“I can definitely give you some proper weapons,” Remna said. “Made with pure steel orbs!”177Please respect copyright.PENANArgtZwsxfMa
“How does that work?” Lemennie asked. 177Please respect copyright.PENANAEgzCgrXUWN
The group followed Remna down the lake as Remna explained the forging process of swords to Lemennie. Anevay had requested Remna to forge some particular weapons, for any grand battle soon to come. Remna had told them that they didn’t have a smith or anything, but that was definitely okay with showing them the stash of weaponry that Ninéya threw out. They shouldn’t be there, but Remna was more than excited to finally get ready for battle. Battle with the core, or battle with Ninéya. 177Please respect copyright.PENANAqCB6nMSLHH
“Jarco,” Lewir whispered. “You have to tell Ane about what happened.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAZ3xZhA2G93
“Do not bring that up,” hissed Jarco.177Please respect copyright.PENANACnp9kfAUpo
“It is only right,” muttered Lewir. “Be honest.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAfkJSF2gPQq
“How about you be honest about the flask. Were you seriously so dumb-witted to think I would not find out you used it? What did you do with it?” snarled Jarco a bit too loud.177Please respect copyright.PENANAyHlMplXim1
“I drank it,” Lewir whispered.177Please respect copyright.PENANACdgJLe5QWS
“What for?” scowled Jarco.177Please respect copyright.PENANANqAKK8C7DX
“I shall explain it to you when you tell the others what you did,” Lewir mumbled.177Please respect copyright.PENANAzdZ3EGlXtQ
“Explain what?” Daphne interrupted. She appeared from behind the two guys who were already walking at the back of the pack.177Please respect copyright.PENANAkiAFmGIIwW
“Daphnelle? I thought that -”177Please respect copyright.PENANApSlSPAqGBZ
“Walking with Bethil? Well, no, Lewir. I was putting on some proper shoes and told Bethil I’d catch up with him, but it seems there is something more interesting going on here.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAu0mZhah53Z
“Daphnelle, don’t…” began Lewir, but he knew that he had already pushed them so far.177Please respect copyright.PENANAVOH1mNkil4
“Speak up,” Daphne ordered.177Please respect copyright.PENANAJj46lPf2Rq
Jarco glared at Lewir and then shook his head. He slowed down his pace and so did the other two. As he leaned in, he told Daphne that he had killed Clyon. To Jarco’s surprise, Daphne’s reaction was near blank. It was an utter minimum.177Please respect copyright.PENANAZFc5GERVDH
“Not surprised?” Lewir asked.177Please respect copyright.PENANA5HlnELmjSc
“Quite frankly it was to be expected,” Daphne shrugged with a harsh expression on her face. “She had it coming. And Ninéya told us that she’d been murdered, and it was not too hard to put two and two together.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAq8OpOw4xbn
“Have you told Ane?”177Please respect copyright.PENANAU1jdvqqdk4
“That is not my job, Jarco, and you know it is not,” Daphne sighed. She then turned to Lewir. “Your turn.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAICjExAN3yn
“I drank a potion.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAmw5V0sQ6Wu
“A potion for what? To make your hair more shiny?” Daphne grinned.177Please respect copyright.PENANAmuVb7jJ5Gl
“One of the effects. It’s actually a potion to unleash the core of my powers,” Lewir sighed.177Please respect copyright.PENANAadsq2xyt3P
Jarco and Daphnelle eyed him curiously as they watched him explain how the potion made him lose the little shell that made his powers controllable. The shield that protected the powers from escaping. The layer that prevented the dangers from leaking through. Jarco knew immediately what the potion was, and he was also immediately alarmed as he knew very well that such elixirs held many dangerous effects, which weren’t always too favourable. Most of them were fabulous, giving the consumer an aura of silver, but other effects were not so fabulous. Lewir would no longer have proper control of his strength or powers. He would be immune to pain, though not damage, making it all a bigger risk to get wounded severely and not get to safety soon enough.177Please respect copyright.PENANAcfzV0M23W1
“Why did you take it, Lewir?” Jarco asked.177Please respect copyright.PENANA6kpXenfK7u
