In the days after her return to the Tower, Galinas thoughts were clouded by everything that had conspired in the Dragonlands. She was constantly tired, mostly because the Festival had messed with her sleep schedule and the fact, that the little sleep she got was swamped with disturbing dreams. Not of the Daedra, like before. No now it were Asmodeos, Alvaro, Redgar and the Black Avatar herself who haunted her nights.
They were malestroms of fear and uncertainty. Over and over she saw herself being surrounded by darkness. Looked into the mighty jaws of a black dragon, ready to swallow her whole. One night she even dreamt of Asmodeos standing in her small quarters in the Accepted‘s wing, smelling her in her sleep. And when she awoke in that particular dream, he told her: „You smell different when you sleep.“ a menacing smile on his face.
After that Galina had sat up straight in her bed, despite the cold outside, soaked with sweat. Panicking she had scrambled for the source and woven a ward around her room. The next day, Lilith had asked her, what was wrong, but she had found herself at a lack of words to explain the situation.
How could she have even understood the conundrum she was in? That she was in the midst of deciding wether to walk in the Light or plunge herself into the maw of shadow for the sake of attaining the power she longed for so desperately. If anyone ever found out she even thought about that, she would hang within the hour, after being stilled in a circle of thirteen.
„Galina?“ with a start the Accepted returned to the real world, realizing, that the Novice in front of her had just asked her a question. „Come again child.“ she said, her voice full of irritation, that she had gotten distracted once more.
The girl just wanted some advice on the weave, Galina was practicing with her Novice class. So she forced herself to a smile and patiently explained her the weave once more.
Half an hour later, the class was dismissed and the young woman was left to herself in the empty classroom. In silence she tidied the room for the next class that was to be held here, while her mind again wandered. Like so many times before, she went back to the last night of the festival, just before dawn. When she had made this horrible mistake, to ask Him for help.
They had left the camp and walked into the ritual circle, right in front of the temple. Under great duress, feeling the panic from before welling up once more, she had told him, what Fion had seen, whilst delving her. How the black mass of dark magic in her head had grown and festered, how it had reached out, creating a bond to the light knows where. He had not seemed phased by this at all. Instead he had started to summon a sphere of protection, an energy field, blocking everything from going in or out. Galina was sure, he would kill her. He was so menacing, so intimidating as he circled her, while she just stood there trying to not let him leave her eyesight. Afraid he would hurt her or worse.
What followed was hazy in her mind, a flurry of questions, challenging everything she had believed up to this point. Even if she tried most of it would not come back to her. But she remembered the gist. It was up to her to decide, wether she continued on her path, remaining weak and tethered to the rules upon those who walk in the light or if she embraced the Black Path and all the Power that came with it. Just thinking of it gave her chills.
Then he demanded of her to channel all five powers at once on herself. Something impossible, she had thought. But he would not take no for an answer. And so she did after some failed attempts. And she finally saw, the thing in her head, the cursed wound the Dremora had inflicted her with. She saw it in all it’s vileness. And she saw the band, the chain that was in the midst of forming. The realization had send her to her knees on the edge of weeping.
It all ended with him, giving her a blessing of the Black Dragon, that was supposed to cloak her in the Shadow, against the eyes of her enemies. She still felt the touch of his palm against her forehead and a shudder ran through her body, as she touched that exact spot.
„Tell me Galina, why are you touching that spot all the time?“ Again Galina gave a start, this time much greater than in front of the novices. Lilith had entered the classroom. She just now remembered, they wanted to meet for lunch.
„Headaches...“ she lied blatantly, showing a weak smile.
„You seem to have them ever since you returned. Maybe you should go to a yellow sister.“ The other Accepted said, eyeing her with worry. „I don’t suppose that’s necessary. I had them once in a while when I was younger. They will pass.“ She rubbed her temples to support her lie. Lilith shrugged. „If you say so... let’s get to lunch. I am starving! And by the way, you still wanted to tell me of that lizard!“ Galina smiled. „Indeed! Let’s go!“
