[Commoner Ranked Member identified]
[Commencing Transfer Protocol]
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[Error: Member identified as having magical abilities in a low magical population World]
[Solution required]
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[Solution: Place Initiate in an area accessable to another individual with magical abilities.]
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[Acceptable]
[Continuing Transfer Protocol]
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It was cold on this night in my castle, the only monument occuping the grim lands wouldn't allow the warmth of normalcy to fester in any manner. It didn't bother me like it would have for any other person, but still I was in a foul mood, like always. Ozma, or should I say Ozpin and his "Inner Circle," more like nest of disillusioned pets that he keeps around so he can play our little game I've gotten so tired of all of this, our game is practically the only thing that keeps me from wiping out all of Remnant since it keeps Ozpin weaker. If I can get just one relic things will start going my way, Remnant would not be united as per the deal those damned brother gods gave. If not I wouldn't be able to die then, I wouldn't be able to finally have peace.
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Magic is practically gone, semblances being a passing spark of hope that was quickly snuffed out. Humans were all wiped out, only now to be replaced by those fakes. The Faunus were always a tad interesting, but they were almost identical to the fakes only with extra parts. All because of those Brother Gods and Ozpin.
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I've even taken up scrying to find ways to entertain myself these days, finding a way to bypass into the "television" networks was child's play as well. Occasionally there was a good show, soap-operas actually managed to take a chunk of my time but boredom always set back in.
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Finally deciding to distract myself with a news network centered in Vacuo I settled into my throne once more, every living being knew not to bother me right this instance anyway. Summoning a Seer Grim I modified it slightly and began to watch, finding it to be about an excavation site was intriguing, so I watched.
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Appearing was a female reporter of little renoun, besides being somewhat attractive to wandering eyes there was little of note about her.
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"-re amongst the dried up sands surrounding this small beach side vilage. The Ruins found are said to date back an uncountable number of years by explorers. Strange anomalies have also been found by the very stone itself, as if it had been enhanced by something. Oh, here is the lead researcher here now! C'mon move the camera, follow me!"
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It then moved shakily onto a Faunus dressed in dirtied clothes and a hardhat with a lamp. Several feathers of blue colorization could be found covering his arms, otherwise he was rather plain to look at.
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"Um, who are you? Wait are you filming right-"
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"Hello Professor Azure! What can you tell us about this ruins for our viewers at home! Are these a sign of what Vacuo might have looked like from a long time ago? Or were they a precursor or others that came to this land?
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"W-we are still in our preliminary investigations and therefore can not comment much on anything found as of yet. We have not even been able to get through to the interior due to the strange material it seems to be made of. So, there is not much to say_"
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"Strange material? It is still stone isn't it? It has been already said to have been very strong or enchanced, but a controlled explosion would still be capable of destroying it no?"
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"That is also what we believed, however some small samples we have gather from weathered debris indicate it to be made from advanced construction techniques. Akin to a form of concrete under the effects of something else."
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"Are you suggesting that the structure is under the effects of an Semblance?"
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"Well yes, but also no."
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"No Semblance as of yet recorded has ever had an lasting effect to this degree. All objects under the effects of semblances have had their conditions be temporary no matter what unless it was pure destruction. With the death of the caster or no constant supply of Aura afterwards the effects will fade. Unless of course it had been a mental affection to a subjects mind or something to do with the subject's aura, then it's a completely different matte-." Bang! Hiss.
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With a quick blow the Seer was destroyed, standing up I began to pace in front of my throne for a moment before making my way to my chambers.
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This was of now a matter of great importance.
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Willing the Grimm in the area to flock towards the site and wipe out any evidence of the people there, I prepared. This will need my direct supervision, and I'll be damned if Ozma gets his hands on this first!
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What was found were obliviously ruins of the time before things went wrong, even if it's just an archive or tomb meant nothing! It was the magic that was the most important.
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If Ozpin got his hands on just a fragment of the magic imbued debris his power would partially restore, let alone if he found whatever artifact or such that was sealed inside!
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Even if I hate him now, Ozma knew how to use magic, he was not a wizard for nothing. Even if it was just a wisp of magic, he would find ways to stretch and mold it to give himself more edges than even I with my immortality would find safe. Knowing as many exotic magics and abilities as I did would not keep me safe going head to head with Ozma in a full on magical battle. He may be a traditionalist by not delving as much into obscure wiles, but he could take those traditions to places farther than any other being. We were equal when he was in his prime, only his mastery of the magical arts shadowed my craft. Even now his combat prowess combined with his reduced magical abilities made him a force on the battlefield. It may not mean much now as I have grown and he has diminished, however if he could return partially to those feats would mean only disaster for me.
