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Time: A Year Ago

Location: The Glade

Time passed strangely in the crystal glade. I still have no recollection of how long I spent there, creating my bond with Tywys. Hers was a bond of nurturing care. Mine was one of hunger and desperation.

Perhaps she thought that her ways would eventually win out over mine. But, though she grew stronger in my presence, so did I in hers.

I learned much from her. I discovered that form was fluid. Harnessing a growing understanding of Creation’s power, I became an artist. I began shaping myself into something beyond the broken-down creature I used to be.

I molded my face into one that I wasn’t disgusted to look at — one with sharp, handsome features, and gleaming eyes of golden flame. My hair darkened and lengthened, becoming full and glorious, the scars that once marred my skull vanishing.

I chose to be tall and strong. I mended my shattered arm. My body became healthy and whole. Still, I left the identification mark at the base of my neck, behind my left ear. I’ll never know exactly why.

I was shaping myself into something terrible and dangerous.

And yet, Tywys did not see. She could not see beyond her hope and pity for me.

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Though several times I grew impatient, I knew I had to wait for the process to complete. It felt like eternity. Like the Invaders and Adversary would no longer be there by the time I was ready to emerge from the crystal glade.

I would be very disappointed if I weren’t the one to destroy them first.

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I never left the glade in all that time. It became a cocoon of transformation and nurturing. The energies of the crystals fed me, more filling and substantial than normal food had been. Eventually, their energy became all I needed to survive.

I spent time ciphering knowledge from Tywys, and sometimes, the other spirits. They didn’t speak with me like she did. They weren’t meant for me.

They were afraid of me.

Still, I knew they weren’t the only spirits. Though I never saw them, my senses began to pick up on their energies. Energies that were twisted by dark emotions. While I could guess what it was I felt, I eventually asked Tywys about it.

I needed her cooperation for this to work.

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“What is the place hidden beyond the glade?” I asked.

Predictably, Tywys responded, -That should not be your concern.-

“Oh, I’m not concerned,” I told her with a teasing smile. “I’m just curious.”

-It is a dark curiosity to have.-

“Then, it is fitting for me, don’t you think?”

I’d started to adopt a more witty, charming slant to my conversation. It was one I was particularly proud of considering where I’d come from. Humor wasn’t well understood when you’re a solider-slave.

Tywys didn’t find my statement witty or charming. Her silent frown spoke her disapproval. But we were getting off topic.

“So what is it?” I prodded. I wouldn’t back down this time.

-It’s not a place for any of us,- she attempted to evade again.

“Those are the dark spirits. Aren’t they?”

This inaccuracy got her to talk. Finally.

-They are not dark spirits!-

“But they are like you.”

-They were.- Her expression turned mournful.

I almost felt ashamed of myself. And yet, I pressed on as if I didn’t know where this would lead. “Were?”

-Remember when you asked what happened to the spirits who never find their person?-

“Yes.”

Her eyes flicked silently in the direction of my curiosity. It confirmed everything I’d guessed. But I wanted her to put a name to it, if it had one.

“They become…?”

Tywys had trouble speaking the words, -They become part of the Flames of Bedlam.-

I was slightly taken aback. I’d heard of that before, spoken in old legends. I needed clarification.

“What does that mean?”

-They never fulfill what they were meant to become. They turn imbalanced. The Chaos consumes them.- She spoke quickly as if afraid to even talk about it. But then she added, -It is part of our duty to see that this is never released upon the world.-

I pretended a dark frown of my own. “What would happen if it was?”

She shook her head. -Chaos when mixed with anger and desire only consumes. Only destroys. It knows nothing else.-

This was exactly what I’d been hoping for.