“What do you remember about that day?” Veile asked as she speed back.

“... Hardly anything,” Viria admitted, recoiling from the memories as they floated back to the surface. “We were playing… and then you were screaming in pain.” The bloodcurdling sound echoed through her ears. “Everything afterwards is just… blank. They told me I almost killed you…” her eyes drifted down to her sister’s scars. “And despite their lies, that much, at least, seems to be true.”

Veile’s eyes flashed with irritation. “True it may be, but they are liars still. Truth is a thing easily twisted. Don’t trust a word they say.” She cupped her hands as she spoke. Multi-colored light pooled between her fingers. It spilled forth as she spread them, but instead of striking the ground, it rose– and then scattered.

The iridescent light took the shape of countless orbs, each hovering in the air. There were easily hundreds of them, and each bore a distinct color. It reminded Viria of when she’d seen Selerim surrounded by black lights– what he believed were the souls of the dead.

“I know…” Veile hesitated, and for the first time, she looked truly uncertain. Her expression was bathed in a ghastly light; a mixture of all she’d created. “I know how long you’ve carried your guilt. I want nothing more than to assuage it completely. Believe me. But while some things are terribly complex, others are exceedingly simple.”

She took a deep breath, gesturing between them. “You and I are two halves of a whole. You are power. And I am knowledge. When you touched my hand that day, it was nearly torn from me.” Veile raised her scarred hand. “This is the result.”

Before Viria could say anything, she stepped forward, grabbing hold of both her hands.

“It is no fault of your own, Ria.” There was a note of desperation on her sister’s voice. “Believe me. I bear you no ill will.”

“I…” Viria trailed off. “You’ve already forgiven me many times over,” she finally said. “It will take me time to truly accept that forgiveness, but I understand.” Her voice softened. “You’re my sister, Vai. That’s all that matters.”

“And I promise I will never give you a reason to doubt me.”

“Although…” Viria trailed off. “The rest is... hard to believe.”

Her sister nodded expectantly. “It is,” she agreed. But you,” she stepped back, pointing straight at Viria. “Can control essence without absorbing it. If one such anomaly exists, then is it so difficult to believe that another exists? And,” her voice softened, “you and I are twins. No one on this continent is closer than you and I.”

“I…” she bit her lip. “You’re right,” Viria acquiesced. Theirs was a world of magic– few things were ever truly out of reach. “But if I represent power,” she gestured to the gathered lights. “Then how does this represent knowledge?”

“This will take some time,” Veile warned.

“I’ve been waiting for this,” Viria said softly. “Take all the time you need.”

“Very well. But first, I owe you an apology.” Her sister bowed. “I could have soothed your guilt sooner… and for that, I am truly sorry.”

It took a moment for Viria to recover from the shock. “I was far away,” she finally said. “You have nothing to apologize for.”

Her sister didn’t move in the slightest. “Even so. And… there’s another reason for my apology.” Veile straightened. “I’ve used their treatment of you as political capital. I thought it the best course of action, but… I should have consulted you beforehand.”

“... What did you do?”

She smiled bitterly. “I coerced the other Grovetenders into halting the expansion of their respective territories.”

“What?!” Viria exclaimed. “But–”

Veile cut her off. “Our forest could house every living being and still have room to spare. I know you love the forest, Ria. We all do. But our nation is one of elves– not trees.” Her expression hardened. “And if we don’t find our way, all that awaits is our destruction.”

Something clicked in Viria’s mind at that. “Is this why you assigned Valandor to be my guard?”

Veile nodded. “His goals align with mine. Partially, at least. But,” she continued stepping towards the nearest mote of light, “as for your question, every action has a consequence. Taking one excludes another.” As her hand closed around it, a number of others winked out. “Something as simple as a broken sword can change the future.” And then stepped forward, reaching for another.

“The greater the action, the greater its effect.” Many more winked out this time. “Kill someone, or something…” All the rest vanished. “And kill their futures. I can… not steer it, but nudge it. But I have my limits.”

She pointed at Viria. “When our uncle tried to teach you magic, it seemed like something was missing. Correct?”

Viria nodded once.

“Just as I lack the power to truly bend essence to my will, you lack the insight to realize your magic.” Veile smiled wryly. “And I know how that sounds. Believe me, I’m not calling you stupid. It has nothing to do with intelligence– this is something else entirely.”

