Page 16 of Feral Gods

An unexpected wisdom from our typically blunt commander. I study him with renewed interest, noting the complexity of emotions that cross his features as he watches Kaia—concern, protectiveness, and something deeper I cannot fully identify.

"We should continue your magical education," I suggest to Kaia, steering the conversation toward practical matters. "If you possess latent purna abilities, learning to control them will be essential for your safety and ours."

"And for strengthening our defenses against Morwen's forces," Thane adds pragmatically. "The more wards you can activate and enhance, the better our chances of withstanding whatever assault they're planning."

Kaia looks down at her hands, which still hold traces of magenta light between her fingers. "What if I can't control it? What if I make things worse?"

"Magic responds to intent and emotion as much as technique," I assure her. "Your desire to protect the sanctuary already guides your efforts in the right direction. With practice, precision will follow."

She nods slowly, though doubt still shadows her features. "And if I am... related to this Elowyn... what does that mean for us? For the three of you? She cursed you. She took centuries of your lives."

A question I've been contemplating since first suspecting her heritage. The ethical implications are complex—can a descendant bear responsibility for an ancestor's actions? Does blood connection imply moral culpability across generations?

Before I can formulate a response, Ravik steps forward, closing the distance between himself and Kaia with deliberate purpose. He towers over her, amber eyes glowing in the chamber's dim light, yet there is no menace in his posture—only intense focus.

"You are not Elowyn," he states, each word precise and weighted. "Her blood may flow in your veins, but her choices are not yours. You awakened us from the curse; you did not create it. That distinction matters."

The simple declaration carries more impact than any philosophical argument I might have constructed. Kaia's expression shifts, relief replacing uncertainty as she absorbs Ravik's acceptance.

"Ravik speaks for all of us," I confirm, with a glance at Thane, who nods his grudging agreement. "Your potential purna heritage changes our tactical considerations, not our commitment to your protection."

"Though it does make you considerably more interesting," Thane adds with a predatory grin that reveals his sharp teeth. "A human with the power to break purna curses? The possibilities are... intriguing."

"Let's focus on mastering basic defensive magic before exploring those possibilities," I suggest dryly. "Kaia has shown remarkable aptitude, but unleashing untrained power can be dangerous for all involved."

"Agreed," Ravik says, returning his attention to the activated sigils. "These wards should hold against Morwen's tracking magic for now, but we must prepare for direct assault. If they cannot find Kaia through magical means, they may resort to more conventional methods of search and seizure."

"The tunnel systems," Kaia suggests, her practical mind engaging despite the revelations of the past hour. "If we can verify which passages remain viable, we'll have escape routes they won't anticipate."

I nod approvingly. "A wise precaution. Though with your enhanced anti-tracking wards, we may have bought ourselves additional time to strengthen our position here."

"Don't count on it," Thane cautions. "Morwen is old and cunning. She'll have contingencies for every setback."

As if to punctuate his warning, a distant rumble shakes the chamber—not the magical pulse of earlier, but something more physical. Dust sifts from the ceiling as the tremor passes through the temple.

"What was that?" Kaia asks, alarm replacing exhaustion in her voice.

Ravik's wings flare slightly, his posture shifting to combat readiness. "They've begun testing the outer defenses. Magical bombardment, by the feel of it."

"So soon?" I move to the chamber doorway, extending my magical senses outward to assess the attack. "The wards should have hidden Kaia's presence completely. They shouldn't know for certain she's here."

"Perhaps they don't need certainty," Thane suggests grimly. "Perhaps they're willing to level the entire temple on suspicion alone."

Another tremor shakes the sanctuary, stronger than the first. Kaia staggers slightly, and I notice the sigils on the altar flaring in response to the magical assault—drawing on her presence to strengthen the defenses automatically.

"We need to move you away from the nexus point," I tell her, concerned by the connection I'm observing. "The defensive matrix is linking to your energy. It could drain you dangerously if the attack intensifies."

Ravik is at her side instantly, one massive hand steadying her elbow. "To the lower chambers. They're more heavily shielded against magical assault."

As we guide her from the chamber, I cast one last glance at the altar.

The sigils continue to pulse with magenta light, but now I notice something I missed earlier—small, subtle alterations in the patterns, modifications to the original designs that seem to have occurred during Kaia's interaction with them.

She didn't merely activate the defenses; she rewrote them on some fundamental level, integrating her essence into the temple's magical architecture in ways I don't fully understand.

The implications are both fascinating and concerning—what else might change as her latent abilities continue to awaken?

As we descend toward the lower levels, Kaia between Ravik and myself with Thane taking rear guard, I find my scholarly excitement balanced by growing concern. If Kaia truly possesses Elowyn's bloodline and magical potential, she represents both our greatest hope and a significant unknown variable.

The question now is whether we can help her harness that potential before Morwen's forces breach our defenses—and whether the magic awakening within her will prove salvation or danger to us all.

One thing is certain: the fragile human woman who came into our sanctuary seeking refuge has become the epicenter of forces beyond any of our expectations.

And I find myself strangely protective of her, not merely as a valuable asset or intriguing mystery, but as someone whose courage and resilience have earned my genuine respect.

Whatever comes next, we face it together—gargoyles and purna descendant, united by circumstances none of us could have predicted, bound by connections growing stronger with each passing day.