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Post by Lilith Nevermore on Mar 27, 2019 7:15:56 GMT -5
Brilliant sunshine blessed the glimmering sea. Playful winds made the waves dance. Their choreography brushed against the sprawling beach of a nearby island. Smooth sand stretched around the shores. Getting a tan was as easy as taking a nap. Further away, a forest offered pleasant shade to those in need. If one stopped to simply look and listen, they could find all kinds of curious critters enjoying the wonderful weather. Somewhere a chameleon snatched itself a fly for breakfast. A hungry monkey hunted for ripe fruit. Birds chirped a lively song. Just another day in paradise.
...Well, not everyone shared the sentiment.
A dark silhouette teetered slowly across the blue sky. From afar, it could have resembled a particularly small and grumpy storm cloud. Even up close two of the three held true. It was actually a sickly pale girl perched on a broom. If the odd transport wasn’t giveaway enough, the clothes told a clear tale. Long, dark robes fluttered in the wind. Torn and tattered, they were barely even holding together. Much like the witch herself. Burns and bruises blemished the pale skin where it was exposed. Few slash marks were still dripping red. Such a shameful state for the proud heir of clan Nevermore.
Lilith silently cursed her luck. Why was it that everywhere she went, she ran into violent savages? Oftentimes it felt like the entire world was filled with nothing but monsters and morons. A crimson colored cough shook her precarious balance. Exhaustion was weighing heavily on her shoulders. The lands below were barely a blur in her eyes. Not far now, she lied to herself with wavering breaths, a mantra she had been repeating for a while.
It only took one particularly mischievous gust to knock the frail girl off-balance. Her hands slipped and the broom escaped her grasp. After plummeting for a brief eternity, she hit the water with a sizable splash. Paralyzing pain shot through her wounded body. Even if she could have found her wand, there was no way to utter the words needed. As the grip of the cold depths tightened, her only solace was that drowing was relatively painless... This was it then. Seemed she had an appointment with King Yemma. A pointless appointment honestly. Her kind only went to one place... With a tired sigh, she let the last bubbles escape and closed her eyes. No point in delaying the inevitable.
Words: 404 [Total = 404] Aya
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Post by Aya on Mar 30, 2019 1:54:47 GMT -5
As the calm waters sloshes in the distance, a small girl can be seen on a small sailboat paddling her way out into the ocean with a small bag of dreid out seaweed in a basket beside her. “Almost there, I can see the shoreline just a few more meters!” as the young girl takes her hands and paddles the oar with as much muster as her little arms can muster a voice can be heard. “Careful Aya, best not to over-exert yourself.” Alongside her was her companion and guide, Solaris a mighty Kai spirit whose soul was sealed inside of a blade which Aya now wields he speaks in a calm yet authoritative disembodied voice. “Aww, but we’re so close, I just gotta...huh…” Aya then looks up into the sky as she notices a unidentifiable object seemingly losing altitude. “What is it Aya?” asks the voice of Solaris. “I see something it looks like...is that a broomstick?”As Aya takes a closer look she begins to notice the figure fall from the sky and land in the water. “Uh-oh!” Aya acting quickly places her hands in the water and begins to turn her little boat as quickly as she possibly can once her boat is in the proper position. Aya grabs her oar and paddles out toward the sight of the splash. “This is where she landed right!?” Aya says. “I believe so, Hurry Aya…” says the voice. Aya then takes the plunge jumping from her raft and into the depths of the ocean she looks around to try and find a semblance of life along the way she sees a trail of blood upon following it she finds the wounded witch and grabs a hold of her arm and carries her back aboard her raft. “Hang on, you’re gonna be okay!” Aya then begins to perform CPR on the wounded witch who was waywardly washed away in the waters. “C’mon C’mon!” after more than a dozen compression Aya placed her head against her chest and upon hearing a heartbeat Aya couldn’t be more overjoyed. “Solaris, she’s alive!” Aya then realizing how much further away from shore she is grabs a hold of her oar and paddles her way to shore with all her might. Upon making it she looks back at the beached witch and notices the witch is coated in blood. “She doesn’t look so good...what should I do?”Aya frightened was at a loss for words and was very unprepared on how to handle such a situation thankfully for Aya Solaris was not about to let Aya give up. “Aya calm down, try dancing.”“Oh yeah…!”Aya takes a few steps away from her wounded witch friend and then stands up calling forth her blade, holding it high in the air. She would begin to shake her hips as if moving to some invisible tune. She would then turn her circular blade and spin it around her wrist only to grasp it with a hand and pass it around her body, in a rather graceful fashion. As her dance went on, the sunlight would narrow and shine on the wounded witch slowly causing her wounds to heal. Aya would then continue her dance now placing the blade on her back and spinning ever so rapidly, only to carefully maneuver the blade with her hands, lean forward and begin to twirl the blade around her wrist yet again. Her performance now greatly aiding in the witches condition. By the time she had finished, the witch would find herself completely healed with Aya finishing her dance by stabbing her blade into the ground. "I did it." "Excellent work Aya!" "Hey are you okay, Oh please wake up."Aya would then sit beside the witch on the raft to see if she would respond. Lilith NevermoreWC: 645 TWC: 645
