In the center of the bustling city of Windstrew– a place of goliath towers of steam, pipes, clocks adorned in lushes of nature itself as if mother earth blessed it– stands the academy of the Conjuration Parliament, surrounded by architecture: rustic but a testament to how the engineers of this city keeps an eye to the smallest details. Inside the academy was a particular woman named Tenebrosia Writos, a woman of mature age but still glimmering with youth– thirty years, no more– is a manipulator of the Sombre Arts, being a member of the 'Maiden of Darkness', a clan of powerful women meant to balance the powers of darkness along with the Cardinals of Light who manipulate the Scintillant Eunoia, lumen magic– two forces that are two contrasting types of mana that are the fundamentals of what magic can divert into a nuanced spectrum. Tenebrosia nudged her gloved fingers onto the dusty books located on the third floor of the academy's massive library, where many before her had archived magic, from the most mundane to storybooks based on historical events. The twin bangles on both her wrists dangled the cyan boas attached to them, swaying gently from the buzzing wind of the mechanical fans located at each end of the great library.
Dust falls from her fingers; the library is silent, despite the presence of students here and there reading and studying. "Seems like the ancient-bearded wizards truly adored the concept of magic if it required an archive this ginormous," muttered Tenebrosia, dusting her fingers off.
"Indeed, they had, mistress Maiden–' out from the corner of her eye, a wisened-elderly man wearing regal robes and a mitre adorned on his head, skin pale as snow, a great white beard, a lanky tall figure– slightly taller than even the already-towering Tenebrosia, no less– it was a Cardinal of Light. "I am Moy'r, humble sage of the Parliament, servant of one of the Heads of the Governing Council. As it appears from my looks, I specifically serve the Director of the Lumen faction of the Seven on the Council. My master informed me that you have been eyeing the library and have now requested your presence. He has also queried me to pardon the wait." Moy'r bowed himself slightly before lifting his elderly body again– his hands hidden in the long sleeves of his grandeur robes.
"Better late than never, I suppose," Tenebrosia flicked her fingers, glancing at the books once more, before turning her eyes back to Moy'r– fixing her gloves in the process. "Shall I?" asked the sage stoically, his grey eyes and his wrinkly skin made him look wiser, with a tone delivered in a patient, but with an underlying demanding tone. "Lead the way," the tanned-skinned Maiden replied, and both vacated the great library of the academy.
...
"The Governing Council gave their gratitude to you for accepting a task such as this, Lady Tenebrosia," Moy'r spoke in a voice that has experienced the rise and fall of countless generations of kingdoms– and it shows. "You are one of the champions of the clan of the Maidens," his accent enriched with wisdom, "the Governing Council sees your ability essential– the practice of the Sombre is indeed rare in this continent, let alone such a high-ranking one of your order."
"All I heard from this expedition of the academy is that my assistance is required immediately through a vague letter sent by a Conveyance Avios. What is this task, anyway?" Tenebrosia spoke from her purple-tinted lips as the Maiden and the Cardinal walked through one of the long, gargantuan halls of the academy. The walls were adorned with paintings, sculptures, pipes of glowing azure liquid mana, with miniature trees planted on intricate blocks full of carvings...
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SUZANA'S BIOLOGY BOOK
[Avios]
Let me introduce you to one of nature's most fascinating creations: the Avios! These enchanting, bird-like creatures are roughly the size of a small child, standing slightly taller than a toddler. With their impressive wingspans—one and a half times their body size—they're not just delightful to observe, but they make for captivating companions as well! Of course, if you're thinking about having one as a pet, you'll need to secure permission and a certificate from the Critter Guild, the dedicated veterinary scholars who champion animal rights and ensure the well-being of all creatures.
Avios are adorned with vibrant feathers, showcasing a spectrum of colors that can brighten any environment. Their curved beaks and robust chests are a testament to their adaptability, while their retractable talons add to their allure. One of the most striking features of the Avios is their eyes, which can shimmer in hues such as azure, scarlet, purple, and even the mesmerizing obsidian. Interestingly, in rare cases, some exhibit gray or black eyes!