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Which made obtaining all of the ruins all the more dire.
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Throwing open the doors I made my way to my warobe, I had to look inconspicuous. Commanding the Grimm would take much concentration from me and I would be there personally so nothing would go wrong. Following precise orders was not their specialty, destruction and chaos was.
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Another was if I was discovered all of the kingdoms would panic and untie to destroy me with my Grimm appearance, that was also why Ozpin did not spread my appearance to many others as well. Dealing with me was his responsibility, as well as some pride he has still managed to keep despite his many reincarnations. Second doing so ultimately destroy Remnant because of the panic and onsuing biggest war in history, and not a result of either myself or his acting. This is why I choose to do these games in the shadows to settle our battles, even if I could destroy a city with barely any effort. Discord is my goal, until I have the upper hand I will only show myself if it was the last option or my win was all but guaranteed.
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Taking the pins and straps out of my hair I throw on a cloak with a hood, even though my dress would not be ruined to something as simple as what I was about to do I didn't want to be needlessly dirty. I was especially proud with how much I have crafted, enhanced, and enchanted all of my clothing. My rage could affect quite much around me so it was better to be safe than sorry. Before when that happened a former subordinate saw my form, I of course destroyed his mind and set his body aflame. Leaving not a trace of him, while also removing any memory or remnant from people or such associated with him. It at least left me distracted for a day.
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With everything secured I opened a portal using my connection to the Grimm to arrive at the site. I had received reports before that a pairs of twin decendents of the Branwens became agents of Ozpin while studying in his little school. The more combatively impressive was the female named Raven, from the reports her Semblance allows her to open a portal to those she has marked and is close with.
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As Semblances are practically a spell unique to every person, I was able to reverse engineer it. However, I made my with own version with the emotions to link up with any Grimm under my command, as well as one that takes me to any location i have in mind. Although the second is very costly in using magic I simply built it with research from gate spell in my youth.
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Back to the Branwens, apparently she is having a child with the blonde teammate of hers but has been getting jittery or a long the lines of depressed lately. She'll probably move on once she gives birth, Ozpin most likely is a reason out of many for her to do so.
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Perhaps I'll try to recruit her after this matter is taken care of. She did seem like one to appreciate having power and the strong.
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Arriving at the ruins I was greeted by the sight of my Grimm and the remains of the people who were previously here. Sending half to the nearby village to eradicate it as a normal Grimm attack was child's play. It would do well to remove any clues of the ruins, crushing any rumors that could circulate, and trashing any equipment that will send messages for help.
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Looking at the ruins I was both impressed and confused about their construction, it appeared as something grand yet managed to not bring much attention towards itself. Of course there was heavy concealment and preservative enchantments all over it, so that was per the part. But no matter, it all will be coming back to my castle with me, so I will have all the time in the world to study it.
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With a twist of my hand I promptly crushed most of the Grimm surrounding me, using their essence to form a Grimm Pool large enough to sink the ruins. Setting them to appear in a cavern underneath my castle, I stepped back into the muck to travel back with it. As much as it revulsed me it was the most simple and quickest way to return.
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Appearing in the cavern I quickly step out of the muck and blast myself with a breeze from a simple wind spell. I may use the Grimm for many things but the trauma of becoming like this still affects me in minor ways, even when I have become used to seeing myself in the mirror.
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Turning back towards the Ruins, I still found myself baffled of the sight of them. Now in their full glory the design did look somewhat similar to places of worship in my mortal youth, yet there was a feeling of wrongness to it. For all intended purposes it belonged in the same family as those cathedrals, but differed from them akin to another family branch.
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One could tell it was a place of worship, used the same basic plans as ones I was familiar with, however that's where it ended. Where it should've invited awe and warmth, it instead imposed a sense of duty and resignation. It also seemed focused more on it's practical applications than aesthetics, not that it had none moreso it was not as important.
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Dismissing my thoughts I turned my attention to the entrance, peering pass the already discovered concealment and preservation magics I was met with surprise after surprise. These ruins did have a purpose after all, numberous sealing, locking, protection, and resistance spells were applied to keep something inside. Funneling spells were also in place to draw the surrounding magic to fuel something inside. 'No wonder it was found in a desert, with the lack of magic in the air it drawn on the lifeforce of the surroundings.