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Post by Lilith Nevermore on Mar 30, 2019 5:33:07 GMT -5
Limp and lifeless, the frail girl didn’t even react to being pulled up from the depths. Her skin had turned deathly pale and her lips held a hint of blue. ...No, wait, she was always like that. Still, her condition was undeniably terrible. No breathing and no pulse. She looked like she was lost in dreamless sleep. After what may have felt like a small eternity, the seawater left her lungs with a bloody cough. The little black heart started beating again... And as it did, something else floated to the surface. The broom just so happened to pop up behind the raft. Almost like it was following along.
Called forth by the power of dance, healing light blessed the wounded. Despite the islander’s best efforts though, the recovery didn’t quite turn out perfect. Once the rejuvenating rays faded away, the witch twitched. Convulsed. Foul magic crackled like static. Shadows slithered beneath her torn robes. Many of the bruises reappeared. Some wounds opened again. Strokes of blue and trickles of red were painted by an imaginary brush. It was almost like her tainted body rejected the heavenly healing. Or perhaps it was the other way around...
However, the pale girl suddenly stirred. With a startled gasp her red eyes flickered open. Questions filled the fuzzy mind. What, how and where? The most prominent trio swirled around her head. Finding the scorching sun bearing down on her was the first hint. The screeching of gulls grating her ear was the second. She felt far too soaked and miserable to be in Heaven, not that she had any business up there. Aaand not quite miserable enough to be in Hell. So, barring some ironic punishment, it was safe to say she was still among the living. Barely. That still left the first two questions.
Finally the half-closed crimson gaze wandered onto some manner of round blade stabbed into the sand. A barbaric weapon. Lovely. The owner wasn’t far away either. Staring at the blurry figure, she let out a tired sigh. Her cold voice chimed weakly, like a broken bell. "If you’re planning to gloat before killing me... You are wasting your time... And mine..." As usual, her outlook on life was just a touch grim. She didn’t expect mercy and she most certainly wouldn’t beg for it. The heir of clan Nevermore was expected to uphold strict standards after all.
Words: 406 [Total = 810] Aya
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Post by Aya on Apr 2, 2019 2:26:41 GMT -5
As Aya saw the witches body convulse violently as a result of her dance Aya was perplexed. “Solaris is that supposed to happen?” She looks down at her blade that was still buried in the sand. “I'm not sure? Must be some sort of magical interference. Wait Aya look!” as Aya deliberates with her blade she looks up to see Lilith coming too. “Hey Solaris, I think she's getting up!” As Aya looks out to her walking ever closer she over hears her speak. “Kill you..why would I wanna do that. I just saved your life." Aya then responded in a rather chipper tone. "Hiya! I'm Aya!” After a moment Solaris chimes in with a query of his own. “That was a nasty fall you took, how’d you end up all the way out here in the ocean?”Solaris inquires. Aya would then go on to dramatize the events, in her own special way... “You were falling really fast, how’d you get so high up on a broomstick like that?” Aya then looks over the small girls wounds “And also umm...are you okay? It looked like my dance did a bit more harm than good,I'm glad you're alive but still...” Aya does her best to comfort the injured girl. “Sorry I couldn't do more, did you need some bandages? I can try to make you some out of seaweed? Are you hungry? I was just about to go hunting. Umm...what's your name?” Aya said as she looked to the girl awaiting a response. Lilith Nevermore WC: 259 TWC: 904
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Post by Lilith Nevermore on Apr 2, 2019 5:47:59 GMT -5
The wounded witch scoffed when the stranger refused to finish her off. Saved. Right... It did answer the question of how, but left why in its wake. The chipper tone scraped against her patience like sandpaper. Her only response to the introduction was a flat stare. Aya... A simple name for a simpleton. Her eyes were drawn onto the blade again as it... talked? A possessed weapon? How quaint. The brief surprise wore off quickly. "That’s none of your concern, spirit." Hostility poisoned her sharp tone. Something about that... thing... didn’t sit right with her. Its mere presence felt nauseating. Now where had she felt this before...?
