Minor Healing Potion is the easiest healing potion someone with the innate affinity for alchemy can create. Because it's so easy to make, it's best for minor cuts and bruises. It is commonly carried around by travelers, mercenaries, and the like.
~ Alchemy 101 by Serena Araceli
Minor Healing Potion is one of the first medicines a potion-maker creates. Even then, grinding the herbs and the other tasks needed to prep for the creation, leave residual elements that detract from the final product. A Minor Healing Potion, or any Minor Potion, is called that because of the vast amounts of impurities left in it. No matter what, there are always impurities and residual ingredients.
~ Alchemical Lesson by Ines, Master Potion-Maker of Soteria
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The name "Anchor" was unsettling. At first, Serena believed a simple handshake would ease things, but she had little understanding of this spirit or the gentle art of haunting. The nature of the seal confining him to this pocket plane eluded her.
It swiftly dawned on her how out of her depth she was with Mafuyu.
The vengeful spirit ushered her into a chamber where a stone altar stood. Atop the altar lay a black blade, engraved with symbols of an ancient and unfamiliar design. Approaching, Serena shivered from the malevolent energy it radiated. Mafuyu's spectral form, brimming with anger, hovered next to her.
"Merge your blood and aether with mine," Mafuyu's voice reverberated, "and we can shatter these chains. Once released, this plane will crumble, attempting to drag us down. You must bind us and tether me to the book. I'll harness the needed energy to transport us to where you intended."
Serena hesitated. Unversed in spirits and dark arts, she felt lost. Yet, under Mafuyu's intense scrutiny, she felt the pressure of his desperation.
Tentatively, Serena touched the blade's surface. Power coursed into her immediately, the symbols illuminating. Their purpose embedded into her thoughts.
With newfound determination, Serena grasped the hilt, laying the keen edge on her palm. The blade's unusual sharpness and almost palpable thirst for blood became clear. Taking a steadying breath, she made a swift cut. As the blade absorbed her blood, Serena began disassembling the exposed formation array.
Behind her, Mafuyu's luminescent form shone brighter. His potent energy resonated within her, growing more powerful and eliciting in Serena a mingled sensation of fear and exhilaration.
With the array dismantled, Serena exhaled in relief. She presented her bleeding hand to Mafuyu. "It's done," her voice quivered. "What's next?"
Mafuyu drifted closer, his ethereal form radiating potent energy. "Now, we intertwine our aethers," he declared. A sudden pang of apprehension coursed through Serena. She could only imagine the peril of the impending ritual.
Mafuyu's ghostly hand enveloped hers, and an icy surge of energy jolted Serena. The painful yet invigorating intertwining of their aethers made her gasp. She felt herself amplified, empowered with each heartbeat.
Their merged energies intensified, and Serena discerned the burgeoning darkness within Mafuyu reaching its zenith. The power within threatened to overwhelm her, demanding utmost willpower for containment.
In a tumultuous burst, they found themselves propelled from the pocket plane, thrust into a suffocating void. The crushing pressure enveloped Serena, urging immediate action for survival.
Mafuyu's luminous form seized the black book Serena had in tow. "Quickly," he urged amidst the cacophony of the imploding void. "Anchor me to the book, and we shall find refuge!"
Gathering her courage, Serena unfurled the book to an untouched page. Employing the obsidian dagger, she etched a binding incantation, invoking ancient phrases newly known. Mafuyu's essence poured into the tome as she concluded, sealing the connection.
A brilliant luminescence ensued, casting them into an uncharted realm. They collapsed, breathless. The ensuing silence was thick with Serena's inner turmoil, reflecting on her recent actions.
Amidst the tension, a transient scroll materialized before her, its content muddled, reminiscent of a message stretched over vast distances. As swiftly as it appeared, it vanished. Frantically, Serena retrieved the black book, eager to document the occurrence. Upon opening, the enigmatic message had clarified:
[Welcome to Aiva, Serena Araceli. As a summoned Godkin of Aiva, you now find yourself beyond the boundaries of Divine Will. The land of Lavera has lost touch with the Divine Will. However, because of your status as a Godkin, you have higher priority and access to the Divine Will. Some functions of the Divine Will still function for you here. Ensure your connection to the Divine Will by seeking the nearest temple or shrine. If unsuccessful, depart Lavera and embark on a sanctifying pilgrimage.]
"Our compatibility seems greater than I initially assessed."
Serena's gaze slowly shifted to Mafuyu, whose ethereal form danced with the early morning rays. While she felt his presence physically, mentally, and spiritually, she wondered if probing deeper into his comment was premature.
"What is this 'Divine Will'?" Serena questioned, her mind pivoting from one enigma to another. "What's a 'Godkin'? And how did it recognize my name?"
Mafuyu levitated slightly, his arms enfolded within his robe's voluminous sleeves. As his silver hair veiled his visage, Serena sensed his contemplation.
"The specifics elude me," he finally spoke. "But caution would be wise. To fathom this mystery, we might solicit insights from the locals."
