Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Author's note: Chapter 19 ready for launch. The next chapter will require a few days for me to get just right, so keep that in mind.

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While their lovemaking was intense, it took only so long until Solana noticed something was wrong. Seeing the whole room engulfed in flames, and both of their bodies surrounded by fire was a weird experience for her. Partially because she was still so excited that she couldnt feel fear. Despite how slowly her mind was working, she noticed that the flames werent actually burning anything, and despite being surrounded by flames, she had never felt this good in her life. And not just because of the sex. Solana focused back on Neleh, when she heard her making a disapproving sound over Solana stopping.

Neleh love, were on fire. Solana tried to get Nelehs attention.

Yes we are! Now put your face back there, so you can put out some of those fires inside me. Neleh was clearly not paying attention to her surroundings, still gripped by the compounding effect of the bond.

No, honey I mean were literally on fire. Look around you. Solana said with a bit more force.

Something about the urgency in Solanas voice pierced the haze clouding Nelehs mind, and she finally paid attention to what was happening. She was instantly serious, and all thoughts of further sexual escapades flew out of her mind. She had seen these flames before. In fact they were very, very familiar to her. It was a sight shed seen often in her previous life. She also knew the only being on this world capable of producing those flames was herself. It was something even beyond the abilities of Michael or Gabriel. It was something she had thought had been left behind when she had been reincarnated.

She quickly sent her senses inside of her body, and found the problem. Her previously closed access to her mana was now partially open. Partially because the mana could flow through her, as it was now doing, but she had absolutely no control over it. This was a big problem. Her mana was going wild and producing effects beyond her control. They had been extremely lucky that the mana had chosen this method of manifesting. Fire was her element. She had been an expert in all things magic in her old life, but fire was special. She had been born in fire, lived in fire and fire had been her life. No matter how balanced your magic is, theres always one element you feel more natural with than others, and fire had been her element.

So it wasnt luck that her mana had chosen to manifest as fire, it was almost a certainty that it would. The problem is that out of all the elements, fire isnt particularly known for being the most environmentally friendly when it came to its different uses. Flames of Life was among the very few manifestations of fires power that didnt burn up everything in the vicinity. That was the lucky part, although that again had less to do with luck than one might think. Since Neleh had been very aware of her role as a destroyer, she had yearned to perfect a way to turn her beloved fire into something used for positive purposes instead of simple destruction. Flames of Life had been the answer to that yearning. She had spent decades on perfecting it, so it was no wonder her mana chose that as its first manifestation. But Neleh wasnt so sure how long that would be the case. She needed help and fast.

Elune, is there any way for you to stop my magic from working? (Neleh)

Not really. You know the power of deities is not a precision instrument, when not wielded by a mortal in the deitys stead. If I tried what you suggest, the effect could cover the entire city, and that would do more damage than you will in your current condition. For the record, I did try to warn you, but you were having too much fun to hear my voice. The goddess sounded almost sulky. Time for plan B.

Solana, listen to me, this is very important. I need you to do me a big favor, and it needs to be done just right. Neleh said while putting her hands on Solanas cheeks to focus her attention.

Alright. Whatever you want. Solana had quickly fallen back to a sort of submissive role, now that Neleh was back in control of her faculties.

When I give you the signal I need you to strike me unconscious, dress us both and take me to the grand temple. Solana was clearly not thrilled about striking Neleh and was about to protest. No! Listen! I need you to bring me to Nimue and give her a message. She needs to put me inside one of those magic formations that are used to block any magic from being cast inside of it. The stronger the better. And Solana, I need to stay unconscious until Im inside the circle. If I show the slightest indication of waking up, you need to make sure I stay unconscious, whatever it takes!

Solana was crying at the thought by now, but realized the seriousness in Nelehs voice. She was an expert warrior, so it wasnt too hard to knock Neleh unconscious with minimal damage. The fires surrounding them winked out immediately. Nelehs assumption about the mana needing her to be conscious despite being out of control had been correct.

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Nimue was woken by an acolyte and dragged into the grand temple proper. There she found an unconscious Neleh being carried by the crying Solana. She knew something serious had happened when she heard Nelehs instructions from Solana. The girl seemed fine except a moderately sized bruise on her left temple, and a smaller one on her right. Solana was getting hysterical now that she had managed her part, so Nimue knew shed get no details out of the woman for a while. Nimue did note with slight interest that there was a certain smell about both Neleh and Solana, a smell that got even Nimue a little excited.

Nimue knew that the Inquisition had the best magic formations designed to suppress magic, so she took Neleh to the Inquisition headquarters. The Inquisitors on stand-by quickly took them to one of their prisons designed to hold a magician, and sent a word to the Grand Inquisitor Yunalesca. They were aware of the girls approval into the Inquisition, and even if they hadnt been, the use of the restraining formations was not a minor affair.

It took twenty minutes for Yunalesca to arrive, and she immediately recognized Nimue, and Neleh inside the restraining circle, held by a fiery-haired Sun Elf. Yunalesca had some faint recollection about the Sun Elf being an exiled member of the royal family of the Sun Elves and that she now worked as a warrior trainer in the academy. The woman clearly cared deeply for Neleh the way she was holding her. Yunalesca approached Nimue.

