Chapter 370: Before We Proceed
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Chapter 370: Before We Proceed
Tala grumbled as she and Terry waited outside of the testing room while Mistress Elnea and Master Simon performed the first two tests with Kit.
They had asked Tala to make a request of Kit, then leave the room so that they could test Kits sapience and individual identity.
The request?
Kit, do as you wish.
To be fair, Tala had also topped off the pouch, magically speaking, as there was no reason to tempt Kit into devouring things that she shouldnt, but aside from that, she hadnt done anything to influence the outcomes.
Ten minutes later, Master Simon came out and invited her back inside, his face was slightly pale, Well, its confirmed: Ive been living inside a sapient creature.
Tala and Terry reentered the room to find Kit resting on the floor in the middle, in the form of a pouch.
Mistress Elnea smiled to Tala, Well, that was definitive. Kit is both sapient and has a unique identity.
Oh?
Yes. And the woman didnt elaborate further.
After a long moment, Tala decided to move on. Alright then. So, we just have the final test remaining?
Mistress Elnea nodded, and Tala saw a pulse of something moving starward from the woman. Long ago, we acquired a minor arcane holdwell, more than one, but thats not the pointand while weve stripped it of all that we can, the inscriptions which purify the power from the core vestige are all but gone. We do not have the knowledge to restore them. She held up a hand to forestall Tala, Yes, we are aware of Mistress Hollys auto-inscriber, and for reasons I wont get into,her eyes flicked to Master SimonIt cant work. We have others, so this isnt a unique thing, but it is an opportunity for me to pay the debt to you for my participation in this process.
Tala frowned, How can you have more than a few? How do you even have one?
Mistress Elnea grinned. Well, one of our number was in a position to usurp a newly founded arcane city, and after defeating the warriors defending the city, he demanded that all vestiges be left behind when he banished the population, giving them their lives.
Talas eyes widened, remembering an offhand comment that Rane had made on their first caravan trip. Master Grediv said he wasnt going to destroy another arcane city for one of his family He actually did that? Rane wasnt just trying to impress me, and Master Grediv wasnt just making up stories for Rane?This chapter's initial release occurred on the n0vell--Bjjn site.
I see you understand what that means. Mistress Elnea misinterpreted Talas shock, though she wasnt wrong about Talas understanding. So, that has allowed us the opportunity to be studying arcane holds. Our progress hasnt been very fast, partially because they did their best to sabotage or obscure all the magics within everything that they left behind. They are rather effective in that regard, unfortunately. Now, I believe that I hear them coming.
A moment later, the doors opened, and two men came in carrying an ornate door between them. It had heavy magical devices clamped all the way around it, creating and projecting a stabilizing net of power around the contained magical item.
Against that wall, please. Thank you.
They obeyed, setting the door against one wall, removing the inscribed devices, bowing, and departing.
Mistress Elnea took a moment to inspect the door before nodding to herself and turning to Tala, Now, on one hand, you might be thinking, This is insane! This is far too valuable. You are correct. This hold is almost incalculably valuable except, she smiled, except that, as I already said, it is on its last legs. It is effectively worthless to anyone but you, or someone who has a storage like yours. I know of no one like that. So, my payment to you is something of effectively no value to me but of incredible value to you. Do you accept?
Would you offer three as payment instead? Tala prodded, only half-joking.
No.
Then, I accept the one. Yes. Tala grinned. How large is it?
It is a minor hold, but it was for a Major House. They were attempting to establish a foothold in the new city. Sadly, the arcanes destroyed any evidence of which Major House they were from before they left, likely to hide their shame, and the conqueror of the city didnt bother to get details of the local political landscape before he took his plunder and obliterated the rest.
Tala nodded along, but Alat had already taken a look.
The hold wasnt within anyones aura anymore, and so Alat and Tala had a clear look at the expanded space, resting just stoneward of superficial.
So, it is a spherical linked space that
-It has a two-mile radius.-
Talas eye twitched, and Mistress Elnea nodded. I see that youve already seen for yourself. Yes. It is a small hold for a Major House, but if the information you shared with us upon your arrival back in the human lands is still accurate, this should be a substantial increase to your own storages capacity.
