Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Long Haul

Curtains of frost greeted Adriana as she stepped into the streets; the autumn air refreshing as a slap to the face. She flexed her hands and tried to shake off the blanket of sleep she was still wrapped in. Muscles sore and protesting—Adriana knew she shouldn’t have slouched over so much. She turned her head at an angle then cricked it, reaching up to stretch her shoulders and arms out. Adriana had only gotten a handful of hours of sleep. The documents her office received last evening were far too fascinating to put down. Well, that was the price she was more than willing to pay. Another night spent up in the office was more than fair in her eyes.

The city greeted her with its usual rain soaked, miserable splendor. The high-arched roofs towered over her, far-flung from the steel and glass of modern buildings. They seemed to sag down to bow to her, not out of supplication, but pity it seemed. She was far from the newer core of the city. No, she was nestled in the middle of the old downtown: ancient buildings of stone so red they seemed to burn with it. That brilliance now caked in filth and worn down over the ages. Old beauty now forgotten. She sucked in a breath of autumn air, ignoring the stink of pollution.

All she needed was coffee, a few energy drinks (if we’re being honest more than a few), and to get back to work. Once that was taken care of all she had to do was make it home and let herself crash. Actually it was far more accurate to say that she also required the family not to ask her for work tonight. Oh gods, if she had to run an investigation in this state, especially after a day of work? She might easily make an ass of herself. The last thing Adriana needed was to make an ass of herself.

Again.

Therefore, she only needed this one day to relax and rest. It was not a terribly complex affair, in her eyes. Speaking of eyes, they were dry. Well, it to be more accurate to say ‘eye’ seeing as one was forcefully removed a few years back. Adriana rubbed her intact ocular orb with the back of her hand, sighing as she tried to wake herself.

Adriana walked into the cafe`: her favorite spot among few favorite spots. It was all furnished in dark wood paneling—warm accents of creamy tones. Tasteful art hung on the wall. The way it was laid out was to evoke a kind of homeyness. It really did say something about the decorator that they can invoke such a sense to someone who never had a home. Comfort was universal, Adriana assumed. The other appeal of this particular cafe was Lina, one of the workers. She mixed and served the drinks, offered a kind smile and was, in Adriana’s opinion, gorgeous.

Lina worked from opening to noon most weekdays. Adriana tended to wander in whenever she was working (Ok, that sounds mildly creepy) and she only ever came here on days she knew Lina was working (Ok, very creepy). Then again, it’s not like Adriana would be capable of anything approaching normal with another woman. She sighed at her foolishness, rubbing her eye again as she shuffled into line.
“Adri?” The melodious voice snapped her out of her sleepy reverie. She smiled and walked up to Lina; she was absolutely splendid today. A woman of supremely cute features: Her crimson skin complimented her blazing orange eyes. “Your usual?” She chirped at her, with growing horror, Adriana realized she was staring. Shit. A numb nod to confirm her order, and Adriana shuffled to the other clerk to pay for her drink. She still felt like some kind of flesh construct rather than a person. The coffee might help; it often did.

The sweet aroma of the shop gave way to the ceaseless stink of the city air; Adriana gratefully stepped into it. The vision of Lina’s adorable face was a tapestry woven in front of Adriana’s sleep-lacked vision. She called her ‘Adri’. It was such an adorable nickname. Only one other person called her Adri; that was ages ago, a lifetime ago, really. ‘She was such a cute girl’ thought Adriana, ‘but such thoughts aren’t for someone like me’ the reminder stood in stark contrast to the warm thoughts. But it was correct: Adriana could never give in to those dangerous feelings again. Perhaps others can, but she could not.

She sighed and sipped at her warm drink as she stepped into her workplace: A small office space with the usual wood floors and neutral walls and paneling. There were six desks here, each worker’s station. This space had been converted from an accounting office into an appraisal business. Clients brought in whatever artifacts, Magictech or any other odd objects here, and they broke them down and identified them.

