The Veil of Darkness
Chapter 308: Rebuilding Friendship

Chapter 308: Rebuilding Friendship

A week!

It took Annalise almost a week to recover her powers to some point from the incident of the night when she tried to track the dark energy.

Though initially she felt that she was mostly good except for a little bit tired, the next they found out that not only she was feeling physically tired but she could hardly perform any spell because the dark energy and the ward had exhausted her powers.

This brought another round of lecture from her husbands, especially Damien who seemed really done with her all over again. Even she couldn’t remember just how many times she apologized to make him calm down and forgive her.

Even if she never planned to get hurt and only wanted to help everyone by finding out about the hidden place of their enemy, she didn’t feel great about defending herself against her husbands’ anger and disappointment. After all, it wasn’t like she did nothing wrong at all.

Over the week, the Dark Lords calmed down completely and allowed her to continue with whatever she had plans for except for anything dangerous.

So, once Annalise was feeling good enough to start her usual training, she made her way to the secret Realm. Her steps echoed softly as she walked along the narrow path toward Esmeray’s house which was hidden in one of the dark alleys. The air felt tense, like the calm before a storm. She steeled herself, her heart pounding in anticipation as she approached the entrance.

It had been so long since they last met and not even once had he tried to reach out to her. She wondered if she would be able to meet him or not this time again.

She finally reached his house and knocked on the door. At first, there was no response but then a moment later, it finally swung open. She noticed Esmeray and Ascher sitting next to the fireplace while they were deeply indulged in discussing the contents of a scroll that lay open on the wooden table between them.

Esmeray was the first one to notice her presence and he immediately looked up at where she was standing. Her eyes met his intense gaze. Beside him, Ascher also raised his head, his eyes gleaming with a mix of curiosity and caution. The atmosphere in the room seemed to hold its breath, waiting for someone to break the silence.

"Annalise," Esmeray’s voice was neutral, almost detached, a sharp contrast to the warmth they once shared. She nodded in greeting, her nerves twisting within her. She approached the table and took a seat, her posture determined yet respectful.

Time seemed to stretch as the trio exchanged glances, a palpable tension filling the room. Finally, Esmeray’s lips curved into a slight smile, a small ember of their old connection rekindling. "It’s been a while," he said softly, his tone tinged with an odd mix of emotions.

Annalise seized the opening, her voice clear but cautious. "I came to apologize, Esmeray. I shouldn’t have pressured you like that. I value our friendship, and I’m truly sorry."

Esmeray’s gaze flickered, caught between skepticism and something akin to relief. "Apology accepted," he replied much to Annalise’s surprise, the tension easing just a fraction.

Leaning forward, Annalise spoke earnestly. "I’ve learned my lesson, Esmeray. I don’t want to jeopardize what we have."

Esmeray’s eyes bore into hers for a moment before he nodded. "Very well, then." His voice sounded like in the past when he used to treat her warmly and not like a plague, a bridge being rebuilt between them.

After a beat, Annalise hesitated before pressing on. "I... heard about your expertise in combating dark energy. Could you teach me?" To keep her husbands from worrying too much about her, she needed to become more powerful.

Esmeray’s eyes narrowed slightly, his brows furrowing. "You’re treading dangerous ground, Annalise. But if you’re serious about learning, I can help."

Relief washed over her, a glimmer of gratitude shining in her eyes. "I am, Esmeray. I want to be prepared."

Over the next few hours, Annalise’s training began in earnest. She found herself pushed to her limits, her determination to learn evident in every step she took. Esmeray guided her through intricate spells, teaching her to mold her energy into an armor that could repel the darkness.

As the sun dipped below the horizon in the evening, Annalise found herself standing before Esmeray and Ascher, sweat trickling down her brow. "I can feel the energy," she breathed, her voice awed.

Esmeray nodded in approval. "You’re making progress. But there’s more to learn."

Hours turned into days, and Annalise’s bond with Esmeray and Ascher grew stronger. They sat by the fireplace, exchanging stories and laughter that echoed through the night.

One morning, as the sun’s rays filtered through the windows, Esmeray looked at Annalise. "Today, we’ll work on something different," he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

He taught her the delicate art of connecting with her familiar’s power, the threads of magic intertwining between them. Ascher turned out to be of great help for Annalise and her familiars, his presence became more tangible, their connection deeper and more profound.

As the final threads of magic intertwined, Annalise’s heart soared. She felt a surge of power, a newfound confidence coursing through her veins. Beside her, Esmeray’s approving smile was the testament to the strides she had made.

Through dedication, humility, and a willingness to mend their friendship, Annalise not only rebuilt the bridges she had burned but also forged new paths in her journey mastering the dark energy that once haunted her in the process, she discovered that the power of connection was stronger than any darkness that might try to consume her.

Though there were still a lot of things she wanted to ask him about the dark energy, she held back and never brought up the topic for discussion. She decided to follow her husbands’ plan to expose the secrets of the dark energy and the one controlling it to destroy the world.