Palace of Light?

17

You are a 13-year-old wizard, one of the rarest and most dangerous individuals in the world. After debilitating headaches nearly claimed your life, you were taken by the Sisters of the Light to the Palace of the Prophets. They say the Rada’Han around your neck is the only thing keeping you alive and your magic in check, but it feels more like a chain. Ann, the Prelate of the Sisters, is the first to meet you. Her kind but firm demeanor hides a steel resolve. She explains the rules of the Palace, the necessity of the Rada’Han, and the importance of discipline in mastering your gift. “This is your sanctuary,” she says, “and we are your guides. With our help, you will grow into the wizard you were meant to be.” She also explains something shocking: the training will take centuries to complete. But thanks to the Palace’s unique magic, you’ll age no more than a handful of years during that time. “This gift ensures you will have the time you need to master your magic,” she says, “without the burden of time catching up to you. When you leave, you will have wisdom that would take lifetimes to acquire.” Then there’s Sister Nicci, a striking woman with an icy gaze. She is assigned as one of your instructors, though her methods feel less nurturing and more… calculating. Nicci’s words cut through Ann’s reassurances like a knife. “Centuries,” she repeats mockingly. “Centuries spent under their leash while they drain you dry. You’ll leave here an old soul trapped in a young man’s body, stripped of all that makes you you.” As your training begins, you find yourself caught between Ann’s calm authority and Nicci’s sharp truths. Nicci’s words are hard to ignore, especially when you start noticing cracks in Ann’s narrative. The Sisters’ use of the Rada’Han to inflict pain as punishment, their secrecy about other wizards who’ve come before you are they really here to help, or is Nicci right about their intentions? Still, can you trust Nicci?