Unfortunately the savage was the talkative type. Lovely... One line in particular hit a nerve. Eyes narrowing into a glare, Lilith snapped. "Do I look like I’m okay?" Another bloodied cough cut her short. She was on the brink of eternity and this fool admitted to dancing? What manner of idiotic ritual...? Tch, no, forget it. On a second thought, she didn’t even want to know. As the wave of questions washed over her, she was starting to wish for death... Not necessarily her own, but she wouldn’t pass the option.
When the peasant finally deigned to ask for a name, the young lady gathered her icy composure. "Tch, show some respect, mortal..." She would not have some peasant girl doting her as if she were a wounded child. Gritting her sharp teeth together, she tried -and failed- to push herself upright. Her wobbling arms protested the mere idea. "I am Lady Lilith Nevermore... The heir... Gah..." A piercing pain in her chest forced her to leave out the usual litany. With a weak gasp, her pompous attitude deflated. "...Charmed, I’m sure." The humiliation was far worse than the physical suffering.
As much as the weakened woman loathed to admit it, she wasn’t going anywhere like this. For the time being, she was at the mercy of this savage. Weakly the cold voice chimed again. "If, for a moment, we pretend you’re not planning to kill me..." Not that she believed that of course. "...then what is it that you want?" Everyone wanted something. Power... Riches... Knowledge... Her scrutinizing stare shifted onto the round blade. "And why do you carry a cursed weapon?" Supernatural artifacts did tend to pique her interest. There was always time to further her studies.
Words: 404 [Total = 1214] Aya
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Post by Aya on Apr 8, 2019 23:53:21 GMT -5
Aya would watch as the Witch winced in pain as she attempted to collect herself.
“Weird, Solaris why couldn’t your magic heal her?”
“I’m genuinely not sure...unless of course her body is rejecting my magic, you don’t seem particularly evil however judging by your bodies reaction to my magic, I would fathom that you must dabble in the dark arts.”
“Dark Arts?” Aya would say looking to her blade?”
“Dark Arts are a form of magic that is an offset of demon magic and because of it’s roots it tends to reject the effects of divine magic much like myself.”
“Ohh…!?” Aya said in awe, but as she spoke she would hear a pained cough comes out of the mouth of the young girl who appeared to be fading fast.
“I would surmise judging by her attire that this girl is a witch of some sort, I remember a powerful clan from long ago much like hers, but the name escapes me...”
Suddenly the young witch would speak calling for the two of them to speak to her in more respectful manner and also revealed her name.
“Ah, that’s it! The Nevermore clan!”
“Oh have you heard of them Solaris?”
"“The nevermore clan is a group of witches and wizard who’ve existed on Earth a long time ago. They were masters of the arcane and were said to be masters of the dark arts, that would explain why my magic isn’t effecting her. It’s perhaps the reason why she thinks I’m cursed. When in fact the real issue magic interference as I said before.”
“Well, we can’t just leave her like this?” Aya says as she looks to her. "And to be honest all I really wanted was to make sure you're okay, but I guess I just ended up making things worse, I'm sorry. How can I make it up to you?"
