Chapter Text
She felt a bit dizzy.
As if just waking up.
She felt… strange.
Wrong.
But she also felt better!
That familiar and very disgusting physical weakness was gone…
What was going on?
—So? Light Spinner? What was it?
That was… Norwyn!?
What on Etheria was going on!?
—Excuse me?— she stammered, slowly taking in her surroundings.
—What did you want to show us? The Horde destroying everything? We know of this already. So what is your innovative plan?
—My plan… Right— she sighed. Words came naturally to her, and so she spoke —The Spell of Obtainment. A way to make ourselves strong enough to stop The Horde.
—What you propose is forbidden for a reason, Light Spinner— Norwyn severely interrupted, shaking his head. —It summons a parasite that turns the caster into a magical leech!
—I know, but I made modifications to it, and…
—Forget it, Light Spinner. We can’t allow it.
—Because it will fail…— she uttered, remembering what had happened.
But how!?
How is she here if all of this has already happened!?
—Then… why were you proposing this if you know it will fail?— the Head Sorcerer finally asked, after a moment of confusion.
—Because I believed it was ready… But it is not.
—Light Spinner, are you feeling alright?
—No— she admitted, clutching her head.
Her eyes opened wide while her fingers dug into her thick hair, her breathing became shallow and made her veil flutter in front of her mouth.
She was panicking in silence.
Norwyn immediately gestured at everyone to dismiss the meeting and leave, and carefully approached her.
He was wary and hesitant.
He was afraid.
—Perhaps you should rest.
—All of this is wrong.
—Many things are wrong, Light Spinner. But it is not in our power to solve everything— he replied, trying to comfort her.
—Don’t patronize me…
—I am not…— he sighed, defeated. —You’re an ambitious and talented sorceress. I can see you want to help our world, but your methods could use some thought… You need to think everything through before trying to test your plans.
—We don’t have time to think everything through!
—If you don’t take into account the possible collateral damage, the risks, then it will only make things worse. For everyone!
—You have no idea— she scoffed, almost sardonic. She then let go of her head, stood straight again, and looked back at him, asking —What if I told you that I did this once, and it ended with me corrupted and you dead?
Silence.
He looked shocked, but also… suspicious.
—Well, if that were true, then isn’t this some sort of second chance, maybe?— he jokingly commented.
—Second… chance? That must be the brightest thing you’ve said in a while…— she replied, not intending to be mean despite obviously offending him.
—Alright. In any case, you should rest for the day, Light Spinner.
—I certainly should…— she nodded, finally leaving the chamber.
More memories little by little returned to the woman.
For instance, she knew where Micah would intercept her on her way back from this meeting, so she chose a different route to her room, not wanting to face him now.
That kid…
Curse his energetic and enthusiastic personality!
She couldn’t do it again.
She couldn’t lose him again.
Risk him again.
Betray him again…
If this was a second chance, then she needed to do it right this time.
So she needed to think.
Once her ideas were clearer, she’d be able to face him.
It wasn’t until about a week later that the woman finally dared talk to Micah.
The kid was starting to feel rejected and very obviously refused to lose his Master, so he kept asking around for her, and telling other tutors to get her his messages.
No wonder he was beaming when she agreed to meet him at the Lunarium.
—Light Spinner! At long last! What happened!?
—Calm down, Micah. Nothing happened…
—But you didn't want to see me before…
—I just needed time to think.
—Then what happened with the Council!? You said you were going to speak to the Council to present them with your plan! It’s infallible!
—No, no. Micah, it’s very flawed, it won’t work— she denied. —Not yet…
—“Not yet”? But…
—Trust me, I know. The Council won’t lend me their strength to perform the spell, and…
—I can help you!
—No!— she immediately barked, suddenly angry, making him backtrack. —If you help me, you’ll get scared, you’ll break the connection, the spell will fail, I’ll- Ah… Never mind, it’s not going to happen— she blurted out, but interrupted herself before she said something she couldn’t explain, dismissing everything instead. —If you still want to help me, then let’s keep working on the spell. Only once it’s perfect, only once I say you’re ready, we’ll… try it.
