Scarlett and Dean Godwin strolled back from the hedge garden to the mansion, making their way to the front courtyard, which was still under renovation. Scarlett, through the Loci’s senses, knew this was where Rosa was.
Upon reaching the courtyard, they spotted Rosa perched on a simple stone bench, clad in a snug fur coat. With klert in hand, the bard was playing an upbeat tune as a fiery fox danced before her. Around them, unlit candles were arranged in a wide circle, the snow around ...
2024-01-25 21:19:38 +0000 UTC
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Scarlett sat beside Dean Godwin on the bench, her eyes fixed on the Loci at the garden’s heart. “I appreciate your patience, allowing me to conclude my affairs before greeting you,” she said.
“Interrupting a noble lady during her personal matters is something I endeavour to avoid when possible. The tales of my impropriety are often overstated, I’ll have you know. Besides, I did not mind the chance to observe the progress of your protective spirit while I waited,” the man rep...
2024-01-21 21:17:00 +0000 UTC
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“—your investigations should primarily concentrate on Brook Tower and Ustrum’s acquaintances, likely around 800 A.R. The exact time period, however, is somewhat uncertain,” Scarlett said aloud, sitting alone in her office.
Before her, on her desk, was a small bluebird carving perched on a circular marble base, emitting a faint glow.
“Gathering reliable information from that far back could prove difficult, depending on the circumstances,” came Beldon’s voice from the ...
2024-01-18 23:08:36 +0000 UTC
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Scarlett felt more than simply tired as she sat on her chair, perched on the porch at the center of Freymeadow, her eyes fixed on the quaint square before her. Next to her, Arlene was absorbed in her book, while Rosa, seated on the porch railing with her back to them, was lost playing on her klert.
Eventually, Arlene lifted her gaze, looking towards the sky now tinged with hues of red as the sun started to set. “It’s getting late.”
Scarlett considered the woman for a brief m...
2024-01-14 23:48:39 +0000 UTC
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First, I wanted to notify you all that, unfortunately I'll be away traveling this week, which means I won't have time to get the next chapter out till Thursday. The next chapter will instead be one week from now. I had hoped to write an extra chapter this week to make up for it, but I did not find the time. Hopefully, you won't come after me with your pitchforks. (I do not plan on making a habit of missing chapters too often, promise)
Secondly, because I always enj...
2024-01-07 21:25:06 +0000 UTC
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A diverse array of elemental effects unfolded before Scarlett in steady succession as she channeled her mana into her magic, her focus etched deeply into her furrowed brow. Fiery orbs and swirling globes of water sailed through the air, slamming into lifeless trees here and there. Aqua Mines, varying in size, appeared and detonated in mere moments. Arrows and blades of flame cut through half-charred branches, while slender streams of water lifted small rocks with ease.
She spared no eff...
2024-01-07 21:24:46 +0000 UTC
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“It’s been a while since I last saw this scene,” Rosa said, standing beside Scarlett, both of them overlooking the expansive glade before them. A winding river traced the outer edge of the glade, disappearing into the forest to the north, while timber-roofed homes were nestled within a low stone wall on the far end.
Bathed in the ever-present light of the summer sun, the glade was awash with warmth. Near the village, a flock of sheep munched on the grass inside their enclosure, wi...
2024-01-04 22:40:31 +0000 UTC
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Rosa woke up to the serene sight of sunlight streaming through the window above her bed, the gentle chill of the winter air permeating the linens and stirring her awake.
After blinking away the remnants of sleep—and doing a decent job at it, if she might say so herself—she sat up and looked outside. The snow-draped expanse of the Hartford estate lay beneath an almost crystalline blue sky, offering a stunning vista that practically screamed ‘good morning’.
Unfortunately, th...
2023-12-31 20:38:58 +0000 UTC
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Later in the evening, following Scarlett’s meeting with The Gentleman and Empress and some time spent familiarising herself with the Loci’s development, she had returned to her office. The interrupted reports were spread out in front of her, with the completed ones to her left and the remaining few to her right.
As the clock approached ten, Scarlett was wrapping up her tasks for the day. Her typical routine often involved staying up later than this, and it had become somewhat of a c...
2023-12-28 21:05:04 +0000 UTC
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Scarlett drew looks from the mansion’s servants as she trailed behind Empress through the halls, especially when the cat paused for some pats and attention along the way. Most appeared bewildered by Scarlett’s presence as Empress insisted on their grooming, but none seemed able to resist the cat.
One girl—presumably a new hire since Scarlett didn’t recognize her—seemed particularly uneasy under her gaze, but Empress was nothing if not relentless in her demand for others to att...