Tala was at a loss. Cant someone with a still unbound dimensional storage combine it with their own? Master Jevin did something like that for Kit and me in Makinaven.
Unfortunately not. Holds are not designed to be moved. Those devices that the porters took with them are required to stabilize the dimensional integrity of any hold entrance for transport, and even then, we cant move them faster than a walking speed. What that means in relation to your question is that their magics are entirely different from our own dimensional storages. We cant combine them safely. That is, except She trailed off meaningfully.
Kit. Kit ate arcane holds. They were aware of artifacts like Kit, and they knew how to get the most out of them.
Mistress Elnea nodded. That is what your memories implied, yes.
Alright, then, whats the test?
Kit needs to consume the hold from the outside. That will show that it isnt about being physically present at the core of the hold.
Because Kit wont be able to be present at the core if unmoored.
Precisely. All defenses, both passive and active, have been disabled. There is nothing resisting Kits absorption save the act itself.
Both Master Simon and Mistress Elnea pulled out large Archival slates that seemed to be equipped with powerful detection scripts. Master Simon spoke up for the first time in a while, Would you be willing to withdraw your aura from Kit for the test? Your magics are obviously still present, but we should be able to see through those, if you allow.
Alright. That makes sense to me. Tala picked up Kit and tossed her at the closed door, pulling back her aura at the same time. Eat up, Kit.
Kit slapped against the door, sliding almost comically down to the floor.
There was a beat of startled silence from the humans in the room before Kit expanded on the ground underneath the doorway.
The holds door dropped downward, vanishing in an instant, and Tala and Alat watched in fascination as the connected space dropped to hang stoneward of Talas sanctum.
The copper coin vanished from Talas fingers without a trace.
Talas whole face blossomed into a grin, and she immediately began the process to create a full-powered blood-medium Archon star. With her increased throughput and control, it would only take a few minutes.
Terry trilled happily from the corner where he waited on a pillow, beside a trembling chicken.
The chicken didnt run, so Terry didnt give chase.
It was a delicate balance that was currently distracting Tala.
Right.
Thank you, Kit. Lets get this done.
Mistress Elnea and Master Simon got to work, the testing rooms own magic allowing for the quick creation of the spellforms needed for the merging and bonding.
This was, after all, a rather common procedure for those advanced to Refined.
True, Tala could have just given Kit a bloodstar to enact a soulbond, but that would have been the wild way of doing it. It also wouldnt have allowed for the unmooring to take place at the same time, at least not easily.
Doing it this way, with the proper spellforms and a Paragon in the wings would allow Mistress Elnea to assist at need, both other Mages to monitor the progress, and merging with the unmooring magics to occur at the same time.
Mistress Elnea once again sent a message through the Archive, and it only took a couple of minutes for someone to arrive, carrying an iron strongbox.
The Mage in question bowed to each of them, hesitated briefly to stare confusedly at Terry and the terrified chicken, then departed.
Tala moved closer as Mistress Elnea examined the exterior of the box. What is it?
A cheshire core. When Tala made no indication of understanding, the Paragon continued, There is a forest far to the east, across the plains outside the woods that surround us. In that far forest, there exists a species of feline predators that hunt with nigh impunity, shifting in and out of reality at will, even seemingly able to do so with just parts of their bodies. When they are slain, we sometimes find a core within, which contains magic allowing the unmooring. It is not a full set of their magics by any means, but it allows us to accomplish what we need for this.
Tala nodded. Interesting to know. Thank you.
Soon enough, the great spellforms were in place, and at the center were three open circles, perfectly sized for their would-be occupants.
After Mistress Elnea and Master Simon did a final onceover, they turned to Tala, Master Simon speaking up once again, Its time, Mistress Tala.
Tala turned to Terry. Are you going to be alright in that corner?
He squawked, slowly running one set of talons down the still trembling chickens back.
Are you going to be able to keep the chicken from interfering?
Terry practically cooed as he pushed down a little more firmly, and the chicken pulled in on itself.
Okay, then. Tala turned back to the two other Mages. Alright, lets
Mistress Elnea was regarding Master Simon with a look of bafflement, And you allow your children in the same area as that avian?