The majority of Adriana’s job was document appraisal and verification. She was the best the place had at it. And even if this was a cover business, she still loved it. Oftentimes, in the middle of a busy day, Adriana would daydream. She’d dream that this was her actual life, that she had a home with bills and real worries. If the daydream was extensive, she’d dream herself up a wife. Someone warm and supportive; someone for whom any thought or desire was not a terror for Adriana to express to her.

A silly dream—nice, but silly. In the end, she would snap awake from her idle wandering and be back here: A fixer for the Nummari family. An orphan found in the gutter, shaped and molded into their tool. Set into the world to pretend she had a life, and come at their beck and call.

It was not as if she had a problem with the family; on the contrary they treated her very well. Adriana never wanted for money or other material needs. She was well-cared for. She was also able to practice her craft at her will. And the means by which she has grown were entirely because of them. Even among her peers, Adriana knew she was a cut above. Her skill with the arcane arts greater than what it seemed like she should know in her twenty odd years of life. For that, she was very thankful to her masters.

Yet still. Being a person she had feelings, emotions, and needs. Adriana still wanted things; and that desire to want—it was hard to ignore. However, Adriana was very good at ignoring things. She’s been doing very well at it so far. She sighed again and sat at her workstation: A desk piled with papers, tomes and scrolls. She barely cleared enough space to put her coffee down.

Her mind was still caught up in less mature thoughts— in her desires of the hear. After a few moments of discomfort she decided this was simply a sidestep; a small malfeasance that can be relegated to less urgent thoughts. The body is a machine—it requires certain things. Adriana’s body was screaming at her a bit; this is nothing really serious to worry about.

Setting those thoughts aside, Adriana felt just a bit better. Her head felt clearer as she went over her duties for the day. Despite her late night, and subsequent early morning, she was feeling more energized. Stay the course, do your duty and survive:

This was her mandate.

 

---

The day was a long, syrupy mess. Mostly, it was due to the lack of sleep; but also a few daily irritants added to things: One of her co-workers, Hana, had to misfile a document. Which left Adriana flustered and nearly chewing xem out. It was not fair to do so—the purpose of this job was to keep a low profile. Thankfully, Adriana was able to keep her mouth shut, but it was hard not to. Somehow with the guidance of the Founders above and below, Adriana got through the day.

Adriana leaned back in her chair, stretching out the kinks that had worked their way up her spine. She could really use some of that high-end magical healing only the rich could afford; a mystical massage would work wonders right about now. With a sigh and a grunt, Adriana turned to leave the office. She barely remembered to grab her coat and fling it over her shoulders before making her escape. Luckily, the manager had not asked her to file everything away and close up shop. He was probably not wanting to invoke her bad temper as well. Fair to him.

The clatter of the door closing behind her seemed to be the only sounds on the street. Echoes smothered by evening fog, even her footfalls were wrapped in silky ghostly hands. Seeing as it was dinner time, these smaller streets were all but abandoned. Adriana stifled a yawn as she tucked her jacket’s fur collar up close to her neck, the chill was impossible to ignore now. Fall was in full swing, nights were becoming chilly and foreboding. The city never slept; but it sure went into hibernation now and then.

Thankfully, the trip back to her apartment held no significance. She had no intention of it doing so; however, she was glad the universe saw eye-to-eye with her on this matter. As much as Adriana wanted to protest that she had no time to pick up dinner, her stomach offered insightful counter arguments. Try as she might to push the demands aside, sometimes the body had to win. After a quick stop to grab a street pastry, she was on her way home. Her bed was so close—so tantalizingly close.

With a bit more effort than usual, Adriana clambered up the stairs to her apartment. The click of the lock opening was more gratifying than any church bell she ever heard in her life. Slipping inside. she locked the door and leaned against it for a moment. After a moment of composure, she stripped off her jacket and hung it on the hook. Adriana carefully removed her shoes and loosened her tie with a sigh of relief. She barely unbuttoned her shirt before Adriana simply collapsed into the bed.

