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Post by Blindside Tex on Jun 6, 2022 21:08:28 GMT -5
Vaena sat back against the couch her eyes glued to her phone. Silence settled in the room. Damien watched her with furrowed brows. “Lana will be fine.” He moved forward and slipped the phone from her grasp. “She’s used to the world outside of the academy. Believe me she’s been in more than enough trouble.” He chuckled.
Vaena lifted her hues to look to him, “You seem so certain that everything will just work out. That it’ll be just fine.” She pressed her lips together. She swiped forward and grasped her phone. “You may think that I am a fool, Damien. But I am not.” She stared to him with a sense of fire in her eyes. “Those people...meant to harm me. Simply because I have connections with the Capitol. Care to explain that? What horrible things has the Capitol done that there are factions that are set on torturing a mage such as myself?” Her voice was pointed as she kept her hues upon him.
Damien looked to her with a defeated expression as a sigh came from his lips. He sat down across from her and gazed to her a long moment. “Vaena, you don’t understand. It is not the Capitol that has caused harm. It is those that want to act against the Capitol. Can’t you see? I’m not the bad guy here. Hm?” He gave a weak smile.
Though there was not much time for discussion on this matter. The red swirl of light flickered to life within the room. Vaena stood slowly her jade hues locked upon the colors. As Lana appeared upon the floor the sound of the explosion echoed through the condo. Vaena rushed to the woman’s side as she saw the look of pain. “Black ring cap?” Her eyes widened as her hand rest upon Lana’s shoulder.
“Where...is my car…?” Damien questioned as he moved to the balcony that looked over the lake, in the distance the sound of sirens could be heard and a black plume of smoke rose into the air. His jaw loosened slightly as he turned and looked back to the two mages. “What’s...uh black ring…?” He questioned as he stepped forward.
“Shh.” Vaena held her hand up. She closed her eyes a moment. She moved and grasped a piece of paper. She began to draw upon it and craft a rune. Damien stood over her shoulder and watched as the work came to life. Vaena was completely silent as she did this. It took several minutes of careful lines. This spell would take quite a bit out of her. But she had no choice. She could only imagine the dose of Black Ring Cap that was injected into Lana. She saw the syringe. She knew that clones could cause effects on the mage that conjured them...but she’d never seen the detrimental effects of what happens. There was a reason that it was forbidden.
“Vaena what are you planning?” Damien questioned as he watched the mage move and kneel next to Lana.
“You wouldn’t like it if I told you, Damien.” She replied as she began to draw upon the wood of the floor around where Lana lay. She then placed the paper upon Lana’s chest and she moved Lana’s hands to rest over the top of the sigil. “I’ll fix this.” She spoke and gave a weak smile. Vaena felt responsible. Lana wouldn’t be in this predicament if it was not for her. Vaena began to speak in an old language, that of the elder mages from centuries ago. Few knew the tongue. Few would put in the effort to learn the dead language. But the spells that the elders cast were much stronger than some of the spells that were taught at the academy today.
A deep blue light began to flicker to life within the runes drawn upon the floor around Lana. Vaena placed a hand over Lana’s and she shut her eyes as she continued the spell. A gust swirled around them and then a flash of white light. When the blinding nature of the light dissipated Vaena and Lana had disappeared, not even the runes were left upon the floor. “Damn it, Vaena!” Damien grit his teeth as he looked about the room. He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Why did I agree to this?” He questioned as he paced slightly, looking for anything that would clue him in on where she had gone with Lana.
**
A warmth surrounded the two as the blinding light continued. The teleportation spell that Vaena used was much different than what Lana used. As the light faded the air wound them cooled to that of an icy chill. Vaena shuddered slightly as she peered to Lana. “Don’t worry. I’ll fix this. I promise.” She stood and struggled to lift Lana under her arms so that Lana’s back was against her chest.
The flooring beneath them was cold icy stone. The howling of the wind outside could be heard as it echoed off of the freezing halls. Vaena dragged Lana backward and slowly down a spiraled flight of stairs. She was careful as each step Lana’s heels would fall down to the next. “I’m sorry.” She spoke. She couldn’t lift Lana. She was a mage. She wasn’t built for braun and brute strength. Blue flames came to life upon the sides of the hall as they descended into what looked to be a temple.
Vaena pulled Lana along as they came to a large room with columns that jutted up toward the ceiling. It was completely carved out of stone. The statues were of the elders. This temple was difficult to get to, and it was forbidden to teleport here. But it was one of the few places that was known to have the antidote for Black Ring Cap. At least, Vaena hoped the antidote was here. She had been here once, nearly 4 years ago. It was a long trek up the frigid mountains. She swore she had gotten frostbitten toes from the trip, but of course no one even believed that she had made it to the temple of the elders. It had been decades since someone made the trek and lived to talk about it.
Vaena paused and set Lana down in the center of the room. She walked toward the sound of trickling water that leaked down the wall of the temple. Her eyes gazed to it. She pressed her lips together as she looked to a sealed door before her. The mage swallowed as she looked to the old runes. The now forbidden magic of the elders. But the antidote was inside. She glanced to Lana as she placed her hand against the door. She bit her lip a moment before she began to speak. The runes began to glow and a gasp came from the mage as a small blade sliced into her palm. Blood magic. One of the most forbidden arts. But it kept the temple safe. Her blood trickled down the stone door and moments later the door slipped from its seating.
She held her hand a moment as the burning sensation from the cut coursed through her. “Okay...just a little further...” She gave a weak smile to Lana as she struggled to lift her once again. She dragged her along step by step carefully. Soon enough they entered a room that was filled with old dusty books and boxes. It looked completely untouched. Vaena set Lana down against a pillar as she began to search frantically. She climbed up the ladder and down. She moved about as quickly as possible. “It has to be here...it’s supposed to be here...” She muttered to herself as she searched. It took well over an hour for Vaena to come upon the small box that was labeled White Ghost Bloom. She grinned as she climbed down from the ladder and rushed to Lana’s side. “I’ve got it.” She cracked the box open. Her shoulders fell slightly. “What...no...” She looked to the few remaining pedals. “But...” Her breath shook. “It was supposed to be here...it’s supposed to be here...”
Vaena shook her head slightly, “This is enough to get you through the night. Hm? We will find more.” She nodded. “I promise I will fix this...” She ground up the pedals and mashed them into a small glass that was within the box. She then stood and slipped from the room. Moments later she returned and the glass was filled with a murky white liquid. The antidote. A small dose of it. But a dose none-the-less. “Okay...” Vaena lifted the glass to Lana’s lips. She tilted it and helped the woman drink. The mage’s eyes were tired. She’d used a great deal of energy to teleport them both to this temple. A temple that was far to the north of the continent. When the last drop had left the glass Vaena seemed to hold her breath as she awaited the paralysis to break.
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Post by Raven on Jun 7, 2022 19:16:23 GMT -5
Lana’s eyes blinked several times as they were calmly teleported through the cosmos. She could feel the frigid temperature against her pale skin, it was a shock to the warmth of the fires she conjured just moments ago. She grunted slightly as she was pulled along, her feet thudding against the steps as they came to them. She fought to crane her neck – but her body would not move. She released a huff of a sigh and eventually she was placed against the pillar.
She watched as Vaena climbed up a ladder, thumbing through the bookcase of odds and ends. A slight hum escaped her throat as Vaena found it didn’t have as much bloom as she expected… but soon the liquid trailed past Lana’s lips and coated her throat. An instant she felt the effects – an ever so slowly numbness came to her senses. Soon she could move her head – which immediately turned to Vaena and she let out a slight cough.
“I never want to see you doing Blood Magic again, got it?” she spoke with a serious and defensive tone. “I’ll only accept it because I was paralyzed, but leave that shit to me next time” she tilted her head and then cracked a grin. “Well, we survived it” she sat still though. The paralysis still lingered around her shoulders, her arms and legs unable to move yet. Though slowly the feeling was coming too once again.
“Impressive teleportation, clean and smooth” she grinned and she moved her fingers, they wiggled slightly. Slowly she was able to move her arms, they were stiff and a little painful. “That fucker is clever, not sure how he knew about Black Ring Cap, or even where to get it… he is educated, or at least he knows someone who is…” she shuffled slightly and was able to tuck her legs into a crossed position.
“Where are we, anyways? Does this place have beds?” she spoke softly as she grasped the pillar and pulled her self to her feet. As Vaena stood as well – she wrapped an arm around the woman’s shoulders to lean on her. “I think we both used enough magic to blow apart the moon and put it back together” she chuckled slightly and leaned heavily on Vaena with a slight grunt. Though an ever so slight pink flush crossed her cheeks as she grasped onto Vaena.
“If you…” she grunted slightly as they made their way down a few steps. She took it slow, but they made it down easily. “Were to tell me years ago… I’d be teleporting across the world, getting into a ton of danger, protecting the Magister of today, who is you – of all people? I’d call you crazy. I saw you as headmaster, or Professor… now you’re the supposed future of magic itself?” she chuckled and sighed. “Oh yeah, and that I’d be paralyzed from toe to brow” she chuckled slightly. “Kinda fun, honestly” she turned her gaze to Vaena slightly. “I mean, a lot more exciting than making up lattes and cookies for thugs and dead beats, or lost school girls” she sighed as they made it to a sleeping chambers.
