A Darker Shade of Magic
Chapter 56: The Waiting King VI
by Schwab, V. E.The chapter depicts a catastrophic event in Red London as a dark magical force abruptly dissipates, leaving devastation in its wake. Across the city, individuals who had been touched by this magic—whether willingly or forcibly—collapse as the black flame within them extinguishes. The aftermath is gruesome, with some victims disintegrating into ash, others reduced to hollow shells, and a fortunate few surviving but left severely weakened. The magic’s sudden disappearance creates a trail of death and suffering, highlighting its destructive power and the fragility of those who harbored it.
In the streets, the chaos is palpable as people stagger and fall, their bodies unable to withstand the magic’s departure. The varying fates of the victims—ranging from complete annihilation to mere survival—underscore the unpredictable and merciless nature of the dark force. The imagery of crumbling ash and empty husks paints a vivid picture of the magic’s consuming power, while the lucky few who survive are left gasping, their lives forever altered by the ordeal. This scene emphasizes the indiscriminate toll of the magic, affecting all who came into contact with it, regardless of their circumstances.
The palace is not spared, as the magic disguised as Gen meets its end just as it reaches the royal chambers. With his hand blackening on the door, the darkness within him dies, dragging him into oblivion. This moment signifies the abrupt cessation of the magic’s influence, even at the highest levels of power. The suddenness of his demise suggests that no one, not even those closest to the throne, is immune to the magic’s collapse, reinforcing the chapter’s theme of inescapable consequences.
Far from the palace, in a secluded sanctuary, the prince of Red London lies motionless on a cot, his fate hanging in the balance. The candlelit room contrasts with the darkness that has just ravaged the city, yet his stillness hints at a possible connection to the events unfolding elsewhere. This closing scene leaves the prince’s condition ambiguous, suggesting that the repercussions of the magic’s disappearance may extend beyond the immediate carnage, setting the stage for further developments in the story. The chapter ends on a somber note, leaving readers to ponder the broader implications of the tragedy.
FAQs
1. What happens to the people affected by the black flame magic when it is dispelled in Red London?
Answer:
When the black flame magic is dispelled, the affected individuals collapse across Red London. The consequences vary: some crumble into ash, completely burned up; others are reduced to hollow husks, emptied of life; and a fortunate few survive, left weak and gasping but alive. This mass collapse occurs everywhere—in the streets, the palace, and even the sanctuary where the prince lies. The magic’s sudden disappearance leaves a trail of devastation, highlighting its destructive power and the fragility of those who were touched by it.
2. How does the chapter depict the contrast between the fates of the magic’s victims?
Answer:
The chapter emphasizes the unpredictability of the black flame’s aftermath by showing three distinct outcomes for its victims. Some are utterly consumed (turning to ash), others become lifeless shells (husks), and a rare few survive in a weakened state. This contrast underscores the arbitrary brutality of the magic—it doesn’t discriminate in its destruction, yet a handful escape total annihilation. The imagery of ash versus husks also suggests different ways magic can corrupt: one burns, the other hollows.
3. Analyze the significance of the prince’s state at the end of the chapter. What might it imply for the story?
Answer:
The prince’s stillness in the sanctuary, far from the palace, suggests he is either dead or in a magically induced stasis. His fate is juxtaposed with the chaos elsewhere, hinting at his centrality to the conflict. If he is dead, his demise could symbolize the collapse of Red London’s old order. If he is suspended between life and death, it may foreshadow a resurrection or transformation. This moment leaves room for speculation about whether his condition is a consequence of the dispelled magic or a separate magical event.
4. Why might the author choose to describe the magic as “dressed as Gen” in the palace scene?
Answer:
The phrase “magic dressed as Gen” personifies the magic, implying it took on Gen’s form to infiltrate the royal chambers. This suggests the magic is not just a force but an entity capable of deception, mimicking individuals to achieve its ends. The detail adds a layer of horror—the magic was on the verge of reaching the royals before being dispelled. It also raises questions about Gen’s fate: was he consumed by the magic, or did he willingly become its vessel?
5. How does the chapter’s structure (short, fragmented sentences) contribute to its tone and themes?
Answer:
The abrupt, clipped sentences mirror the suddenness of the magic’s collapse and the chaos it leaves behind. Phrases like “the bodies fell” and “empty inside” create a stark, jarring rhythm, emphasizing violence and loss. The lack of elaboration forces readers to fill in gaps, much like the survivors grappling with the aftermath. This style reinforces themes of impermanence and fragility—lives and magic snuffed out in an instant.
Quotes
1. “Across Red London, the bodies fell.”
This opening line powerfully sets the scene for the chapter’s catastrophic event, immediately conveying the scale and suddenness of the magical collapse affecting the entire city.
2. “Men and women who’d been kissed or taken, wooed or forced, those who had let the magic in and those who had had it thrust upon them, all of them fell as the black flame inside them gutted and went out.”
This quote captures the indiscriminate nature of the magical fallout, showing how it affects all types of magic users regardless of how they acquired their power, while introducing the vivid “black flame” imagery.
3. “Some crumbled to ash, all burned up, and some were reduced to husks, empty inside, and a lucky few crumpled, gasping and weak but still alive.”
This passage illustrates the varying consequences of the magical collapse, creating a spectrum of outcomes that range from complete destruction to survival, hinting at the arbitrary nature of the event.
4. “In the palace, the magic dressed as Gen had just reached the royal chambers, his blackening hand on the door, when the darkness died and took him with it.”
This moment serves as a crucial narrative turning point, showing the abrupt end of a significant threat (the magic disguised as Gen) just as it was about to reach its target.
5. “And in the sanctuary, far from the castle walls, on a bare cot in a candlelit room, the prince of Red London shivered and fell still.”
The chapter’s closing line focuses on the prince’s fate, creating suspense about whether this is death or transformation, while contrasting the intimate setting with the city-wide catastrophe.