Unobtainable

Unjustifiable

     "A long time ago, Plum and I came here from a very faraway land. We came here because of the freedom we'd have to produce potions and magical items. Our arrival was troubling but went smoothly for the most part. We opened up our shop here in the inner walls, and days just went on as normal. Years passed, and Plum started to take frequent visits to the outer wall. From what I understand, she was performing miracles for people. Healing wounds, giving people incredible strength and magical abilities never seen before. She was a savior to many and quickly had tons of people following her. It was around this time that she met Astrea's father. The two grew close, as he had wished to learn how she was capable of those miracles, and although she never shared her secret, he managed to understand the root of her abilities. Plum was a purifier. A person created directly from the goddess Elvira, for the goddess to bestow her gifts of magic to the people of this kingdom. Magic in its purest form is too dangerous, so it was given through Plum to purify and be safe for mortals to use." Natsol paused for a moment, looking at Marcus who was about to speak, cutting him off swiftly. "save your questions until after. Anyway, Plum's fortunate life began to take a turn for the worst as your father met your mother. Then the two of them began to train under Plum's knowledge. After that, things began to change in the kingdom. People grew far too interested in Plum and her work. She was too powerful, too well-known, and maybe the King was jealous. Maybe the King was just trying to protect the religion of his people. To think the Goddess would create someone that people began to worship as the goddess was too much. Plum was put to death for it. Her head cut straight off in the middle of the city, with thousands gathered to watch."
     Sakura suddenly interrupted the story with a few whispers into Natsol's ear. Astrea was the only one able to hear exactly what was said, "There are some potions to more properly show them, don't you think?" Sakura had asked Natsol. Natsol took a moment to think, then smiled and nodded, standing and standing up.
     Natsol took a potion and drank it, before starting to speak again, this time. She was much more detailed, and laid out the story of the knight Plum was executed as well as what came after.
     The story itself was something Astrea had never heard before. It was weird how nobody had shared or talked about this ever once before. As it was described, the day was a good day, the weather was nice but the mood of the kingdom was somber. The people on the west and south sides of the kingdom had gathered to watch the execution of Plum. Her crime was unclear, but the masses knew what the issue was; it was power. Plum had been well known for the miracles she performed on people, among those miracles was Astrea. A child born with an insufficient amount of Magic projectors in her body. As well as the aptitude for the magic she held was far too great for any child to be born with, and so Plum had taken that magic away from Astrea. Storing it in a ring and telling her parents that one day she would be able to gain her magic back. She just needed to grow and mature a bit. While Astrea was only a few months old, she was left in the care of Bub in his flower shop. While her parents went to attend one of the most controversial acts the King had made. The execution of Plum was shocking, everyone watched as she humbly accepted this fate with cries and pleas. She cried up to the sky and screamed as to why her mother was allowing this to happen. She looked to the King and begged him to not follow through. Yet nothing happened, nothing stopped the King from bringing his blade down to Plum's neck. Slicing her head clean off in one quick movement that sent a large gust of wind in all directions. Unexpectedly, a large sum of magic erupted out of Plum's body. The waves of magic shot out in a large blast, blowing everyone, including the king to the ground. The release of her pure magic traveled and connected to things, like trees and animals. Gifting some of them their special magical abilities, and killing others. The information after this was Natsol assuming and guessing at best. She believed that Plum was resurrected, but by who or what she wasn't sure. All she knew was that she didn't die, but she didn't come back the same either. Plum showed back up at the potion shop a few months ago, the first time Natsol and Sakura had seen her in what felt like forever. Although she wasn't the same, her glow was different, her eyes carried a different weight. Her power was the same, but it wasn't one to help people anymore. Natsol found that out when the reason for Plum's return turned out to be to offer them some type of release.
     "She asked for us to live in this place she made, she called it a paradise of freedom. The only cost for coming would be our souls. We live our lives here, die and be taken there, under her absolute control in a twisted land of-"
Natsol was cut off as Sakura patted her on the head. She took a deep breath and continued.
"Plum is dangerous, and even the King knows of her existence."
     The group was at a loss for words before Astrea lifted her hand, she showed the orange ring she had on her hand. As the story went, this ring contained the magic she had at birth, she looked at it. Admiring it before Natsol suddenly took her hand, looking at the ring and the deep orange glow it emitted.
     "You put it on...? Oh goodness! You should've let me know sooner! She could be after this! The magic you possessed was far too unique! Even by coming here, you could put us in danger! Get out! Go! You need to hide!" Natsol began to shout at them, before letting go of Astrea's hand and hurrying to the door, opening it and waving her hand "Go! Go! Out! Now!" She rushed them out, and the group stood up and adhered to those instructions.
     Aneirin was much calmer than the rest of them, and before they were pushed out Sakura handed him a group of invisibility potions, telling them to use those to get out and back home. With a nod, Aneirin handed the potions to everyone and one by one they drank them as they made their way out of the small shop. His hand took hold of Astrea's, making sure they would not separate as he spoke, "Back to our headquarters, hurry." With the confidence he spoke with, he did not worry about any of them deciding to bail. They were all in this together.