She let go of Vaena and stumbled forward to the bed and collapsed onto it. “Like a challenge of my ability” she let her arms flop onto the bed and she sighed. “I’m glad it was you though. You’re the only one who would have known the antidote, you smart ass” she chuckled. “You wouldn’t know where we could get more, would you?” she questioned with a lifted brow…
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jun 7, 2022 19:59:14 GMT -5
Vaena’s brows were tugged together as she watched, her hand was upon Lana’s shoulder. Worry. All the years at the academy, she never truly been around much danger. But to see someone in such a state. It frightened her and she worried that the amount of the White Ghost Blood was not enough to bring Lana from the state of paralysis. How much had been in that syringe? Enough for someone two or three times the size of Vaena. The Black Fox didn’t aim to gain her help. That was evident. Though when she saw Lana’s head turn Vaena finally drew in a breath.
The words that came from the woman caused the mage to press her lips together. The tone in Lana’s voice. She’d never heard her sound so serious before. A sigh came from the mage though she didn’t speak. But when Lana grinned to her a soft smile curved up Vaena’s lips. Lana had always had a way to push away Vaena’s worries. “Barely survived it.” Vaena corrected and raised a brow slightly. She squeezed her hand and then looked to the slice in the center of her palm. She lifted her jade hues to look to the woman as she complimented her spell. “I’ve worked quite hard on that one...I’ve never gone such a distance with it, and that’s the first time I’ve taken two people anywhere.” She gave a chuckle and shook her head. “But...yeah it was smooth, huh?”
Vaena watched as Lana slowly regained use of her muscles. At least there had been enough of the bloom in the box for now. How long it would last, well...that all depended on the dose which she didn’t know. “I’m not so certain he is the educated one...if he was so well educated why did he use a common thug to try to bring a powerful mage into his hands?” She questioned curiously. “That man didn’t use magic...if...if I hadn’t been caught off guard...” She sighed and brushed her red locks from her face. “Though I do suppose if he knew anything about me...he would know that I’ve been stuck inside the academy my entire life...”
The mage quickly stood to her feet as Lana began to move. “Don’t go too quickly.” She reached forward just as Lana wrapped her arm around her shoulders. Vaena gazed to Lana a long moment before she wrapped her arm around the woman’s waist. Her breath shuddered slightly and she adverted her eyes away. “Oh...yes I do believe we’ve used quite a bit of magic.” She gave an almost nervous chuckle. “Um...yeah there should be a sleeping chamber deeper inside the temple.” She spoke as she glanced to Lana a moment. She then looked back ahead as she began to walk forward carefully with Lana. “This temple, if you had studied you may know the name of it.” A chuckle came from the mage. “LuGrau.” She spoke the name as she gazed to a few of the intricate statues. “It is one of the oldest temples of those that use magic. Our ancestors built this temple centuries ago...during the first war of the kingdoms. It was a place of peace. Well protected by the magic that sealed the doorway above shut. Only those that knew the spell could enter.”
Vaena was careful as she walked down the stairs. “It was a place that became a destination for newly graduated mages from the academies around the world. Though...the area has become quite dangerous...and well...blood magic is forbidden now...and it is quite dangerous...” A sigh came from her lips. She fell quiet as she glanced to Lana when she grunted. She gave a gentle smile as she felt the woman’s arm grasp around her more. Her own cheeks flushed slightly and a laugh came from her lips nervously. She looked down the stairs as they descended into the temple. “So you’d rather be with the stick in the mud Argaris mage than sitting in your cozy little coffee shop?” She smirked as they came to the sleeping chambers.
It wasn’t extravagant. Bunk beds that looked to be untouched for centuries. It was incredible how well preserved the temple was. How untouched it was. Vaena helped Lana onto the bed, when the woman collapsed onto it she nearly fell forward with her. Vaena stumbled slightly and then sat on the bed that was adjacent to Lana’s. She gripped her hand that stung from the cut. “You’re lucky I spent all those hours studying. Else I may not have known that it was White Ghost Bloom.” She raised a brow and gave a half chuckle. “I’m not certain where we can find more...no...” A sigh came from her lips. “I do know that it is said to grow in the caverns north of here...but traversing up here...” She shook her head. “I made the journey to this temple 4 years ago. I didn’t come inside. I was too afraid to cast the blood magic spell...funny how all fear disappeared when it was a life that was on the edge...that made my decision for me.” She smirked slightly. Her eyes were tired as she leaned against the wall. “We will have to see if there is cold weather gear around this temple...otherwise I don’t even know if we will make it to the caverns in the north. Winter doesn’t end on these peaks.” Her eyelids were heavy, her words grew slow.
“I...am really...glad that you’re okay...Lana...” Vaena gave a sleepy smile. “No more heroics. Hm?” A sleepy laugh escaped the mage. “Tomorrow...we will find the cure...” She continued speaking but her words grew garbled as she slipped into a slumber. Vaena’s head lulled to the side. Her hand that she held in her lap relaxed to the side, her cut palm exposed. For a small blade the cut had been deep. It was a wonder that Vaena hadn’t flinched back from it. Vaena was still awkwardly leaned against the wall her legs were crossed pretzel style. Though her expression was calm and relaxed as she drew in deep even breaths.
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Post by Raven on Jun 7, 2022 20:53:22 GMT -5
“LuGrau?” Lana questioned brightly, her voice echoing in the halls of the temple. “That is like…Fairy tale level, never would have imagined I’d be in this dusty place” she chuckled. “LuGrau is where the greats resided during their studies… like a retreat nearly. Mcdern too, I onder if he has an office” she lifted a brow.
“I’d much rather be knee deep in the mud with that fabulous little stick, all day – every day” she smirked and glanced to Vaena with cherry painted cheeks. “You can’t say it hasn’t been fun” she smirked. She found herself upon the bed in no time, and slowly regaining her strength even more so. Though spell exhaustion pained her even more than her stiff muscles.
Slowly she sat upright to peer to Vaena, who was fading consciousness with each sentence. “Its crazy huh, finally down on the ground with us low-lifers” she joked half heartedly. “Things that happen sometimes don’t give us much a choice but to react and survive… I’m not proud of the things I’ve done, but I can’t say I had much of a choice either… you did good though. Proud of your little stick in the mud self for going outside the realm of comfort…” she swung her legs to the edge of the bed and sighed softly.
“Well, no cave or winter will stop us now” she slowly stood and stretched out her arms. “There will be heroics…” she slowly stepped over towards Vaena’s bed. She pulled at the blankets and slowly adjusted Vaena to slump over into the bed. She then covered her in the dusty blanket and brushed a strand of hair out of Vaena’s eyes. “You really gave it your all, huh?” she whispered under her breath, her eyes watching the delicate rhythm of Vaena’s chest rising and falling.
Lana slowly made her way back to her bed and crawled into it once more. She brought the blanket up to her shoulders and snuggled in. With a wave of her hand the sconces on the wall, which were magically flickering with blue fire – faded, allowing the room to fade into darkness. Much like herself into a well needed rest…
As soon as she felt like she had fallen asleep – the night had passed swiftly. The flames flickered back on, signaling a new day. Lana slowly stirred to the brightness and she sighed softly, though she was rested enough. What compelled her now was the hunger rumbling in her stomach… She sat upright and yawned slightly. “Now where is…” she began to pat down her pockets. She pulled out a small money bag, which had a golden clasp.
She opened the clasp and tossed the bag to the ground. It grew immediately into a bigger bag. Not quite an Endless-Purse, but rather a shrinking purse. She pulled the bag up to her lap, which was heavy and awkward sized. She pulled a few pouches out – they were camping packets. “Always prepared” she smirked, in truth it was due to the sheer number of bad-situations she tended to get herself into. Who knew the next time she’d be captured or something… seemingly enough times to warrant a back-up plan. She had the essentials within, down to a change of clothes, shoes, shampoo…and so on. Either a back up plan, or a run-away to go bag, either or… “Just need to boil some water…” she muttered to herself. Her hues peered over to Vaena. “Sleeping beauty needs her rest?” she questioned softly, intentionally trying to wake her with her soft voice…
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jun 7, 2022 21:26:05 GMT -5
Vaena muttered in her sleep as Lana adjusted her body so that she lay upon the bed. As the blanket came up over her body her muscles seemed to release that much more. A content sigh came from the mage as her breathing deepened. Her fingers curled into the blanket as she curled onto her side.
The pitter patter of feet upon the cool marble floor echoed through the halls of the Argaris Academy. A giggle came from the lips of a young fiery haired girl. She wore a set of robes that were several sizes too big, the material hung from her hands and trailed along behind her. She twirled about as she played, the smile upon her lips was one that only children seem to possess. That untainted happiness. It was magical in its own way.
A door opened and a dark bearded man stepped from a room. “Vaena.” His voice was commanding. “What are you doing?” He stepped toward her.
The young Vaena turned and tripped over the long material of the robes. She stumbled and fell against one of the statues within the hallway. The statue toppled over with a loud crash. Her eyes widened and instantly filled with the sparks of her magic. Fear had always been something that caused her magic to swell within her.
“Vaena. Breathe.” Her father scooped her up into his arms. He looked to the shattered statue as a sigh came from his lips. He looked to her then. “This isn’t a place of play, Vaena. This is a place to become a great mage. Understand? You will be a great mage one day.” He gave a warm smile to her.
Her jade hues watched him with curiosity. “Will I be as great as you, father?” She asked.
“If not better than even I.” The Grand Master grinned to her as he carried her off. “But you must not concern yourself with play. You’ve no time for that Vaena. You have far too important of a future ahead of you to be wasting your time like this.” His voice was more scolding now. He carried her into the library and to a desk that held several books which she had been in the middle of studying. “Now then. Until you learn this book from cover to cover, I suggest you keep reading.” He smirked to her. “I’ll see you for dinner, Vaena.”