“Isn’t it obvious?” Lewir answered. “We are soon having a big battle.”177Please respect copyright.PENANA0N7dW6mAY0
“It’s plausible,” Daphne muttered.177Please respect copyright.PENANABFycPyyyoc
“It just makes me wonder why you did not take it right before the battle. Was it so necessary to take it now?” 177Please respect copyright.PENANAkZRwdS7F4i
“I wanted to get used to it,” Lewir answered. 177Please respect copyright.PENANAPKsRgMpC6b
Though it seemed perfectly believable, Jarco had issues believing so. 177Please respect copyright.PENANAJtq5mwgHAF
“Don’t slow down the group,” shouted Sarkhan. The trio upped their pace and caught up with the others. 177Please respect copyright.PENANA3kcSAo0XfR
Once they were in a basement near Remna’s house, Remna lit up the torches on the four walls. A bunch of weaponry lay on a heap in the room and on the walls hung some tools and other weaponry. Ane approached the heap and she took a random sword of the stash. It felt light and swift, but when Ane pressed her finger against the sharp side of the blade she soon discovered it was also vicious. In the torchlight, the steel gave off a bright, orange glow.177Please respect copyright.PENANADhDznXRyd3
“They look epic,” beamed Bethil as he approached the bunch of swords.177Please respect copyright.PENANABTRWUhrSzx
“It is a shame to just lose the weaponry we have now,” said Jarco.177Please respect copyright.PENANAZkChB1CYsB
“We could always melt the steel and then use that to forge new blades for our weapons though keep the weapon itself,” Elliot thought aloud.177Please respect copyright.PENANAQzkS8pr0a9
“That would require a whole bunch of very specific moulds,” Ane replied, mumbling. 177Please respect copyright.PENANAAHz8CNxa7C
“No sweat,” Remna smiled. “I can just use some magic to make the same mould acquire different shapes. Let’s work efficiently.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAdNncD5DuaA
“Can all this be done by tonight?” Ane asked.177Please respect copyright.PENANAJbT7b6AVAC
“Definitely, but I need a hand or two to help me,” Remna nodded. 177Please respect copyright.PENANAoK0lw87SJw
“Elliot and I can help you,” Ane suggested.177Please respect copyright.PENANALiTJYmQh6j
“Perfect! The rest, just act as innocent as possible. Tell Ninéya that I’m having a hangover or whatever,” Remna said. She then led everybody outside the basement through a hatch and then out a tiny hut. Ane and Elliot followed her to the smith before collecting everybody’s weapons. The rest split up, out to enjoy their days.177Please respect copyright.PENANAR6oWQvraxG
Peita, Lemennie, Vastice and Sarkhan all decided to go to the pub in the lake and try out those peculiar cocktails. As they sat down in a booth, Vastice couldn’t resist bringing up the case with Elliot. After all, he had the audacity to tell everybody earlier that morning.177Please respect copyright.PENANAFTce7gduOl
“I knew it the moment I sensed his aura,” Lemennie said. “He is a devil. Full-fledged. No doubt.”177Please respect copyright.PENANARyN7TehK2C
“Then where is his pretty appearance?” Peita asked, bringing the glass filled with a colourful burst of drinks to her lips.177Please respect copyright.PENANAKmw5slY5Lm
“I suppose that Aris’ nature was strong enough to grant Elliot his pretty appearance as a human,” Lemennie shrugged.177Please respect copyright.PENANAbW3KmsvELX
“It feels like a bit of a cheat, though,” Peita shrugged. “He goes by his mother’s surname, doesn’t he?”177Please respect copyright.PENANAJwBJe4Dzcq
“I suppose,” Lemennie shrugged with a little, uncomfortable smile. She knew very well that the system didn’t work that way. You’d be granted the surname of the parent who passed down their race in cases of different races, and if they both had the same race the parents could decide. In Elliot’s case, he should have owned his father’s surname. Albatrós. Elliot Albatrós. Lemennie figured that wouldn’t sound so bad.177Please respect copyright.PENANAfob0vT0vbJ
“It doesn’t matter now,” Sarkhan commented. “Elliot still has to unleash his powers. I wonder how that will be.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAmtURDJi3TD
“Epic,” Vastice grinned. “I mean, I just wonder what he can do.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAhQTIKVLifs
Lemennie couldn’t hold in her own enthusiasm and she jumped in on the conversation of the possibilities of Elliot’s capabilities, while Peita calmly listened.177Please respect copyright.PENANA36KsdJrx4m
