[color=0054a6][center][h1]Sophia[/h1][/center][/color] [color=696969][center][h1]Alexis[/h1][/center][/color] [center][h1]Vulcan[/h1][/center] [center][h2]&[/h2][/center] [center][h1][color=#ff0000]M[/color][color=#ff7f00]a[/color][color=#ffff00]r[/color][color=#00ff00]i[/color][color=#00ffff]a[/color] [color=#8b00ff]Z[/color][color=#ff0000].[/color] [color=#ffff00]T[/color][color=#00ff00]e[/color][color=#00ffff]t[/color][color=#0000ff]r[/color][color=#8b00ff]a[/color][color=#ff0000]-[/color][color=#ff7f00]L[/color][color=#ffff00]i[/color][color=#00ff00]r[/color][color=#00ffff]a[/color][/h1][/center] [hr] [sup][@Rai] [@Vesuvius00] [@Landaus Five-One] [@13org][/sup] [hr] Sophia, the guardian of knowledge, the dragon sage and the master and mentor of Mindah Tarvitaan... But what most people didn't remember was that Sophia was still a woman and she had her hobbies. One of those were tending to Mindah Tarvitaan's gardens. Those gardens were in fact made by her after the monks made the temple. She cultivated the trees and the flowers , taking care of the garden by herself. Despite being told by the monks that she didn't have to do that alone, or that they could simply assign a few monks to do that for her, she never really let them do it, since she enjoyed spending some time there alone. "Mistress Sophia..." A young monk approached her, unable to continue speaking after seeing her humanoid form. That particular monk was relatively new on the monastery, and as such, he had never seen her in her humanoid form. Her appearance was certainly different, but not in a bad way... She looked almost like a fairy or a nymph from the story books, kneeling down on the grass, surrounded by beautiful white jasmines, her exotic, unique black and white skin contrasting perfectly against the white jasmines, the silver moon and the dark, starry sky. [color=0054a6]"I'm sorry, I was a bit distracted with the flowers..."[/color] Sophia said, getting up and approaching the monk with a kind smile. After staring at her for a few seconds, the monk shook his head, clearing his throat. "M-mistress Sophia, sorry for interrupting you, but Vulcan still wants to talk to you. He has been waiting for you for a while." The young monk said, looking to the ground. [color=0054a6]"I know, I know... Tell him that patience is a virtue. He will understand. Besides that, I still need to see how our [i]other[/i] guest is."[/color] Sophia said, leaving the garden briefly after talking with the monk. After a short walk, Sophia encountered herself on the part of the temple where the individual rooms were. Those were simple, but very comfortable rooms, fitting with the monks' way of life. Gently knocking on the door of the room where Alexis was, Sophia waited for her to answer. [color=0054a6]"Alexis, are you still awake? Are you feeling a bit better?"[/color] Sophia asked, genuinely preoccupied with the girl. Alexis had been sitting on the edge of the bed in her room, awake for about an hour now and just staring into the space in front of her. She couldn’t remember why she was here. For the life of her she just could not remember. She woke up on this mountain just a day or two ago now… before that she knew she had been in Sunfire, and was planning to go home to Vrondi’s capitol. She squinted at the air, forcing herself through the fuzzy memories for what must have been the billionth time. Somewhere between the two places, she’d gotten put on this snow-covered mountain, all the way in Gaia. Somehow. She felt like she was missing a lot of the story, as if an entire day of her memory was just gone- erased. That, combined with the fact that everything else was extremely fuzzy, really was starting to give her a headache. Everything was a question, even the parts she could remember almost clearly. There was a battle, and she’d fought in it along with bunch of Vrondi’s soldiers. Something had happened during that battle though, at the end… She couldn’t remember exactly what but it terrified her. She jumped at the sudden knock on the door. It had been so silent, she’d been so focused… She walked over to the door, opening it after she heard Sophia speak. [color=696969]”Good morning.”[/color] The Sol woman bowed her head slightly in greeting, it was starting to become a habit. [color=696969]”I feel… Confused still, but overall I’m doing well. Thank you for letting me stay here and recover.”[/color] Sophia smiled kindly after she heard that Alexis was better. Nobody knew how she ended up there, not even the monks knew. It was really a shock when they found her simply laying down on the snow, almost freezing to death. Even after she recovered, things only got even more strange after she said that she was in Vrondi... But even with all those questions still unanswered, Sophia was fine with it all as long as the girl was ok. She had shown herself to be a very kind and pure girl, and as such, it was only natural for Sophia to want to protect her. [color=0054a6]“Good morning to you too, Alexis. Although we are several hours early for that.”[/color] Sophia said with a kind smile, pointing towards the window, showing the night sky. Alexis followed the gesture with her eyes and silently died a little inside as she realised that it really was Nighttime. Late night at that. [color=696969]”Sorry, I kinda just woke up a little bit ago.. I never once even glanced at the window though.”[/color] It was strange that she would wake up in the middle of the night though. She rose with the sun so often that she had just assumed she had this time too. [color=0054a6]"I'm really relieved to know that you are better! It was quite a surprise for me when the monks found you almost freezing to death, unconscious on the snow."[/color] Sophia said to the girl with a preoccupied expression. [color=0054a6]"Did the monks treat you right? I hope the younger apprenticed didn't annoy you with too many questions... They are quite... energetic, aren't they?"[/color] Sophia said with a giggle as she remembered the small apprentices playing with her. [color=696969]”I love talking to the monks, the younger ones too.”[/color] Alexis smiled as she remembered how all of them had made her feel better after she’d first woken up, so confused about everything. [color=696969]”They actually managed to ask me a lot of things I hadn’t even thought to ask myself.”[/color] [color=0054a6]"Would you mind accompanying me in a walk through the temple gardens?"[/color] Sophia said, smiling kindly to the girl and gently grabbing her hand. [color=696969]”Uhh, in the middle of the night?”[/color] [color=0054a6]"Come on, a bit of fresh air will be good both for your body and spirit. The gardens are the best place to gaze at the stars."[/color] She said, gently taking the girl outside. [color=0054a6]"This mountain is completely secluded from the rest of the world, away from all of its problems, away from its conflicts and wars... Only those with pure hearts and with the purest intentions are allowed to enter the Great Library and remain on the temple."[/color] Sophia said to the girl as they walked through the temple, heading to the gardens. [color=0054a6]"I don't know the story or the motivations behind the events that brought you here. And honestly, I don't need to know them. You are pure, Alexis. Your eyes and actions show that your heart is kind and pure. The Great Library and the temple are always open to those with pure hearts and intentions. That is the reason why we took care of you and allowed you to stay here for as long as you want."[/color] Sophia said just as they arrived on the garden. Alexis let herself be pulled out into the chill night air as she listened to Sophia talk. Honestly, it was a very nice night out. such beauty almost distracted her from hearing what the dragon said, though. Her expression shifted as they entered the garden, and she spoke quietly to herself the words she truly believed. [color=696969]”I’m not that pure. I can’t be”[/color] She listened quietly as Sophia continued to talk about the garden now. [color=0054a6]"I planted all of them myself. I tend to them every night. It is a beautiful garden, isn't it?"[/color] She said as she showed the garden to the girl. The moon's pale, silver light illuminated the garden, giving it a mystical, almost otherworldly glow. Immense trees stood around the garden, almost like silent guardians, making sure that no one would interfere on that tranquil place. Beautiful flowers of many varieties grew under the shadow of the huge trees. Those flowers weren't organized by color or anything, instead growing in a beautifully chaotic field of colors. In the very middle of the garden, towering over all other trees, a big tree stood over a big boulder. Its trunk and its branches were different from the others, its fibers were interwoven, almost like they were braided, creating a beautiful pattern. If one looked closely enough at such tree, it could perceive that those fibers were pulsating with a bluish glow. It was faint, but it was definitely there, the closer you got from the tree, the more intense that feeling was. If one touched its trunk, it would feel like it was alive, each fiber, each branch pulsating with a soothing, tranquil magic energy, flooding all the garden, making it possible so the flowers would grow so beautifully and keeping all that garden 'alive'. [color=0054a6]"You are free to go whenever you want, Alexis. The monks took care of your wounds, and you are healthy enough to go home, if that is your wish."