Master Simon shrugged. Hes really quite friendly to anyone who isnt prey.
The older woman raised an eyebrow. I see.
Tala smiled. Hes a wonderful flock mate and looks after the kids quite well.
Mistress Elnea seemed ready to argue, but Master Simon was already nodding, He really is quite intelligent and kind when he wants to be.
Finally, the Paragon just shook her head. Well, far be it from me to doubt the two of you. You know him better than I do.
Tala didnt delay any further, walking to the center and setting Kit down in the designated spot.
She, herself, sat down in the largest circle, and the cheshire core was already waiting in the third open space.
Was that there a moment ago?
-I think so. I didnt really notice it, though.-
Fun unmooring magics for the win! Tala chuckled wryly within her own mind.
She couldnt actually recall anyone placing it there either, but that wasnt really the point of the moment.
Mistress Elnea and Master Simon took their positions and indicated that they were ready to proceed.
Tala closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and pulled the now full-powered bloodstar stoneward, out of her finger and into her aura that was projected in that direction.
It came with no resistance, and after she maneuvered it a bit, she pushed it back starward, into the superficial in front of her.
To those watching, it likely looked like an exceedingly magical drop of blood simply popped into existence in front of Talas chest.
She nodded one last time. Im ready.
With a thought she moved the blood-medium Archon star into deliberate contact with Kit, activating the merging magics around her at the moment of connection.
The whole world went white, as she slipped into the all-too-familiar void of a merging.
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Chapter 370: Before We Proceed
Tala grumbled as she and Terry waited outside of the testing room while Mistress Elnea and Master Simon performed the first two tests with Kit.
They had asked Tala to make a request of Kit, then leave the room so that they could test Kits sapience and individual identity.
The request?
Kit, do as you wish.
To be fair, Tala had also topped off the pouch, magically speaking, as there was no reason to tempt Kit into devouring things that she shouldnt, but aside from that, she hadnt done anything to influence the outcomes.
Ten minutes later, Master Simon came out and invited her back inside, his face was slightly pale, Well, its confirmed: Ive been living inside a sapient creature.
Tala and Terry reentered the room to find Kit resting on the floor in the middle, in the form of a pouch.
Mistress Elnea smiled to Tala, Well, that was definitive. Kit is both sapient and has a unique identity.
Oh?
Yes. And the woman didnt elaborate further.
After a long moment, Tala decided to move on. Alright then. So, we just have the final test remaining?
Mistress Elnea nodded, and Tala saw a pulse of something moving starward from the woman. Long ago, we acquired a minor arcane holdwell, more than one, but thats not the pointand while weve stripped it of all that we can, the inscriptions which purify the power from the core vestige are all but gone. We do not have the knowledge to restore them. She held up a hand to forestall Tala, Yes, we are aware of Mistress Hollys auto-inscriber, and for reasons I wont get into,her eyes flicked to Master SimonIt cant work. We have others, so this isnt a unique thing, but it is an opportunity for me to pay the debt to you for my participation in this process.
Tala frowned, How can you have more than a few? How do you even have one?
Mistress Elnea grinned. Well, one of our number was in a position to usurp a newly founded arcane city, and after defeating the warriors defending the city, he demanded that all vestiges be left behind when he banished the population, giving them their lives.
Talas eyes widened, remembering an offhand comment that Rane had made on their first caravan trip. Master Grediv said he wasnt going to destroy another arcane city for one of his family He actually did that? Rane wasnt just trying to impress me, and Master Grediv wasnt just making up stories for Rane?This chapter's initial release occurred on the n0vell--Bjjn site.
I see you understand what that means. Mistress Elnea misinterpreted Talas shock, though she wasnt wrong about Talas understanding. So, that has allowed us the opportunity to be studying arcane holds. Our progress hasnt been very fast, partially because they did their best to sabotage or obscure all the magics within everything that they left behind. They are rather effective in that regard, unfortunately. Now, I believe that I hear them coming.
A moment later, the doors opened, and two men came in carrying an ornate door between them. It had heavy magical devices clamped all the way around it, creating and projecting a stabilizing net of power around the contained magical item.
