“Dying, dying, boredom, boredom. I'm lost, maybe even broken. No, definitely broken. In what ways, though?”

(«^») Iris Exurrana

8E/438Y/12M/47D 5:37 AM

It was late. Or was it early? When you can’t sleep, well, what’s the damn difference? The sun had yet to rise at the time, so it was dark. Besides the ambient sounds of the hospital, and the soft lights displaying my vitals, there was nothing to behold.

I sighed heavily as I stared into the nothingness. I wasn’t allowed to use my magic out of the fear that my aura would drop too low and I’d die. Or something like that. I don’t really remember to be perfectly honest with you. So, I sat in my bed with absolutely nothing to do but stare blankly at a wall.

“Fuck.” I wasn’t supposed to talk either. My voice was still heavily damaged, and if I strained it it would probably make me mute. The nurse kept telling me I had to sleep if I wanted to get out quickly, but I couldn’t.

I didn’t want to either. Every time I slept I saw things that I didn’t want to see. Horrible, awful things. So I just decided to avoid sleeping altogether. It was nothing new to me. I’d done worse things to my body. Although nothing I would feel disgraced over, even if I wasn’t proud of a lot of those things.

The doctor said they were short on priestesses, too, so I would have to wait before I could have any proper healing.

I very well could've had Aurora tend to me, but she wasn't a licensed priestess and I didn't want the legal trouble. I was already on thin ice being in the hospital to begin with.

“Tch.”

I turned my head to the window as a hooded figure stared me down, “Yes?” I normally would've said something snarky, but I didn't have the energy for it. So I spoke plainly.

“You're resilient. I'll give you that.”

“I guess I am.”

“Tell me something.” The woman shifted a little, playing with a blade, “Are you familiar with someone known as ‘Iofiel’?”

“Maybe.”

She narrowed her eyes at me, “If you're alive after this meet me in the Undercommon. Ask around for Velvet. Oyaneh, darleh.”

“Oyaneh,” As I spoke she disappeared.

(«^»)

I don't know how long it was until I decided to just leave. The hospital wasn't any help to me. I couldn't be fucked to sit there and wait. So, I just asked for my belongings and left. And straight to the Undercommon I went. I didn't know where my party was, so it was the only other place nearby I could even remotely call home.

Just like that night in Alexandria, I went into the sewer and wandered until I eventually found a door. I knocked twice and opened it, revealing a rather large cavern with plenty of buildings. To my side left was a bar, which I immediately sat at. “I'll have some crimson grass tea, mixed in with some Mint Folivaire.”

“Fancy. You a noble or something?”

I looked to the man next to me, and scoffed, “Lae'air yi nilsefe.”

He laughed a little, “Name's Apollyon.”

“Devilish. I'm Iris. What's with the deer skull?” I asked, referring to his helmet.

“Secret. What's with your eyes?”

“Also a secret.” I took a drink of me tea as the bartender handed it to me, “Thefas.”

The bartender just give me a small, respectful nod.

“What's a girl like you doing in the Undercommon?”

“Is it that surprising?”

“A tad.”

“Does the name Vete Cethyr Lethana ring any bells?”

“Indeed it does. You're not about to tell me a young girl like you is The Silent Storm are you?”

“What if I am?” I didn't return his gaze. I simply stared at the back wall.

“Care to prove it?”

“Only one way to find out.”

“How so?”

“Have me steal something. After all I'm just a thief.”

“I don't think a thief quite fits.”

“It does. I just tend to steal whatever it is I'm told to. Whether it be money, secrets, or lives. I take it all.”

“You're a curious sort.”

“Not as curious as that mask.” I suddenly felt an odd sensation. Like something tugging at the back of my mind. Akin to an instinctual impulse, but I couldn't quite figure it what it meant. “Now what'll it be?”

I could feel the grin emanating from this guy, “I'm willing to pay pretty if you can steal back a potion.”

“A potion?” I gave him a questioning look.

“Yeah. I'm an alchemist you see. It's something I've been working on for quite a while now. I'm quite proud of it too. I'd appreciate it if you could get it back for me. It was stolen by a rival of mine in The Academy of Soul who goes by ‘Leux’.”

“Easy.” I chugged the rest of my drink and slammed it on the table. I stumbled off my chair and wandered out of the common area.

(«^») ???

I happened to be on a quiet night stroll through the Academy's wonderful campus one night when I happened upon something very lovely indeed. It was a young girl with black hair and eyes, facing off with a student. Highly illegal, but interesting. I watched from afar as the two crossed blades, very literally risking life and limb. I didn't know what it was over at the time, but being who I was I had to stay until the end.

The young archdragon faced him with only a blade. I couldn't tell if she was using magic, but she seemed frustrated.

(«^») Iris Exurrana

It was raining that night. It was soothing, at least to me. But its winds carried with it the scent of the death.

I was drunk. I was sleep deprived. I was angry.

Oh, yes, I was very angry. I remember there in that moment specifically how much the hate and anger and sadness flowed through me. My mind was going a mile a minute. My body, doubly so.

Leux wasn't even breaking a sweat. Although I had been better. Done better.

I stood there, nearly helpless, but not quite so as Leux attacked ruthlessly. He swung three times in an X shape cutting upwards flawlessly. I parried the first, and backstepped, barely dodging the second, and the third cut me across the chest.

This one drew blood.

But I didn't care. I didn't notice either. I was too busy seething to do either of those things.

Then I suddenly watched as my sword fell to the ground.

My only defense gone.