Chapter 67

Chapter 67

A/N: A wee bit shorter chapter, but a lot of things going on. Do mention if you want a continuation for the end part

I could've added it into this chapter, but then it would've come out tomorrow instead.

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Because they were in a hurry, Neleh and Shiori left the other sisters behind to finish their goodbyes and went deeper into the mansion. There Neleh had prepared her own place to deal with the bond being severed. Because they were in a bit of a hurry, all the preparations had been done beforehand. The room they finally entered was large, and covered in various magical formations. There were two distinct groups of spells in the room. The first group of spells was designed to keep any unwanted people out. Even Shiori could only come to the door of the room, and the spells were specially designed to allow her through.

The second group of spells was designed to keep Neleh in. There was no way to know how Neleh would react to the bond severing, and they were taking several measures to make sure the effects would not spill out too far. First of all, they were inside Nexus, which kept the duchy safe in case she went berserk. Second line of defense was the spells, which suppressed Nelehs power within their area of effect, and also worked as a prison of sorts. She could break the spells, but only if she was calm and focused. The third thing, and perhaps the most important part, was that Nelehs mind would not be in her body when the severing happened.

Neleh had made an agreement with Elune, to send her mind to the same space she had visited after the conflagration and the death of Selvaria. She would be powerless in that space, and hopefully the presence of the goddess would help her deal with the emotional fallout.

Neleh turned to look at Shiori. I know I said I wont need anyone watching over me while Im unconscious, but Im getting a bad feeling. I have the spells to protect me, but those will only slow down a determined assault. Ill have to rely on you to prevent anyone from having the time to work through the spells.

Trust me. I will be vigilant. I wont let anyone disturb userr I mean you. Shiori replied with a weird look on her face.

Neleh gave her a long look, but decided to trust her. Take this. I have a feeling you will find more use for it than me. Neleh said handing Shiori the dagger they had made with Elluin, together with the two swords Asheara had used. Neleh hadnt really been using it, but Shiori was going through training suitable for an assassin, and a dagger able to ignore or cut magic would be useful for an assassin going after mage opponents. Especially if the assassin had the psionic power of telekinesis, and could move the dagger with their mind. Magic didnt really work on the dagger, psionic powers however

Thank you! Ill treasure this forever! Shiori was already familiar with the weapon. She had seen it several times, and had heard the story about its making. While the two swords had been more Elluins work, the dagger was mostly Nelehs, and that made it even more valuable to Shiori. An item made by Neleh! The weapon was even more anti-magic than the swords, trading away some of its ability to fight against warriors as compensation. A Dagger was a tool of surprise and assassination anyway. If you tried to fight a warrior of equal skill with a dagger, you were doing it wrong. So it was a tool for specific purpose. And it would see a lot of use in the future.

As Neleh entered the formation and floated into the air, Shiori whispered quietly. Dont worry, I will kill anyone who dares to disturb your rest."

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Welcome back. Elune said as she brought Nelehs mind into her protected space. Although I had wished your next visit would be happier than this.

Neleh gave a small smile. Just because I always seem to visit you when something sad is happening, it doesnt mean that this is a place of sadness. Its actually the opposite. Im here during the sad moments of my life, because the place gives me strength. Or not the place really, as its really you giving me strength to get through these events. Neleh tilted her head in half-thought. Though now that I think about it, a place of peace and quiet can be a source of strength as well.

Well, if I can be a source of strength for you, then Im glad. Im almost touched that you chose me to help you through this difficult time. Elune said with a smile.

Just to make sure, I wont have any strength here, correct? I will be completely powerless and unable to hurt you? Neleh asked, wanting to make sure.

Suddenly she could sense someone coming closer. Was the next mage already coming here? Shiori wondered while she looked towards the door.

She was somewhat relieved, but also a little confused when she saw Kanako coming in. Delia probably let the girl in. They had become friends after Neleh had started spending less time in the academy. Delia and Aneirin had made friends with the naga girl, as they had already spent quite a bit of time together before. Kanako didnt have access to the doorways, but it wasnt too surprising for Delia to have allowed the girl to come to help. It was also likely Delia might have mentioned something about needing help to her friend. The mages knew they were fighting a losing battle after all.