Against that wall, please. Thank you.
They obeyed, setting the door against one wall, removing the inscribed devices, bowing, and departing.
Mistress Elnea took a moment to inspect the door before nodding to herself and turning to Tala, Now, on one hand, you might be thinking, This is insane! This is far too valuable. You are correct. This hold is almost incalculably valuable except, she smiled, except that, as I already said, it is on its last legs. It is effectively worthless to anyone but you, or someone who has a storage like yours. I know of no one like that. So, my payment to you is something of effectively no value to me but of incredible value to you. Do you accept?
Would you offer three as payment instead? Tala prodded, only half-joking.
No.
Then, I accept the one. Yes. Tala grinned. How large is it?
It is a minor hold, but it was for a Major House. They were attempting to establish a foothold in the new city. Sadly, the arcanes destroyed any evidence of which Major House they were from before they left, likely to hide their shame, and the conqueror of the city didnt bother to get details of the local political landscape before he took his plunder and obliterated the rest.
Tala nodded along, but Alat had already taken a look.
The hold wasnt within anyones aura anymore, and so Alat and Tala had a clear look at the expanded space, resting just stoneward of superficial.
So, it is a spherical linked space that
-It has a two-mile radius.-
Talas eye twitched, and Mistress Elnea nodded. I see that youve already seen for yourself. Yes. It is a small hold for a Major House, but if the information you shared with us upon your arrival back in the human lands is still accurate, this should be a substantial increase to your own storages capacity.
Tala was at a loss. Cant someone with a still unbound dimensional storage combine it with their own? Master Jevin did something like that for Kit and me in Makinaven.
Unfortunately not. Holds are not designed to be moved. Those devices that the porters took with them are required to stabilize the dimensional integrity of any hold entrance for transport, and even then, we cant move them faster than a walking speed. What that means in relation to your question is that their magics are entirely different from our own dimensional storages. We cant combine them safely. That is, except She trailed off meaningfully.
Kit. Kit ate arcane holds. They were aware of artifacts like Kit, and they knew how to get the most out of them.
Mistress Elnea nodded. That is what your memories implied, yes.
Alright, then, whats the test?
Kit needs to consume the hold from the outside. That will show that it isnt about being physically present at the core of the hold.
Because Kit wont be able to be present at the core if unmoored.
Precisely. All defenses, both passive and active, have been disabled. There is nothing resisting Kits absorption save the act itself.
Both Master Simon and Mistress Elnea pulled out large Archival slates that seemed to be equipped with powerful detection scripts. Master Simon spoke up for the first time in a while, Would you be willing to withdraw your aura from Kit for the test? Your magics are obviously still present, but we should be able to see through those, if you allow.
Alright. That makes sense to me. Tala picked up Kit and tossed her at the closed door, pulling back her aura at the same time. Eat up, Kit.
Kit slapped against the door, sliding almost comically down to the floor.
There was a beat of startled silence from the humans in the room before Kit expanded on the ground underneath the doorway.
The holds door dropped downward, vanishing in an instant, and Tala and Alat watched in fascination as the connected space dropped to hang stoneward of Talas sanctum.
The copper coin vanished from Talas fingers without a trace.
Talas whole face blossomed into a grin, and she immediately began the process to create a full-powered blood-medium Archon star. With her increased throughput and control, it would only take a few minutes.
Terry trilled happily from the corner where he waited on a pillow, beside a trembling chicken.
The chicken didnt run, so Terry didnt give chase.
It was a delicate balance that was currently distracting Tala.
Right.
Thank you, Kit. Lets get this done.
Mistress Elnea and Master Simon got to work, the testing rooms own magic allowing for the quick creation of the spellforms needed for the merging and bonding.
This was, after all, a rather common procedure for those advanced to Refined.
True, Tala could have just given Kit a bloodstar to enact a soulbond, but that would have been the wild way of doing it. It also wouldnt have allowed for the unmooring to take place at the same time, at least not easily.
Doing it this way, with the proper spellforms and a Paragon in the wings would allow Mistress Elnea to assist at need, both other Mages to monitor the progress, and merging with the unmooring magics to occur at the same time.
