The dragons roared in response to the selfish desires rising in Verene’s heart. Yet after their soundings, the desire faded. Speraka looked at the dragons in surprise. She had never seen them show such fury.

“What's wrong?” Speraka asked, concerned.

“That woman.” Sevna spoke. “The one you're hiding. Where is she?”

“Verene? Why? We agreed that she meant no harm and would leave after we found the artifact she seeks.” Speraka responded.

“Something’s changed.” Sevna said. They looked around. The emotions they felt just then were nearby. “Perhaps she’s changed her tune, her intent may no longer be pure. Even if it was just for a moment.”

“I’ll go speak with her then.” Speraka suggested.

“No!” Fioni exclaimed. “She could mean you ill.”

“Maybe something upset her. Its strong emotions you pick up, I know those are often from bad emotions. But it doesn’t have to be.” Speraka started to walk toward the stairs. "She won't hurt me."

Fioni and Sevna wanted to block Speraka’s path, but she merely walked around them. The two dragons knew they could not stop her. And followed her up until they were stopped at the hall’s entrance.

Speraka walked alone down the hallway. To her surprise, Verene was seated on the ground not too far in. Verene’s back was towards Speraka, it was likely she was oblivious to Speraka’s presence.

“Verene.” Speraka spoke softly. “What’s wrong?”

Verene seemed to jump a bit before she turned her head to look back. Her face was bright red. “Speraka?”

Verene faced forward again. Uncertain what to say, she wasn’t ready to face Speraka just yet. Speraka crouched down to sit beside Verene. Did Verene become sick? Speraka tried to reach over to check Verene's forehead with her hand. She cast a small spell that would ease any discomfort in the chance something was wrong. But before her hand could make contact, Verene had grabbed Speraka's hand.

“When there were visitors to the temple. Did you often heal them?” Verene asked suddenly.

Speraka shook her head. “I was still young then. And had just become a novice priestess. I wasn’t very stable with my magic, so I only helped the other priestesses with the more severe cases of the sick and injured.”

“So, no visitors saw you heal?”

"Not really. Or I don't think so? Usually, in the cases I got to help with, the patient was already unconscious."

Speraka was confused by this string of questions.

“And everyone you helped heal, did they make it?”

“All but one.”

"One? Then for the others, if those gravely injured and sick got healed behind closed doors. Wouldn't it be suspicious? Normal light magic is not that powerful, even if several mages combined their power to heal one person. Maybe people would think there was an item helping the priestesses at that time. Something abyssal in nature."

“The artifact you’re looking for. But we didn’t use anything. I don’t remember it at least.”

Verene sighed. “I think I’ve been looking for a person this whole time. An abyssal light mage living in the temple. Because few saw her power, it was believed instead that an artifact was used imbued with an abyssal mage’s strength.”

“A person. But I was the last one left.”

“Speraka.” If Verene had not just learned that Speraka was left alone here as a youth, she may have laughed. But has no one told Speraka the true nature of her magic, so the dragons were likely taking advantage of her? "You're an Abyssal Mage. I saw you heal the dragon just now. The combined efforts of all light mages in Avanin could not compare to the magic you cast in moments."

Speraka was dumbfounded. Did Verene's realization cause the emotional outburst the dragons sensed? Abyssal Mages were legendary figures, but mostly from myths. Speraka herself felt uncertain. This was the first time someone acted amiss regarding her magic.

“The dragons said they sensed your emotions. Is this the cause?”

Verene laughed lightly. “I went to look for you. I’d given up trying to find the artifact. But I wanted to ask you to travel back to the Realm of Avanin with me. But then I saw your magic and realized that you were what I sought. Before I could think a part of me wanted to take you away. But I won’t. Unless you want to join me.”

Speraka felt heat rise to her face. Although she was fond of Verene, Speraka had little experience in dealing with people. But she understood the ambiguity in Verene’s words and could feel Verene’s warmth through the hand she held. She wanted to go.

“I am the last priestess here within the temple. If I leave, what will happen if someone from the city ascended the passage and needed my aid. I can’t abandon the people of this realm.” Speraka said solemnly. She wouldn’t mind going with Verene, wanted to, but Speraka had her duty.

“The passage within the tree is blocked. I only got here by climbing the exterior.” Verene took a deep breath. “And the city below is empty. The surviving people fled to Avanin in the wake of sickness over three hundred years ago. No manner of light magic could affect it. Although the sickness eventually faded after the people left the Realm of the Dragon Tree, the dragons did not allow anyone reentry. And many feared returning because it may have been a calamity."

Speraka was once more at a loss for words. She was an Abyssal Mage. The city she was to aid was gone. Did she no longer have a duty here? What of the dragons? Why was she alone for so long?

“There’s no need for you to stay here alone.” Verene said gently.

Speraka gripped Verene’s hand tightly. “Let me speak to the dragons.”

Verene wanted to deny it, but the dragon people had been the only company Speraka has had in all these years. Regardless of their reasons for keeping Speraka in the dark, Speraka still had every right to do as she pleased.

Verene released Speraka’s hand. The two got up from the ground and returned to the central chamber.