“So what?” Viria asked, suddenly frustrated. “It may as well be true. Uncle died of my ineptitude. If what you claim is true, then you know that as well. He–”

“– gave his life for you willingly. I understand your emotions, but you know I speak the truth. Don’t rue his sacrifice.”

She bit her tongue.

“Our world is like an endless river,” Veile continued. “It moves forward without concern for the life in it, flowing towards an endlessly far destination. And, just like the creatures caught in its current, we are powerless to change its direction. But the present decides the future. A small action may only cause the smallest of ripples, but a large enough one…” She trailed off, giving Viria time to process her words.

It only took a moment. The concept was simple enough. And once again, Selerim had said much the same. It occurred to her that that was on purpose- a way of explaining that built on her already existing knowledge.

“Our lives are defined by the changes we make,” she said softly.

“Just so.”

“Then did you know Cress was going to be destroyed?”

“I did,” Veile answered flatly. “And I’ve already given Selerim a chance to air his grievances. I have no control over people’s thoughts– nor their actions. He himself understood.”

“I…” That was believable. She’d seen the hollow’s resigned acceptance. “Then you know who did it.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Just like you, I’m limited,” Veile answered quietly. “The present is a large thing. It takes me time to read it. It took years to prepare for your return. And, more than that, I can only see the actions of those I’ve personally met. And my attention is here,” she said firmly. “In any case, Selerim sent his letter. He has his absolution.”

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Viria’s blood ran cold. “Doesn’t that mean our people are doomed?”

“Fate can be a funny thing.” Veile said flatly. “It’s only chance that Selerim survived. It’s only chance that he agreed to guide you back. And yet here you are.” She sighed. “In any case, we’ve agreed to stem the growth of our forest. There will be Heart enough for some time.”

“And so?” Viria asked. That was easy enough to understand, and surprisingly easy to accept. “What is all this for?” That was harder. She had no desire to rule. And though she and Veile had yet to truly speak to one another until this very moment, Viria found it difficult to believe that was her motivation.

“Because Valandor is right,” Veile said flatly. “We either unite or die. And, more importantly, the future ahead is turbulent. Valandor told you as much, no? Their attempt seemed reckless.”

Viria nodded. “Right.”

“There is another factor at play here. Something that will affect everyone– elf, human, dwarf, and hollow alike. Something that I have no way of influencing. So I will prepare while still possible.”

“And that’s why you gave me that assignment,” she said.

Veile nodded. “Correct. The hollows will trade with us for some time still. Even if word should spread, it will take time. I want to maximize our profits while possible. The chances they attack usa are slim, but I’d prefer to slim them further.” She paused.

“But there is another reason. I want to give you a choice.” Veile spread her arms wide. “I chose this future. You have not. It’s not too late to be free of all this, and live your life in peace.”

Viria shook her head. “No.” In truth, it didn’t matter. She’d agreed to help. In part because she had nothing better to do, but there was a larger reason: such politics had shaped her childhood. She wanted to fight back against them. “I’ll help.”

Veile smiled, and when she spoke, there was no small amount of pride in her voice. “I’d expect nothing less. And that brings us to the next subject for today.”

“Which is?”

She pointed at Viria. “You need to grow your strength. You may be safe for now, but the future comes for us all.”

“How?”

“I’m going to teach you,” Veile smiled. “One of knowledge’s benefits is that it can be shared. You may never be able to wield true magic, but the ability to shape essence is still a fearsome one. And unlike all other mages, you can fight in Umbra with impunity… and indefinitely.”

“Is that why we’re here?”

“Correct again,” Veile nodded. “I’ve gone to great lengths to set things in motion. You are my priority– now and always– but I have my duties as Grovekeeper.” She paused. “And despite what our people have done to you, I know that you don’t wish for their doom.”

Viria hesitated. She’d been uncertain of that until this very moment, when it had been spoken out loud.

“I’m going to give you one day a week.” Veile raised one finger as she spoke. “We’ll alternate practicing and spending time as sisters.” Her lips curled into a smile. No matter what the future holds, that is still the most important thing to me.”

“I…” Viria trailed off. “I don’t know how safe that is,” she whispered in a hushed tone.

“Because of what happened with Selerim?”

She flinched, but said nothing. It was true– she’d nearly killed him. Viria squeezed her eyes shutIt was no use. The image of Selerim’s struggling body, impaled on countless blue spikes, burned itself into the back of her eyelids.

