Kurayo, the land of vampires, wolves, and the drow. Cilas wished not to bring his beloved her, for he could not protect her completely from the denizens of the night. He may be a creature closets to mana but the supernatural powers that they possessed were even outside of his sphere of protection. What made matters even tougher for the couple was that they were not traveling into the city itself, but to the outer forest that surrounded its perimeter. The laws that governed the city did not hold itself in the wild woods, and the Wolves whose grudge was ever held could lash out at them at any moment. This would be one area they Cilas would not hold back in radiating his power.

”Stay close Iona. We should be reaching the destination if the scrolls are correct.” He called back, in his hand a torch was lit and burning bright with his own white flame. After sharing the night together in Jasumin Lake they finally started back on the journey to the ruins that Cilas had found back in Iria. It seemed only fitting that a land ruled partial by the sanguine would hold a temple that had secrets to blood magic. Cilas then sensed something and held out his arm for Iona to stop just in case she was looking around.

”Wait. There is something off about this area.” He told her and stared ahead, tilting his head. His eyes narrowed as if he was looking off into the distance at something, but suddenly he turned to look behind them. He didn’t know if Iona would notice, but there was some sort of spatial distortion ahead of them, the shimmer in the air that was so minute that a normal man probably would not have noticed it. Cilas reached out slowly with his free hand and when it hit the event horizon of the spell a ripple was sent through the air. A mass scale invisibility spell? Still active? Interesting he thought before taking a large breath in.

Without telling Iona he took a few steps forward and broke through the threshold. Now standing before him was a large stone worked entranceway that seemed to lead down beneath the surface of the ground. The outside stone covered in vines and moss, while the wooden doors that once covered them were starting to decay even beneath the cover of the spell. He turned and could see Iona. He then stepped back outside the cover of the veil with a slight grin on his face.

”So, it seems our ruins are indeed here, but not exactly where I had thought they would be.” The dragon spoke pointing down to the ground. ”They hid them underground and only covered the entrance with an invisibility spell. It seems the blood mages that practiced the art still wasn’t convinced that they would be safe here and still decided to hide their practices. The temple itself is unusual for practitioners of the art as well,” Cilas mused stroking his chin, ”Most recorded cases…blood mages went mad. It is why the practice was outlawed for the longest time.” He didn’t know if Iona knew what he was talking about, but she was always willing to listen to him, another thing that made him fall for the woman.

Iona could not leave Cilas’ side since their night at the lake. She wasn’t certain why, but taking such a big leap in their relationship made her feel… happier, in some way. Perhaps it’s because going that far meant so much more to her than pleasure. It was her promise to Cilas that she will forever remain by his side and his alone. She gave her heart and body and soul to him in one night, put her entire future into his hands. He was the only one she trusted enough to give herself to. The only person who had proved his interest in her was pure. For the most part, she hadn’t changed since then, aside from being more reluctant to leave him even for the briefest of moments. She wasn’t so anxious to touch him, either. It was like making love to him somehow gave her the boldness to hold his hand whenever she wished, or to hold him, just relish in his warm embrace.

But the beautiful moments could not last.

Cilas took her to a strange place, one that made her feel quite uneasy. Wolves howled from every angle, nearly making her jump out of her skin. She clung to his arm, constantly looking over her shoulder. But Cilas carried on. Whatever it was he was searching for seemed to be very important to him. The Wisp did not understand the significance of this magical artifact, nor its uses. But it was dear to Cilas. So, she supported him and followed wherever he led. Even when she was frightened and anxious, her trust in him was stronger than any doubt. Up to this point, he only gave her more reasons to trust his judgment and decisions. He wouldn’t put her in any sort of danger he couldn’t protect her from.

He warned her to stay close, and offered an attempt of reassurance by stating they were close to their destination. This was merely moments before he stopped her with his arm. She looked up at him curiously, her loose fist hovering over her beating heart as if to calm it. He warned that something wasn’t right, and she responded by gazing about frantically. Iona didn’t understand what it was about their location that made her feel so unnerved. She couldn’t quite explain it, but she did sense an almost evil presence. It was sinister, almost as if it had dark intentions. Yet it was not human, not even mortal. She couldn’t describe it any way other than supernatural.