Daphne, Mounty and Mint were wandering on the marketplace. Stalls with souvenirs and groceries were colourfully arranged on the plaza and a happy atmosphere danced around the place. 177Please respect copyright.PENANAnd6tYtJtEQ
“Look at this dress,” Mint told Mounty. The dress was a silky red, and it fit so well with Mint’s hair. Mounty bought it for her which made Mint plant a kiss on Mounty’s lips. Daphne turned the other way, and her eye fell on a coat. A dark purple, with a hood and leather details. Not too short, not too long, not too thick or light. Perfect for Bethil. 177Please respect copyright.PENANAnePlDfyMn9
Daphne walked over to the booth and she found the keeper rummaging between a bunch of other pieces of clothing.177Please respect copyright.PENANAREmmQqBcCv
“Excuse me?”177Please respect copyright.PENANAUcaObJXgWc
“Yes?” the keeper replied. He looked up. A fairy, with brilliant golden wings.177Please respect copyright.PENANAEEf1R6a8OT
“How much is this?” Daphne asked, pointing at the piece she wanted.177Please respect copyright.PENANAGjqNBlSbzL
“Thirty-two coins,” the keeper smiled.177Please respect copyright.PENANAQkyAjeMbmw
Daphne had forgotten to bring her coin pouch, so she asked if the keeper would reserve the piece for her. She promised him she’d come back as fast as she could while she’d go and grab her pouch.177Please respect copyright.PENANArjp90rWhkf
“Of course!” the keeper smiled broadly.177Please respect copyright.PENANAFeVd7GjCGr
“Cheers,” Daphne smiled. She informed Mounty and Mint who were already making their way to the food stalls that she’d be right back. The young Druid walked up the set of stairs and remembered she had no bridge to use for herself. She sighed and then built a bridge of an emerald green energy, running to the castle.177Please respect copyright.PENANAP6BJ2u8A4x
Jarco, Aris and Bethil were sitting in the common room, talking about all the recent events. They sat in three separate sofas around a tiny table that had three cups of tea on them.177Please respect copyright.PENANAQ6320uRaOd
“There are many ways to make Elliot be in touch with his nature,” Jarco spoke. “One of the rituals would include the cleansing of corrupt.” 177Please respect copyright.PENANApzEZS1n5f8
“Oh, the ritual that strips away any layers of energy that blocks your life energy from coming in contact with your magical nature?” Bethil responded.177Please respect copyright.PENANAoUqdxsVqA5
“Exactly,” Jarco said. “Someone here studied rituals.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAhmTWk9zoPv
“Favourite subject back in the academy,” he shrugged with a cheeky grin.177Please respect copyright.PENANAxtwWdGqLis
“That seems like a good idea,” Aris said, and then she followed with a sigh. “Only a person of the same race or the same blood can perform such a ritual, though. That narrows it down to Lemennie and I.”177Please respect copyright.PENANA6tm18hfr8W
“I do not see the problem in that,” Jarco replied. 177Please respect copyright.PENANAb6wSNnhjh8
“Elliot is not… mad at you or anything?” Bethil frowned.177Please respect copyright.PENANAabCGPR4y6l
“No, he is not, darling. It’s just that… I wish it could’ve gone differently.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAyaTQS5Q424
“It went this way now, Aris,” Jarco sighed, “so we are going to have to deal with that.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAMAnOzK1GtH
“Better late than never,” smiled Bethil, sending out his optimism to Aris who could crack a smile. 177Please respect copyright.PENANA5rTXybS5Mp
“You should discuss it with Elliot soon. When he comes back from smithing,” Jarco replied. “Time is running short.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAJZDdF1M3go
Daphne walked through the corridors of the bedrooms as she whistled. She had just grabbed her coin pouch when a radiant light shone from under one of the doors. She recognised that it was Jarco and Lewir’s bedroom. If she recalled correctly, she saw Jarco and Bethil walked off with Aris. Her suspicion immediately rose and she approached the door. She tried to put her ear against it, but her horn sabotaged her attempt. She then tried her other ear, but came to the conclusion that the door was simply too solid to let sound through. Daphne quickly checked if there was anybody in the vicinity, and when she could confirm she was in a safe zone she looked at the door and took a step back. Her eyes lit up a vivid crimson, and she could clearly feel the act of a forbidden ritual taking place. She couldn’t tell exactly which one, but she was alarmed. Her eyes returned to their usual state, she put the pouch in her pocket and she threw open the door.177Please respect copyright.PENANAtzYuCo6VOv
