Tangled

Chapter 290

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.

travels up my arms, settling in my chest before radiating

become acutely aware of my body. There's a strange heat building inside me, different from the warmth

surprise, they're hovering closer now, their ethereal form shimmering with an intensity that wasn't there

they muse. "You're more persistent than I gave you

this mean you'll answer

head, regarding me with those unfathomable eyes. "Perhaps.

200 Ava imbalance

you're asking the right

answers? Is it against some freaking supernatural law they hold deep in their souls? It's ridiculous. "No law. It's just how

read my thoughts. "Okay, then what should I be

forest around us. "You seek

my teacher. I'm on my

you humans.

can learn without a teacher, 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 seems a little

feel that way to

spirit, and

of sass in

to keep

understand what you're trying to control, and therein lies the danger. Wild magic, untamed and uncontrolled, is a force of nature. It responds to your emotions, your desires, but without proper guidance, it can consume you. It Isn't like electricity, flowing only

teacher so I wouldn't

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 back. They'd mentioned witches gave back. Is

do

an otherworldly light as they consider my question. Their body continues to rotate slowly in the air, defying gravity in a way that makes my head spin if I focus on it

taking on a slightly mocking tone, "they think they're so clever. They've found a way to cheat the

to understand

200 Ava Imbalance

as a magical dumping ground. When they feel the pressure building up, they funnel that excess energy into these constructs. Imagine a pot of

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