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Approaching the entrance I was distracted by the words that were carved just above it.
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"Reaping changes, here awaits the Epitaph of Twilight: Skeith."
"Resting lightly in preparation for his Duty as the Terror of Death."
"Riding upon the Cursed Wave to bring about the End of the World."
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"Hmm. Another deity?" 'If it is anything like the Brothers, I must destroy before it can gather it's power. But, if it brings about the end of the world I could cheat them out of their deal. I am immortal afterall, so if worse comes to worse I'll just reseal it even more heavily and drain it of all it's magic.'
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Furrowing my brow I make my choice,'If I can manipulate it to serve me I could take care of all of my opposition. If not, it would be a simple matter to destroy it with it not at full power. Plus there is a chance it is no deity and could be something similar to a Relic. Either way I must find out for myself what it is, I won't be able to act if I do not see it myself.'
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With my mind set I begin undoing the sealing and locking magics on the Cathedral? With having the funneling spells and other magics woven deep into the ruins, it would be a shame just for them to go to waste. If it turns out to be nothing I can at least repurpose the remains to help myself in some manner.
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The seals and magical locks while once very impressive, were now weak against my prowess. With as many as there were of each, they could have been too much for both Ozpin in his prime and I together. However, now with the lacking of magic fueling the entire thing most of them have withered with some breaking.
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While this may have been set up to keep Ozpin and I out, they most likely didn't expect the brother gods to wipe out all of humanity and make a new species without magic. Before, the planet willingly gave us mana allowing us to mold it and use magic, but now with the New Humanity and Faunus that had changed. It now condensed in the ground forming as crystals, now called Dust. Aura then was awakened and now was a new system to defend with using a unique and flexible spell for each person called a Semblance.
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Aura for myself was redundant, as I could not die, but I could replicate Semblances by just by using magic. Ozpin can use both due to his reincarnations, however with his magic so diminished he could perform such grand miracles no longer. Combat yes, but not as before. As well as changing bodies with their own souls takes much out of him, even so he is still a dangerous combatant.
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While my idle history review helps distract me through the dull process of granting myself access, I finally get to the last lock. Placing my hands on both doors I force them open breaking the final spell as I do so.
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*Groan* *Creeeeeeeak*
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Upon entering the sound of gears and machinery woke anew, the cries for oil could be heard everywhere. Yet they still tired away at their purpose, even if they would rather like a drink to keep spirits afloat.
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With the new motivation parts and such were finally in use. The hiss of pipes drew my attention as magic flowed through them towards the end of the hall. Where most of the magic seemed to be drawn towards.
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Continuing my venture I pass through the hall towards it, aged or broken pews were on either side of me facing my new interest. Where the leader of worship might have once told of what they knew was an odd contraption. Different pipes containing magic all ended connected to it, all and all it seemed to fuel it.
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It resembled a small but thick metal coffin on a pedestal, it was colored bronze and was standing upright slightly leaning back. Strange markings were painted over it similar in appearance to a person, they were dark in color like blood and emitted a faint yet deep red glow.
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As I got closer the traces of magic in the air gave out a low hum of movement, I dismissed it moving on however it happened once again. Thrice is when I knew for a fact something was happening, the air visibly vibrated with the remnants of magic growing more erratic. Turning back to the "Coffin" it's glow was more intense, the markings pulsing now with power ready to be unleashed.
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With no further fanfare a figure started to form above, as it formed it remained see-though as a shadow that stood up on it's own accord. The figure resembled the markings now only fleshed out as a shade, it looked stranged but gave off a sense of great but diminished power. It was similar to a giant puppet, but obliviously nowhere close to human or faunus. Two horns came out of it's forehead and grew backwards as an incomplete halo, a great spike came out of each of it's knees, another two came out of the chest going under it's arms, it had no feat only legs ending in points, the hands were massive with five digits each including a thumb, the only thing close to clothing was a red see-though garment half wrapped around it's waist.
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What was most disturbing were the three eyes on it's head, the third being in-between the two horns from it's forehead.
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As it finished it moved, seemingly looking around for what awoke it and finally landed on herself. It paused but then started vibrating and seemingly growling, in anger or else I could not tell. It then curled around the "Coffin" protectively as if to keep it from harm by me.
