Rebirth {Black Ticket, Solo, feat.Shara}

[Morrigan Reid]

It hadn't been until her monster hunt, deep into the forests of Lycia, that she realized just how strongly she registered the sounds and scents of nature. Of home. As she stood on the deck of the ship, casually watching the gentle waves of the ocean lap against the hull of her vessel, she drew in a deep breath through her nose. The smell of the ocean was stronger near the Isles, as if something about mainland Elibe tainted it. Yet even as their destination, the port of Jutes, slowly edged its way into view, the pure scent of salt and water did not so much as fade.

It had been too long.

“Ah, here you are.” Morrigan turned to the source of the voice. It was her friend, Shara, clad in her admittedly strange new outfit. It left her thighs almost completely bare, yet came with a cape. To Morrigan's own amusement it seemed that the cape embarrassed the dragoness more than the exposed thighs did. “Admiring the endless stretch of blue, beneath another endless stretch of blue?”

“Better than stretches of grey, for our sake.” The waters near the Isles had a tendency to get choppy. Storms were frightful things to have to sail through, and Morrigan was grateful their voyage had been blessed with good weather all around.

“I'm inclined to agree. Rain and I...don't get along too well.” Perhaps it was a melodramatic reaction, but Morrigan paused at the mention of that word. The sorceress' thoughts were so attuned to home, to the Convent, that the mere mention of that word reminded her of why she had left in the first place. She could still envision the last time Morrigan had seen her. Seated, almost motionless, on her favourite chair in her living room. Two young children watching her with worry, wondering when they would get their mother back.

And him...heartbroken and desperate.

“Though I must say...” Perhaps it was a lack of tact on Shara's part, to keep speaking as Morrigan's mind drifted off, or perhaps it was a sign of her improved tact. Morrigan couldn't really tell which, but as Shara's voice brought her back to earth, she recalled just how grateful she was that the dragoness had agreed to accompany her. Morrigan turned to Shara as she fidgeted, the corners off her cape pinched between her thumb and index finger. “I...keep getting looks from the sailors. Usually when they think I'm not looking, but even when I am they stare.”

“Well, you are rather beautiful.” Morrigan answered with a small giggle. Shara gave Morrigan an even look and a small huff.

“I know. THAT'S not why they stare though.”

“Yes yes...trust me, Shara. I'm know how it feels to be ogled for a unique fashion sense.” Even though, to Morrigan, it wasn't all that unique. Many at the convent altered or flat out made their own clothes from the beasts they hunted, the sheep they tended to, or the cotton they farmed. Morrigan had plucked the feathers that adorned her dress with her own hands, and bore them with pride even if they had her labeled as a “Witch” on sight.

“I suppose...I'm growing used to this outfit, either way. It's very...easy to move in. Far easier than any dress.” Shara relented with a weak smile, releasing her cape that it may fall to the backs of her knees yet again. Morrigan nodded before she turned to face the ocean once more, the port of Jutes closer than ever.

“I think it suits you. Even more so than those dresses did. It's more...natural, as strange as that may sound.”

“If you insist. Heh...thanks, Morrigan.”

[Morrigan Reid]

Within a couple of hours their ship had pulled into port and dropped anchor. Morrigan and Shara collected their belongings and were both glad to be off the ship. Particularly Morrigan, for Jutes was a...welcome, familiar site. Of course there were pirates that walked among the masses more oft than not. Sometimes they stayed hidden, sometimes they were bold and made themselves known. They'd never bothered Morrigan, though. No more than any other citizen had, anyway.

Even if she disagreed with one's actions, Morrigan always tried to abstain from casting a judgement too swiftly. Came from a lifetime of being judged a “Witch”, no doubt.

“Interesting. Reminds me of Badon, in a few ways.” Shara mentioned off-hand as the two walked through the city of Jutes. Morrigan nodded a bit, able to see those same similarities.

“I had thought the same when I first set foot in Badon.” She replied as she continued to lead the way. Shara would have to follow Morrigan rather closely, given how ah, hidden away the Convent was. So Morrigan made a point of staying ahead of the dragoness, glancing back every once and a while just to make sure. Perhaps it was a touch mother hennish but...all the same. “Perhaps it's due to the culture of living by the sea? No matter where on Elibe one may be, fishing, sailing, and trade define the culture.”

“Likely so. Never forget, as well, that despite Elibe's diversity, it is still all one land. We're all only so different from each other.” ...There was a certain irony in that sentence. Not just because Shara was, well, a dragon, but because she was Shara. Even before the incident out in Lycia, when Morrigan had first met the dragoness for the second time, she could tell that she had begun to change. Now, though, Shara was truly...evolving as an individual.

It was quite interesting to bear witness to.

“If only more of us agreed with that line of thinking, Shara.” Morrigan replied with an honest nod. Unfortunately, many of those at the Convent didn't share that logic. They were insistent that the Elibe that lay beyond their walls and forests were too different. Some would even go so far as to judge them ignorant, unable to see just how hypocritical that viewpoint. Granted some of them were simply concerned, fearful that their society which praised knowledge and work ethic over anything else would be absorbed into a nation like Etruria, where religion and conquest seemed to come first.

Though Morrigan still wished to introduce the Convent to society proper, the book burning that had taken place throughout Etruria had been a very troublesome sign indeed. The suppression of knowledge was a frightening thing and not only did Morrigan oppose it, but she knew the entire Convent would as well. They may believe that exposing themselves would wind up with their old archives burned and destroyed, given the Western Isles turbulent but ever present relationship with Etruria.

It was questions like this that left Morrigan quieter than usual. Even though she had a friend in Shara her thoughts were turned to the future. The Council would want to hear her reports of everything she had learned about the mainland, and frankly, Morrigan was not yet finished with her task. She was prepared to board a ship back to the mainland and continue on, she was.

Morrigan had just...missed her home. She'd missed her family and her friends. Surely that wasn't wrong, was it?

“We're going to be headed north of the city, just through these gates.” Morrigan explained as Jutes' northern gates came into view. Few ever traveled through them, aside from lumbermen and miners, for the wilderness that lay beyond them was untamed and harsh. Jagged rocks became more and more plentiful as one approached the mountains, and the deepwood was far too easy to wind up lost in.

“Right behind you, then.”

[Morrigan Reid]

Though Morrigan knew she could take credit for this: the walk through the forest was quiet. Of course animal dens and the like shifted all the time, but there was always a sort of “general area” that one could travel through with relative safety. The wolves and bears and other predators that inhabited the Isles tended not to be overly aggressive. And even if they did cause problems, well, Morrigan recalled that there were skilled hunters who specialized in dealing with such creatures.

Not that Morrigan was overly concerned about coming across any wild beasts. She trusted her ability to defend herself and, beyond that, she even had Shara with her. You know...a dragon. That was still something to wrap her mind around. Shara's human form held such a...small resemblance to her draconic form. Until she began to half-shift there was next to no way one would be able to look at Shara, and then see her dragon form, and connect the dots.

Plus there was the fact that dragons not only survived the Scouring, though a few members of the Convent had always hypothesized as such, but that they could even do things such as half-shift. And Morrigan had met three of them at once!

It was...a lot for the sorceress to take in. Quite a lot. She wanted to ask Shara so many questions about it all, the subject tugging at her inner scholar intensely. Yet at the same time Morrigan just...well, it almost felt rude. Especially in the wake of recent events. As curious as Morrigan was about dragons she didn't want to dredge up that grief for Shara. It was always a problem for the sorceress: she harbored such curiosity, but she wanted to avoid prodding at people as much as possible.

She'd always been far more content finding things out on her own. Just...quietly researching whatever piqued her interest, or practicing her magic. Morrigan never enjoyed bothering others. She had never been bold like...

“Tell me about her.” It was as if Shara had read Morrigan's mind. The druid gazed over her shoulder at the dragoness, and Shara met her gaze in turn. “Your friend, the one who...you lost to the nether.”

“Raine.” Morrigan gave a small nod. She couldn't fault Shara's curiosity. Raine was Morrigan's primary reason for returning at this time. Neither of her objectives had been accomplished yet, and thus such a visit was essentially a waste of valuable time. But Morrigan just...missed her friends and family so dearly. Particularly Raine. She wanted to see if her condition had improved at all, unlikely as it may have be.