Whats going on? Clearly something happened. (Yunalesca)

I dont know much either. I was woken up from bed and managed to squeeze some details out of Solana before she went all hysteric. Apparently Neleh gave the instructions about the magic restricting circle before falling unconscious. I used my senses to probe the girl, and she seems to be fine except having two bruises at her temples, as if she was knocked unconscious. She did have an abnormal amount of magic flowing through her body, but I could find no cause. Nimue explained in a serious voice.

I suppose well either have to wait for either the girl to wake up, or until the woman gets a grip. Yunalesca gave a small grin. Wanna make a bet on which one happens first?

Both of them, being experienced Inquisitors, had already gotten used to a little levity in serious situations. A coping mechanism of sorts, in a profession where they had to watch a lot of people die around them.

A hundred gold on the girl waking up first. Nimue had already learned to always bet on Neleh, and intended to take advantage.

A hundred gold? Arent we confident? Ill happily take your money. Yunalesca assumed a warrior like Solana would be able to get herself under control fairly quickly.

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As it happened, Nimue was hundred gold richer about ten minutes later. Solana was still cradling Nelehs head when Neleh started blinking her eyes open. She took a look around and noticed both her location, and the presence of Yunalesca.

Inquisition headquarters. Makes sense. I shouldve thought of that myself. Neleh said with a little headshake.

Want to clue us in on whats going on girl? Yunalesca asked, surprisingly in a gentle tone.

May you be unafraid of Death, for she holds no power over you, and may the spirits choose you as their own.

Greater Blessing of Alarae

May light serve you in all things, and may you bring Order wherever you might tread.

Greater Blessing of Sydonay

May you fear no darkness, and may you always live for your own ends, serving no one. Let the Lords of Chaos rule.

Greater Blessing of Medea

May water and ice serve you well and may you be safe with them.

Greater Blessing of Sinir

May fire serve its master and may your spear find its mark.

Greater Blessing of Lulu

May your sight always show true, and may your feet find the right path.

Beloved of Aphrodite

May your beauty cross all boundaries and may your life always be filled with love.

Greater Blessing of Loki

May you always control the soul of deception, and may your life always be interesting.

Neleh had a feeling that the last one sounded more like a curse. She had been correct in assuming the ten symbols above her sex were the marks from ten different gods. One from each of the major gods in addition to Aphrodite and Loki the god of deception and trickery. The hubbub around her was most likely caused by the number of blessings and the rank bestowed by Satai the God of the Dragons. Satais message was quite ominous, if one didnt know that it referred to her old life and the Enemy that might come in the future.

Whats with the Friend? And whats with the veiled innuendo? Neleh asked Elune.

You liked that, didnt you? Snap to it! The people around you are getting unruly. And its not like youre finished shocking people. Elune answered, yet again amused.

Neleh raised her voice significantly. High Priestess Nimue! Can we get on with the rest of the ceremony? I have a feeling theres more surprises to come. We can hash out everything once were done.

Nimue looked Neleh sharply. She had known the girl had something shocking in store for the ceremony, but even she hadnt expected all of this. And the surprises werent finished yet?

The blessings have been revealed. Neleh Khalidor put your hands on the crystal again. Once to have your awakening and once to reveal your magical potential. Nimues voice was a bit shaky.

Neleh followed the instructions. She could feel her magic snapping back under control after the Awakening was complete. Her magical potential was shown above the crystal. Another commotion was created. Neleh wouldve expected a little more restraint from friends and family. She knew Yunalesca and Rachiel would have a big reaction, but the others really were too shocked. Although Neleh could suppose there was some reason. Magical affinities were evaluated with a letter grade ranging from F to SSS. F being no ability, and SSS signifying maximum ability possible. Magical power was given a full worded evaluation, from Abysmal to Deity. Abysmal of course signifying no current power at all, and Deity signifying a God or a Goddess.

Nelehs magical power was evaluated as Very High, which was about what she had assumed. It was a very good result but not good enough to cause the commotion that was going on. Neleh didnt actually want too much power anyway. Magical power was simply what powered the spells. The important part wasnt how much power you had, but how you used it. A magician with even a mediocre amount of power could cast everything but the very highest level of spells with enough skill. What surplus magical power provided was margin for error. The more power you had, the more room you had for error, and the more you could rely on non-optimal use of magic. Neleh wasnt a big fan of either.

What really created a stir were her affinities. Her affinity in spirit magic, that was usually restricted to humans, was S, which was kind of expected. She had never really studied spirit magic too hard, but its not like she was ignorant on the subject. That in itself would have been worthy of a stir, but the rest of her affinities aside from fire were SSS. Just as she had assumed they would be. This is why she knew the Awakening ceremony would cause her trouble. Its hard to beat hundreds of years of research with the strongest beings in the universe. Just to highlight how absurd the whole situation was, her fire affinity was ranked XXX. A ranking that didnt exist on this world.

Yunalesca was marching towards Neleh with a sharp glare in her eyes. What did you do? These kinds of results are not possible. What are you?

The ending of Yunalescas question was drowned out by the large sound of the temple doors being broken, shrapnel falling to the ground. Everyone turned towards the door and saw a majestic golden celestial woman walking in. Neleh suddenly broke out in sweat.

I finally found you. You have no idea how hard youve made me search, Little Flame. I quite like your new look. Gabriel said with a wide grin that was definitely more evil than amused.

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Author's note redux: Yes I'm leaving you with a cliffhanger. It's cuz I love you. And because I'm evil.