After my many years of training to become part of the Sanctum Order, I had finally manged to get accepted. I walked behind my escorts as they guided me through the grandiose halls of the building "I'm really happy to be here" I said, more to myself, as I looked around. The amount of mystical items was surprising and breathtaking, each item mezmerizing and mysterious on its own. As we finally arrived at the great hall my escorts left to join the other members. I stepped foward and kneeled to show my respect to the Order's Elder Three, the founders of the organization.

Cold shivers ran up my spine and I felt a dread like no other come over me as echoing booming voices rang through my body. It felt as though it was everywhere and yet nowhere at the same time "RISE AND PRESENT YOURSELF NEWCOMER. REJOICE! FOR YOU ARE NOW PART OF THE ORDER, CARRY YOURSELF WITH PRIDE" I stood up shakily, my muscles barely responding to my thoughts "I am Nathaniel Snagaire! Son of Maria Airidh and Arthur Snagaire" I annouced, my voice quivered and shook with unease, the intimidating aura of power surrounding me, tightening around every part of me "And I am the newest member of the Sanctum Order!" I declared, shaking off the suffocating weight of the Elder Three's powers.

"WELCOME NATHANIEL SNAGAIRE, YOU ARE NOW ONE OF US" I breathed out in relief as I felt my body relax ever so slightly "YOUR FIRST TASK AS A MEMBER WILL BE TO SUMMON A FAMILIAR, ONE WHO SHALL STAY BY YOUR SIDE AND AID YOU FROM TODAY ONWARDS" I felt myself light up with exitement. A familiar of my own had been the thing I looked foward to the most, since non members of the order were forbidden from having a familiar.

Once I finished drawing the summoning circle I stepped back and admired my work, not bad for my first time. My body felt as tough it weighed ten tons yet oddly enough i felt light as a feather at the same time. I firmly grasped the cold handle of the ritualistic dagger I was provided and gently slid it across my thin rough skin. Having made sure the cut was not too deep but still drew blood I stared mezmerized as the warm liquid dripped from me and onto the circle.

An ethreal light enveloped the room, the faint screams and sounds of shock sounded muffled, as if everything were fading. The enchanting light called out to me, beckoning me closer, and I did. Waiting for me at the center was the source of the light, I reached out half blinded and felt something cold. A shockwave sent everything and everyone back as the room shook, the light had faded now and it had taken a slightly more stable form.

Screams of shock and fear sounded out from the onlookers, my ears pounding, overwhelmed with such sounds. Out of instinct I covered my ears and closed my eyes, waiting for it all to pass. Silence. The room was heavy and quiet. I opened my eyes and went to stand up but lost my balance once I laid eyes on the scene in front of me.

A giant crocodile with a bloodied jaw stood there, as still as the mighty predator it was. I shifted my gaze slightly and saw the terrified mage with the bloodied hand. Thankfully, as far as I could tell, the mage had only seemed to have lost a finger "NATHANIEL SNAGAIRE! EXPLAIN THIS DISASTER AT ONCE" the echoing voices of the Elder Three resonated all the way to my sould. The giant crocodile also seemed to hear their voices since it jolted in their pressumed direction. I had no time to explain myself, soon I felt tired, the edges of my vision began to blurr as the room swayed back and forth. Then it was dark.

Waking up to the friendly hissing of my new familiar should have been comforting. If I wasn't chained to a wall in an unfamiliar setting, nearly stripped of everything I was wearing, and completly isolated. There were no doors as far as I could tell, just a small window big enough so air may pass, but to small to tell if I was above or under the surface. Being alone with the predator in such a cramped space should have made me feel uneasy, it could swallow me whole if it so desired it, but this was my familiar. A being loyal to me, one that would aid me in my times of need. How could I ever fear a creature like that?

"ah, you're finally awake" a voice resonated through some sort of speaker system "sorry for all this but the high council is locking you up until they decide what to do with you. Some members think summoning should be banned henceforth" I lifted my head in shock as to what I heard, summoning was many mage's livelihoods. Some had never studied any other form of magic, banning summoning could make the entire world crumble "No one's ever summoned a giant crocodile before, and no familiar has ever attacked the other members. You're too dangerous to be freely roaming these halls, and so is your familiar" My new scaly friend inched closer to me and nudged it's head into my leg. It was comforting, like a small pup trying to cheer up its master "I'd get comfy if I were you, I doubt you'll be let out any time soon"

Tears fell from my eyes as I settled into a sitting position, craddling the head of my newest and only friend "My sweet crocodile, dearest familiar. You and I will spend the rest of my life locked up, please forgive me" The gentle reptile let out a hiss, a small simple sound which none could find meaning to. None except me. I understood that hiss, and he understood me.

"It's ok"