Fandom The Dragon Prince: Deep Trouble [Closed]

[Lucyfer]

It should be easy to accept the butterfly and do the spell. And indeed, Lethe took the butterfly with ease but still felt some sorrow for it's passing, no matter how natural.

'Oh.'

Weightless.

Lifeless.

But it could do something good after passing on. Flight was useful, she knew that better than most. She'd loathed being deprived of it. And she couldn't deny the excitement to know it as others did. Naturally.

"Mmm," she gave an agreeable hug with a nod before looking up at Aaravos, "Yes, walk me through it."

She'd do this.

She'd know what dark magic was for herself and no one else's prejudices. She would make her own decision about this!

"I'm ready." Maybe not but she'd do it anyways.

~***~

"But we can help!" Terry insisted as Willow seemed to deny wanting help. "It isn't right to hold so many people in slavery, in fear. And we can change it."

While they probably did have the ability, Claudia imagined it would involve murder. Telling Terry that would only cause him more upset, so instead, she suggested, "Let's just see how things go. I agree, the crime doesn't fit the punishment," not the bread one.

It wasn't bread she stole in this situation and they both knew it.

"There's a lot we don't know, Terr-bear." About Willow. About Finnegrin.

About how they'd even do it.

Saving just one wouldn't be right. Saving all would definitely involve violence.

Terry sighed.

"And we wouldn't be able to do anything now." Claudia reminded. "But," and she softened a bit, "Terry did tell me how much you helped get us this opportunity, so if you need a favor…." Not something inherently for the good of all.

But a favor, for the one who helped.

 

[cleopat]

Aaravos easily smiled as Lethe agreed to everything. He was pleased that she appeared to show none of those prejudices against dark magic that other elves exhibited. His little star, maybe one of the few individuals he trusted fully.

“Good.” He held out the butterfly delicately, and placed it in her hand. “You’re going to fully crush the butterfly in your grip, and after that, you will say the incantation ‘Daed eht fo sgniw.’” He would repeat the phrase as needed, knowing the way of speaking may seem strange to first time practicers.

“Now, let’s see how you do,” he gestured with a wave of his hand. And should Lethe prove successful, she would have the wings of the butterfly in her hand.

A true beauty, like the elf that would wield them.

~~~

Willow softened her gaze at Terry, as he insisted they could help. Terry, the ever dreamer. But it seemed she and Claudia shared a similar thought that complete freedom for everyone would involve murder, and she just couldn’t see Terry willingly go along with something like that.

And Claudia offered her the opportunity for a favor. It didn’t need to be said exactly what she was referring to. “Oh…that is such a kind offer, thank you.” But could she take it?

“I don’t want to get you guys involved, if at all possible.” And if they helped her escape, that would definitely get them involved. But…

Willow sighed, and gave them a smile. “I’ll think about it. We still have a few more days, after all.” With that, she stood up after grabbing her bowl. “But thank you for having me for dinner. I think it’s about time for me to go get some sleep.”

 

[Lucyfer]

The language remained harsh, even when it wasn’t being channeled, but Lethe practiced it all the same before she’d take action. She needed to make sure she said it right, or it was all for naught, after all.

She was also delaying the inevitable.

The butterfly was dead – and it could offer much from its body! – but the desecration of even such a small, inconsequential corpse bothered Lethe. Why did it have to be something dead? Why couldn’t it be just…a part of something, possibly still living? She wasn’t a vegetarian, but there was still something strange about handling a corpse.

Of course, all the food she ever received was cooked, and looked nothing like what it came from.

Thank the stars.

But, of course, the time came when she mastered the phrase, and she had to move on to the next part. ‘But how is this magic? It’s just….’ She crushed the butterfly beneath her fingers, and let the words flow, “Daed eht fo sgniw,” although that wasn’t even hard. Once she started, the words almost felt pulled out of her.

She didn’t notice the way her eyes took on a purple glow, for a moment.

She didn’t notice the way the wings smoked black and purple in her hand before they were nothing at all, the ingredient used.

She did notice the sudden sensation at her back, and the way her tunic was ruffled upwards by the spreading wings. Lethe reached her hands to quickly adjust her top so it wouldn’t be too uncomfortable – or revealing. The bane, and the boon, of flowy attire. She was able to quickly tie it up a bit so much of her midriff was revealed, but nothing indecent.

And besides, indecency was almost a non-concern when she saw the shadow of the wings, and quickly tried to turn to see them, a startled laugh escaping her as she caught glimpses of the color before folding them forward so she could actually see the red things, “How—I can’t—this is unbelievable!” what she’d done faded in the reality of the wings there, and she wasn’t even trying to fly yet!

~***~

Claudia wasn’t going to force the woman to take an offer. Far be it from her to go out of her way to help someone that didn’t want her help. So, she didn’t press as Willow said she didn’t want them involved, just shrugged her shoulders, despite the look Terry gave her.

There were no decisions to be made now, anyways.

If at the end, that was still Willow’s choice, they’d part ways. She had other things to do, once her father was back. She didn’t know what those would be, Viren or Aaravos would know, but she knew it wasn’t going to be saving a bunch of criminals from a crime lord’s slave ship – although maybe one day those kinds of things would be gotten rid of wholesale.

Terry wasn’t the only one who dreamed.

“Sweet dreams, Willow,” Terry chimed as the conversation was over, “and to you too, Pucca,” he smiled at the creature, as Claudia also bid her good night – and Sir Sparklepuff bid…something. No one really knew what.

Viren, of course, was mute.

 

[cleopat]

Lethe practiced the phrase over and over, to the point where Aaravos wondered if she was delaying the spell. He wouldn’t fault her for being somewhat nervous over using a dark magic spell for the first time, but he did hope she wouldn’t cower on him now from her nerves.

And she didn’t. He smiled as she crushed the insect in her grip and repeated the phrase. Her eyes gave the distinctive glow of dark magic use, the butterfly combusted into a cloud of black and purple smoke, and then her tunic shifted as the wings began to take shape.

His gaze was first pulled to the way her tunic now revealed her figure, lingering just a second too long, before he observed the wings that sprouted from Lethe’s back.

Aaravos grinned widely, truly ecstatic that she accomplished her first spell. “See? I knew you could do it,” he praised, stepping closer to get a better look at the wings. One hand lifted, and a single finger grazed over one of the wings in appreciation. “And there is much more that you are capable of, if you wish to learn.”

~~~

Willow bid them each goodnight, including Sir Sparklepuff, and even Viren, in case he could hear their conversation, but just not respond. What an odd group.

Pucca following right behind her, she took her empty dish to the kitchen. She contemplated on wasting more time before she had to return to Finnegrin’s quarters for the night, but she ultimately decided that she needed some actual sleep, giving the lack of it the night before, and she didn’t know what time he would go to bed, or when he would just simply decide to not answer his door.

