Ilea couldnt tell the passing of ti. Looking inward, she could see the fractured remains of her soul, held together by bits and pieces of her white fires.
Silver threads around her arm began to pull, sliding her decaying form into a nearby ravine. A few threads lashed out when demon spawn approached her, chunks of flesh falling to the ground.
Ilea gasped in ragged breaths, flashes of the Leviathan eye coming to her mind, followed by the Fae she had seen in the desert, all of it overwhelming. She felt the ocean, heard the waves. She shivered and activated her perception of pain, the third tier of her tolerance letting her focus, the sensation clearing her mind of the intrusive curse lain into her. She could feel it now as the silver threads carefully moved her down into the ravine, finding a spot where she could be hidden from the dangers lurking above.
This curse would kill her.
She could not heal, even her third tier failing her.
Its in my bones. My flesh. My blood. My very magic.
Ilea opened her mouth, using all of her focus, she ford a single ashen limb. And hacked down into her shoulder. Again, she cut, tearing flesh and muscle, until finally the limb ca lose. She took in a ragged breath, feeling herself slowly fade as the curse took hold of her body. Her other shoulder, then her legs.
She was bleeding out, but blood didnt matter, not to her.
Pushing her healing while focusing on her arms and legs, she could see bits and pieces of flesh reforming. For every inch she regained, she ripped out another piece.
The curse was still spreading, taking what she had reford, but she would not lose. Her fires burned whenever she could form them, pushing back against the spell still lingering within her. Each piece she ripped out, each piece she reford. New flesh, lush with her magic, untainted, and uncursed. Her limbs and core clear, she worked her way up to her chest and then her neck.
Ilea took in a deep breath, four ashen limbs now sitting right below her chin. Get out.
The limbs cut down, getting stuck half way before she willed them up again. A second strike ripped off her head, her limbs sending the thing rolling away. Ilea saw the world spinning as her perception split. Her third tier healing ca to life as she focused on her chest and core as much as she could. A feeling at this point, but it felt intuitive, as if she could perceive her head and her body. The choice was obvious.
Her eyes opened a mont later. New eyes. Untouched by the curse. She gasped and took in a deep breath before she coughed. Her body was new, ash and fire spreading out to burn away the bits and pieces of flesh nearby. She saw her own head, most of the skin gone, eye sockets filled with blood red pus.
Ilea sat up and gathered heat, Embered Heart incinerating what had remained of her head. She used the spell four more tis until even the skull was gone, no longer reinforced by her body enhancents.
She shivered.
She felt weak.
Her regeneration wasnt the sa still, but she knew the curse was gone, she could feel it, as if its presence was removed, and still she paid a price.
Taking in a deep breath, she glanced over at the silver threads keeping the hamr floating between the walls of the ravine. Thank you, she sent and spread her ash. Were you cursed as well?
She didnt receive a response, but quickly singed the hamr with her flas. Just to be sure. She didnt know if a divine object could be cursed after its creation, or if it could feel pain, but she wanted to make sure to cleanse it as best she could before she touched it again.
Ready to cut off her arm, she held out her palm. Ilea sighed in relief when she felt nothing of the curse from the silver tal. Just the usual, far more normal curse.
The thought made her giggle, the sound turning into laughter as she collapsed on a ledge down in the ravine, sowhere in Kohr.
She focused after a minute. I feel like shit.
Her mantle ford but slower than usually, her wings too. Flying felt exhaustive. She still flew up and covered so distance through Kohr before she checked herself again. Her soul was shattered, that she knew, but her third tier soul magic resistance promised that it could not be destroyed.
Be prepared for an examination of curse and soul magic. Very high danger. I need Aki there as well, she sent to the adow.
A few seconds passed.
Enter with your gate location, if you can. A periter is set up, the answer ca.
Ilea took in a deep breath and opened her gate. She stepped through and found Owl with several Executioners waiting for her. Barriers ford imdiately to separate her from the others.
You look horrible, more so than usual, the adow sent.
Better than dead, she answered with a slight smile.
Your soul is fractured. It will take ti to heal, Owl said quickly.
Kyrian appeared nearby and rushed towards her. Curse magic glowed before he shook his head. Nothing beside the hamr.
Right, Ilea said and stored the thing, waiting for another examination. Nothing else ca up.
May I see your blood? the adow asked.
Ilea cut open her arm and let so of it drip down, the drops floating in mid air.
This is quite peculiar. No curse remains, and yet you are so very weakened. What happened?
I found the Sanguerrihn. Deep below Paarah. Aki, I suggest you disconnect that platform. If he hasnt destroyed all of your machines yet, she said.
Nothing has co in the ancient town, the Executioner said. I will change my patterns within the city. We will know if he shows up.