Serena surveyed the dark woods next to them. Navigating this foreign land without purpose seemed unwise, yet Mafuyu's assertion held weight. They needed enlightenment on the Divine Will and its expectations.
"Agreed," Serena responded, rising to her feet, dusting herself. "A town or village may hold our answers."
Mafuyu nodded. As they passed by the forest's periphery, distant smoke plumes soon rewarded their search for civilization. Alas, the volume suggested more than mere hearths at work.
Panic-stricken cries filled the air, sending a shiver down Serena's spine. Yet, she motioned toward the disturbance. "Someone's assaulting them. Should we intervene?"
Blindly charging in could be perilous, but if she successfully defused the situation, she might secure both refuge and local goodwill.
Mafuyu's form emanated a gentle luminescence. "We should find out the situation," he whispered gravely. "But tread with caution. Your life outweighs theirs."
Serena might have found his sentiment endearing if not for the understanding that their existences were now intertwined.
Strengthened by resolve, she inhaled deeply, using the tall grass as cover during her advance. As the scene became clearer, she discerned two figures at the village's edge. A menacing man stood poised to strike a wounded woman.
Serena deftly concealed herself in the tree's shadows, torn about intervening. The young woman, with golden tresses, clenched her eyes and bit her lip in anticipation of the impending harm.
The horror of the scene unfurling before her felt surreal. Veles had recounted such tales, painting them as reasons he feared for her safety, especially if she strayed or found herself defenseless. None of this was her choosing; she was thrust into this situation against her will.
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By ignoring this atrocity, she felt complicit in the violence.
As the aether surged to her command, it swirled around her fingers. She pondered a means to incapacitate the assailant, especially given his proximity to the young woman.
Stealthily, she projected her aether toward the man, probing his psyche. To her relief, he lacked any mental shields.
While her expertise in Psionic and mental magics was novice at best, this wasn't an opportune moment for trial and error. A cursory dive into his thoughts revealed his deep-rooted dread of two figures, likely superiors, and his seething anger towards the young woman for a past injury.
Creating a diversion would be challenging. She conjured a vivid recollection of a reprimand from one of the feared figures and manipulated the aether to mimic his voice.
"Why are you here, fool?"
The bandit froze, visibly shaken. "I'm teaching this wretch her place."
"We're rounding up survivors in the village square. We need to tally any salvageable wealth."
Confused, the bandit whirled to confront a non-existent accuser. "What?"
Internally cursing, Serena redirected her aether, fashioning it into a protective cocoon around the petrified girl. With a gesture resembling a tug, the young woman was hoisted from the ground and swiftly drawn to Serena's hideout behind the tree.
The rescued teen gazed at her, wide-eyed with trepidation. Serena surmised that, to the girl, she might be as intimidating as her assailant. Attempting to comfort her, Serena offered a shaky smile.
"Stay put," Serena instructed, waiting for the girl's nod of acknowledgement before releasing her.
Mafuyu's ethereal silhouette hovered just behind her, posing a question. "What's your next move? A tome and dagger might not suffice for defense."
The blonde teen seemed oblivious to Mafuyu, an unforeseen but potentially advantageous revelation for Serena.
While she now needed to exercise caution when speaking to him around others, her current predicament demanded immediate attention.
“Can you distract him?” She mentally asked the vengeful spirit.
“I could eliminate him with ease, were I to possess even a smidgen of power,” Mafuyu responded.
Serena discerned the truth layered within his evasive words. He had no genuine inclination to protect a mere mortal.
Suddenly, an abrasive voice barked, “There you are!”
A hand clamped onto a strand of her hair, yanking her out of concealment. Tumbling onto the ground, Serena nearly relinquished her hold on both book and dagger. The vice-like grip on her hair intensified, pushing her to the brink of a scream. She steeled herself, refusing to shut her eyes in defeat.
“Who are you?” The man’s inquiry bore confusion, his disfigured face amplifying the sentiment.
His grip slackened just enough, allowing Serena a brief escape. As she regained her footing, she brandished her dagger, albeit with shaky hands and unpracticed form.
The sight seemed to tickle the man, who mocked, “Planning to scratch me with that trinket?”
He gestured threateningly with his blood-coated sword. An enveloping dread reminded Serena of her inexperience; this was her inaugural combat, and no knight was poised to save her if the tables turned.
She could sense Mafuyu’s analytical gaze, weighing her odds of survival. Given her scant understanding of his temperament, she doubted he’d intervene until he had his answer. And even then, his assistance would likely come with strings attached.
She was truly on her own.
With a tremulous inhalation, Serena steadied herself, an audacious plan taking shape in her mind. It required her to flirt dangerously with the specter of death.
In a few vital moments, she channeled aether into her limbs. Skillfully sidestepping the descending blade, she entered the risky domain of close combat. The metallic song of mundane steel clashing with magical alloy filled the air until her dagger, imbued with power, split the man’s longsword.
Her victory, however, was short-lived. Before she could capitalize on his disarmed state, a powerful punch to her midsection doubled her over, followed by a kick that sent her sprawling. The tall grass, luckily, absorbed some of the impact.