So she made her way back to his quarters, pausing when she reached the door. Since I’m staying here for a few days…do I have the right to just walk in? Do I still knock? Knocking, she decided, would be the safest option.

Finnegrin opened the door and allowed her in. She gave him a polite nod, a little unsure of what to say. “Umm, thanks, again, for letting me sleep here.” Well, it was his fault that her room wasn't available to begin with, but she needed to attempt to make peace to make the next few days tolerable.

 

[Lucyfer]

Aaravos’s smile melted away any further concerns, as Lethe all but preened under the approval. The fact the wings had sensations struck her as odd, for some reason, but she didn’t think hard on it as he grazed a finger over one – and the quickly gusted away from him, up and into the air as he mentioned there was more that could be done.

She didn’t expect to fly so easily, so immediately – yet the knowledge was there, without even needing to call on it.

As if she’d always known how to fly.

She scoffed a bit, “It’s not what I want to learn,” the but was heavy in the tone, though, as she remained aloft, “buuuuut I suppose it’s still something new, and maybe it’ll help me understand. Though, I don’t…feel any different,” if only she knew what was to come slamming down on her, “what…what exactly is the dark magic connection?”

It wasn’t an arcanum, but it had to be something, right?

“Or is it just…whatever sacrifice is made, is the connection?” but that didn’t make sense, she heard of lasting impacts with overuse of dark magic. ‘But Aaravos….’ Maybe he’d been impacted so long, it was just who he was now.

She went down a bit, to hover just off the ground near – and as she’d do with the gusts of wind, at eye-level rather than her standard, standing height.

~***~

Finnegrin himself was soon to be bedding down. It’d be a shame if Willow remained out past his own sleep – he was hardly going to get up and unlock the doors for her. Thankfully, she showed before then, and he opened the door, greeting her in a long blue robe and pajama slacks. “I see you made it,” he motioned her in, and the door would shut after her.

Of course, she offered gratitude now.

All the good and proper words.

“You can sleep there,” he gestured towards a couch which was indeed, stacked with blankets and pillows for her use. No extra clothing; if she wanted that, she knew where her own quarters were. She hadn’t yet brought anything to this room.

The crabs scurried away from the pichi, each to find their own place away from the strange creature. Usually, they had full run of the room, and Finnegrin snorted at the panic, “You’d think they’d never seen a pucca before,” which, no doubt, they hadn’t. They weren’t exactly common occurrences alongside the sea.

There was only one brave crab, a blue one, that dared to approach the pucca – claws raised in perhaps an attempt to threaten with their size, but the timid steps suggested the crab was far more afraid than it was threatening.

 

[cleopat]

Aaravos watched with continued pride as Lethe easily took to the air with her new wings, as if it was something she always knew. Maybe her connection to the sky arcanum helped with that, but he also knew dark magic played a large role in that as well.

He tilted his head as he considered her questions. Lethe may not like the actual truth, as he wanted there to be some sort of connection between dark magic and the arcanum, for her sake. She grew so frustrated with the lack of progress, that he wanted her to see some progress.

“What do you think the connection is?” he fired the question back at her. It may not have been fair, but he wondered if she would create her own connection. And maybe, just maybe, that faux connection could be created into something real.

“I see it as a way to truly gain an appreciation for all things connected to the primal sources, by learning what can be done with them, but I’m sure you have thoughts to that as well.” He reached a hand up and brushed a strand of her hair back away from her face.

~~~

Willow found herself distracted for a moment. Sure, she had seen his bare chest before, pressed up against her, but she couldn’t help if it was a nicely toned chest that she wanted to touch again.

She snapped out of it and looked over at the couch, with the pillows and blankets as promised. “Thank you,” she said with a nod. Of course, she forgot about getting something to sleep in when she was in her quarters, where all her clothes were stored, but she was hardly in the mood to go back for that.

She would just dress down for sleep that night.

Willow looked down at the creatures inspecting each other. Naturally the crabs were hesitant about Pucca, a creature larger than themselves, and one they hadn’t seen before. Pucca just tried to sniff them in curiosity, not at all interested in them as a snack.

But Pucca soon grew bored of the brave crab that dared to approach, and it continued to explore the room. “Not interested in crabs?” She made her way over to the couch, taking off her socks, shoes, and belt to get more comfortable. Hesitating for a second, Willow then took off her pants, the length of her tunic barely hiding everything from Finnegrin.

 

[Lucyfer]

Lethe understood the way it could be used to grow an appreciation for the power of the other arcanum, but the truth was, this wasn’t an arcanum. It wasn’t even a stone that granted power and connection, temporarily. ‘It’s the sacrifice.’ She didn’t like that connection. ‘But how? How do words and a death give butterfly wings?’

The butterfly didn’t have wings large enough.

It’s body hardly seemed large enough to provide enough of a magical component kick to give them – though that was probably rude to assume its connection was weaker than hers because it was smaller.

Her head leaned towards his hand without thought, “I’m not sure what it is yet,” she said, “I’ll have to try more, with other arcanum.” Although the thought still made her feel…a bit unwell, perhaps there were spells that worked without death. Just parts. Maybe just feathers?

“Is the silk of a starweaver spider any good?” Those were one of the few star arcanum creatures she could think of that produced something – certainly that had to be a magical component, right? She still wanted to try and figure the star arcanum out, after all.

Though, she couldn’t think of much else right then, despite years of research. She was starting to feel tired, as if she’d just ran a marathon. Wings drooped, and feet returned to the ground, as she fought to ignore that sensation that weighed on her all of a sudden.

~***~

Oh, Finnegrin was aware of her distraction.

Finnegrin also didn’t care for more, or less, modesty. This was his room, and he was about to go to sleep, so he’d dress how he liked. He did like that it bothered Willow, though. The salacious whore really couldn’t get enough after that first night. He knew he was good, but this was impressive even by his own standards.

He turned away as Pucca started to roam, and the crab followed Pucca, claws still aloft, but starting to move faster after Pucca. As if it thought it was chasing Pucca away. Ridiculous! The crabs didn’t disturb the pichi at all.

He went over to his own bed, “Can’t blame’em, they’re not exactly entertaining unless they’re holding a knife,” of course, Finnegrin still loved his crabs dearly, but they weren’t exactly amusing just wandering around. They were just existing.

Willow dressed down, and he didn’t hesitate to watch as she stripped her pants, but it hardly revealed anything. “If you leave, I will get up and lock up, so make sure you’re prepared not to be let back in,” he pointed out. He was too light a sleeper to not notice that, and too paranoid about what could happen.

She may not be sleeping in his bed, but that didn’t mean he trusted her not to do something stupid, and he knew she’d brought a knife on board. Whether or not she left it, he didn’t know, didn’t care.

“We should be in open waters soon.”

And soon, Domina would come.

 

[cleopat]

Aaravos hummed at Lethe’s question. “Yes, the silk is good for several things. If you want, there is a book I can let you borrow that explains some of the more basic spells.” Maybe then, she could see that dark magic wasn’t so bad, not like the elves and dragons made it out to be.

He watched as she dropped back to the ground, clearly exhausted. “The first few times, using dark magic may tire you out faster than what you’re used to.” And then she would get used to it, and build up her tolerance, like an untrained muscle.

“Though if you need somewhere to rest while you recover, I can offer you that place.” It was a completely innocent offer, for her to rest on his couch, or even his bed if she wanted that more, and he could move to the couch for the night. Never would he offer that to someone else.

He paused, then asked, “I do trust you will keep these lessons between us, right?” If it somehow got out, got to the other elves…there would be consequences.