But oh...where did Morrigan start? She turned her gaze back towards the path, a small but fond smile stretching upon her lips. “Raine was...is...my best friend. We've known each other our whole lives, and have been close for as long as I can remember.”

“She was always the out-going one. More adventures, socially skilled, and she was almost always smiling.” Really that...may have been a stretch. Raine had always been outwardly emotional, wore her heart on her sleeve. It made her vulnerable to being brought down by others, or even unfortunate events. Perhaps that was where Morrigan shined: even if bad things happened she...didn't wind up as visibly affected as Raine.

And whether Morrigan wanted to admit it or not, Raine's strong emotions were likely what brought her to her fate.

“Kind and compassionate. Daring and intelligent. When it came to magic she was incredibly gifted at casting, but her work ethic was something to be admired as well." How many nights had the two spent, from sunset to sunrise, engrossed in texts and tomes. How many evenings had been spent sparring against one another in anticipation for one of the Solstice Tournaments? How many mornings had they gotten together, despite their increasingly busy schedules, in order to catch up and make sure they knew everything that the other had going on at the time?

"Not to mention what a caring mother she'd grown up into. Really I'm...still so proud of her." Tears had touched Morrigan's eyes as she spoke. Goodness, she was brought to tears far too easily these days. She gave a sheepish laugh as she wiped her eyes with her gloved fingers. "I respected her and looked up to her, as much as I did our teachers, if not more.” Morrigan continued on. She didn't want to speak about Raine's flaws right now. Even if they were part of who she was. Instead she wanted to remember the deep strength that the fair haired druid had always carried herself with. The boldness that let her march her way through life, all the way up until that fateful incident.

“I still do. Even if she's...not herself right now, that doesn't change how I feel about her.” Morrigan finished with a firm not, as if to convince herself along with Shara. The dragoness kept silent behind her for a moment.

“...I see. I'm sure she was and...still could be a wonderful person, Morrigan. I look forward to meeting her.”

“...Thank you, Shara.”

[Morrigan Reid]

And so they'd arrived.

The trip hadn't been that long: Morrigan's path was not only the safest, but the fastest. It hadn't taken the pair longer than maybe two hours to arrive before the gates of The Convent, and given just how tucked away into the thick brush and tall trees the society was...that was actually quite the feat. Shara had fallen noticeably silent once the tall, wooden gates had come into view, and Morrigan knew why.

The Convent bore striking similarities to that village out in Lycia. Ragnis' village. Just as visiting the village had spurred on the feeling of homesickness within Morrigan, no doubt Shara was experiencing her own wave of emotions and memories from the sight. There wasn't anything Morrigan could really say to help with that, and even if there was the sorceress wouldn't know what it would be. So instead she simply approached the gates, quietly.

Unlike the village, which had used guard posts so that the guards could see over their wooden fencing, the Convent was a bit different. Both the gate and the wooden walls that surrounded it had been built far higher, taller than any of the homes or buildings within the Convent proper. One couldn't see over or in at all, and there was simply no need to build posts.

Instead they'd built a door into the gate, rather than some complex pulley system like the one at the village. The door had a slider installed as well, so that when someone approached the gate's door, one of the guardsman at the other end could slide it open, and see the face at the other end of the door.

This...was where things got complicated. Morrigan would be recognized immediately. As a member of the Council she had more rank and...she supposed “fame” than most inhabitants of the Convent. The issue was not with her.

“Who's...Morrigan? Is that you?” After the sorceress had knocked on the gate's door, a man on the other end had opened the slider. Ah...he was a practitioner of Soul Magic. Laurent. Quite skilled and knowledgeable, but a bit too bold for his own good. Still he was kind at heart, and that kindness shone true through his clear blue eyes.

...Morrigan ah, may have been “seeing” him in the past. It had ended, but on good terms thankfully.

“It's been a while, Laurent. How is your grandmother?” Oh how she had missed this. Yes, meeting new people was all well and good, but already Morrigan had begun to feel just how much she missed talking to people she already knew. Men and women she had grown up with, or been raised by. Younger men and women she'd seen be born, and have grown into wonderful teenagers and young adults. To know the story behind just about everyone she could see...there was such reassurance in it all.

“Stubborn as ever. She's...not as ill as she was when you'd left, so it looks like we won't need another Anima representative on the council just yet.” Laurent was honest, and did not shy away from the reality, but it was good news that he had told her...for the most part at least. “Oh, but what am I doing, let me just-”

“Wait, Laurent. Before you let me in, I...should inform you that I have a guest.”

If Morrigan didn't know Laurent as she did, if Morrigan wasn't so comfortable, she'd be a touch nervous. The Convent has been heavily divisive on outsiders since its creation, but that divide had grown dreadfully deep since the attack of that Etrurian Sage. The battle that cost Raine her mind and soul, leaving behind the empty shell of a great woman. That was why Morrigan stepped aside to let Laurent see Shara, or as much of her as he COULD see through the slider on the door.

Laurent narrowed his eyes a bit. Not out of hostility, that much was clear, but out of curiosity. He tried to inspect Shara as best as he could without opening the door before he eventually continued.

“...The Council will want to discuss this. They'll also want to hear your report.” It wasn't so much a warning as it was a fact. As skilled and reputable as Laurent was: he was not a member of the Council. Morrigan could overturn any decision he made, so even he if did not wish to allow Shara into the Convent, he could not refuse Morrigan if she gave a command. More over, he could not lock MORRIGAN out. So he didn't try to argue with her, but wanted to make it clear in as...kind and subtle a way possible that she would be questioned for this decision. “You know, yes?”

“The Council can wait until morning. Evening is at hand, and I don't intend on leaving in the middle of the night.” Came Morrigan's response, soft but firm. She was not Morrigan, the wandering sorceress foreign to the mainland anymore. In that moment she was Councilwoman Morrigan, representative of the Elder Magic community of her the Convent, and Ambassador for the Convent. A woman of stature, reputation, and rank.

“More importantly, Laurent, is that...you know me. I would never bring anyone who I believe would cause any harm to the Convent.” She knew Laurent did not suspect her. Yet...still, she needed to make her point clear. So she stepped back in front of the slider and met Laurent's gaze with her own eyes. “Especially after Raine. You should know I...I'd never risk loss like that.”

Laurent didn't say another word. He simply stared into Morrigan's gaze for a moment, before closing the slider shut. Another few seconds and the door was pulled open.

“Welcome home, Councilwoman Morrigan.”

[Morrigan Reid]

Morrigan gave Laurent a silent thank you as she stepped through the door, passing through the gate and into the Convent proper at long last. As Shara followed Morrigan she was greeted by the sight of a bustling community. Men, women, and children who all seemed to be headed somewhere. Many of them carried a tome or...several...in their arms as they scurried along.

The convent was lined with numerous buildings. Most of them appeared to be houses, but some seemed to serve other purposes. Some were communal, others seemed to be stables to keep various animals in. Even more interesting was that the houses were not solely built out of wood. There was a great deal of stonework involved in just about every building. Despite the isolation from the rest of Elibe their buildings seemed to be just as modern, if not even more advanced...yet too different to truly be comparable.

In the distance Morrigan could make the largest building in the Convent. The building that the entire civilization had been founded around: the archive. It was pure stone, older than any of the other buildings in the community by countless. Before the Convent had been founded that archive had already stood, the magi of the past using it to study the works of their predecessors and record their own findings.

Truly...it had been too long. She longed for the comfort of that archive, to scan through its books on a peaceful afternoon.

“Councilwoman Morrigan...” Shara peeped up behind the sorceress. Morrigan HAD told her a great deal about the Convent during their trip from Badon to Jutes, including her position among the Convent's Council. Still Shara seemed to smirk a bit as she strode up alongside Morrigan. “It has a nice ring to it. Not that I didn't believe you when you had told me before, but hearing it from another is...”

“Trust me, I'm still getting used to it myself.” Morrigan replied with an honest giggle. She hadn't stuck around long after receiving her title. Instead she had immediately pushed for the Convent to enter society proper, and almost immediately departed for the mainland. To spread word of the Convent er...somehow, and to see if the mainland had anything to help Raine. “I was only present for one council meeting before I set off for the mainland.”