Lewir stood in the room, in the middle of a pentagram in a circle. Ancient symbols had been drawn with blood and Daphne immediately understood the situation. The bedroom was empty aside from Lewir, the pentagram and Ninéya. The pentagram gave off the vivid light, and Lewir looked at the ceiling as the light seemed to seep through his entire body almost as if he was the source of it. His arms were spread and he slowly began to float upwards, raised by the energy and magic that twirled together in this ritual.177Please respect copyright.PENANA74bPRurqCZ
Daphne looked at Lewir, a heartbroken look in her eyes. His horns had grown, his eyes were a ruby red, his skin a porcelain shade. She then watched each of the five symbols on the floor. The symbol of demonic entities, the sign of the horned race, the symbol of death, the symbol of life, and the symbol of change. The death of your old nature and the birth of your new nature. Daphne pieced it all together, especially when she watched the malicious glare on Ninéya’s face. 177Please respect copyright.PENANAFHWFwMHF9p
Ninéya’s eyes were a complete, greyish white, her flesh a rotten, vague purple. She had marks on her face that looked like scars and her ears had grown pointier than natural. She had a row of sharp teeth just like a siren’s and her hair was grey, thick and held up with some withered flowers. Around her body hung a thick fabric that shone a shimmery brown. It almost looked as if she once was the most beautiful bride, but was cursed and now lived as the creature she was.177Please respect copyright.PENANAVPeb6f0dEH
“Lewir…” Daphne whimpered.177Please respect copyright.PENANA8IRzAZGGjl
“He is becoming a demon, sweetheart,” Ninéya answered. Her voice was hellish, loud and grumbling, and she slowly approached Daphne who was still in the doorway.177Please respect copyright.PENANAqcIXj4tyk2
He never drank that flask for his own sake. He just wanted to become powerful enough for this. Just why? Why would he do that? 177Please respect copyright.PENANAoubEQ7d3Tp
No time for pity, Daphne thought to herself. 177Please respect copyright.PENANAJ1ZeoXCl3C
In a split second, her eyes turned a brilliant crimson with emerald specks and she managed to throw Ninéya through the window with a push of Druidic energy. The light177Please respect copyright.PENANAbEPvDv086a
“Daphnelle!” Lewir exclaimed, after his body found gravity and the floor again. He looked up to Daphne with an apologetic face that seemed to tear open bit by bit. “I am sorry.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAUFZiRie0rw
“How could you do this?” Daphne exclaimed. 177Please respect copyright.PENANAOd2vT3i5LC
“This was never my intention, Daphnelle, but she cursed m-” His skin rotted away, revealing a leathery skin underneath. His teeth grew sharper and a tail barged through the skin on his behind. Lewir screamed the entire progress as his body slowly transformed into a body that was far beyond good, and it was a scenery of hell and pain and sorrow. You could almost taste the salty tears roll down Lewir’s cheeks as he underwent the ritual.177Please respect copyright.PENANAPC7qZX5RZM
Daphne refused to watch this any longer, so she lay her hand on Lewir’s forehead. She felt his dry skin and heard the last few words of Lewir’s hoarse voice as he thanked her for the salvation. Through his throat and eyes emerged a light of emerald colour that pierced through every muscle as well, until there was nothing left of Lewir.177Please respect copyright.PENANAgvO4iroQUG
The Druid wanted to take a moment to get back on track with her slightly wrecked emotions, but just then she felt a force drive her through the window and down the entire castle. She was stopped before she’d hit the floor, a couple metres above the ground, and possibly get smashed into pieces, but now she had to face Ninéya.177Please respect copyright.PENANAgWKVDGw9vm
