Phosphorus was indeed the key, the black form grinned wickedly to itself, the small amount of poison roasting in the candle flame sputtering with horrid fumes of brimstone as his magic worked to extract wayward phosphagen from the flames. His eye's sparking with glee and focus as he worked to harvest his gaseous prize.

Phosphagen, the hottest Pnuema a magician could afford to handle, imbibing it would stoke his flame of power like a blast furnace, lifting him to new heights. Already he felt the change occurring, reason sharpening as old memories of tomes and powers long past entered his mind like old friends.

He studies of primitive magic's hadn't been in vain after all, who else would have remembered the ancient candle fire rituals of the old northern hedge wizards or the sacrificial flames of the Southern Nobia's worshipful priesthood. Even if they could recall such dim legends, only he would have seen the connection between the burning of ritual ingredients and the release of power from its material destruction. Even in this muddled state, Phosphorus proven to be the chosen element, releasing by far the greatest quantity of Pnuema for him to inhale.

However, that didn't make it any less toxic, or dangerous. Pnuema held temperature, and at such heat it contained vast explosive energies. It was said that Lightning was the highest form one could reach by scorching their Pnuema, but this also held to the inverse, for lightning was as brief as it was powerful, Once cast it could not be taken back or recovered.

Darwin snorted as he took in a bit too much at once and felt the stinging surge rip through his nostrils', the potency causing uncontrolled spasms as he struggles to contain the burst of power. As he does, the flimsy wooden spoon he was using to drip feed the pale paste into the yawning flame gets a little too close and starts to burn.

Darwin regains control of his arm just in time to see his precious phosphorus take to its namesake and burst into flames, tainted by their processed nature they fail to take up the traditional hot white flame of their purified state, but the smoldering releases more dormant Phosphagen into the air, more than Darwin could handle or conceal.

"What in heavens name?!" came the cry of the home woman, throwing open the cabinet door as she traced the smell of burning wood and hair.

"Dorvin, my precious!" she cried pulling Darwin's twitching body from the broom closet full of smoke and fumes as the flame consumes enough of the impurities to release a tongue of pure fire. The sudden burst of power fills the room with a dull thumping sound as it flickers out as quickly as it lived, casting gray and black clouds throughout the house to smother the occupants.

A horde of cats saw her to the door even as she failed to find it in the smog, the door caving to mob fleeing the smoke and spilling into the street. A strange plague of animals and vapors suddenly forcing themselves out from a back street.

The woman fell to her knees chocking on the last of the dissipating smog, cradling her precious cat in her arms as she shook of the dust and shock. Darwin coming to his senses flex his invisible might, and forced her grip away from himself, landing on the street corner where he began to preen himself in congratulation of his major success.

The old woman tottered to her feet a moment and blinked. The world seemed, strange, different. As the smoke cleared so did something else. the hot brand of Pnuema cut a swath through her mind, awakening old fires and illuminating of memories like the tapestries of a tomb. Her turned over once more and became awake as she suddenly called out unfamiliar names.

"Dorothy, Valentina, where are you?!" she called, as she struggled to remember why they were important. Failing to notice her face lifting, old scars healing and fading as her mind's clarity partially was reflected in her body. As some of the confusion and weariness lifted from her eyes, so too did it lift from her body, like casting off some great weight that had held her in deep mud this whole time.

Darwin failed to notice this miracle of restorations because he'd scampered off dreaming of his latest prize in a window shop close by, hunting down small trinkets of magic to horde and collect for himself as terrible tools to be put against the task of destruction and chaos.

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"Yes, I can sense the change now, double, No. Triple my strength. Phosphorus has granted me the salvation I so desired, with this power It should be child's play to regain my standing, even exceed my previous power. I no longer need shackle myself to this whimpering old maid and her mad secluded ramblings. With this power I may reclaim my tomes of lore, wreck vengeful havoc against those beasts that have wronged me! I'll even be able to best that horrid white demon stalking that accursed butcher's shop! Enter the College of Magic undetected and plunder their library."

