Inky black and red lines rippled across the ground. Looking like some horrific living creature, the ground rippled. It stretched out for miles, and Riley felt like vomiting, a putrid scent wafting through the air. Gods, that’s horrible. Riley grimaced. Is this why Music was mad? I can’t imagine Beauty likes it.

[I don’t. ~Beauty]

Studying the blood field, she turned to the druids. “So, I just use void magic on it?”

An elven woman stepped up to her and smiled. “Yes. Focus on the edge. We’ll help restore the balance when it is cleared. If there is a wraith, the guards will help kill it.”

Riley nodded and conjured two knives, handing them to Nicole. She studied the field and debated using Psychic Storm, ensuring she had it slotted. Would that be more efficient?

[Play me a song. ~Beauty]

Riley looked at the message and chuckled. Beauty, now is not—is that a hint? Conjuring the lute, she gently plucked the strings. The druids turned.

The elf’s mouth dropped open. “Gods’ grace.”

Ignoring them, Riley played the strings, letting the sound roll across the field.

The ground seemed to tremble. The red veins surged, and Riley let herself fall into the music. Like a swelling river, it roared around her. Her magic surged, and the runes on the instrument lit in a vibrant light.

“Beauty, hear my prayer to you.

Grace, I ask your aid.

Nature, bring the balance.

Guide these souls away.

Time, now take this moment.

Music, hear my song.

Gods, I ask your favor.

Help me right this wrong.

Undo the anger ‘round me.

Cleanse this land its pain.

Wash away this darkness,

send a cleansing rain.”

Runes from her skill flashed into her mind. Burning all her mana, she let the storm free. Clouds gathered overhead, and drops of glowing purple water fell, hitting the ground in an explosion of purple.

The nearby elf raised her staff and gestured. The clouds darkened. Glowing green rain fell with it, peppering the area with magic.

Red light poured out of the ground. It began coalescing, only to be hit by a downpour of purple and green.

You can use druid magic with void magic?

[For this, yes. Thank you for the song. ~Nature]

Riley smiled and saw her blades streak across the field, ripping through a forming wraith. Handing two more to Nicole, she watched for movement.

The ground trembled. The coalescing red light surged, and Nicole volleyed blades into it.

Gods, don’t let that form some super wraith, please. Riley frowned and considered burning her inspiration. Her blades flashed through the smokey creature, and a connection to it formed.

“Feed.”

Pressure slammed into her mind, and she gasped, snapping the connection before handing Nicole another set of blades.

“Shoot it!” Nicole barked.

Riley felt her blades sink into it. The connection formed, and she shoved, trying to impose her will on the creature.

“Yield!” the voice thundered in her mind.

Ethereal claws raked across her. Blood oozed from her nose, and Riley slammed her will back into it, willing her inspiration and stamina to help.

The connection snapped, and Riley staggered. She conjured two blades and woodenly handed them to Nicole without much thought.

Nicole threw them and turned. “Riley?”

Riley struggled to hear the muddled sound. The connection to the creature reformed, and she braced herself.

“Fool. Join me!” the voice boomed into her mind.

Riley slammed her will into it and broke the connection, her vision turning a strange red. A warmth filled her chest, and she looked down to see blood everywhere. Wobbling, she saw her wounds knit together.

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“Kill it!” Nicole shouted, firing off a crackling, white arrow. It soared and slammed into the giant creature.

Riley burned her inspiration, letting it surge into the nearby soldiers. Conjuring up two knives, she threw them, willing them to be solid objects.

A tether formed, and slits of smoke leaked from the creature. “Join me!” the voice thundered in her head.

Pain slammed through Riley, ripping through her like claws across flesh. Screaming, she felt blood pouring from her body. Glowing arrows slammed into the creature.

Wobbling, Riley watched the coalescing creature turn. Its eyes glowed red. Black and red flesh covered its massive body. Like embers, its eyes flickered in the rain. Bellowing, it charged.

Gods, please. Riley pulled on her inner song and rifled off the glowing purple blades. They ripped through the creature, sending smoke billowing into the air.

It screamed and slammed into a soldier. His shield glowed purple even as he flew, flying like a rag doll. The creature bellowed, and Riley triggered Ambush. Slamming her purple blades into the creature, she attacked in a frenzy, ripping and tearing it open.

