It has been around 3 months since Aria revealed to her mother that she has magic abilities. During this period, Alianna decided to spend most of her time teaching Aria how to read and write in their language, known as "common," used by all the different races to communicate while also teaching her several commonly used attack spells. Alianna at first didn't think Aria would be capable of mastering the language, but amazingly, within this short period, she was not only able to write, but she had now started to speak it. Aria's first word to ever say was during one of their reading sessions, where she said "fireball". On that day, her mother, Alianna, although shocked, was extremely proud, happy, and overjoyed. Rumors about Aria started to spread within the fortress of despite being 3 months old the bhaalspawn tieflieng who was rumored to have died at child birth was now capable of utilizing mana, reading and writing even when most of her older siblings were still struggling to sense mana making everyone within the fortress shocked by her outstanding progress as if this was not enough Aria had now started to take her first step and was now able to walk around without any assistance. Many eyes were now on her. One afternoon, as Aria was on a stroll alongside her mother within the gardens outside the fortress, another priestess started walking towards them. The woman is dressed in an intricate, dark dress that combine elements of armor and elegant fabric. She wears a form-fitting, black leather-like bodice with intricate gold accents, emphasizing her figure. Her long skirt features high slits revealing thigh-high black stockings and garters, adding a daring and dramatic touch. Over her shoulders, she has a long, flowing black cape with ornate gold trim, giving her a commanding presence. She is also wearing tall black boots that reach above the knees. Her head is covered with a large, hooded cloak that obscures her face, contributing to a mysterious and powerful appearance on her sides, and guards dressed in black overalls follow her. Alianna suddenly freezes in fear as if she has seen a ghost. " A deathstalker! What the hell is she doing here? If she has come here personally, it must be important," Alianna says to herself.
As she nears Aria and Alianna, Alianna takes the lead and bows her head in respect. "Hello Alianna, I have come bearing news from Bhaal, he wishes for you and Aria to attend the family banquet," Says the mysterious deathstalker. " I will be sure to attend,'' says Alianna. "You have grown quite bold, Alianna. Remember, you are just a slave concubine. Why do you think you can stand before me, speak to me only when you are on your knees?" the deathstalker says. " I will not, I may only be a slave concubine, but I am also a priestess who has received the grace of our Lord," says Aliana. "Hmm, it seems you have forgotten who I am, let me remind you." The deathstalker moves faster than the eye can see grabs her by the neck and throw her toward a nearby fountain. Alianna hits the fountain with brutal force, falling unconscious. Aria calls out for her mother who seems motionless, seeing what the deathstalker had done her anger takes over ,turns out over the past months Aria has grown quit attached towards Aliana, she runs toward the deathstalker with a small rock, throwing it toward her mother's attacker. Suddenly, one of the guards moves at lightning speed, catching it while the other captures Arias' hand, pressing it tightly, crushing her arm. Aria screams, begging the guard to stop, but the guard only laughs, calling her an ant who doesn't know her place. As the guard continues to hold Arias' arm, Aria starts to chant something with astonishing speed. Suddenly, she says "magic missile" and out of nowhere, 4 glowing projectiles appear. Aria aims all of the directly at the guard, hitting him directly on his eyes, injuring his entire face. The guard screams while holding his head. Suddenly Several guards, all wearing blood-red scarves, come after hearing the commotion. On seeing them, the deathstalker stops her previous action, observing them. "Jiyoon, you better have a good explanation for harming a priestess of Bhaal and her spawn," the commander of the guards wearing the scarves says. Jisung momentarily remains silent, then starts to speak, " I was just disciplining those who defy Bhaal's authority by not kneeling when a message from the lord is being read, or am I wrong, Commander Joon?"Jiyoon says. "Enough of this, leave now, Jiyoon, don't think I don't know your little grudge with Lady Alianna. Say Joon. Jiyoon starts to leave the garden but Aria loses her temper chanting another spell suddenly she says "fire ball" pointng a finger with her remaining left hand suddenly a bright streak flashes from her pointing finger and then blossoms with a powerful roar a circular ball of fire appears and starts moving towards Jiyoon and her remain bodyguard heating them causing savior burns to both Jiyoon and her bodyguard. After that, Aria seems to have reached her limit and starts to fall down. "At least I got her," she says, falling into unconsciousness. Suddenly, Bhaal himself appears, catching Aria before she hits the ground.
Jiyoon, her two guards, Joon, and the other guards wearing the red scarves kneel paying respect towards their lord. "We pay respect to the Lord," all say in unison. Bhaal looks around for a while, and he sees how the guaden has been damaged and her concubine lying unconscious near the fountain. " Jiyoon, I gave you such a simple task, yet you failed miserably, harming my concubine! My spawn! With your filthy hands and petty ideals," says Bhaal. " I" suddenly bhaal holds the handle of his sword, and Jiyoon's head flies from her body. Everyone else is shocked, for none of them saw him drawing his blade from his scarbbard. After Jiyoon's body stops spraying blood, Bhaal pauses for a while, looking at her daughter without speaking. " I have no need for servants who can't follow simple orders, Joon. Joon Clean up your sister's body and get someone to fix the garden," Bhaal says as she picks up Alianna while holding Aria in her other hand. After that, he opens a portal and disappears into the void. Joon remains kneeling down while holding her sister's head, silently crying while his soldiers pick up Jiyoon's body and go to bury her the two body guads of Jiyoon are survierly injured from Aria's attacks and are receiving first aid from several healers who came after Bhaal had left.
