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.

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. The golden glow returns, seeping from my hands into the ground. It

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

surprise, they're hovering closer now, their ethereal form shimmering with an intensity

more persistent than I gave you

mean you'll answer

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

200 Ava imbalance

asking the

ever give straight answers? Is it against some freaking supernatural law

forgot they can read my thoughts. "Okay, then what should

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

from my

you humans.

teacher, if you pay attention. That's the problem with Never paying attention. There are no ornate rules to magic.

It doesn't feel

a spirit, and

in

my throat, trying to keep my thoughts

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

yes. That has happened to you 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

do wizards

rotate slowly in the air, defying gravity

mocking tone, "they think they're so clever. They've found a way to cheat the system, or so they

forward eager to understand "What do

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 boiling water. Instead. of turning down the heat, they just keep adding more pots to catch