Aeress smiled faintly, "I am indeed changed, and I will explain." She gestured lightly toward Helga. "But first, let us leave this place. I haven't being back home for a very long time." She said.
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'Is that so...' Nahia thought to herself. If no for the fact that the person before them was obviously way stronger and didn't show any sign of exhaustion, left to her, she would have opted to take her back in ropes for questioning instead of just allowing her to tell them whatever she wished herself.
Helga nodded, raising her hands to weave another spell, the air shimmering with an ethereal light. The teleportation spell enveloped the four of them, and with a rush of energy, the battlefield vanished before their eyes in an instant, leaving the battle torn landscape without any witnesses.
The four women reappeared within the sanctity of their hidden sanctuary, their base of operation. It certainly was a place untouched by the chaos of the outside world, even in such a time. Even then, the absence of any other person besides them gave the place a sense of loneness.
As always, the base was a magnificent underground temple, its walls carved with ancient runes that glowed faintly, casting the chambers in soft hues of blue and silver. Pools of crystal-clear water lined the halls, reflecting the intricate mosaics on the ceiling that depicted Aeress' rise and the loyalty of her devoted followers.
Aeress took a moment to breathe in the tranquil air, the oppressive weight of the battlefield lifting from her shoulders. Her followers stood nearby, watching her with reverence and questions.
"The place... it changed very much. It used to be a mansion, but now..." Aeress spoke softly as she took in the aesthetics.
"Is it no to your liking, great mother? We can always-" Helga said, but didn't finish her words.
Nahia was the first to respond, her tone measured but probing. "What about this, darkness... it still exists, doesn't it?"
Aeress inclined her head. "It does. For now, it is dormant, but we must remain vigilant from now on. With the influence of the abyssal being, there is no saying that what should have remained dormant would not gain some sentient or even fuse with another being. Such a force will not remain idle forever if it does happen, and we might very well be in its line of sight when such a time comes. Well, I, more accurately, will be amongst its targets."
Veronica leaned forward as she spoke. "You've become something purer, then. Something greater." She paused, her eyes locking with Aeress'. "But does this... diminish you in any way? Your power? Your resolve?" She said, sharing a moment of doubt with Nahia.
Aeress smiled faintly, the warmth in her gaze returning. "No, my child. If anything, this transformation has allowed me to see with greater clarity. Well, while I may be more inclined to do things more inclined with this side of me, it doesn't change who I am fundamentally. Let's just say, it only affects most, my temperament."
"I see..." Veronica said.
Helga clasped her hands together, her expression serene. "If this is who you are now, Great Mother, then we will follow you as we always have. Your light will guide us."
Aeress stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Helga's shoulder. "Thank you, my child. Your faith means everything to me."
The tension eased as the three women absorbed Aeress' revelation. Despite their initial concerns and doubts, her unwavering confidence reassured them, even if but a little to some.
Aeress gestured toward the central chamber of the sanctuary. "Come, let us sit together. There is much to discuss. The world has not been idle during my absence, and we must prepare for what lies ahead."