The creature spun, and Riley chained Ambush, appearing and striking like the wind. Black and red poured around her. Blood oozed down her body, and the world exploded in red, black, and purple.

~~~

Nicole sprinted. Scooping Riley’s body from the ground, she poured a healing potion down her throat and prayed. Gods, please.

A burst of green light flashed, and the wounds began to close. Pulling Riley close, Nicole looked at the grass and saw a red and black crystal.

[Corrupted Crystal (Unknown Rank and Type). Do not consume. You may take this to the heart of the place of power for purification. This crystal is attuned to Riley Milvsky.]

Picking it up, she placed it in her purse and looked at Riley. Please be alright.

The druid knelt and invoked another spell. “She’ll be alright, but she’ll need time to rest.”

Nicole nodded and stood. She looked at the sparkling entrance to a place of power. Where’d that come from? Turning away, she walked toward the distant fort. “Does that happen every time?”

“I… I don’t know. That’s the first time that we’ve cleansed one completely,” the druid said, walking alongside Nicole. “Is she a bard, Lady Neria?”

Nicole nodded. “Yes. Don’t ask me about the lute. I have no idea.”

The druid swallowed. “Does she know?”

“About the curse? She knows what I know,” Nicole replied, looking down and frowning at Riley. You’re a little too selfless, you know that? She paused to look around her. “Are there other wraiths?”

“I’m uncertain. I’ve never seen that,” the druid replied.

Nicole turned and jogged toward the fort. I need to get her someplace safe. A sad smile spread on her face. She’d be blushing so badly if she were to wake up right now.

Jogging up to the fort, she entered the gate and jogged to the barracks.

“What happened?” the captain asked with a growing frown.

“We cleansed that portion, but it did a number on Lady Riley,” the druid replied.

Nicole jogged into the barracks and down the hall. Finding an empty room, she walked inside and gently placed Riley on a small cot, using her leg as a pillow.

Minutes ticked by, and the druid walked into the room. She studied Riley and then Nicole. “She hasn’t decided?”

“Not yet. She wanted to see what the elves were like,” Nicole replied. She looked down and gently stroked Riley’s hair. “We’ll see what she decides.”

“It would mean the world to us if she’d agree,” the woman pressed, shutting the door. “How can I help?”

Nicole looked up and shrugged. “I don’t know. Give her time.” She looked down and pushed Riley’s hair to the side. She makes a cute half-elf, too.

The sound of shouting jerked Nicole from her thoughts. She frowned and palmed a knife. The courtyard went quiet, and Nicole waited, her attention shifting to Riley.

Riley’s clothing rippled, shifting to a nightgown.

Grabbing a blanket, the druid walked over and laid it across both. “It is nice to meet you, Nicole. I look forward to having you on the council.”

Nicole looked up. “What exactly does that entail, Faelana?”

“The council consists of the nobles of the elves. They set the laws and provide governance. Though the people are allowed to place them into an inactive portion should their choices be subpar.” Faelana smiled. “You won’t be active until you are properly trained.”

So, skip that training forever, Nicole mused, pulling the blanket around Riley. “I see. Why is the curse such a big deal? That’s what I don’t understand. From everything we’ve found, the noble class isn’t necessary. Neither is Bard.”

Faelana shook her head. “You found out? Of course, you did.” She sighed. “We lost far more than that. Commanders were crippled. Void Mages and Psions disappeared. The legendary classes vanished with it.”

Nicole quirked her brow. “Legendary classes?”

“The advanced classes, if you prefer. You should know.”

“So, the B-tier and onward?”

Faelana nodded. “Yes. That was the problem. The king and queen classes disappeared. The purifier class, the paragon, the templar, the bastion, the dervish, the bladedancer.” She sighed. “The list is long, and many classes weren’t related to Music. For example, the archdruid? I failed to get it.” She swallowed with a note of sorrow on her face.

Nicole glanced at her S-tier class. But I have bladedancer. She looked back at the druid. “I see, but humans can get them?”

“Some of them, not all,” Faelana said. “As can half-elfs. And it’s not fair. Look what they’ve done.” She sighed. “I don’t know why Music doesn’t understand. She never responds to our prayers.”

Nicole paused. “Music, are you out there? Do you know Riley? Why not take it from the humans?”

[Music is attempting to correct her actions. ~Grace]

“Thank you, Grace.” Nicole looked at the message and smiled. I am a little surprised that she answered. She looked back at the druid. “Have you asked the other gods?”

“We did. It’s always the same.” Faelana shook her head and looked at Riley. “Will you help her understand?”

Nicole leaned against the wall. “I’ll do what I can.” She smiled and looked at the druid. “Do you know Althea? Do you know any stories from her childhood?”

Faelana chuckled. “Ah, our little thief. I could tell you a story or two…”