2023-12-21 21:16:59 +0000 UTC
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Scarlett and her group’s final days in Bridgespell quickly came and went. They were comfortable enough in the Golden Griffin Inn’s lodgings, so Scarlett ended up politely declining Duke Valentino’s offer to his estate. She had, however, taken him up on his proposal to meet up again, discussing the recent events around Crowcairn and other matters concerning the nobility. She’d even had dinner with the duke and his wife.
While not exactly enjoyable encounters, Scarlett ha...
2023-12-17 21:48:55 +0000 UTC
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Scarlett wondered if reaching Beld Thylelion would help her learn more about the system, this whole ‘Anomalous One’ business, and what her role in this world actually signified. Were there things waiting in that place that differed from in the game?
It was a distinct possibility now, it seemed. She was hoping so, at the very least, but she also needed to be ready to be disappointed.
Regardless, she had been set on going there for a while. Even if the main quest hadn’t told h...
2023-12-14 22:47:06 +0000 UTC
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“Had a hunch you were gearing up to ask for the chance to rub things in Anguish’s face,” Rosa said, casting a knowing glance Scarlett’s way.
“Then you know me well in that regard,” Scarlett replied.
The bard smirked. “I’d never have the guts to call you petty myself—too attached to my purse and life for that—but that doesn’t mean the notion hasn’t danced across my mind once or twice.”
Scarlett’s expression soured slightly at that.
S...
2023-12-10 21:17:41 +0000 UTC
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Scarlett found Rosa in the woman’s quarters, seated in a dim corner beside a round table, head lowered and klert cradled in her arms. Soft halcyon notes floated from the instrument, enveloping the room in a glum melody. Scarlett paused at the entrance, observing the bard, who seemed absorbed in her music.
Through haunted walls where echoes weep,
A melody of secrets, the troubadour does keep~
A visage cloaked in heartache’s guise,
Yet, a plea for joy in wanting cries~
2023-12-07 23:27:22 +0000 UTC
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It was during Scarlett’s journey back from Duke Valentino’s residence that another system window appeared before her.
[Side-Quest completed: Ducal favors and manipulations]
{Skill points awarded: 5}
As the carriage gently navigated Bridgespell’s cobblestone streets, she sat in the cabin, considering the floating message. She was relieved that the system seemed to have regained most of its functionality, but she hadn’t expected her dealings with the duke...
2023-12-03 22:54:55 +0000 UTC
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After Scarlett’s talk with Raimond, things progressed smoothly. Scarlett and her entourage lingered near the outskirts of Sir Home’s camp while a steady stream of people arrived from Bridgespell. Among them were more of the duke’s men, the Followers, a handful of Solar Knights, and crown officials. None Scarlett recognized personally, but she kept an eye out where possible.
At one point, she found herself sought out by individuals clad in white robes and featureless gold masks, wh...
2023-11-30 22:19:06 +0000 UTC
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Scarlett observed Raimond, considering him for a moment. “I must confess, I did not anticipate this conversation happening so soon, but very well. It would seem you are more yourself than at our last meeting,” she said. “Unless, of course, this is an act. With you, it is always difficult to be certain.”
Raimond chuckled lightly, breaking some of the tension as he placed the artifact that had been muffling the noise around them on the windowsill. “Coming from you, Baroness, tha...
2023-11-26 21:47:23 +0000 UTC
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Having slipped away from Crowcairn unnoticed under Raimond’s invisibility spell, Scarlett and Rosa managed to make their way to the encampment. Upon arrival, they discovered that most of Sir Home’s forces had left to search the village after defeating the Tribe members who’d fought them back. Only the injured, a few officers, and their exhausted mages remained.
While searching for a place to rest, Scarlett realized that her carriage was still at Anguish’s citadel. Fortunately, S...
2023-11-25 19:32:19 +0000 UTC
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Witnessing the Dawnbringers in action always presented a humbling spectacle. This was something Raimond was certain wouldn’t change, regardless of how long his tenure as a deacon of the Quorum continued.
Before him, holy knights, serving as the radiant sword of Ittar, moved in seamless harmony, collaborating to repel the monsters threatening their home. Their auras and invocations bathed the artificial space that connected realms in the golden brilliance of a pristine dawn, pushing ba...
2023-11-19 22:26:43 +0000 UTC
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Scarlett couldn’t speak for how the Followers of Ittar and their Quorum dealt with deacons who neglected their duties, but she did know that having Raimond’s assistance helped her avoid a nasty confrontation.
She hadn’t been aware of his proficiency in illusion, but his ability to conceal her and Rosa’s appearance proved a great help. A spell from him was all it took to mask their escape, and the Dawnbringers were too occupied fighting the demons flooding out of the rift to noti...
