Chapter 37: I am simply better
-Lucas pov -
Opening the tome was going to be difficult, the protections were so deeply embedded into the tome I don't think any anti-magic items would even wipe out the wards, curses, and lore that are layered to cover every single inch of parchment.
Luckily this gave me ample time to try something I have wanted to try ever since I read about it in the Libriomancy book. The book describes another use for libromancy one that is hard to master but if it is mastered can change the tides of battles and the way one lives life.
That power is called reading, there are many subdivisions of this ability like aura reading, magic reading, soul reading, and so on. Each branch has its own unique advantages and techniques.
The gist of the main ability is to 'read' how something is done, its history, and its purpose. not through a book but through life, auras, magical power, and more.
For example, if I was proficient in the ability I could pick up a trace of mana and 'read' it knowing when it was left, who left it, what it was left for, and where if I was good enough where that person is now or where they used mana last.
In the book, it is said the first Libriomancer could see someone and 'read' their soul learning everything about them in a matter of seconds. No secrets were safe from him.
Seeing as this tome is heavily guarded primarily with magic I can use it as the perfect training dummy, eventually, I will be able to 'read' its history and weakness.
Seeing as this will be my first time, I'm going to have to focus and probably use body movements.
Attempt one.
-Narrator pov -
While Lucas began his practice in the mysterious arts of Libriomancy reading, Oliver was busy dealing with the hallucinations that resorted from the drug he was administered.
Before he stood Lucas, except this wasn't the normal Lucas he has seen for the past couple of months. This was the Lucas he remembered from the island, eyes filled with madness looked down on his figure.
"YOU LEFT ME!" 'Lucas' shouted
"I thought you died!" Oliver replied his voice was hoarse
Lucas rushed at him at inhuman speeds, right as they were about to collide 'Lucas' turned into smoke, and the scene changed.
Now Oliver was on the island, most gently wasted off the forest floor, the howling of speedy winds blew through the towering trees. Oliver knew that he wasn't just hallucinating now, he was seeing a memory, one that he buried deep.
The drugs dug it out.
"Run!" voices echoed throughout the forest
"NO, WE HAVE TO FIGHT IT!" another voice shouted he sounded desperate
"FUCK THAT RUN!" another sounded but this one was of pure terror
Oliver watched in third person as his own form peeked from under the small mound he was hiding.
What he saw made his eyes widen, and his breath became ragged.
Lucas appeared like a phantom, cutting down the soldiers that ran from him, he was like a hunter and everything was his prey.
"Heeeelppggggg" a young man shouted but his voice was muted by Lucas ripping his throat out
*swoosh!* Lucas disappeared again this time reappearing behind a soldier that seemed determined to stand his ground
Lucas's hand shout out, *cruchhkkk* the sticking sound of flesh being torn riveted throughout the graveyard that was now before Oliver
Lucas held the heart he just pulled from the soldier, his eyes meeting Olivers as he lifted the heart to his mouth, *shickkk*, "mmmmmm!" Lucas groaned in satisfaction as blood cascaded down his mouth
Oliver never noticed the man sneaking up behind him but, Lucas did, he disappeared and reappeared behind Oliver *bang!* the sound of gunfire made Oliver snap around to see his brother standing with his hands wide, "dID, YoU JuSt TrY To KiLl My BrOtHeR?" Lucas said slowly his voice didn't sound human
"What the fu-" the man tried to speak but he couldn't even finish his sentence as Lucas tore into his body
*GAHHHHH!"
"AHHHHH!"
Blood splashed onto Oliver, he opened his mouth,
"OLIVER!" Felicity's voice broke him from the ethereal experience
Oliver groggily got up from the operation table, his head was pounding, "it was all fake," Oliver whispered to himself
"Oliver are you okay?" Felicity asked with deep concern
"I'm fine," he replied slowly
-Lucas's manor -
Attempt 102- Moderate success, could read the weakest ward, though only the most recent application it used. Which was deflecting Lucas's pathetic attempt at reading.
"Sir, I just got word from some of your spies that the green arrow was spotted at a building in the glades," Dembe said breaking Lucas from his overzealous attempts at perfecting reading magic
Lucas frowned, his spies were just people from the glades and starling city in general that had mental suggestions implanted in their heads to send a message to a number when they spot something of interest.
Lucas began to pour over his memories, thinking if this is an important event. Snapping his fingers he quickly suited up.
'This is when Oliver got bitch slapped by that drugged-up guy,' he thought
"I will be back soon!" he said quickly to Dembe as he shifted into a bat
Flying out of his window he began to head toward the glades.
-Break-
*Crash!* Oliver's body collided with the wall next to him
"ARGH!" he groaned in pain his head was still hurting from the drug journey he took earlier
*swoosh* seeing a first coming right for him, Oliver dodged, taking an arrow he quickly knocked it in his bow and shot at his opponent's legs
*fwwwoomm* *shickk* "AGHHHRRRRRR!" his opponent screamed but not in agony just pure anger
*crash!*
*crackk*
*brassskkkk*
Oliver kept dodging only attacking when he saw an opening, the man in the creepy mask that was drugging the residence of the glades began to slowly leave the room. Careful not to draw the attention of Oliver.
*SWOOSH!*
*swooosh*
The sound of rapid movements filled the air it was as if time stopped, then blood began to coat the room.
Oliver stared eyes wide at the sight before him, his brother stood in the room with the heads of both of the criminals firmly in his grasp.
It was like his earlier drugged memory began to overlap at this moment, he was seeing flashes of a forest, and blood.
The main figure of each scene was Lucas.
Oliver fell to the ground on his knees, ripping out his communication device he slammed it into the ground.
"What are you? No one is listening what are you!" his voice sounded broken
Lucas slowly walked toward Oliver bending slightly he dropped the heads and hugged Oliver softly, "your brother," was his response, if Oliver paid more attention he would have noticed the pain in his brother's reply
Oliver fought out of his brother's embrace and took the fallen form of Roy leaving an alone Lucas.
-Break-
Lucas went home and quickly stripped out of his suit, he didn't understand, he couldn't understand the horrified look Oliver sent him.
Lucas looked in the mirror, his face was clean and pristine, most would kill for his appearance but, what Lucas saw were elongated fangs, and blood-red eyes accompanied by popping veins.
He saw a demon.
For the briefest moment, at speeds at which a human wouldn't be able to perceive Lucas's face morphed, a grin appeared on his face, and his eyes shined with madness.
-End-
A/N: *READ* Okay here comes the 'Edgy' 'Edge' comments but, this scene is very important for the upcoming particle accelerator chapter and for Oliver and Lucas as brothers. Oliver will think Lucas is some type of failed super serum project. Let's just say when the particle accelerator happens and Lucas evolves he will see himself as something more than a demon. After the particle accelerator, we will begin to speed up in important events, and character development.
(I'm really putting this here because I don't want anyone to leave just because of this small edginess😅)
As always feel free to ask questions, I will answer to the best of my ability.
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