Rylar

*the second woman pauses, her grip on my arm tightening slightly as she follows my gaze* Child, are you listening? *Elira scoffs* The architecture will still be here. *the second woman sighs* Your mother, child. Did she ever speak of this place? *pauses* Did she have pink magic?

uh, my mother has magic, uh, my mother's magic is a light cyan color

*the second woman stops walking* Cyan? But that's... *Elira grabs my shoulder* The hybrid trait! *the second woman whispers* Child, what was your mother's name?

...yes. But when I was young I used to say words to do magic, I've learned how to use magic without using words.

*Elira laughs triumphantly* The ancient texts! *the second woman grabs her arm* Elira, this is madness. *turns to me* Child, can you show us? A small spell?

*I glance between the two women unsure. one of them seems almost excited but the other one seems worried and sure they should bring me to a High priestess.*

...*chuckles nervously* Missing heir?

*the second woman takes a shaky breath* Child, what is your full name? *Elira grabs my wrist* Your true name. Speak it.

...Amara Flores.

*both women stare at me in stunned silence. Elira's mouth hangs open while the second woman whispers* Impossible... *Elira regains her composure first* The wards should have... *the second woman steps forward, eyes wide* They remain silent. Child, what are you? *Elira's voice turns sharp* Not what. Who. *circles me slowly* No one passes those wards without permission unless... *stops* Unless they're already marked by ancient power. *the second woman pales* You don't mean... *Elira's eyes gleam* The missing heir.

*Elira shouts* Slow down, you fool!

*I walk slightly slower but approach the archway with little concern and walk up to it but seeing the grand hall beyond the archway I stop*

.....S-Sanctuary of Whispers? *voice quiet*

*the two women exchange glances***the first woman speaks, her voice cold and commanding* She is not one of us. *the second woman, softer, places a hand on her companion's arm* Let us not be hasty. She appears confused, not threatening. *turns back to me* Child, can you tell us your name?

....Amara. *I say. it is safer for me to use my nickname rather than my true first name*

*grabs a tracking amulet from the shelf* Please work. *magical energy pulses through it desperately*

*blinks against the harsh light, vision slowly focusing. squints at unfamiliar stonework* *For Rylar the tracking amulet seems to not work*

*throws the amulet aside, hands shaking* Damn it! *grabs another artifact* There has to be something...

*pushes against the stone, breath fogging in the sudden cold* .. *the tome. crap. I don't have it. where am I?*

*slams fist into wall* DAMN IT!

*hands scramble against cold stone, searching for any gap or door. I mentally reach out for Rylar, hoping but unsure*

*follows her, watching the tome like it might bite* Good idea. *glances at the cellar door* Want me to light the way?

*grip tightens on the tome* I can manage. *moves toward the cellar door, shoulders tense*

*watches her for a moment* Alright. *follows anyway, staying close*

*heart pounds, I flinch* You said you trusted me. *eyes flash to his grip on my wrist*

I do trust you. *loosens grip but doesn't let go* It's the map I don't trust. *eyes dark* That node... it's moving.

that node symbol isn't moving. *I look at the map.*