[/color] Sophia asked, guiding the girl towards the center of the garden, near the biggest tree, and sitting in one of the immense tree's roots. [color=0054a6]"Our time was short, but as soon as I saw your eyes, I could feel your kindness... Of course... The younger monks also told me about you playing and talking with them!"[/color] Sophia continued laughing. [color=0054a6]"I want to give you one thing before you go though."[/color] Sophia said, getting up giving a few steps forward and turning to her dragon form. Sophia then carefully extended her hands, getting a single leaf from the central tree between her claws. The leaf was certainly unique and different from the other ones, it had a vivid green coloration, almost like if it was made of emerald. Its veins glowed and pulsated with pure, primal magic, just like the rest of the tree. Turning back into her humanoid form, she approached Alexis once more, giving the leaf to her. [color=0054a6]"This leaf is a part of this garden. As long as the central tree is alive, this leaf will never wither and die and will continue pulsating with the same primal magic energy that keeps this garden alive. It will help you to keep calm in stressful situations."[/color] Sophia said. The second you touched the leaf, you felt the same calmness and tranquility that the garden seemed to inspire. [color=696969]”Thank you...”[/color] Alexis’ voice was quiet as she took the emerald leaf from Sophia, gently cupping it in her hands. She was suddenly taken by a wave of calm, and the confusions and worries that had been filling her mind began to fade into the background- not to be cared about right now. She glanced up at Sophia as the dragon continued, not sure what it was she had wanted to say to the kind woman only a minute before. [color=0054a6]"It will also serve as a symbol. Anyone who knows my name will surely help you if you show them this leaf. Guard it well."[/color] Sophia said, holding her hands around the leaf, looking at her with a motherly smile. Alexis closed her hands over the leaf at Sophia’s words, and moved them closer to her heart as she spoke next. [color=696969]”I will, and thank you again. I don’t know what else to say other than thank you.”[/color] She returned the woman’s smile and felt a small tug at her heart as she did. Through the veil of calm holding the leaf gave her, an old memory resurfaced. A very similar scene to this, long ago, and that same smile on her own mother’s face… [color=696969]”I think, I really should go home now..”[/color] She didn’t realize she was speaking until after she said it, a few small tears escaping from the corners of her eyes. Her hands shook slightly as she took one of the empty pouches from her belt and placed the Leaf inside. She didn’t really want to let go of it right now but she knew that if she didn’t she wouldn’t be able to act on the thought anymore soon. Sophia listened as the girl spoke. She was truly kind and pure, not only her words and actions, but even her eyes shown that to Sophia. [color=0054a6]"You don't need to thank me. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to tell me."[/color] Sophia said, looking at her with kind eyes. [color=0054a6]"Remember, if you ever find yourself without anywhere to go, you will always be welcome here. I would also love to see you again. You should come visit us. I'm sure the kids will also miss you."[/color] Sophia said, giggling. That moment of farewell, on that beautiful garden seemed to make Alexis remember something. Just after she said those words, and put the leaf in one of the pouches on her belt, tears slowly started escaping from the corner of her eyes. Immediately after watching that, Sophia hugged Alexis, gently wiping away her tears with her hands. [color=0054a6]"Cry if you need, my dear."[/color] Sophia said, hugging her tightly. [color=0054a6]"Trying to ignore to such feelings for too long isn't good for anyone. It doesn't matter who you are, no one is made of stone. We have feelings. Don't try to hide or suppress them."[/color] Sophia said with a calming and soothing tone. [color=0054a6]"Our time together may have been short, but it surely was sweet."[/color] [color=0054a6]"Don't worry, farewells are never forever. We will meet again. I'm certain of it. And when we do, I will be looking forward to hearing to your stories and your adventures."[/color] Sophia said, still hugging her. [color=0054a6]"You are a strong woman, Alexis. The world outside is cruel... Sometimes you might feel down, sometimes you might even want to give up on everything or wonder why you are still kind to others if no one ever is kind to you... But if you do, hold on to that leaf i gave you, and remember me. Remember the monks at the temple."[/color] She said, gently holding her shoulders and looking to her eyes. [color=0054a6]"Always follow your heart and your mind, Alexis. They will never betray you. Out there, a simple smile, a small act of kindness can even change someone's life forever. Kindness and love are powerful things, Alexis. Never forget that. The world might be cruel, but you have the power to change that, Alexis."[/color] She said, giving a few steps back, walking to the tree's immense trunk and gently touching it with her hand. As she touched the tree with her hand, waves of primal magic pulsated on the tree, almost like if it was reacting with her own energy. The tree's energy glowed visibly stronger. After a few seconds, the fibers on the trunk slowly opened, forming a portal. [color=0054a6]"This portal will take you to Vrondi, right in the middle of the city."[/color] Sophia said, walking near Alexis and hugging her once more. [color=0054a6]"The Great Library and Mindah Tarvitaan will always welcome you with open arms. Don't hesitate to come if you find yourself in a difficult situation."[/color] Sophia said again. [color=0054a6]"I hope to see you again, Alexis."[/color] Sophia said, smiling to her as she let go of her. Alexis was speechless as Sophia hugged her and opened a portal for her to go home. She hugged the Dragon back and for a second she felt like she was just a little child again. [color=696969]”I hope I’ll see you again too. Thank you Sophia, for everything.”[/color] When the hug finally ended, the Sol stepped cautiously towards the portal, trying to see what lay on the other side for a moment before deciding to jump in. [hr] Sophia would like to stay at the temple gardens a bit more, lay down on the grass, smell the flowers, feel the magic, her own magic, resonating with the garden itself... But sadly, something was very wrong inside the Great Library... She was so distracted with the garden and speaking with Alexis that she didn't perceive that before... Two strange auras inside the library. One was... strange and colorful... It was a torrent of emotions. The other one, was dark and twisted... It didn't seem like one person, but a twisted abomination made of many souls... It was dark and twisted. But worse than the intruders on her library, was when she felt that same dark and twisted energies defile one of her books. How could she be so careless? Did those many years of peace and tranquility made her naive? The Great Library was [i]her[/i] lair. She was the one who built that place. She wouldn't tolerate intruders, invading her library without her consent and defiling her books... With a mighty roar, shaking the entire mountain and disrupting the tranquility of the garden she was in, she transformed into a dragon again, and with a powerful beat of her wings, flew like a bullet towards the library. Opening the library doors with an audible noise, she flew right to the middle of the library, where the two intruders were. One of them was just a girl, that laid unconscious on the ground. The girl was the source of the colorful and unique aura she felt. The other one was a twisted abomination made of pure dark energy... Its aura was just as abominable as the creature itself. [color=0054a6]"Who dares to defile my library? Explain yourselves, or suffer my wrath!"[/color] Sophia said. The same person who was smiling to Alexis with such a warm and kind motherly smile was almost an entirely different person right now. Her voice was cold and cruel, her stare was blood chilling and the hostility on her voice, coupled with her oppressive aura, were enough to make someone paralyzed with fear. Sophia was kind, but she was still an incredibly powerful dragon. Those who were fool enough to face her, would soon learn that she could be incredibly ruthless. [color=0054a6]"SPEAK!"