She’d lost control. The only reason he wasn’t dead was sheer luck.

“... Yes,” Viria said, opening her eyes. “Twice now, I’ve nearly killed someone I hold dear. Anything more…” She hesitated, trying to find the right words. “Everyone around me ends up getting hurt,” she said. “Sometimes by my own hand. This seems to be tempting fate.”

“I know you’re scared,” Veile said consolingly. “I understand. But it’s a part of you. You need to learn to control it. I gave you a choice, Ria, but not in this. “I’ll not stand by and watch as the future comes for you.” Her expression softened.

“But I understand your trepidation. You have nothing to fear with me.” She gestured with one hand. “I’ll show you. Create a barrier.”

Viria hesitated.

“... You swore an Oath to Selerim. Are you going to break it so easily?”

Her palm burned at that; she curled it into a fist, feeling the ridged scar cut into her flesh. After another moment’s hesitation, Viria closed her eyes and tightened her focus. It took longer than usual; she’d hardly even seen magic since nearly being killed by Vanis– much less used it.

But, after a stretch of silence, she felt something brush up against her mind. Viria recoiled at first, then accepted it, letting it seep into her very being. When her eyes opened -, the world was bright blue.

It was– ironically– darker than Umbra, but the trees that surrounded them blazed like miniature suns.

Taking a deep breath, Viria willed the essence to take shape. Conversely, it responded more eagerly than all the times before, coalescing to form a panel of solid blue light. Her sister strode up to it.

“What do you think magic is?” She asked, placing one palm on the barrier.

Viria felt the sensation echo across her mind.

“Many believe it an expression of power, but it is not something so simple. We mages weave essence into the fabric of reality to realize our desires. It’s an expression of our will; of equal parts power and knowledge.”

A single, perfectly straight vertical line formed in the barrier.

"With power alone, you can shape the world around us… but never change it.”

A second perfectly straight line formed, though horizontally this time.

“Knowledge may guide you, but it alone cannot be the hand that shapes this world.”

The barrier shattered, breaking Viria’s focus and plunging her vision back into darkness.

“Vanis could have killed me with a thought. But you, sister, will never harm me.” Veile’s eyes flashed. “I’ll not have your death on my hands.” She paused. “We’ll meet every fifth day from now.”

image [https://i.imgur.com/T7fdvjj.png]

Veile watched her sister take hold of Mara’s hand. She was still somewhat timid, but the fire in her had long since been stoked– it was only a matter of time, now. She flinched as the sound of shattering glass played; layered over itself many times over– and the two elves vanished.

The moment they disappeared, Veile doubled over, clutching her scarred arm. It burned terribly; the pain magnified many times over by its certainty. She struggled against it, desperately trying to ignore it, but that proved fruitless.

The darkness embraced her moments later.

When Veile opened her eyes again, she was staring up at Mara, her head resting on the older elf’s lap. She blinked once, then tentatively moved her scarred arm. The pain flared up yet again.

“How–” Veile started, but her voice came out as a croak.

“How long was I out?” She asked, clearing her throat.

“... It’s almost nighttime.”

“I see.”

“Thank you, Mara.” Veile forced herself to rise despite the pain, then held one hand out. “Shall we be off?”

The other elf looked at that hand for only a moment before meeting her eyes. “You shouldn’t lie to your sister.”

Veile bit her tongue to keep from snapping. “And why not? It’s my choice. As for the pain…” She trailed off. “It’ll get easier as time goes on.”

“Even so.”

“Why are you questioning me now?” Veile asked, unable to subdue her irritation any longer. And, try as she might, a note of fear colored her voice. “There’s been time enough for you to think all of this through. So why?”

The future whispered to her, but she ignored it, burying its weak voice behind the screaming pain.

“... Watching it firsthand is different than imagining it.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Veile hissed. “I told you everything upfront. So long as you follow my instructions, you’ll get what you want.” She paused. “Unless you’d like for me to find someone else?”

It was an empty threat, and they both knew it– but Mara shook her head nonetheless.

“Then let us be off.”

She finally stood– but instead of grasping Veile’s uninjured hand, she reached for the scarred one. Her touch soothed the pain– but only slightly.

“I know you care for me, Mara,” Veile said quietly. “And I care for you, too. But this is what we agreed upon. Our relationship goes no further than this. Be certain of this in the future.”

They both knew those words, too, to be empty.