Tangled

Unshift 290

Unshift 290

290 Ava: Imbalance

"You're really bad at taking care of yourself, aren't you?"

The little bit of life I'd managed to bring back to the forest is already dwindling, but the spirit- Grimoire, I'm pretty sure-is floating in the air when I open my eyes, lying on their side with their head propped on their hand. "Excuse me?" What a welcome.

"Not eating. Don't even notice you have a fever. Wild magic inside of you." They shake their head. "You'll implode at this rate."

A fever? My forehead feels cool to touch. "I don't have a fever."

"Your hand is as hot as your-never mind. Not my problem if humans want to kill themselves." They roll over, presenting their back to me.

"What do you mean by wild magic? And why would I implode?"

The spirit waves their hand dismissively, not even bothering to look at me. Their indifference is frustrating.

Last time, they spoke with me after I connected with the magic hidden here.

Fine. If that's what it takes to get answers, I'll try again.

Once I focus, the hidden magic pulses beneath the lake, calling my attention.

I touch my forehead discreetly. It feels cool to me, but the spirit's words nag at the back of my mind. Could I really have a fever?

Pushing the thought aside, I concentrate on the magic thrumming beneath the water, the faintest whisper of it grazing the land. Reaching out with my senses, I try to coax it to life once more.

nothing happens. The forest remains silent, the air still. But then, slowly, I feel a warmth spreading from my fingertips. It travels up my arms, settling in my chest before radiating outward.

heat building inside me, different from the warmth of the magic. It's uncomfortable, almost

hoping to see the spirit more willing to engage. To my surprise, they're hovering closer now, their ethereal form

"You're more persistent than I gave you credit

you'll answer my

their head, regarding me with those

200 Ava imbalance

you're asking the

sigh. Why can't magical beings ever give straight answers? Is it against some freaking supernatural law they hold deep in their souls? It's ridiculous. "No law. It's just how

my thoughts. "Okay, then what

to the revitalized forest around us. "You seek more power, yet you don't

learning. My teacher-I was separated from my teacher.

you humans.

if you pay attention. That's the problem with Never paying attention. There are no ornate rules to magic. Do you need lessons to breathe?" Magic

it? It doesn't feel

a spirit, and I'm a

in your head for someone

my throat, trying to keep my thoughts

force of nature. It responds to your emotions, your desires,

you say consume-I was told I needed a teacher so I wouldn't

humans quite a bit, hasn't it? They're rotating in the air, spinning slowly until they're upside down, seafoam-colored hair reaching the ground. They look ridiculous, despite the grim words and solemn expression. "Magic requires balance, they explain. "What you're doing now is drawing power from the world. around you, but you're not giving anything back. It's like trying to fill a cup with a hole in the bottom. Eventually, the pressure will become too much" My mind flashes

do

body continues to rotate slowly in the air, defying gravity in a way that makes my head spin if I

"they think they're so clever. They've found a way

forward eager to understand "What

200 Ava Imbalance

glyphs and wards as a magical dumping ground. When they feel the pressure building up, they funnel that excess energy into these constructs. Imagine a pot of boiling water. Instead. of turning down the