~~~

Willow took the blankets off the couch before laying down and wrapping herself in the plush comfort. She snorted at him, “Afraid I would bring back something? That’s no problem, I have no plans on getting up until morning.” She was tired, she just wanted to lay down.

And if she wanted to castrate or kill him, her knife was in her boot.

“Pucca, come here,” she called out for her pichi, in the earthblood language her mother taught her, that the pichi somehow understood better than the common tongue. The pichi looked up and over at her from its exploration, and it rolled into a ball and over to the couch, where it immediately climbed up and rested on the arm of the couch.

The prospects of meeting Domina very soon unnerved her a little, as she thought of her very possible death during battle. She may be stupid at times and risked Finnegrin’s anger, but she didn’t actually want to die. “After Domina is dead,” assuming they succeeded, “how do you plan on celebrating?”

 

[Lucyfer]

Lethe nodded, eager to see the spellbook that could give her ideas for other spells – especially those with component ingredients, rather than life-taking ingredients. He also explained the exhaustion she was feeling, and she allowed a tired chuckle to part her lips, “Yeaah…I never felt this tired with the sky arcanum,” she noted, “but it’s okay, Arinna isn’t far, I can make it home.” Or, she assumed that, anyways, even as the weight seemed to increase on her shoulders, in her body.

Now like an ache, as if she’d just spent a day working out – well beyond her limits.

“You coulda told me – but don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone, I know what everyone thinks,” it was a light jab with a smile, as she accepted her fate. “You can at least walk me back to Arinna, she’s out there suffering in the rain, you know how she hates that,” she was a sunbird, after all. “Sorry I have to cut it short, but….”

Well, he knew. She was tired.

“I’ll take that boo—” a shudder went through her, flickers of electricity – purple – went over her body as the wings suddenly curled up, withering as if in sudden decay, before falling off into dust. However, where they sprouted, a black-and-purple scab formed, black veins running up from it like lightning bolts and spreading over her back, over her shoulders.

The rigidness of the momentary shock faded as quick as it came – but it left behind panic.

Lethe was always in control of her magic, and she had not done that, or willed that. She hadn’t even spoken it into existence, it just—happened.

She didn’t see the dark markings, not looking at herself. “Aarav—?”

Lightning.

Pain. It exploded from the wound and dropped Lethe to her knees immediately when the lightning released her muscles, without so much as an outcry – just pained breathing as the ability to scream had been cut off, and now she fought just to get air again to try not to panic and get a grip on what was happening.

~***~

“Afraid you’ll annoy me with knocks to get back in. Wanted to make it clear I wasn’t budgin’,” Finnegrin snorted, though bringing some back was another concern. Not as great a concern as being annoyed and unable to get back to sleep. That was a surefire way to keep him angry all day.

He laid down and stared at the canopy above his head, hearing her call to Pucca in some language. He understood the creature’s name, but otherwise, not a word. It didn’t much matter to him, although it was a pretty tongue.

All elves had their own languages, though. Many were forgotten over time.

Finnegrin never learned the tongue of the sea.

He snorted at the question of a celebration. Of course, there would be one, “Cutting her body up and selling it for profit?” Definitely a part of it, but not the actual celebration, he supposed. Although, it would be, too. Seeing her body mutilated would be a celebratory process, “I’ll see where the currents take me, love. We’ve another thing to do after her demise, after all,” a celebration would likely have to wait.

He wasn’t unaware of the haste his guests had for their quest. They may not have given him a timeline, but he sensed they were on a very short one.

If they helped him – he’d help them.

He was a man of his word, harsh or good. People got paid what he promised, and people received the punishments when they went against him. “First she has to die, but I have faith in these mages. The mute man more than the headstrong girl,” he chuckled, “he may not be showing it, but I believe I know who he is. I’m curious to see him restored.”

He didn’t notice the crabs exploring the abandoned clothes.

Or the blue one finding the knife in the boot and taking it out in one claw, and hoisting it up like some mythical blade of yore that could determine a king.

 

[cleopat]

Aaravos was going to relent and walk Lethe back to her sunbird, accepting that the bird could fly her to her home before she needed to crash and sleep. He was going to accept, and walk her out with the book, when her first wave of consequence began.

He frowned, worry written clearly on his face. “Lethe?” The wings withered and decayed in mere seconds, and he could clearly see the black veins running over her shoulders from where the wings were. His fingers reached out and gently brushed over the veins, frowning in his observations.

He knew first time dark magic users saw some side effects, but he didn’t think they would be as bad for someone who already knew an arcanum. But he recalled incorrectly, and the side effect was worse for her.

Then greater pain came, and Aaravos frowned as Lethe collapsed to the floor. He knelt beside her, and wrapped one arm around her. “I…apologize,” he said, not even knowing if she could hear him right then, too absorbed in her own pain, “I forgot this would happen to someone using dark magic for the first time.”

She would not be flying home that night.