Mistress Elnea once again sent a message through the Archive, and it only took a couple of minutes for someone to arrive, carrying an iron strongbox.
The Mage in question bowed to each of them, hesitated briefly to stare confusedly at Terry and the terrified chicken, then departed.
Tala moved closer as Mistress Elnea examined the exterior of the box. What is it?
A cheshire core. When Tala made no indication of understanding, the Paragon continued, There is a forest far to the east, across the plains outside the woods that surround us. In that far forest, there exists a species of feline predators that hunt with nigh impunity, shifting in and out of reality at will, even seemingly able to do so with just parts of their bodies. When they are slain, we sometimes find a core within, which contains magic allowing the unmooring. It is not a full set of their magics by any means, but it allows us to accomplish what we need for this.
Tala nodded. Interesting to know. Thank you.
Soon enough, the great spellforms were in place, and at the center were three open circles, perfectly sized for their would-be occupants.
After Mistress Elnea and Master Simon did a final onceover, they turned to Tala, Master Simon speaking up once again, Its time, Mistress Tala.
Tala turned to Terry. Are you going to be alright in that corner?
He squawked, slowly running one set of talons down the still trembling chickens back.
Are you going to be able to keep the chicken from interfering?
Terry practically cooed as he pushed down a little more firmly, and the chicken pulled in on itself.
Okay, then. Tala turned back to the two other Mages. Alright, lets
Mistress Elnea was regarding Master Simon with a look of bafflement, And you allow your children in the same area as that avian?
Master Simon shrugged. Hes really quite friendly to anyone who isnt prey.
The older woman raised an eyebrow. I see.
Tala smiled. Hes a wonderful flock mate and looks after the kids quite well.
Mistress Elnea seemed ready to argue, but Master Simon was already nodding, He really is quite intelligent and kind when he wants to be.
Finally, the Paragon just shook her head. Well, far be it from me to doubt the two of you. You know him better than I do.
Tala didnt delay any further, walking to the center and setting Kit down in the designated spot.
She, herself, sat down in the largest circle, and the cheshire core was already waiting in the third open space.
Was that there a moment ago?
-I think so. I didnt really notice it, though.-
Fun unmooring magics for the win! Tala chuckled wryly within her own mind.
She couldnt actually recall anyone placing it there either, but that wasnt really the point of the moment.
Mistress Elnea and Master Simon took their positions and indicated that they were ready to proceed.
Tala closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and pulled the now full-powered bloodstar stoneward, out of her finger and into her aura that was projected in that direction.
It came with no resistance, and after she maneuvered it a bit, she pushed it back starward, into the superficial in front of her.
To those watching, it likely looked like an exceedingly magical drop of blood simply popped into existence in front of Talas chest.
She nodded one last time. Im ready.
With a thought she moved the blood-medium Archon star into deliberate contact with Kit, activating the merging magics around her at the moment of connection.
The whole world went white, as she slipped into the all-too-familiar void of a merging.
