Chapter 186: 186
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"Mirror portal..?"
Delina queries softly, voice a mix of apprehension and disbelief, her crimson eyes scanning the two of us as we share a passing nod of affirmation, agreed on the plan.
"Yes, a mirror portal should work, good thinking Kal," I confirm, giving him a light pat on the back, which he takes with a dazzling sharp toothed smile. Kals eyes glaze over as he formulates a plan in his mind, nodding wordless at my affirmation, having not heard the queries that Delina had interjected not moments ago. Areen being the cold hearted and brooding Siren Queen that is expected of her, only growls, which surely takes some nerve since I practically just threatened her life with complete and utter annihilation, not to mention the rest of her people. I suppose I can expect nothing less from a weathered Siren Queen with an inhuman taste of mortal remains.
Even so, its not like she could do anything over the matter. I glamoured her to accept her help, whether she would like it or not. While she may be prepared to leave her people into complete turmoil and destruction in an effort for preserving Azrael's plan and his oh so valued friendship, I am not.
"Kal?" Delina starts again, reaching over to tug at his sleeve insistently, tired of not getting answers. "What is a mirror portal?"
Before Kal can answer, Areen interjects with a bitter smile.
"A pompous dragon trick," she snarls under her breath, flashing us both a dirty look, as though toying up the idea that we would both look marvellous in a stew right about now. However, the glamour that hangs over her head and the flaming coils of smouldering fire that flare up around my form are enough to drive her into a loathsome submission, her voice falling to a whisper as I throw her a harsh glare. When at last she has settled, Kal turns apologetically to Delina, giving her a weak smile.
"It is ancient dragon magic- very good for transportation, but a very difficult spell to master. Basically, I would build up a giant mirror portal which connects to another place of my choosing. Of course, the conjuror has to have been to that said place in order to cast the spell, but luckily for you I have traversed a large segment of Faey in my lifetime, including some very dangerous oceans." He pauses to give a little shiver, eyes glazing over as memories flood back to him once again. Sometimes it is easy to forget from Kal's youthful appearance that he is many hundreds of years old and has seen a lifetime of people go by, each one holding a new experience and adventure that I could never hope to dream off. After all, he used to be part of an esteemed dragon clan- the dark dragons, or black magic dragons as they were formerly called, and likely saw many segments of Faey in his travels around the world. Of course, I hardly doubt oceans were his favourite places to go, but that is besides the point.
"Coward," mutters Areen beside us, still stationary, a look of scorn upon her face. "Afraid to get your feet wet, Kal?"
Fortunately, Kal ignores her comments, turning with an obviously forced smile to address the Siren Queen.
"You and your people could use my mirror portal to then travel through safely to the other side. Granted, everything you have here will be left behind, but in all honesty, I suspect staying as far away from here as possible is your safest bet for now. At least until everything is over."
To this, Areen only grunts. Fortunately, Delina is more enthusiastic with her response, nodding vigorously as she grovels next to Kal. Wide eyed she steps forward, hands clasped together as if in prayer.
"Please Kal, if you can really do it, that would be perfect, wouldn't it grandmother?" She presses, tugging on her grandmother's arm with a fraudulent expression on her face. The Siren gives us a sideways glance, surveying us over with a look of pure disgust, as though debating how long it would take to grind our bones to pure dust.
I had glamoured her to let us go, and to accept her help, but Areen's will is strong, and I can tell that even underneath the glamour, she is struggling to be free of the mental chains that bind her to me. It doesn't take a genius to realise she doesn't want our help. But either way, she has no real choice in the matter.
At long last, Areen growls:
"Fine. I will take your offer up on the mirror portal, but not the light barrier. You only specified that I would accept help from you, but you have given me options, and I am under no obligation to accept all help from you. So I will not take anything from that girl," she hisses grimly, jabbing a bony finger in my general direction. Uncaring, I shrug. If she wishes to put her people's lives in danger, so be it. That is her burden to bear, not mine.
Besides, threats and loathsome accusations such as these have long since passed the point of phasing me. After living in a palace of vampires who would like your head for breakfast and your blood for dinner, petty threats start to mean nothing to you after a while. After all, there are much worse things that could happen- such as having your soul stolen by a vampire prince with a taste for murder and a frivolous obsession with extracting peoples souls.