He got a better grip around her shoulders, and the other arm wrapped around her legs to lift her up, and he carried her over to a couch in the library, laying her down on it. “The pain will go away,” he promised. “It won’t be permanent, nor will it last for too long.” He hoped.

~~~

Willow chuckled that she would merely only annoy Finnegrin with knocks. That was also fair, as something as trivial as knocking would annoy her too. But she surmised that, deep down, he was also worried about potential weapons being brought in to kill him.

She didn’t imagine that mutilating a body would be an exact celebration, but she could see how it may be for him, the cause of his anguish for years. She accepted his answer of not knowing yet with a light hum. And he was right. They had another thing to do after Domina’s death.

Whatever it was exactly that the dark mage and their group had to do in the Sea of Castouts to save her father.

Willow furrowed her brows that Finnegrin may know the mute man. “Wait, who is he?” His words hinted that the man may be someone powerful, but she wasn’t sure. Was he a dark mage as well, one who taught Claudia?

She heard a light scuttering noise beside the couch. She turned her head to look in the direction, where she saw the blue crab pulling out the knife from her boot. “Hey, you can’t take that!” One hand reached out to grab the knife, but the crab quickly hurried away out of reach. Willow huffed, “I’ll get it back from you in the morning.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Lethe heard Aaravos apologize, although she did not look at him. She had looked down when she fell, and now saw the dark markings. She was stricken by both horror and residual pain, as well as an ever-increasing panic about what was happening. Aaravos knew. Aaravos knew and he hadn’t told her, so when he started to pick her up, she did shoot him a look of utter betrayal.

How could he do this to her?

She wouldn’t have refused with a warning!

Maybe he meant her harm? Did he know that she was given a task to find out what was going on with him? Was that why he mentioned not telling anyone? ‘I’m never going to have a chance to tell anyone, I’m going to die, I’m going to die, I’m going to die—’ Tears welled in her eyes and she shut them quickly, trying to find her center.

‘Breathe.’

Feel the air.

Be with the air.

He laid her out, trying to reassure her that he didn’t mean her harm, that it would pass, and she wanted to believe despite her panic, despite her paranoia. “O—okay,” another shudder, as the pain felt like it stabbed itself right into the core of her being.

Again, she went rigid, but this time, her eyes went purple as the dark magic tried to use her. Of course, it couldn’t – not yet. Her mind was still there, her ability to try and wield it, to try and turn it back, still there.

But it took her mind, and when she went limp again, it was with eyes shut, into a deep slumber that was still disturbed by the occasional run of lightning, or spasm of dark veins as they tried to take hold of her body and turn it to their use.

As the dark magic tried to snuff and sacrifice Lethe’s arcanum.

~***~

Finnegrin was not surprised that Willow didn’t know, and let a smirk grow on his lips as she asked, debating telling her. Would it do any harm? Perhaps. Perhaps not. Would it do any good to tell her, though?

Unlikely.

Perhaps it would reassure her.

He was distracted from answering by the skittering of a crab, and he turned his head, then snorted, “Seamore,” he called to the blue one, who waved its knife in defiance at being called. Another snort, “Doesn’t scare me at all, little one,” he noted, “won’t get you a new shell any sooner, either. Ye don’t need one yet.”

More defiant waving. “Fine, go stab Deadwood, that’s how ye get a new shell early.”

The crab skittered into the shadows with the knife and Finnegrin snorted, “Never works. Deadwood’s not smart but he knows how to avoid a stabbing,” he shook his head and looked back up at the canopy, “That man. Viren. There’s a bounty on a man named Viren from the kingdom of Katolis. With his daughter, Claudia.”

The same names as their companions.

“Not planning to cash in,” he said, “they’re worth far more than all that. Rumor has it he went to war with Zubeia. Lost, but…if rumors are true, he’s the one that did in Lux Aurea, and much else. Must have done himself in pretty good, too.”

 

[cleopat]

Aaravos felt complete guilt at what Lethe was going through. He noticed the look she gave him soon before she became unconscious. The guilt tugged at his heart. How long has it been since he felt such worry and sorrow over something he did to someone?

When was the last time he cared this much about a single person?

Yes, she was his pupil, and he her teacher, but that came with some level of friendship that they couldn’t deny. One that was built on trust.

And he betrayed that trust by neglecting to mention what dark magic use would bring, and by neglecting to remember the extent of those horrors.

She fell into a deep sleep that should’ve happened far sooner, if only to prevent her from feeling further pain. Aaravos swaddled her in a blanket and attempted a spell to try and lessen any pain she may feel when she wakes up as a lingering side effect. I’m so sorry. I should have been more diligent.

And so Aaravos pulled up a chair right next to the sofa, and he watched over her as she slept, no doubt having nightmares that she’ll remember far too vividly. He’ll have to make up for it somehow, though he knew not what he would do yet.

Something to make his little star better.

~~~

Willow watched, bemused, at the little interaction between Finnegrin and his blue crab, which she now knew was called Seamore. It was almost endearing, watching him talk to the crab like it was some defiant child.

It reminded her of how she broke Shelley’s first shell, and in the moment, she hated herself for allowing her anger to do that, even if she did have a right to be angry at Finnegrin.

"I’m never going to see that knife again, am I?" she bemoaned. She’ll hunt down the damn crab if she had to, to get the knife back that Drake gave her.

She was brought back to the question she asked Finnegrin when he answered, speaking of a bounty on them that he didn’t plan on cashing in on, speaking of how he may have been the one to destroy Lux Aurea, that he may have been the one to fight Zubeia.

If all that was true…then they indeed have a very powerful dark mage with them.

“I remember hearing whispers and stories of what happened. For some reason, I thought he died.” After everything he did…Willow wouldn’t have been surprised if the elves killed him so he couldn’t do anymore harm. But if this was indeed the same Viren, he was very much alive, despite his…weird state.

 

[Lucyfer]

The pages of the nightmare were ripped up, shredded, pulled out – gone, except snippets. It had been that way from the beginning of Lethe’s strange memory-keeping books. It was true of several books from Pre-Incident – not necessarily that they were ripped up, but there were blank pages or faded words, the memories not as clear.

Since the Star Arcanum, everything felt perfectly remembered, perfectly clear, when she looked back.

But she knew, even after she’d come out of the nightmare, it had been a jumbled mess. Just as Lethe knew she should have stopped reading there. She should have let it end on the terrible note of her fall into dark magic and the agony of it…but of course, she kept recalling it.

~

Red eyes haunted Lethe into waking, a burning promise – this is your future, Lethe.

Wilted wings and blackened veins had mocked her attempt to hold onto the arcanum and not give in to the dark magic that coursed through her veins. That promised self spoke of what she would gain, how she could use every arcanum in that way, if she would just give her own up.

Lethe remembered that.

Lethe also remembered that sensation of something beneath the false-self. Something that was, indeed, very powerful, and something that resonated with her arcanum, even if she could not understand it. The dark magic could touch it. It could manipulate it, alter it, destroy it – but only if she let it.

There was something to dark magic that touched on a deeper truth, that connected all magic.

This, Lethe also remembered, as she took hold of that connection to claim both and not let the darkness overcome her. Change her, certainly but on her terms. Or at least, she assumed she had control before the nightmares and their hellish visions of disappointed faces and destructive futures faded.

She was out for days.

She woke sore, but not aching, and woke still exhausted, but warm, covered in some blanket. The comforting warmth didn’t lull her back into sleep, the fear of the nightmare returning far too intense as she sat up and immediately looked around, not quite realizing where she was, or even aware of how long she’d been out. She saw Aaravos, and that was really all that mattered.

She immediately turned towards him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, weight pulling him down as she buried her face into the crook of his neck and started crying.

He was right there. He was there the whole time.

And he hadn’t told her!

She was as upset as she was relieved, and no words were going to be able to express it quite as well as just grabbing him and trying not to shred his clothing with her fingers as she held onto him like a lifeline.

~***~

“No, you won’t. Seamore’s claimed it as his now,” Finnegrin chuckled. He supposed if she saw Seamore again, she might see the knife again. Whether or not she could reclaim it was something else entirely, though.

Seamore would stab.