Ordinarily, she’d be right asleep. After staying up the entire previous night, expending much of her arcane energy, and barely eating—She’d be completely sapped. But something tugged at her, urged her to stay up, or at least not give in to sleep. There was something; a presence, a movement, that sparked those ancient voices. They screamed at her to rise.

Adriana rolled over and sat up in her bed. Her gaze darted around the dark room. The lights weren’t even on. She hadn’t even washed her face, she was so tired. Her vision had already adjusted to the dark, so spotting the figure sitting in her armchair was easy once she actually thought to do it.

“You must be drunk, Adriana. Usually you’re not this stupid.” Came a familiar voice from the shadows—silk on a blade. Adriana reached over to click on the lamp beside her. The light spell flared to life and bathed the area around the bed in warm, flickering illumination. She could barely make out the form sitting in the chair, but she already knew it was her ‘co-worker’ more akin to a handler. Mia
Mia was smaller than Adriana, but meaner. Better with a blade. Though they were the same age, Adriana was to treat her like a superior. She didn’t.

“Please tell me you are just here for a social visit, Mia. Please tell me…” Adriana mumbled and rubbed her face.

“We have a scene to get to in thirty. Thirty minutes being my generous gift to you; as you are a fucking dumb ass who can’t not read musty old tomes all through the night…” Adriana glanced up at her, locking eyes with the far more impressive woman. “How did you-?”

“I always know...it’s my job. Get showered and changed, I’ll be waiting.” She rose from her seat, graceful as always; reminding Adriana of a bow drawn. The clunk of her boots cut through the dull quiet, Mia leaned against the wall, her red lips pulled into a mean smirk. “Go?” She gestured to the bathroom across from them.

With an indigent huff, Adriana got out of bed—her muscles screamed at her for rest. She walked over to her wardrobe and grabbed a new outfit, then scuttled into the bathroom. The cold tiles did not feel good at this hour of the night. It was a cramped room, with barely enough space for all the things required of a bathroom: A dingy sink with a mirror that stayed smudgy no matter how hard Adriana scrubbed it. The floor and walls were tiled with black and white alternating patterns. It was not much, but it was hers; Besides, it’s not like Adriana needed much counter space. With an irritated grunt she slipped her eye patch off and hung it over the corner of the small mirror.

The shower started up with little protest from the pipes and she sighed a breath of relief over the water being hot this time. Acting quickly, she stripped off her dingy, day-old clothes and stuffed them in the hamper, noting the smell with a growing dismay. How much of a vagrant did she look like in the office? The coffee shop? What did Lina think of her looking and smelling like that? She noted with a worried frown that it explained many of the looks she got through the day. The worries flooded away, melting out of her psyche and down the drain as she stood in the hot water for a few minutes. She barely had the ability to keep track of time; and even with the blazing hot water on her back, she could have easily fallen asleep standing.

A knock at the door startled her from her potential somnambulism. “Stop yanking yourself off and scrub up, Adriana. Don’t make me come in there and do it myself.” Mia sounded very much impatient. A sly smile crept at Adriana’s lips and before she could stop herself, she replied with:

“Help with which part?”

“Funny. Actually funny. Well, you must be sleep-deprived. Regardless, hurry.”

Adriana scrubbed and washed herself; the soap and water helped just a bit to get her mind into a pseudo-wake state. Once she stepped out of the shower and toweled off, she began to feel more alive. Sleep would have to wait, time was not being generous to her, and that is simply how things were. Before another knock of annoyance could ruin things, Adriana stepped out into her room dressed and ready. She tied her tie as she watched Mia glare at her. “I can’t go out looking like a bum, Mia, give me a moment.”

“You seemed happy to do that all day today.”

Adriana snorted out a terse. “Shut up.” Before she headed over to get her jacket and shoes on. “You realize I have had no preparation for this!?” She took out her spellbook and flipped through it, trying to analyze what might be best useful for whatever was going on. After a moment of thought, she paused and looked up from it. “Wait what are we investigating!?”