Once again she glanced up at Cilas, and followed his narrowed gaze up ahead. She searched and searched, but could see nothing. She even followed when he glanced behind them, at least trying to understand what he was looking at, or searching for. Looking back ahead, Iona watched as Cilas reached out with his hand. And then, something moved through the air. It was like ripples of water, his hand vanishing from sight beyond whatever lay before them. She blinked with amazement, blue eyes glittering from her intrigue. Was it some sort of magic? Her lover said nothing before she removed himself from her grasp and walked right through the unseen… thing. He left her all alone, cold and fearful without him. Her gaze did not tear away from where he disappeared, not for a moment. What if something happens to him on the other side? Would she ever know? Could she walk in after him? She swallowed hard and slowly reached out. But before she could touch the hidden magic, Cilas suddenly reappeared. She nearly jumped out of her skin with a small yipe. This place had her on edge, so fearful that even snapping twigs caused her to jump with fright.

But Cilas was grinning. She could only hope that meant he found what he was searching for. Iona offered him a small smile, relieved to see he was alright. He started to explain that they had arrived, a reassuring development, but the ruins were underground, not where he had expected them to be. He then proceeded to tell her it was hidden by an invisibility spell, which instantly explained why and how he vanished and reappeared so abruptly. Supposedly he believed the mages that used the temple were hiding their practices, one she’s heard time and time again that is highly frowned upon. Even Cilas believed blood mages lose their sanity as he stroked his bearded chin. But Iona wasn’t as easily conv. Perhaps it was due to her inexperience with such arts, or because she knew so little about blood magic. But if Cilas was capable of maintaining his beautiful heart and mind, how could others not? His race didn’t even cross her mind.

Although she didn’t understand, it was clear to her how pleased he was. And so she smiled lovingly, placing her hands over her heart. “Perhaps this means you will find what you seek,” she said softly. “Shall we move onward, then?”

He smiled back at her and nodded to lead the way. The both broke through the threshold for the barrier and made their way to the large oaken doors. The closer they got the more apparent that nature had taken its toll on the beautiful doors. ”Here they stand the ever watchful gate keepers. How she had not been kind to you. Abandonment only hastening it’s course,” Cilas spoke as he placed his hand on the moss covered wood. Gently and forcefully he pushed upon the door trying not to damage anything that he could. ”Open,” he growled as the rust from the hinges finally broke away and and a loud eerie creaking rang throughout the forest.

The sound of stone moving, and finally crumbling as part of the doorway structure gave away, they were lucky it was only the outer edge. The air that came from the opening was dry and stale, along with a scent of rot. It did not surprise the dragon one bit, for if any blood that remained became old, stagnant and eventually would decay just like bodies. Cilas stepped inside the building first just to make sure there weren't any traps or something lying in wait for the two.

He looked around to see if he could spot braziers along the wall but there was nothing. He moved along the perimeter we feeling with his hand up and down the wall. ”There has to be something here, even the vampires didn’t rely on their night vision all the time.” he spoke as Iona stepped inside and helped him with the search. It was when he noticed a small channel built into the wall and some sort of thick liquid lined the bottom part. He brought his fingers to his nose, and a familiar scent of oil hit him, but it seemed too thick to be normal oil.

He stepped back and brought his own torch down to meet the strange fluid, and almost instantly it ignited traveling down the wall and curving on the far end lighting up the stair way. He took a look around, the opening foyer did not have much but the intricate stone work and designs on the frame was something he had seen often in places vampires tended to stay. ”So the blood drinkers were the initial architects of this place. Was it taken over by the sanguine, or did they build the temple themselves? So many more questions, but standing here won’t answer them.”

He waved Iona to follow him as they made their way down the staircase. ”They don’t know why it corrupts, or even if corruption is even part of blood magic.” He spoke adding more information about what he told her earlier. ”I had a chat with another dragon a while back, she came questioning why her brother could use the sanguine arts and she couldnt. He was initially corrupted as well…yet managed to regain his sense of self. It was strange cause I had believed dragons were immune to the corruption.” he knew that she probably would have some doubts, ”But they were also part celestial…beings born from the heavens…so my fear could be for nothing. Yet it was exactly that we both came to agreement on, fear. Perhaps peoples fear of the sanguine arts is what lead them to be easily tainted.”