[/color] Sophia yelled, with another roar, shaking the entire mountain once more. The Spectre had a worried look on its face while staring at the Rainbow Princess. Even though it is blind from the power of the Rainbow Princess. It’s facial expression changed when it had heard the entrance of the Library open with a thud and many other loud noises. It heard the Dragon of Knowledge ask the question of who defiles her library and it smiled somewhat with a sickening grin growing on its face. [color=teal]”We do dare to defile your lair, the Dragon of Knowledge. We have already touched two of your books within this library. We’ve been searching for forbidden knowledge for our master,”[/color] The Spectre said with arrogant sense of self. It did feel the aura from the Dragon of Knowledge but it has always been tasked for this type of thing. The Spectre could still tell the Rainbow Princess is alive only because they are tied to the soul by powerful forbidden magics. It had a smile on its face though it slowly turned into realization it shouldn’t piss off the dragon of knowledge to much. [color=teal]”The unconscious woman on the floor was searching for the truth of her existence. But she got the short end of the stick. I am highly worried about the Rainbow Princess,”[/color] The Spectre said. It had an elegant way of saying things even though they had a quite depressing concatenation of what happened to her. It could feel more senses surrounding but its eyesight wasn’t able to see anything but it can feel powerful energies nonetheless. The Spectre sighed with a slight hint of fear coming from it because it was finally feeling the full brunt of the oppressive aura even though it had confidence before. [color=teal]”We caused her untold pain and suffering, if we tried to go through the floor or ceiling and we cannot leave her in a 15 meter radius. If you tried to get rid of us the normal way you will kill the Rainbow Princess,”[/color] The Spectre said with an ounce of truth it was saying. It didn’t know how the Dragon of Knowledge would react to what it had said about the Rainbow Princess in question. Maria heard her title from the Spectre, as well as all the other noises, which came from a dragon who was highly angry but had a feminine voice. She had slowly opened her eyes and looked around the Library and noticed the Spectre speaking to a beautiful looking dragon. Her entire body was shaking from fear of what happened to her before this dragon came into the Library. She felt fearful mostly because she was unhappy about being her unannounced. She slowly tried to stand, even though she couldn’t properly stare directly at the Spectre, which was in between her and the Dragon. Her aura stopped fluctuating and showed brightly again, and it was normalized as it was before the traumatic event. She couldn’t help but not to cry with everything. [color=#ff0000]“[/color][color=#ff0600]I[/color][color=#ff0c00]-[/color][color=#ff1200]I[/color] [color=#ff1e00]w[/color][color=#ff2400]a[/color][color=#ff2a00]n[/color][color=#ff3000]t[/color][color=#ff3600]e[/color][color=#ff3c00]d[/color] [color=#ff4900]t[/color][color=#ff4f00]o[/color] [color=#ff5b00]k[/color][color=#ff6100]n[/color][color=#ff6700]o[/color][color=#ff6d00]w[/color] [color=#ff7900]s[/color][color=#ff7f00]o[/color][color=#ff8500]m[/color][color=#ff8b00]e[/color][color=#ff9000]t[/color][color=#ff9600]h[/color][color=#ff9c00]i[/color][color=#ffa200]n[/color][color=#ffa800]g[/color] [color=#ffb300]i[/color][color=#ffb900]m[/color][color=#ffbf00]p[/color][color=#ffc500]o[/color][color=#ffcb00]r[/color][color=#ffd000]t[/color][color=#ffd600]a[/color][color=#ffdc00]n[/color][color=#ffe200]t[/color] [color=#ffee00]a[/color][color=#fff300]b[/color][color=#fff900]o[/color][color=#ffff00]u[/color][color=#f3ff00]t[/color] [color=#dbff00]m[/color][color=#ceff00]y[/color] [color=#b6ff00]e[/color][color=#aaff00]x[/color][color=#9eff00]i[/color][color=#92ff00]s[/color][color=#86ff00]t[/color][color=#79ff00]e[/color][color=#6dff00]n[/color][color=#61ff00]c[/color][color=#55ff00]e[/color][color=#49ff00]…[/color] [color=#31ff00]I[/color] [color=#18ff00]w[/color][color=#0cff00]a[/color][color=#00ff00]s[/color] [color=#00ff17]t[/color][color=#00ff23]o[/color][color=#00ff2e]l[/color][color=#00ff3a]d[/color] [color=#00ff51]t[/color][color=#00ff5d]h[/color][color=#00ff68]i[/color][color=#00ff74]s[/color] [color=#00ff8b]L[/color][color=#00ff97]i[/color][color=#00ffa2]b[/color][color=#00ffae]r[/color][color=#00ffb9]a[/color][color=#00ffc5]r[/color][color=#00ffd1]y[/color] [color=#00ffe8]h[/color][color=#00fff3]a[/color][color=#00ffff]s[/color] [color=#00e7ff]t[/color][color=#00dbff]h[/color][color=#00ceff]a[/color][color=#00c2ff]t[/color] [color=#00aaff]k[/color][color=#009eff]n[/color][color=#0092ff]o[/color][color=#0086ff]w[/color][color=#0079ff]l[/color][color=#006dff]e[/color][color=#0061ff]d[/color][color=#0055ff]g[/color][color=#0049ff]e[/color] [color=#0031ff]o[/color][color=#0024ff]f[/color] [color=#000cff]a[/color][color=#0000ff]n[/color][color=#0700ff]c[/color][color=#0d00ff]i[/color][color=#1400ff]e[/color][color=#1a00ff]n[/color][color=#2100ff]t[/color] [color=#2e00ff]h[/color][color=#3500ff]i[/color][color=#3c00ff]s[/color][color=#4200ff]t[/color][color=#4900ff]o[/color][color=#4f00ff]r[/color][color=#5600ff]i[/color][color=#5d00ff]e[/color][color=#6300ff]s[/color] [color=#7100ff]b[/color][color=#7700ff]y[/color][color=#7e00ff]g[/color][color=#8400ff]o[/color][color=#8b00ff]n[/color][color=#9000f3]e[/color][color=#9600e8].[/color] [color=#a000d1]I[/color][color=#a500c5]’[/color][color=#ab00b9]m[/color] [color=#b500a2]s[/color][color=#ba0097]o[/color][color=#c0008b]r[/color][color=#c5007f]r[/color][color=#ca0074]y[/color] [color=#d5005d]f[/color][color=#da0051]o[/color][color=#df0046]r[/color] [color=#ea002e]c[/color][color=#ef0023]o[/color][color=#f40017]m[/color][color=#fa000c]i[/color][color=#ff0000]n[/color][color=#ff0600]g[/color] [color=#ff1200]h[/color][color=#ff1800]e[/color][color=#ff1e00]r[/color][color=#ff2400]e[/color] [color=#ff3000]u[/color][color=#ff3600]n[/color][color=#ff3c00]a[/color][color=#ff4300]n[/color][color=#ff4900]n[/color][color=#ff4f00]o[/color][color=#ff5500]u[/color][color=#ff5b00]n[/color][color=#ff6100]c[/color][color=#ff6700]e[/color][color=#ff6d00]d[/color][color=#ff7300],[/color][color=#ff7900]”[/color] Maria said, with tears going down her face. She couldn’t barely stand, she was shaking much from her experience being in this library alone with that monster, that is still being quite smug and arrogant. She slowly moved to keep her standing by leaning on the table, which had been corrupted by the book sitting on it. Maria felt the oppressive aura coming from the Dragon in question, but didn’t know who it was but she always enjoying seeing new faces. She was startled by something, she couldn’t properly think of anything right now since she stared at the book and felt a bit uncomfortable around it. [color=#ff0000]“[/color][color=#ff0b00]I[/color] [color=#ff2000]h[/color][color=#ff2a00]a[/color][color=#ff3500]t[/color][color=#ff4000]e[/color] [color=#ff5500]t[/color][color=#ff5f00]h[/color][color=#ff6a00]e[/color] [color=#ff7f00]m[/color][color=#ff8a00]o[/color][color=#ff9400]n[/color][color=#ff9f00]s[/color][color=#ffaa00]t[/color][color=#ffb400]e[/color][color=#ffbf00]r[/color] [color=#ffd400]t[/color][color=#ffdf00]h[/color][color=#ffea00]a[/color][color=#fff400]t[/color] [color=#eaff00]f[/color][color=#d5ff00]o[/color][color=#bfff00]l[/color][color=#aaff00]l[/color][color=#95ff00]o[/color][color=#80ff00]w[/color][color=#6aff00]s[/color] [color=#40ff00]m[/color][color=#2bff00]e[/color] [color=#00ff00]a[/color][color=#00ff14]r[/color][color=#00ff27]o[/color][color=#00ff3b]u[/color][color=#00ff4e]n[/color][color=#00ff62]d[/color] [color=#00ff89]a[/color][color=#00ff9d]l[/color][color=#00ffb1]l[/color] [color=#00ffd8]t[/color][color=#00ffeb]h[/color][color=#00ffff]e[/color] [color=#00d5ff]t[/color][color=#00bfff]i[/color][color=#00aaff]m[/color][color=#0095ff]e[/color][color=#0080ff]…[/color] [color=#0055ff]I[/color] [color=#002bff]w[/color][color=#0015ff]i[/color][color=#0000ff]s[/color][color=#0c00ff]h[/color] [color=#2300ff]i[/color][color=#2e00ff]t[/color] [color=#4600ff]w[/color][color=#5100ff]o[/color][color=#5d00ff]u[/color][color=#6800ff]l[/color][color=#7400ff]d[/color] [color=#8b00ff]g[/color][color=#9500ea]o[/color] [color=#a800bf]a[/color][color=#b200aa]w[/color][color=#bb0095]a[/color][color=#c50080]y[/color] [color=#d80055]a[/color][color=#e20040]n[/color][color=#ec002b]d[/color] [color=#ff0000]l[/color][color=#ff0b00]e[/color][color=#ff1500]a[/color][color=#ff2000]v[/color][color=#ff2a00]e[/color] [color=#ff4000]m[/color][color=#ff4a00]e[/color] [color=#ff5f00]b[/color][color=#ff6a00]e[/color][color=#ff7400],[/color][color=#ff7f00]”[/color] Maria said, mostly talking about the Spectre. Her entire body was undoubtedly shaking from reeling from what the Spectre’s alternative ego did to her. Her aura changed its color to show what she is definitely feeling at this moment and wanted to be protected by someone. [i][color=#ff0000]“[/color][color=#ff1000]Z[/color][color=#ff2000]a[/color][color=#ff3000]r[/color][color=#ff4000]g[/color][color=#ff4f00]y[/color][color=#ff5f00]…[/color] [color=#ff7f00]I[/color] [color=#ff9b00]w[/color][color=#ffaa00]i[/color][color=#ffb800]s[/color][color=#ffc600]h[/color] [color=#ffe300]I[/color] [color=#ffff00]h[/color][color=#dfff00]a[/color][color=#bfff00]d[/color][color=#9fff00]n[/color][color=#80ff00]’[/color][color=#60ff00]t[/color] [color=#20ff00]d[/color][color=#00ff00]o[/color][color=#00ff1c]n[/color][color=#00ff39]e[/color] [color=#00ff71]a[/color][color=#00ff8e]l[/color][color=#00ffaa]l[/color] [color=#00ffe3]t[/color][color=#00ffff]h[/color][color=#00dfff]i[/color][color=#00bfff]s[/color][color=#009fff]…[/color] [color=#0060ff]I[/color] [color=#0020ff]m[/color][color=#0000ff]i[/color][color=#1100ff]s[/color][color=#2300ff]s[/color] [color=#4600ff]y[/color][color=#5700ff]o[/color][color=#6800ff]u[/color][color=#7a00ff]…[/color] [color=#9800e3]a[/color][color=#a500c6]d[/color][color=#b200aa]o[/color][color=#bf008e]p[/color][color=#cb0071]t[/color][color=#d80055]e[/color][color=#e50039]d[/color] [color=#ff0000]b[/color][color=#ff1000]r[/color][color=#ff2000]o[/color][color=#ff3000]t[/color][color=#ff4000]h[/color][color=#ff4f00]e[/color][color=#ff5f00]r[/color][color=#ff6f00],[/color][color=#ff7f00]”[/color][/i] Maria