A Lust for Power *Between Twinkle and Minderbinder*

[Minderbinder]

The rumors that surrounded the rumors were bountiful, and most were ill in nature. A haven for beasts of all sizes, a home for those who practiced the wicked arts, a den of absolute evil. To slip into the darkened forest was essentially suicide, and even the most foolhardy of warriors dared not even set sight upon it. No amount of gold would tempt them, most preferring to stay in one piece. Despite knowing all of this, however, Len knew that she had to chance certain death. The young girl, seventeen years of age, had been cursed with the Mark. Emblazoned upon only those who bore magical energies within their form, its origin was unknown and its behavior erratic. It would appear at random and would show no discrimination, no matter whether one was a rigid old man or a newborn babe. Those who bore it were seen as dangers, and were executed on the spot. Only those who could hide their abilities had a chance at living a normal life, and yet doing so was easier said than done. Magic in general was quite chaotic, and to fully tame one's abilities would take years upon years of self-teaching.

That, or a very good teacher.

Her breathing hushed, her movements quick, Len made her way through the dark woods. Dark blue eyes, wracked with bags from many sleepless nights, wandered through the trees. Light brown hair, pulled back into a ponytail, bobbed about as she hurried about. The girl was petite in form, and her movements reflected her spry appearance. She dodged and weaved, eyes and ears primed for the sign of any hungry beasts. She wore a simple tunic and pants, coupled with a small satchel thrown over her shoulder as well. She'd packed what she'd needed, basic essentials that'd see her in and out of the forest.

Her own Mark had appeared only a few weeks ago, near her birthday. It'd shown up out of the blue, and even now she could recall the sensation she'd felt as it made itself known. A faint tingling upon her belly that'd steadily graduated to a heavy burning, followed by a faint blue glow. It'd taken the shape of a simple circle with a line going through the center, vertically, and had appeared right in the middle of her stomach. The pain it'd first brought was nearly unimaginable, and even now it occasionally flared. Speaking of which...

"Agh..." A wince drew itself across her exhausted features, and with a grimace the girl dropped to her knees. Clutching at her stomach, brow furrowed, her breathing would quicken. It felt as though she'd swallowed glass, the pain indescribable. "...gah!"

She'd tried to find someway to keep it hidden, and yet now...now she knew that only one choice remained. Asking about had led her to the woods, and if fortune favored her the girl knew that her savior would await further in. She had to be close, very close. For all she knew, the witch could've been watching here and now.

 

[T W I N K L E]

Aschtartre Del Etrama Kladis Norienta, or simply Ash, stood silently in her little cozy hut in the forest, her eyes wandering from book to book as she searched her shelves for something new. It was highly unlikely to find anything new these days. She had read most, if not all the books and forgetting anything she read is just something she wouldn't do. In her single mind alone, she's stored thousands and thousands of recipes, magic circles, spells, runes, and all knowledge magic. Giving up with a sigh, Ash ran her fingers through her pitch black hair. It was short and a bit messy, but that was the way she liked it. After all, with short hair, she didn't have to worry about constant tangles. Though her hair may be messy, it is naturally straight so little mess is actually detected.

Ash's deep green eyes dashed to the door immediately when she felt a slight chill in the air. Perhaps someone got lost in the forest. Usually what that happened, Ash would find them, play with them till she's bored, then erase their memories and send them home. Perhaps that's what she shall do with this one. Just to be safe, Ash placed a small silver ring on her finger with a dragon inscribed in it. The ring glowed a little before returning to normal. The ring was a teleportation ring, and should she find herself in trouble, she would end up home the moment she activates the ring.

She grabbed the dark silver cloak from the hanger and wrapped it around herself, over the dark purple corset, black tunic shirt, and black leather tights. Looking around to make sure everything is where it is supposed to be, Ash left her little cottage house. With a small illusion spell, the house became nothing but a very large tree with roots above ground and a ghastly appearance.

Silently, Ash made her way through the forest using the tree branches. Walking on the floor would be too confusing, even for her due to the various illusion traps she had set up to lead witch hunters astray. The moment the caught the presence of an outsider, Ash stayed very still. She mouthed a sight enhancement spell and was soon able to see the intruder. Eyes glaring down on the outsider, Ash kept one hand raised next to her face and mouthed a shadow spell. Now, if the outsider was here to find Ash, she would send her falling into the abyss. Ash didn't want to be found. She has never been found, and that is the way it will stay.