The Critter Guild has researched this unique coloration extensively. It turns out that these gray and black eyes are a recessive phenotype that traces back hundreds of thousands of years, likely arising due to a genetic mutation in the murky environments of volcanic islands. A small portion of the Avios species thrived in these low-predator habitats, developing this extraordinary trait as a means of resisting blindness caused by ash during periods of volcanic activity. Fascinatingly, during a great migration, the majority of the Avios spread across the globe, while some chose to stay behind, so having gray or black eyes is a rare occurrence that happens only if a heterozygous Avios carries the recessive allele.
And let's not forget about their eggs! They provide a culinary delight that tastes like fine cheese seasoned with pepper and salt, a result of the high-fat content in their yolks. This decadence comes from the long incubation period that Avios chicks undergo—nearly a full year!
Additionally, we have the amazing Conveyance Avios, trained messengers that bring a smile to anyone who sees them. Collaborating with the Critter Guild and local Post Offices, these remarkable birds are adept at delivering messages over an impressive regional range—up to twenty-seven thousand miles! They sport small, specialized bags on their backs that not only carry food and water but also contain specially formulated feed, ensuring they remain energized for long stretches without tiring. Cute!
—
...
"I do not have any knowledge either," Moy'r spoke. He rubbed his beard as the two approached closer to the quarters of the Governing Council. "That reminds me, I do give my condolences for the passing of the Council's Director for the Sombre Arts. Apologies for the late solace, my memory has been worn down by time, it seems." The sage gave a genuine bow in respect to the last Director of the Sombre, giving out his sympathy to Tenebrosia.
"She was a great elder, I must say," Tenebrosia waved her hair– she was not sad, but rather, proud that her clan, a clan oppressed by public displeasure, managed to have sat in a position of such high degree. "Nevertheless, I do not require your sadness, Cardinal. We Maidens are brimming with pride just to bear the name of our clan– no time to mourn the past. Elder Ragena would not want us to mourn her death. Although mysterious how she passed... no matter."
Their steps echoed through the massive hall. The clinking of Tenebrosia's intricate purple-white heeled boots– adorned in golden designs– added to the impending seriousness of the discussion with the Council. As the two contrasting forces approached closer, Moy'r once again spoke. "Do you perhaps know why the Governing Council required your presence, m'lady?" There was a pause as the two continued to take steps. "Perhaps they require my guidance, something to relate to the sombre, I reckon. Without Ragena, I suppose they do not know our arts," Tenebrosia replied, hands on her hips with the cyan boas gracefully swaying so stylishly as she walked. "Ah," simply said the sage.
Short moments passed, and they had approached the doors to the quarters of the Governing Council. The twin doors were colossal, even surpassing the heights of a two-story building. The doors were covered in complicated patterns of gold carvings: countless carvings of thorny roses, to cherubs holding trumpets, to the symbol of life, death, and ouroborus. The most obvious are the symbols adorning the center of the doors: at the top were the symbols of the Cardinal and Maiden clans, with only the former glowing in gold as the latter was empty, symbolizing the empty seat of the Director of the Sombre. Below them was the other of the Five: the fiery clan of the Conflagration Fleet, possessing the practice of the Incandescence Tutelage. The water clan of the Sea Guardians: practitioners of the Aqueous Nigh. The earthy clan of the Environs Contrivance: conjuring the powers of the Abode Transmorgification. The cloud-seers of the Ether Cognoscentes, manipulating the Rapture Quintessence. And lastly, the life sages of the Vitality of Eminence, grasping the power of the Exuberance Decree.
Each glowed significantly, a contrast to the dead symbol of the Maidens of Darkness sitting right beside the Cardinal of Light. Tenebrosia squinted for a moment before sighing. "I assume you are to stay here?" she looked at Moy'r, already distancing himself away to the side. "Indeed, mistress Maiden," he nodded, "the doors themselves will open. Simply, exert mana through your aura. I must take my leave." And with that, the sage bowed slightly before leaving through a smaller hall to the left.