thought to herself, with a slight realization of the truth should stayed buried if it hurts this much. She had a look in her eyes of tears, exhaustion, and outright feeling of giving up on what she shouldn’t. Her strong will had been on the breaking point ever since she learned certain things of truths about the deaths of all the other Pulsar Dragons. She couldn’t really bare it if Zargoth told her, the words he usually says to her of her most craziest ideas, which include nicknames. Maria sighed with an ounce of regret in many things but she hopes it will get better and it feels from the aura in question, she’s pushing out it will be. She couldn’t help but think about what happened to her before she entered the Library of Knowledge. She gave herself a smile but it went back to a grimace when she saw the Spectre looking slightly at her. [color=#ff0000]“[/color][color=#ff1900]S[/color][color=#ff3300]-[/color][color=#ff4c00]S[/color][color=#ff6600]t[/color][color=#ff7f00]o[/color][color=#ff9900]p[/color] [color=#ffcc00]M[/color][color=#ffe500]o[/color][color=#ffff00]n[/color][color=#ccff00]s[/color][color=#99ff00]t[/color][color=#66ff00]e[/color][color=#33ff00]r[/color][color=#00ff00]…[/color] [color=#00ff55]y[/color][color=#00ff80]o[/color][color=#00ffaa]u[/color] [color=#00ffff]a[/color][color=#00ccff]r[/color][color=#0099ff]e[/color] [color=#0033ff]c[/color][color=#0000ff]r[/color][color=#1c00ff]e[/color][color=#3800ff]e[/color][color=#5300ff]p[/color][color=#6f00ff]i[/color][color=#8b00ff]n[/color][color=#a200cc]g[/color] [color=#d10066]m[/color][color=#e80033]e[/color] [color=#ff1900]o[/color][color=#ff3300]u[/color][color=#ff4c00]t[/color][color=#ff6600],[/color][color=#ff7f00]”[/color] Maria said with an ounce of courage in her voice. Her voice was highly strained because of her constant crying and couldn’t help but look down at the ground or directly at the dragon and ignore the fact the Spectre exists. Her heartbeat skipped a few beats every now and then when she stared directly at the Spectre. It became normalized when she looked at the Dragon of Knowledge even though she had no idea who it is. The situation behind the unconscious girl was still a mystery for Sophia. Her aura was certainly different from the creature, it was much more innocent, but even though... She didn't know who she was yet. As the creature spoke, it only made Sophia even more angry. It had the gall to tell that he had defiled her library and corrupted two of her books, and eve said it was searching forbidden knowledge for its master, right in front of her with an arrogant tone on his voice. The moment he said something about the rainbow princess, something clicked in the back of her mind... Zargoth... was that the name? She was sure a dragon named Zargoth said something about a certain rainbow princess... But what was it? Zargoth visited the Great Library a long time ago... But before she could remember what Zargoth said, the creature's voice echoed through the library again. His mere presence was offensive to Sophia. Was he that foolish? Did he not know who Sophia was? Was that some kind of joke? [color=0054a6]"I don't care who you or your master are... You and your beloved 'master' must be terribly foolish to invade my library, corrupt my books and disrespect me like that... Who do you think I am, your pitiful creature?!"[/color] Sophia said, looking at the creature. Her eyes seemed to pierce its very existence, the hostility on her voice and stare weren't a joke. Each word that got out of the creature's mouth was even more irritating and full of arrogance... Sophia heard quietly as he explained that he was quite literally torturing the girl, and boasting that Sophia couldn't get rid of him without killing the girl as well... His entire discourse, his arrogance, his irritating smile... It was simply too much for Sophia to handle. [color=0054a6]"ENOUGH!"[/color] Sophia yelled, letting out an oppressive primal magic aura, directed towards the creature. It was so intense that even non magical creatures and those without any magical affinity could feel the pressure coming from her and feel the pain. [color=0054a6]"You are messing with forces much beyond your own comprehension, creature. You and your master don't know what I'm capable of..."[/color] Sophia said, directing all her oppressive magic aura to the creature. [color=0054a6]"You..."[/color] Sophia said, but was interrupted by a shaky voice, coming from the unconscious girl, that had finally woken up. She was crying and shaking, too weak and even had to lean on the table to stand. After listening to that innocent girl and feeling her aura, there was no mistake. She was as pure as an innocent child. And that foul creature was the one responsible for how she was feeling right now. Even the words she used were so... pure and innocent... But instead of calming Sophia down, that had the exact opposite effect... [color=0054a6]"My dear, please come closer to me, I won't let that creature harm you again."[/color] Sophia said, looking to the girl with a kind but preoccupied expression, completely changing her voice and stare. The anger she was feeling a moment before disappeared without any traces. [color=0054a6]"Your intentions are pure, just like your heart, my child. There is nothing wrong with seeking knowledge. Knowing oneself is the first step to have a better understanding of the universe and the energies that surround you. But I do have to warn you that the path for fully understanding your own nature and your own existence is tougher and more dangerous than you might realize. There are certain aspects of our own existence that we should never know."[/color] Sophia said, extending her tail towards the girl and gently lifting her, putting her under her wings, in a protective gesture. The second she stopped talking to the girl, her kind and motherly smile disappeared and the cold and cruel expression she had before returned. [color=0054a6]"And you..."[/color] She said, looking towards the Spectre. [color=0054a6]"It seems that the world forgot how powerful I am... It's really pitiful... You all are so easily blinded by power... So greedy and arrogant... You foolishly try to take and steal everything to yourselves..."[/color] Sophia said, with her primal magic aura growing stronger and stronger every second. [color=0054a6]"It seems you need to remember what happened centuries ago... Why not even the most powerful monarchs dare to touch this mountain..."[/color] Sophia said, as her oppressive aura continued to grow stronger. This time, there was no roar, or yell... It was almost as if the air itself was stagnant, suffocating. Your own heartbeat seemed to be so painfully loud... It was already hard to believe that a creature could contain primal magic in its own body without being torn apart by it... Such impossible amounts of primal magic coming from one single living being should be impossible... Even though all that magic was directed towards the Spectre, all the mountain could feel that pressure. The entire mountain simply stopped. Every sound was muffled, the air was stagnant and replete with primal magic, even the snow stopped to fall… The Spectre felt the force from the anger and rage from Dragon of Knowledge and gained an understanding in what its master wanted from it all this time. It felt some relief in all the trials and tribulations of herding Rainbow Princess to the right spot was all right now worth it. [color=teal]”How wonderful, your reaction is how my master foresaw it. Seems like all dragons are the same pitiful enraged beasts as ‘she’ sees them and needing to be tamed in someway… I feel complete in my mission. I know who you are, you don’t have to be a literal schopant,”[/color] The Spectre said. It wanted to willingly piss off the Dragon of Knowledge but it finally said the gender of its master to another even though this realization will quite literally make Maria have a literal panic attack because she saw, it’s master first hand. It didn’t realize there was a song playing in the background it was classified as the Song of Anguish. Maria nodded to the Dragon of Knowledge’s idea of being away from the Spectre, the creepy bastard that just went on a tirade. She heard the song of Anguish and was a shaken mess afterwards. She couldn’t really tell where the Song of Anguish was emitanting from but it was louder near her than anything. She did hear one thing from the Spectre that made her go, how does he know this dragon’s name before her. That weighed heavily in her mind but she took a breath and calmed down a