Chosen By The Lover's Constellation-Chapter 97: Mana Ties, Part Nine

The early morning air was tinged with a chill as Lianna ascended the stairs to the rooftop Al’has had designated for their meeting.

Her steps were deliberate, the events of the previous day still casting a shadow on her wearied frame. The city below was slowly stirring, a soft symphony of distant sounds, honks, and engines greeting the dawn.

Lianna found Al’has Varim seated at a small table, an air of quiet confidence surrounding her. The blue robes she usually wore had been swapped out for brown cloth and gloves. The first light of day illuminated her features, flattering her figure. Lianna greeted her with a nod, silently acknowledging the enigma that this meeting held.

"Good morning, Mrs. Velcross. Thank you for accepting my invitation."

"Morning," Lianna replied, pulling out a chair and settling into it. In all honesty, Lianna was still pretty tired, so it was hard to keep her eyes open. "How’s Mel doing?"

Al’has smiled, a gesture that seemed genuine.

"Right, you two are friends... Well, Mel is thriving within the Association. She might be one of the most gifted young mages we’ve ever had. A shame no one saw that potential until now, but I am glad she found her way to us."

[That’s good to hear,] Lianna thought, sighing with some relief.

Al’has quickly shifted the conversation to the core of their meeting.

"Now, Lianna, let us discuss the artifact you used to control the Fiends," Al’has began, her eyes capturing the intensity of purpose. "The object in that video that’s been so prolifically spread online already."

[Of course, that’s what this is about.]

"What do you want to know about it?" Lianna asked, figuring it would be a waste of time to pretend like she didn’t know what she was talking about.

"An item like that has the potential to reshape the very fabric of our world. Its power is vast and untapped, but it requires a master. Someone who can harness its capabilities for the greater good. And, something tells me you still haven’t quite figured out how to use it to its fullest potential."

Lianna frowned, a veil of skepticism falling over her face.

"If that’s what this is about, I’m afraid this is gonna be a short meeting. I have no idea how that thing works. It’s unpredictable, and I can’t control it at will."

Al’has leaned forward, her gaze unwavering, an air of persuasion cloaked in her words.

"That’s precisely why I’m here. Lianna, together, we can unlock its secrets, channel its power, and bring about profound change. Imagine a world where these forces, the Fiends we’ve been fighting since the beginning of recorded history, obey our will. We’d be able to shape reality itself."

Lianna sighed, her fatigue evident.

"Look, I appreciate the offer, but I can’t see the point. I have no clue how to control it consistently, and I don’t think anyone else can either. I think it’s probably best if I just keep this thing safe. Untouched. At least until I can figure out more about it on my own."

Al’has pressed on.

"Do you truly think that wife of yours will allow you to do that?" Al’has countered, her tone carrying a subtle implication. "After all, come on... I would hope that I do not have to spell it out to you why it is that The Lover has asked that girl to marry you."

Lianna shifted a little, her brows furrowing as Al’has subtly attempted to sow seeds of doubt.

The mention of Enverna, referred to as "that girl," touched a nerve, and Al’has seized the opening.

"You and I, Lianna, we share a unique connection to these creatures as Children of Mana. We are not Fiends ourselves, but we undoubtedly have the same origin. If you ask me, this artifact of yours is an opportunity. A chance to wield Fiends themselves as a weapon!"

Lianna’s eyes narrowed, her weariness momentarily replaced by caution.

"It is not just an offer of power I am giving you, but also one of shelter. Do you truly believe that your current companions, your Guild, and even that wife of yours, have your interests in their hearts? They will all cast you aside at the first opportunity they get."

Lianna pondered Al’has’s words, a subtle tension settling between them.

Everything Al’has was saying would make perfect sense, were it not for two things:

[She doesn’t know The Lover chose me too.] Lianna’s mind echoed. [And, she doesn’t know the literal leader of the Watchful is... kinda, sorta my mom.]

