Necromancer's Descent

88 - Something Dangerous

Odelgarde's Point of View

I never much enjoyed the idea of self-mutilation for power or control over one's situation. 

It reminds me too much of the mage of Seidrspir, and the traitors that let the mages change them for power, when they believed that the mages would win. Just look at what they've been turned into now.

Even after that, over the years, the number of times I've seen necromancers get their flesh mending skill, and then change their face, either from vanity, or fear of being recognized is almost sickening.

Or the many... many people that kill themselves before the war begins, afraid to face it, only to get sealed within their own flesh, awake the entire time, just like us, but with no ability to observe the world around them. Just stuck within the dirt, unable to see anything else than other souls laying nearby, or other souls passing by.

That Morset didn't make a huge fuss when Eostra taught that cursed sealing spell to people around the time of the second cycle, was always something I found odd. 

I stare quietly as Rosalin stares down at the magic stone that didn't seal into her hand at her attempt to mimic the mages. Honestly, if it was that simple, then we would've long succeeded. Even if mimicking the mages' mana core was taboo, back then, if it brought peace to the world, then we likely would've done it. Especially right after massacre of Morset's temple.

Rosalin lets out a sigh of defeat, before showing an expression that can best be described as a mixture between embarrassment and being troubled. This was a part of the plan she had that would make her more powerful than the mages. Doesn't seem like it worked though. Her eyes are still filled with determination though. They have to at least have that, if she intends to go up against the princess.

I stare at the berserker Hero, well, Lord Troyfort, who's watching her with a gaze so intense, that I want to cover his eyes for her. It's a gaze of worry and disapproval, but part of it irks me. Even if he doesn't say anything, it's that slight narrowing of his eyes, a hint of softness, that berserkers shouldn't have.

Rosalin shifts and changes her position a bit and closes her eyes, before changing her breathing to one with purpose. A controlled breathing. It feels like I'm being blinded by a flash of light, as Rosalin begins to expend her enormous amount of blue mana while sitting and breathing so calmly. The magic forms a barrier around her, that twists, and gets drawn in. Slowly splitting into a rope like form, that swirls in the air, like an angry snake trying to escape her clutches.

The moment the writing snake of mana touches her skin, it sizzles.. her skin that is. Her jaw tightens, and tears form in the corners of her closed eyes, while she clearly physically tries to stay still and continue the weird breathing. It's uncomfortable to watch, but at least it's not the same as what the mages did I suppose. Nor what the princess has been doing to the dolls she put their souls in.

Still. It's grotesque. Rosalin is already an underweight girl, practically skin and bones. There is not enough physical energy in her to withstand something like that. Is she just reckless?

I glance to Joshua, who has turned around, covering his ears and refuses to interact with the situation. I glance back to Rosalin, who is still wrapping the mana into herself. The point where the mana first laid against her skin, rather than scarring, seems to form a blue tattoo across her skin. Or perhaps, more accurately, a thick vein of mana is embedded into her skin.

Instead, I look at the berserker- Lord Troyfort, who's almost hovering over her with worry. Heroes are the saintess' escorts. In return for a terrible past, they gain power to protect the saintess. They were never meant to be romantic partners... especially any with red mana. On the way here, Lord Troyfort held Rosalin the entire time. At the time, I considered that possibly, it was just necessary, I laughed as his subordinate pointed out the inappropriate calmness she had being carried too... but when I look at Lord Troyfort now, it's obvious that he has feelings for Rosalin.