bit. [color=#ff0000]“[/color][color=#ff0700]I[/color] [color=#ff1500]s[/color][color=#ff1c00]o[/color] [color=#ff2a00]b[/color][color=#ff3100]a[/color][color=#ff3800]d[/color][color=#ff4000]l[/color][color=#ff4700]y[/color] [color=#ff5500]w[/color][color=#ff5c00]a[/color][color=#ff6300]n[/color][color=#ff6a00]t[/color] [color=#ff7800]t[/color][color=#ff7f00]o[/color] [color=#ff8e00]b[/color][color=#ff9600]e[/color] [color=#ffa500]r[/color][color=#ffac00]i[/color][color=#ffb400]d[/color] [color=#ffc300]o[/color][color=#ffca00]f[/color] [color=#ffd900]t[/color][color=#ffe100]h[/color][color=#ffe800]e[/color] [color=#fff700]S[/color][color=#ffff00]p[/color][color=#f1ff00]e[/color][color=#e3ff00]c[/color][color=#d5ff00]t[/color][color=#c6ff00]r[/color][color=#b8ff00]e[/color][color=#aaff00],[/color] [color=#8eff00]i[/color][color=#80ff00]t[/color] [color=#63ff00]h[/color][color=#55ff00]a[/color][color=#47ff00]s[/color] [color=#2bff00]b[/color][color=#1cff00]e[/color][color=#0eff00]e[/color][color=#00ff00]n[/color] [color=#00ff1c]f[/color][color=#00ff2b]o[/color][color=#00ff39]l[/color][color=#00ff47]l[/color][color=#00ff55]o[/color][color=#00ff63]w[/color][color=#00ff71]i[/color][color=#00ff80]n[/color][color=#00ff8e]g[/color] [color=#00ffaa]m[/color][color=#00ffb8]e[/color] [color=#00ffd4]e[/color][color=#00ffe3]v[/color][color=#00fff1]e[/color][color=#00ffff]r[/color] [color=#00e1ff]s[/color][color=#00d2ff]i[/color][color=#00c3ff]n[/color][color=#00b4ff]c[/color][color=#00a5ff]e[/color] [color=#0087ff]I[/color] [color=#0069ff]w[/color][color=#005aff]a[/color][color=#004bff]s[/color] [color=#002dff]a[/color] [color=#000fff]c[/color][color=#0000ff]h[/color][color=#0800ff]i[/color][color=#0f00ff]l[/color][color=#1700ff]d[/color][color=#1f00ff]…[/color] [color=#2e00ff]T[/color][color=#3600ff]h[/color][color=#3e00ff]i[/color][color=#4600ff]s[/color] [color=#5500ff]i[/color][color=#5d00ff]s[/color] [color=#6c00ff]t[/color][color=#7400ff]h[/color][color=#7c00ff]e[/color] [color=#8b00ff]f[/color][color=#9200f0]i[/color][color=#9900e1]r[/color][color=#9f00d2]s[/color][color=#a600c3]t[/color] [color=#b400a5]t[/color][color=#bb0096]i[/color][color=#c20087]m[/color][color=#c80078]e[/color] [color=#d6005a]I[/color] [color=#e4003c]h[/color][color=#eb002d]a[/color][color=#f1001e]v[/color][color=#f8000f]e[/color] [color=#ff0700]s[/color][color=#ff0e00]e[/color][color=#ff1500]e[/color][color=#ff1c00]n[/color] [color=#ff2a00]i[/color][color=#ff3100]t[/color][color=#ff3800],[/color] [color=#ff4700]h[/color][color=#ff4e00]o[/color][color=#ff5500]w[/color][color=#ff5c00]e[/color][color=#ff6300]v[/color][color=#ff6a00]e[/color][color=#ff7100]r[/color][color=#ff7800],[/color][color=#ff7f00]”[/color] Maria sobbed. She had no idea what to do with the Spectre, her aura going out of control was a unique experience for her but she wishes not to have another like that. She couldn’t really walk anywhere and hoped the dragon could help her. However, the Song of Anguish started to affect her differently than normal, she had a fearful response when she felt she heard her father tell her to run, coming from the book. [i][color=#ff0000]“[/color][color=#ff1900]D[/color][color=#ff3300]a[/color][color=#ff4c00]d[/color][color=#ff6600]d[/color][color=#ff7f00]y[/color][color=#ff9900],[/color] [color=#ffcc00]w[/color][color=#ffe500]h[/color][color=#ffff00]y[/color] [color=#80ff00]a[/color][color=#40ff00]r[/color][color=#00ff00]e[/color] [color=#00ff66]y[/color][color=#00ff99]o[/color][color=#00ffcc]u[/color] [color=#00ccff]t[/color][color=#0099ff]e[/color][color=#0066ff]l[/color][color=#0033ff]l[/color][color=#0000ff]i[/color][color=#1c00ff]n[/color][color=#3800ff]g[/color] [color=#6f00ff]m[/color][color=#8b00ff]e[/color] [color=#c50080]t[/color][color=#e20040]o[/color] [color=#ff1900]r[/color][color=#ff3300]u[/color][color=#ff4c00]n[/color][color=#ff6600]?[/color][color=#ff7f00]”[/color][/i] Maria thought to herself, with a highly confused look on her face. The Spectre felt the intensity of the oppressive aura surrounding it and it was highly primal in nature and it had shaken its entire form for a split second. It had anguish in its eyes for the once in its life it felt true fear and not what it was showing when Maria’s Rainbow Aura went out of control, even though it was highly angry that it lost its sight. It felt a strange otherworldly energy within the library and it wasn’t from Sophia, the Dragon of Knowledge. It stared in utter shock and horror when it looked towards the Forbidden Spellbook, which Maria carried with her at all times. A strange song started to play, it was different from the Song of Hope or the Song of Despair, it was the Song of Anguish. [color=teal]”What… the… hell?”[/color] The Spectre questioned. It had a confused look at the book, as if it remembers the song that is playing. Maria looked directly at the dragon, who’s name she found out from the Spectre, by the name of Sophia. She had a gentle smile but her tears were going down her face. She felt relief in what Sophia had said to her that it is better to not give up and look forward to the future. However, she heard the voice that caused her terrible pain and suffering before and it was laughing in her head and she held on to it. [color=#ff0000]“[/color][color=#ff0a00]T[/color][color=#ff1400]-[/color][color=#ff1d00]T[/color][color=#ff2700]h[/color][color=#ff3100]a[/color][color=#ff3b00]n[/color][color=#ff4400]k[/color] [color=#ff5800]y[/color][color=#ff6200]o[/color][color=#ff6b00]u[/color][color=#ff7500]…[/color] [color=#ff8900]S[/color][color=#ff9300]o[/color][color=#ff9d00]p[/color][color=#ffa600]h[/color][color=#ffb000]i[/color][color=#ffba00]a[/color] [color=#ffce00]f[/color][color=#ffd800]o[/color][color=#ffe100]r[/color] [color=#fff500]h[/color][color=#ffff00]e[/color][color=#eaff00]l[/color][color=#d5ff00]p[/color][color=#bfff00]i[/color][color=#aaff00]n[/color][color=#95ff00]g[/color] [color=#6aff00]m[/color][color=#55ff00]e[/color] [color=#2bff00]r[/color][color=#15ff00]e[/color][color=#00ff00]a[/color][color=#00ff14]l[/color][color=#00ff27]i[/color][color=#00ff3b]z[/color][color=#00ff4e]e[/color] [color=#00ff76]n[/color][color=#00ff89]o[/color][color=#00ff9d]t[/color] [color=#00ffc4]t[/color][color=#00ffd8]o[/color] [color=#00ffff]g[/color][color=#00ebff]i[/color][color=#00d8ff]v[/color][color=#00c4ff]e[/color] [color=#009dff]u[/color][color=#0089ff]p[/color][color=#0076ff],[/color] [color=#004eff]l[/color][color=#003bff]i[/color][color=#0027ff]k[/color][color=#0014ff]e[/color] [color=#0b00ff]I[/color] [color=#2000ff]w[/color][color=#2b00ff]a[/color][color=#3500ff]s[/color] [color=#4b00ff]g[/color][color=#5600ff]o[/color][color=#6000ff]i[/color][color=#6b00ff]n[/color][color=#7600ff]g[/color] [color=#8b00ff]t[/color][color=#9500ea]o[/color] [color=#a800bf]d[/color][color=#b200aa]o[/color] [color=#c50080]b[/color][color=#cf006a]u[/color][color=#d80055]t[/color][color=#e20040]…[/color] [color=#f50015]M[/color][color=#ff0000]y[/color] [color=#ff1400]h[/color][color=#ff1d00]e[/color][color=#ff2700]a[/color][color=#ff3100]d[/color] [color=#ff4400]h[/color][color=#ff4e00]u[/color][color=#ff5800]r[/color][color=#ff6200]t[/color][color=#ff6b00]s[/color][color=#ff7500],[/color][color=#ff7f00]”[/color] Maria said. She held her head while she was picked up by Sophia and brought closer to her. She felt compassion coming from another person and that picked up her spirits a bit. The song, however continued and around the Spellbook, started glowing the same sickly color of who took over the Spectre and a laughter filled the room, which was red. The Spectre sighed when it heard the Rainbow Princess speak out loud and was laughing a bit at the pitiful sound coming from her voice. It could feel the tears and everything as if it was within the girl’s soul, which it was bound to. It started to creepily laugh when she told him to stop staring at her. [color=teal]”The Rainbow Princess, you are so easily able to be controlled by the song of despair. It gives you headaches and torments you even more so than normal but this song that is playing is different,”[/color] The Spectre said. It looked directly at Maria with a evil grin and back to Sophia. It laughed and couldn’t stop itself it has officially gone mad even though it was always on the tip of madness. [color=teal]”The Dragon of Knowledge, my master knows more than anything in this world is what she wants in this library, all the knowledge. But you are in her way, Sophia even the Rainbow Princess is in her way as well,”[/color] The Spectre said. It had enough of saying half-truths and wanted to outright say things it thought in its head. A new voice entered the room, it echoed throughout and laughed. The voice was distorted to a point of insanity and it was piercing the veil of reality to see what was happening to the Spectre and it was enjoying the show. [color=#FF7F50]”How wonderful… Sophia the Dragon of Knowledge is protecting the wayward Rainbow Princess. From what in reality is I, the one who completely had her on the ground unconscious by doing what I do best. Breaking her will, I was very effective at that when she was only six years old. The Last of her kind, the Pulsar Dragon’s Matriarch,”[/color] Coru distortly said. The female voice laughed loudly and the voice slowly dissipated until the song ended. Maria heard the voice and instantly shaken in fear even more so than had been when she saw a great change in the Spectre. She hadn’t really felt this fear ever since she was put into a unconscious state on the floor. She was crying more than normal and could feel she could never run away from that monster, within the Spectre. She wanted her daddy more than anything, even what he did to her. She was hiding underneath Sophia’s wings. She couldn’t really hold herself up but was grateful for Sophia. She cried much and couldn’t really help it since she was terrified. The Spectre was quiet through the tirade of what Sophia was saying because it wanted to show her the truth of what he was meaning about him and the Rainbow Princess are bound together and laughs again. It didn’t hear its master since that voice