The young mage drew in a breath as she looked to the book in front of her. She heard the doors open and close to the library and a sigh came from the child. She wasn’t allowed to play. Every time she had her father returned her back to the library. He would quiz her on her learnings. She didn’t have time for fun like a normal child.
Vaena was fast asleep. Not even the rummaging around of Lana caused her to stir. Though the muttering seemed to arouse her slightly. It was at the mentioning of sleeping beauty that the mage seemed to stir. Her eyes cracked open but she didn’t move from where she lay. “After teleporting us well over a thousand miles don’t you think I should get some rest?” She questioned groggily.
The mage slowly sat up she gazed to the bag that was in front of Lana as a yawn came over her lips. “Where...did that come from?” She questioned as she stood and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She yawned once again as she moved and sat at the end of Lana’s bed. Her own stomach grumbled. Vaena leaned against the wall as her feet dangled from the bed. “I am glad one of us seems to be prepared for this excursion.” She smirked tiredly.
Vaena stood after a moment. “How are you feeling this morning? Any numbness?” She looked to Lana with curious hues. “Tingling?” She was worried and that was quite evident from the tone of her voice. “Stiffness?” She paced slightly as she seemed to think. “The caverns...the mages of old used to use them for many different medicinal needs...at least...that is what the books say...I um...I don’t know if the caverns will even have the bloom. I’m not certain what time of year is best to get it...” She bit her lip slightly and continued to pace. “I don’t know how much time we have.” She spoke after a moment of silence, she sighed then and shook her head. “We will find it. Hm?” She forced a smile. She sat back down on the end of the bed again and brushed her hair from her eyes. “Maybe after we find your cure we can explore this place?” A grin curved up Vaena’s lips then. “You were right...this place is really like a fairytale...I bet McDern does have an office in here somewhere...he was one of the greats...one of the original mages...” Vaena’s voice filled with excitement. She lay back then before she yawned once again. “What all do you have in that bag of tricks, Lana?”
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Post by Raven on Jun 8, 2022 19:27:34 GMT -5
“Oh there she is, the Princess has awoken” Lana smirked as Vaena stirred, with a humble brag too. Lana shifted and dug through the bag once more. “This here is a neat little trinket I nabbed from my dad’s collection. It shrinks down and becomes lightweight, useful little doo-dad” she smirked “I bet its some expensive booji-capitol stuff” she shrugged and pulled out a Nalgene of water. “I’ve learned in all the trouble I get into… I should always be prepared to be away…” she smirked and set the Nalgene down onto a piece of paper that had a rune drawn onto it.
The rune it self was simple, a basic one learned early. Without a flick of a finger, or whisper of a spell – the Nalgene began to heat up slightly. A fire spell, the water came to a gentle boil and then the rune shriveled up into ash. She reached down and poured the Nalgene into the two pouches. “We have…. An Egg and Cheese rice bowl, and a Mexican Breakfast Taco bowl” she held each bag up, a foldable camping fork was stabbed into each. “You pick” she grinned and handed one over.
“Not too much numbness, my legs are a little weak but” she stabbed into the breakfast bag and took a bite, she let out a nod and a hum of delight. “Not bad – but I think I’ll be good to hunt some blooms. I was thinking – out there in the snow” she took another bite. By no means was Lana a delicate person, she definitely would interrupt herself for a bite and speak before finishing her entire bite. “You could cast an air spell that would keep the snow from falling on our heads” she motioned above her head. “and I can cast us a heating spell, blamblam – snow resistant duo” she finished her breakfast and set the bag down. She took a swig of the warm water from her Nalgene, only to offer a face of disgust. “Hot water is weird without tea in it” she handed the Nalgene over.
“We should get on with it quickly, I don’t know how long I have either, so let’s not waste a minute. We find some warm clothes and get moving” she leaned down and picked up both of the bags. A certain rune tattoo’d on her arm glowed brightly and a little creature suddenly appeared before them. It was a small little goblin creature, it was thin and odd. It made weird gurgling sounds at them as he stood with his arms out. “Here you go little trash goblin” she set the bags into its tiny hands. The little beast could not have been bigger than a foot tall. The goblin winked and disappeared in a flutter of sparkling dust.
“Oh, the delightful Trash Goblin… actually” she stood and held the door open for Vaena. “He used to be a little fat boy who once was caught breaking into a small bakery and trashing the place. He then stole their delivery car and was throwing cupcake wrappers out the windows.” She turned a corner, leading Vaena into the no-where she knew, just sort of meandering about in hopes they find something useful. She opened a random door and peeked in, an office of sorts… “A certain mage – Henry Olcraft, you might remember him was the Golden Prankster, who made show magic a thing. Well – he cursed that fat little devil into the Trash Goblin, he is bound to recover and recycle two hundred and sixty seven billion pounds of trash. So- a little spell, a small summon – Trash Gobbo keeping the world cleaner day by day” she smirked. “that is my way of giving back to the community, you know” she opened another door.
“Here we go” she clasped her hands together. It was an office of a mage – who had an excellent taste in furs. There were several outfits hanging in the closet, but what drew Lana’s attention was a beautiful wolf-fur coat that was resting on coat rack. She pulled it on and fixed it upon her shoulders. It was lined with black wolf fur, and had a thick collared hood of bountiful fur. “Its so out dated, I love it” she chuckled and stuck her hands in the two pockets. “Ooo, look a scarf too?” she pulled a scarf from the coat wrack and wrapped it around her neck. “To the Met Gala darling” she spoke in a posh accent and paced to the door. “The famous Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume, hosts the ball, all the famous people come in the fancist shit they have?” she scoffed. “So uncultured” she chuckled.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jun 8, 2022 21:12:36 GMT -5
“Princess?” Vaena scoffed slightly and rolled her eyes. “Far from a princess. Did you hit your head?” She grinned right back to Lana. She watched as the woman dug through the bag of tricks and explained it. A chuckle came from her lips as she watched and listened carefully. “Hm, you’ve always had a knack for getting into trouble.” Vaena spoke with a smile upon her lips. “At least that is what my father said when he said that I shouldn’t hang around you.” She watched as the warmth caused the water to boil within the bottle. “You have always had a knack for fire magic too.” She raised a brow and then grinned as she looked to the food. She could already smell it. “This one.” She spoke as she took the taco bowl. Vaena began to eat upon the food and listened as Lana began to speak once again.
“I imagine so. That dose...from what I could tell. It was quite a lot. More than enough to do harm. I would be curious to know what exactly the Black Fox meant to do with me...and why.” She furrowed her brows. “Perhaps along the way we can uncover the reasoning to your father’s death...” A sigh came from her lips. “I feel there is much more at play than we can see...the Capitol is so ridden with secrets and lies. It’s almost like a dance, isn’t it?” She was staring off in deep thought as she spoke. Vaena shook her head after a moment and then took another bite of her food.
She listened to the plan of the two spells working with one another to keep them safe. “That could work yes. A simple spell. It shouldn’t be too taxing.” A chuckle came from her lips as she watched Lana drink from the warm water. “Ah...allow me.” She took the bottle into her grasp. Without a word Vaena’s hues took on a bit of a glowing blue ring for just a moment. She then took a sip from the water, it was ice cold. She let out a content sigh. “Sometimes fire magic isn’t the most helpful hm?” She grinned as she finished off her meal. “I agree...I’m not so certain I can drag you through the snow either if we are stuck on the mountain side.” Vaena handed the trash forward to Lana and watched curiously. The goblin was interesting. She tilted her head slightly as she watched the creature.
“Well it does sound like he has quite a lot of cleaning up to do.” Vaena chuckled after Lana had told the story of the boy. She followed along into the office and gazed about. “Oh this is...” She stepped to the desk and lifted an old image. “Wow...” She breathed. Though her jade hues lifted as Lana began to speak. A chuckle came from her lips. “Met Gala??” She questioned. Perplexed. Her brows raised slightly as Lana scoffed at her. “I...I’m not uncultured...” She frowned as she set the image down. “I know many things that pertain to the world of magic...to the Argaris Academy...those things have been the most important for me to learn.” She defended herself. “Along with the magic.” She looked about the beautiful office. “I think...this was Lady Ashlyn’s office. She was known for her taste in expensive clothing, and the image on her desk looks much like those that are in our books at the Academy.”
Vaena pulled a petticoat down and buttoned it before she pulled a knit hat over her head. She then looked to Lana a moment before she turned and stepped from the office. “No time for history lessons though I do suppose.” She spoke as she walked down the hallway and up the stairs. It was much easier to traverse through the temple now that she didn’t have to drag Lana along. The mage glanced back at Lana as they came to the door, she howling wind could be heard from the other side of the stone. She placed her hand upon the stone and the runes glowed before it moved to the side. Vaena went to work, she closed her eyes a moment to conjure up the spell. She then held her hand forward and a bubble of air appeared around them just as a blast of cold wind rushed toward them. Vaena walked forward and gazed up to the darkening skies. “A storm is coming. We will need to go quickly.” She spoke as she walked down the stairs of the temple and into the snow that fell lightly from the skies above.
“I’m not certain exactly where the caverns are...just...that they were said to be north of the temple.” Vaena spoke as she trudged through the nearly knee deep snow to leave a thick trail behind. She didn’t stop though, she merely took step after step as they began to ascend up the mountainside. “What do you think the Black Fox meant to do with me? If I had actually been captured...what do you think the purpose of the Black Caps were?” She glanced to Lana curiously. “I highly doubt they had the cure on hand...” A sigh came from her lips as she continued on.
