TW: Self harm and Violence.

Oliver felt something cold dripping on his face and hands. This caused him to stir. Opening his eyes he noticed the rain starting to slowly fall. A bright flash filled the dark gloomy sky. Lightning sprawled across the sky. The sound of thunder roared across the vast landscape.

Getting up off the damp leaf covered ground and dusting himself off Oliver started making his way through the forest. Eventually he started to hear the sound of rushing water. Following the sound he reached a large stream. Walking to the edge of the stream he knelt down and prepared to drink some water. Suddenly he heard a loud crackling noise near by. Standing up and scanning his surroundings he noticed that there is nothing.

Oliver thought to himself. "Must just be my mind playing tricks with me. There is no one else here. Just me all by myself."

Suddenly he felt a strong hand grab his hair and yank it. Oliver's eyes began to glow faintly due to him feeling a mixture of rage and fear growing inside him.

"You will stop trying to torment me," Oliver said sternly while slowly clenching his fists. "I don't know what sick game you are trying to play. But I will not be apart of it."

"I will not stop following you. Unless you tell me what you are planning to do," Silas replied coldly while grabbing his poniard off his belt.

Oliver then elbowed Silas in the ribs. Causing Silas to recoil out of pain and let go of Olivers hair. Turning to face Silas who was still clutching his chest out of pain Oliver tightly gripped the hilt of his rapier ready to draw it.

"You don't truly know what your messing with," He said while still clutching his chest. "Pure dark magic is not something that should be messed with."

"I am just wanting to restore my powers," He replied tightening his grip on his rapier. "That's all I want."

"There are other methods to restore one's dark magic," He said while lowering his hand to his side. "One doesn't need pure dark magic to restore it."

"I have tried the other methods they won't work," He replied with irritation. "Now please just leave me alone."

Removing his hand from the hilt of his rapier then Oliver turned to walk away. Silas then sprinted at Oliver and tackled him to the ground. Tightly wrapping his arm around Oliver's neck Silas proceeded to try and choke him like a snake constricting it's prey.

Oliver felt the panic rising in his chest. Due to the struggle of not being able to breathe. His vision started to blur from the lack of precious oxygen not filling his lungs.

"Tell me what your true intentions are,"

"Tell me!"

"Now!"

"I just want to restore my powers," He said his voice barely above a whisper. "That's all I want. Please just leave me alone."

Silas didn't loosen his hold around Oliver's neck. Oliver gazed at the fork like lightning striking out in the grassy field. Closing his eyes he then rested his hands on the ground in front of him and took a deep breath. Feeling like everything was starting to slow down and he awaited his death. Suddenly he felt a tingling sensation in his fingers.

Lightning then struck the tree in front of them violently splitting it down the middle and sending pieces of wood flying in multiple directions. The smell of scorched oak filled the air mixing with the freshness of the rain. Oliver then felt a jolt of energy rush through his fingers. Opening his eyes he noticed that his veins were glowing a bright purple.

Oliver thought to himself. "Thank you father for your strength I shall use it well."

Oliver tightly clenched his right fist and his eyes began to glow a bright purple. Purple electricity started crackling around his fist. Raising his fist high into the air he then slammed it down onto the soaked leaf covered ground. The energy was then released causing a small shockwave which sent Silas flying off him and into a nearby tree. Getting up off the ground and dusting himself off Oliver then turned to face Silas who was getting back on his feet.

"You are strong," he said with a smirk. "But you don't understand the meaning of true power!"

Silas' eyes began to glow a bright purple and he started to levitate above the ground slightly. Holding out both of his hands bright purple beams shot out of them. Fear flashed in Oliver's eyes and he held out his hands then he immediately put up an energy shield. The beams hit the shield causing Oliver to be pushed backwards a little bit. He began straining to hold the shield up. After a few minutes his legs buckled beneath him and he fell to his knees. His breathing started coming in ragged gasps due to the exertion of holding up the energy shield. But he continued to hold it up even though it was draining his strength.

"Why don't you just kill me!?" Oliver yelled out of fear and frustration. "You are a coward for not killing me!"

"I do not wish to kill you," Silas replied. "I want you to understand that want you want is dangerous and should not be in your hands."

"You are crazy!" he said while struggling to hold the shield up. "Crazy heathen I will make you pay for playing this game with me. Toying with me. You think it's funny."

"I know that I'm crazy," he replied. "But I am here to make you understand that you shouldn't be going after the pure dark magic."