To help Raine...Morrigan hadn't been certain where she should visit first. Obviously to head for the Council building would be the responsible course of action, but she only had so much to report and little of it had anything to do with either of her objectives. There were also her parents, but knowing them they would be lost in their studies as usual. She wondered if her mother still wanted to test the effects of enhancement magic on work animals, to shorten the time it took for labour to be carried out...

They'd be fine. They always were. So Morrigan decided that her best bet was to head for Raine and Fergus' house. She needed to see if her condition had improved at all. She needed to tell Fergus that she was still looking for a way to bring back the soul of his beloved. She needed to tell Raine's children that she hadn't given up yet, and that they shouldn't either.

“So will you be reporting back to them? This Council?” Though Shara asked, she had a certain knowing gleam in her eye as the pair continued to make their way through the Convent. Morrigan ah, hadn't drawn too much attention yet. Everyone was still busy before dinner. Last minute studying and practice for the mages, some final chores to be done by the workers, so on and so forth. She wanted to capitalize on that. Morrigan...didn't want to be stopped by everyone who would recognize her and have to catch up.

“I will. Tonight or...maybe tomorrow morning. I'll be sure to fill my parents in on my travels as well. But for now I...I just want to rest.” That was the other thing. All of that travel on the mainland, especially the trip from Badon to Jutes, had Morrigan feeling rather drained. Fergus' house was likely the place she could rest easiest at, with as few questions or distractions as possible.

“And see your friend.” Indeed, Shara had already known. Given how Morrigan had talked about Raine she supposed it wasn't exactly a surprise. Still she gave Shara a small, apologetic glance.

“Yes. I'm sorry, Shara. I promise that I'll take you to the archives sometime tomorrow.” That had been one of Morrigan's promises to help entice the dragoness to come with her. Morrigan had really wanted company for this trip and Shara was...well, a perfect fit in many ways. Should she be comfortable enough to do so, she could reveal her nature to the Council and stun them just like she had with her. There were also countless old texts stowed away in the archive, and Morrigan knew Shara was a big reader.

Really though, aside from company, Morrigan felt like the trip could help take Shara's mind off of Ragnis and his family. A welcome return for Morrigan, and a needed escape for Shara.

“Oh please. I can last one more day without hurling myself at some books. Besides, I already told you that I looked forward to meeting your friend.”

Once again, Morrigan found herself thanking Shara.

[Morrigan Reid]

It didn't take long for the two to reach their destination. Just one of the many houses within the Convent. Modestly sized and quiet at that. Morrigan led Shara right up the house's door and paused. She actually felt a brief flutter of nerves within her as she rapped her knuckles against the door, gently. Morrigan had half-expected to hear the pitter-patter of Raine and Fergus' two children, running up to the door curiously.

But instead she only heard calmer, heavier steps, and smiled when a white haired man pulled the door open. “Hi Fergus.”

“Morrigan?” Fergus' eyes widened when he saw Morrigan, clearly surprised, but soon enough a smile spread over his features as well. He stepped forward and drew the sorceress into a warm embrace, and Morrigan was more than happy to return the gesture. “Ahh Morrigan! It's been far too long! How've you been?”

“Busy, and tired...but I managed to come home to rest for a few days.” Morrigan replied, eventually pulling out of the friendly embrace. She turned around and gestured to Shara, who stood a few paces back and watched the reunion in polite silence. “I managed to make a friend on the mainland, one who I thought was worth bringing back. Fergus, this is Shara. Shara, meet Fergus.”

“It's a pleasure to meet you.” Shara replied, giving a polite smile. Fergus blinked at Shara's...admittedly strange outfit, but his gaze didn't linger nor did he make any strange face. Rather he simply nodded and continued on smiling.

“A pleasure to meet you as well. Glad Morrigan was able to find some friends out there...” With that Fergus trailed off. His gaze turned from Shara to Morrigan and his expression shifted a bit. From joy to some slight worry. “She...knows about Raine, right?” Of course, that was his concern. If one entered the house and didn't know about Raine's condition they could wind up...confused, to say the least. If not somewhat alarmed or put-off.

“I've told her.” Came Morrigan's reply. In fact, Shara was the only person on the mainland who Morrigan had told the fate of her best friend to. She hadn't quite yet met anyone who...not that she TRUSTED, but, who she could bring it up to and believed they may be able to do something about it. Shara was over 4 centuries old, after all. Morrigan had hoped the dragoness had read somethingon the subject at one point in time. But alas Shara hadn't.

“Oh, okay...well then come on in. She's just in the kitchen, if you want to say hello.” Fergus stepped aside, allowing the two women to enter his home. Morrigan had spent a fair bit of time in the place, ever since Fergus finished building it. It was a lovely home, modest but with a...warm, welcoming feel to it. Much like Fergus himself.

Morrigan led Shara through the entryway, into the kitchen and...



There she was. She sat at a wooden table, staring straight ahead at the doorway. A vase of flowers stood atop the table, just in front of Raine. No doubt a gift from friends or family. Her eyes were glossy, as if they were made of glass, and any light that could be seen in them was merely reflected. In truth...she could fool anyone for a well-preserved corpse. It would be only the slight rise and fall of her chest that gave her living status away.

Raine was almost completely unchanged from the last time Morrigan had seen her. Both for better...and for worse. It meant that she was at least eating. There didn't seem to be any serious loss of weight, or any signs of dehydration. That was...that was good.

Shara said nothing when she saw her. She jumped ever so slightly, and honestly, Morrigan couldn't blame the dragoness. Even if Raine was her best friend, she could understand how eerie it would be to simply walk in and see this. Someone staring, unflinchingly, towards your direction. Raine did not make eye contact with either woman, though. It was as if she opted to stare straight through their cores instead.

After her initial surprise, though, Shara mustered up a smile. Seeing her friend relax, Morrigan took a few steps closer to Raine.

“Hi there. It's...been a while.”

Silence would be her only answer.

[Morrigan Reid]

“For what it's worth...” Fergus stepped in behind the two women. “I'm sure she wo-...she IS happy to see you.” He continued to wear a smile, but his expression was a bit strained. Morrigan caught the quiver of his lip, and how he was gripping the bottom of his shirt. Even as Raine's best friend, Morrigan couldn't imagine what this all must have been like for Fergus. To wake up every morning to see your wife...like this. To have to explain to their children why their mother couldn't speak...

Heh, this was supposed to be a happy visit. Fergus didn't need Morrigan thinking those things. He already faced it all as reality, every single day since the incident. Morrigan needed to be a shoulder he could lean on. A spring of warmth, and hope, and understanding.

So Morrigan nodded silently before turning her head back towards Raine. Nothing had changed. Her expression and posture hadn't changed whatsoever. “A spring of warmth, and hope...hm?” Perhaps if Morrigan had been able to find anything about Raine's situation, then perhaps she'd be more confident in fulfilling that role.

“Where are the kids?” A small deflection, away from Raine, as Morrigan turned to face Fergus. Raine likely didn't need all eyes on her. In the past she used to live for such moments...

“They're spending a few days with their grandparents.” Fergus seemed relieved at the question. His hands and facial features relaxed, his smile more smooth and genuine as he stepped past the two ladies. “I'm sure they'd love to see you, but I...”

“I understand.” Or at least, Morrigan tried to. She stepped towards Fergus and gave a nod. “I...just know that, for as long as I'm here, I'm willing to help you with anything. Anything regarding the kids, the house. I'm sure you could use it.”

“Well, my parents do come by often enough as is, to help lighten the load.” Fergus gave a weak chuckle, but Morrigan could see the twinkle in his eyes all the same. “But if you insist on being put to work then...”

His face fell again, and he let out a small sigh before pulling out a chair. “I can't do that to you, Momo.” ...Now that was an old nickname. Morrigan hadn't been called than in quite some years. Only Fergus and Raine had ever used that nickname for her. It caught her off-guard, leaving her blinking twice. Shara herself seemed to barely restrain a slight snort, much to Morrigan's ire, but she was savvy enough not to make a comment.

“...Why's that?”

“You're a Councilwoman. I'm sure they'll be keeping you busy as it is. Those who were for your expedition...”