For a few seconds all is dark then Aria starts to consciously ask herself questions: "Did I die again? Why did I just risk my life for my mother? It was dumb of me to attack the deathstalker, thinking I could win," says Aria. "Awake, child, you are not dead," says a mysterious voice. "Who are you?" Aria asks. "I am called the dreamer, return to the world of the living, we will meet in due time."The voice speaks no more. Aria jets awake, finding herself covered in bandages with her broke hand being held by small cast, just like her mother, Alianna who is also cover with bandages but her injuries aren't too survier. "Where am I?" Aria asks. As she looks around, she sees that she is in a beautiful room. It is a breathtaking space that exudes elegance and tranquility, blending traditional Asian architectural elements with luxurious details. The high ceiling is adorned with intricate artwork, including a large, circular decorative piece featuring a majestic wave scene, reminiscent of traditional Japanese or Chinese art, with gold accents that catch the warm ambient light. The room appears to be enclosed with shoji screens and wooden latticework, allowing soft, natural light to filter through during the day, and warm, golden illumination from elegant lanterns enhances the cozy atmosphere at night. The windows reveal a serene outdoor view of lush pink trees and a tranquil landscape, further emphasizing the peaceful ambiance. The flooring is smooth, polished wood, decorated with ornate rugs that feature detailed patterns and rich colors, adding an extra layer of luxury. In one corner, there's a traditional seating area with low tables and plush cushions, perfect for relaxing or meditative moments. Aria jumps out of bed and starts to explore the mansion. After a while, she finds a room with the gate halving a large symbol of a skull with twelve tears.
A voice is heard from inside the room, "Enter Aria, I know you are out there,". " Wait, is this my father's room, fuck my shity luck," Aria says as she enters Bhaal's room. Bhaal appears to be drawing a painting on a large canvas, he is draped in flowing, rich crimson robes that cascade around him like flames. His long, dark hair falls freely over his shoulders, framing a handsome face that exudes a sense of intensity and authority. "I pay respect to the lord," says Aria while continuously mentally saying, "please don't kill me." Bhaal turns around, pauses for a while, and asks her to come closer. Aria starts to walk towards her father as she nears him Bhaal starts kneeling on the floor with his knees bent and resting on the feet resting on a cushion and asks Aria to do the same but to be careful with her broken arm. "How old are you, little one?" Bhaal asks. "Three months old, "Aria answers with at most efficiency. "Relax, Aria, I am not going to hurt you," Bhaal affirms her. "I am just impressed by your amazing progress, especially when it comes to utilizing mana. The spell you used on Jiyoon was the level 3 spell fireball?" Bhaal asks. "Yes, I learnt it thanks to my mother's help in teaching me the basics. I am sorry if my actions offended you by attacking one of your deathstalkers," Aria continues. "Ha, ha, ha, you don't need to worry about that, Jiyoon is already dead, I killed her," Bhaal says. " I don't understand, Father, am I not in trouble?" Aria asks. "Don't worry, child, I had sent her to give your mother an invitation to attend the family banquet in honor of your achievements, and I saw what happened. I don't hold you or your mother accountable for any fault, so you can rest easy."
Bhaal says. "But enough of this let's talk about the thinks you like, I for one love to paint you see every time I see a blank canvas I see not a blank page but a story waiting to be created, every painting of artist has a story, follow me their's a painting I want to show you" Bhaal says as she assists Aria to get up.Both of them stand up and start walking towards the painting he was previously working on. On arriving at the canvas, Aria sees a beautiful painting portraying a sprouting seed. "Let me share this painting's story with you, Aria…" Bhaal begins.
"Long ago, when the sky stretched endlessly and the ground was nothing but barren dirt, there was a tiny seed, fragile, quiet, almost invisible. The wind whispered around it, and the sun warmed its small shell, nurturing it in secret. The seed knew only the comfort of the earth that held it, the safety of darkness, and the promise of growth hidden beneath.
But one day…
The seed looked upward, beyond the clouds and the horizon, toward a sky filled with storms and unknowns. It saw the vastness of the world, places it had never touched, challenges it had never faced. The ground was still familiar, but it was also a prison, holding it in silence.
Yet…
The seed chose to push upward. It pushed through the soil, breaking free from the darkness that had protected it but also confined it. It fought against the weight of the earth, against the cold and the wind, driven not by certainty but by the hope of becoming something more.
It did not know if it would sprout. It did not know if it would survive the storms or reach the sun. But it moved because staying hidden was to remain lifeless, a prisoner of comfort. To grow was to risk everything, even if it meant facing the unknown.
And because that seed dared to reach toward the light, to stretch beyond its limits, it became a mighty tree standing tall, giving shade, and sheltering countless others.
So I ask you, Aria
When the world urges you to stay in the shadows, to remain safe and still, will you listen?
Or will you be that seed that dares to push upward, to reach beyond what's known, to grow into something extraordinary?" Bhaal asks Aria as he finishes telling his story. "If it were me, I would." Aria is cut off before she can finish by the presence of her mother, who seems to enter the room in a panic, kneeling down and paying her respects to Lord Bhaal.