It was likely, yet something about it felt wrong to Shiori. Something about Kanako felt wrong to be exact. The look on the naga girls face was too serious, and she had none of that bumbling air about her. Shiori decided to take some precautions, just in case. It was probably nothing, but

Oh, Kanako. Here to help as well? Maylin asked with a smile. Kanako had become a promising student, having already become a fourth circle mage. She had even learned some things from Neleh.

Something like that. Kanako replied with a smile, walking closer towards were Shiori was watching over Neleh, just about as close as she could come without triggering the traps. Just you and Maylin for now? Kanako asked with an innocent voice, setting off alarm bells in Shioris mind.

Shiori immediately executed an evasive technique, going deeper among the traps, just in time to avoid the fire lances flying from Kanako towards her. Maylin jumped up and was about to yell something, before being assaulted by some kind of darkness magic Shiori didnt recognize. Maylin dropped to the ground, either dead or unconscious. The torrent of fire spells was pushing Shiori back. She used the sword she had gotten from Asheara to destroy the spells coming towards her. She silently cursed the fire magic lessons Kanako had gotten from Neleh, as the spells were deadly and precise.

She avoided some of the spells by dodging sideways, and made a quick underhanded toss with the dagger Neleh had given her. The dagger missed Kanako by a meter at least, eliciting a laugh from the naga. That was a lousy toss. Shouldnt you be better as an assassin? Kanako said mockingly, sending another blast of spells towards Shiori. She had Shiori suppressed, which was enough for her purposes. She drew a weird magical pendant from her sleeve, and a weird looking magical formation started forming in front of her.

Shiori had no idea what the formation would do, but there was a sense of wrongness about the magic and it was clearly aimed at Neleh. Shiori deflected three more spells before replying with an evil grin. Youre right, I am better than that, and you shouldve known as much. With a slight gesture, the dagger that had missed suddenly flew back, piercing and destroying both the magical formation and the pendant. The explosion and feedback of mana distracted Kanako long enough for Shiori to close the distance with lightning quick speed. She broke Kanakos shield with the sword, and slapped her hand on Kanakos face, covering her eyes. At this distance, Shiori could freely send her psionic power into Kanakos mind, knocking her unconscious.

As much as Id like to, Id better not kill her. Neleh will want to question her, and check her for any magical influence. Shiori sighed while panting. She had suspected Kanako for a long time, but being proven right in such a direct way was both satisfying and disappointing.

She used a magical ring left to her by Neleh to contact Estelar. Estelar, send Selene and Alduin to where I am with Neleh. Tell them to be ready for some healing. Maylin is hurt. We also have a prisoner we want to keep alive, so prepare one of those holding cells Neleh designed. She had checked, and had noticed Maylin was still alive. Most likely Kanako still had some lingering affection for the woman, and with her powers spent Maylin wasnt a threat.

Estelar of course asked questions, but Shiori wasnt in the mood to explain.

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Nelehs cries were slowly dying down, and her muscles were relaxing. She was still almost gasping for breath, but the worst seemed to be over. It had taken almost three weeks for Nelehs personality to resurface, but there was finally some life in her eyes again. Her eyes were a bit unfocused, but were clearly looking at Elune now. Once Neleh had stopped struggling, Elune had moved to the front and was now hugging Neleh straight up.

Starting to get a handle on things? Elune asked with a small teasing tone. She was somewhat surprised it had taken Neleh this long.

Unable to speak properly, Neleh simply nodded slightly.

Alright, time to give you the final push. Theres one obvious way to help you with your feelings, and Im slightly surprised you didnt think of it. Or you did, but decided not to mention it. Elune gave a small giggle.

Then she gave Neleh a passionate kiss. If there had been anyone there to see, it would have been a mesmerizing sight to see the two stunningly beautiful, but almost identical, women kissing passionately. One of the two started removing the clothes of her almost identical copy, and it wouldve been hard to tell which of them made that move, even for someone that knew them.