Suddenly the energy shield fell and Silas clenched his fists and the energy beams stopped being fired. He then unclenched his fists and lowered his hands down to his sides. Oliver collapsed onto the ground from the exertion and his eyes changed back to their normal color. Lying there still gasping for breath Oliver noticed Silas slowly hovering over to him. Eventually Silas stopped in front of Oliver and lowered his feet onto the ground.

"Pure dark magic is something that should never be used by any random user of dark magic," he said. "You do not understand how pure dark magic works."

"Tell me how it works then," he replied.

"No. I shall not tell you how to wield it," he said. "You shouldn't be attempting to wield it in the first place."

"I need it to restore my powers," he replied.

"You do not need it," he said. "You should stop trying to go after it."

Oliver carefully rose to his feet although his legs felt shaky as if the ground underneath him was moving. Taking slow deep breaths he began to get his breath back. Staring into Silas' eyes he noticed the rage burning in his eyes like a wildfire. Silas' eyes still continued to glow with an extreme intensity. He tried to summon some more of his dark magic. But only small purple sparks crackled from his fingertips. Clenching his fists he continued to attempt to summon his magic but only small sparks crackled around his hands. Placing his hand on the hilt of his rapier he then drew it and pointed it at Silas. Who raised his hand and pointed one of his fingers at Oliver's sword.

The rapier was then pried out of Oliver's hand and began to levitate in the air. Silas then pointed his finger at a tree. The rapier was sent flying towards the tree and ended up piercing it. Oliver went to walk over to the tree to grab his rapier. But a small bolt of electricity struck the ground in front of him causing him to stop in his tracks. Gazing at Silas Oliver then went to walk towards him. Silas then sent a small bolt of electricity flying towards him. Oliver then dodged the bolt and went to walk towards Silas. Silas sighed and raised his hand and held it out in front of him. Oliver felt himself freeze in place only able to do small movements like blinking his eyes and breathing.

"You need to stop trying to search for the pure dark magic," Silas declared. "It is not meant to be wielded by an ordinary dark magic user like you.

"I am not an ordinary dark magic user! I use to rule this country!" Oliver replied. "Now get out of my head that's an order."

"I don't care if you ruled this country or not. You still shouldn't be wielding such power," he said.

Oliver's eyes began to faintly glow out of annoyance. Silas raised his other hand and a small bright purple flame appeared in his hand. Oliver felt his heart pounding like a drum in his chest.

"You don't understand I just want to restore my powers," he said. "I don't want to use the pure dark magic for anything else."

"You restored some of your power with the lightning," he replied.

"That was only temporary and you should know that," he said. "I can not just rely on a thunderstorm to give me power."

"That is true. But it proves that there are other ways to restore your powers and that they are easily accessible to you," he replied. "You do not need the pure dark magic to restore your powers. I suggest that you stop seeking the pure dark magic at once."

"I will not stop seeking out this power and you can not order me to stop," he said.

Silas then clenched his fist in front of him and did a pulling motion with it. Oliver was being forcefully dragged towards Silas. Silas then unfurled his fist which caused Oliver to stop being dragged towards him. Walking towards Oliver he then grabbed the collar of Oliver's coat and forcefully yanked it down causing Oliver's neck to be pulled downwards. Silas then placed the flame close to his face.

"You will stop seeking the pure dark magic," he said in a threatening tone. "Unless you want me to slowly burn you alive all the while you can't escape my wrath."

"No I won't stop seeking it," he replied trying to hide his fear. "Go ahead burn me alive. Kill me. It will prove that you aren't such a coward."

"You are the coward. You used other people to conquer these lands," he said while shifting the flame up slightly. "You are the coward here. Not me."

"I am not a coward!" he replied. "I will kill you once I conquer these lands once again!"

Silas then extinguished the flame and let go of Oliver's collar. Silas then put both of his hands in front of him and did a pushing motion with them. Oliver was sent flying upwards and into a tree trunk. Lowering his hands down to his sides Silas then disappeared with a bright purple flash.

Oliver fell to the ground with a thud. Groaning out of pain he then slowly got off the ground and dusted his clothing off. Limping over to the tree which still has his rapier skewered in it. Firmly placing his hand on the hilt of his sword he then yanked it out of the tree trunk. Placing his rapier back into his sheath he then started wandering through the forest. The leaves and twigs loudly crunching underneath his boots as he searched for shelter. Glancing around the forest he saw nothing except trees and a few large boulders.

Eventually he noticed a small cave and cautiously wandered inside. Sitting down close to the entrance of the cave he listened to the sounds of water dripping onto the rocky ground echoing throughout the cave. Gazing out into the forest he noticed that the rain was getting much heavier. A bright white flash happened lighting up the entire forest and a part of the cave. Thunder rumbled overhead the storm still raged on.