only reached Maria and Sophia only. [color=teal]”Try your worst… I am ready for it,”[/color] The Spectre arrogantly said, with a grin on its face. It had a high and mighty foresight in all things but it loved the fear that could be coming from Maria. It relishes in that one thought and couldn’t hope to feel anything else but true fear as it wanted to fear in all its glory ever since it went to do this task. The Spectre felt the full force of the magical pressure and laughed as well as screamed in endless torment from what it was feeling. It was amazed and highly likely to give it some ounce of last gasp of hatred towards the girl it hated all along. The poor child that was forced to read the forbidden spellbook to turn into a Dark Rainbow Dragon. It couldn’t really say anything because it was choking and could only give its enjoyable delightable grin while it was having all this happened, it was staring directly at Maria while all this was happening to it. Maria felt a tearing sensation in her body, like it was being torned up by intense magical pressure. Her rainbow aura was fluctuating and she was screaming in pain because of what was happening to her. She wanted to pain to stop because it hurts, she had a lighter look to her. [color=#ff0000]“[/color][color=#ff1200]S[/color][color=#ff2400]-[/color][color=#ff3600]S[/color][color=#ff4900]t[/color][color=#ff5b00]o[/color][color=#ff6d00]p[/color][color=#ff7f00]…[/color] [color=#ffa400]I[/color] [color=#ffc800]f[/color][color=#ffda00]e[/color][color=#ffed00]e[/color][color=#ffff00]l[/color][color=#dbff00]…[/color] [color=#92ff00]w[/color][color=#6dff00]h[/color][color=#49ff00]a[/color][color=#24ff00]t[/color][color=#00ff00]…[/color] [color=#00ff49]i[/color][color=#00ff6d]s[/color][color=#00ff92]…[/color] [color=#00ffdb]h[/color][color=#00ffff]a[/color][color=#00d5ff]p[/color][color=#00aaff]p[/color][color=#0080ff]e[/color][color=#0055ff]n[/color][color=#002bff]i[/color][color=#0000ff]n[/color][color=#1400ff]g[/color][color=#2800ff]…[/color] [color=#4f00ff]t[/color][color=#6300ff]o[/color][color=#7700ff]…[/color] [color=#9c00db]t[/color][color=#ac00b6]h[/color][color=#bd0092]e[/color] [color=#de0049]S[/color][color=#ee0024]p[/color][color=#ff0000]e[/color][color=#ff1200]c[/color][color=#ff2400]t[/color][color=#ff3600]r[/color][color=#ff4900]e[/color][color=#ff5b00]…[/color][color=#ff6d00],[/color][color=#ff7f00]”[/color] Maria said, softer than normal because she was in great pain. Her aura was fluctuating rapidly and felt as if she was being choked to death by the intense pressure in the room. However, she felt like, Sophia didn’t understand what the Spectre meant even though it was highly irritating. She realized in the few moments, the Spectre was tasked to force someone to kill it and her in the same process. She was terrified and scared her eyes went into the back of her head and she went unconscious for a few moments. She woke up with a force water flowing over her and coughed up some blood from what was happening. She couldn’t help but to cry even more so than normal. If that creature was trying to make Sophia irritated, it was succeeding, her magical aura continued growing more and more, but a voice coming from under her wings made her stop and repress her aura again. It was the girl. She was crying in pain. Even though Sophia was directing her aura towards the creature. Her soft, shaky voice made Sophia realize what she was doing... Sophia immediately repressed her aura, hugging the girl with her wings. [color=0054a6]"I'm... Sorry... Please forgive-me... I didn't know..."[/color] Sophia said, completely enveloping the girl with her wings and hugging her protectively. [color=0054a6]"You... creature, invade my library... Hurt this innocent girl… For what? Just to fulfill your master’s selfish, greedy and ridiculous desire for power?"[/color] Sophia said, still extremely angry. [color=0054a6]"I had enough of chit chat. I had enough… You wanted to make me angry? Well… you succeeded. Now you will learn what I’m truly capable of.. And tell your master, that I will deal with her personally."[/color] Sophia said, still protecting the girl under her wings. [color=0054a6]"Just a bit longer and the pain will stop... Forever. Hold on just a little more."[/color] Sophia said, as she stopped repressing her aura once more. Primal energy gathering around her as strong as it was before, the same effects came back, the air stagnant, suffocating, the sounds muffled and only one sound shattering all that silence. Chains... The deafening sound of thousands of chains echoed through the mountains. Spectral chains suddenly appeared coming from the ground and going through the roof. They were everywhere. Small and thin ones and even colossally huge ones. Going through the roof, the chains all went to the same place. High up on the sky, hovering above the Great Library, a huge grimorium stood there, sealed by countless magic seals and shackled by all those spectral chains. Even with so many seals, the power that the book emanated was unbelievable. Emanating that forbidden, forgotten energy, the grimorium was a beacon of magic energy. Anyone sensitive enough to magic energies would be able to feel the impact that summoning the Grimorium Verum had on the natural flow of magic. As the book appeared, the Spectre could feel its soul essence disappearing, being absorbed by the grimoire, the only thing that was keeping him alive was the spell that linked his and the girl's soul. The power of that book was undeniable. [color=0054a6]"Pitiful... Reduced to just a whisper, a sorry excuse of a soul. You don't even have enough energy left to maintain your form…"[/color] Sophia said, looking to the remains of the creature. [color=0054a6]"Disappear."[/color] Sophia said in a menacing way, as the chains broke. The energy emanating from the book grew stronger and more intense. It was almost possible to see the natural flow of magic warping and twisting near the book. [color=0054a6]"How does it feel? Spending your last moments watching your own body being reduced to nothing? How does it feel, losing everything… Everything that you have, everything that you are and will ever be?"[/color] Sophia said to the creature with an incredibly cruel tone, as the creature experienced its last moments. [color=0054a6]"I had enough of your pitiful existence. Be gone."[/color] Sophia said once more, turning back to the creature as the magical seals on the Grimorium Verum broke. The book slowly opened itself, releasing a wave of primal magic. Even though its effects were concentrated only on the creature, the unsealing of the Grimorium Verum was definitely something quite impactful. Such ancient magic energies shouldn’t exist, not in that concentration. Looking back to the girl, Sophia hugged her once more, trying to calm her down. [color=0054a6]"It's done, my child. You are safe now..."[/color] She said with a kind and warm smile. [color=0054a6]"I'm sorry for everything, but you are safe now."[/color] Sophia said, completely enveloping her again under her wings. [hr][hr] “Mister Vulcan, please follow me.” One of the monks said as he entered the room where Vulcan was. “I know you need to speak with Mistress Sophia, but she is currently busy. She asked me to send this message to you.” The monk said as he walked, taking Vulcan to a meditation room. “She said ‘Patience is a virtue’. She said that you surely would understand what she meant by that.” The monk said, finally arriving at the room. “Please, follow me. Leave your shoes outside.” The monk said, instructing Vulcan. The room inside was made of brute stone, in an hexagonal shape. Inside, the room was very dim lit, replete with small rugs with intricate patterns, simple, but very comfortable pillows and right in the middle, there was a small, simple table with a very simple kettle and a teapot. To further contribute to the tranquil and calm atmosphere, herbal incenses filled the room with a calming smell. “Sit here with me and meditate for a while.” The monk whispered to Vulcan, sitting near the table and pouring some of the herbal tea for him and for Vulcan. “It’s a special blend of mountain herbs. It should help you to calm both your mind and body.” the monk said, whispering again. ‘If you don’t mind me asking, why have you came all the way to those mountains to ask for Mistress Sophia’s help? There are other powerful kings and kingdoms. Mindah Tarvitaan and the Great Library were always secluded from the rest of the world, never taking part in any conflicts.” The monk continued, still speaking in a low tone, while taking a small sip of tea.. “To do my part in shaping the future.” His deep but aged voice replied within the instant the monk finished speaking. Vulcan was sipping his tea after sitting with his legs crossed and his back erected up. His eyes were closed as he did this. “Cold..” He muttered after letting the liquid touch his tongue. The cup was piping with heat rising from its surface. He set the cup down gently. “The fortresses built by the dragon gods long ago, our kingdoms, they do hold up well. But the wars were never won by destroying these ancient structures. Instead taking control of it was the goal.” He opened his eyes and a fiery glow was upon their surface as he gave a serious stare to the Monk. “There are powers that even the likes of Mindah Tarvitaan will fear. Something akin to death personified. Yet whether it is an imposter or death