Mia pushed passed her, grabbing Adriana’s arm and pulling her out the swung-open door. She wheeled around on her, pressing an arm against the wall to physically stop Adriana from looking away. Mia leaned in close, smiling a serpentine smile. “This is something special, Adriana: Not some dead snitch or leak that needs to be found.” She pushed off, then started down the hall, leaving Adriana flustered and confused.

In the chaos she barely remembered to turn and lock her door, then rush off after Mia. Pocketing her spell book, she huffed and fiddled with her collar. “What in the blazes do you even mean, Mia!?”

“We found a body, but it’s live. And it’s something we’re unsure of. Before you sputter out more incoherent questions, this is all I know. It just landed in our territory, and you are the one to figure out what the hells it is. Ok!?” Mia was speaking in a quick, clipped tone and she seemed overly concerned with her wording. This was bad. This was also irregular. And irregularities excited Adriana. She found herself smiling despite her weary state.

Mia had a car brought in for them; because of course she did. As a higher up in the family, Mia had more resources at her disposal than Adriana—the spoiled brat. Well, that was a touch mean. However, at this hour, Adriana could be excused due to the exhaustion. The truth of the matter was Mia was a lot like her: She clawed her way to the top from nothing. Just like her, Mia grew up in the slums and gutter, until a spark of divine intervention brought her to the attention of the Nummari family. Just like Adriana had. Except it was not a magical spark Mia possessed, it was a body and soul of steel. She was a blade fighter. One of exceptional skill, as far as Adriana knew. Knife, sword, axe, or a piece of broken glass; it mattered not, Mia could use it to unmake any person she came across.

Adriana knew from a young age she had an—odd—relationship with violence. It was to be feared, but it also excited her. And thus, Mia was a bit of a vexing person for her. By all logical rights she should find her dangerous. Yet she found Mia..arousing instead. Many a night she’d been both frustrated by Mia’s stubbornness but also needing to feel her. Another annoyance in her life—another object of desire—another avenue of destruction. That’s two times in a day she felt her mind leaning to salacious thoughts. She huffed out a sigh of frustration at that.
With a knowing smirk, Mia adjusted the crimson scarf around her neck. “Look, Adriana, I’m not happy with this either, but we must make the best of it. Besides…” She paused, pursing her lips. “We’ll grab a coffee and some sweets after this? Sounds good?” Adriana knew this was just a manipulation tactic to get her to do what she wanted; rather than a show of friendship. Part of her ached for it to be genuine; she hated that part. Regardless, she took the invitation with a nod.

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She didn’t even like sweets and Mia knew it.

“Fine. At least we will both be able to celebrate a job well-done.” Adriana stated with perfect calm. Mia had her arms crossed in front of her, her dark eyes scanning over Adriana. She wasn’t sure if it was amusement or held in those eyes. Mia grinned after a second of contemplation, after which she surmised: “Presumptuous of you.” That elicited a scoff from Adriana.

“With you and I on the case? We’re guaranteed a win.” That little show of bravado only made Mia snort and roll her eyes.

“After all of the exertion, you are still full of pip; I appreciate a gal who can keep going.” She grinned evilly, causing Adriana to wish for death “After all these years, you’re still amusing; I’ll give you that. Still, lately I have no idea what to make of you.”

“You don’t know what to make of me; bullcock, Mia. We’ve known each other since we were kids.” Mia’s rolling eyes made Adriana want to pluck them out, but at least she got a minor concession from her. Mia went silent, and she might have been seeing things in the shadows of the night; but she looked put out.

Adriana leaned back in her seat. They were nice, some kind of leather, it was soft and warm despite the chill of the night. She glanced out the window to see the grimy, older buildings give way to dark-bricked newer ones: The industrial sector. Many of the mana plants and forges lay out here. That oddly made her think of the cute blacksmith she met a few months ago. She had nice arms. ‘Gods, Adriana, focus.’ she snapped at herself.