He chuckled as best he could " No one would suspect a cat of Burglary, even the minds of modern magic have their boundaries, And I shall cross them all. I will be the greatest, I will claim the Treasures I seek to undo this curse, and nothing will stop me!" cackling as he ran away into the alleyway. turning back to lob some last mockery to the old woman and being surprised by what he saw.

"Oh dear, how longs it been since I last- I will need the sisters for this, but where have they gone?" she muttered. touching her face, she winced, "Where am I, what's happening Luth-you're not Luthor." grimacing at the squalled animal in her arms, tossing him away in mild disgust. Turning back to her home as its last puffs of smoke wafted out the windows.

"First things first however." she chaffed, reaching down, one of her strays drew near to the familiar scent, rubbing against her hand. In the next instant it froze, a chill running down it's whole body, and then, a different force took over as the animal took on a strange mood. It made no sound as its whole body slackened and folded. The whole of it's being clung to the witches' fingertips and dragged the small helpless beast into the air, and withered under her touch, drying and aging by years in mere seconds.

Her Body now shifted, changed, tightened and slackened. A venire of Youth cloaked her as the years of helpless confusion slid off her back, standing taller than before. Her body was slightly younger and stronger as a dozen hidden aliments vanished into nothingness. No longer an old maid, but perhaps a noble matron of a household. Still quite rotund, but it was better suited now, it didn't drag on her like it had before. Some of it had become muscle or bone, filling gaps that had developed over time and neglect.

A snap of her finger and the other animals lined up around her, compelled to obedience. All except one.

Darwin was shacking with glee, rage and confusion. "What in the Blazing depths of Hells own Pit's was happening?" The sight he'd just witness defied all explanations, all possible rational, Comprehension itself was now staggering around like a drunken fool. The woman he'd called a hideous ogre nights before had transformed into, a-a-Lady?! and with such strange regal bearing to herself as well.

Pnuema couldn't explain this, not in a hundred years. The Medical powers need to force the organs of body- the Restoration of Youth was nothing but a summers dream! The power of the Mind could affect some things, yes, but the power required to officiate such a full bodied change in someone would take a hundred wizards to achieve.

Or a Treasure.

Darwin felt his mind creep around the concept. It would be ridiculous to suppose she held such a power, but many such treasured powers had gone astray in the course of war and history. A Family heirloom perhaps? Something specific to heritage to activate? Was it something he could steal or make use of? He was desperate for the answers, reaching into his mind's labyrinth of ancient histories and lore. Trying to come up with the answer. Trying to concoct some scheme to make use of this new item.

"Back inside you lot and find me the source of the flame." the Matrons voice called out, and the horde obeyed. Darwin felt something strike him in the temple the flashed of colors and sounds. To serve suddenly felt wonderful, to obey a great delight. Happiness if he followed the matrons voice.

In another second he was melancholy, his resistance meant sadness, to disobey was despair and-

Ragefully Pneuma boiled inside his frame, something was wrong, he'd been violated in an unknow means. And yet the thoughts lingered, refusing to be banished, like dark waters lapping at his heel. Pushing them away was like fighting the surf or river swells. Vague understanding of his actions dribbled into his mind with the taste of wood.

Aghast, he felt something leave his mouth, only to realize he'd been carrying the spoon. The very same Spoon he'd been using to burn the Phosphorus and release the scalding hot Pneumatic power he required. the she-devil had possessed him, forced him to reveal himself!

The dark queen looked down on him and gave look of confusion. "That's, very odd. How did my spoon get burned, and why- why was it in the closet, with this? But the fire?" She puzzled more "Too much has happened, Too much has passed me by. My mind-Oh, I feel on the verge of faintness."

She sat down upon the couch, and Darwin realized they were back inside the house. His awareness had been bent farther than he realized. What terrible power had she used upon him? What kind of wrathful creature was she? An Archmagis? there hadn't been one in years and the last one had been St. Markus Arul of the Central Churches Blessed Founding. Well over a Hundred years ago!

How could woman of such power go unnoticed? What was happening?! He was going mad with questions and intrigues.

And then she leaned down and ate the cat that was closest to her.