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This was a delicate situation, one wrong move and it would lash out. But for it to protect the coffin meant whatever was inside was connected to this being besides having great power.
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Raising my hand I took a short bow to gain a moment of truce between us, while I do not look upto anyone diplomacy it always an option to attempt. Especially with those with power or capacity for change in high amounts, making allies does require a bit of subtely. If not fear and greed does wonders in making lasting connections, but it already knows of my power so being cordial can go a long way. With this it visibly calmed down, albeit wary of me still.
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"Greetings, as you may already know I am Salem. You may not have known, but since you have been sealed the very world itself has been changed. In fact I had found this place under the sands of a great desert that had grown from being near this building."
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Grrrh hrm?
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It didn't speak truly however I still understood what it meant.
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"The Brothers acted. My former love died, so I begged for help. One brought him back, but then destroyed him once again he found out I went to his brother first. They then cursed me to be immortal, so I attacked them with an army for that they wiped out humanity."
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Hrrgh! Hrm?!
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"They then created a "new" humanity and people called Faunus without magic. My former love was revived with them but with a deal to redeem humanity to the gods when they wiped them out. Now he and I have been at war with each other over his many reincarnations, he for the Twin Gods and I against them."
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Wre hm bre sum me
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"I mean no offense however why are you here, you are a deity just like them? All of these changes yet here you are being feed magic despite being diminished. I saw what you were called. You are Twilight, you bring about the End, so why haven't you? It is an concern when things like this happen."
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Twin Brotwes re enemy, like buth but not, can fight either but tw strong group, can not kqtch up t o them yet.
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'It can speak,or moreso is learning while talking with me. No matter.' "So that is why you are in seclusion, you need the magic to grow in order to fight back. But then they changed things so it has going at a snails pace, hence the desert growing so large as a result."
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Am result four ongoing plan, vt will work. Ince strong enough to travwl to other worlds, tey will give more windrows to grow
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"Other worlds," those two words kept ringing inside my head. 'Others worlds, meaning more besides only Remnant. Worlds without the Brother Gods.'
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With that innumerable possibilities have just opened up.
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'There are more worlds out there, probably countless. I do not have to be here. I knew they traveled after abandoning Remnant but I never put much thought into it, why couldn't I do just the same.'
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'Why do I still have to follow their commands when they no longer care for this place. They will return when the Relics are reunited to judge but why should I face their judgement? I could just leave and do it on my own terms, I could possibly be freed from them for good.'
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'If I can ally with it, this will become rather fortuitous for me. If it grows it can get rid of the brother gods and free me from this curse. As long as we both fulfill a deal we both will get what we deserve.'
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"What if we strike a deal, o'lord of Twilight? I help you grow strong and we both deal with the Brother Gods. An alliance between each other will help us both immediately."
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With that it grew frustrated but still seemed willing to listen.
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And how will I know you will keep your word Witch? You lied to the Brothers just as easily for your goal. You are only out for yourself so how can I trust you?
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"I will swear on my very magic not to oppose you without valid reasons, and you shall do the same. As you know I like to remove threats and obstacles which right now you could be one. However doing so could give Ozpin an ally which may empower him. We can become allies, if not provoked we can not act against one other. This way there will be less reasons to be hostile towards on another. Besides the Light Brother already has Ozpin under his control, you would be heading towards an enemy already in him."
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Very well. You will help with my plan and we shall be allies. But, know this witch. Betray me and you shall be dealt with permanently unlike those two.
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"I expect no less. /I Salem swear on my magic to ally and help Skeith untill I haved been crossed by my new ally. This shall be until both our goals are accomplished.\
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/I Skeith swear on my magic to ally and help Salem untill she crosses myself. This shall be untill both our goals are accomplished.\
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/This I swear!\
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With a wave of force the vow snapped into place, uniting the two in a bond that would threaten the "goodness" of Remnant as anyone would believe if they knew. Alas none would before it was already to late.
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"With that settled, I believe we should begin planning on how to free you from this place? Unless you do have a way to escape now?"
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There is a reason as to why I am here, besides biding my time for strength.
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With that Skeith leaned forward towards Salem, it's body so low and close it was basically on it's knees. A manic gleam could be seen it it's gem like eyes, and although it had no mouth a smile full of joy and anticipation could be felt on it's face.
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What do know about incarnation or reincarnation?