It didn’t take long to get to the location. There was no barricade, no waiting enforcers. The area seemed to be have been cleared, that or it was the industrial district at night; no one is there anyway. Adriana tried to spot the guard’s station near the entrance—it was empty. The family must have called ahead and told the guard to take a break. She sat back in her seat and frowned at that.

The warehouse in question was stationed in lot three, a large ‘twenty-one’ was painted on the massive green doors. Fenced off with what looked to be at least two meter high steel bars. This was one of the more secure ones in the Nummari family’s holding for this area. Most likely used to store semi-restricted objects. She guessed at ores. Anything that housed the actual valuables (precious metals, artifacts, magi-tech) would have been closer to the family’s strongholds.

The car came to a stop at the fence’s gate, and Mia got out without a word. She didn’t even wait for Adriana; getting the key out to unlock the gate. Adriana scrambled out and came up to her side, giving her an annoyed glare. Mia flicked her a devilish grin. She pushed the gate open and gestured to her. “Well then my dear. Let’s get this…” Mia actually looked surprised as she glanced over. Adriana took advantage of her befuddlement and strode ahead of her, stones crunching under her feet. The sight that vexed Mia was, to be fair, rather unusual: There was, at the side of the warehouse—obscured by the other buildings—a body laying in a crater. Long wisps of smoke snaked up into the sky, it certainly confirmed what little Adriana gleamed from Mia; it dropped recently. As Adriana peered over the edge (it must have been about twelve feet in circumference), not too big, but enough to cause some real damage to the ground. It sank in about four or five feet and in the center was a woman. She looked...large, with a wild mane of black hair. She was wearing what looked like prison clothes. No...they were a tunic and pants of some sort. With some black cloth hanging off of her (massive) shoulders. She looked like some old knight Adriana had seen in her books. A large sword was strapped to her back. How very odd.

Adriana felt a pressure on her shoulder, then the sensation of being yanked back. She was pulled from danger just in time, as seemingly in the blink of an eye this mysterious woman was up and charging her. She surged up from the small crater, weapon drawn, and let out a roar. She felt the wake of air brush her face, the sword having missed her by mere centimeters.

Now, a normal person roaring was an event; seeing as most people did not roar habitually. Adriana’s mind flicked back to when she had to deal with a very drunk patron at a local bar. He roared, and howled like a monster, but the drink was doing that. No, this was different. This was as if a foul beast had been chained to this woman, bound to her, the two having scrapped and fought their whole lives.

She barely managed to block the follow-up attack. The ‘knight’ moved like lightning. Akin to a storm but without the impassiveness. No, this was like a storm that hated your guts and wanted to kick your ass. The magical shield Adriana materialized in front of her held the blade back, but barely. With a contemptuous sneer, the odd woman shoved Adriana back, then a boot to her gut blew out any semblance of breath Adriana had in her. It felt like a press had crushed her guts. She made a pathetic gurgling sound and staggered back. Ears ringing. Gods, she was strong.

The sound of metal clashing caught in her ears. Mia had taken to the fray. She met with the newcomer, like a lover long parted. As Adriana blinked the stars from her eyes, she saw Mia dance around her foe; her silver dagger darted out to find openings. The short sword she held in her main hand was used for parrying the large, black blade of her attacker. Normally, one would be confused as to where the blades came from. But Adriana knew. She smirked; Mia still wore the leather jacket she enchanted for her. How sentimental. That was Mia in a nutshell: Confusing and contradictory. The chance to reposition was something Adriana could not pass up, so she did, trying to get distance and flipping through her mental library to select a spell.

She felt a tingle along her legs and up her spine. It was like making love: Fear and excitement surging through you. The knowledge that now, it could not be stopped. The power welled from deep within her and she tamed it, channeled it, and held it in her hand for just a second. It was...delightful. “Down!” Was the only warning she gave before release.