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Post by Raven on Jun 14, 2022 23:57:07 GMT -5
Lana smirked as Vaena clapped back slightly with her Princess comment. Though it seamlessly shifted into a different tone…one that made Lana’s chest churn uncomfortably. Lana hid her gaze as Vaena went on about her. “I swear I find it, not make it” she smirked slightly and shifted slightly once she had her own breakfast bowl. She stabbed into it and ate quietly. Never before had Vaena been so forward, she thought for a second on how far Vaena had come. What all did she miss, who was this Vaena she knew now?
“I am sure they mean you no good…” Lana sighed softly and set down her empty package as she finished it swiftly. As if she had only a few minutes to eat, or else her food might grow legs and run. “The good news is…I bugged the shit out of his office, that is recording their every word….so maybe we can uncover some more, and stay ahead. These groups don’t ever stop at one attempt….” She sighed and nodded slightly to the comments regarding the capitol’s lies. “Oh yes, my father was wrapped up In the middle of it, I figured this out a little earlier than you” she sighed and leaned back in her seat.
Her doomed expression changed as the conversation did. She smirked when Vaena approved of her fire and wind idea, two spells she knew they both could cast easily. Soon enough they were whisked away a the wim of Lana, into the office of delightful clothing... “You know Vaena, you remind me of that movie Harry Potter, do you remember it?” she laughed. “You don’t know the Met Gala? Blah blah blah, Magic world. You’re like the full blood wizard, and im some mud-blood, or muggle” she chuckled. “The in betweener of the magic and non” she chuckled and sighed. “Two sides of a similar coin huh?” she adjusted the fur coat and paced proudly.
“Lady Ashlyn?” she perked up “I think I remember reading her name some where in our books, what did she do again – do you remember?” She questioned as her fingers rolled over a delicate trinket. She set it down and brushed her dusty fingers off on the coat. “Oh there you go, you look good” she smirked as she laid eyes on Vaena, who returned in a new attire. Soon enough they stood before the great doors of the temple. She watched closely as Vaena opened the doors with her magic. The door cracked at first and a flood of bright light cascade over her skin. For a second she felt like a vampire out during the day, like she hadn’t seen sunlight in ages… “Dang” she watched the buzzing snow that fell in heavy thick waves with snow.
As soon as the wind was blocked – they stood in a rounded orb of protection. Lana glanced to the shield of air that protected them, it was interesting to watch the snow hit the barrier, the magic was precise and well executed. The air was oddly still under the umbrella of air, but cold and frigid. Lana held her hand outward and a moderate flame appeared to float just above her palm. A radiation of warmth cooked the air within and made the experience more tolerable.
With that they walked together through the storm. The wind seem to beat on the shield like a thunder storm outside, the muffling of the horror just outside the safety barrier. Lana glanced upward to Vaena as they climbed down a set of stairs. “North of the temple we go then” she held her hand out in the general direction, pointing off into the thick white pea soup about them.
They stepped down into the thick snow that had been piling for weeks now. They trudged through like a set of confused penguins, waddling onward. After some walking – Lana perked up to Vaena’s question… “Hmm…. I think they wanted to force you into working for them… I don’t think you know much to warrant a torture for information... besides..." she winced slightly as her knee ran into a log mid climb….
“The poison is wildly known for its history of control. How it forced the person to be reliant on the cure, surely they had just enough cap to control me. Knowing fully that I would know about the poison, it was a bitch of a slap of the face really…” she glanced upward and gazed out into the bright light of the snow.
“It just tells me that whoever this guy is…either is a puppet, or is quite smart. Usually by the time people figure out what it is – it is too late. Though, I knew it was the only poison to act that swiftly and aggressively… the other known possibilities take a bit of time too…” she pressed her lips together. “My gut says this way” she turned them upward to a steep pathway. They climbed up for some time before the wind picked up.
“You feel that?” she held her hand out of the barrier. “I can almost sense it, there is a cave nearby, some disturbance in the air, like a inward draft…” she grasped Vaena’s hand with her free hand, the other still holding the flame. They climbed up a bit of a slippery rocky area, until coming to a ledge. Lana held her hand out once more and led them to a rocky pass… she pressed her hand on the stone and tapped it slightly. She tapped for several feet until her hand passed through, slipping into a foot of snow. The snow had created a sort of wall that entrance….
Lana pushed through the snow and held her flame upward, she split the fire into two and held one over for Vaena to take and use herself… The cave had a buried door in the ground… she pulled her brows together and opened it. They entered an old tiled hallway which appeared unkept and extremely old. “What the… what is this? Think we’ll find caps?” she question curiously….
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jun 16, 2022 6:13:08 GMT -5
“The trouble finds you does it?” Vaena quipped back with a bit of a smirk. She was definitely less mousy than the girl that Lana had known 5 years ago. She’d matured, she’d taken on a lot of responsibility. The mage seemed to shift as she sat down – as she thought of the reasoning behind the large dose given to what the Black Fox believed to be her. Though Lana’s words caught her attention. “You bugged the office.” She seemed surprised, her brows raised. “Hopefully it gets us more answers and trouble doesn’t come and find you like you claim it does.” She grinned with a laugh – though the smile waned slightly as Lana spoke that the groups like this didn’t seem to stop at one attempt. Vaena could only imagine what the next attempts would be. She wasn’t a battle mage. She wasn’t trained to defend herself against an attack. It brought a troubled look to her expression before they moved to explore the temple for clothing.
Vaena looked down to her petticoat with a perplexed look. “I...um...never watched those movies.” She admitted sheepishly. “I didn’t have time.” She gave a bit of a chuckle as Lana carried on. She shoved her hands into the warm pockets of the petticoat and tilted her head. “You don’t remember Lady Ashlyn?” A laugh came from her. “Well – she wrote the first rune of time. That should jog your memory. She was the first mage to bend time itself to her will. A dangerous magic that...I don’t know if I would try even if I had good reason to do it. There is so much that could go wrong.” She grazed her fingertips over the spine of a book. “As it did...I imagine you heard about the destruction of Isip? It is long history now...but it is said that Lady Ashlyn attempted to bend time to alter something horrible that happened...instead...the city crumbled from the great use of her magic. She was never found within the rubble...” Her voice trailed off slightly as she seemed to think deeply on this.
Vaena fell quiet as they had moved from the room and soon enough found their way to the frigid temperatures outside. She shivered slightly before Lana had offered the warmth of her fire magic. “Handy.” She spoke as she trudged forward through the untouched snow. “Perhaps they don’t know that I don’t have any information on the Capitol….” She replied with a slight sigh. She glanced to Lana and raised a brow slightly as she listened. As they changed direction to Lana’s gut feeling Vaena looked about to the white of the snow around them. From the wind even their tracks were nearly covered from their climb up the mountain. “I...don’t know that I feel it.” Vaena replied her brows creased together. “I trust you though.” She gave a nod as she followed along. Vaena slipped slightly on one of the rocks beneath the snow and as she had fallen forward Lana had grasped her hand. She was grateful for the help to say the least. “Are you sure this is where we need to go?” She questioned as she glanced back down the jagged slick rocks that they had climbed.
It was then that Lana found the entrance that was hidden well beneath the snow. Vaena gazed about and took the flame as she allowed her spell to fall. She looked to the ball of light in her palm and smirked slightly. “I can see why you like fire magic so much. This is quite neat.” She spoke before Lana pointed out the door. The groan of the metal as Lana opened it was deep and reverberated against the stone of the cavern. “Lana wait.” Vaena rushed after her down the steep stairs and into the old hallway. Her eyes gazed to the tiles that glistened from the flickering flames within their palms.
“I...I don’t know what this is.” Vaena stared forward into the darkness. She let out a breath before she began walking forward. “If the stories are right the mages from the temple used to gather caps from the caverns to the north...hopefully this is the cavern...I...just I haven’t heard of a secret passage in the caverns...” She glanced to Lana a long moment before she began walking forward once again. The tunnel was long – Vaena’s heels of her shoes clicked against the beautifully crafted tile flooring as she pressed forward. The air was stale – as if this place had been sealed a long time ago.
Eventually they came to a room. It wasn’t large by any means. Vaena looked around curiously as she tried to tie in a reason for this hidden passage. She walked up to an old doorway that had a heavy metal door. “This way…?” She reached to the handle. As her fingertips curled around the handle she felt a jolt within her body – as if something was tugging at her magic within her. Vaena’s hues began to glow as her grip tightened. She couldn’t release it as much as she tried. “Lana...” She managed to get the word from her lips as runes spread across the door. Vaena groaned as a click came from the door in front of her. She watched as the thick metal door dissipated before her eyes and beyond the door another hallway became illuminated by white glowing lights upon the walls.
Vaena had dropped the fireball and it had snuffed out easily. She held her hand to her chest and then looked to Lana with a worried expression. “I...didn’t do that...” She looked to the hallway before them. Greatly detailed art lined the walls. Artwork of the past wars, of mages using their magic within the wars. She walked forward as if beckoned by this strange place. Vaena looked to a statue that was artfully crafted. “Marvin Argaris...” She breathed. “The founder of Argaris Academy...what...is this place...” She turned her attention back forward and walked along the hallway a bit more quickly.
