Dread Mage

Mellea had reached their breaking point.

Given the relentless pressure Vell exerted, it was hardly a surprise.

The only other choice was death, and that was something Mellea would never choose or even entertain the idea of.

Life, in any form, was preferable to death.

Yet, in a sense, they would endure. The idea clawed at them, dark and unnerving. Mellea had always trusted in life's cyclical nature, in the belief that even the tiniest seed could rise from the ashes of what came before. But the thought of their own form fading away, of losing their very essence, was terrifying. They didn’t want to see how it would go on or what shape their survival would take.

They were fearful of what lay beyond their current self—a fear that anyone could understand.

When they had a moment to themselves, away from prying ears, Sonder asked Vell in a whisper, “You wouldn’t have really burned down the forest, would you?”

“Of course not. Another moment and I would have given in, like a leaf in the wind—no offense,” Vell replied with a faint smile.

Sonder's expression remained troubled, and a clear frown found itself on her face.

“To protect what you love, you sometimes have to push its boundaries,” Vell continued, noting the concern. “But pushing doesn’t mean breaking.”

“At what price?” Sonder murmured.

Vell's eyes darkened but then found a sparkle. “No, I have absolutely no desire of breaking boundaries or spirits. I intend to replant, to give new life a chance. From the ashes, I’ll bring forth colors the forest has never seen—blues, reds, and greens. I’ll nurture a tree that stands for eons. You won’t hold this against me once I’ve made amends, will you?”

“I don’t know,” Sonder admitted.

“I believe things will turn out alright. For us, for Celadon, for the druids, and for Mellea. Even for Boscage, Copse, and Coppice. They’ll soon run off to tell Boscage of my actions. He won’t be pleased, much like you, but not as much as Mellea. Sonder, you must see that this isn’t akin to torching a city or a village. I trust that most animals have found safety, and the scorched plants will nourish what’s to come. If you want, you could also plant something. Something to leave for the future, to mark your presence within Celadon, or just because you wanted to.”