Al’has leaned back slightly, her gaze steady.

"Consider, Lianna, the potential that lies before us. A partnership that transcends the ordinary, a legacy that echoes through the annals of history. This object you have is a gift and we must make full use of it. Not just for ourselves, but for people like us."

Lianna, her mind entangled in the intricate web of Al’has’s words, remained silent for a moment.

Finally, she responded with:

"I don’t think using this thing like that is wise. The power of that artifact is something we can’t possibly hope to understand. Honestly? I have half a mind to chuck it into the sea."

A subtle shift occurred in Al’has’s demeanor. The tranquility that had defined the conversation gave way to an undercurrent of intensity.

"Lianna, you underestimate the gravity of this opportunity. I suggest you reconsider your stance."

Lianna met Al’has’s gaze, her own resolve unyielding.

"I don’t know what I’m going to do with that thing yet, but I know that I won’t be part of something if I can’t understand it. I need time to learn about it on my own."

Al’has’s eyes narrowed slightly, and a tension settled between them.

"Lianna, I would like to remind you that the Starlight Association has quite a few resources. We can make things very comfortable for you, or very uncomfortable," Al’has warned, her tone carrying a veiled threat. "If you’re truly so unwilling to see reason, perhaps I might just take that item from you. Have you considered that?"

Lianna leaned back, her weariness giving way to a flicker of defiance.

"Threats won’t change my mind. If you harm me or my friends, consider any potential collaboration null and void."

Impressively, Lianna held her ground, her eyes locking with Al’has’s. The threat lingered in the air, but Lianna remained steadfast.

After a moment, Al’has leaned back, a cryptic smile playing on her lips.

"Well, at least you’re somewhat resilient in your beliefs. I was merely testing you but make no mistake, others will make similar threats in the future and theirs will be promises, not tests. Think about my offer. The world is on the brink of transformation, and you have the chance to be at its forefront, Lianna. Goodbye."

With that, Al’has rose from her seat and, without another word, left the rooftop. Lianna watched her departure, the weight of the encounter settling in her thoughts.

Then, she breathed a sigh of relief.

"I was quite close to ending her life," Miss Taylor said, materializing out of thin air. "Good that she wasn’t being serious."

She’d been watching over them the entire time, having used an invisibility potion to enter the space alongside Lianna.

That had been the plan, after all. Lianna hadn’t thought the conversation would take a real turn for the worst, but in case it did, she wanted to be ready.

"Fuck, that was intense," Lianna muttered, her head falling on the table.

"You did a good job, though," Cynthia said, walking over and placing a hand on her shoulder. "Is it true that you’re not even going to consider her offer, though? If I were in your shoes, I’d have a hard time turning it down."

Admittedly, if Lianna didn’t know what she knew, perhaps she might have. But, Lianna had something on her mind that made giving this artifact to anyone something she had no intention of doing.

The fall of Garriden. The second-to-last, next event on the Lover’s foreboding list of "things that would bring about the literal end of the world" that had been burned into Lianna’s mind.

Before, it had been hard to envision that happening. How could an entire city be burned down? That was ludicrous.

Now, however, pieces of the puzzle were slowly slotting into place. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

[The assassination of the president... Tensions between Garriden and Telvan are high now. To the point where if something happens to Garriden, no one from Telvan will want to help. That’s probably part of why the city could end up falling.] Lianna theorized, her eyes set on the horizon.

As the city sprawled beneath them, Lianna’s thoughts extended beyond the immediate conflict. The broader implications of political unrest and the fragility of alliances played out like a looming shadow over the horizon. The realization was both sobering and unsettling, a reminder that their world teetered on the precipice of change.

[If Garriden falls, I don’t see how the world could come back from that if some war against Fiends is set to happen.] Lianna’s gaze lingered on the intricate tapestry of city lights. [This artifact... I’m gonna go out on a limb here and guess this thing falling into the wrong hands would probably seal the deal. I have to guard it with my life.]