She came to a rounded room that held a dome like ceiling. Vaena gazed up to the murals that were painted along the ceiling. At the top center of the dome it was illuminated much like that of the sun – but she knew it was magic that powered it. She stepped into the center of the room on a diagram that had several points and curves. It was a rune of some sort. Vaena furrowed her brows slightly as she shifted her stance. Her foot sank slightly. Her heart nearly stopped as she heard the sound. A woosh that came from across the room. Her jade hues lifted just as a pain struck her side. Vaena groaned as she fell to her knees almost instantly as pain racked her body. Her blood trickled from the wound – an arrow stuck clean through her side. The metal tip of the arrow glistened beneath the magical light of the dome.
The diagram beneath Vaena began to glow as her blood leaked upon it. She squeezed her eyes shut as her breaths shuddered. “Lana...” She tried to focus. She’d never felt such pain. The room began to spin. Or did it? “Lana.” Vaena spoke again. “What’s...happening…?” She questioned as she felt the tug on her magic once again. The room filled with ice cold air and a flash of light came from where Vaena sat. As the light dissipated – Lana would find that Vaena had vanished, only a few droplets of her blood remained upon the diagram.
Darkness blended into light. Vaena appeared within a room that smelled of perfumes. She shuddered as she slowly stood, her hand moved to her side, but the arrow had vanished. She was standing within the same domed room – a golden light flooded the room now though and the walls were lined with more books than even the Academy itself held. Vaena spun about as she took in the sights. “Lana?” She questioned.
There was a woman that sat at a desk, scribbling away. The woman held beautiful blonde locks and as she looked up she had crystal blue hues. She wore clothing that would date her back several centuries. “Now how did you get in here?” The woman questioned with a curious smile. She stood and stepped forward to Vaena. Her head tilted to the side slightly as she reached forward and touched Vaena’s cheek. “Well at least you’re real.” She remarked. “Do you understand me?” She questioned after a moment of silence passed between the two.
“You….you’re...” Vaena’s jaw was loose as she stared to the well dressed woman, whom waited for her to finish. “Lady Ashlyn...” Vaena finally choked the words out.
“Ah very good. It seems my legacy has carried on.” She looked to the petticoat and her brows scrunched together. “Is that my coat?” She touched one of the buttons that held the initials AV. “Hmph it is.” She chuckled then, “At least someone is using it.” She let out an exasperated sigh.
“How are you alive?” Vaena questioned as she stepped forward.
“Alive...funny word.” Ashlyn spoke as she crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m no more living than I am dead. If you ask me. I made a calculated mistake in my rune. Now I’m here.” She motioned to the world around her. “I haven’t seen a soul in gods….I couldn’t tell you how long.” A laugh came from her lips. “You’re the first, if I am being honest.”
Vaena furrowed her brows, “Are you speaking of the spell that you performed in Ipsi?” She questioned curiously.
“Ah yes that is the one. If I could write up a spell to go back and not make that error in judgement I certainly would. But I’m trapped here so I don’t suppose that’s possible.” Ashlyn grinned. “You on the other hand...I don’t suppose you know how you tunneled your way in here do you?” The woman watched her curiously.
Vaena drew in a breath. She looked down to her side as she felt the warmth of something against her shirt. She pulled back the petticoat and grit her teeth slightly. Blood – exactly where the arrow had struck her. “I didn’t cast a spell. If that is what you’re asking...” Vaena spoke before she looked to the woman once again. “I need...to find Ghost Bloom...my friend...she’s been poisoned with Black Caps...” The world was a haze as she spoke now.
“You...didn’t cast a spell…?” Ashlyn reached forward and steadied Vaena. “Focus on me.” She spoke as she led her to a chair. “Ghost Bloom huh...” She pondered a moment. “I do believe that this archive holds the garden within it.” She grinned. She then snapped in front of Vaena’s face. “Stay with me.” She moved and grasped a book down from one of the shelves. “Just focus on keeping your eyes open.” She instructed as she began to thumb through the book.
Vaena placed her hand over her side and grit her teeth slightly. The feeling of her magic. It didn’t seem to exist here. That warmth that she felt course through her body. It was gone.
**
Outside of the strange world. Vaena’s body had been transported to another room within the catacombs. She lay on her back – her eyes fluttered and her breathing was jagged as her warm blood leaked slowly from the arrow wound in which the arrow was still lodged in. Within the room a large tree grew – Vaena lay at the base of this tree. The room was filled with vegetation. Within the bark of the tree the very thing that the two sought grew – White Ghost Bloom were riddled along a vine of the tree. Hundreds of the flower grew here, along with many other rare species of flowers and other plants.
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Post by Raven on Jun 19, 2022 22:37:31 GMT -5
As they traversed through the snowy terrain – protected by their spells – Lana reached forward swiftly as Vaena slipped. Her fingers clasped her arm and hoisted her upward. “Clumsy” she smirked and followed her along. Soon they came to the mysterious cavern, but it wasn’t quite a cavern. It was crafted – intentionally placed here. Not a traditional natural cave… She pressed her brows together “I’m sure there is much we don’t know… it’s a shame” she spoke in response to Vaena’s comment – I haven’t heard of a secret passage in the caverns…
Lana glanced about with her fiery orb in hand, she peered to the smooth walls and reflective tile. The place was ominous and intriguing, for sure. She felt a kind of musty magic lingering in the air, where ever they were – magic was weaved into its very fabric… “That way seems the only way” Lana spoke softly as they approached the large door. She shifted back in surprise as Vaena gripped the door – immediately it became covered in runes. “Shit-“ Lana went to reach forward but the door gave in.
A beaming white glow came from the following room, which seem to blind Lana slightly from the dimly lit area they were in. She placed a hand on the back of Vaena and peered to her “You okay?” she questioned softly and followed behind her was they entered. “Wow..” she reached forward to a painting and touched the thick textured paint, admiring it. “This place is almost like… a sanctuary” she muttered. “Maybe a place to stash the history of the mages, in the case that the Temple were to be ransacked?” she questioned softly. The place was bustling with magic, and history, preserved perfectly in place.
Lana followed Vaena’s gaze to the bright sun above, shining down a comforting warmth and glow. Though when there was a loud click – Lana jumped “Vaena!” She shouted just before an arrow pierced the mage. “Oh shit-“ she rushed forward, but before she could place a hand on Vaena – she disappeared. She glanced down to the rune that she stood on….Lana knelt down slightly and observed it, trying to make it out.
Quickly Lana dug through her backpack and pulled out her pad of paper. She dipped her finger into the droplets of blood and smeared it onto the paper. She dipped her finger several times until she drew a rather simple rune. She then set the paper down on the ground and pulled a knife from her own pocket and pricked her thumb. She squeezed several droplets onto the edge of the paper and finished the rune with her own blood. Finally she placed her palm over the rune and whispered a spell under her breath.
In an instant – the red rune lit up brightly. In an instant the rune was burnt into her palm. Lana fought back the pain of the burning hot rune, just as the piece of paper lit up into ashes. She leaned back and held her hand out – and it began to glow brightly. She grit her teeth and her magic began to flow.
Vaena – are you okay? Where are you? Lana’s voice would enter Vaena’s mind. The spell she cast was not just a communication spell – it was a Blood-Spirit link. A bit of a boundary passed, but she feared the worst. The rune that Vaena had stood on was an alteration spell, of time and space. She knew if she didn’t act fast – she would lose Vaena forever.
Vaena, listen to my voice. I can’t feel your magic at all… I’m going to channel some of my own to you…you are hurt, I can feel it… She then pulled her knife once more and cut her opposing hand. She pressed her own bloodied thumb into the palm of her burnt hand and took in a deep shaking breath. In that moment – gifted magic would syphon from any place. Across dimensions, across time it self, and channel into Vaena for her own use.
This kind of magic was extremely forbidden. True Blood Magic, to bind their blood and even share a soul… it was considered forbidden because of the endless possibilities it offers. The combination of magics, communication, collaboration. Those performing it usually did not mean well, was the assumption. But the worst of it – was potential for catastrophe when the two’s magic collided… though in this case, It was a one way street. Oddly. Where Lana learned this? Or even knew how to do it? That was for a different day…
Lana slowly stood as she awaited Vaena to act on her magic. She could feeling – something – though. She pressed her brows together and followed her gut. She gripped her hands together, her bloodied thumb still pressed into her hand. She traversed down a hallway, her boots clicking on the tiled floor swiftly. The hallway opened up into a much larger room – it was filled with several unmarked doors. She pulled her brows together and approached the row of doors.
Lana pulled her hands away, though as long as the burn remained in her palm – she would be connected to Vaena. She held her hand up and a glowing rune on her arm lit up in reaction. A sort of x-ray vision, in a way, but for magic. One of the doors had a thick trail of magic behind it. She could see it now – a swirling thick purple color that lingered downward. She approached the door and gripped the handle.
She saw a flash of a woman before her eyes. A woman in a very gorgeous dress, wearing a thick wolf coat. The same Lana wore now. Her blonde hair was perfectly kept, and she had a dashing smile. The woman tilted her head and smirked and then disappeared. Lana pulled the door open and stepped into the hall.
Vaena, it looks like….your spirit has been pulled from your body She spoke as she dashed through the hallway. I can feel your body, its here some where, but something is missing she spoke softly. Lana came to a dead end. At the end was a body length mirror. Though as she stood in it – it was not Lana that peered back. No, that gorgeous woman. Lana pulled her brows together and approached the mirror. She held her hand up, the mysterious woman mimicked her. Her finger pressed through the mirror, as if it was liquid.