"All right, this should be no difficult matter." Tenebrosia channeled her mind to manipulate mana around her– a limited exertion, to be exact– just enough for the doors to open to feel her presence as instructed by Moy'r. The gigantic doors clicked and slowly creaked. Pushing itself open. The quarters of the Governing Council were lit open, illuminated by the sun itself, as the quarters were entirely made out of glass. Flowers were adorned everywhere, and vines were sprouting from each corner, and such were even dangling from the ceiling.
"Apologies for the wait, Lady Tenebrosia," said the Director of the Scintillant Eunoia, who sat on one of the two seats on the highest podiums, each bearing the crescent of the Maidens and Cardinals, of the Conjuration Parliament's Governing Council. Ser Edward F. Reginald XVI, sitting on the podium of the Cardinals. Wearing a grand mitre and robes glittering with gold and precious gems, as well as holding a staff of golden dragon skin, it was apparent from his looks that he was truly a wise wizard, given his surprisingly small stature– his beard practically hanging below his lower torso. His golden monocle perched graciously on his left eye. There, in the lower podiums, sat the Five. 'Captain' Director of the Conflagration Fleet, Lady Y'zura Kaitaramoth, sitting on the furthest right. Her dragon-plated robes glimmer in the bath of the sunlight, her scarlet hair waving in the fresh wind, then resting throughout her entire back. On the far left, the Director of the Sea Guardians, Taitromas Perdius, his short-azure hair that matches his cerulean robes, adorned in patterns tied back to the oceans. His face is clear, devoid of facial hair, and his expression is aloof, more than anything. Next to him was the Director of the Environs Contrivance: a great, corpulent man– significantly taller than Moy'r himself– with a beard matching the colors of the dawn itself and armor made of glittering, rare sunset quartzes. Indeed, this was none other than the great architect himself: Jorn'dun Stonestalwart, in the flesh. Besides Lady Y'zura stood a man with no hair on his head; the presence of any follicle was missing. Instead, a massive scar ran down the side of his eye to the back of his head. Wearing tight-knit, pure-white sleeves with ornaments of gold running down his neck was the Director of the Ether Cognoscentes: Pormanus D. Vron. Like Taitromos, he was aloof like the others, but he is far more stoic-looking than the former. And, in the middle of the lower podium stood a lady, no more physically looking than sixty, who was a woman with elegant limbs and hair of white that almost touched the ground. Tall as Tenebrosia, this is the Director of the Vitality of Eminence: Doyenne Coux'telaver. Wearing robes of verdant, with dry leaves smothered in gold adorning her slim figure. All six, including the absence of Ragena, are all well-known not just in Windstrew, but the continent as a whole, and almost of global recognition.
All of a sudden, Pormanus spoke with a voice loud enough to echo throughout the quarters: "Tell the girl of the issue this instance, Edward–" The elderly man raised his wrinkly fingers, halting Pormanus to speak. "Hush, my friend. There is no need to rush things out."
"You can't be serious–" yet again, Pormanus was interrupted. "Peace with your frustration, my dear companion."
Then, finally, Tenebrosia opened her mouth and words made themselves heard. "In what of Divine's name have you demanded my assistance in such urgency? I suppose I have some devoted followers praising the name of one of the Maiden's champions?" Her words were glossed with sarcasm and witticism.
From the corner of her eye, Y'zura's eyes twitched slightly. Taitromas sighed, Pormanus grunted under his breath, with Doyenne letting out a groan of annoyance. In contrast, Jorn'dun let out a laugh– a joyous laugh exerted from the pits of his great stomach. "Hohoho! The Maiden jokes! I quite like that, ey! Lighten up, my friends!" He laughed further.