—So… I can keep helping you? You’ll still teach me?— he asked, eyes shining.
—Of course— she nodded, sounding gentle in a way that was almost forgotten to her.
They continued to work on the spell for years.
Many years.
She obsessed over it and pulled Micah into the same obsession…
Well into his twenties, he knew nothing other than war and the improvement of the Spell.
In the last five years, The Horde’s advancement had been stalled and they felt slightly relieved, so Micah’s efforts were going less into fighting and more into studying and improving the Spell of Obtainment.
Whoever would ask, got the same answer: once this big project was completed, there would be no more bloodshed…
That was the big promise.
That was… the ultimate goal.
The one thing that had all of Light Spinner’s and Micah’s attention.
They were so invested, all their hopes set on this single target, that it seemed like nothing else mattered to either of them.
And finally… the day arrived.
—Everything ready?
—Yes.
—Are you sure?
—Of course, Master! Trust me!
—Every single thing must be perfect, you know that— Light Spinner severely remarked.
—Come on, Master, I’m almost thirty! You can trust me a bit!— he insisted, a bit cheeky. —I even have a kid now! I sure hope I'm trustworthy— he then joked.
—Alright— she nodded, ignoring the humor. —I’ll trust you, young man. Let us begin.
And that was the beginning of the end.
Again…
Light Spinner should have known.
Or perhaps she knew that, even with all the extra preparations, even with the numerous new improvements, even when Micah was much older, everything would go just like the last time… But she wanted to think- she hoped things would be different this time.
That she had made the right choices.
She… hadn’t.
The containment lasted a bit longer, but it still broke.
The parasite scared Micah just as much as the first time; a primitive fear was immediately installed in his heart to a degree that made him feel like half his age.
A kid again.
Completely out of sorts, he backtracked, deaf to Light Spinner’s screams telling him not to stop, and then he fell back on the ground, only able to watch in absolute horror as the black mass of hands from the parasite swallowed his Master.
—What is the meaning of this!?— an angry voice suddenly asked.
Just like the first time…
Norwyn had arrived at the Lunarium in time to witness the rebirth of Light Spinner as Shadow Weaver.
—I-I’m sorry— Micah stammered, his eyes trying to find her between the dark arms. After a moment, she groaned loudly and stood up as the parasite receded, but the corruption was evident. —Master! We-we have to help her!— he exclaimed, trying to rush to her yet firmly stopped by Norwyn. —What are you doing!?
—She’s beyond salvation, Micah.
—Why did you abandon me!?— she finally yelled, a hand covering most of her face, the other pointing accusatorily. —Why did you leave again!?
—“Again”?— Micah repeated, confused.
—Is this the part where I die?— Norwyn fearlessly inquired, recalling what Light Spinner had claimed so many years ago.
—It is!— she yelled, preparing a dark magic spell without uncovering her face.
With unexpected strength, Norwyn pushed Micah aside and cast a barrier, intercepting her shot but getting pushed away several meters.
—Wait! Master! Light Spinner!
—Light Spinner is dead!— the woman yelled. —I’ve lost you again, so run like you did before!— she insisted, deeply confusing him.
—But…
—Get back!— Norwyn warned, shooting a spell at Shadow Weaver. —I won’t let you hurt him or anyone!
—And you’ll pay with your life, Old Ram!
While Micah observed in absolute shock, they both clashed in the Lunarium, shooting spells back and forth, until their killing blows intercepted each other and caused a small explosion.
Dizzy, the woman backtracked, holding her head, eyes closed, until hitting the basin in the middle of the Lunarium.
Being so stunned, it took her a moment to realize something was wrong again.
She was… numb for a moment.
The rush of new power was gone, the oppressive air of her surroundings had cleared, her ears filled with noise now perceived only a comfortable silence, and her face, which she was still covering, felt… smooth again.
That was when she realized it.
With a gasp, she finally looked up, only to find herself back in that fateful meeting.