The bolt of lightning flashed through the night, tearing through the air and hitting the woman in the side. Mia had ducked and rolled aside just as the spell was set off. For as much as they two of them seemed to detest each other, for as much as Adriana had such bloody complicated feelings over her: Mia and Adriana fought well together. They knew when to bob and when to weave. When there needed to be force and when calm would solve problems. This, they were in sync with. Violence and duty were their marriage.

However, this was not as easy as Adriana hoped. The bolt was met with dark steel as the woman swung her sword to absorb it. Arcs of energy danced up the blade, sending the bolt into the sky. But it did look as if she was shaken by it. Good. At least it was something. Mia dashed back, and was met with a sickening backhand. She hadn’t prepared for the speed of this altogether odd woman, this beast; Mia was struck, falling off the side.

Without missing a beat, Mia rolled from the ensuing blade meant for her. She dashed away, parrying, moving the woman around for another spell. Adriana knew these signs, these subtle movements. She already assumed what to do. With a swirling motion of her hands she created a small whirlwind at her attacker’s feet. It took her footing off, opening her up to a strike from Mia. Her blade met flesh, slashing a clean line down the giant’s chest and thigh. This should have been a fatal hit, but both of them stood in amazement as sparks flew away from the point where steel collided. Mia’s blade simply danced along the surface of her skin, doing no real damage.

“Ok. This is….new.” Adriana mumbled to herself. Mia was again, put into a retreating stance from the furious attacks of this damned...whatever the hell she was. What was she!? She was well over six feet tall, and brimming with muscle. Her eyes were wild, Adriana noted. And while she acted like some kind of beast, her martial skill was honed to an edge. Adriana’s mind was racing, but a calm overtook her. She began to pace, watching the two fight with a detached fascination. So, this..newcomer was insanely well-built, fought with a vigor and skill that isn’t common, and can endure attacks most can’t. She even shrugged off one of Adriana’s more potent spells.

Therefore, logic had to dictate she was something used to fighting magic. Something, possibly created? A person made for a purpose. That made Adriana’s stomach tighten a bit, she knew that feeling well: She was an instrument of the family. A tool that had been forged by them; but could she complain? Adriana would have no life without them. These thoughts caused a clutter she did not need, and thus, she swept them aside. The point was to study this being in front of her.

Mia and the large woman met again, clashing blades together as she was pushed back against the wall of the warehouse. Having the flighty fighter pinned, Mia was savagely struck in the gut, right at the solar plexus. Adriana’s senses came into sharp relief as she saw the blade raised to swing down on Mia. Enervation, energy, energy! That was it. Without thinking, Adriana closed the distance, it was maddeningly slow as she ran as fast as she could. Snapping open her collapsible staff, Adriana reached out with a thrust, barely connecting with the blade. But with the momentum and the well-wrought steel, it was able to deflect the blow from hitting Mia. However, Adriana was sent a bit off balance. Before she could recover, she felt her world soar into the air. Her neck hurt, pain exploding in her mind. Thick fingers viced around her throat—that would explain the pressure, the immense pressure. She let out a choked sob as her hands grabbed the other woman’s arm. But it was no use, her grip was like steel. She might have said something, but Adriana couldn’t make it out. Blood was pounding in her ears.

Her vision faded as the black overtook her.

‘No no, can’t end like this’ she tapped into her well of power and forced herself back into the world. No air, no matter. Tightening her grip on the other woman’s forearm, she started to draw. Drawing the energy, the very life force from her. She felt a shiver of cold go down her body. This was like expecting a cup of water and getting the ocean all at once. No person she ever encountered had this kind of reserves of energy in them. Life-force is a limited thing; but, this was like an infinite wellspring.

This was impossible.

Adriana must have screamed, she felt her throat tearing apart from the force of it. She tried her best to hold on, to keep her spell up. She had to weaken this attacker. Even if it blew her out for sometime, she was the last thing that stood between Mia and getting killed. Wait, why did she care about Mia? This was her last hope to not die herself. Another sound rang in her ears, it was a low savage voice; filled only with anger and hatred, she realized after a few numb seconds that it was the mystery woman. She was trying to shake this spell off. Roaring and screaming as if an animal caught in a trap; however, Adriana continued to draw from her. She steadfastly refused to let go.
Everything was rising, growing, a cascade of unknowable force was consuming her. The world burned away into ash as Adriana felt everything torn away from her.