Iona was amazed as she followed Cilas through the unseen magic, and lay her eyes upon a large building. She didn’t understand how it was kept hidden so well, as magic was still beyond her comprehension. But it was no less impressive. It was clear that nature was gradually reclaiming the old temple. Vines crawled up the walls, stones crumbling and moss growing. Cilas spoke something as he placed his palm upon the large door, though she wasn’t certain if it was her he was talking to. Iona said nothing, and simply watched as Cilas pushed, struggling at first a growling, until he finally succeeded. The ancient door finally moved, the sound of stones loosening, the sight of dirt and dust falling as it creaked open. Iona peered inside with wide eyed wonder, but her nose wrinkled from the scents that were released.

She shook her head to shake the old aroma, but it wouldn’t fade so easily. The building reeked of it. The smell would get so much worse once they are inside. However, it wasn’t quite enough to dampen her interest in what secrets lie within. This was her first look into the hidden ruins where magic was cast. It was an opportunity to learn more about this powerful force, and also about Cilas. She greatly hoped what he sought was indeed waiting inside. He’s searched for so long.

Cilas took weary steps, silver eyes looking about the place. She lifted a brow in silent question until he appeared mostly satisfied with what he saw. It was only then that she followed him inside. He began feeling the walls and explained what he was trying to find. Iona took that as a hint to help, so she, too, slid her hands against the old, stone wall. Some were smooth beneath her palms, while some stones felt ragged. Her soft skin was dirtied and scraped as she looked for something without any indication what she hoped to find exactly. A torch? Or some magical lighting mechanism? How would she know if she finds it that it’s the correct thing?

Before she realized it, Cilas found what he sought before she did. Brilliant red fire burst to life, nearly making Iona leap out of her skin from surprise. The walls were lit as the fire followed its fuel down a hallway, and a staircase was revealed at the end. Cilas had finally become visible in the firelight, gazing around as he spoke once again. She smiled softly at his words, even if they were not meant for her ears. How long had he been searching for the answers to his magic? A feared art, frowned upon and hated. It must not have been easy to be a blood mage, to keep it hidden and be discreet when searching for answers so he wouldn’t be ridiculed. He was a lot like her, she realized, even more so than she initially believed. A blood mage dragon… two things in one. What would’ve happened if another learned his secrets? An image crossed her mind. Not a vision, but derived from her own fear and imagination. And imagine of Cilas being hunted and cut down. It filled her with so much fear.

She shook it from her mind and placed a fist over her anxious heart. Cilas beckoned her, and she approached, soft smile turning sorrowful. She stayed close to his side as she listened intently to his lesson. He explained that the reason blood magic corrupts is unknown, and even more puzzling that it could taint even celestial beings such as mighty dragons. Iona couldn’t resist looking up at him as he said so. Clearly, he had not been corrupted by the dark art, and briefly, she wondered why. However, it was the story he told that gave her an inkling of an idea. If one can regain their sanity after being tainted, then it must be a battle of will. Many people are weaker than others, more likely to being taken over by dark magics than others. Just as some people are consumed by greed and hatred, all things impure, while others resist the temptation and have a strong enough will to succeed. And, there’s the rare ones who are too good to even be tempted for a second. Cilas had not mentioned any personal experience with being taken over by his magic. She couldn’t resist brightening her smile at that.

“If it is not genetic, then perhaps the cause is on a more supernatural level,” she replied quietly, as if she actually knew what she was talking about. All she knew were spirits, enough to know that some could cause such anomalies. However, on this particular subject, she just couldn’t see it. “Witchcraft is not passed down to children, so one sibling can be skilled while the other has not even a drop of the magic. It is the magic itself that chooses who is capable and who is not. It is the user who decides whether to use it or not, if they are even aware they can.” She suddenly blinked with slightly widened eyes. How did she know that?