“And especially those against it.” Yes, Morrigan wasn't exactly looking forward to relaying what she had learned to the rest of the Convent's Council. From the iron fisted dictatorship that was Kraft's Etruria, with its book burning and forced peace, to the growing monster crisis in Lycia...Morrigan even heard that Etruria would be invading Ilia soon? Last time Etruria went on the offensive the disaster of Ostia was the end result.

Which had led to the monsters in the first place.

Morrigan pulled out a seat, directly across from Raine, and took a small breath. At least she HAD learned quite about about modern Elibe during her excursion, even if her personal mission had been an utter failure. Bad news would be better to report than no news at all.

“Really, Fergus. The Council won't be so trying that I can't help out my friends...” Morrigan offered Fergus her best re-assuring smile. It seemed to be sufficient to bring the grey haired man some relief. He reclined back in his seat and gave a nod.

“Well we're grateful, then...really, Morrigan. Thank you. I...can tell that your search hasn't gone well.”

“Fergus...”

“But I know you. I know you must have searched high and low, asked anyone who may know anything.” Fergus' words rang clear in Morrigan's ears. He placed his calloused hands atop Morrigan's. “And even though I already can't thank you enough for your efforts, I just...can't help but ask that you don't give up. Please.”

“Of course not. You have my word.” Morrigan would never be able to forgive herself if she ever did. Her gaze met Fergus', and she maintained her reassuring smile, as his dark eyes looked to find hope in hers. She had expected things to get a bit heavy, given...everything, but not this swiftly. It left her cheeks feeling a little bit flushed.

“Good, good...hah, sorry for laying it on so thick.” Fergus seemed relieved, letting out a little chuckle before he stood up from his chair, offering the seat to Shara. “I'm sure you two must be starving. How about I cook us all up some dinner, then. The sun will be setting shortly.”

...As he mentioned it, Morrigan did feel rather famished. Some food and lighter conversation could definitely do her some good.

Fergus turned away from the three ladies, ready to get started on cooking, and Morrigan turned her head to look up at Shara. The dragoness hadn't yet taken a seat.

“...Shara?” Instead, the blonde's eyes seemed to be fixed on Raine. Perhaps she was still growing accustomed to her situation. Really, Morrigan couldn't fault her for it...but yet, her eyes were so wide. Was it...

“Hm?” All the same, Morrigan's voice seemed to snap her out of it. Shara gave the sorceress a small smile and nod before she took Fergus' seat. “Oh, I'm sorry. Yes, dinner sounds lovely right about now...”

[Morrigan Reid]

The dinner was lovely. Even with Raine's silent, stoic presence, the mood was kept up by the joyful chatter between Morrigan and Fergus. Shara chimed in more and more as time went on, as well, only adding to the good mood throughout the dinner. Morrigan could have even sworn she saw Raine smile a bit, but it had only been a trick of her eyes. Raine did eat the food before her, but the way she di so was so...inhuman. There was no reaction to anything, and she chewed exactly the same number of times for each bite.

As much as Morrigan hated to admit it, she kept her eyes off of Raine as much as she could. It brought her down to know that Raine couldn't join in on their conversation, or even register how good Fergus' cooking was. Moreover, while Morrigan's work abroad was for Raine's sake, this little visit was mostly for Fergus. She could tell her old friend had really needed a night to take his mind off of things. No kids, company that he could enjoy...the simple things that made all of the difference.

Once they'd all finished eating, though, Fergus led Raine back to their room. Between getting Morrigan and Shara's room ready and prepping Raine for bed, he would be busy for some few hours to come. So Morrigan helped clean up the table after dinner, with a quiet Shara sitting at the table still...

While the dragoness had chimed in far more during their dinner itself, she had fallen quiet before and once again afterwards. Morrigan had been confused and admittedly concerned about this, but she didn't want to bring it up while Raine and Fergus had been around. So, with them gone, she turned to Shara and cocked her head.

“Is...everything all right?”

“Hm? Why do you ask?” Shara was a bit slow to respond.

“Well, you've been quiet for a bit now...and something seemed to catch your eye earlier.” That's right, Shara had been looking at Raine earlier. It was after then that she'd gotten quiet on the sorceress. Shara brought a hand to her chin and glanced from side to side, as if a bit worried. After a moment she stood up and moved close to Morrigan, speaking softly.

“Her eyes moved.”

“...What?”

“When you and Fergus were having your heart to heart earlier.” Shara continued on, “Her eyes moved to your hands and...I swear they darkened. As soon as you pulled your hands back she shifted right back to her original position, and her eyes didn't move again.”

Morrigan blinked, surprised at this. She certainly hadn't noticed anything of the sort. Granted they couldn't keep watch of Raine ALL the time, but perhaps she did such things often? Raine was still IN that body to one extent or another, so perhaps something had triggered a reaction out of her?

“I see...”

“I'm sorry.” Shara took a small step back and offered an apologetic smile. “I could just be getting paranoid. I...don't know how normal or not normal it is, but it just didn't seem right...and I didn't know how to bring it up to you or Fergus either. Or if I should bring it up at all.”

“It's fine, really. Her condition still...gets to me, as well.” It was as if Raine had lost nearly all that had made her human. So really, Morrigan didn't think too much on Shara's unease. She felt much the same sometimes. Even Fergus was likely startled by her from time to time...

“I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. Come, let's see if our beds are ready.”

[Morrigan Reid]

The room Fergus prepared for Shara and Morrigan wound up being their spare guest room. The house only had the one, so Shara and Morrigan wound up sharing the room. Thankfully there was at least a second bed in it, so the two ladies got to sleep with all the bed space that they desired...

Or at least Shara did. As soon as the dragoness had been over taken by slumber, Morrigan simply...laid in her bed. Her body was exhausted, and her eyelids felt heavy, yet not for an instant was she able to catch a wink of sleep. There were too many worries on her mind that had waited until nightfall to creep out from the recesses of her mind. The slight dread regarding her inevitable meeting with the Council tomorrow.

Morrigan didn't look forward to discussing the Convent's old connections in Etruria, or how she would need to continue to push for the idea of the Convent opening its doors to outsiders. With stories of Etruria pushing its war machine and the rebellion over in Bern, not to mention the monsters in Lycia...even Morrigan had to admit, shutting the doors of the Convent did sound like a safe option. But it didn't prevent them from facing threats...they knew that by now.

Raine bore the scars to prove it.

What the Convent needed was a LARGER focus. That would open them to more enemies, perhaps, but also to more allies and an overall larger community to defend them against those enemies. That was Morrigan's logic, anyway. The Convent could only benefit from a larger community and stronger ties to both the rest of the Isles and the mainland proper.

And no matter the fuss that some of the council members would throw at her, Morrigan was certain she would stand by her belief...

...Unfortunately, that hadn't been all that worried her.

Morrigan heard a slight creaking, from the floorboards just beyond the door. The footsteps were slow and soft – they probably belonged to Fergus, in an attempt to be considerate of his sleeping guests. As Morrigan listened to the footsteps she contemplated going out to speak with him. Perhaps if she cleared her mind with another she would be able to shake this restlessness and get some actual sleep.

The sorceress shuffled out of her bed and quietly made her way to the door. She needed to be considerate as well, for Shara'd also had a long day. Morrigan took a step forward but paused and gave herself a look over. She'd...forgotten to change out of her outfit and into some proper sleep attire. Ah, well, it was for the best. Even having known Fergus for nearly her entire life Morrigan probably would have been embarrassed to be seen by him in a night shirt.

Morrigan made her way over to the door and pushed it open. She opened her mouth, about to call for Fergus, but blinked when she saw a very different figure down the hall. Instead of a tall man with soft grey hair, she saw a shorter woman with mid-long violet hair, dressed in a long, white, night shirt. It was Raine. She slowly made her way towards the stairs and began to descend them. Every step was slow and methodical, almost as if Raine had took the time to calculate exactly how she would perform each one.

It was...unnerving to watch. But Morrigan was worried for another reason as well. During the dinner Fergus had mentioned that Raine sometimes...sleep walked. Or at least got up to walk around the house. Sometimes he'd wake up to find her in the kitchen, seated at the table as if waiting for him. Other times she'd return to bed just as he woke.

Morrigan didn't know the reason why. She didn't know if Raine even slept anymore, or how well she did sleep. Given that she still ate it was reasonable to assume she still required at least SOME proper sleep. But even Fergus had stated that he wasn't so certain of that. It worried him...and worried Morrigan too. So, carefully, Morrigan decided to follow Raine. Fergus needed the sleep – she'd try to take care of Raine herself so she didn't have to wake him.