“I don’t know if he did or didn’t. I know his bounty showed up not long ago, maybe a couple of weeks,” Finnegrin mused. Perhaps he was presumed dead? Finnegrin didn’t know, and didn’t really care – what mattered was that he seemed alive, just clearly impacted by all that had happened since that battle. “Of course, this is just mere speculation, but I don’t think I’m wrong. We’ll know, when we get to Domina,” he chuckled.

“You should get to sleep, little pebble,” he said, shutting his eyes. “You’ll want to have your energy to find a good plank in the water if the ship goes down to ol’ Domina,” he didn’t think it would.

But he couldn’t help terrorizing her a little.

 

[cleopat]

When was the last time Aaravos felt genuine concern for someone? He lived so long, with many more years ahead of him, that long ago he stopped allowing himself to get close to anyone, and yet this girl, his pupil, somehow became part of his life.

And when she didn’t wake up after a normal amount of time for sleep had passed, he felt that concern and worry grow. He took her to his temporary quarters in the city, much to the displeasure of the annoying sunbird she kept around. No doubt the bird thought he purposely did this with some nefarious plot to kill her.

No, she would be fine, but it was the process getting there that would be difficult.

He laid her in his bed, making sure plush blankets were covering her, and he waited by her side until she woke up, only occasionally getting up when he needed to. And he was there when she finally woke up several days later.

“Lethe-” Aaravos couldn’t get another word out before Lethe flung herself on him, wrapping her arms around him, and started to cry. Her tears pulled at his heart, and he immediately wrapped his own arms around her tightly, one hand gently stroking her hair.

He just let her stay like that for however long she needed. He didn’t know what she experienced while unconscious. The nightmares were always terrible for the humans, but for someone with the arcanum?

Aaravos just allowed himself to be there for Lethe, for however long she needed, until she was ready to talk.

~~~

Willow turned on her side, facing the couch. “I’m gonna make crab soup out of Seamore,” she mumbled, and eventually relented to sleep, despite the little comment Finnegrin made. She was beginning to get used to his jokes, however mean they may be.

There was a buzz of anticipation, excitement, and nervousness amongst the crew in the air the next day. Everyone knew that day would be the day they faced the archdragon of the seas, and some were acting as if this would be their last day.

If they were unfortunate enough, it would be, but they had to have hope in the dark mage that she would be able to defeat Domina. Based on the stories she heard from Terry, and the rumors that swirled around her father, Willow held faith for Claudia.

After leaving Finnegrin’s quarters early the next morning, she spotted Claudia and Terry engaged in conversation. But they seemed a little off. Maybe they’re also just nervous about facing Domina. And who wouldn’t be! But Willow would be a smiling face for them, and so she approached, “How are you feeling today? Sleep well enough?”

 

[Lucyfer]

Aaravos held her silently, letting her get the emotions out. Confusion, anger, relief, frustration – they all mingled in an unexplainable blob that slowly dissolved into something manageable through the leaking tears. Her grip gradually loosened, and her breaths became slower, shakier. She drew her arms back, drew herself back, and wiped at her face, slowly recognizing that she wasn’t in the library anymore.

‘Your place….’ It had to be, by the bed.

“You didn’t tell me,” she sniffed, still frustrated, “now Arinna’s probably upset with me,” although it sounded like it had stopped raining, at least, so maybe Arinna was a little happier. Lethe had no idea it had been days.

She let out a ragged sigh, and tried to laugh, tried to find something to say that would lighten it, even though nothing felt light at all. She still felt off-kilter, an unusual heaviness now a part of her.

Dark magic.

“It’s so…vast,” she said instead, realizing there was no humor she could pull at right then, “and it’s just the surface, there’s so much more connecting it all….” Harmonizing, or perhaps that was the wrong word, but something else that pulled the elements out and turned it to magic, to whatever anyone could imagine.

Dark magic was…immensely useful.

And terrifying.

~***~

‘Not if you like living.’ But Finnegrin knew that, at least, was a joke. He’d joked more than once about such things with the crabs himself. Pets were…an interesting thing to keep around. Beloved and frustrating all at once. He’d known it only a few times with entities beyond pets. His parents, mostly, long gone as they were.

Long disappointed in him as they had been at the end.

The next day, the ship was all but teeming with anticipation, and Finnegrin knew that was going to make things…well, fun, in a manner of speaking. He hadn’t exactly told the dark mage where they were going first, after all, and he saw the human woman with her earthblood boyfriend on the deck talking, clearly agitated by rumor.

Willow approached them, and that was enough for the human woman to break away, and start marching towards him.



Where Willow was, Terry gave her a nervous chuckle, “Hi, Willow!”

Claudia only glared, and stormed off, so Terry sighed, “We, uh. We didn’t realize we were going straight to Domina. Claudia thought her dad would be…you know…better by then,” she thought she would have his help for this. “Is it true? We’re going to Domina today?” it was a hushed whisper.

Not that it needed to be, considering Claudia shouted from just below the wheel, “WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA?” at Finnegrin, staff stamping the deck in a threat.

Finnegrin didn’t seem frightened in the least, “Speak clearly, love,” he chided, “I’ve several big ideas, which one do you refer to now?”

“Domina?” Claudia did lower her voice, realizing she didn’t need to shout quite that much, but all the anger was still there, “We have not been to the Sea of the Castout yet—”

“And it’s very urgent, I know,” Finnegrin said, “all the more reason to fulfill your payment, so I can then deliver ye to the Sea of the Castout, eh? Don’t worry, Domina won’t be long.”

“Are you out of your mind?”

“You said you could handle her,” Finnegrin reminded, “you didn’t lie, did you?”

 

[cleopat]

Aaravos allowed his hands to gently rub Lethe’s back as she regained control of herself and her emotions. Her grip slowly loosened, breaths slower, and tears fewer, but his hand didn’t stop rubbing her back until she drew her arms away, and he only drew back far enough to look her in the eyes.

At the mention of the damned sunbird, Aaravos chuckled. “Arinna is definitely more upset with me. I think she thinks I took you from her.” He offered a smile to try and lighten the mood, but it wavered.

“I…apologize. It’s been so long, that I neglected to remember what would happen the first time after using dark magic.” One hand moved to rest on her shoulder, and his fingers gently rubbed into her. “I didn’t mean to harm or scare you.”

He hoped she believed him.

“There is so much more to learn, as you can see.” He hoped that Lethe was beginning to see why he wanted her to learn dark magic. “How do you feel? Both in general and about…everything?”

~~~

Willow frowned at Claudia’s behavior, not understanding why she seemed so…hostile, until Terry spoke, questioning if they were truly going to defeat Domina. She gave him a look of confusion. Weren’t they aware of the plan?

Claudia’s shout could be heard all over the deck. Willow felt bad for the two, who were clearly out of the loop. She thought they would’ve talked to Finnegrin already about the plan!

“I’m sorry, I thought you guys knew already. Finnegrin never does a favor for someone without them upholding their end of the deal first.” She looked over where Claudia and Finnegrin were in quieter conversation, then back at Terry. “I had assumed he would have already told you two about the plan. If not, I definitely would’ve let you know.”

