Worrying news

When you finally emerge from the bedroom, its late afternoon. You find Ferra waiting, sitting at the table with Sarah and Rahu. They all look at you as you come out, with a smiling Nadia behind you. Sarah laughs and winks.

“Have a nice little break?”

You chuckle, sitting down beside Ferra. “You know the answer to that one.”

Ferra takes your hand, squeezing gently. “Feeling better, master? You seemed tense.”

You nod. “Much. Did I miss anything?”

Ferra shakes her head. “Victoria sleeps still. Kaeli watches over her. I left them alone.”

Sarah nods. “We have news, however.”

You feel Lilith perk up in your mind. Rahu speaks up. “Looking at your armor, I can see what has happened. The repeated channeling of power has damaged it.”

Damaged it how?! Explain better!

You nod. “I’d put it more politely, but yes, please continue.”

Rahu folds his hands on the table. “Patience. Simply put, when you cured me, the power being drawn overwhelmed the runes in the armor. The control spell has been obliterated outright.”

What does that mean?

Sarah smiles. “That means there’s nothing compelling you to act in any specific way, Lilith. You’re just you, or as close as you can be while you’re in there.”

We knew that already, ugh. What about me, though? What happens to me?

Rahu nods. “I’m getting to that. The binding spells are degenerating as well. When they fail completely, your spirit will no longer be locked to the armor.”

You lean forward. “So she’ll be freed?”

Rahu shakes his head. “It’s not that simple. You see, Lilith’s physical form no longer exists. Her spirit would have nowhere to go.”

Sarah sighs. “Without a spell binding her to the gem, and no body, it would be like she died. When the binding fails, Lilith is gone.”

No! That can’t happen! There has to be something we can do. I won’t let this happen, not now. Now that I’ve found…now that I’m here.

You nod. “I agree, we can’t let Lilith die. What can we do?”

Ferra looks at you. “Could we make her a body? Like mine?”

Rahu shakes his head. “Not with my diminished power. Perhaps if we could reach the ones who created you, but as it is, most golems are…not suitable for a true soul like you are, Ferra.”

You think for a moment. “Even if we left today, it’s several weeks before we could reach Athkalla. And I have no idea how long it would take to create a body like Ferra’s.”

In your mind, Lilith speaks quietly. I…I can’t ask you to do that. You’re needed here. No.

Rahu sighs. “We will have to find another way, then.”

Sarah nods. “We have time. But using the armor will cause the spells to degenerate faster.”

You shrug. “So I won’t use the armor.”

No! I have to protect you! I don’t care about anything else, but you need to stay safe. Otherwise…what’s the point.

Rahu shakes his head. “I will look into other options. I wish I had better news.”

Sarah nods. “There has to be something. I’ll see if I can strengthen the binding, at least temporarily.”

With that, the two of them get up and leave, talking quietly to each other. You sigh and lean back in your chair, as Ferra looks at you with a worried expression.

“Master, do not worry. We will find a way to make this work. Better everyone, I am sure we can think of a solution.”

She’s right. Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine in the end.

You sigh. “I hope so. I just don’t like feeling powerless to do anything.”

The three of you lapse into silence, with nothing more to be said.