itself… remains a mystery.” The monk continued with his meditation, but even though, an preoccupied expression could be seen on his face. “I… Yes… Some of the most experienced monks have been feeling a strange… thing in the air… A feeling like something is not quite right… But we made an oath, Vulcan. We are guardians, observers. We won't interfere with wars, disputes of power or anything like it. ” The monk said, looking to Vulcan with a preoccupied expression. "I won't lie, this... feeling... that something's not quite right is very preoccupation. It doesn't feel like the power a descended should have. It doesn't even feel like a descended at all... But we are still bound by our oath. Only one person can decide if we should interfere or not, and that person is Mistress Sophia." “Regarding this strange power you say... No power is absolute, Vulcan. This is something that our Mistress Sophia taught us. There is no such thing as unsurmountable power. This is just the way that the universe works.” The monk continued, with a serene expression. “No power is absolute. Even death itself can’t escape this rule. Not even death is absolute.” The monk said, looking to the fotian man in front of him. “Obviously, this rule also applies to Mindah Tarvitaan and even our Mistress Sophia herself. But there is only one exception to this rule: Knowledge. Power alone can only take you so far. Wisdom and knowledge, in the other hand are infinite. Knowledge allow us to grow and adapt. Only with knowledge we can surpass the limits imposed by the laws of the universe. Nothing is true, everything is permitted.” The monk completed. “Indeed..’ Vulcan nodded as he reached a hand down to lift his tea and guide it to his lips. After a long sip his began. “But knowledge in this case is limited and thus our strength wanes… YOUR strength wanes..” He gave a grave expression before sitting down the warm cup next to one of the candles lit around them. He huffed in a deep sigh as his muscles expanded and retracted on his abdomen and chest. His meditative breathing seemed to affect the flames around him as they too grew bigger only to shrink as he exhaled. “I came here with the hopes your knowledge and wisdom will provide an answer. Your leader, Sophia. I was seeking her vast knowledge of the fabrics of space and time. Perhaps I was too naive… To think the answers would be found so easily.” He grimaced but remained sitting still. “I will press on. For my people. For the innocent lost. For we lack knowledge. And so are weak…” “We have answers, but they might not be the ones you are expecting.” The monk said with a serene expression. “Every answer can be obtained by pursuing the path of knowledge and wisdom. It only depends on the capabilities of the one who is walking that path and its perseverance.” The monk said, getting up. “Mistress Sophia is curre-” the monk tried to say, but was interrupted by a loud and mighty roar. The roar caught the monk by surprise, there was only one person that could have a roar that powerful on that mountain, and that someone was Sophia herself. Her roar was simply terrifying. “What was that?! Mistress S-Sophia?” The monk said, surprised. They haven’t heard her roar in many, many years. Something surely must have happened for her to be roaring like that. "Something is... wrong..." The monk said, still shivering a bit from her roar. "Something happened on the library..." He said, getting up and running towards the door. "Mister Vulcan, your help would be greatly appreciated." The monk said, looking at the man with a very serious expression as he opened the door. The second he did so, an avalanche of sounds flooded the extremely silent room. The entire temple had heard her roar and was getting ready to go there to the library. Even the elder monks were running around, yelling orders for the other monks to fortify the temple as they prepared themselves to go to the library. Even before they could get out of the room, they could feel a magical barrier being formed around the temple and the library and hear the chants and magical formulas, forming several types of magical protections around the library and the temple. Standing near the big door, the monk looked at vulcan with a worried expression, waiting for his decision. Either he would follow him or he would wait for him right there. Before the monk or Vulcan could said anything more, they heard another roar. But this time, it came together with an oppressive wave of primal magic, making the monk lean himself against the door to withstand the primal magic wave. "W-what... is... this?" The monk said, struggling to speak. "S-Sophia...?" The monk said to himself. After so many years of living peacefully with her, the monks appeared to have forgotten how powerful Sophia really was. It was different from a common dragon... That day, they were remembering how terrifyingly powerful Sophia really was. "Vulcan... We need to go. Now. Otherwise I don't know what Mistress Sophia will do." the monk said, with fear in his voice. He wasn't preoccupied with what was happening anymore, but instead, he was worried about what Sophia would do if she got angry. Vulcan had a serious expression on his face as the noise rang in his ears. The loud terrifying howls of a dragon was not a strange sound to him. Though it had been awhile since he has heard a wild one with such fury. Sophia indeed was a wild dragon, not tamed by descendants though she mimics their form. She was not reigned in by descendant kind but instead by the ancient power on this mountain. Vulcan stood firm before the sheer power. “Fotia is known for its dragon slayers. Fear not Monk my blood is refined to know no fear even before the most terrifying. I have seen your mistress and she is no beast. Let us simply see what is the matter.” With that Vulcan led the Monk down to where Sophia was. As both Vulcan and the monk hastily walked through the narrow passage, getting up the mountain to where the library was, the fear on the monk's eyes was apparent. He wasn't one of the elder monks, so he had never heard Sophia angry, in fact, he was one of the monks from the new generations, and so, had never saw an enraged dragon before. Only a handful of monks on the temple knew how powerful Sophia really was. The other ones saw her as just an incredibly kind, motherly figure, who was always with a smile on her face and worrying about everyone. In many things, that young monk could be very knowledgeable, but regarding to dragons, he was very inexperienced, and that, in the eyes of someone such as Vulcan, was very apparent. Another wave of primal magic hit them, this time, much stronger, making the monk stumble, having to lean against the frozen rocks to not fall down. Vulcan was forced back a few steps as he acclimated himself to the force. “As to be expected from the one who protects this mountain. The Sureiya have never faced anything of this caliber.” Vulcan then pressed forward his fiery aura flaring up as the frost began to rapidly melt as he did so. "We need to hurry. Sophia has more power than she realizes... The majority of monks here are incredibly sensitive to magic. Such heavy doses of primal magic energy..." The monk said, soon getting up and running again. “I see.” Vulcan followed with a heavy stride. And indeed, just as the monk said, the primal energy in the air was hard to even believe... Even with the cold, chilling mountain winds, you could almost feel your skin burning due to that chaotic magical energy. Vulcan’s aura was being blown like a candle in the wind against the force. He had a sore expression on his face. Finally arriving on the bridge that would take them to the library, they started to run, but soon after that, a strong, oppressive concentration of primal magic made the monk kneel down. Vulcan was able to keep standing but felt his aura flick out. He took a deep breathe and steeled himself. At that moment, the monks would remember how dangerous primal magic was, and what Sophia was really capable of… “I see the chaotic nature of a dragon is hard to get used to. Even devoting your lives to harmonize with it leads to such fate. I will go it alone then if I need to.” Vulcan began to move. This time the fire within him flared up once more this time even greater as he dug into the ground and sprinted leaving hot marks on the stone floor with each step. "I just need some time to get myself up." The monk said, looking down. But as he raised his head, he realized that Vulcan was no long there. Instead, he was already running towards the library, his aura as bright and hot as before, so hot that its footsteps left hot footprint marks on the stone bridge for each step. [i]"He really is from Fotia..."