She stepped through it, following the thick trial of Vaena’s magic that beckoned her. She entered a very large domed room. The room itself was covered in foliage. A huge tree rest in the middle… it had glowing blue and purple leaves dangling from its thick branches. Lana stepped over several weaving roots, that covered the entire floor, rather than tile. A green moss was layered over it…
Lana approached the tree, where Vaena’s body rest. She knelt down and pressed a hand upon the woman. In an instant she could see something, an entirely different world. She could see through Vaena’s eyes, in this other world. Vaena, I see the woman – who is that? Is that… Ashlyn, you spoke of? Do you know.. where you are? she questioned. She was already casting too much magic as it was. She opened her eyes slowly from being clasped shut, to see through Vaena. She peered to the tree – to the collection of white caps that gathered about the tree’s entirety. She plucked a mushroom and turned it around in her fingers… and then set it down. She had to get Vaena back, first.
She shut her eyes once more and could see once more, to Ashlyn who thumbed through a book. I already found some of the bloom. I also found your body… its breathing, but – you are not here… Vaena, I don’t know what to do. Tell me what to do her voice was oddly panicked.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jun 20, 2022 0:12:40 GMT -5
“Keep those eyes open.” Ashyln spoke as she glanced up to Vaena with her crystal hues. “I can’t help you if you’re unconscious, dear.” She had a beautiful smile upon her lips before she looked back down to the book. She pressed her lips together and then, “How did you get here without a spell...” She sighed softly as she turned a few more pages.
Vaena fought to keep her eyes open. She grit her teeth as she gazed to Ashlyn. “I was shot with a damn arrow and my blood leaked onto a rune. Does that jog your memory?” She questioned. Though it was then that she heard Lana’s voice. Her breath caught in her chest. Lana...I don’t know where I am... Her voice trembled from the pain as it burned in her side. Your magic? How? Lana... A look of realization came over Vaena. She knew the kind of spell that Lana had to have done. You didn’t. Lana you can’t use that. You... Her eyes began to glow a white color as the magic was shared with her.
Ashlyn tilted her head slightly as she stepped forward. “You’ve a friend...outside of here still?” She questioned as she stepped forward. It was as if she could feel the spell that had been cast. A grin came to her lips as she watched Vaena struggle with the idea. “This is good.” Ashlyn smirked slightly, “Perhaps you and I can escape this prison after all.” She stepped back to her book and thumbed about again. “I have a secret to tell you...the explosion in Ipsi. It was a cover by the Capitol. Years ago.” She lifted her crystal hues as Vaena struggled to use the magic. It felt as though as soon as it was syphoned into her body it was ripped from her being. She managed to heal a small portion of the wound, but it by no means fixed her. “Edgar Talenvar. You should know the name. You seem like a bright girl.” She ran her fingertip along a page as she read. “He tricked me. He didn’t want me to use my magic to travel time, to alter it. He hated the idea of a mage that could alter time. So...he trapped me here. That explosion? He caused it on purpose. To blame on me. It was an easy way to make me disappear.” He scoffed. “There is no magic here. That’s why I can’t get out.”
“Edgar...yes...I know the name...the first leader of the capitol...he created the capitol...he created all of it...” Vaena grit her teeth. She felt cold. Without her magic the world wasn’t as vibrant. It was dull and cold. Lana...magic...it doesn’t work here... Her eyes closed then. Her head lulled back against the back of the chair that she sat in.
“Stay with me.” Ashlyn shook her shoulder slightly before she returned to her book.
Vaena’s eyes shot open to the touch of the woman. She pressed her back against the chair. She could feel the warmth of the blood that had soaked into her shirt and the jacket. It...it is Ashlyn... Her voice was tired as she blinked slowly.
The next words that reached Vaena caused her own heart to beat more quickly. Vaena, I don’t know what to do. Tell me what to do. The fear in Lana’s voice. The panic. Ashlyn stepped forward then and gripped onto Vaena’s chin. She gave a beautiful smile. “I see.” She spoke. Vaena’s hues had taken on the color of Lana’s hues. “Soul binding blood magic.” She leaned closer. “There is a book. It is in the library of the archives.” She released Vaena’s chin and moved to the book. She quickly came back and held Vaena’s chin once more. “This is the book.” She held it before Vaena’s gaze. “Find the book. Open it to...about the middle page. Give or take. There will be a spell. You have to call her soul back to her body.” She set the book aside and then placed her hands on Vaena’s shoulders. Vaena’s nose was beginning to drip blood. Without her magic her body was weak. Ashlyn furrowed her brows slightly as she watched the blood drip onto her arm. “You need to hurry. Your friend here doesn’t have much time for you to be lost. This realm wasn’t meant for another soul to be trapped in it.”
Vaena gasped as Ashlyn released her finally. Her head lulled to the side slightly. “Lana...” Her voice was a whisper.
“Is that your friend’s name?” Ashlyn questioned as she crooked a finger beneath Vaena’s chin. She frowned slightly as she looked to the blood that leaked onto her own skin now. “Lana...the library. The book should be….” She seemed to think. “It should be on one of the cases to the right. Almost against the wall….yes...I believe that is where it is. You’ll have to forgive me. Location isn’t as easy when it has been nearly a century since you’ve physically walked the library of the archives.” Ashlyn gave a soft sigh, “Get the spell and cast it. You’ve already linked yourself with her, so you don’t have to worry about that portion of the spell. Just the last part. You’ll know what I mean when you see it.” Ashlyn released Vaena and her head lulled to the side her eyes slipped shut once again. “Hey.” She snapped her fingers before Vaena’s eyes. “Keep with me. Hm?”
Vaena’s eyes fluttered. “I...I am...” She fought to keep her eyes open.
**
Vaena’s body was chilled to the touch. Almost as if it had entered a stasis like state. Though her chest still rose and fell. The room was far too warm for Vaena’s skin to be so cold. Her hands balled into fists and a trickle of blood leaked from her nose in the physical realm.
**
“What do you mean you’ve lost her?” A man puffed upon a cigar. He leaned across the desk and gripped onto the front of Damien’s button up shirt and pulled him close to him as he blew smoke into his face. “You had better be kidding, Damien. That mage is more valuable than any other mage in this city!” His voice was a snarl as he roughly released him.
“There was a mishap last night. You know that girl...Lana Highland...”
“Gregor’s daughter?” The man questioned, his eyes narrowed slightly. “I thought she was dealt with?”
“She was expelled from the academy yes. But she was a friend of Vaena’s...and she met up with her...that um...that’s besides the point.”
“Tell me what happened to the girl!” The man slammed his hand down on the desk.
“There is a new rebel group called the Black Fox. They tried to kidnap her. Thankfully Lana was there to save Vaena.” Damien spoke a bit more quickly.
“The Black Fox. Yes.” The man tilted his head slightly. “I paid them to capture her. To work some sense into the girl. To find her loyalty. And you’re telling me that Gregor’s daughter stopped this from happening?” His lips pressed into a flat line. “And now you’ve lost the girl?”
“She...disappeared...Lana was poisoned with Black Caps...and...”
“It sounds like an awful lot of excuses, Damien.” The man pulled a small box from his desk and pushed it forward. “Find her. Get her back to headquarters. No matter what it takes. Understand? Otherwise it’ll be you that is poisoned.” He laughed darkly. “Now get out!”
Damien rushed from the office. He pulled his phone and dialed Vaena’s number. “Come on. Come on….pick up damnit.” He nearly ran down the hallway. The Capitol was working hand in hand with the Black Fox. How convenient. They could get away with anything by using this group. Then if they ever wanted to sever ties...they could easily demolish the entire operation. “Vaena…..pick up….” He groaned as the ringing continued to drone on the phone.
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Post by Raven on Jun 20, 2022 14:31:19 GMT -5
Lana could hear Ashlyn's voice as clearly as she spoke directly to her. She could feel the warmth of the woman's hands upon Vaena's cheek, gripping her gaze to her own. The overwhelming sense of feelings churned within her chest, uncomfortably even. Fear, pain, and even more fear. She swollowed deeply and nodded, as if Ashlyn could see her. "Alright.." she stood from the slumped body of Vaena.
She felt her arm's muscle fighting her. The paralasis. She leaned her head back and groaned slightly. Lana glanced down and pulled her backpack back out once more. She ripped a page out of her book with a frenzied grip and tossed it down. It already had a rune on it. After that she quickly shifted away, time was ticking. For both of them.
A bead of sweat gathered on her brow and slithered down her nose as she threw open doors - desperately trying to find the library. She threw a door open and a wafting scent of stale dust brushed against her. She tilted her head and then rushed down the hallway. Her leg at this point was dragging slightly, fighting against her will to move. "Come on, damnit"
Vaena - how are you holding up? Hm? I'm almost there... she entered a giant library. The walls were lined with book after book. In the middle were several glass cases - storing artifacts, or even more rare books. This place seemed like a stash... she stepped to the right to a large case. In it was a single book, closed and clasped shut. Lana sucked in a breath and held her hand over the glass. The glass began to shimmer slightly and her hand passed right through it. She grasped the book and pulled it out.
"Oh shit" she muttered. "Crimson Saga.. Volume One.." she cracked the book to the middle of it. She knew what was in this book - this was the book that created the first Vampire curse, written by Dracula himself, or more so known as - Victor Haines... one of the first masters of Blood Magic it self. She felt a sense of excitement as she thumbed through the old brittle pages.
"Bam - got it" she held her glowing arm out and in an instant she teleported with ease. She landed boots first on the page she dropped before the cold frail Vaena.