“People don’t knock anymore?” she grinned.177Please respect copyright.PENANA22TmXTEhjF
“Should’ve chosen a better time to perform the ritual, you bi-”177Please respect copyright.PENANAYxFPlrgk3H
Ninéya let her smack on the grass and she took a step back.177Please respect copyright.PENANANaAphg1h1p
“We are all running out of time, Daffarimelle. You are, I am, we all are,” she said as she lost her hybrid form and became the gorgeous human being again. Not a single scar, noticed Daphne as she stood up. 177Please respect copyright.PENANAXM7YBGBXUM
“I do not care if you go and tell your little friends,” Ninéya said. “Just remember that you can never kill me.” 177Please respect copyright.PENANA5b4ZZnoEXz
Daphne crawled up and she watched Ninéya walk away. She recalled what Aethul told her; “an evil being like her can only be purified by another evil being.” Sure, Lemennie and Elliot were devils, but they were nowhere near evil.177Please respect copyright.PENANAUSkClaBXJ7
Garlath.177Please respect copyright.PENANAk0HVNe09BV
Ane, Elliot and Remna were making real good process with the weapon forging. If there was anything Elliot was surprisingly skilled at, it was the art of crafting weaponry. Ane and Remna watched him dance around almost as if it was his own territory. The actual smith, an adult elf, found it a pity that Elliot was a mere bypasser in this town.177Please respect copyright.PENANAWlFQZ0RjqD
“He has a real talent,” he boasted.177Please respect copyright.PENANAMC4uFd57ek
“He definitely does,” Ane smiled. She felt a little proud as Elliot was being complimented. It felt good to see Elliot do something that he apparently loved to do, aside from fighting. 177Please respect copyright.PENANA2PgjOtdRAc
“What is he?” the smith asked. “I mean, what does he do at home?”177Please respect copyright.PENANAN9okztIM5U
“We actually are still at academy age,” Ane explained.177Please respect copyright.PENANAnAX0xa9QVr
“Really? So young and already travelling the world?” the smith asked.177Please respect copyright.PENANAr4qrULpuRc
“They are adventurers, Kolath!” Remna exclaimed with a broad smile. 177Please respect copyright.PENANAiw6CjK0GFG
“Just you two?” 177Please respect copyright.PENANAm24wJI44gh
“We are actually with a whole group,” Ane replied. “A little fellowship.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAmAsnDZNvjD
“That is lovely!” the smith responded. “This town could use a little enlightenment, you know. Aside from Remna, Bentham and a couple others, there aren’t many others are willing to make a difference.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAg87ZRYGurz
“Why do you need a difference?” the princess asked curiously.177Please respect copyright.PENANAYpFyvhDYEw
“Our races can’t live together forever under the reign of Ninéya,” the smith said a tad more quiet. “She is bound to end us all soon.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAx6PXk0ZPfG
“Let’s not discuss those negative matters now,” Remna said cheerily. She had dirty spots in her pink hair, but Ane found that it gave her a nice charm of a hard-working person.177Please respect copyright.PENANABftQ6zzwBU
“Agreed,” the smith said with a smile.177Please respect copyright.PENANA2ZMeiJvPKF
“We are almost done, right? Just one more?” Ane asked as she approached Elliot.177Please respect copyright.PENANA0lIT7IFsRD
“Just finished Lewir his falchion!” Elliot beamed as he held up the product of hard work. There was a certain grace in the simplicity of Lewir’s sword that Ane never really understood until now. 177Please respect copyright.PENANAfyK1u5gRIK
“He won’t be needing that anymore.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAKdXfco9ojJ
All the four smiths looked up and saw Daphne in the doorway, holding onto the wall. She had a scar on her cheek and a miserable expression on her face. Ane and Elliot rushed to her aid and Remna offered her a chair while the smith offered her a glass of water. Daphnelle accepted all offers. The moment she sat down, she put her head in her hands and allowed herself to cry despite telling herself not to. 177Please respect copyright.PENANAtNmk8tpsXp
Ane and Elliot shared an alarming look, and Remna quickly went out to gather the others. She realised the gravity of the situation. Though she didn’t have a proper connection with Daphne, she knew very well that she wouldn’t cry without a reason.