WC: 324
TWC: 1,228
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Post by Lilith Nevermore on Apr 9, 2019 6:37:12 GMT -5
Annoyed twitches tugged at the corner of Lilith’s eye. Her cold indifference soured into a sharp frown. If there was one thing she hated more than talkative fools, it was talkative fools who treated her like air. Being referred to simply as 'this girl' was frustrating beyond belief. "I’m right here, you know..." Her weak protest fell to deaf ears, it seemed. Bah, it was pointless, wasn’t it? This savage was so enamored with her possessed toy. She was starting to think the blade controlled the fool and not the other way around.
At least the mouthy spirit recognized clan name. Now that would inspire proper terror, right? ...Wishful thinking. The witch let out a defeated sigh. In the days of old peasants spoke her family name only in fearful whispers. Now she couldn’t even get one peasant girl to answer her question. How the mighty had fallen. If only she could’ve scraped together enough mana for her hypnotic gaze... Then she would’ve already been out of this mess. Hmph, no matter. As soon as she regained her strength, she would make this savage tell the truth about the blade. By any means necessary.
In spite of the situation, the young lady steeled herself. Her glare narrowed. "Tch, silence, spirit. You know nothing of magic and even less of me." She would not have some arrogant soul speaking about matters it clearly didn’t understand. Her gleaming eyes focused on the girl, defiant crimson meeting innocent blue. "You can start by controlling your servant better. Cursed items should only speak when spoken to." Keeping them in a lax leash was a typical amateur mistake. And no, the weapon’s opinion didn’t matter. She happened to be an expert on the subject of possessed, enchanted and cursed artifacts. This was firmly in the third category, no doubt about it.
Gasping another hasty breath, Lilith clutched her aching stomach. Every motion brought forth piercing pain. The mere thought of relying on someone else made her nauseous. So she wouldn’t do that. No, she would just accept the barbarian’s pitiful attempt at apology. Nothing more. "If you truly wish to... hmph... make it up to me, then quit gawking and fetch me medicinal plants." She managed to turn her head just slightly towards the forest. Wolf’s Bane grew poorly in tropical environment, so she had to improvise. "Rosary peas, castor beans, belladonna berries, even this backwater island should have something." All the plants she listed had something in common. And as any wise wanderer might know, it wasn’t their medicinal properties...
Words: 439 [Total = 1653] Aya
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Post by Aya on Apr 12, 2019 18:39:24 GMT -5
As Aya overheard the witch talking insult Solaris’s intelligence and telling Aya to learn to control him better. She looked to her and stuck her tongue out to her. “Hey! Solaris isn’t a servant he’s my guide, I’d be lost without him.” Aya looks down at the blade. “Our people have worshiped him for centuries and he’s very important part of our culture, he’s a hero to everyone on the Ruka isles. You come from a clan don’t you guys have traditions too?” Aya said her feelings hurt by the witches words was normally a very kind girl but she cared a great deal about her people and her heritage and wouldn’t stand to let it be insulted. “Aya…” Solaris was both touched and taken aback, by her hasty defense of him. “Anyway...let’s see about getting you better, I’ll get those herbs for you in a jiffy.”
Aya would then head into the forest to secure the necessary materials. “Aya be wary...those herbs she listed off are not made for the sake of healing one’s wounds. I can tell you where to find what she seeks but I advise you err on the side of caution."“Solaris! We shouldn’t be so quick to judge?” “While that is correct, the Nevermore aren’t known for their benevolent nature. Proceed as you wish but again be careful, finding those ingredients we’ll be easier said than done. I suggest feigning your findings and bringing her an alternative like Ruka fruit.”"Don't worry Solaris, I'll be careful. And Good idea, Ruka fruit used to be used centuries ago for all sorts of stuff...I'll add it to the list."As Aya walks about in the forest the low growls of a family of tigers can be heard encircling her as she walks within the forest. Aya whimpers slightly having been in this situation before she knows what dangers await her. But the fearsome presence of this beasts of the jungle still manage to instill a sense of fear in her no matter how many times she faces them. As the tension rises with each step, Aya stares down the beast in front of her, and just as a drop of sweat falls from the edge of her head down onto the floor the tigers pounce. As the first one leaps toward her Aya gracefully turns out of the way swiftly summoning Solaris who slashes it’s legs leaving the two bloody stumps to drop to the forest floor. The tiger then slides into a pile of leaves letting out a pained roar as it bleeds out on the ground. But just as Aya completes her turn she sees the second tiger in mid leap bares it claws attempts to maul the young girl. But just before disaster struck Aya managed to repeat her previous tactic by making a quick turn this time slicing it’s belly, whose blood spurts onto Aya’s already damp clothes. Once it finally lands on the ground it lets out a soft whimper lying prone and helplessly on the ground only one more tiger remained. And just as Aya thought she was safe the final tiger approaches her from behind, it tail wagging and with not enough time to rinse and repeat she devises a different plan quickly dropping into a split and raising her hands above her head calling forth Solaris once more and vertically bisecting the tiger, who’s body leaps directly into the path of the blade making a bloody mess of Aya's hair and head. “Well done Aya!”“Eww...I’m covered in tiger blood.” “Better them than you, now then let’s carry on and find those supplies.”“Right!”