She hoped that wouldn’t be an issue though. She hoped Claudia would still be able to defeat Domina despite the unexpected change in timeline from her point of view. “Do you think she will still be able to do the job?”

 

[Lucyfer]

Lethe could easily imagine Arinna being furious with Aaravos and trying to disturb his attempts to carry her off. “I’m sure she’ll forgive you,” maybe. That was yet to be seen, but she’d try to smooth it over.

She drew herself closer to the edge of the bed, to be closer as he apologized and tried to explain. ‘How long since you started?’ She couldn’t find it in herself to voice it. ‘As long as humans have known? Longer?’ Did he introduce humanity to dark magic?

It all fit too well.

She didn’t want to think about that.

She wanted to forgive him, and focus only on this crime – a crime already forgiven, admittedly, as she sighed into his words, “It’s okay. I know it must have been a long time since it happened to you,” no, she wouldn’t ask. She knew. Their view on time was so vastly different, ten years an eternity for her, and not even a blink of an eye to him.

She relaxed into the touch. “I’m sore,” she laughed, “I’m tired. I’m comfy,” the blankets were nice. She really should steal one as a price for all of this. “I’m hungry, but I…don’t think I could eat anything right now,” the dream left a certain queer nausea she wasn’t sure she trusted.

She sighed again, and leaned her cheek so it pressed into his hand on her shoulder. “But I’m okay. I’m still curious,” she reassured, “I think I need to actually read a bit more on this and learn some theory before I try again, though. Ah…,” he had mentioned being tired was normal at first, but not the nightmare. She tilted her head back up, and reached to take his hand.

To move it.

To hold it in asking, “Will that…nightmare ever happen again?”

~***~

Terry winced at that information. It made absolute sense! However, it also left Claudia without time to prepare, “Dark magic takes…preparation,” sometimes nothing more than crushing the ingredient, but at other times, quite a bit more. He hadn’t dared to ask for the details of this spell, even though it didn’t take any…well, currently living ingredients.

“Not that I doubt her! Only, it would have been a lot better if we knew – but that’s not your fault,” he chuckled, “honest, uh, miscommunication,” Terry was pretty sure it wasn’t that, either. “I’m going to go get the spell components,” he should make himself useful since this could go down at any second, it seemed.



“No!” Claudia shot back, and expressed similar frustration, “I can – but Dark Magic – it requires preparation!”

“Well, you best get preparing then,” Finnegrin said, “we’ll all go down if you aren’t ready.”

“AUGH!” Claudia screamed the noise and turned, still furious, from Finnegrin to go and get her supplies, just noticing Terry about to hurry away and do just that. She wouldn’t call to stop him, just go with him. They needed to figure out what to do about her dad and Sparklepuff, anyways.

“Deadwood, keep the ship’s course, will ye?” Finnegrin called to the hunk of wood as he stepped away from the wheel.

He had his own business to tend to with Sea Legs.

 

[cleopat]

Aaravos could only nod at her assumption. Yes, it had been a long time since it happened to him, though he’d seen it happen to countless humans that were taught dark magic. He just forgot that the arcanum affected the reaction and the nightmares. How it could be fuel for the darkness.

As she asked her question, and touched his hand to move it, his eyes followed the movement of her hand, and he watched as she held his hand in hers, and he shifted it to intwine their fingers. “No, it won’t.” He looked back up at her. “The nightmare only happens once, after the first time. None of this will happen again.” That he could promise her.

“I should tell you, you have been asleep for several days now.” His thumb rubbed the back of her hand. “I don’t know if you need to get back soon for any reason, but you are free to stay here as long as you need to.” He gestured to his bed with a nod of his head.

Aaravos hoped she would take him up on that offer. Not just because he was concerned for her well being, but selfishly, he enjoyed the way she looked in his bed.

Was it so bad to wish for that every night?

“I have a spare bed to sleep in, if you need to stay here another night,” he assured her, in case she felt guilty about kicking him out of his own bed.

~~~

Willow still felt bad about everything, since she could have easily slipped it in conversation during their dinner, but Terry insisted otherwise, and she smiled at him. “Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help with preparation,” she said to him as he started to walk away.

She didn’t feel good about the situation at all, and when she turned back to the helm to see Finnegrin, he was already gone, with Deadwood taking the wheel. Sighing, she walked up to him.

She still didn't know how she felt about him. He was capable of…so much pain at the snap of Finnegrin’s fingers.

“Where did Finnegrin go?” she asked him.

Deadwood grunted. “The captain went to talk to Sea Legs.” Willow thanked him and headed down into the ship. As she descended down to where one could talk to the giant hermit crab, she heard a voice, one she eventually recognized as Finnegrin’s.

He was talking to Sea Legs. Willow paused, keeping out of sight as she tried to listen in one what he was saying.

 

[Lucyfer]

There were those butterflies Lethe never quite got rid of again. They came less frequently in Aaravos’s presence, but every now and then they liked to start a ruckus and remind her how this could be, if he wasn’t her mentor. If she was braver than she was.

If, if, if.

But Lethe knew better than that, and didn’t want to add a layer of awkward with a silly confession of something far more serious than a schoolgirl crush. She was only his pupil; he cared for all his students. His kindness and his willingness to spend time with her had to remain in context.

If she crossed that line, it’d be ruined forever. She’d lose him in her life, forever.

‘You may yet if what everyone says is true.’

A stupid reason to act. If he was all they said, she wouldn’t want him to share the bed, rather than be kicked out to a spare.

Her gaze dropped with a heavy sigh, looking at their hands, “I can’t,” she could, “my parents will be worried, and my friend was expecting me back that night.” Perhaps it was some small miracle she hadn’t already overreacted, given the task she’d assigned Lethe.

Or perhaps, she really did trust Lethe that much.

“I’m sorry,” she looked back up with a playful grin, “I’ll kick you out of your bed another night. It’s comfy enough to feign a reason,” she joked and squeezed his hand before sliding her grip out of his as she rose, taking her usual casual advantage of the brief moment of being taller while he sat to place a kiss near the base of one his horns as she walked off.

It’d become such a habit, she never even thought of it anymore. Funny, how casual intimacy had never become a part of her first, real relationship with Lark, despite the woman’s need for affection. Yet here it was, in this easy platonic one, as if it belonged, “Let’s go find Arinna, I’ll make amends for you….”

~

Lethe had to close the book as her mind spiraled into a thousand ‘what ifs’.

What if she had agreed to stay?

What if she’d told Aaravos sooner?

What if she’d told him what was asked of her?

What if, what if, what if?

All she was left with was the hollow no magic could fill. That hole of casual love, easy laughs, ready smiles, immediate forgiveness…why didn’t either of them figure it out sooner? Why did they just assume it was…who they were? ‘Who we were, together….’ But Aaravos had always seemed charming and sweet to others, too. Teasing and playful.

It was who he was.

And yet….

Lethe sighed and shut the book. Dawn was rising. Hopefully, Zubeia would be there, and they could get on to the Sea of the Castout. She could ignore Elarion’s ruins. She could ignore him.


Lethe roused with a groan, stretching out on the hard ground to find Callum awake, with Bait in his lap, but the others asleep. ‘Last watch.’ And not time to wake them yet. She silently waved to Callum, before softly getting up from her bedding and going to sit besides him, pulling a hairbrush from cosmic-space to get that in order while she had some time.

“Morning,” she greeted, taking her eyes from him and out towards the stars fading into the dawn. “No sign of Zubeia?”

~***~

Finnegrin went to mid-deck, where indeed, Sea Legs rested, most of it tucked within the ship right then. However, the holes were there, ready for Sea Legs to push itself out and take over, though it didn’t happen frequently. It did – even Sea Legs needed to stretch itself out and exercise a bit.

“Hey, ya landlubber,” he called as a tease, and the crab’s eyes turned towards him. He grinned, “You’re gonna be takin’ over soon, and I need ye to be brave,” he came close enough to rest a hand on the crab’s side, and heard its chittering questions. “Aye, we’ve come back into deep waters with intent. Now, we know Shelley was the strong one, always was. Not that you’re a slacker,” he patted Sea Leg’s side. “Far from it, love, but I don’t want ye trying to cut the dragon in twain. We’re going against Domina today. She’ll know we’re in her waters and come along soon to find meaning.”

Not that he planned to talk with her any.

He was counting on the fact she would try to talk, though. Try to find reason for why he would ignore her command, and go into deep water. She’d be confident in her ability to destroy him if it was for any reason she didn’t like, after all.

She didn’t know what he’d brought with him.

“She’ll die today, Sea Legs. I’ve brought some dark mages on the ship that know how to get that kind of job done, but I need you to be hasty and quick when Domina prepares to strike. Keep us all alive, and you can feast on her flesh,” he chuckled, “how’s that for a reward, eh?”

More chittering.

It was certainly approval.

And worry.

 

[cleopat]

Callum woke up early, before the sun rose, to take over his turn on the watch. There was still no sign of Zubeia, which worried him. Did something happen to her? If something happened to her, what could bring down an archdragon, and was it something they had to immediately worry about, along with Aaravos?

He sighed, and Bait, who was barely awake, waddled over to him and gave a small croak. Callum smiled, “Hey there, little guy.” He picked up the glow toad and placed him in his lap. Bait settled down, content.

They stayed like that for a while longer, while watching the sun rise steadily over the horizon. The first in the camp to stir out of slumber was Lethe, who waved to him before walking over and sitting beside him.

He was slightly envious how she could create little cosmic pockets for storage, much like Stella.

Callum shook his head with her question, sighing at the possible implications. “No, no sign yet.” He looked over at Zym, still sound asleep next to Ezran. “I’m getting worried, but I’m sure she just got caught up in something else.”