Chapter 370: Before We ProceedTala grumbled as she and Terry waited outside of the testing room while Mistress Elnea and Master Simon performed the first two tests with Kit.They had asked Tala to make a request of Kit, then leave the room so that they could test Kits sapience and individual identity.The request?Kit, do as you wish.To be fair, Tala had also topped off the pouch, magically speaking, as there was no reason to tempt Kit into devouring things that she shouldnt, but aside from that, she hadnt done anything to influence the outcomes.Ten minutes later, Master Simon came out and invited her back inside, his face was slightly pale, Well, its confirmed: Ive been living inside a sapient creature.Tala and Terry reentered the room to find Kit resting on the floor in the middle, in the form of a pouch.Mistress Elnea smiled to Tala, Well, that was definitive. Kit is both sapient and has a unique identity.Oh?Yes. And the woman didnt elaborate further.After a long moment, Tala decided to move on. Alright then. So, we just have the final test remaining?Mistress Elnea nodded, and Tala saw a pulse of something moving starward from the woman. Long ago, we acquired a minor arcane holdwell, more than one, but thats not the pointand while weve stripped it of all that we can, the inscriptions which purify the power from the core vestige are all but gone. We do not have the knowledge to restore them. She held up a hand to forestall Tala, Yes, we are aware of Mistress Hollys auto-inscriber, and for reasons I wont get into,her eyes flicked to Master SimonIt cant work. We have others, so this isnt a unique thing, but it is an opportunity for me to pay the debt to you for my participation in this process.Tala frowned, How can you have more than a few? How do you even have one?Mistress Elnea grinned. Well, one of our number was in a position to usurp a newly founded arcane city, and after defeating the warriors defending the city, he demanded that all vestiges be left behind when he banished the population, giving them their lives.Talas eyes widened, remembering an offhand comment that Rane had made on their first caravan trip. Master Grediv said he wasnt going to destroy another arcane city for one of his family He actually did that? Rane wasnt just trying to impress me, and Master Grediv wasnt just making up stories for Rane?This chapter's initial release occurred on the n0vell--Bjjn site.I see you understand what that means. Mistress Elnea misinterpreted Talas shock, though she wasnt wrong about Talas understanding. So, that has allowed us the opportunity to be studying arcane holds. Our progress hasnt been very fast, partially because they did their best to sabotage or obscure all the magics within everything that they left behind. They are rather effective in that regard, unfortunately. Now, I believe that I hear them coming.A moment later, the doors opened, and two men came in carrying an ornate door between them. It had heavy magical devices clamped all the way around it, creating and projecting a stabilizing net of power around the contained magical item.Against that wall, please. Thank you.They obeyed, setting the door against one wall, removing the inscribed devices, bowing, and departing.Mistress Elnea took a moment to inspect the door before nodding to herself and turning to Tala, Now, on one hand, you might be thinking, This is insane! This is far too valuable. You are correct. This hold is almost incalculably valuable except, she smiled, except that, as I already said, it is on its last legs. It is effectively worthless to anyone but you, or someone who has a storage like yours. I know of no one like that. So, my payment to you is something of effectively no value to me but of incredible value to you. Do you accept?Would you offer three as payment instead? Tala prodded, only half-joking.No.Then, I accept the one. Yes. Tala grinned. How large is it?It is a minor hold, but it was for a Major House. They were attempting to establish a foothold in the new city. Sadly, the arcanes destroyed any evidence of which Major House they were from before they left, likely to hide their shame, and the conqueror of the city didnt bother to get details of the local political landscape before he took his plunder and obliterated the rest.Tala nodded along, but Alat had already taken a look.The hold wasnt within anyones aura anymore, and so Alat and Tala had a clear look at the expanded space, resting just stoneward of superficial.So, it is a spherical linked space that-It has a two-mile radius.-Talas eye twitched, and Mistress Elnea nodded. I see that youve already seen for yourself. Yes. It is a small hold for a Major House, but if the information you shared with us upon your arrival back in the human lands is still accurate, this should be a substantial increase to your own storages capacity.Tala was at a loss. Cant someone with a still unbound dimensional storage combine it with their own? Master Jevin did something like that for Kit and me in Makinaven.Unfortunately not. Holds are not designed to be moved. Those devices that the porters took with them are required to stabilize the dimensional integrity of any hold entrance for transport, and even then, we cant move them faster than a walking speed. What that means in relation to your question is that their magics are entirely different from our own dimensional storages. We cant combine them safely. That is, except She trailed off meaningfully.Kit. Kit ate arcane holds. They were aware of artifacts like Kit, and they knew how to get the most out of them.Mistress Elnea nodded. That is what your memories implied, yes.Alright, then, whats the test?Kit needs to consume the hold from the outside. That will show that it isnt about being