"We Council are no aristocrats, Maiden, and you do well know the Conjuration Parliament holds little political power. However, the polarized reputation of your clan makes you a straightforward enemy of the people of Windstrew and the entire continent. Do not poke our tolerance to your kind– the tolerance Ragena gave us." Doyenne snarled at Tenebrosia.
"Halt your anger, sweet Doyenne–" the calm tone of Edward's voice seemingly echoed throughout the room; his voice carried this radiant voice that was felt by every individual present in the quarters, except Tenebrosia. "There is no need for unwarranted frustration with wits as much as others tolerate yours." Doyenne rolled her eyes and groaned– ultimately succumbing to listening.
For a short while, there is silence. And yet again, Edward spoke: "The intention of your invitation here in the presence of the Governing Council is... serious, to say the least." There was a pause from the elderly man, then he spoke again: "Reports of our ecologists saw a demon the size of no more than fifty feet in length– its height unknown, but these ecologists swore it was almost as big as the tundra trees themselves. Additionally, it bore the crescent of your clan– there are photographs of it deep down in the tundras located at the bottom of the glacial mountains of the Moirai Summits." Then, the gravity began to sink in. "Simple knowledge we, the Council, know is that demons with the symbol of the Maidens are creatures in contract with members of your clan. The library contains little knowledge of the Sombre Arts, for the wizards of the past, present, and future, are aware of your arts having... a bit of the niche traits."
In a rare moment of utter disbelief and confusion, Tenebrosia had her mouth agape and eyes slightly widened. Then, she pondered, tapping her golden-adorned boots, clinking with each tap. She then spoke, with her index finger and thumb cupping her chin, "But that is impossible. Yes, we Maidens make concordats with demons and exert our power– sometimes even manifesting them to the mortal plane with ease, rather than them ripping the veil between the worlds of mortals, demons, and angels... but a demon that size requires great mana to open a gateway from the underworld to here. Even as a champion, I lack the capacity to channel that kind of power."
Despite Tenebrosia's reasonable elucidation, the other Five besides Jor'dun are still suspicious of her, while Edward, pondering, came to the conclusion she was speaking the truth. Taking this as the perfect time to poke at the four, still suspicious Directors– "Do believe what you can, dearies."
"Why you–" Y'zura tried standing up; however, the giant doors of the quarters began opening, causing Y'zura to stop and sit back. As the doors finally opened, it was Moy'r returning, clearing his throat, before speaking with a tone of serenity: "Excuse my interruption, my lovely Directors," the sage spoke, "but the King and Queen of Windstrew require your counsel on the arcana. They have recently sent us a scroll stating that your presence is essential for the hebdomadal brief of the region's magical properties, keeping the city's magical drive."
The six Directors nodded, and soon the Five left– leaving only Tenebrosia and Edward alone in the quarters. "Are you coming, master?" Moy'r asked his Director, his robe graciously dragged itself, but halted as he stood at the opened doors– "I'll be right there. I'd have to talk to the Maiden, my friend." Edward replied.
Moy'r nodded, and the doors slowly closed. As the loud click of the giant doors was heard, the small stature of Edward clicked his staff, and then, he spoke. "My dear, I know my fellow directors are not so friendly to your kind– they favored Ragena, tolerated her, but the combination of the negative arcanes you practice caused issues to their trust in the clan." He sighed. However, Tenebrosia listened further, speaking nothing until Edward finished his thought; her hands on her hips. "I further want you to investigate this case– 'tis the true reason why I asked for your assistance, as you were the nearest known Maiden on the continent– and a high-ranking one at that. You, my child, are the only one I can hope for in this occurrence, regardless of what the others think."
Tenebrosia pondered, and being bored with the current state of affairs of her life, she agreed, not even a half-minute of thought. "All right, my wisened prune. Rest assured, this case is well within the grasp of my palms." She smirked at the shorter frame before turning back, flipping her hair, and opening the doors with audacious steps: one leg on the front, one on the back. She turned to the right, smaller hallway out of the larger main hall. Edward had a jovial laugh, before following Moy'r at a distance from the main hall, who was with the Five....