Mystic Tales: Crimson Mage (Ongoing)

8: Looking Through

(Garden of House Karasu)
Wednesday - January 5, 550
11:41 AM

Raven, Aria, and Armon continue their conversation within an ornate dome situated at the heart of the castle's garden. The sun casts a radiant glow, gently filtered by the overhanging trees, creating a dappled play of light and shadow. Butterflies flutter about, their delicate wings painting vibrant colors against the verdant backdrop, while various animals move gracefully, adding a touch of life to the serene garden setting.

"Indeed, I, too, engaged in a fair exchange with Ori, much akin to your situation. I bartered something of worth, and in return, he bestowed upon me the very power I currently wield. Originally, it bore the name Obsidian Sorrow, but I tailored it to my needs, making it distinctly different from the standard Obsidian Sorrow. I rebranded it as Obsidian Feathers," Raven explained.

"Obsidian Sorrow... Isn't that also Ori's magical expertise?" Aria inquired.

"Yes, you're correct. Ori has a penchant for sharing his knowledge with those who seek it. In my case, he passed on the secrets of Obsidian Sorrow," confirmed Raven.

Armon, getting to the heart of the matter, stated, "Alright, let's cut to the chase. Do you possess the knowledge to rid us of this cursed blood?"

"Removing a curse... I've had some experience in the past, utilizing my Obsidian Feathers magic," Raven replied.

Curious, Aria probed further, "Could you share some instances of curses you've dispelled before?"

Raven pondered for a moment before recounting, "Let me reflect... Ah, there was a case involving siblings descended from demons. They were hybrids, part human and part demon. As a result, they were born with a demon curse that slowly intensified with age. When the curse grows potent enough, it triggers their transformation into pure demons."

"Hybrids of humans and demons... I had thought that was merely a myth," Armon admitted.

"No myth at all. In fact, they resided right here within House Karasu," Raven confirmed.

Aria, astonished, asked, "They did?"

"Yes, indeed. Their names were Mayui and Kaname. As far as I recall, their human lineage was traced back to a clan known as the Akizuki Clan. They stumbled into the crow woods by chance after being abandoned by their own kin. I took them under my wing, employing my Raven Eyes to assess their predicament. It was during this evaluation that I diagnosed their demon curse," Raven explained.

Armon inquired further, "So, how did you go about lifting their curse?"

Raven elucidated, "In a manner similar to my adaptation of Obsidian Sorrow, I modified certain healing spells within Obsidian Feathers. Through magical experimentation, I crafted a spell capable of dispelling their demon curse. This endeavor demanded a substantial amount of energy and mana. However, in the end, it was a worthy investment. The curse was vanquished, leaving them as half-human and half-demon beings. They would no longer undergo the transformation into pure demons."

Aria, relieved by this outcome, wondered, "That's wonderful... So, where are they now?"

Raven replied, "To the best of my knowledge, Kaname returned to her clan, forging a harmonious relationship with her relatives. As for Mayui... his current whereabouts remain a mystery. He possesses an adventurous spirit and could be anywhere."

Aria sighed in relief, hopeful for her own circumstances.

Armon then posed the crucial question, "So, can you assist us in ridding ourselves of this curse?"

Raven contemplated for a moment before responding, "Let's explore what I can offer."

Raven rises from her seat and proceeds to perform a spell known as "Conglomerate Raven Eyes." Instantly, the environment transforms, shrouded in an ominous darkness infused with an eerie, pulsating purple aura. Alarming crimson eyes, reminiscent of those adorning Raven's hat, materialize throughout the surroundings. They manifest on every conceivable surface, from the dome's ceiling to the tree branches and even within the very teapot itself.

Raven clarifies her ongoing efforts to decipher Aria's Crimson Chaos magic, a pursuit she embarked on the moment they entered the mansion. Yet, despite employing a standard Raven Eyes spell, it proved insufficient to unveil the intricacies of Aria's magical essence. Consequently, Raven resorted to invoking an augmented iteration of the Raven Eyes spell, enlisting multiple eyes to meticulously scrutinize the enigmatic nature of Aria's magic.

Aria experiences an unsettling chill in the air, a sensation of being under scrutiny from every direction. In response to her unease, Raven offers reassurance, affirming the safety of her spell, notwithstanding its alarming appearance. Unperturbed, Raven persists in her magical endeavor to peer into the depths of Aria's mystical abilities.

Yet, a sudden and unexpected surge of Aria's Crimson Chaos magic takes hold. Her very being radiates with a brilliant crimson hue, casting a vivid glow about her. Panic sets in as Aria grapples with the abrupt loss of control over her magical powers, hurriedly explaining her predicament to Raven.

Aria's Crimson Chaos magic springs into action, autonomously targeting and dismantling the Raven Eyes, systematically disabling them one by one. This unexpected turn of events catches Raven off guard, though she swiftly grasps the gravity of the situation. Without delay, Raven employs her mastery over magic, morphing the previously benign "Conglomerate Raven Eyes" spell into a potent restraining incantation, aptly named "Intertwined Obsidian Eyes." This newly woven spell ensnares Aria, cocooning her in a lattice of swirling purple magic, each strand bearing a resemblance to the Raven Eyes that had previously surveilled her.

Under the influence of the "Intertwined Obsidian Eyes" spell, the tussle between Aria's Crimson Chaos magic and the restraints takes an unforeseen twist. Contrary to expectations, the Crimson Chaos power surges with unbridled ferocity. Aria's once-docile eyes ignite with an intense, fiery red glow, and in a cataclysmic display, an immense surge of Crimson Chaos magic erupts from her, shattering the restraining enchantment into dissipating fragments. Coinciding with this explosion of power, Aria's Crimson Chaos magic, once tumultuous, gradually subsides and eventually comes to a standstill.

The aftermath leaves the vicinity in a state of mild disarray. While the dome stands resilient, the once-present chairs, tables, and the once-intact teapot have borne the brunt of the explosive display, reduced to mere remnants of their former selves. Evident traces of the magical detonation adorn the nearby trees and plants, marking their presence with singed imprints and disrupted foliage.

Raven, her countenance marked by surprise, reflects upon the gravity of the situation. She acknowledges that had her formidable restraining spell failed to confine Aria, the resulting cataclysmic explosion could have singlehandedly laid waste to the entire castle. With a tone of explanation, Raven goes on to describe this spell as her most potent form of restraint, capable of subduing not just one, but potentially hundreds of formidable mages simultaneously, and its hold remains unyielding unless intentionally dispelled by the caster. The utilization of this spell, however, has taken a substantial toll on Raven, leaving her considerably drained of her magical energies.

Aria and Armon, their expressions riddled with confusion, request Raven to provide further clarification regarding the recent events. In response, Raven elucidates that Aria's Crimson Chaos magic is effectively concealing its inherent nature, making it impervious to her scrutiny. Raven goes on to expound that Aria's magic possesses a potential potency akin to that of thousands of mages, or perhaps even surpassing such a threshold. She solemnly admits that this marks the inaugural instance in which someone has successfully dispelled her most formidable restraint spell, an unprecedented occurrence in her magical experience.