The leaders of the fleet were on edge as they surveyed the deserted battlefield. The eerie silence was unsettling, and Dagiel couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched. Despite his unease, he remained vigilant and ordered extra patrols to be stationed around their camp, both on the ground and in the sky. But no matter how much they searched, they could find no trace of the enemy. It was as if they had vanished. The tension among the leaders continued to mount, and Dagiel knew they couldn’t let their guard down for a moment. They had to be prepared for anything.
With determination in their hearts, Saffron and Zena approached the various leaders to seek permission to search for the enemy and Feral Lich. Despite their apprehension, the leaders agreed to allow them to go, but on one condition: they must change their appearances. Saffron, with his tall and broad build, was too recognizable as an angel, while Zena knew that if she came face to face with Feral Lich, he would recognize her in sight. Baraqil, one leader they approached, advised them to wait until the following day, as he had an old friend who could help them change their appearances without being detected.
The idea of disguising themselves filled Saffron and Zena with both relief and trepidation. It would give them a better chance of success, but they also knew that it would not be an easy feat. They spent the rest of the day trying to prepare themselves for what was to come, knowing that their lives and the safety of the kingdom were at stake. As the sun set, they huddled together in a small campsite, waiting for the arrival of Baraqil’s friend.
As they waited anxiously at their campsite, a man approached them. His silver, oily hair hung over a thin and menacing face, while his woeful hazel eyes gazed at the wilderness surrounding them. A scar ran from the bottom of his right cheek, across his nose, and ended on his right cheek.
“This is Byron Massey, a true hunter among humans and angels. He stands tall above others.” Baraqil introduced him, shaking his hand.
Despite his menacing appearance, Zena couldn’t help but feel drawn to Byron. Something was appealing about him. Perhaps it was his sense of joy or his underlying decency. She knew many people relied on him for special magical favors.
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Saffron eyed him, unsure of what to make of him. But as Byron explained his plan to help them change their appearances, Saffron felt a sense of grudging respect for the man. He knew they were in excellent hands with someone as skilled as Byron.
Byron began his spell casting, and a frosty rose flash enveloped Saffron and Zena. Byron chanted the incantation of Obsculsi Caniegra, causing Zena to feel a sharp pain throughout her body as they lifted her off the ground. A violet beam of light surrounded her, and she lost her vision.
When Zena came to, she was lying on the ground with Baraqil looking down at her. He offered his hand to help her up, and as she looked around, she saw a man whose looks took her breath away.
Byron had done an incredible job of changing their appearances. Zena glanced down at herself and saw that she now had short, fiery red hair and piercing blue eyes. Her skin was a light shade of brown and her features were sharper than before. She looked almost unrecognizable, even to herself.
“Is that me?” she asked Baraqil in disbelief.
“Yes, it is,” he replied with a small smile. “And I have to say, you look quite stunning.”
Zena felt a rush of confidence course through her. She was ready to take on Feral Lich and put an end to his reign of terror once and for all.
Zena looked over and saw a man with chestnut shaggy hair that hung over a fresh face. Glinting brown eyes were set within their sockets, and his smooth skin complemented his cheeks, leaving an intriguing memory of his adventurous love life. With his muscled frame, something was fascinating about him, perhaps his good looks or simply his decency.
“Zena?” He looked over at her and questioned, “Saffron, is that you?” His new appearance threw her off since she was so used to seeing him so tall and with wings - he was an angel, after all.
As they both adjusted to their new bodies, they gathered all they would need for their journey and ate a meal. Byron informed them that the changes would only last for 16 days, after which they would return to their normal selves. In this form, they would have none of their powers or abilities - they were just human now. If they got into a situation where Saffron needed to transform back into his angel self, he would need to crush the Fire Mali gemstone they gave him in his hands.