~~~

Most animals that were attuned to the earth arcanum, Willow could understand to some extent. Like Pucca. They could understand each other. But creatures like crabs, who were both a part of the land and the sea, were much more difficult.

But even Willow could feel the clear admiration and love between the two. If Finnegrin could feel love, then he showed it to his crabs.

She felt a little guilty for listening to such a conversation between the two, so when Sea Legs chittered her approval and worry to Finnegrin, she stepped forward. “I can tell your crabs love you.” There was a brief pause as she reconsidered something. “Well, I don’t know about Seamore.”

That damned crab just craved violence.

“I don’t doubt that she’ll try her best,” she looked at the crab and smiled at her, “but I do wonder why you kept it from the dark mage that we were going to fight Domina first? Giving her a heads up would have allowed her more time to prepare whatever spell it is she needs.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Nothing from Zubeia.

‘No, that’s not normal.’ Although, Lethe supposed she didn’t know what normal was for Zubeia any longer. Not like she used to. Still, it didn’t seem within her character to abandon her child on a dangerous quest to stop Aaravos, as her own eyes followed Callum’s gaze to Zym.

“Yes,” Lethe didn’t believe what Callum said. She didn’t believe her own words, “Dragon politics can be complicated,” they were about as complicated as how long it took to bite the literal head off of someone who annoyed them.

She tried to keep that simmering dislike down, considering she was also worried about Zubeia.

“We’ll have to continue on without her,” and the Sea of the Castout was a ways by foot. They were going to need to find another way to travel, and Lethe didn’t think she could find birds that would behave in a good amount of time. “I hope Zym will be all right with that.” He seemed fairly…well, adventurous. Independent, already.

She hardly knew what his story looked like.

“I wanted to ask you something, and maybe we can talk more about it another time,” considering his friends could wake at any moment, “what is your history with dark magic? Your reaction when I mentioned it was tied to deep magic was…notable. But you seemed interested in deep magic again yesterday.”

~***~

Finnegrin hadn't expected to be overheard. Not that it didn't happen – Deadwood annoyed him by coming down here to deliver news of varying urgency from time to time. He did round on Willow with annoyance creasing his brow as she interrupted. He didn't need her to tell him that; he understood what the crabs said.

"My crabs can speak for themselves, they don't need you for that," he stated, parting from Sea Legs with a reassuring pat as he moved to where Willow stood. "I didn't need to deal with the mages bitching and moaning about doing this after dear old Viren is all better,” which he had no guarantee of, and something told him he’d prefer this done before Viren could start wielding his might.

Oh, Viren would suffer.

But they also might never get Domina dealt with.

He didn’t know if the mages were actually people of their word, whereas he knew himself. He would get them out to the Sea of the Castout after all of this, and bitch and moan as they like about it – he’d still honor everything.

“Besides, we ain’t far from the Sea of the Castout at all. I made sure our route kept us going that way generally before we peeled off into deeper waters.” He put his hands on his hips, “So, what reason did ye have to come down here and find me, little stone?”

 

[cleopat]

Callum frowned at the idea of continuing on without Zubeia. Little Zym wouldn’t like that, and everyone else would be worried for her, especially Ezran. And maybe Soren, with their odd little friendship that had formed.

But what other choice do they have at this point? There wasn’t any more time to waste, and they already wasted enough by even waiting for Zubeia to potentially show up. Now they lost another day trying to get to the Sea of Castouts, when Claudia and Viren could already be there.

Was Aaravos already out of his prison? Would they know if that happened? Maybe the archdragons would have a way of knowing…

“Oh don’t worry, Zym would love to go on. We’ve traveled far with him before, what’s a little more adventure?” Callum said with a smile, trying to make light of the situation. “Sure, he’ll know that something is wrong if his mother doesn’t show, but I’m sure we can distract him easily enough.”

Bait croaked, as if in agreement with Callum.