2023-11-16 21:20:36 +0000 UTC
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Raimond regarded Scarlett silently for a while, the man’s expression concealed beneath his mask. Scarlett wasn’t sure if it was the [The Deacon’s Sunfire Visage] left by Deacon Emberwood or if it simply looked similar, but that didn’t matter much. What did was that Raimond was clad in his full deacon attire, making no attempt to hide his identity any longer.
“So you knew who I was, after all,” he said, his voice devoid of its usual levity. “I suppose I did have my suspicio...
2023-11-12 22:12:16 +0000 UTC
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Malachi didn’t even so much as glance at Scarlett as the woman approached, her demons slowing to trail a few meters behind. Scarlett moved to stand in front of Rosa, but the bard stopped her with a raised arm, shooting her a meaningful look.
Frowning, Scarlett stepped aside, carefully observing Malachi while also keeping an eye on the larger demon that was slowly emerging from the rift at the center of the square.
Rosa greeted Malachi with a smile that could have put any seasone...
2023-11-09 22:33:29 +0000 UTC
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Raimond gazed at Crowcairn before him, shrouded as it was by an unnatural grey barrier that shielded it from the outside world.
The past day had been a relentless series of unexpected and illuminating events, but he had certainly not anticipated finding himself back here, and under these circumstances. Just moments ago, he had been locked in battle with creatures hailing from the Blazes, alongside his temporary allies, within a manifestation of one of the six Vile’s strongholds. Yet, ...
2023-11-05 21:26:20 +0000 UTC
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Rosa was long since used to not feeling in control. Used to feeling adrift — a castaway clinging to the flimsy raft that was her life, tossed about by the turbulent waves of circumstances she didn’t even completely understand. She had grown used to this feeling, sure, but she had never been comfortable with it. Instead, she had always been fleeing in some way. From people, from her past, and whatever uncertain future lay ahead for her.
Surrounded by an endless, suffocating ...
2023-11-02 22:36:46 +0000 UTC
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“An alternative?” Malachi said slowly, sounding skeptical.
“Yes,” Scarlett replied. “An alternative. A trade of sorts, you might say.”
The woman’s gaze sharpened. “For the Astral Soulstone, I presume?”
“Yes.”
“How convenient. For you.”
“Quite the opposite, in fact.”
There were various conclusions for this questline, depending on the player’s choices in the game, and Scarlett had invested substantial time trying to figure out ...
2023-10-29 21:13:59 +0000 UTC
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Scarlett’s gaze remained fixed on the elevated platform across the chamber, where Rosa sat upon a hideous throne. Before the non-regal seat, perched on a short pedestal, was the heart of the Abyssal Vilewyrm, pulsating with a sinister energy.
Even at this distance, Anguish’s vicious grin was unmistakable, the Vile clearly enjoying the situation. Rosa’s eyes bore a profound darkness within them, seeming to peer into one’s very being.
Among the whirlwind of thoughts and emot...
2023-10-27 20:26:47 +0000 UTC
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Shadows seemed to dance over the walls as the door opened before Scarlett and Allyssa, the air suddenly thickening with subtle tension as what lay beyond was revealed. A dark set of stairs led to a long corridor with a tall ceiling, with a macabre tapestry of demons looming at the top.
As one, dozens of eyes fixed to glare on Scarlett. Some of the demons appeared as little more than grotesque amalgamations of charred flesh and jagged obsidian armor, their eyes glowing like smoldering co...
2023-10-22 20:18:27 +0000 UTC
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The minutes passed in silent anticipation as Scarlett and Allyssa stood before the sealed door. Its frame was mostly a dark pitch black, with the only color coming from the two crimson gems embedded in its face, seeming to pulsate with a subtle internal energy. They were still waiting for their companions to complete their respective tasks, and over twenty minutes had already gone by.
It seemed that the distance they had to cover was a lot longer here than Scarlett had been anticipating...
2023-10-19 20:04:21 +0000 UTC
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When Scarlett returned to the previous chamber, she found the whole group still waiting there for her, their expectant gazes fixed on her. That included Raimond, who showed no signs of harm.
“How’d it go?” Allyssa asked, her eyes scanning Scarlett’s appearance. “What did you find?”
“It went smoothly,” Scarlett replied, directing her attention to the young Shielder. “And I found nothing worth recounting. The master of this place tried to deceive me with tricks, bu...
2023-10-15 20:33:48 +0000 UTC
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If there was one aspect of fighting demons that made them a particular pain, even more so than most other enemies, it was the fact that they often simply refused to give up. Scarlett had been prepared to fight through hordes of demons while navigating Anguish’s citadel, yes, but did they really have to be so tenacious?
Maybe it was because they knew that their demise merely meant a return trip to the hellish Blaze they hailed from. That, and having a master likely conjuring u...
2023-10-12 20:43:49 +0000 UTC
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