Oliver thought to himself out of confusion. "I need more information about this pure dark magic. But how do I get this information?"

Oliver took a deep breath and slowly closed his eyes. Feeling his entire body starting to relax and his heart rate start to slow to a calm steady pace.

***

Oliver is sitting on a small grassy hill feeling the gentle warm breeze blowing against his skin and clothing. The midday sun shining down on him. He then hears footsteps rustling in the long grass behind him. Turning his head he notices his father approaching him. Oliver's father stands beside him and gazes out at the horizon.

"You seem deep in thought Oliver," he says calmly. "What are you thinking about my son?"

"I feel like I have done a lot of research about dark magic," he replies. "But I feel that there is more information out there than there is in any books. How do I find out more information father?"

"There is a place that you can go to gain more information about dark magic," he says. "Information that isn't found in any book in the world."

"What is the place that I need to go to?" he asks.

Oliver's father sits down next to Oliver and looks at him with a small amount of concern due to Oliver's curiosity. He then places his hand on Oliver's shoulder and gives it a gentle squeeze.

"The place where you have to go is called The Dark Realm. It is a dangerous place," he says. "Yet it can give you information about dark magic that isn't found in any book in the world."

"Why is The Dark Realm dangerous father?" he asks.

"Because if one stays in The Dark Realm too long it could effect your sanity or possibly even kill you," he says. "I knew someone who sought out information in The Dark Realm. But they stayed in there too long and they ended up being killed by it."

"I see and I understand," he replies.

"I wouldn't suggest trying to seek it out Oliver. I don't want to lose you my son," he says. "I shall head back to the house. Don't forget about lunch Oliver."

"I won't father," he replies.

Oliver's father then got up and starts walking back to the house leaving Oliver alone with his thoughts.

Oliver thinks to himself. "I understand why my father doesn't want me to go to The Dark Realm. But I do want to learn more about dark magic. But I guess for now I will have to just wait before I can go to The Dark Realm."

Oliver then gets up off the soft grass and starts making his way down the hill towards the house.

***

Suddenly lightning struck a tree outside the cave fully splitting it down the middle and causing it to fall over and land close to the entrance of the cave. The sound of the tree crashing to the ground echoed throughout the forest. The smell of charred wood filled the air. Oliver opened his eyes and realized what he had to do. Getting off the cold rocky ground he walked outside and over to the fallen tree. Drawing his rapier he then sliced a group of small branches off the tree.

Eventually he put his rapier back into his sheath and picked up the group of branches and started carrying them back to the cave. Upon entering the cave he threw the pile of branches onto the ground. The sound of the branches clattering onto the rocky ground echoing throughout the cave. Holding out his hand in front of the pile of branches and glancing down at them. He then took a deep breath.

"Please just give me a small spark," he said to himself.

A small tingling sensation filled Oliver's fingers and then a small bolt of dark magic shot out of his finger and struck the pile of branches. Purple flames started to engulf the pile of branches. The crackling and popping of the wood echoed throughout the cave. Grabbing a small silver knife out of his pocket and holding out his palm he then placed the tip of the blade in the center of his palm. Feeling the coolness of the metal on his hand. Slowly digging the tip of the blade into his skin and ignoring the pain. He dug the blade deeper into the palm of his hand until he drew blood. Then he sliced across the palm of his hand leaving a deep cut.

Putting the knife back in his pocket he then put the palm of his hand over the small flame. A couple crimson droplets fell into the purple flame. The color of the flame shifted to a bright crimson. Removing his hand away from the flame and lowering it down to his side. Suddenly Oliver started to feel faint. His vision began to blur and he felt unsteady on his feet. He then fell backwards onto the ground and everything started to go black. Eventually Oliver fully blacked out.

***

Oliver then opened his eyes and noticed that he wasn't inside the cave. Instead he was surrounded by nothing but darkness. Glancing around he then notice a giant hourglass floating above him that is filled with scarlet sand that was slowly falling to the bottom of it. Suddenly an eerie purple light started shining down in front of him. Looking forward he noticed a person who was wearing a black and purple robe, a hood and some shiny jet black metal boots sitting on a large throne. The persons eyes were glowing a bright purple and with an extreme intensity.

Oliver cautiously walked towards the mysterious person the sound of his footsteps echoing around him. The person held their hand out in front of themselves gesturing Oliver to stop. Oliver then stopped in his tracks about a meter away from the person sitting on the throne. He awkwardly gazed into the persons eyes unsure what to say to them. Eventually Oliver finally decided to speak.