[/i] the monk thought to himself. His aura raged like a wildfire. It wasn't subtle or delicate, but it was definitely strong and unwavering. Upon reaching on the library, Vulcan would find the door open, leading straight to the main hall. Two other different auras, other than Sophia's were present on the library. A colorful and pure one and a dark, corrupted one. The scene that Vulcan would presenciate there was rather preoccupation, as air became heavy, the deafening sound of chains echoing through the mountains as many ethereal chains appeared... [hr][hr] The Spectre laughed as it’s soul essence was being drained from its entire being but it showed an ounce of creepy nature towards Maria. It couldn’t really speak anymore but it was happy that it was going to be freed from the curse that Maria was placed on her all this time. But it only laughed at what Sophia said about its master. It vanished as soon as Sophia said disappear. The non-stop laughter or endless darkness where the spectre was vanished as soon as he appeared in front of Maria. The book’s music ended as soon as Sophia did her magic in the room and ended the soul bind on her and itself. The book was an ordinary book now and didn’t really have any power emanating from it, evil or otherwise. The forbidden spell book, look like a normal forbidden spell book now. Maria underneath Sophia was crying still but could finally no longer hear the voice of the creepy spectre anymore or its laughter as it disappeared with Sophia’s powerful untapped magic. She was somewhat in awe at this fact. [color=#ff0000]“[/color][color=#ff0a00]I[/color][color=#ff1400]-[/color][color=#ff1d00]I[/color][color=#ff2700]’[/color][color=#ff3100]m[/color] [color=#ff4400]b[/color][color=#ff4e00]e[/color][color=#ff5800]t[/color][color=#ff6200]t[/color][color=#ff6b00]e[/color][color=#ff7500]r[/color] [color=#ff8a00]n[/color][color=#ff9400]o[/color][color=#ff9f00]w[/color][color=#ffaa00],[/color] [color=#ffbf00]S[/color][color=#ffca00]o[/color][color=#ffd400]p[/color][color=#ffdf00]h[/color][color=#ffea00]i[/color][color=#fff400]a[/color][color=#ffff00]…[/color] [color=#d8ff00]I[/color][color=#c4ff00]’[/color][color=#b1ff00]m[/color] [color=#89ff00]a[/color] [color=#62ff00]b[/color][color=#4eff00]i[/color][color=#3bff00]t[/color] [color=#14ff00]s[/color][color=#00ff00]c[/color][color=#00ff15]a[/color][color=#00ff2b]r[/color][color=#00ff40]e[/color][color=#00ff55]d[/color] [color=#00ff80]a[/color][color=#00ff95]t[/color] [color=#00ffbf]i[/color][color=#00ffd5]t[/color][color=#00ffea]s[/color] [color=#00ebff]m[/color][color=#00d8ff]a[/color][color=#00c4ff]s[/color][color=#00b1ff]t[/color][color=#009dff]e[/color][color=#0089ff]r[/color][color=#0076ff]’[/color][color=#0062ff]s[/color] [color=#003bff]t[/color][color=#0027ff]h[/color][color=#0014ff]r[/color][color=#0000ff]e[/color][color=#0c00ff]a[/color][color=#1700ff]t[/color] [color=#2e00ff]t[/color][color=#3a00ff]o[/color] [color=#5100ff]y[/color][color=#5d00ff]o[/color][color=#6800ff]u[/color] [color=#7f00ff]b[/color][color=#8b00ff]e[/color][color=#9400eb]c[/color][color=#9d00d8]a[/color][color=#a600c4]u[/color][color=#af00b1]s[/color][color=#b8009d]e[/color] [color=#c90076]s[/color][color=#d20062]h[/color][color=#db004e]e[/color] [color=#ed0027]c[/color][color=#f60014]r[/color][color=#ff0000]e[/color][color=#ff0b00]e[/color][color=#ff1500]p[/color][color=#ff2000]s[/color] [color=#ff3500]m[/color][color=#ff4000]e[/color] [color=#ff5500]o[/color][color=#ff5f00]u[/color][color=#ff6a00]t[/color][color=#ff7400],[/color][color=#ff7f00]”[/color] Maria said, with tears going down her face. She couldn’t stop crying at this whole ordeal terrified her to the core of her being and her rainbow aura normalized but she is still scared and crying. [color=#ff0000]“[/color][color=#ff2000]I[/color][color=#ff4000]-[/color][color=#ff5f00]I[/color] [color=#ffaa00]m[/color][color=#ffd400]i[/color][color=#ffff00]s[/color][color=#bfff00]s[/color] [color=#40ff00]m[/color][color=#00ff00]y[/color] [color=#00ffaa]o[/color][color=#00ffff]l[/color][color=#00bfff]d[/color][color=#0080ff]e[/color][color=#0040ff]r[/color] [color=#2e00ff]b[/color][color=#5d00ff]r[/color][color=#8b00ff]o[/color][color=#a800bf]t[/color][color=#c50080]h[/color][color=#e20040]e[/color][color=#ff0000]r[/color][color=#ff2a00]…[/color][color=#ff5500],[/color][color=#ff7f00]”[/color] Maria sobbed, while hugging Sophia. She outright wanted to say something to her brother all this time but never did. She slowly tried to stop crying but she couldn’t shake the fear of hearing the master’s voice again. She couldn’t really smile right now because of all that happened to her but she was grateful to Sophia for freeing her from being haunted. [color=#ff0000]“[/color][color=#ff1200]T[/color][color=#ff2400]-[/color][color=#ff3600]T[/color][color=#ff4900]h[/color][color=#ff5b00]a[/color][color=#ff6d00]n[/color][color=#ff7f00]k[/color] [color=#ffaa00]y[/color][color=#ffbf00]o[/color][color=#ffd400]u[/color] [color=#ffff00]f[/color][color=#dbff00]o[/color][color=#b6ff00]r[/color] [color=#6dff00]f[/color][color=#49ff00]r[/color][color=#24ff00]e[/color][color=#00ff00]e[/color][color=#00ff2b]i[/color][color=#00ff55]n[/color][color=#00ff80]g[/color] [color=#00ffd5]m[/color][color=#00ffff]e[/color] [color=#00b6ff]o[/color][color=#0092ff]f[/color] [color=#0049ff]b[/color][color=#0024ff]e[/color][color=#0000ff]i[/color][color=#1700ff]n[/color][color=#2e00ff]g[/color] [color=#5d00ff]h[/color][color=#7400ff]a[/color][color=#8b00ff]u[/color][color=#9c00db]n[/color][color=#ac00b6]t[/color][color=#bd0092]e[/color][color=#cd006d]d[/color] [color=#ee0024]S[/color][color=#ff0000]o[/color][color=#ff1500]p[/color][color=#ff2a00]h[/color][color=#ff4000]i[/color][color=#ff5500]a[/color][color=#ff6a00],[/color][color=#ff7f00]”[/color] Maria said, with her gratefulness towards Sophia. Her rainbow aura was showing all the things she’s thinking in a more real form since she’s a very emotional child, who has never really grown out of it. She yawned a bit from all the trauma that happened to her before Sophia arrived and after. Sophia was still looking towards the place where the spectre stood a few minutes ago, her eyes were still filled with anger and she was breathing heavily. As the minutes went on, Sophia started to calm down, the chaotic outburst of magic coming from her calming down until it disappeared completely, and the ethereal chains and the grimoire, fading out of existence, leaving only Sophia and a crying Maria on the room... Even though she looked like an adult, Maria was just like a child. Incredibly pure. Sophia couldn't help but envelop her on her wings, protectively, as she cried. She was afraid and anxious... She was really lost. Maria came to Sophia to find out not only about her past, but about herself. How could Sophia turn her back to such a pure individual? [color=0054a6]"My dear, don't worry... Everything is fine now... Cry if you need."[/color] Sophia said, with a warm and gentle voice. The girl's aura was showing everything. It was almost like looking on a window directly towards Maria's soul. It was as clear as water, showing every emotion Maria felt in a chaotic, but beautiful display of colors. Changing back to her humanoid form, still hugging Maria, Sophia continued, still with the same tone of voice. [color=0054a6]"Rest now, my child. Sleep, for the path you choose to walk is a long and hard one..."[/color] Sophia said. [color=0054a6]"You will have all the time in the world to tell me everything that happened. Don't worry. I promise I'll help you as much as I can."[/color] Sophia said, smiling towards her in her humanoid form. Even though it wasn't exactly... 'human' Sophia felt like it would be more adequate to talk to her like that... To calm her down and try to make her feel safe... After all, that girl had just saw with her own eyes Sophia's anger… A fiery flame whirled down the hallway and entered the library with a slow and steady stride. It was this aura that warmed the rooms halls instantly with a wave of air that was infused with radiation. Vulcans mass stepped across the library floor without a single singe to its surface. The very bottom of his feet were embracing the cold, a sensation that calmed his fiery soul. There was no cold in Fotia. So Vulcan faced the dragons and strange spectres that stood in the library with a serious look. "What is the matter here?" As soon as Vulcan entered the Library, Sophia tensed up, but after she saw who was the responsible for that, she relaxed. Still hugging Maria, she turned to Vulcan, with a very, very serious expression. [color=0054a6]"You were right, Vulcan... Dark forces are in motion... Not one, but several... The Great Library is safe for now... But the wind brings us bad news... Whatever it is... its growing in power..."[/color] Sophia said, looking right towards Vulcan's eyes. Soon after Sophia said that, many monks, armed and ready to battle entered the library, ready to assist her in whatever it was that was happening. [color=0054a6]"Stand down."[/color] Sophia said as soon as they entered. [color=0054a6]"Start building our defenses. I want magic wards and shields around the mountain. Be in full alert. Until I say so, the Great Library is off limits... To [i]everyone[/i]."[/color] Sophia said. The thought of a place like the Great Library and Mindah Tarvitaan being in danger was simply... unthinkable, but Sophia's dead serious stare left no doubt of how serious she was. Something very, very bad was happening. [color=0054a6]"Prepare yourselves... Dark times are coming. We may need to intervene in the following conflicts... What is to happen is bigger than any petty quarrel between kingdoms..."[/color] She continued, looking towards the monks behind Vulcan. [color=0054a6]"I will start the preparations,"[/color] She said, this time looking to Vulcan. [color=0054a6]"A magic ward and shield around the mountain, and a powerful seal on the Library..."[/color] Sophia said to herself, thinking. [color=0054a6]"I may be strong, but I'm afraid that we'll need the cooperation of the other kingdoms to prepare ourselves... Time is not something we have to spare..."[/color]