She followed Raine down the stairs, just as slowly as her old friend did. It was so odd. Raine's body did not sway at all with any single step. It was as if she didn't even BREATHE, and instead put whatever focus that lingered on into a singular task.

When Raine did reach the bottom of the steps, though, rather than turn towards the kitchen she instead continued to walk straight towards the door to the house. Raine grasped the handle and slowly pushed the door open, and Morrigan began to panic a bit. Perhaps she should go back and wake Fergus up. He'd never said anything about her walking outside during such events. But...perhaps it was too soon to judge. Morrigan took a breath and followed Raine out the door, deciding it best that she continued to watch over her friend.

“Raine?” But she did want to speak to her. Even if Raine couldn't answer back.

Raine herself paused at Morrigan's voice, which caused the sorceress to flinch. Raine did...not react to the sound of her voice all day. She scarce reacted to Fergus' voice. Multiple theories went through Morrigan's mind at the potential cause, but the sorceress instead decided to cling to the optimistic ones. Perhaps there really WAS still a piece of her old friend in that body!

...But then Raine took a few more steps forward. She passed through the door way and stepped onto the grass just outside the house. As Morrigan followed Raine she stopped, just a few feet from the doorway. Her violet hair flowed with the wind as she tilted her head back and looked up at the night sky – at the moon. Morrigan followed her friend's gaze. While the sky was lovely that night, nary a cloud in sight, she couldn't fathom what about it had drawn her friend out.

A few seconds passed and Raine...hadn't stopped staring upwards. Morrigan looked down once more and gazed at Raine. Confused and concerned, she tilted her head.

“Did you...just want to look at the moon?” Morrigan really didn't know what else TO say. Raine did not answer no matter what was spoken to her. But Fergus, and Morrigan as well, believed she did still hear all that was said. Morrigan's words still mattered to Raine, and thus she wanted to select them carefully...

But there were no words to be spoken when Raine sucked in a breath. A huge breath. The gasp was such that Morrigan would have thought it was the first time Raine had drawn breath for years. It was so loud that it had genuinely startled the sorceress – Morrigan even jumped a little when she'd begun. Raine's chest rose as she continued to inhale, but after a moment she did finally exhale.

“...beautiful.”

Morrigan's eyes opened wide. Though Raine's gaze was still set on the moon and stars, there was no mistaking it. She'd spoken. Her friend hadn't been able to say a word for almost a year, but she finally managed to break that streak. The sorceress' earlier shock melted and gave way to a giddy sensation she hadn't truly felt since she was a child. A surge of joy and excitement so great it nearly brought tears to Morrigan's eyes.

“W-what did you say?” She needed to hear her friend's voice again. That couldn't be it. She had to say more.

Morrigan moved in front of Raine and set her hands on her shoulders. “Please, Raine. What did you say?”

Rebirth

At last Raine looked down...and the joy was gone. Instead of her gentle, purple irises, Raine's eyes were completely black. Like her eyes had sucked in the night itself, without any of the moon or star's light. Before Morrigan could even react she felt Raine's wrists grip her own – and tight. Tighter than she'd ever imagine possible.

“R-Raine?!” Nervousness and confusion had begun to rush through Morrigan. Her earlier joy made her vulnerable and gave way to a rush of anxiety. She attempted to pull her hands free of Raine's grip, but the other woman would not budge nor relent. Raine continued to hold Morrigan's wrists and stared straight into her eyes. “Raine, stop this. You're...starting to hurt me.”

"Morrig-" Another voice. Feminine – not Fergus'. Morrigan glanced over Raine's shoulder and saw Shara. The dragoness stood in the open doorway and stared at two women. Morrigan watched as her eyes slowly opened wide...and soon began to see why.

“Are you certain you want to hear me speak?” Raine spoke again, but this time there was no joy in Morrigan to accompany it, for it hardly sounded like Raine's voice. Black energy began to gather around Raine's body. It clung to her in sections, as if the night itself had begun to wrap itself around her body. The darkness seeped into Raine's white dress and consumed it. It crept up her body right up to her neck, and by the time it reached that high, twin tendrils of blackness had risen up alongside them.

“Very well...” Raine chuckled and drew one, final breath, before the darkness creeped up to cover her head - her entire being now consumed in black energy. Rather than the almost desperate gasp from before, this breath was far calmer. Small. Yet taken deliberately. Morrigan watched in horror as dark energy began to swell around her and Raine's hands. A terrible burning seeped into her wrists as the pressure from Raine's magic grew stronger, and soon it was enough to force a scream of pain from Morrigan.

“MORRIGAN!” Shara bolted from the doorway towards the two women. She only had a few feet to travel – but no time to spare!

“I said...your fear is beautiful.”

All sound went silent, and all scenery went black, as every last one of Morrigan's senses was overwhelmed by an endless torrent of darkness.

[Morrigan Reid]

“...up...hey...wake up!” Sound funneled back into Morrigan's world, and with it came dim light. As soon as she could see and hear once again, she felt the pain rock her body. The dark haired druid thrashed a bit in response and gasped as her aching chest expanded to draw in air. Had she actually stopped breathing for a moment? What in the hell had hit her... “O-oooooh wow, you got hit that hard, huh?”

Dazed, Morrigan rolled onto her back and looked up to see the face of a young girl...oh...well, given what was a few inches beneath her face she wasn't THAT young then. The girl had short hair, at least in the back, but her bangs were long. Dark...red? Black? It was hard to tell even under the light of the full moon. There was a vague familiarity to the girl but...also to the full moon...Raine had been loo-

“Raine!” Morrigan rasped as it all rushed back to her. That darkness that had overtaken Raine, and the blast of dark magic that had followed. The sorceress scrambled to her knees and gazed around. She was in the convent, but she was a good few feet away from Fergus' house. Where was Shara?! Raine?! She couldn't see either of them at first.

“Oh, you must be looking for your caped friend. REALLY dig the look by the way. Then again, with a body like that, she could probably pull off any-” This girl...talked very fast. Morrigan, her head still ringing a fair bit, stared blankly at the girl until she finally took the hint. She swallowed before gesturing behind her...towards a hole in a wooden house. “My mom's lookin' after her. You should know her, she's a councilwoman like you! I think. You are Morrigan, right? Um, anyway, your friend - she uh, must have thrown you to the side since she traveled a lot farther – and harder – than you did. Pretty impressive.”

Shara...cushioned the blow? Even if she was a dragon there was no doubt that had done quite the number to her. Morrigan tried to get to her feet and stand, in order to get a look at Shara, but she felt her footing wobble and the ground rush up towards her.

“WHOA there. Easy now black beauty.” The teen caught Morrigan by the shoulders, grunting as she struggled to bring Morrigan back down to the ground. “I-I'm uh, well...my physical prowess isn't anything to write home about, so I dunno how many times I can catch you like this. So just take a moment before you have your bearings.”

There was a rush of worry, confusion, and anger through the sorceress...but she accepted reality. She still needed a moment to get her crap together. “Sooooo...what were ya doing? Experimenting with a new spell? Or were you...”

...But then she saw it. Both Morrigan and the young girl. A cocoon so perfectly dark it had been practically invisible against the night. It slowly unfolded, piece by piece like petals from a flower in bloom. Thing red lines pulsed through the darkness like veins beneath flesh, and together the black and red energy produced a visible aura around...






That wasn't Raine. That...she couldn't be. Morrigan just stared in shock as the woman – as her friend's BODY – held her fingers before her. Like a noblewoman examining a chipped nail. Even the talkative girl had been thoroughly quieted at the sight.

“Ahh...” It was a sigh of contentment. Relief. “So this is it, hmm? Elibe.” The name rolled off her tongue as if it were foreign. The syllables too drawn out for a native speaker of Common. Rai...the woman's eyes flicked from her fingers to Morrigan and her young friend. Immediately Morrigan's basest instincts told her to run. To get up and flee. Whatever was looking at her was not her friend. It was not human.

“...Go.” Morrigan rasped as she forced herself to her feet. The girl behind her blinked in surprise, but she didn't argue the older woman at all. She backed up a few steps before she dashed through the hole Shara had left in her house. Given the pure force behind that earlier blast Morrigan wasn't even certain she would be able to contain this...this thing. But she knew that girl wouldn't be strong enough.

