Episode 2, Scene 4 Sneak Peek #4

Another dialogue variation from the Lethalis scene, this time with a mention of a certain someone...

A small murmur ripples through the room as the Lethalis mages shift in their seats, their gaze passing from you to Oshiro with interest. The lanky elf smirks and tosses their ring a final time, catching it expertly and slipping it onto their index finger. Across the table, a faint smile crosses Zenaida’s lips. She catches you eye and nods gratefully.

Oshiro notes the shifting temperament and grimaces. “I trust my peers as I trust myself,” he says. “I meant no offense to Savant Anaxas. However, just as I judge too quickly, my colleagues act too quickly. If Zenaida had her way, you and Kellis would be sent to Diradan Tower tonight.”

[dialogue choice] “Is there a problem with that? From what I understand, Lethalis wants the Astrial. The Astrial is in the tower. And the tower is unapproachable—except by a Wayfarer.”

“Theoretically,” the elf says, examining the ring on their finger.

“Theoretically?” you reply. “What do you mean, theoretically?”

They glance upwards and meet your eyes with a smirk. “As far as I’m aware, this is the first time the citadel’s wards have ever been dissolved. The remnants devour flesh and bone within minutes and no ward, barrier, or shield can stop them. Not even our experts know how much power resides within that cloud. By sending you to the tower, I wonder… will we finally discover a magic potent enough to affect a magianis?”

Your jaw clenches. “It’s not possible,” you say automatically. No magic can affect magiani; it can’t, even if you wanted it to. The powers that imbue this world simply do not acknowledge your existence.

“Do you know that for certain?” the elf presses. “Have the Wayfarers run tests and experiments the Guild is not aware of? Your Grandmaster, as I recall, was quite interested in the extent of your natural immunity. Its causes, its applications, its limitations…”

Your brows draw together, a headache pounding in the back of your skull. “If you knew Sero, you’d know that’s bullshit.”

The elf raises an eyebrow. “Do you think so, $lastname? Maybe you didn’t know your namesake as well as you thought.”