Yes, much worse things indeed.
"But Areen," Kal begins to protest, until I place a firm hand on his shoulder, quelling him into silence.
"If Areen doesnt want my help, then she will not have it, that is her loss and not mine," I state simply, eyeing over the Siren with a blank face, lacking any emotions whatsoever. I have little reason to waste my time worrying over pointless frivolities such as this.
Clearly from the sigh she voices, Delina is a little disappointed at the outcome, but remains silent, watching with a rigid tension between us, as if the air between us might suddenly burst into flames from the heat passed between our looks alone. Then after realising that neither Areen nor I will budge with our opinions, Kal puffs out a long breath.
"Alright," he murmurs defeatedly, bringing his hands up to his chest to revolve them in a small arching circle, repeating the motion over and over as the air charges with magic. Spindles of magic form between the archways of his fingers, curling around his skin to form a spiralling ball of black and blue in the empty space between his hands. The magic glows softly, illuminating the sullen, black air between us. Curiously, Delina peers closer, captivated by the display.
"I am going to make you a portable mirror dimension charm," Kal announces, drawing in his hands to squish the ball of darkness between his fingers, a light blue radiance spilling out between his fingers.
"When you want to use it, smash it against the ground and command it to go to a place that you know and have been to. It should then open up a mirror portal to this very place, and will remain open on both sides until you command it to close. Once it has closed, there is no going back, understood?" Kal affirms, nodding to both Delina and Areen, who return his nods with an avid understanding. Watching the shining mirrored ball form between Kals hands, Areen sucks in her cheeks with scorn, her eyes narrowing as the wisps of blue and black light face away into empty air.
It is not a secret that Sirens and dragons alike are very precious and often prejudice about the use of magic from other species. Many, excluding Kal, often refuse to embark on learning and using magic that is formulated from any other than their own species, often in a frugal attempt to keep magic a secret from other races and species in an effort to achieve so-called magic purity.
For the majority of spells and practises, this has been largely accepted. But like any strict regime in society, there will always be those like Kal and Delina less compelled to maintain those severe guidelines, and so seek and share magic around for themselves in exchange for further knowledge or companionship. Such people often become outcasts, of course, but their actions are often extremely beneficial to the bettering of society and a helpful call for getting out of sticky situations- like the one we face now.
"Here," says Kal, shaking out the tiny mirrored sphere to the siren in his hand. "It's all yours. You may do what you want with it, or nothing at all, the choice is entirely up to you. But just remember what we told you, about Azrael that is. Remember that we are not lying to you, and to look after your people," Kal reminds her insistently, shaking his hand out again until at last the Siren Queen begrudgingly takes the little mirrored sphere.
"Thank you," she sniffs simply, in a way that would seemingly imply no thanks at all.. "Now if you don't mind, I think its about time all of you leave."
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"Mirror portal..?"
Delina queries softly, voice a mix of apprehension and disbelief, her crimson eyes scanning the two of us as we share a passing nod of affirmation, agreed on the plan.
"Yes, a mirror portal should work, good thinking Kal," I confirm, giving him a light pat on the back, which he takes with a dazzling sharp toothed smile. Kals eyes glaze over as he formulates a plan in his mind, nodding wordless at my affirmation, having not heard the queries that Delina had interjected not moments ago. Areen being the cold hearted and brooding Siren Queen that is expected of her, only growls, which surely takes some nerve since I practically just threatened her life with complete and utter annihilation, not to mention the rest of her people. I suppose I can expect nothing less from a weathered Siren Queen with an inhuman taste of mortal remains.
Even so, its not like she could do anything over the matter. I glamoured her to accept her help, whether she would like it or not. While she may be prepared to leave her people into complete turmoil and destruction in an effort for preserving Azrael's plan and his oh so valued friendship, I am not.
"Kal?" Delina starts again, reaching over to tug at his sleeve insistently, tired of not getting answers. "What is a mirror portal?"
Before Kal can answer, Areen interjects with a bitter smile.