I dont think hes an exceptional space mage, otherwise I might not have escaped, Ilea said.
Isnt that the guy who made your hamr? Kyrian asked.
The legendary smith, yes, Aki spoke. And the one responsible for the downfall of Paarah.
He said he was the first enchanter, Ilea added, sitting down on the wooden chair provided by the adow. Thanks.
If that is the case, the Executioner spoke and paused for a few seconds. Savien Velmark, First Enchanter of Paarah. Thought deceased, but the records are not quite clear. Intrigue. One of the letters recovered ntions the death of his wife Mira Velmark, and his son Jasha. Regret is expressed, as is necessity. I suspect they were killed.
Not a great move, as it turns out, Ilea said, touching her brow.
There are stories of his passing and his relics from all manner of civilizations. What are the chances of retaliation? the adow asked.
His motive was revenge, chaos, or grief, perhaps a magical goal with the destruction of Paarah. However I suspect the chance of the latter is low. Chaos, death, and curses follow where he himself or his artifacts go, but he is seldom shown to do anything directly, Aki explained.
Maybe when that happens, everyone just dies, Kyrian suggested.
Can you tell us what happened exactly? Aki asked.
Ilea took in a deep breath and recounted everything, from her journey down into the depths below Paarah, fighting the Cursed, the forge, and the Sanguerrihn.
The curse would have been around for so ti, considering the variety and number of creatures you have found. It does not seem like he placed them there for security, not with the lack of defensive enchantnts, and the casual deanor you have described. If anything, he keeps the curse active to prevent anything from bothering him, the Executioner spoke.
Going by the way he shared his na, and by what he said right before, I think he ant to bestow an honor upon you, the adow said.
And then he tries to kill right after? Ilea asked.
Precisely. He is lost. Cursed perhaps, in one way or more, the adow said.
And we cannot predict his movents, nor his abilities, or the artifacts he possesses, Aki spoke. I will try to find a way to asure the curse at the edge of his domain. You are sure he is the source?
It ca from him, but it could be an item in his possession, I dont know, Ilea said.
She sighed.
Trying to prepare for one ancient evil and stumbling onto another one.
Guess Ill have to fight him again, she said.
If hes still creating artifacts, you would do the world a service, Aki said.
Let us hope he is not working towards a greater goal, the adow said.
I hope I didnt just give him one.
He did seem to enjoy himself in the end. If only just a little.
She thought about the way he spoke, the way he smiled ever so slightly, only for it all to go in the next instant.
She huffed with a smile.
I think he already fulfilled his goal, a long ti ago, she murmured. The curse lain upon this world.
We will study what we can, to understand him, the adow said.
And I will prepare to face him again. Its good training either way, she said.
No, Kyrian retorted.
What do you an, no?
You need ti to recover before you continue.
Ilea glared at him.
He raised his brows. Youre smarter than that.
Im a Sanguerrihn certified dimwit, and he nearly killed with one spell, she said.
Did you gain a core skill point for surviving it? The na could reveal sothing about the First Enchanter, the adow sent.
Ilea took in a deep breath. She did feel tired, and absolutely exhausted. I can check.
ding Ashen Limbs reaches 3rd lvl 8
ding Azarinth Barrier [Mythic] reaches 3rd lvl 29
ding Bulwark of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 15
ding Bulwark of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 16
ding Identify reaches 2nd lvl 11
ding ditation reaches 3rd lvl 30
ding Soul Perception reaches 2nd lvl 11
ding Soul Perception reaches 2nd lvl 12
ding Spear of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 9
ditation at thirty. At least sothing useful gained from the fight, she thought with a slight grin.
ding Blast Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 27
ding Blast Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 28
ding Curse Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 21
ding Curse Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 26
ding Fear Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 10
ding ntal Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 28
ding Pain Tolerance reaches 3rd lvl 5
ding Silver Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 6
ding Silver Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 7
ding Silver Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20
ding Soul Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 11
ding One third tier General skill point awarded
Thats one way to level my curse and silver resistances. She sighed. At least for the next ti she fought him, shed be a tiny bit more prepared. She imdiately leveled her Silver Magic Resistance to the third tier.
ding Silver Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 1
Silver Magic Resistance 3rd lvl 1
A rare magic to be sure and just as deadly. Not quite corrosion or poison, silver magic can be devious, its effects complex. You have survived and are one of few who have been exposed and lived.
2nd stage: Your body has been exposed to extensive damage wrought by silver magic. Both your skin and any elent you control becos more resistant to the effects of this school of magic.
3rd stage: Your magic and body have adapted to the effects of silver magic, making it far more difficult for silver to invade and erode your magical constructs and your flesh. Any magical effects you create will be more effective at shedding away silver clinging to your form.