Everyone sat around the dinner table. They had to take away one chair now. The atmosphere was tense and nobody dared to speak a word. Under the table, Bethil held Daphne’s hand in his tightly.177Please respect copyright.PENANAy3ruaCKx4U
The door suddenly swung open and revealed a very familiar figure. Long, blonde hair, eyes a bright green, a muscular face complexion.177Please respect copyright.PENANAvZCusnSFjp
“Hallan!” exclaimed Bethil.177Please respect copyright.PENANArs3ZIc6slK
The Druid smiled, but it was a sad smile. 177Please respect copyright.PENANAswD8lda3Hx
“I heard you have suffered three losses, including my beloved niece’s. I figured that you guys could use some extra help for those fights.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAY2lJvojU9K
Relief washed over the group and they could all manage to smile.177Please respect copyright.PENANAPtwmCPtoi7
“I also brought Willis, Tully and Pitér, Hellen and King Eucilde,” Hallan informed. Faces lit up as they watched the others come in. Mounty and Mint immediately flew around Tully and Pitér’s necks, Sarkhan shoved his chair back to approach Willis, Vastice threw his arms around Hellen and Ane rushed to hug Eucilde, who informed Ane that he had managed to take a part of his army along to help them against the demons.177Please respect copyright.PENANA6TvYpuMQfU
Jarco took Hallan apart while the others caught up.177Please respect copyright.PENANAsm8vpr9CTR
“I am sorry about Marrie,” Jarco said. “She was a lovely girl.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAbS806fDh6K
Hallan swallowed away his hurt and lay a hand on Jarco’s shoulder.177Please respect copyright.PENANAvNT0Xpbqzf
“You are all brave,” he said. “Not for a second have I ever doubted that Marrie died honorably.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAaXodhZtTla
“How did you know, though?”177Please respect copyright.PENANAj7hAnYs6kb
“Aethul contacted me,” Hallan smiled as he pulled his hand.177Please respect copyright.PENANAbnYOjt7c5x
“And how did Aethul know?”177Please respect copyright.PENANAvvgcSUmyGg
Hallan searched the crowd for a familiar face with a single horn on her head, and she smiled their direction.177Please respect copyright.PENANAWxtl7B4MbP
“That girl… unbelievable,” Jarco sighed with a proud smile.177Please respect copyright.PENANAhi0P0CrTzj
“You are all equally unbelievable, Jarco,” Hallan said. “Princess Anevay is definitely the most courageous soul to walk this earth right now.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAgKOXIOqYiV
“She certainly is.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAYLEchymrSx
Hallan and Jarco continued to talk about what had happened so far while the others caught up as well.177Please respect copyright.PENANAuwuGJxGkdn
In the meanwhile, deep under the surface, a pink-haired girl would soon be confronted with whose side she was truly on.177Please respect copyright.PENANABg0K2cqLgd
“So, why did you give them those weapons?” Ninéya asked, leaning against the counter of Remna’s kitchen, her arms crossed.177Please respect copyright.PENANAKJyxAXfQXj
“It was but a gift,” Remna answered as subtle as possible.177Please respect copyright.PENANAYqYLmYwv4U
“A gift, huh?” Ninéya murmured, her brows raised. She was watching Remna’s every little movement that would show signs of insecurity or nervousness. 177Please respect copyright.PENANAqccwwkMq8E
“They are grand warriors, Ninéya,” Remna replied, her anxiety growing per second. “They deserve at least those weapons.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAz9Rbzx2Atj
Ninéya nodded thoughtfully. “Alright,” she said. “I believe you.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAUadIyUWnA2
“Thank you,” Remna smiled, relief hitting her like a brick.177Please respect copyright.PENANAw4mpZg8aSZ