Callum looked at her with a raised brow, before sighing. “Yeah…I kinda forgot that deep magic included dark magic.” He rubbed the back of his neck, and Bait looked up at him. “I admit, I’ve done dark magic before. But only once!” He quickly assured, raising one finger. “It was to save my friends, and it was just a small spell…”

As if dark magic could only be small. But it was enough for Aaravos to possess him.

~~~

Willow figured that the crabs could speak for themselves. There had to be something for the bond between them and Finnegrin, and the one instance of care and even compassion that he showed anyone. But she saw the annoyance on his brow, and she knew to tread carefully.

She crossed her arms over her chest and shrugged. “Just wondered why you hid this from the young mage, when preparation was needed. She and Terry were both caught off guard, and I figured if we wanted a definite chance of defeating Domina, everyone should’ve been in on the plan.”

But Finnegrin was relying on ‘give them no choice but success’ to help them win, and that doesn’t always work.

The upcoming battle left her stomach in knots. What if she fell overboard again? This time, no one would be able to save her before she drowned. What if, what if, what if.

“But I also came here to tell you the waters are getting choppier. She’s getting closer. And if you could get Seamore to drop my knife. It may be useless in this battle, but,” she shrugged, “I would feel better having it, or having something to defend myself with.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Immediately defensive. Immediately guilty.

Lethe certainly felt immense pity for Callum as he admitted his use, and defended it. Pity, empathy, she had been there before, but with hardly as good a reason as him. She wanted wings! And then, the other times…oh, she’d done good things with it, and it led to Aaravos’s downfall, but….

‘But….’ Lethe shouldn’t have watched the memory. She shouldn’t have remembered the way dark magic didn’t take life in the use of magical components. Her studies of the starweaver, and others. She did use life again, because she ate meat, because the dead could serve, because….

She sighed, “I’m not judging you, Callum. You know I used dark magic in the past, I have no space to judge you.” She wanted to add she wouldn’t judge him if he used it again, but did not. She didn’t want to sound encouraging of it, either. No, it was a touchy subject, and any hint of sympathy towards current users wouldn’t be accepted.

Sympathy, understanding – no. That was the stance preferred.

“If the topic is too much for you right now, I wanted to know. I don’t want to send you to a negative headspace and stress you out, or make you anxious, while I’m teaching you anything. If that needs to be off the table, I’ll take it off. I know…how difficult it is to approach it, even from a theoretical standpoint, once it’s been done.”

~***~

Finnegrin noted the criticisms, but didn’t care. They did nothing now, and there was no going back in time to change things. The young mage would have to step up and prove herself, here and now. She should have been preparing from the start, really. She knew what was ahead. She had the ingredients.

He snorted at the knife thing, “I think Seamore has a better chance of using the knife effectively than you,” he said, waving off the request as he walked ahead, “it isn’t like it’s some precious trinket of yours, after all, you don’t have any, right?” oh, he knew she did.

He knew she tried to keep them from him.

“Just take a knife from the kitchen, love. Might even be better than the one ol’ Seamore has stolen from ye.”

He went towards the stairs to head on up, “You may want to stay below, given ye can’t swim. When it all starts…well, you’ll be in danger topside, and anyone in the water is as good as dead.” Even if they could swim.

 

[cleopat]

“Yeah, I know.” Callum sighed, almost feeling his shoulders lighten in relief. He knew he shouldn’t feel guilty about his use of dark magic, given the circumstances around it, but maybe the general Xadian feelings surrounding dark magic, and the fact he knew how to wield a Primal source, weighed him down somewhat.

But not even Rayla held it against him.

“But…I’m pretty sure it’s a topic I can manage right now.” He looked down at Bait, who placed a tiny paw on his leg in reassurance. Callum smiled at the glow toad. “Yeah, I can handle anything you want to tell me.” He looked back up at her, face more visibly relaxed.

“Whatever you wish to tell me, or teach me, I can handle it. I just don’t think I’ll be willing to use dark magic again. It felt…wrong.” And the nightmare he had afterwards. That’s what scared him the most.

~~~

Willow made a noise of protest that the crab would use the knife better than she. “I hardly think so!” She’s used the knife before, after all. She was no stranger to using it!

But she remained silent at his question. They both knew it was a precious trinket of hers, even if she didn’t have to say anything. She knew he knew, but she was afraid verbal confirmation would take it away from her permanently.

So she just didn’t confirm.

But Willow was a bit surprised at Finnegrin’s suggestion. She followed him up the stairs. “Why? Are you afraid of losing me?” More like losing his free labor, but she couldn’t help but poke a bit of fun with a grin. Even if what he said was true. Anyone in the water, regardless of their abilities, would be as good as dead.

 

[Lucyfer]

Despite the way Callum had flinched before, it seemed now he was interested enough to want to pursue it. ‘Maybe not much.’ No, not until they were sure Aaravos wasn’t escaping, and they could try this…peace thing, again. A true peace, between Xadia and Humanity, this time around. She was trying to look forward to that.

“No, no, I’ll never ask you to use dark magic,” Lethe shook her head. ‘If anyone has to….’ But hopefully, it wouldn’t come up. It wouldn’t be a necessary thing. Lethe certainly hadn’t needed it in three centuries, after all.

But Aaravos always changed things.

“It’s just theory, and the main theory beneath Deep Magic, is that Dark Magic is, well, the closest thing to it. It’s a lot of theory,” she chuckled, “and I obviously haven’t figured it out, but,” she turned a bit, gestured to the fire, “that’s just normal fire. There’s a difference between fire and Sunfire, between the wind blowing around us, and the wind we can use. Deep Magic is, in the theory, what gives these elements such supernatural power – and it’s what also empowers dark magic in a way that makes dark magic closer to Deep Magic.”

She didn’t know what that meant for using Deep Magic.

She hadn’t figured out how to grasp it, after all. “That’s the sum of it, but we can save more lessons for another night, since I’m sure you want more actual practice over theory, and there’s still more arcanum for you to learn,” she rose, then, “we should prepare the others to move on.”

A little, for now.

No pressure.

~***~

Willow didn’t admit that the knife was anything, nor did she make a detour towards the kitchens to get a knife. Finnegrin wouldn’t try to point her towards it as they ascended stairs, heading back up to the deck where he was needed.

He snorted at her query. “Lose you before you paid off your debt? It’d be a crying shame, there’s quite a lot for you to pay off yet.” Of course, that answer wouldn’t satisfy her, but what she did expect? She had a debt, and he was a pirate. One fuck wasn’t going to make him all sentimental over her.

Rain had started to fall, though. It splattered the deck and smacked him in the face, but he walked out quite fearlessly all the same, noting the way the water moved around them – but seemed calm just beneath them.

Sea Leg’s doing, to some degree, but not entirely.

No, not entirely at all, because it seemed he timed his exit from the below deck quite well as the shimmer of scales glittered under the water before the sleek dragon arose from the water to loom over the ship, “Ahoy, Domina Profundis!” He called up to her with a cheeky grin. “Long time no see.”

His tone went immediately darker on that, losing the false cheer in the span of a breath.