“I'm surprised you can stand. Then again, you always had the stronger legs.” Morrigan's eye twitched at the voice. It was so unbearably close to Raine's, and yet so, so far from it. In fact her appearance was much the same way. It was like all of the surface traits of Raine remained intact, but the minor details that had made the woman who she was had vanished. Her skin had paled out, the light in her eyes on of dark intent rather than cheer or intelligence. Even the cruel smile that her lips stretched into was not one Raine would have ever worn.

“...What are-”

“Morrigan!” The sorceress didn't get the chance to finish her question. A man with curly, light red hair had come running from one of the nearby houses. He carried with him a staff and was dressed in heavy robes...no, gods, was it Laurent? And he wasn't alone either. The commotion had begun to draw out many of the Convent's members, mages and non-mages alike. “Morrigan! By the gods are you all right? What-”

“How rude, Laurent.” The voice came as a playful scoff, but venom lay thick beneath it. The man froze in his tracks at the voice, no doubt confusing it to be Raine's, but when he turned around his face nearly went white. The woman in black chuckled as she took a few steps towards him. “I know you've always been fond of Morrigan, but to be so bold as to ignore me?”

Her eyes flashed red. “You should know better.”

[Morrigan Reid]

“R-Raine?” Laurent sounded bewildered. He took a slight step back as he stared dead on at the THING that masqueraded as Raine, his grip on his staff so tight his knuckles had begun to turn white. “That...what's happened to you?”

“Oh, something magical.” Came the quick reply. The creature followed it up with a laugh as her eyes flit about Laurent. She studied him...no, not just him. Her entire environment. The creature's steps were slow and deliberate as she moved towards the red-head. As if she wanted to savor every action she made, every breath that she took.

“That's not Raine, Laurent!” Morrigan managed to call out. Her legs still trembled, both from shock and from pain, but she managed to take a step towards Laurent. His eyes met hers, so the sorceress shook her head. “I...I don't know WHAT it is. But it's not her.”

The creature didn't object. Instead she paused her slow advance to shoot a bemused expression towards Morrigan. Now her hungry, studious eyes were upon the sorceress. Whereas before Raine's eyes had felt as though they simply stared through her – as if Morrigan wasn't even there, this creature's gaze felt as though it pierced her completely.

“I-I...well then stay back, fiend!” Morrigan's gaze shot towards Laurent. She gasped as the man hoisted his staff up into the air. The jewel that sat at the top end began to glow whitish-gold light, as if the sun itself had begun to rise within it. “I demand that you return to whence you came, that you return to us the body of our comrade and friend!”

No...no no this wasn't good. Laurent was no slouch – he was quite the skilled caster. But Morrigan didn't have a good feeling at all. The force she'd been hit with was far too powerful, and if that creature launched a similar attack at Laurent she feared for his safety. Morrigan opened her mouth to try and speak, to try to warn Laurent and tell him to wait until reinforcements arrived. In the distance Morrigan could see members of the Convent scramble, likely to find members of the Council – the Convent's finest.

But before words could escape her lips she could hear the thrum of magical power. Laurent's staff began to radiate light more and more powerful. Despite this the creature seemly looked on with interest, as if she was watching a play or spectacle occur before her very eyes. There was no fear on her features – just amusement and intrigue.

“Ahh yes...the magic of light. Soul magic...”

“You will not answer me, demon?!” The candescent, brilliant white jewel on Laurent's staff flashed in tandem with his outburst. As the radiance Laurent's staff produced grew so mighty that it dwarfed the light of the moon and stars in the area, Morrigan couldn't help but appreciate just how much of himself Laurent was able to pour into his magic. Soul Magic, as the name implied, drew heavily on the faith of the individual. Where that faith was placed did not matter, only that it was mighty. Unbreakable.

Morrigan could not claim to know where Laurent drew that power from, but clearly it had grown since the last time she saw him cast. Everyone else seemed drawn to the light as well, several of the more seasoned mages standing at a safe distance as they observed the presumed duel about to take place. No doubt they weren't entirely certain of the threat yet, otherwise they'd have tried to mobilize properly. The man's entire staff had begun to take on a golden hue as he lowered it to point at the creature. “Then begone, imposter!”

He'd missed it. Everyone had, Morrigan included. Their eyes had been too drawn to the light to see the shadows that had stretched beneath it. Beneath Laurent. With a rushed sound, like rock scraped against rock, several black tendrils erupted from the darkness that had crept beneath the Bishop. They pulsed with blackish-red magic as they wrapped themselves around the staff, suffocating the light that it produced.

“Wh-what the-” As soon as his mouth opened one last tendril shot up from the ground. Like a snake it wormed its way into his open mouth. Morrigan brought her hands up to her mouth, shocked, as Laurent began to choke on the tendril of solid nether. His right hand bound to his ensnared staff, he grasped wildly at the length with his left hand in a desperate attempt to dislodge it.

"Laurent!" Morrigan cried out.

“Soul magic is fueled by one's faith, yes? One's strength of will.” The creature resumed it's slow strides towards Laurent. Immediately Morrigan called upon the nether, funneling her magic into it to establish a connection. She felt power form in her hands, twin black spheres...but they were too slow to take shape – she was too wounded to cast quickly.

Laurent's eyes grew wide and he attempted to step back from the woman, but his resistance was met with force in return. His back arched as he was pulled forward, a sickening gag indicating it was the tendril within him that served to be the culprit. Within seconds he was bet a step away from the creature – face to face.

“You spoke so boldly before...but your light is gone.” As the creature cocked her head to the side, as if to feign childish curiosity, Morrigan abandoned her spells. With a wave of her hands the orbs ceased to form, evaporating into wisps of darkness. Even if she'd let the spell run its course she only put Laurent at greater risk – they were too close now. Instead Morrigan forced herself to try and sprint towards the two. In the background she could see various lights spring to life as the mages of the Convent readied themselves to protect Laurent...but no spells were launched. Anything that would harm the creature would harm Laurent.

There was also the matter of Raine's body to think of. If they were to truly harm this creature no doubt it would mean great harm for Raine. Even...even if the other mages were ignorant or accepted that fact, Morrigan knew that SHE could not.

Yet her legs throbbed in protest as she ran. Time seemed to slow as Laurent's writhing grew more and more violent. “STOP!” She yelled, though desperation and exertion left it as little more than a loud wheeze.

“What happened to it? That faith and will power.” A wide, inhuman grin stretched across the demon's face. Morrigan was close enough to see the tears fall from Laurent's eyes... “Show me.”

...and close enough to feel the blood splatter against her skin.

[Morrigan Reid]

Demon in the Night (Highly recc this be listened as you read).

Every breath came without warning – her entire body left in a state of shock. With wide eyes Morrigan stared in horror at the twitching mess Laurent's body had become. His throat, face, torso...nothing was spared by the spikes that jutted forth from within his body. Spikes so black only the deep red of Laurent's blood, and the bright red pulses that traveled through them, left them visible. Chunks of the man's innards had been pushed out – impaled on the spikes as they had forced themselves through bone and flesh alike. Flecks of blood and flesh alike had been ripped and flung from Laurent and the dark structures that impaled him, splattering across the short grass, and even Morrigan's face.

“Laurent.” Morrigan's voice came as little more than a hoarse whisper, her rapid breathing making it difficult to form words. Worst still was that, though Laurent continued to live for the moment, Morrigan couldn't even tear her eyes away from him. He was suspended, feet just off the ground, as his body weight slouched against the myriad spikes that had impaled him. The hand he'd raised to clutch at the tendril in his mouth fell to the side, bent due to another impalement out the back of his elbow.

It was horrible. An image that even Morrigan's darkest nightmares could never have conjured up...

And yet the creature cackled. Her pale face was flushed red as she tossed her head backwards – face to the night sky. “Delicious!” She cried between cackles. When she tilted her head forward her eyes flashed, face still twisted into that inhuman grin. “Isn't this so much better than your pathetic faith? What is will power to unshakable fear? What are morals in the face of death?”