physically present at the core of the hold.Because Kit wont be able to be present at the core if unmoored.Precisely. All defenses, both passive and active, have been disabled. There is nothing resisting Kits absorption save the act itself.Both Master Simon and Mistress Elnea pulled out large Archival slates that seemed to be equipped with powerful detection scripts. Master Simon spoke up for the first time in a while, Would you be willing to withdraw your aura from Kit for the test? Your magics are obviously still present, but we should be able to see through those, if you allow.Alright. That makes sense to me. Tala picked up Kit and tossed her at the closed door, pulling back her aura at the same time. Eat up, Kit.Kit slapped against the door, sliding almost comically down to the floor.There was a beat of startled silence from the humans in the room before Kit expanded on the ground underneath the doorway.The holds door dropped downward, vanishing in an instant, and Tala and Alat watched in fascination as the connected space dropped to hang stoneward of Talas sanctum.The copper coin vanished from Talas fingers without a trace.Talas whole face blossomed into a grin, and she immediately began the process to create a full-powered blood-medium Archon star. With her increased throughput and control, it would only take a few minutes.Terry trilled happily from the corner where he waited on a pillow, beside a trembling chicken.The chicken didnt run, so Terry didnt give chase.It was a delicate balance that was currently distracting Tala.Right.Thank you, Kit. Lets get this done.Mistress Elnea and Master Simon got to work, the testing rooms own magic allowing for the quick creation of the spellforms needed for the merging and bonding.This was, after all, a rather common procedure for those advanced to Refined.True, Tala could have just given Kit a bloodstar to enact a soulbond, but that would have been the wild way of doing it. It also wouldnt have allowed for the unmooring to take place at the same time, at least not easily.Doing it this way, with the proper spellforms and a Paragon in the wings would allow Mistress Elnea to assist at need, both other Mages to monitor the progress, and merging with the unmooring magics to occur at the same time.Mistress Elnea once again sent a message through the Archive, and it only took a couple of minutes for someone to arrive, carrying an iron strongbox.The Mage in question bowed to each of them, hesitated briefly to stare confusedly at Terry and the terrified chicken, then departed.Tala moved closer as Mistress Elnea examined the exterior of the box. What is it?A cheshire core. When Tala made no indication of understanding, the Paragon continued, There is a forest far to the east, across the plains outside the woods that surround us. In that far forest, there exists a species of feline predators that hunt with nigh impunity, shifting in and out of reality at will, even seemingly able to do so with just parts of their bodies. When they are slain, we sometimes find a core within, which contains magic allowing the unmooring. It is not a full set of their magics by any means, but it allows us to accomplish what we need for this.Tala nodded. Interesting to know. Thank you.Soon enough, the great spellforms were in place, and at the center were three open circles, perfectly sized for their would-be occupants.After Mistress Elnea and Master Simon did a final onceover, they turned to Tala, Master Simon speaking up once again, Its time, Mistress Tala.Tala turned to Terry. Are you going to be alright in that corner?He squawked, slowly running one set of talons down the still trembling chickens back.Are you going to be able to keep the chicken from interfering?Terry practically cooed as he pushed down a little more firmly, and the chicken pulled in on itself.Okay, then. Tala turned back to the two other Mages. Alright, letsMistress Elnea was regarding Master Simon with a look of bafflement, And you allow your children in the same area as that avian?Master Simon shrugged. Hes really quite friendly to anyone who isnt prey.The older woman raised an eyebrow. I see.Tala smiled. Hes a wonderful flock mate and looks after the kids quite well.Mistress Elnea seemed ready to argue, but Master Simon was already nodding, He really is quite intelligent and kind when he wants to be.Finally, the Paragon just shook her head. Well, far be it from me to doubt the two of you. You know him better than I do.Tala didnt delay any further, walking to the center and setting Kit down in the designated spot.She, herself, sat down in the largest circle, and the cheshire core was already waiting in the third open space.Was that there a moment ago?-I think so. I didnt really notice it, though.-Fun unmooring magics for the win! Tala chuckled wryly within her own mind.She couldnt actually recall anyone placing it there either, but that wasnt really the point of the moment.Mistress Elnea and Master Simon took their positions and indicated that they were ready to proceed.Tala closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and pulled the now full-powered bloodstar stoneward, out of her finger and into her aura that was projected in that direction.It came with no resistance, and after she maneuvered it a bit, she pushed it back starward, into the superficial in front of her.To those watching, it likely looked like an exceedingly magical drop of blood simply popped into existence in front of Talas chest.She nodded one last time. Im ready.With a thought she moved the blood-medium Archon star into deliberate contact with Kit, activating the merging magics around her at the moment of connection.The whole world went white, as she slipped into the all-too-familiar void of a merging.
