Characters: Kalon Rhadon
Doctor Shadow on May 23, 2008
Something a little different than the usual character cards. I thought I might try this out, this is an early glimpse (another scene previous to Fate's Hand, that was on the cutting room floor) - it defines some of who Kalon is, but does not give you the important mysteries behind his background, those we want to remain a secret for now. They will be explained eventually! The picture in question is early concept art of Kalon from 06…
The first of two searing balls of fire erupted from the woman’s hands as she frantically pulled at the threads of the weave; she quickly curled them into a myriad of patterns and threw the silver strand of targeting upon her intended victim. She hissed under her breath and felt the rocky floor of the cavern shatter as several sharp impacts ripped into it – Inquisition weapons most likely.
Julius Vael had no time to react as the searing hot ball of superheated magma smashed into him, his training as an Inquisitor did not prepare him for the tenacious sorcerer’s will to live. She poured all of her hate and anger into the magic and it lit the young man up like a pyre, his flesh burst into flame and his body was cooked in an acrid stench almost immediately.
The man’s screams echoed about the cavern as he died. The wizard simply known as Fallen Ashes sneered as the flames went out and the Inquisitor’s body was left as a husk of blackened and charred flesh.
Her hiding place was compromised and she knew others would come, she would be ready, her magical traps were complex and varied and her guardians would deal with any other interlopers. She was a fool to trust Julius and believe that he was a ‘reformed’ churchman, that falsehood almost cost her dearly.
An explosion rocked the chamber and a metal head landed neatly at her feet, she looked up wildly to the source of the fire and there upon an outcropping of rock stood a single figure – he had long dark hair, a stone-like expression and a pair of the Inquisiton’s tech-magis pistols rested down by his side.
Behind him the remains of a metal guardian crashed to the ground, shattering into sparks and pieces as it fell to the floor.
Kalon Rhadon looked down at his adversary; the woman was pleasing to the eye if a little snake-like of frame and plain of face. Her silver grey hair, dyed with the chemicals of an alchemists' lab reached to just past her shoulders. Her dark ochre eyes met his and they shared an intimate moment of understanding.
He took in every detail, her slight curves and simple clothes, her left hand moving in unison with her right. He saw the first glitter of magic and regarded the dead Inquisitor upon the cavern floor close to where she stood.
“Marsia Akonsas,†he intoned her name in soft but emotionless words. “You are a heretic and have attempted to evade capture. For the crime of murder, an Inquisitor no less…and heresy you are sentenced to death with no trial or due process, these are the laws and doctrine of the Church of Progression.â€Â
“Go to hell,†she spat and thrust her hands out, the same deadly fire leapt from them and roared towards the Inquisitor. “And burn with your friend!â€Â
Kalon watched the ball of flame with a disinterested expression and raised a gloved hand, as the magic neared him he pointed a single pistol at it and lowered his gaze. There was a blue flash from the muzzle of the Inquisitor’s weapon as it discharged a single projectile.
A close look at the bullet would reveal complex equations and formulae etched into the metal, the cylinder was covered in them and so was the gun. The whole design of pattern, logic and mathematical symmetry echoed in Kalon’s attire.
Bullet met magic in a play of opposite forces, the scientific principles were some of the most complex and their pure logical energy overwhelmed even Marsia’s magical talent – the ball broke against the projectile like a wave upon the shore.
The wizard only had a few seconds as time seemed to slow down for her, she watched the ball break into its component elements and flicker out then her world turned black. The dead woman’s body landed in a heap on the cavern floor, her eyes wide and a single hole penetrating the front of her forehead.
Doctor Shadow at 5:01AM, May 29, 2008
Well, one hundred or so years ago, magic was quite commonplace and sorcery was rife. The Anshada pushed their craft too far and allowed demons to almost rule the world. In the one hundred years between that time and the comic, the Church of Progression grew to power and magic was considered heresy. So there are good and bad magic users in Hestonia, it's just the CoP doesn't see the worth of something it has no control over.
katyas at 12:50PM, May 28, 2008
Wow, beautiful scene. Although I always wonder about the "heretics" and "evil magicians" - they must have goals and aspirations, dreams and ideals - I always remember that history and "truth" is written by the winners in any conflict and therefore we're only hearing on side of the story ... Have you read any of Modesitt's Recluse cycle? He plays with your mind in those books - first he shows us the world only from the point of view of the dark magicians, showing the Light magicians (Chaos magicians) as evil bastards. Then, however, he turns it around - he brings us into the story from the other point of view ... It's a neat thing. Anyhoo ... I'm just rambling ... Nice picture, too!
Doctor Shadow at 3:38AM, May 26, 2008
Thanks folks!
Steely Gaze at 6:34AM, May 25, 2008
Very nice! Add a background, and you have an instant cover right there! And the story snippet was really cool as well; you've got a talent for creating some pretty groovy visuals. Hey, why not create book of deleted scenes and whatnot? It'd be like a bonus to fans of the actual book, you know?
trevoramueller at 10:31PM, May 24, 2008
Absolutely sweet!
amanda at 12:42PM, May 24, 2008
Mmm, dreamy... uh...*ahem* A good story. I love the extra background info!
Doctor Shadow at 4:40AM, May 24, 2008
DAJB: Yep, every time. I have so much cutting-room floor stuff from my various projects and own stories it could make a whole comic, book, anything else.
DAJB at 4:29AM, May 24, 2008
Nice picture. Cool excerpt, too. Don't you just hate it when you have to leave stuff out!