Laurent was silent. His dying eyes were fixed wide as the creature's Ruin tendril drew him closer to her. So close their noses nearly touched. “If only you'd released these emotions sooner...then maybe you'd have stood a chance. With her, and with me.” The creature let out a giggle, the likes of which one would expect from a mischievous child, and with it she signaledthe end of Laurent's twitching. His last struggle to hold onto to life had come to its end.

The spikes pulled themselves back into Laurent's corpse, back into the tendril from whence they'd spawned, and the creature withdrew her tendril from Laurent's throat. His body fell to the ground in a slump – unnaturally still once it landed.

The threat posed by the woman was secondary to Morrigan's shock. All she could do was take steps, each one shakier than the last as she struggled to hold back sobs, towards Laurent's body. Morrigan could see the lights ignite in the backdrop. She heard the various, familiar shouts for her to step away from the creature...but she couldn't look away from Laurent. His lifeless body, face locked in twisted agony as if trapped within a never-ending nightmare.

Nobody deserved an end like that. Especially not Laurent. He'd only tried to help. The only mistake he made was in attempting to come to Morrigan's aid...and all she could do was watch him die.

Morrigan slumped to her knees as the lights before her intensified. The emotions that rose up within her were so powerful that she didn't really register any of them. As if they'd all blocked each other from reaching her heart. So she felt nothing when she saw lightning, fire, and pure light forge from the shocked mages of the Convent. A few of them continued to scream and plead for Morrigan to leave, lest she be obliterated in a sea of magic.

It was not her they needed to fear for.

“Yessss...YES! Show me more! More of your fear and anger!” The demon's eyes gleamed as she turned to face her new opponents. The black aura that surrounded her intensified, doubling in size and mass alike. It became so heavy and thick that it began to leak onto the ground, like wispy froth from an overfilled mug of ale. Red energy continued to pulse throughout the aura and even the creature's dress, the rhythm quickening as if to respond to her heartbeat – to her adrenaline and thrill.

“Show me what it means to live! To struggle, to fight! Show me what humans are at their core! How they fare in the face of despair!”

As fast as the various mages tried to channel their magic the demon was quicker. She swung her arms to the sky, and with them rose a great wall of dark magic. It had no solid form, not like the tendrils or spikes from before. Whips of pure nether magic crackled about the black mass as it stretched and swirled in tandem with the movements of the demon's arms – this was pure energy. The nether in its purest state.

“Show me...”

Some of the mages that stood across from the demon saw what was coming. Staves and tomes alike were raised up as blue film began to stretch around them, and some of their comrades. Multiple magical barriers were forced into form in order to defend against the potential onslaught from the demon. As the protective domes were solidified numerous spells were let loose. Arcs of lightning, torrents of flame, and bolts of solid light soared from their casters towards the demon, as her swirling storm of nether energy reached it's massive peak – her entire form encompassed by it.

“SO I CAN OBLITERATE IT ALL!”

The moon's light was gone. The area immediately surrounded Morrigan and the demon were cast not of white light from the sky, but undulating waves of black, purple, and red. Streaks of red energy surged through the gigantic black mass once the words of its caster ripped through the air. And as the demon threw her arms forward towards her targets, the spell was unleashed.

An all mighty maelstrom tore its way into reality, an unnatural thrum swallowing all sound. The earth beneath the twisting beam was eaten away and torn up in chunks. Fire, lightning, and light alike were simply absorbed into the massive nether laser – washed away like grains of sand against the tide. What chunks of soil and rock survived the sheer energy of the attack became part of the whole, twisting about the deadly maelstrom as it launched towards the mages.

It came too fast for them to run. Those that had the misfortune of standing outside of the multiple barriers simply vanished. Their screams of fear, shock, and agony were ripped from their lungs as soon as they were audible. The deep thrum of the magic drowned out all save the grinding, like the fangs of some great beast against rusted steel, that came from the spiraled laser meeting the barriers that were cast.

Some mages lacked the fortitude to hold their barriers against the onslaught and thus met the fate of the unprotected when their bluish fields of light shattered like glass. The stronger, more experienced mages, fought to their absolute damnest to hold fast. Yet one by one the blue lights sank beneath the tsunami of black, and even those that remained did not halt the beam.

It continued onward and ate through the first house in its path. Woodwork evaporated into nothingness as the structure was pierced by the netherbeam, and when the house collapsed into itself the falling remains were disintegrated as well.

Morrigan couldn't see if the dark beam traveled further. She didn't want to see it. This was worse than with Laurent – she was powerless. What...what was she to do in the face of power like that? What even WAS this creature?! That spell was beyond anything Morrigan had ever fathomed of, let alone witnessed. And as the torrent of darkness finally became to dissipate, as light of the moon shone down on her once again, she was left with a view even more horrifying.

They were...gone.

All those whose barriers had fallen. All those who were struck by the magic before they could get to safety. On grass where maybe twenty mages once stood...a mere six stood in the torn, ravaged earth that the beam left in it's wake. There was no smoke as if lightning or fire had struck it. No...entire chunks of ground, whole human beings, and at least one entire house simply...

Ceased to exist.

[Morrigan Reid]

“Ha...how beautiful...” The demon's cheeks were flushed. Even as she stood slightly hunched forward, struggling to catch her breath, she never lost that horrible grin. Her eyes were fixed solely on the devastation she'd wrought forth in the middle of the Convent – as if it were her greatest accomplishment. “This is what Elibe is like...hm?”

Morrigan, however, was speechless. Everything felt as though it'd been ripped from her worst nightmare. It didn't feel real...she didn't WANT it to feel real. Yet all the same, as she knelt before Laurent's corpse, she too could not tear her eyes away from the hell that the demon had unleashed. Only six out of twenty mages had withstood the attack, and each of them were at least as fatigued as the demon herself now was...

Slowly Morrigan's violet eyes turned to the creature that had wrapped itself in the flesh of her friend. It was fatigued...right? Morrigan had an opportunity. As it stood, hunched forward with its gaze completely off of her, she had the opportunity to end this nightmare. If...if she put the demon to rest. If she KILLED it...then she'd wake up, right? She'd wake up in the guest room of Fergus' house...no doubt to a lovely breakfast she would eat with three great friends.

More than anything that was what Morrigan desired. A return to norm. For the sun to rise on this horrible night.

Silently Morrigan raised her hands towards the demon. Nether-energy warped around her finger tips as purest darkness expanded forth. Black energy twisted and sparked off her hands like dark lightning as she channeled her magic into the purest form the Nether could take. Yet as she raised her arms towards the distracted monster she...she found herself trembling. Was it fear? No, couldn't be. Morrigan had been brought far beyond the line that fear would stop her.

No, she knew damn well why she hesitated, but she refused to acknowledge it. To recognize the thought would undo every bit of will power she'd summoned in that moment. Yet her struggle, internalized as it may be, was so great that her vision became clouded with tears. Even if she knew what had to be done. Even if she WANTED to do it...could she? Would she truly survive, in more than one sense, if she were to do this.

Would...

“...Raine?”

Her magic dissolved, eyes widening at the voice. The demon was piqued by it as well, and both it and Morrigan had turned their gaze towards the source. It was Fergus. He stood just past the door to his house, wide eyes fixed on the twisted body of his wife. Dread gradually swelled within Morrigan while the demon's lips stretched into its most wicked grin yet.

“Fergus! Stay back!” Morrigan screamed out to her friend, desperation forcing her to finally find her voice. Fergus didn't look as though he'd heard Morrigan. He...he didn't even look as though he noticed the destruction the creature before him had wrought. All he did was take a few shaky steps towards the wicked creature, and all Morrigan could do was watch him. “Fergus stop! Please!”

“R-Raine...wha...is that really you?” His voice fell to a whisper, almost as if he asked himself more than he did her. As he continued to slowly approach her the demon stood still. Motionless. Even her grin had fallen by this point. She stared at Fergus and waited for him to draw nearer. “What happened to you? Why...”

“She's NOT Raine Fergus! Look at her!” Fear drove Morrigan to her feet. Fear that Fergus would join Laurent as a motionless corpse, another victim of this demon. It was a fear stronger than any Morrigan had ever felt. It left her beyond desperate, her lungs aggressively fighting for every breath she took. Once again Morrigan raised her hands towards the demon and pumped her magic into her hands. Twin tempests of darkness swirled and expanded around her hands as she charged nether energy between her fingers.