Okay, I got it. Vaena... tell Ashlyn to hang on. I can do this she breathed heavily now.
Lana set the book down on the floor and pulled her own sketch pad out. She dared not cast the spell using the rune in the book, risk destroying the whole thing. A relic it was, one that she would have a hard time giving up after this. She copied the rune perfectly and flipped to the next page. A few more runes to sketch, as they overlapped in a very complicated way. She had to get it right. "No - that wont work..." she hummed slightly. Her eyes stared over the rune and she made a slight change to it. She knew the two spells of magic - Spirit magic and blood magic, in the way that it was calculated - would actually intefer and make it harder.
She then dug through her bag for something else. Her arm was elbow deep when she finally found it. "Alright" she smirked. A Spirit Crystal - usually used to help sooth and control chaotic energy, usually a Shaman item. Where the whole - rubbing crystals came from, at least. "No more doubles for a bit.. huh?" she muttered to herself.
A rune on her arm began to glow brightly and from the crust of the earth - a glob of mud began to mold into an empty smooth figure. She stood and placed the crystal in the center of the chest of the shell of mud. "Alright..." she muttered and pressed a piece of paper onto the stomach of the mud copy. She held her hand up and the ink from the paper sunk into the mud copy, leaving a black tattoo over the dark clay flesh.
Vaena... Ashlyn.. I'll do my best. Here we go.
Lana stepped back and layed out the 4 pieces of paper around her, each a different rune. She peered over the book for the last time and nodded. "Come back to me, you bafoon" she whispered and held her hands outward. One paper lit up a bright blue and a beam of light shot upward from it. Another paper, this time red. The fourth paper - purple. The final paper - yellow. The colors shifted and pierced into Lana's body, she felt the flowing of the magic within her. It took her a moment to control it. Finally she took her knife and cut it into the sigil on her palm, slicing through it, all while wincing to the pain.
A glowing red image of her own hand appeared before her and then disappeared. It shot through the cosmos - locating Vaena's soul from wherever dimension they were holed away. The hand appeared before Vaena and Ashlyn. It had blood dripping from its glowing palm. Then a second hand suddenly appeared - she was casting the spell twice at the same time. Except - instead of linking onto Ashlyn, she linked onto herself, allowing her opposing hand to follow the other.
The hand reached forward and slipped into the chest of Vaena, gripping onto her soul - line, located in the chest. The other hand did the same to Ashlyn. In a moment they were both ripped from their dimension.
The right hand threw the soul of Vaena into her frail body, resting against the glowing tree. The left hand threw Ashlyn into the mud body, her soul shifting into the Soul - Crystal. The crystal lit up brightly and slowly the body began to morph to copy Ashlyn's appearance.
Lana stumbled back as it was done and gripped her bloodied hands, both had deep cuts in her palms. She took a gasping breath and she opened her eyes after a long moment. "Holy shit - I did it" she gasped. She stumbled forward, her leg completely numb now. She crumbled to her knees and crawled towards Vaena. "Hi, hey, that was pretty cool huh?" she questioned as she placed her head in Vaena's lap, despite Vaena's likely own pain and suffering. Her heard thudded in her chest. "Mm - I hate to make this all about me and all, but I cant feel my fuckin leg. You gotta patch up and make that antidote"
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jun 20, 2022 15:51:35 GMT -5
Ashlyn watched as Vaena struggled to remain conscious. “Your friend is finding you a way out of here. You just have to keep those eyes open.” She knelt before Vaena and placed a hand on her shoulder.
“I’m so tired…” Vaena whispered, her voice broke slightly. Her jade hues looked to Ashlyn, a weak laugh came from her lips. “I’ve read…so many things about you…” Her mouth was dry, as if she had placed cotton balls within it.
“Hm, I’m nearly certain that most things that you read about me are a fallacy that the Capitol created in order to ban blood magic.” Ashlyn spoke with a smirk upon her lips.
Vaena’s brow tugged together as her breaths shuddered. She heard Lana’s voice then. Hurry, Lana. Her voice was frail, it held fear in it. “Every lie…has at least an inkling of truth in it…” She spoke as her eyes moved to Ashlyn then. “No matter how dark the lie.” She grit her teeth as she pushed herself up a bit more. The world around her was beginning to tunnel.
“Breathe.” Ashlyn’s voice echoed. “Come on.” She could feel the warmth of the woman’s hands upon her. The time that it took Lana to find the book and then to draw the intricate runes…that was time that Vaena spent circling around in the darkness. Her head lulled back and her eyes shut. “Keep your eyes open.” Ashlyn shook her a bit more aggressively this time. No response. It was then that Lana began the spell. “Hang on just a little longer.” She spoke as she watched the woman suffer. Ashlyn bit her lip as a bloodied hand appeared before them. She let out a sigh of relief. “Good…not a second too soon.” She stood and watched as the hand reached into the chest of Vaena. The woman didn’t respond. But her soul as it was pulled from the body was a beautiful white light that seemed to be full of life.
Ashlyn tilted her head slightly as she saw the other hand. When it reached forward into her chest she let out a groan. That feeling. It was like a fire raging within her body. Her breath caught within her chest and then – her soul was separated. Ashlyn’s soul was much different from Vaena’s. It was a deep red that almost looked like blood.
As the two were transported back to the world of the living the muddy body stood and gazed to its hands as the crystal glowed brightly. The mud began to sluff from the body and beneath the thick mud was a perfectly preserved Ashlyn. She brushed a bit of mud from her arm as a smile curved up her lips, a laugh of disbelief escaped her.
Vaena’s eyes shot open as soon as the soul collided with her body. Her breathing quickened and she gripped onto her side where the arrow still remained. She groaned as tears welled in her eyes. The words of Lana seemed to bring her focus. “You…did…” She spoke between breaths. “That…” She looked to the book that lay on the floor. “That was dangerous…and stupid…Lana…” She placed a bloodied hand upon Lana’s shoulder as her breath shuddered. Vaena closed her eyes a moment and leaned her head against the huge tree. “The antidote…yes…of course…” She cleared her throat slightly as she looked down to the arrow that was pierced through her body.
Ashlyn stepped forward and knelt next to the two. “I can help.” She gave a gentle smile. She gently moved Lana. “You – are an incredible mage. I do hope you know that.” She grinned as she moved Lana’s body to lean against the tree. Ashlyn’s crystal hues then looked to Vaena whom shakily got to her feet. “Let me help.” Ashlyn spoke as she steadied Vaena.
Vaena gazed to her a moment and gave a nod. “Pull it out.” She spoke as she collapsed to her knees. “There is something…on it…I can feel it…”
“Oh I’m certain it has magical barrier runes on it. “Edgar loved to use those against his enemies.” She reached to the arrow and gazed to Vaena. “Alright. I’m going to pull it, on 3.” She gripped onto the shaft of the arrow and slowly began to count. Once Ashlyn reached 3 she ripped the arrow out of Vaena. The arrow’s shaft that had been within the mage’s body was glowing a bright red color. As the blood began to drip from the arrow the glow began to dissipate. “Easy.” Ashlyn caught Vaena as she collapsed forward. “Breathe.” Vaena placed her hands on the mossy texture of the floor as her blood dripped freely from the wound. Her breaths were heavy and quick. Ashlyn moved swiftly. “Here.” She moved and forced Vaena to lay on her back. She moved about the room and returned with several different herbs.
The mage knelt next to Vaena and began to grind up the herbs. Blood pooled into the moss around Vaena’s body with the arrow removed. Ashlyn packed the wound and then she sliced into her own hand. She held her hand against Vaena’s side and began to speak in the ancient tongue. She didn’t need runes to perform her magic. Ashlyn had never needed runes. This is why the Capitol saw her as a threat. She watched as color began to return to Vaena’s complexion. “There you go.” She spoke and then glanced to the tree. “Tell me how many Ghost Bloom you need. How much black cap was she poisoned with?” She questioned and glanced to Lana.
“100cc syringe…I need 10 flowers…” Vaena spoke as she remain on her back on the moss. Her eyes gazed up at the glowing leaves of the tree as her breaths shuddered.
“Alright.” Ashlyn began to pluck the Ghost Bloom. She moved swiftly and then came back to Vaena’s side. “Here you are. I can’t create the antidote…you’ll have to do that.” She gave a weak smile.
Vaena took the flowers and she stood shakily. She gazed around and found a table that was nearly overgrown by vines. She set the flowers down upon it and she pulled a bowl from beneath the vines. She mashed the flowers up within the bowl and she began to gather other herbs. It took a bit of time but eventually Vaena had a thick sludge like solution that she’d created. She poured a bit of water into it to thin it into a tea like consistency. It was a heavy dose, but she knew it could cure Lana. Vaena poured the solution into a mug that she’d located in the foliage. She moved next to the woman and gave a soft sigh. “Okay…bottoms up, hm?” She knelt down and then helped Lana drink the elixir. Vaena leaned against the tree and nearly pulled Lana into her lap to aid her. It was an interesting thing. Once the black cap began to set in it was swift. Full paralysis happened soon after the first limb went numb.
Ashlyn looked about the room curiously. “How long has it been since my disappearance?” She asked as she looked to the overgrowth of the room. The dust. It was all unkept.
