Spectral Regalia

Ch 16: The Unexpected

Myra sighed as she clasped Moonwing, raising it as the tip began to glow a deep green. Vines shot out of the magic circle, formed from the mana around them. They tied around Avrin's legs and arms and forced him to the floor on his stomach.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Avrin glared at the priestess, which made her shake her head in disappointment. "This is for the safety of the sylph...as well as your own well-being, Avrin," she said in a calming tone, as if her choice was the correct way.

The vines engulfed Avrin as he shouted curses and threats until they completely blocked his sight. Then the vines petrified into stone and began to emit a blue electric current. Myra appeared pleased at the quiet sound of the etilith shield's low, divine humming and the crackle of static from the solid hard-as-rock vines.

Surven clapped quietly, complementing the priestess. "Ho ho! Well done priestess. This is the first time I have seen a Grand Master level nature petrifaction" Myra sighed and turned to leave. "Thank you Surven...I wasn't sure if it would be enough, but it seemed to do the job well. When the time is right I will question him more." Surven nodded and the two left to complete other tasks that required their presence.

It seemed the etilith shield was powerful, as it had caught the presence of an angel that had been passing through. Avrin had felt the surge a few days prior and had been looking for the source of it ever since, eventually demanding to see the sylph leaders.

Myra was on her way to her workspace and the vine-like reeds retracted to form a sort of door. She noticed a divine feeling - a very strong one. She had heard reports of the angel and had been doing her best to avoid his presence.

"I welcome you my dear, divine being. It is an honour for one of your kind bestow us with a visit." Myra spoke as if nothing was out of place. The angel turned to face her, closing one of the sylph books. The sound was silent and not forced as he stood up, adorned in white robes. His wings were hidden in his current form. The being's face was somewhat hidden as well, only the lower portion, from nose to chin was revealed. Myra was watching those lips when they began to move.

"Priestess Myra, I presume. I do not want to bother you for long, but I felt the radiance of deity-like energy from this forest. It was brief, but it was there. I am sure of it." Lucky for him, he had not been around when Avrin had entered his rage form.

Myra's eyes suddenly twitched with nervousness. It seemed the etilith binding had been felt by sheer bad luck. An item of this magnitude would cause conflict and disdain and the angels would feel the ruined balance.

"I apologize. Syranna and I were sparring together and it seemed both our powers flowed out against each other."

The angel raised a brow and turned away to look at other books. "My dear priestess, if that is the case, why could I not find a trace of your battle?"

Myra smiled "This forest heals quickly. Especially the location we fought in. We had several of our mages protect it.

The angel nodded, though there was still suspicion in his eyes. Surely it wouldn't denounce her words? "I see. And it doesn't seem as if you're injured. I suppose that is also the 'work of your mages'?"

Myra managed a nod. "We sylph are well prepared, especially with spars of this magnitude."

The angel was silent for awhile. He had heard Myra was intelligent enough to match demons or angels and he could not let his guard down. "I see. Well then, if it is ok with you, I am tired from my journey and I wish to stay in this forest for awhile." The two exchanged a glance. They knew that wasn't the real reason he wanted to stay. He didn't trust her.