"A pompous dragon trick," she snarls under her breath, flashing us both a dirty look, as though toying up the idea that we would both look marvellous in a stew right about now. However, the glamour that hangs over her head and the flaming coils of smouldering fire that flare up around my form are enough to drive her into a loathsome submission, her voice falling to a whisper as I throw her a harsh glare. When at last she has settled, Kal turns apologetically to Delina, giving her a weak smile.
"It is ancient dragon magic- very good for transportation, but a very difficult spell to master. Basically, I would build up a giant mirror portal which connects to another place of my choosing. Of course, the conjuror has to have been to that said place in order to cast the spell, but luckily for you I have traversed a large segment of Faey in my lifetime, including some very dangerous oceans." He pauses to give a little shiver, eyes glazing over as memories flood back to him once again. Sometimes it is easy to forget from Kal's youthful appearance that he is many hundreds of years old and has seen a lifetime of people go by, each one holding a new experience and adventure that I could never hope to dream off. After all, he used to be part of an esteemed dragon clan- the dark dragons, or black magic dragons as they were formerly called, and likely saw many segments of Faey in his travels around the world. Of course, I hardly doubt oceans were his favourite places to go, but that is besides the point.
"Coward," mutters Areen beside us, still stationary, a look of scorn upon her face. "Afraid to get your feet wet, Kal?"
Fortunately, Kal ignores her comments, turning with an obviously forced smile to address the Siren Queen.
"You and your people could use my mirror portal to then travel through safely to the other side. Granted, everything you have here will be left behind, but in all honesty, I suspect staying as far away from here as possible is your safest bet for now. At least until everything is over."
To this, Areen only grunts. Fortunately, Delina is more enthusiastic with her response, nodding vigorously as she grovels next to Kal. Wide eyed she steps forward, hands clasped together as if in prayer.
"Please Kal, if you can really do it, that would be perfect, wouldn't it grandmother?" She presses, tugging on her grandmother's arm with a fraudulent expression on her face. The Siren gives us a sideways glance, surveying us over with a look of pure disgust, as though debating how long it would take to grind our bones to pure dust.
I had glamoured her to let us go, and to accept her help, but Areen's will is strong, and I can tell that even underneath the glamour, she is struggling to be free of the mental chains that bind her to me. It doesn't take a genius to realise she doesn't want our help. But either way, she has no real choice in the matter.
At long last, Areen growls:
"Fine. I will take your offer up on the mirror portal, but not the light barrier. You only specified that I would accept help from you, but you have given me options, and I am under no obligation to accept all help from you. So I will not take anything from that girl," she hisses grimly, jabbing a bony finger in my general direction. Uncaring, I shrug. If she wishes to put her people's lives in danger, so be it. That is her burden to bear, not mine.
Besides, threats and loathsome accusations such as these have long since passed the point of phasing me. After living in a palace of vampires who would like your head for breakfast and your blood for dinner, petty threats start to mean nothing to you after a while. After all, there are much worse things that could happen- such as having your soul stolen by a vampire prince with a taste for murder and a frivolous obsession with extracting peoples souls.
Yes, much worse things indeed.
"But Areen," Kal begins to protest, until I place a firm hand on his shoulder, quelling him into silence.
"If Areen doesnt want my help, then she will not have it, that is her loss and not mine," I state simply, eyeing over the Siren with a blank face, lacking any emotions whatsoever. I have little reason to waste my time worrying over pointless frivolities such as this.
Clearly from the sigh she voices, Delina is a little disappointed at the outcome, but remains silent, watching with a rigid tension between us, as if the air between us might suddenly burst into flames from the heat passed between our looks alone. Then after realising that neither Areen nor I will budge with our opinions, Kal puffs out a long breath.
"Alright," he murmurs defeatedly, bringing his hands up to his chest to revolve them in a small arching circle, repeating the motion over and over as the air charges with magic. Spindles of magic form between the archways of his fingers, curling around his skin to form a spiralling ball of black and blue in the empty space between his hands. The magic glows softly, illuminating the sullen, black air between us. Curiously, Delina peers closer, captivated by the display.
"I am going to make you a portable mirror dimension charm," Kal announces, drawing in his hands to squish the ball of darkness between his fingers, a light blue radiance spilling out between his fingers.