“Just watch your back, Remna,” Ninéya said. “I know very well who killed Clyon.” She left Remna’s house and left the mermaid in total fluster. Above all other wrecked feelings within her brain, Remna was especially worried. Ninéya wouldn’t just let her free so easily. That simply wasn’t the way she worked. 177Please respect copyright.PENANAQw6G285DKF
Remna still was too afraid to tear her eyes away from the door through which Ninéya had just left. How did she even figure it out?177Please respect copyright.PENANA4dl6zXih56
Aris and Lemennie stood around Elliot, in a secluded spot in the forest. It was safe here, and silent. Optimal concentration and focus would be key to perform the ritual, which would take a lot of energy and would be draining. One of the advantages to this ritual was that they didn’t need any fancy spells or items, just each other.177Please respect copyright.PENANAwdBYe9I5XC
“Are you ready, darling?” Aris asked as she took Elliot’s hand.177Please respect copyright.PENANAbUZuVTJ36h
“I am. Are you?” Elliot replied before he grabbed Lemennie’s hand in his. 177Please respect copyright.PENANA1O3yZCk5qU
“Couldn’t be more ready,” she grinned whilst taking Aris’ hand.177Please respect copyright.PENANAaUa8ySP8kJ
The three of them stood in a triangle formation, looking at the same spot between them, in the middle of the ground. They all shared a nod to verify they were ready to initiate the ritual, and it was Aris who initiated the magical process. 177Please respect copyright.PENANAr0jJa8zx9R
She inhaled deeply, letting all magical energy flow through her entire body, filling up her veins with a brilliant light that shone through her eyes like the windows to her revitalised body. Aris passed on the brilliance to Lemennie, and it was almost as if you saw the light travel with tiny steps to her hand. It danced around in her body as she embodied the purest of magic. They both focussed on only the finest of the magical seed, filtering every corrupt or rotten piece. When they both had a vivid soul of only pure magic, they both passed it on to Elliot. Their magic flowed through him simultaneously, overwhelming him with a wave of light. A tingling, pleasant sensation ran through his entire body as both Aris and Lemennie strongly focussed on passing on the fruitful magic. 177Please respect copyright.PENANAsdeeNu4Heb
And something in Elliot burned. It burned away, like he was stripped off a layer of rotten magic that had surrounded his pure, bright core of magic. He gritted his teeth, clenching them as he refused to let out the groan of pain as a part of him was being completely burnt up. Aris and Lemennie felt it too, but they took deep breaths as they purified the corrupt magic together. The pain reached a height as the burning sensation kept attacking his body, and he couldn’t help but let out the scream of pain as he almost felt his soul being torn out of his body. 177Please respect copyright.PENANAWJkB0pXBLe
Through his mouth, however, appeared a vivid light. The pain ebbed away and made place for one of the most pleasurable feelings that spread through his body. His eyes lit up and he felt refreshed. His heart beat fast, but he found the concentration to make his chest calm down. He found regular breaths again, and he lowered his head to look at the others. The intensity of the pureness in all three of the fantastic beings danced in harmony, creating a symphony of revitalisation. 177Please respect copyright.PENANAkwldcLi4GU
And for the first time, Elliot could feel it. He could feel that pit of force and energy in his chest that he would use as a source for his magic, from which he would take the seed to use it in mystical rituals. For the first time, he felt as if his entire body was just surrounded by a thin aura of something beyond human. He felt his brain being strengthened and his muscles completely relaxed. He felt the sphere of power around him, filled with his true nature. 177Please respect copyright.PENANAzFbg0TbD5r
For the first time, he felt like the devil he was.
