ULTRAMagic Interlude

Chapter 7

"I hate being right..."

"What's the matter, Blood?" Valentina asked.

"I think Sister and Desislav had a spat. I sensed it... but they seem to be better now." This was followed by a frustrated sigh.

The Magician's Labyrinth was incredibly beautiful, despite the unease it created. It was clear that Deimos had taken great care in designing the many halls, chambers, libraries, and observatories that lay throughout the structure. Every aspect of the interior design looked as if it were hand crafted. Classical architecture seemed to be favored with an emphasis on columns, archways, balconies, carvings, statues, and paintings. Some areas of the labyrinth differentiated, but retained the feel of the rest of it. All of it reminded Valentina of Heaven and made her wonder if the architect angels had taken some design cues from Deimos.

The group entered a gigantic chamber that looked like it had been cut from the stone and crystal around them. Auda then noticed something and went over to a spring surrounded by several trees. "Hmm... I think grandma was here."

"What makes you say that?" Brenna questioned.

"This... give me a second... flower. I remember the scent. Grandma had similar smelling flowers growing from her arms. I can't remember if this is the exact flower though."

Valentina took the flower to inspect it. "How pretty..." The scent was hard to describe, but it invoked the idea of one who was at relative peace. "This has to be recent. It's still fresh and I can sense someone else, the influence of another."

Blood-Wraith tried to look at it, but had to avert his eyes as a flash of light overwhelmed him. "Argh, red?! What was that?"

"Careful when using your third... er, seventh eye, sweetie."

"Red, huh?" Brenna thought for a second, then had an epiphany. "Red... that sounds like it could be her grace. Although I'm not sure if I'm at liberty to elaborate further..."

"Oh, is it a secret?" Blood-Wraith was intrigued, but also a little concerned.

"No, not really. It's one of those things where you know about it, but you don't really discuss it. You could say it's an open secret... It is important for the mission though... You know what? Screw it: Blood, the red you saw might be the essence of the scarlet flame."

Now Blood-Wraith was confused. "Scarlet Flame? What's that?"

"Her Grace's side of the family kept it under wraps, but this is what my dad told me: Duchess Rose has an entity connected to her... or maybe it's inside of her. It's hard to tell. Either way. It's called the Scarlet Flame. Apparently it's not a primordial, but was around during their time. The flame gives Rose all of these cool techniques and abilities, but makes her a little chaotic at times. It's very possible that that essence has rubbed off on Thora. It makes me think that if we find one, we will find the other."

Auda looked at the flower. She seemed worried. "Her Grace wouldn't hurt grandma, would she?"

"Oh no, of course not. Rose was always a dignified, courteous, and kind woman. Plus she had a massive green thumb. It's why the backyard of the Raynot mansion is a mini forest."

"Alright then..." Auda stepped out into the open. Her horns began humming and glowing.

"What are you doing?" Blood-Wraith wondered.

"Dowsing, I think it's called..." She focused, then turned to face west. "This way!"

The search resumed itself. Auda's ability had been taught to her by Sigmund as a way to locate her family. The method was not perfect, however. She often ran into dead ends or other parts of the labyrinth. Fortunately Valentina was able to guide Auda in the right direction. Despite Brenna's apprehension back in the Iron City, Auda was proving quite valuable as they kept finding traces of Thora.