"When you want to use it, smash it against the ground and command it to go to a place that you know and have been to. It should then open up a mirror portal to this very place, and will remain open on both sides until you command it to close. Once it has closed, there is no going back, understood?" Kal affirms, nodding to both Delina and Areen, who return his nods with an avid understanding. Watching the shining mirrored ball form between Kals hands, Areen sucks in her cheeks with scorn, her eyes narrowing as the wisps of blue and black light face away into empty air.
It is not a secret that Sirens and dragons alike are very precious and often prejudice about the use of magic from other species. Many, excluding Kal, often refuse to embark on learning and using magic that is formulated from any other than their own species, often in a frugal attempt to keep magic a secret from other races and species in an effort to achieve so-called magic purity.
For the majority of spells and practises, this has been largely accepted. But like any strict regime in society, there will always be those like Kal and Delina less compelled to maintain those severe guidelines, and so seek and share magic around for themselves in exchange for further knowledge or companionship. Such people often become outcasts, of course, but their actions are often extremely beneficial to the bettering of society and a helpful call for getting out of sticky situations- like the one we face now.
"Here," says Kal, shaking out the tiny mirrored sphere to the siren in his hand. "It's all yours. You may do what you want with it, or nothing at all, the choice is entirely up to you. But just remember what we told you, about Azrael that is. Remember that we are not lying to you, and to look after your people," Kal reminds her insistently, shaking his hand out again until at last the Siren Queen begrudgingly takes the little mirrored sphere.
"Thank you," she sniffs simply, in a way that would seemingly imply no thanks at all.. "Now if you don't mind, I think its about time all of you leave."
"Mirror portal..?"Delina queries softly, voice a mix of apprehension and disbelief, her crimson eyes scanning the two of us as we share a passing nod of affirmation, agreed on the plan."Yes, a mirror portal should work, good thinking Kal," I confirm, giving him a light pat on the back, which he takes with a dazzling sharp toothed smile. Kals eyes glaze over as he formulates a plan in his mind, nodding wordless at my affirmation, having not heard the queries that Delina had interjected not moments ago. Areen being the cold hearted and brooding Siren Queen that is expected of her, only growls, which surely takes some nerve since I practically just threatened her life with complete and utter annihilation, not to mention the rest of her people. I suppose I can expect nothing less from a weathered Siren Queen with an inhuman taste of mortal remains.Even so, its not like she could do anything over the matter. I glamoured her to accept her help, whether she would like it or not. While she may be prepared to leave her people into complete turmoil and destruction in an effort for preserving Azrael's plan and his oh so valued friendship, I am not."Kal?" Delina starts again, reaching over to tug at his sleeve insistently, tired of not getting answers. "What is a mirror portal?"Before Kal can answer, Areen interjects with a bitter smile."A pompous dragon trick," she snarls under her breath, flashing us both a dirty look, as though toying up the idea that we would both look marvellous in a stew right about now. However, the glamour that hangs over her head and the flaming coils of smouldering fire that flare up around my form are enough to drive her into a loathsome submission, her voice falling to a whisper as I throw her a harsh glare. When at last she has settled, Kal turns apologetically to Delina, giving her a weak smile."It is ancient dragon magic- very good for transportation, but a very difficult spell to master. Basically, I would build up a giant mirror portal which connects to another place of my choosing. Of course, the conjuror has to have been to that said place in order to cast the spell, but luckily for you I have traversed a large segment of Faey in my lifetime, including some very dangerous oceans." He pauses to give a little shiver, eyes glazing over as memories flood back to him once again. Sometimes it is easy to forget from Kal's youthful appearance that he is many hundreds of years old and has seen a lifetime of people go by, each one holding a new experience and adventure that I could never hope to dream off. After all, he used to be part of an esteemed dragon clan- the dark dragons, or black magic dragons as they were formerly called, and likely saw many segments of Faey in his travels around the world. Of course, I hardly doubt oceans were his favourite places to go, but that is besides the point."Coward," mutters Areen beside us, still stationary, a look of scorn upon her face. "Afraid to get your feet wet, Kal?"Fortunately, Kal ignores her comments, turning with an obviously forced smile to address the Siren Queen."You and your people could use my mirror portal to then travel through safely to the other side. Granted, everything you have here will be left behind, but in all honesty, I suspect staying as far away from here as