30. Remina

The courtyard of the Astur Compound unfolded before me, its familiar sights and sounds blurred by the numbness that enveloped me. Each step felt weighty as if I were navigating through a world submerged in a fog of my own making.

Seraphina began tending to the wounded council members. The air vibrated with the soft cadence of incantations and the muted sounds of pain being soothed.

Kique, his features etched with urgency, insisted that we convene in the council chambers immediately. Ryatt echoed his sentiments, stressing the severity of the situation we found ourselves in. Reaghan suggested a delay until the following day, but the fervor in Kique and Ryatt"s eyes brought no opposition.

As we ascended the steps to the council chambers, the world around me remained shrouded in a haze. The usually imposing doors creaked open, revealing the somber atmosphere within.

Seraphina continued her healing endeavors, her magic weaving through the room. Someone guided me into the council chambers, their touch grounding me amid my disoriented state. I saw the faces of the council, their expressions a mosaic of concern and apprehension. The details of the room seemed to shift and warp, a reflection of the mental fog that enveloped me.

They spoke of urgency, of unraveling plots and uncovering the truth behind the prophecies that had imploded my world. Words reached my ears like distant echoes, their meanings lost in the murky recesses of my mind.

Through the fog that clouded my senses, I caught glimpses of Ryatt"s fiery resolve, Kique"s firm resolve, and Hael's silent contemplation.

As the discussions unfolded, an implicit agreement passed among them—the recognition of my state. They spoke in hushed tones, acknowledging the shock that gripped me in its icy embrace. The world around me continued to exist in a detached state, the colors muted, the sounds distant.

And so, the council deliberated on, mapping out the uncertain path that lay ahead. Yet, for me, everything remained numb—the pain, the revelations, the very core of my being. I existed in a suspended state, a spectator to the unfolding turmoil that would shape our futures.

Hours slipped through my fingers like grains of sand, lost in the haze of my shock. Gradually, a sense of awareness seeped back into my consciousness. The first sensation to return was the warmth of Seraphina"s presence, a comforting anchor in the disorienting fog. Kneeling beside me, she gently guided my hands around a cup, its porcelain surface transmitting a subtle heat that registered through my numb fingers.

The aroma of calming tea wafted through the air, a fragrant lifeline that beckoned me back to the present. Sipping the brew, its soothing embrace worked its way through the rigid contours of my being. The first tendrils of clarity emerged as I surrendered to the simple act of drinking.

As the world sharpened into focus, the council chamber became clearer. The glow of enchanted crystals cast a muted radiance on the gathering of council members, their faces etched with worry and steadfastness. Conversations hummed in the air, a melodic blend of urgent tones and impassioned arguments.

Seraphina's voice, a gentle undertone in the symphony of discourse, reached my ears. "Take your time, Remina. Breathe," she urged, her words a lifeline cast into the tempest of my thoughts.

A slow inhale filled my lungs, and the tension within me began to loosen its grip. The tea"s warmth spread through my veins, unfurling the knots of shock that had bound me.

Around me, the council members engaged in heated debate. Ryatt"s impassioned pleas clashed with Kique"s pragmatic suggestions, and Slade"s measured voice cut through the tumult. Reaghan, a silent observer, weighed the words exchanged, his expression a canvas of conflicted emotions.

The air vibrated with the friction of opinions, a discordant symphony of conflicting ideologies. My senses, now fully attuned, absorbed the charged atmosphere—the sharp cadence of voices, the subtle rustle of documents being shuffled, the lingering scent of herbs mingling with the residual magic from previous discussions.

"Finding the Dark Fae is our top priority," Kique asserted, his eyes locked with Ryatt"s fiery gaze. "We need a lead, a clue, anything that can guide us to their whereabouts."

Ryatt, undeterred, retorted, "And how do we find that lead? The missing supernaturals hold the key. We need to locate them, and extract information, before the Dark Fae"s plans unfold."

The council members volleyed ideas back and forth, each proposing a strategic move in the invisible chess match that unfolded within the chamber.

Sipping the last remnants of the calming tea, I found my voice amid the tumult. "What if we combine our efforts? Locate the missing supernaturals while also seeking out traces of the Dark Fae. They are both tied to one another so any progress will help us achieve both goals. Whether we find the supes first or take down the dark mages. Both are steps in the right direction. We can"t afford to focus on one aspect at the expense of the other."

Slade, his gaze resolute, nodded in agreement. "Remina"s right. We need a comprehensive approach. We gather intelligence on both fronts, increasing our chances of success."

Seraphina, graceful and purposeful, returned to her seat with measured steps. Her gaze brushed against mine before she settled into her chair.

With a steadying breath, Seraphina addressed us. "I may have a suggestion that could help us in tracking the Dark Mages," she began, her voice carrying wisdom. "Remina," she turned to me, her eyes holding reassurance, "given your heritage, there"s a spell we could attempt."

A murmur of curiosity and speculation rustled through the council. Hael grumbled something unintelligible under his breath, his scowl deepening.

Seraphina continued, unfazed by the dissent. "Dark Fae had a natural ability to track their own kind. I propose a spell where Remina channels those tracking powers but focuses them on her dark mage heritage instead. It"s an unconventional approach, but desperate times call for inventive measures."

I nodded, a silent acknowledgment of my willingness to explore this uncharted magical territory. The air seemed to shimmer with latent energy, a concoction of hope and trepidation.

Seraphina and I shared a glance. I could sense her apprehension, the revelation about my dark fae lineage still fresh.

"I"m willing to try," I affirmed, my voice cutting through the chamber"s hushed deliberation.