Part 3

“Taenya Valmaris.” Agbus said as they stood outside the bedroom where Neptis lay. “You have done well to take care of your friend and colleague while she was in this state.” Agbus reached into his robe sleeve and pulled out a small seed. “A gift, if you will. Plant it in your gardens.”

“What is it, my Lord?” Taenya asked, looking at the seed in her hands.

“I cannot explain, you will understand when it is grown.”

“Of course, thank you for this gift.” Taenya replied with a bow.

“It’s time. Come on Agbus.” Vordea said, opening the door.

Vordea was shocked by Neptis’s condition when she entered the room. She was slowly wasting away, and was barely breathing. Knowing she was responsible for this only made her feel worse. Neptis was one of her most loyal followers she ever had, and she still did this to her. Even now she could not understand why exactly she did this to Neptis. As she slowly approached Neptis, her dress melted away and it reformed into her black armour. She knelt at Neptis’s bedside.

“May you forgive me for the pain I have caused you.” Vordea whispered, before casting a spell.

“Taenya Valmaris. Headmaster Demeter. You will stay and witness this.” Agbus stated to the two of them, before they could leave. “You are going to witness a miracle.”

A wall of light descended around the bed Neptis lay in, enclosing the bed and Vordea inside. Vordea’s armour shone brilliantly before exploding into rays of light. Vordea’s raven black hair grew longer, until it ran down to her knees. The walls of the room began to be covered in hundreds of drawings of Vordea’s sigil, and the wall of light became opaque.

“What’s happening, Lord Agbus?” Demeter asked.

 “"Something unexpected, even by me.”" Agbus responded, stroking his chin. “"She clearly has something in mind for ‘Little Neptis’, though.” If I'm not mistaken that's... no. It couldn't be."

"What's wrong?" Demeter asked.

"I haven't seen her use this spell in over twenty million years, Demeter." Agbus answered, squinting.