It had seemed a long time ago that Allen had walked the streets of Ineset. Weeks passing without any further incident, Chiri Krane was allowed to escort a handful of trainees to acquire supplies.
Being under her tutelage, Allen managed to glean a little more about her. To be expected, as an instructor, she was ruthless and quick to point out other’s weaknesses. That being said though, the Witch seemed to value persistence among her students and would never belittle those who sought make an earnest effort in their lessons. However, that did not seem to improve others opinion of her.
Although no other challenges had been issued since her first day, the Witch was received with contemptuous glances wherever she went. Allen had even heard other trainees spit after referring to her as a ‘Dhryzic’. A term, which he had come to learn as being possibly one of the blasphemous names for a criminal one could utter. Allen did not share the same concentrated hatred
Allen held the bag of bullets, feeling their weigh in his hands he slightly dreaded the prospect of using them.He had never taken a life before. Although, Allen had shot at the Witch, he had been driven beyond reason by hatred and alcohol. He was still unsure how he would have felt if he had actually followed through with it, especially once he discovered she was in fact innocent of the particular crime he had accused her of committing. Her other crimes, however, remained inconclusive. There seemed to be a consensus amongst the majority of people he had encountered, that she was to be held accountable for committing a crime four years ago.The case she had been found guilty of in the past, and the one most referred to within the insular magic community, was that of an incident involving a passenger train. Assigned to guard a Day Gate reliquary during its transportation to the capital, a situation arose in which the Witch completely destroyed an entire car of the train
Chiri was angry enough she felt as though she could spit venom. Looking at his sharp toothy grin as he slyly peered out from behind his barricade of protectors, the Changling glared back at her mockingly.Its talon like nails and the blue-grey skin of the abomination’s hands curled around the arm of young Morose, holding her hostage. Chiri knew it was futile to explain to those who were not accustomed to using dark magic of their true nature. To them, this type of magical creature, would appear as the most deceptively nonthreatening entity they could come up with. There were many dark beasts that camouflaged themselves in this way, they were practiced at the art of misleading light magic users and the average person. Just as elemental creatures were troublesome to dark magic users as they were typically difficult to see. Their eyes were not adjusted to distinguish these beasts due to their lack of exposure.Annoyed by the Changling’s refusal to back down an
Walking through one of the long corridors in the central administration building, Allen’s stomach turned. Returning after filing a witness statement for the incident report, he recalled the events, which had transpired during their outing with Chiri Krane. A sight Allen would not soon forget, he could still hear the howl of the dying Changling and vividly recollect the blood splattered on the ground every time he closed his eyes. He wondered why the Witch had chosen to spare him the trauma of experiencing the brutal death of the Changling, while still in its child-like appearance. However, made nauseous by the very thought of seeing her again at the moment, he could not bring himself to ask her. Allen knew now that he had grown complacent towards the Witch’s actions. This incident reminding him that she was indeed every bit as ruthless and dangerous as he had originally thought. Proven by her merciless act of casting such a spell for them to witness. The terrifying efficiency of its
Bewildered, Allen blinked astonished by the statement. Standing stupidly in the hall where they had happened upon each other, he replied tentatively, “What do you mean?” “She betrayed Chiri.” Rika answered absolute in her certainty on this matter. Motioning that they should move their conversation elsewhere, they progressed down the corridor once more. Turning into another a minute later, that was lined intermittently with doors and windows. They walked side by side as Rika divulged more of her explanation, “Chiri was always set to become the next Director of the Day Gate, until Annaliese took that title for herself.” She continued, still in a hushed tone. The conspiracy sounding too unbelievable to him, Allen massaged his temple tiredly. Already worn out by the vastly different account of events, he almost wished in that moment to never hear the name of Chiri Krane again for the rest of his life. “That’s impossible, Rika.” Allen rebuffed. Shaking her head so
Gawking upwards, Allen’s head tilted back as he followed their mild glow. Continuing skyward until they appeared as small as stars, he could not even begin to guess at how many crystals decorated the tower’s walls. “34,295.” Rika stated. “Sorry?” Allen replied quizzically, not understanding the significance of the number. “That’s how many crystals are in this room.” She explained, guessing at what he had been thinking. Astounded, Allen asked, “What are they?” “Accounts.” Rika responded, already beginning to home in on a particular area, “Some are of events or trials, and others are personal.” She elaborated helpfully. Sliding a ladder over, to the spot Rika had identified. Allen recovered a crystal, roughly the size of an apple, from a shelf marked fourth from the bottom. After descending its steps, they retreated to a small room. Hidden by a dark curtain, it was no bigger than a cupboard. Furnished with a circular table covered by a l
Delivering this judgement, all within the court seemed to extract a cruel sense of glee as a thin metal wand was brought out. Placed on top of a tray, an elderly wizard in robes proceeded towards the convicted felon at the center of the room. Reaching to take it up, Chiri stopped him. Gently touching his hand with her fingertips, the links of her chains rattling as she did so. Outraged by the action, he exclaimed indignantly, “You dare to interfere with the sentence of this court!” Smiling ruefully in response, she retorted “If the court would allow it, I would prefer to see this part of my sentence through myself.” After a brief look in the Judge’s direction, Elder Crouse permitted the request. Saying with a casual wave, “It’s of no use to her now anyway, the Court will allow it.” This verdict passed; the tray was then extended towards her. Regarded the object somberly, Chiri picked it up. The wand rejecting her instantly it hissed and burned her skin in protest. He
Made weak and exhausted by the magic constraints, Chiri sat on one of the luxurious leather sofas in the Elder’s office. Feeling their constant draw on her magic, constraints were oppressive and suffocating objects for any witch to wear, let alone one who was still recovering from multiple injuries. Flexing uncomfortably under the weight of her restraints, the links of the chains clanged loudly in the silent office. The many eyes of its previous inhabitants staring down upon her judgingly from their portraits. Chiri muttered disdainfully towards them as she slouched further into her seat, “Give me a break, I don’t want to be here either.” The many aches and wounds painfully reminding her of their presence with each movement of her body. Chiri could only rest her head on the sofa back, as she awaited the unbearable arrival of Elder Crouse. Frankly, after the dark spell she had cast during her last mission; Chiri had not anticipated ever setting her sights on him again and was not keen
The morning training session coming to an end, trainees began to clear from the outdoor area. Soon to receive their final assignments, required to promote them into Gates. Practices were combined and had become more intense than before.Their breath hanging heavily in the late autumn air as they puffed tiredly, Allen exhaled solemnly as he regarded the woman standing at the sidelines. Thrown off in his stride by the sight of Chiri observing them from the edge of the training grounds. Allen, as well as several others, had been reprimanded at various intervals by Captain Armistice. Reproached multiple times during practice for their lack of concentration, their suffering was only added to by the rewarding of additional penalty exercises.Loitering near to the exit, most gave her a wide berth as they had to passed. Many still wary from rumors spread about the recent incident with the changling, they gave Chiri unfettered stares of suspicion. Although he could understand t