possible is your safest bet for now. At least until everything is over."To this, Areen only grunts. Fortunately, Delina is more enthusiastic with her response, nodding vigorously as she grovels next to Kal. Wide eyed she steps forward, hands clasped together as if in prayer."Please Kal, if you can really do it, that would be perfect, wouldn't it grandmother?" She presses, tugging on her grandmother's arm with a fraudulent expression on her face. The Siren gives us a sideways glance, surveying us over with a look of pure disgust, as though debating how long it would take to grind our bones to pure dust.I had glamoured her to let us go, and to accept her help, but Areen's will is strong, and I can tell that even underneath the glamour, she is struggling to be free of the mental chains that bind her to me. It doesn't take a genius to realise she doesn't want our help. But either way, she has no real choice in the matter.At long last, Areen growls:"Fine. I will take your offer up on the mirror portal, but not the light barrier. You only specified that I would accept help from you, but you have given me options, and I am under no obligation to accept all help from you. So I will not take anything from that girl," she hisses grimly, jabbing a bony finger in my general direction. Uncaring, I shrug. If she wishes to put her people's lives in danger, so be it. That is her burden to bear, not mine.Besides, threats and loathsome accusations such as these have long since passed the point of phasing me. After living in a palace of vampires who would like your head for breakfast and your blood for dinner, petty threats start to mean nothing to you after a while. After all, there are much worse things that could happen- such as having your soul stolen by a vampire prince with a taste for murder and a frivolous obsession with extracting peoples souls. Yes, much worse things indeed."But Areen," Kal begins to protest, until I place a firm hand on his shoulder, quelling him into silence. "If Areen doesnt want my help, then she will not have it, that is her loss and not mine," I state simply, eyeing over the Siren with a blank face, lacking any emotions whatsoever. I have little reason to waste my time worrying over pointless frivolities such as this. Clearly from the sigh she voices, Delina is a little disappointed at the outcome, but remains silent, watching with a rigid tension between us, as if the air between us might suddenly burst into flames from the heat passed between our looks alone. Then after realising that neither Areen nor I will budge with our opinions, Kal puffs out a long breath."Alright," he murmurs defeatedly, bringing his hands up to his chest to revolve them in a small arching circle, repeating the motion over and over as the air charges with magic. Spindles of magic form between the archways of his fingers, curling around his skin to form a spiralling ball of black and blue in the empty space between his hands. The magic glows softly, illuminating the sullen, black air between us. Curiously, Delina peers closer, captivated by the display."I am going to make you a portable mirror dimension charm," Kal announces, drawing in his hands to squish the ball of darkness between his fingers, a light blue radiance spilling out between his fingers. "When you want to use it, smash it against the ground and command it to go to a place that you know and have been to. It should then open up a mirror portal to this very place, and will remain open on both sides until you command it to close. Once it has closed, there is no going back, understood?" Kal affirms, nodding to both Delina and Areen, who return his nods with an avid understanding. Watching the shining mirrored ball form between Kals hands, Areen sucks in her cheeks with scorn, her eyes narrowing as the wisps of blue and black light face away into empty air.It is not a secret that Sirens and dragons alike are very precious and often prejudice about the use of magic from other species. Many, excluding Kal, often refuse to embark on learning and using magic that is formulated from any other than their own species, often in a frugal attempt to keep magic a secret from other races and species in an effort to achieve so-called magic purity. For the majority of spells and practises, this has been largely accepted. But like any strict regime in society, there will always be those like Kal and Delina less compelled to maintain those severe guidelines, and so seek and share magic around for themselves in exchange for further knowledge or companionship. Such people often become outcasts, of course, but their actions are often extremely beneficial to the bettering of society and a helpful call for getting out of sticky situations- like the one we face now."Here," says Kal, shaking out the tiny mirrored sphere to the siren in his hand. "It's all yours. You may do what you want with it, or nothing at all, the choice is entirely up to you. But just remember what we told you, about Azrael that is. Remember that we are not lying to you, and to look after your people," Kal reminds her insistently, shaking his hand out again until at last the Siren Queen begrudgingly takes the little mirrored sphere."Thank you," she sniffs simply, in a way that would seemingly imply no thanks at all.. "Now if you don't mind, I think its about time all of you leave."