As time goes on Aya eventually finds the materials she needs and prepares to head back toward Lilith’s location albiet a tad bloodier than before. “Hey Miss Nevermore, I found what you needed, I also brought a little something extra!”
Upon setting down the materials she reveals to Lilith the Ruka fruit. A special fruit found only on the Ruka Isles that is said to have several magical properties and was used frequently by ancient Rukan apothecaries in a medley of potions. "So what do you plan on making with this stuff?"WC: 723 TWC: 2011 Lilith Nevermore
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Post by Lilith Nevermore on Apr 13, 2019 14:50:23 GMT -5
As Aya hurried to defend her so-called guide, Lilith was quick to draw her own conclusions. The blade controlling the fool it was then... She rolled her eyes at the mention of tradition. A bunch of savages worshiping a possessed weapon? How quaint. The question went unanswered. Not dignifying that. Rather, she settled for crossing another mystery off of her mental list. Ruka isles, hm? Didn’t sound familiar. Most likely this was some horribly insignificant place then. No wonder the barbarian didn’t recognize her illustrious family name. Oh, but the girl would learn... In time...
While the unwitting islander wandered off, the wounded woman closed her eyes. A deep sigh left her lips. The surrounding sounds were shut off. Pain was left in the background like dull static. Only the flow of mana mattered now. Ki was merely one side of the coin commoners called life force. Magic was far more refined. In tiny trickles it seeped from her soul. Pure as spring water, cold as ice... Slowly the imaginary droplets gathered together. It wasn’t much by any measure, but every last drop was important. A caster of her caliber could turn scraps of power into miracles.
Lilith’s meditation was interrupted by the jarringly cheery voice. She opened a single eye, just so she could cast a cold glance. "Took you long enough." If Aya was expecting some sort of gratitude, she wasn’t getting any. Nor an answer to her curiosity for that matter. Instead the wicked witch uttered an incantation. "Arise, shadows... Your mistress commands you..." Reminiscent of tar, inky darkness dripped from her robes and pooled beneath her. Shadowy tendrils gently propped her upright. Not the most comfortable position to sit, but beggars couldn’t be choosers.
The caster eyed the gathered plants. Rosary peas, castor beans and even some belladonna... So the island wasn’t a completely hopeless wasteland. Finally her eyes fell on the strange fruit. "...And what, pray tell, is that supposed to be?" She wasn’t even sure what she was looking at. If only she had had her beloved grimoire with her, she could’ve identified the oddity easily. But... seeing as she didn’t have it... she was forced to settle for what little the savage knew about the peculiar fruit.
Whether or not the islander answered, the witch begun her craft. She uttered another spell beneath her breath. "From untold distances I summon thee... Come forth..." Using most of her gathered power, she summoned... a tiny bowl! Well, a mortar to be exact. And a pestle to go with it. Carefully she picked a handful of every ingredient into the bowl. With slow, methodical motions they were crushed into a suspicious mess. A stinging smell drifted into the air. She held the mortar in her palm and her gaze narrowed decisively. "Flame..." Right on command, a small flame manifested between her fingers. Heat licked the porcelain until the contents were bubbling goop. She blew a sharp breath, banishing the flames. All done...
Now it just needed to cool for a bit.
