked like an office of some sort. A single chair next to a large wooden table. On the table were papers, presumably some sort of documents, strewn across its surface. Large geometric shapes, similar to the ones that had lit up on the door, covered the floor, walls and ceiling. These ones, however, did not glow, or even seem like they were complete.
A sudden rumble snapped him out of his wonder. His world started to shake. Books fell to the ground, papers flew about. Small cracks began snaking their way across the walls and floor. The shaking grew worse and worse. He lost his balance and fell to the floor. A deep blue haze flooded the room and all of a sudden he felt lighter. It was like something within him had awoken from its slumber, a tenacity he hadn't known to be possible. Then a voice permeated the air. It was gentle, yet harsh. Like infinite voices had spoken in harmony. Perfect, yet imperfect. It was… Supreme… It's authority… Absolute.
Awaken Ascendants, and rise through Infinity.