And another tool. Ilea wondered if the dwarf had gotten any major upgrades to his resistances based on her attacks. Not like he took a lot of hits. She found the thought more annoying than helpful.
ding You have found the Sanguerrihn One Core skill point awarded
ding You have destroyed the Embodint of Silver One Core skill point awarded
ding You have seen the Primordial Curse One Core skill point awarded
ding You have survived the Primordial Curse One Core skill point awarded
Its called the Primordial Curse apparently. Just seeing the spell gave a core point, and surviving it another one, she said.
Ive not heard anything about that, Kyrian said.
Neither have I, spoke Owl.
There are a few records that ntion the na,the Executioner spoke. Researchers, nobles, fanatics, seeking a curse magic Class, or a spell, with similar nas, if Im not particular when it cos to translations. The fate of most is unknown, but of those I can find, they went mad in one way or another, attacked their settlents, or were found dead.
That could be any curse, Kyrian said. Or any magic that is difficult to control.
There are a few correlations between three records, Aki spoke. Eye sockets filled with red pus, skin entirely decayed.
I can attest to that, Ilea said. But I dont know if you should go and study whatever this is. It wasnt just a spell. There was sothing there. A presence of sorts.
Perhaps we could ask the Fae, your Class bears the na of Primordial. I do not know of this curse, the adow spoke.
Ilea nodded and checked her available titles, finding a new one in the list.
- The Untainted [You may heal what cannot be healed. You may perceive what cannot be perceived]
She relayed the information to the others. Does that an I can heal the curse next ti Im hit by it?
Your third tier resistance, does it not allow you to understand so basic ideas of a curse? Aki asked.
Right, yeah, Ilea said. Ill try an heal the damage to my body first, she said and switched her title to The Untainted. Flooding herself with healing, Ilea didnt feel a change.
Extensive damage to the soul can sotis manifest in physical ways, Owl said.
Ilea sank into her chair. Ill have to actually ride this one out. If this takes longer than a few days Ill be pissed.
Kyrian chuckled to himself.
Whats so funny? Ilea asked.
You, for once not being able to shrug off an injury, Kyrian said in a dry tone.
I nearly died, Ilea said.
You always do that, he retorted.
She rolled her eyes and tried to use the third tier of her curse resistance to analyze the curse.
Barriers sprung up and magic ford around both Owl and Kyrian.
Whats g- Ilea asked when she heard the whispers, imdiately stopping whatever she was doing.
What was that? Kyrian asked, covered entirely in his heavy armor, curse magic emanating from him.
I tried to analyze it, Ilea said.
Thats not supposed to happen, Aki said.
Perhaps it is best you do not further pursue the study of that curse, the adow sent.
Dont have to tell twice, Ilea said, taking in a deep breath. What the fuck, Savien?
And now I cant change my title back for a week.
Well. Might not be the worst idea to keep the new one equipped anyway. If the Sanguerrihn shows up sowhere.
The thought made her consider the forces of the Accords. Could they stop the dwarf if he went all out? Just one four mark. Equipped with a bunch of items.
She didnt doubt that the adow, Aki, herself, Owl, and a few high level Mava could take the dwarf together, but that was a best case scenario. She hoped her assumptions about his teleportation abilities were accurate. Id probably be more difficult to deal with for an organization like the Accords.
or an Ascended with space magic, going as far as realm travel.
Looking to the side, Ilea saw the expanded map of Akis search. Many of the teams she had seen earlier were gone now, likely already implenting whatever they had planned here into the cities and settlents of the Accords.
Guess Ill just wait until this passes. You cant do anything either, adow? Ilea asked.
The soul is outside of my domain. Apologies, friend, for I am finite, the being spoke.
Any news on the Architect? she said instead.
Ill get back to the Headquarters. Glad you survived, Ilea, Kyrian said.
Sure. Thanks for checking in, I appreciate it, she answered and smiled.
Nothing new, Im afraid, Aki said. Our rudintary defense and response plans are put into place, but it will take weeks and months to expand them, let alone teaching the various populations.
Seals not cracked yet? she asked the adow.
Not yet. You have not been gone for very long.
I know. Im just annoyed I couldnt fight Savien for longer, she sent.
On first na basis already? the adow asked.
You can just tell hell be super fucking annoyed if I call him that, she answered.
Which might lead to retaliation, the adow said.
I will consider the risk, she said.
And you will ignore it.
That is your assumption, Ilea said and stretched her arms.
It is, the being spoke.
Any tips on soul healing? Ilea asked the Greater Lich.
Patience, with yourself, Owl spoke, a purple smile on her ethereal lips.
I need a drink.
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