The Crimson Tale of Conquest

The sticky feeling of the miasma coiled around Lucilla as she concentrated on manipulating it. It wasn't hard. On the contrary even, it was easier to control now than it was in the forest. The only problem is that power hungry feeling she got the first time she picked up her blades. It was strong, much stronger than last time. So much so a smile couldn't help but spread across her face, much different from the one she had when she was watching her family only minutes before.

She closed her eyes and focused. This felt more like the miasma was enhancing an existing feeling she already had than creating one. If so, she should have better control over it than the miasma. While in a pseudo meditative state she was able trace where the feeling stemmed from through her soul. It was like the miasma cherry picked her desire to grow stronger to protect her family and ignored everything that didn't involve increasing her strength and influence.

'Is it really such a bad desire to have?' Lucilla thought offhandedly. 'I think as long as I don't let it control me it'll be fine. The only real annoying thing would be the crazed giggling that happens.'

For now, she should suppress this increasing desire before it became a problem. taking deep even breaths Lucilla stamped down her hunger for power within her, and after a few minutes she opened her eyes again. Weirdly enough she found keeping her emotions in check fairly easy once tempered. She figured this must be whatever blessing she got helping her.

"Well done, well done." Applauded Ovana. "You have such fine control over miasma it's amazing, you surpassed my own expectations of your capabilities."

Lucilla didn't say anything in response. Moving the sticky fog felt natural, like moving an extension of her own body. Considering how miasma isn't considered all that great, and she agreed with that assessment, complicated feeling about her control arose inside her chest. Did this make her evil somehow? She didn't think it did, but it still wasn't a pleasant feeling being praised for having an affinity with such a disgusting power.

Is there anything particularly special I can do with miasma?" Lucilla asked curiously.

"Miasma is nothing more than polluted mana, so anything you can do with mana you can do with miasma." Answered Ovana. "Though it's also much more potent than mana, which is why it has a simi physical form unlike mana."

"Then what's the benefit to using it?" Lucilla asked incredulously.

"Other than being a natural repellant against others? Not much."

Miasma was truly nothing more than a blight on the world. It not only induced insanity on those that have prolong exposer, but it also caused living tissue to start rotting, slowly turning one into an undead if they were unlucky. No one could safely use it either, making it essentially useless, despite how much easier it was to manipulate. The only exceptions to this rule would be undead such as Liches.

Things created from miasma had the unique property off lasting longer than things created from pure mana. When casting a spell, such as a wall, normally it would dissipate a seconds after you stop poring mana into it, if it was made purely from mana. Which is why when programming a spell, mages try to use the natural elements around them to help make their spells more physically present. Magic using miasma could last for several minutes, even after one stopped feeding the spell power.

Miasma also had the bonus effect of having its unique properties mixed into the spell. Such as its necrotic and mind-altering demerits. Spells that already used such effects would also be greatly enhanced by the miasma. Truly a nasty blight on this world.

"If I'm being honest miasma's benefits don't outweigh its detriments." Spoke Ovana as she neared the end of her explanation. "Normally that is, you shouldn't need to worry about such things, making miasma just another form of energy to use."

"... What about how it seemed to move on its own to protect me?" Lucilla asked, remembering how the miasma seem to move of its own accord as well as her own will simultaneously.

"Well, I wouldn't say miasma had a will of its own, more like an instinct it reacts to without any real thoughts behind it." While Ovana looked confident, her tone of voice said she didn't actually know why miasma acted the way it did. "Also, during you fight with the Hero there was another factor at play which caused the miasma to move that way."

"What do you mean? What other factor?" Lucilla asked.

Ovana didn't answer and smiled down at the not so young woman. For the briefs of moments however the Goddesses eyes glanced at her weapon, so fast Lucilla was half convince she imagined it. She didn't know what that meant, but she regarded her large scythe with suspicion.

'Now that I think about it, some strange things were happening with my swords shortly after Ella's death... why am I only taking note of that now?' Lucilla thought, confusion and concern clouding her face.

"Want to know something else about you blessing from a moon Goddess?" Ovana asked clapping her hands, pulling Lucilla from her thoughts. "If you would check the mirror, you'll notice your looks improved."

"... What? Why are you telling me this, what brought this on?"

"Just check. The Goddess of the moon also happened to be the Goddess of Beauty you know." Ovana said puffing out her chest. "Well, I say beauty, but it only really makes you look better which doesn't necessary mean beautiful."

Lucilla just looked at the Goddess unamused. She wasn't that interested in checking herself out. She opted to ignore her Goddess and focused on training. As she tested the miasma that surrounded her, she noticed one particular oddity that wasn't present with mana or Celestial Energy.

"I can't take this inside me?" Lucilla noted out loud after a couple hours. To be precise she was full capable of fusing it with her mana and having it stick with her temporarily, but it wouldn't stay.

"Yes, unlike with mana and Celestial Energy which become part of you being, circulating throughout your body like blood, miasma is completely separate and can't become part of you not for long anyway."

"What about the miasma located in my arm tattoo and this scar here?"

"That fused with your flesh but is incapable of becoming something naturally apart of you." Ovana explained. "Your natural regeneration is slow, but very powerful indeed, and it has only increased in both speed and power this past century."

"Yet I can temporarily assimilate it with my mana." Lucilla noted.

"You can... I don't recommend doing that often though. While my blessing can protect you, I can't say it's one-hundred percent full proof if you start unconsciously letting the miasma start slipping through that protection."

Lucilla frowned slightly. She wanted to practice using the miasma in her body, but she also didn't want to risk going insane because of carelessness. With a sigh she let the miasma to be absorbed back into her scythe. While it was easier to use than mana, she still grew tired using it for long periods of time, especially without break.

"Let's call it a day, yes? I'll see you tomorrow." Ovana said when Lucilla stopped controlling the miasma. With a snap of her fingers, she disappeared in a flash of pale blue flame.