"Who are you?" Oliver asked with a sense of caution.

"My name doesn't matter to a mortal like you," The man replied in an incredibly deep voice.

"Are you not a mortal then?" he asks.

"No im not a mortal," he replied. "I am the ruler of The Dark Realm. I have ruled this place since you mortals appeared into this world."

The man then raised his hands into the air and quickly thrusted them out in front of him. Multiple enormous purple flames on both sides shot upwards towering over them. The man then gestured Oliver to come closer. Which Oliver did so and then he stopped half a meter away from the man.

"Why are you here Oliver Cromwell former Lord Protector of England?" he asked.

"How do you know who I am?" he asked.

"I know the names of all the dark magic users of the past and the present," he replied. "It is apart of the knowledge I carry. So I ask you again why are you here?"

"I seek knowledge," he said. "I seek knowledge of pure dark magic."

"I have had many ask about pure dark magic before," he replied. "The knowledge of pure dark magic is complex."

The man then summoned a massive book with a black and purple leather cover with dark magic symbols on it. The book slowly floated down onto the mans lap and he opened it. His eyes began to glow even brighter and the pages started rapidly moving. Eventually the pages stopped being moved and the man's eyes dimmed slightly.

"Pure dark magic is from ancient times when multiple empires and great conquerors existed," he said. "It is much more powerful and far more destructive than regular dark magic."

"I see. There is someone who doesn't want me to use the pure dark magic to restore my powers," he replied.

"I know the person you are talking about," he said. "The Archmage of Darkness."

"Yes he is the so called guardian of the pure dark magic at The Well of Darkness," he replied. "But I want to know why he protects that place."

The man's eyes began to glow brighter again and the pages of the book began to be rapidly flicked open. Eventually the pages stopped being flicked open and the man's eyes dimmed once again.

"The Archmages of Darkness are descendants of the pure dark magic users," he said. "They protect what is left from their descendants. Which is wells of pure dark magic that use to be freely used to restore people's magic."

"Why is it no longer free for people to use to restore their magic at the wells?" he asked.

"Because many people began creating mass destruction and starting wars with it," he said. "You mortals seem to have a thing with starting wars and murdering each other."

"I suppose that we do have a thing for that," he replied. "Just going on massive conquests."

The man then glanced up at the massive hourglass which was almost empty. He then looked back at Oliver and sighed.

"You may ask me one more question about pure dark magic before your time here comes to an end," he said.

"Can someone like me control pure dark magic?" he asked.

The man's eyes began to glow brighter  again and the pages of the book began to be rapidly flicked open. Eventually the pages of the book stopped being flicked open and the man's eyes dimmed once again.

"It is difficult for a normal dark magic user to control pure dark magic," he said. "It is easier for a descendant of the pure dark magic users to control the pure dark magic."

"But can it be done?" he asked.

"Yes it can be done although with great difficulty," he replied. "You would have to train and hone your abilities."

"I understand that," he said. "Thank you for giving me this knowledge. I shall use it well."

The man nodded and closed the massive book. Then he picked it up and lifted it up into the air. The book then started floating upwards and eventually disappeared from view. He then lowered his arms down to rest on the armrests of his throne. Gazing up at the hourglass and then back at Oliver the man raised his left arm slightly and pointed his finger to the left of him. Bright blue flames appeared in a square shape.

"It is time for you to exit The Dark Realm and head back to the mortal world," the man said.

"I see," he replied. "Thank you again for your knowledge."

Oliver cautiously approached the flaming exit. He paused and stared at the exit and noticed his unconscious self lying next to the fire which has fully burnt out. The man got up from his throne and wandered over to Oliver the sound of his metal boots clanking on the floor echoing throughout the space. He stopped and stood beside Oliver.

"Coming here for the first time is a strange experience and it's the same with leaving here," he said. "You may feel a bit strange once you get back to the mortal world."

"I understand," he replied.

"Goodbye now until we meet again," he said.

Oliver walked through the exit which immediately vanished behind him.

***

Oliver slowly started to regain consciousness. Softly groaning he then opened his eyes and noticed that his surroundings were spinning slightly. He also noticed that the sun was starting to set and the soft light was shining into the cave. Oliver tried to sit up but his limbs protested the effort and he just lay still on the ground. Suddenly he felt an extreme amount of pain in his stomach as if it was twisting in knots. He weakly shifted his arm to point at the burnt out campfire. Lifting his finger only a small spark shot out from it. But it wasn't enough to light the campfire. Oliver decided to close his eyes and attempted to go to sleep.