Mage: the Awakening introduction story

Hector Wynde could feel the power, the holy power of the Ley, running through his body. As all amidst Canada praised him, and thanked him for saving their country, he could finally crown himself.

Dominion was his, finally his!

The lies, the treachery, the uncounted years! The help he had given to those poor, barely awakened mages in their time of strife, it was finally paying off! They were praying to him, and the energy of the Ley Lines were converging into him!

And then he finally saw! Intangible, invisible, beyond the sight of mere men stood a ladder that went beyond the skies! The Supernal was his, finally!

Such were the dreams of Hector before a knife between his ribs tore him away from them. The visions of greatness just made the days even more painful to endure. Besides him, a gaunt and evil man was grinning. He had found a soft spot.

- Truly you've done well, Hector (the man spit the name). Who could have foreseen that you'd come rushing in, while Caine's pupils are taking all the glory of undoing Montreal? Surely not me, no... Did you really think winning was an option? Nah, it never is, not truly. Despair and woe, now those are real feelings, yes? Despair and woe.

-Those kids, running after secrets, Athaneums, spirits and Exarchs are all doomed to fail, but I want to take my time with them. They have to see the world if they're to have regrets when we'll all watch it burn!

- Ah, my dear Hector. Did you ever learn why my mentor called me ArsMens? Well, you know how some people like to make art forms out of people's bodies, twisting the limbs and skin to their purpose? Well, I'm also an artist, but I work with the mind along with the body. But you won't be my greatest project, oh no! That honor I leave to an old friend of mine!

- Well now, dear Hector. Shall we start?