“Ahh, there it is again. That beautiful emotion.” The demon giggled in response to Morrigan's outburst. Fergus seemed to finally notice Morrigan, but his eyes were clouded. He was...he was lost. If Morrigan didn't know better she'd think him enchanted somehow, but really she ought to know exactly why he acted as he did. Until Fergus arrived Morrigan herself had struggled with this. The demon was not Raine, no, but that was no doubt Raine's body. To forsake the demon entirely...for Morrigan to kill the demon...it meant...

“Raine...what's going on? What HAPPENED to you?” Fergus took a step back this time, not forward. His body had begun to tremble as he was no longer able to simply ignore the situation. Reality had begun to sink in and, as much as it pained Morrigan to watch tears form in her friend's eyes, it was for the best. “...What are you?”

“...Why, sweetheart...” The sweetness was forced and fake. Not a trace of it was genuine. It was enough to make Morrigan's stomach churn. Yet the demon put on a smile all the same, not a grin, as she turned her back to Morrigan entirely. “I'm your wife. The mother of your children. It's been so long, my love...don't you want to embrace me?”

“ENOUGH!” Morrigan screamed in protest. Her growing magic swelled and undulated in response to her fury, her disgust. Black light shone forth from the druid's hands as she brought them together, ready to unleash hell onto the demon proper. But HE was too close still. Morrigan...Morrigan could do it. She'd found the strength to do this, but not if it meant risking his life too. “You're NOT Raine! Fergus, please, just run!”

Fergus took another step backwards from the demon, tears running from his eyes. He tried to say something but his voice caught in his throat, little more than a pained croak escaping in it's stead. Yet all the same the demon just chuckled. Its attention turned from Fergus back to Morrigan, and it held onto it's fake, sweet smile. A beautiful lie.

“Who are you trying to convince, Momo?” Morrigan's eyes widened and her breath caught in her chest. How many years had it been since she'd last heard that name from her voice? The shock was so strong she didn't even react as the demon raised it's arm. The darkness that endlessly pooled at its feet was drawn up with the motion, swirling and glowing as it prepared to lurch forward. “Him...or yourself?”

An open hand faced Morrigan, and the shadows obeyed their mistress. They twisted forth, combining to form a single beam. Morrigan was frozen, paralyzed entirely as she watched an endless night rush forth to consume her.

And then...nothing.

[Morrigan Reid]

There was no pain when Morrigan opened her eyes. There was no...anything, for that matter. She simply stared up at a wooden ceiling with dazed eyes that did not blink. The walls were made entirely of wood logs as well, and an open space let in sun light and fresh air. Yes...she knew this room. Knew the building. It was one of the Convent's sick bays. A building designed to temporarily house the wounded or the ill.

“Oh! You're awake now. That's good.” A voice. Vaguely familiar. Morrigan turned her gaze away from the walls and further down the room, towards the door. A young lady dressed mostly in black, wearing what appeared to be a sort of corset, sat in a chair down by the lower end of Morrigan's bed. Ah, it was that girl from...the night before...ugh, NOW there was pain. Primarily in her head. What had happened when she'd met this girl? The more she tried to recall the stronger the throb in her skull became.

“You uh, got blasted pretty hard the second time. Didn't suffer any injuries some good staffwork and rest couldn't fix, but your clothes uh...well, can't say the same for them. Not that staves can fix clothes to begin with but you know what I mean. Huh, actually, why hasn't anyone developed a staff to repair fabrics...” The girl had jumped from excited, to remorseful, to oddly curious so fast Morrigan couldn't tell if she'd actually felt either of those emotions. Further more she was speaking about Morrigan's clothing? Remorse for clothes... “Either way, sorry. Your clothes were super cool and all, but wow I did not expect them to be hiding quite the pair of-”

“What's your name?” Morrigan asked. Maybe if she remembered the girl's name, the rest of her memory would come.

“Huh?” The girl blinked her silver-grey eyes before she rubbed her chin. “Oh wow, we never did exchange names, did we? Well, my name's Wicca Ce...actually just Wicca. You are Morrigan Reid, right?” Morrigan nodded in response to Wicca's question. The girl smirked and nodded. “Thought so. Pretty sure I saw you around from time to time. You've placed pretty well in a lot of the Convent's solstice tournaments too, yeah? Plus you're on the Council and all so I've heard about you...”

“Did you bring me here?” Morrigan's next question. Wicca shook her head and shifted in her seat.

“No. I DEFINITELY couldn't lift you let alone carry you...not that you're heavy or anything! I didn't mean that, even with your weights...er, that is, I just mean I'm weak. Physically." Wicca gave an uneasy chuckle at the end of her spiel and took a needed breath before she continued. "Your friend, the one in the cool cape and uber tight outfit, brought you here. The hot blonde.” Wicca tacked on, as if she wasn't certain her first description was good enough. It'd done the trick either way, but not in the result either would have expected. Morrigan clutched her forehead with both hands and lurched forward. That dull throb grew stronger still, but this time it came with flashes. A gaping hole in a wooden house...screams against a moonless night...

...Oh gods. No. It wasn't that Morrigan couldn't remember, it was that she hadn't wanted to. The nightmare of last night. That...that DEMON that had taken her friend's body. All of those mages who'd been killed...Raine...Fergus!

“Ohhh that doesn't look good. Are you okay over-”

“Where is everyone?!” Morrigan demanded. Wicca had stood up from her seat, but recoiled as Morrigan stared at her. The druid's breath had grown erratic, stimulated by fear and panic. The memories continued to hurt, but her head no longer bore the worst of it. “Where's Shara? Fergus? Raine?!”

“I-I uh...okay, deep breaths with me here.” Wicca held her hands out before her as she spoke, shaking them back and forward as a signal to stop when Morrigan tossed her bed sheets off of her. “You definitely shouldn't get out of bed just yet. Just um...o-okay, Shara's the blonde one, right? She's fine. Suffered barely more than a scratch despite how hard she got hit. Like, seriously, it's pretty damn impressive. She must have some unreal genes to have a body that strong...and that busty.” The last note came with a bit of a pout, and yet Wicca had some sort of...awe in her eyes?

Okay, moving past the strangeness of the girl before her... Shara wasn't injured. In hind sight that was to be expected, provided she hadn't tried to fight the demon after Morrigan had been taken out. Even if she'd been launched through a house it shouldn't have been enough to keep her down. Morrigan had seen just what sort of punishment Shara could take before her body finally gave out. One blast of dark magic wouldn't be enough to keep her down.

Morrigan's breathing settled a bit, but...though she didn't exactly take pride in admitting it, Shara hadn't been her primary concern. Not even just because she was a dragon and therefore made of quite literally stronger stuff, but because she frankly cared more about Fergus and Raine.

“What about Fergus? And Raine?”

“Process of elimination tells me Fergus was the grey haired man, weird colour given he didn't look that old...anyway, um, he's...fine? Physically, anyway. He seemed pretty distraught after the whole ordeal. A lot more than everyone else, at any rate. He hung around here for a bit but eventually went to his folks' house. He's got kids, right? Probably needs his family around him...” Even Morrigan knew Wicca was stalling at this point. There was no sense in getting angry with the girl, but Morrigan still fixed a hard gaze at her. Wicca winced when she finally noticed it, and shifted in her seat again.

“Er, yeah, as for Raine...you mean the woman who...the one in all black, yeah? Hair like moonlight?”

“Her hair is deep purple.” Morrigan's mind immediately rejected Wicca's response, but...Morrigan was wrong. That wasn't Raine's hair colour. Not anymore.

“Yes.”

“She just sort of...vanished. I-I was hiding in my home, so I didn't really see how that all resolved. I just know that guy, Fergus, was screaming for her to come back and that by the time the Council arrived on the scene she was already gone.” Wicca gulped after giving her response and lowered her gaze to the floor.

Morrigan just stared straight ahead.

So...that demon was gone.

It just took her best friend's body, left destruction and death in its wake and...left?

...She needed to talk to Fergus. No doubt he and his family were in complete shock. They'd need all the support they could get. HE would need it. Need her. She had to see him.

Before Morrigan could start to stand up from her bed, though, there was a knocking at the other end of the door.

"Councilwoman Morrigan Reid. The Council would like to speak with you, if you are able."