“Almost 200 years ago. The temple was closed nearly 175 years ago. It’s knowledge was forbidden by the Capitol. The pathway to the temple became extremely dangerous to traverse. Many new mages stopped coming because so many died…we only came because it is one of the few places I knew Ghost Bloom to exist…”
Ashlyn had a surprised expression. “200 years…” She clicked her tongue and shook her head. “I do suppose Edgar has passed on then. I can’t strangle his ass for locking me away.” She smirked slightly and then let out a laugh. “This…” She touched where the crystal was hidden within her chest. “I didn’t think I would ever set foot outside of that prison again. Thank you.” She looked to Lana and gave a gentle smile. “Tell me…is the Capitol still around?”
Vaena gave a tired nod, her eyelids were heavy. “Yes. I am the Grand Magister of the Capitol.”
Ashlyn chuckled as she looked to Vaena. “You…willingly work with them? They will strip every right away from anyone that is gifted with magic.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
“It was not a choice that I made. We need to get back...before Damien reports us missing...” Vaena replied before her eyes slipped shut and her head lulled to lean against Lana’s shoulder.
Ashlyn furrowed her brows slightly as she seemed to think for a long moment. “Lana…you practice blood magic quite well…it’s still forbidden isn’t it?” She questioned and raised a brow slightly.
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Post by Raven on Jun 20, 2022 16:40:37 GMT -5
At first it was just her leg, then it climbed up both legs. Her waist. She felt it grow numb, then unresponsive. Like it wasn't there it all. In truth - Lana had been tortured before, beaten and bruised, but this paralasis was something else. She hated the feeling. At least she could feel pain in a torture scenario, and even control her reaction, and the outcome. To be numb was to be gone. And for whatever reason, that was the worst feeling for her.
Lana turned her head to the side as Ashlyn propped her up. Her blue eyes traced the blond woman and she smirked slightly to the compliment. "They keep saying one day I'll run out of talent" she chuckled. "You're the Crimson Rose, aren't you?" It was a pseudonym she knew well. A few blood-magic journals had been passed around, by the Crimson Rose. Essentially the name itself was one of the great founders of the elusive magic. Though, the pool of knowledge was slim on its own.
"Vaena" she lulled her weak head to the side and peered to her as Ashlyn retrieved the blooms. "Just... don't lecture me, okay? It was me - who saved your ass, anyways" she smirked and sighed deeply as her body fought her. She accepted the liquid into her mouth, to her thankfulness - her tastebuds were numb to flavor. It was just some notion that she knew, and told herself when to swollow.
Just as the liquid hit her stomach - she felt intant relief. The tingles came, and her muscles shook slightly, before she could eventually move. "I would say... that was all very calculated and done perfectly" she chuckled slightly and turned her gaze to Vaena as she leaned her head over. She sucked in a breath and let it out slowly. "I'm not in any state to travel, I am tapped out. And you - need some time to heal..." she slowly shifted to stand.
Lana stretched her arms out and reached for her bag. She pulled a roll of bandages out from her pack and quickly wrapped her hands. She then helped Vaena up with an offering of her hand, despite her wincing from the grip - the life of a Closeted Blood Mage was often this way. Though she usually wore gloves over her cuts, and scars... now she had a branded rune on her palm to add to the collection.
"Unfortunately in these 200 years, things have gone as down-hill as you can imagine it. Mages of our caliber are rare, and evenutally exterminated in some fashion.. .which nearly happened recently. The Academy protects us, but once you manage your foot out of the door - you realize just how much the Academy also supressed us. This world isn't built for us anymore..." she shifted her head. "My father worked her position before her, he tried to right the wrongs, but they murdered him... though I've yet to prove it. Now.. they have forced Vaena to do their dirty work... some shit about having to perform a spell that would essentially nuke the place, for the fat chance of saving it" she scoffed.
"Though, we're not sure as to why this needs to be done. A threat awaits us... no doubt introduced by the Capitol itself..." she cleared her throat. "But lets not dwell on that huh? What is this place? It's not part of the temple, almost like you all hid away the good shit..." she nelt down and picked up the book. She cracked it open once more and peered over the pages. "What I would have gave to have these resources. the real knowledge..." she pressed her lips together and shut the book.
"Maybe you can guide us to a place to rest in this maze of a place...?" she questioned to Ashlyn with curious hues. "Oh, I nearly forgot" she slipped the coat off of her shoulders and offered it to Ashlyn. "It's a gorgeous coat, but I'm keeping the scarf. I'm Lana Highland, resident up-to-no-good baker and barista" she smirked and glanced to Vaena. "And that is Vaena Beraellis - daughter of the Argaris Academy Dean of Magic, a bonafide prodegy and goody-two-shoes" she turned her head to Vaena and smiled to her. Despite all the chaos that just occured, Lana still found energy to crack a joke and smile anyways.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jun 20, 2022 21:03:00 GMT -5
“Hm. Talent like what you have isn’t something that runs dry.” Ashlyn raised a brow slightly. When Lana spoke the name it only caused the mage to grin, she nodded her head. “Of course I am. I helped carve the path for what Blood Magic could be. A shame Edgar decided to lock me away for so long. I can only imagine that my journals were shuddered away as well.”
“It’s forbidden.” Vaena spoke as she looked up from working on the antidote.
Ashlyn looked to Vaena with a smile, “All good things are. Aren’t they?”
Vaena approached with the mug and let out a sigh. “I’m not lecturing you, Lana. It is dangerous, on more levels than just the law.” She pressed her lips together, worry in her eyes. After the antidote was finished Vaena had settled in and leaned against the tree next to Lana. When her head lulled to the side it was purely from exhaustion. Her body was at its brink. When Lana moved Vaena sleepily opened her eyes and looked up to the offered hand. She gripped onto the hand and accepted the help. Vaena leaned against Lana a moment as she got her bearings. The words from the woman sounded as though they were beneath the waves of a great ocean.
Ashlyn watched the two curiously, a smile upon her lips. “I wouldn’t put it passed whomever Edgar appointed to exterminate those of power.” She rolled her eyes slightly. “He was jealous more than anything. He didn’t have what I had. What others had.” She clicked her tongue and crossed her arms over her chest.
“We will prove it. I will find a way to prove what they did to your father.” Vaena spoke she held her hand on her side and closed her eyes. She looked ill.
“Hm this place.” Ashlyn gazed about the thick foliage. “It used to be a safe haven for the mages. When Edgar started showing signs of wanting to destroy those with magic...those of us that stayed in the temple decided to protect our most precious artifacts.” She reached forward and steadied Vaena before she slipped an arm around the woman’s waist easily. “We created this place, it is an archive of sorts...I’m terribly sorry you didn’t have access to this book. It would have helped you a great deal in developing your skills. Though having it now won’t hurt.” Ashlyn grinned then. She wouldn’t take the book away from Lana. She couldn’t deny such a strong blood mage the knowledge that was held within the pages.
Ashlyn reached forward and grasped her coat with one hand. She lifted it and hugged it against her body. “Hm you can keep the scarf. I have plenty of those.” She winked. She then listened as Lana introduced the two. “Beraellis.” She grinned and looked to Vaena, the mage was half asleep. “Hm.” She held onto her arm that she snaked over her shoulder to keep Vaena on her feet. As Ashlyn stepped forward Vaena took lumbering almost drunken steps forward with her. “I was good friends with Reggie Beraellis. I imagine that must be her great grandfather. He was a strong mage...and a do-gooder as well.” She chuckled as she weaved along through the hallways. “He used to lecture me on my use of magic – how dangerous it was.” She laughed. “Sounds like his legacy carried on, hm?”
Ashlyn walked up to a wall that held a gorgeous painting. The original mages of the temple. She was depicted in the painting wearing a gorgeous red dress. “Hm. Did these age well? I hope.” She pulled a small painting from the wall and it revealed a hand print. She shuffled slightly as she held the weight of Vaena whom was struggling to keep awake. Ashlyn’s hues began to glow a deep red color as she pressed her hand against the print. The wall began to grind and shift. It pulled away and revealed a set of stairs that led upward. “Come on.” She spoke and gave a smile as she stepped forward. “Hey.” She snapped her fingers in front of Vaena. “Just a bit further.” She smiled as she made her way up the stairs. They came to a hall of doors. “Ah the perfect retreat for you, Beraellis.” She spoke as she pushed a door open into a room that held a gorgeous crafted bed with a chest at the foot of the bed. “This was her great grandfather’s room.” She spoke as she helped Vaena to the bed. Ashlyn helped her lay down, a sigh came over her lips as she looked to Vaena’s side. “She’ll need a good amount of rest. I...am not a healer, as I am sure you can imagine.” She laughed slightly before she pulled the blankets up and tucked Vaena in. “But I did the best I could do.” She nodded before she turned her attention back to Lana.
“Come along.” She spoke as she slipped her jacket around her shoulders. Ashlyn walked from the room and into the hallway. She made a sharp left and passed several doors before she made it to a door that held runes upon it. Blood magic runes. Ashlyn grasped the handle and her eyes glowed slightly for a moment before the door clicked open.
The room was well decorated. Untouched by time. There was a bookcase and a desk at one corner, a beautifully dressed bed in another. Ashlyn walked in. “I imagine, if you’re excited for that book, Lana...that I can share much more knowledge with you that you’ve been missing.” She smiled as she walked over to the bookcase. “What...sparked your interest in blood magic?” She asked curiously. “You’ve used it quite a bit...you can always spot a blood mage.” She rolled up the sleeve of her shirt to reveal several scars along her arm. “I can show you other ways to perform your magic.” She smiled as she rolled the sleeve back down and walked over to the desk. She took a seat and let out a long sigh. “So tell me. How did you manage to get poisoned with Black Caps of all things?” She raised a brow as she looked to Lana curiously.
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