Words: 515 [Total = 2168] Aya
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Post by Aya on Apr 21, 2019 11:55:44 GMT -5
As Aya sees the small witch performing her ritual she seemed a bit baffled by the dark aparitions that arose around her. "Solaris what are those things? Why do I feel so nervous." as she looked to the dark goop falling from her body Aya couldn’t help but notice that the Small Ruka fruit had gone unused. She then picked it up from the floor and then looked to the witch. “Isn't she going to use the fruit?” Aya thought with a curious tone of voice. But then suddenly her stomach began to rumble. “Oh my excuse me.” “We’ve been on the water for hours Aya. You're no doubt exhausted why not use the fruit to nourish yourselves, she no doubt needs food just as much as you if not more.” Aya nods. “Well I am pretty hungry. Good Idea Solaris!” She then looks to the Ruka fruit in front of her. “Hey so if you’re not gonna use this can I? I can make us some nice roasted Ruka fruit. I promise it'll take really good!” Aya takes the fruit and heads out to a far part of a beach and sets down Solaris. “Think you can start a fire Solaris?” “Certainly Aya!” Just then as Aya places her blade on the ground a fire erupts from it’s open center. Aya then scans the area and finds two sticks which she manages to jab into the ground. She then splits open the Ruka fruit by pulling it apart with her bare hands, causing a scent to permeate the air one that was pleasing to the senses. She then jabbed each half of the fruit onto the two sticks and allows them to roast over the open fire. “Food’ll be ready before you know it Miss Nevermore!” she says calling out to the witch and waving a hand. "Come have a seat!"As Aya sat and watched the fruit roast she waited for Lilith to come and join her. Lilith Nevermore WC: 320 TWC: 2331
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Post by Lilith Nevermore on Apr 22, 2019 1:31:56 GMT -5
Twitch, twitch... The growing irritation tugged at Lilith’s cold expression. Once again the scatterbrained savage completely ignored her question. Her patience was quickly dwindling. However, she rather lacked the strength to scold the mortal for the disrespect. Recovery first, then the scolding. Her eyes trailed onto the weapon as it summoned flames undeniably magical in nature. Part of her wanted to just leave, but... Her scholarly nature demanded that she learned as much as possible. Hmph, one more time she would try... After that she would make sure she never had to look at this miserable island again...
As the concoction cooled down, the young lady brought the cup to her lips. These plants all had few things in common. One, they were all horribly toxic, some causing death in the tiniest of doses. Two, they were incredibly rich in mana. Fortunately for someone like her, the first point was just a matter of proper conditioning. After years of exposure, she didn’t even feel the poison anymore beyond its taste. Horribly bitter... Like her soul... Yet that taste carried an invigorating surge of energy. She drank calmly, trying not to think about the taste. Quickly her strength returned, filling her veins.
With the newly restored reserves, the witch uttered another incantation. "Through knowledge may all boundaries be broken... Spell Mimic: Heavenly Restoration." A ray of light shined upon her. Quickly the wounds started closing, as if they had never been there. The pain faded away. This time her body was properly attuned and didn’t reject it. Aligning light magic and dark magic was a difficult effort though. Even with her expertise, the healing wasn’t truly flawless... But she was going to pretend it was anyway.
A shadow crept over Aya. Lilith stood behind her, casting an icy glare. "That’s Lady Nevermore to you." Yes, there was a difference. Even with her clothes in tatters, she still held a noble aura. Her crimson gaze shifted onto the burning blaze, then back onto the islander. She quirked a brow. "Sit by the fire? Like a peasant? I’d rather not." The offer of food was rejected outright. She wrinkled her nose at the very thought. "You can keep your seared fruit. In fact, keep it far away from me." Frankly she had no interest in finding out what this literally bloody savage considered edible.
Barely managing to resist the urge to turn and leave, the haughty woman focused her attention on the possessed weapon. Now that her head was clearer... Yes... The energy felt rather familiar indeed. Once again she voiced her curiosity. "You channel heavenly energy. Who are you and what manner of sorcerer crafted you?" If she were to guess, it was probably some ancient wizard. They were the sort to create a possessed blade wheel that could channel sun’s power simply because it amused them. Wizards... No sense of right or wrong...
Words: 489 [Total = 2657] Aya
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