As she lay gasping, the man loomed ominously overhead. Panic swelled as her gaze fixed on the jagged remains of his blade, menacingly poised above her.
“Decent attempt for a [Mage]. Should’ve relied on your magic, girl,” he sneered.
His peculiar emphasis on "Mage" intrigued her. But in her vulnerable position, the likelihood of a civil exchange seemed improbable.
The ceremonial dagger felt heavy in her grasp as instinct guided her hand for a desperate attempt at self-preservation. As the man mockingly lowered his face to savor her impending doom, Serena's arm struck out wildly with the dagger.
A half-formed scream morphed into a choked gurgle, and she watched in horror as blood spewed from the gaping wound in his throat. As the man collapsed, fingers desperately clutching his injury, panic surged within her. There were potential ways to stem the bleeding, but she struggled to rationalize using her scarce resources on someone who had terrorized the village. The weight of her impulsive first kill threatened to crush her spirit.
Tears poured down Serena’s face as she knelt beside the dying aggressor. This was not the scenario she had envisioned for her first lethal encounter.
An icy hand tenderly brushed her hair, its frosty touch chilling her tears. "You defended this woman, Serena. None here would have risked themselves as you did. Your first act of taking a life couldn't have been under more justified circumstances. Let go of your remorse and anxiety, particularly for someone so unworthy. Reconcile with the fact that your intervention spared her from an unthinkable fate."
It was unexpected that Mafuyu, of all beings, would offer solace. His nature hardly hinted at such kindness. Yet his words and gestures evoked memories of Veles and Dardanos. Her beloved brothers would have echoed such sentiments to comfort and reassure her, making her feel anchored in the warmth of home, enveloped in security.
The peace Serena felt in that moment almost overshadowed the eerie satisfaction that bubbled within as she sat by her deceased adversary.
Almost.
The soft patter of footsteps jolted her back to reality, and she lifted her eyes to the approaching teenage girl.
Under Serena's intense scrutiny, the girl visibly withered, attempting to shrink into herself.
“You're injured,” Serena said.
Choosing to overlook her obvious unease, Serena channeled aether into one of her cherished spatial artifacts—rings, bags, and various trinkets concealed among her belongings. These cherished items, borne from the collaborative efforts of her and her elder brothers, held immense sentimental value.
After rummaging through several artifacts, she procured a potion. Contained within a phial roughly the size of her palm was a deep, red elixir.
The elixir in her possession was a basic healing concoction she could produce in bulk. After thoughtful deliberation, she branded it the Minor Healing Potion. Ideally suited for treating superficial wounds like scratches, nicks, and mild burns, just a sip activated its restorative properties.
While Serena had other, more potent remedies in her arsenal, those demanded either a greater investment of time or resources to plan. Hence, she was disinclined to use them unless absolutely necessary.
“Take a sip of this," she instructed the blonde woman. "I crafted it, so its effects should manifest shortly. Your injuries will heal.”
Though initially hesitant, the woman accepted the vial. It might've been the sting of her fresh wounds that prompted her, but once she sampled the potion, astonishment flickered in her eyes. Before Serena, the woman's injuries mended miraculously. Even the more grievous ones disappeared within minutes.
Serena then presented her with a Blood Replenishing Pill, a pale red tablet that was, regrettably, in frequent demand within the sect. The woman accepted it reflexively; her gaze still anchored on the now unscarred skin beneath her torn dress. Clearly, a low-grade potion was sufficient for the minor injuries she had sustained.
“Are you familiar with Aether?” Seeing the woman's uncomprehending expression, Serena rephrased. “Do you understand magic?”
“There have been, or rather were, individuals in Aranea who were [Divinely-blessed] with magical proficiencies and talents. Personally, I'm not acquainted with any.”
Serena mentally noted the emphasized term 'Divinely-blessed', echoing the peculiar accentuation of the term 'mage' earlier. There would be ample opportunity to unravel its significance when their immediate safety wasn't compromised.
“That simplifies matters,” Serena remarked, attempting to bestow a comforting smile upon the young woman. Though, given her recent tears, the gesture might not have conveyed the solace intended. “I am an artificer and alchemist, with a smattering of magical knowledge. I aim to liberate your village, but it's a perilous endeavor. Would you rather stay secluded from the fray, or aid in rescuing your fellow villagers?”
She extended a hand towards Serena, who gratefully accepted the gesture and was hoisted to her feet.
Still holding Serena's hand, the unfamiliar young woman nodded. “I believe I'd be safer with you.”
Serena wasn't so certain, but she merely smiled in response. “I appreciate that. I need someone to identify the villagers for me, ensuring I can extricate them from this predicament without harm. It wouldn't bode well if it inadvertently ensnared them in my forthcoming plans.”
The young woman inclined her head thoughtfully before introducing herself. “My name is Helgi. What do you have planned, miss?”
“Serena Araceli,” she replied, introducing herself fully. “My intended actions might be frowned upon by some. But dire circumstances necessitate dire actions.”
Mafuyu seemed to take a newfound interest in the village's fate, perhaps simply intrigued by the imminent turmoil.