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Lirak sighed, his demeanor softening further. “Very well. You have my word that you’ll be granted safe passage. For now. But be warned, Mayn. Not all will be as understanding as I am.”
I nodded in gratitude. “Thank you, Lirak.”
As the Zephyran patrol dispersed and we continued our journey, Emilia leaned closer. “Is it always this intense here?”
I chuckled softly. “You have no idea. But don’t worry. With allies like Lirak and the determination we share, we’ll find a way.”
She nodded, drawing strength from my words.
I only wish I could do the same.
* * *
I always remembered the waterfalls as being tranquil.
Their shimmering cascades offered a soothing balm to the warriors’ restless spirits, including mine.
Surrounded by luminous flora, the area was secluded, hidden away from the world.
It was a place for meditation, reflection, and cleansing.
As I approached, the whispering sounds of the cascades seemed to intensify, and I couldn’t tell if it was merely my heightened senses playing tricks on me.
My skin tingled with the familiar itch of the transformation, but it was different this time, deeper.
Looking at my hand, I noticed a faint mark appearing.
The symbol was one I recognized from Zephyran lore — indicative of a rare and significant shift.
Disturbed, I began to meditate, trying to ground myself amidst the turmoil within.
The energy of the waterfalls should have calmed me, yet an undercurrent of unease persisted.
“You have always been impatient, young Mayn,” a voice rich with wisdom echoed from behind me.
Turning, I was met by the familiar sight of Sylra, my old mentor.
Her ethereal presence, with a silver halo of hair and knowing eyes, always brought a sense of peace.
“Sylra,” I greeted, trying to mask the surprise in my voice. “It’s been too long.”
She smiled. “Time means little when one is as old as I. But you, Mayn, seem to have changed in more ways than one.”
I hesitated, then gestured to the mark. “I don’t understand it. This wasn’t supposed to happen to me.”
Sylra sat gracefully beside me, her robes fluttering like liquid light. “Every action has its consequences. Your deep involvement with the human and the Vendikar poison has intertwined your fates. This mark, is a sign of that bond.”
“But what does it mean?” I implored.
She looked deep into my eyes, her gaze almost piercing my soul. “It signifies a balance, a duality. You mated with the infected female, and so you share her affliction. You’ve started to bear the weight of the choices you’ve made, choices that could ripple across galaxies.”
Confused, I probed further. “Is it reversible?”
She sighed, a sound like the rustling of ancient scrolls. “Some things are, some aren’t. It is the intent and the journey that matter. You must tread carefully, Mayn. The path you’re on is treacherous, and the transformation within you might just be the beginning.”
Before I could ask anything more, a rustling sound drew our attention.
From the shadows, I spotted Emilia, her silhouette framed by the luminescent flora.