Suddenly, Adriana was standing in another place.

 

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It was cold here. Well, colder than where she was. It was a kind of cold that tore into your very bones. It made her teeth hurt and her head whirl each time she took in a breath. She looked around wildly, where was she!? Adriana took in her surroundings. They almost seemed unreal: She stood upon what looked like a giant metal plane. Simply a huge square of pure steel. She even tapped it with her foot, being met with a metallic clang as the sole hit surface. Impossible. In fact, everything about this night was impossible.

Adriana turned around to see the woman standing in front of her. She looked different. Less hunched-over beast and more regal noble. Adriana tried to shake off her feelings of tangled desires. Ok, she was severely handsome like this—not important, not now.
Ariana’s scattered thoughts were rattled and cast into the sea as she heard her voice: It was deep, low, and yet oddly soft. Adriana felt a shiver work up her spine, creep and crawl; not slide up cleanly. “You’re very smart. I see it didn’t take you long to sort out my weakness. Impressive.” She was mulling over Adriana, looking at her as the lion might gaze at meat. Adriana felt fear claw at her heart, but pushed it down.

“It was a simple matter of deducing the most logical result given the evidence. Something inside you provides you with excessive...energy. I deduced that the source needed to be stifled before we could hope to overcome you.”

“You took the edge off and with that, you also managed to calm me.” the woman sighed, looking around. “Before you ask; this is my mind scape. I needed to talk with you, this little beacon. You certainly are a bright one.” The mystery woman chuckled, amused. “I wonder when you will see the source of such light?” She spoke calmly, like a strategist looking at a map.

“I am not special.” A lie, simply by being a magi she had special blood. The very secrets of the arcane flowed through her veins. Adriana hated that though; she was just another denizen of the City. Just another stuck at the feet of the Founders.

“Oh? You don’t know!? Hmm...it is not just I with the odd inner power, Adriana.” She was taken aback by that, what was she talking about!? This might have been some kind of tactic. Steeling herself, Adriana looked around as if trying to see what kind of trap was about to be sprung.

“You know my name…” She licked her lips. “What is yours?” Adriana didn’t bother to question how this person knew her name. She was currently talking to her inside her brain so any goes, she supposed.

“Hmph, you earned it. I am known by many names: I am Eislia when I awake.”

“And...what are you?” That got a chuckle from Eislia, deep and throaty. Founders above, she was hot. ‘Stop it Adri!’ she quickly chastised herself.

“That would be too easy, and you are far too smart—you will have to figure that out. It will be more fun that way!” She said, grinning. As if some event was being waited on, she looked up, then smiled to herself. “Now, we get back to the story. Enjoy the tale, have a good time with it, Adriana.” with that, everything seemed to snap into another reality. As if a reel was being replaced on a show. The image changed with jarring suddenness.

They were back in the district. The air was of a different kind: murky and wet. Disgusting how gross reality was when you were flung back to it. Adriana let out a cough, her breath catching in her crushed throat. She fell to her knees, and felt hands on her. They were not the massive hands of the former mystery woman (now dubbed Eislia.) It was Mia. “Hey, what the hell!? Adriana!?” Adriana had a hard time paying attention to her, or well, anything at all really. Her head buzzed and her fingers hurt like hell. The pain let itself be known so suddenly, Adriana had to suck in a breath. This caused more coughs to wrack her into a more slumped position.

She looked over to see Mia crouched over her. Beyond her was Eislia, felled onto her side. “Heh, Mia...look, I won.” Adriana felt a giggle bubble up in her throat, she hiccuped then, fell into something soft and yielding. Her flesh having given out from all of the strain.

It seems she hit her limit.

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