“So, are you ready?” Elliot asked Ane that night as they sat in bed.177Please respect copyright.PENANA1FUBSBeZGr
“Not so sure,” Anevay whispered. She closed her notebook and turned to Elliot. “The closer the finale is getting, the more I am hesitating. We have come so far, I am just afraid that we will fail.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAduXPRMyOge
“Failing right now is no possibility,” Elliot said. His optimism surprised the both of them. He had always been grounded and realistic, but he felt like Ane was slowly losing her own spark of confidence, so he had no choice but to make up for both their level-headed behaviour.177Please respect copyright.PENANAQd96vqKHcn
“I would love to believe you,” smiled the princess as she took Elliot’s hand in his. “I just…”177Please respect copyright.PENANASDbnVm9bjR
“Not ready to leave me,” Elliot finished with a blank expression. “I understand. That is fine.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAvvvvRMLY3M
“I just thought that you would be with me forever. I still have not made peace with this,” Ane mumbled to mostly herself.177Please respect copyright.PENANAEQZkB8kgx1
“You will have to let me go in the end,” Elliot said.177Please respect copyright.PENANAabmUd671Ju
“I have been taking you for granted.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAuu7AgQNKjQ
“You have relied on me.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAXSyQwOjETl
Ane sighed and she nestled her head on his shoulder, enjoying his warmth and love. Their touch soon moved over to kisses, and their kiss escalated into an embrace of warmth and passion in which they completely harmonised passionately and sensually.177Please respect copyright.PENANAYUfz7BKQiz
Everybody had gathered in the forest, near the pub that Remna showed them. They found it a good idea to gather here as they wouldn’t risk being bothered now. The morning glory had filled everybody with a certain graceful hope that would spark up into a jolt of confidence and hardness.177Please respect copyright.PENANAEf6HdZwT9K
“We overwhelm Ninéya and just barge through the steambath to let Elliot go and meet Garlath, his father,” Ane said.177Please respect copyright.PENANAFqW3763N8K
“Way easier said than done,” Daphne said. “What if we can’t overthrow Ninéya’s grip?”177Please respect copyright.PENANAcDz58YHdwN
“She is on her own,” Ane replied. “We have more force than she does.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAZ1EkJmew4O
“Don’t count on that,” replied the Druid. “She can just as easily summon the undead like you.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAwYZA5uvXQk
“Or worse…” added Bethil, recalling the fact that Ninéya was a monster rather than a person.177Please respect copyright.PENANA57QYKRzS1i
“Heads up, guys,” Ane stated with a sudden determination that seeped through her voice. “We are here now. So far. If she sends her army our way, we will send ours her way. Our weapons are masterful, our fellowship is wonderful, our faith is powerful. We have each other’s backs. Now and forever.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAeCBB6luqEK
She looked at them.177Please respect copyright.PENANAzaQP7aCvO6
Elliot, the hope and wisdom that kept them sane and smart.177Please respect copyright.PENANAkqDKBSrUlZ
Bethil, the musical note that made every melancholic song a happy tune.177Please respect copyright.PENANADMHmVt0YCq
Daphne, the force and determination behind every action.177Please respect copyright.PENANAGtoh91oqVr
Jarco, the man who kept everything from going south, a source of support.177Please respect copyright.PENANAmRDcJGbgoA
Eucilde, her father whose heart was larger than her own could ever be.177Please respect copyright.PENANAWHEVikpKrc
Aris, the mother who had never failed to fight for what she believed in.177Please respect copyright.PENANAWvcNxqmRXx
Mounty, the proof that there was always a reason to smile and laugh.177Please respect copyright.PENANAUGFcJFSXUU
Mint, a sorceress who beyond her own wits was more grand than imaginable.177Please respect copyright.PENANAh9eomR3Q5R
Sarkhan, a leader, a fighter and above all a fellow to admire.177Please respect copyright.PENANAtVYS7uLBCV
Peita, a woman filled with only bravery and courage and determination.177Please respect copyright.PENANAmmdQ8F8LCd
Vastice, one of a kind, admirable and loving and never giving up.177Please respect copyright.PENANALYqflWKDKJ
Lemennie, the cheerful companion who overflowed with courage.177Please respect copyright.PENANArvMC9l227M
And she looked at Hellen, Hallan, Tully, Pitér, Willis and she thought about Lewir, Livi and Marrie. And then she thought about herself, and she was proud. She deserved to be pride. 177Please respect copyright.PENANAIJqYqN04U3
“Let’s do this,” she spoke. She raised her sword, and one by one, the others joined in on her. 177Please respect copyright.PENANAG7KpqYjfvN
“To salvation,” she exclaimed.177Please respect copyright.PENANAvirnNAJbzq
“To salvation!” the others shouted.177Please respect copyright.PENANAHZ81JalsPY
“To honour.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAkClHYYDdMK
“To honour!”177Please respect copyright.PENANAcxywRfmH4K
“To freedom.”177Please respect copyright.PENANACzKDiIwYyf
“To freedom!”177Please respect copyright.PENANAEHoRRgB3Qg
“And to us.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAnTr9z9JhxQ
“To us!”177Please respect copyright.PENANA1Gpc2z3rST
Their voices disappeared in the sky, but the courage within them only grew stronger.177Please respect copyright.PENANAelxUTrfhhM
“Let’s take down this bitch.”177Please respect copyright.PENANAJ6F0KItC5E