Insidious Shelter

(Lina POV)

She wakes to the gentle rattling of the carriage, and a calm expression graces her face before her face turns blank once again, and she quickly sits up, looking around. She recognized this as the back of one of her family's carriages, but she knew clearly that the people who normally ferried her about definitely weren't doing so now. Could she have been captured by one of those weird people her father always warned her of?

She doesn't want to get up and look, but after a moment, she can't sate her curiosity, and she slowly creeps to the front of the carriage, before opening the curtain. Before her was someone faintly familiar. She didn't know their name, but she remembered them working for her family.

Reluctantly, she asks "You are?" As the voice spills from her lips, it emanates a certain coldness. Perhaps, there wasn't anyone she wanted to speak warmly to in the world right now.

The figure in front of her jumps, before a youthful face turns back to look at her. "Ah! Young Miss, you're awake! I was getting concerned.. Something happened to the city, and we found you unconscious, so we decided to take you to Lidan. There's people who will take care of you there, and they have a nice academy… But please, rest for now. There's some food stored under the seat if you get hungry. We're going to make camp in a couple hours," the servant seems to have had the message prepared, but she didn't have any idea what that would mean.

She reluctantly nods her head, and closes the blinds, sitting back in her seat. It wasn't uncommon for the family to send servants out to do various tasks, and most likely, they wouldn't be affected by the attack- or even aware of it. If one or more of them came back, found her, and decided to do their job to take care of her she wasn't surprised. But she grimaces slightly. Lidan… The place her fiance's family was. Someone she absolutely didn't like. Most likely, the servants would be "rewarded for rescuing her." It wasn't a situation she liked, but, she felt helpless. Would she even be able to survive on her own? At least there she would have food and shelter.

Lina knew a lot about summoning, history, and general knowledge needed as a noble. However, the methods to cultivate magic were somewhat of an enigma to her. She didn't have the resources to improve her physical cultivation, either. She couldn't imagine anyone would employ her to run a city, she couldn't find the only being she'd ever summon in her life, and her family name had become almost meaningless. Even she knew her highest value was as the bearer of the summoner bloodline- the last summoner of the Sestia family.

…

A month crawled by. She never knew time could move so slowly. She couldn't train, had nothing to study, no responsibility. Just to sit and travel. No companions, and no books; she ended up sleeping most of the time. Every time she lay down, she'd imagine, somewhere out there, Prol was resting too- thinking about her, caring what happened to her. At least he had to care about her. She didn't know anything about him, not his strength, not whatever price he paid. She only knew he seemed to care about her, and what she'd been taught growing up: A summon will never betray its summoner. She didn't know why that was, but she believed it. He had given her the vengeance she craved at the price of his own existence.

If he'd just come back to her, she promised she'd be good for him, just like he asked. Just so long as she wouldn't be left alone.

…

After a couple more weeks of traveling, Lidan appeared in the distance. It was much further from the mountains than Sestia was, and located at the intersection of two rivers. It was a trade hub, and as far as she knew, you could get anywhere in the world following its rivers. It was also the home of famous Karse Academy, the best academy for magicians and warriors within at least six months travel, perhaps further. She knew her father had always planned to send her there as soon as she summoned her spirit.

Before summoning their spirit, due to her bloodline, she wouldn't be able to improve her soul. Afterwards, however, it should progress by leaps and bounds even more so with the presence of a personal mentor who wanted her to improve. However, now, she didn't know where that mentor went. She didn't have any family to provide her with resources or guide her. She couldn't even imagine what happened to all the treasures and resources left behind in the city. Even the food she ate every day wasn't truly her family's at this point. She was certain those servants weren't doing this out of the goodness of their hearts they were in it for a reward.

The only thing she really had left was her marriage arrangement- but she didn't doubt there would no longer be much benefit from the marriage alliance. More than likely, they'd go loot whatever was left of the city, and that would be it. The Lidan family would essentially own Sestia now. She could only hope that'd earn her some good will, as she had no good impressions of them.

…

After being ushered through the front gate, they went through long, busy streets. Honestly, if not for the emblem on the carriage, they'd have been waiting in line for hours. She could see why it had a great location, the streets were well paved, and there were plenty of guards around. It formed a positive cycle of wealth for all involved. Pay for guards, collect on taxes. Receive free protection, more profit. More profit, more taxes paid. Even she could understand such a thought process.

Despite their brilliance, she felt a sinking feeling in her stomach as she got closer to the manor of that family. If her home was a large town, this was a small city bustling and destined to grow, but still not much larger than her own home. After all, the mountains were a major destination for adventurers.

The carriage soon reaches the front gate of the manor, and after a short talk with the guard, they were quickly let through once again. Soon they stopped in front of the manor, and the servant opened the door for her, ushering her inside. Just by the fact nobody came out to greet the carriage, she knew they'd already heard what happened to her home town. As soon as her family backing was gone, they weren't nearly as respectful as they once were.

That was the main reason she hated the Lidan family they were those type of people. Yet here she was, delivering herself unto their clutches. Maybe, if Prol had been here, she would've made a different decision. Maybe she would've had the confidence to escape the servants and strike out on her own.

She can only dream, though. One slender leg in front of the other, she gracefully walks into the lobby of the manor an icy cold beauty permeating from her, with her light blue eyes, and pure white hair. Perhaps, using those assets her birth provided her, they'd still treat her well?

She waits in the lobby for a few moments, before the double doors open, and a boy and a girl walk inside. The boy was a bit older than her, and half a foot taller: being around 15 and 5'9". The girl was the same height, and a couple years older than the boy: 17. She remembered her being the older sister.

She feels her heart turn even colder at the sight. Two children were all they could spare to greet her now that she was in ruins, huh? Perhaps, coming here had been a mistake.

"No formal greeting for the Future Head of the Lidan Family?" asks the girl in a condescending tone.

She can feel the coldness growing in her heart. Did this family insist on dropping all courtesy and respect? She looks at the boy her "fiance." He's somewhat muscular, and definitely handsome. His appearance is a model young master. He had medium length blonde hair, and brown eyes. However, the air of arrogance around him, the lecherous glint in his eyes as he looks over her figure, and the fervor with which the maids look at him tell his true character.

Before she can say anything, he speaks up. "Now now, Yuki, she just experienced a tragedy. Give her some mercy, please? She's my future concubine, after all."

"Well, since you asked, Marth" Yuki snorts.

One of the many skills she had studied was the poker face, but her heartbreak almost showed through. Almost. Seeing her cold and indifferent face, Yuki seems displeased. She doesn't want to ask, she doesn't want to know but everyone knew, with this family, "silence is consent." "Concubine?" she asks coldly, almost spitting out the distasteful word.

"Of course," Yuki perks up at the chance to rub it in. "You don't think you're worthy to be the main wife, do you?"

"Yuki!" Marth cuts in. "It's very complicated, Sestia, I'm afraid my mother wants me to marry. An Elder of Karse Academy's granddaughter. It will make all our lives easier, and I'll still care for you properly. It's just semantics, really, nothing much has changed."

That couldn't be further than the truth. The difference between a wife and a concubine was huge. But she couldn't argue her status was greater than an Elder's granddaughter. She wouldn't let this event settle easily, but she remained silent for now. Silence might be acceptance for a Lidan, but for a Sestia, it was a threat.

Facing her silence, Marth decides to end the situation as quickly as possible- not wanting to waste his time dealing with an angry woman. She can see that on his face. "We can discuss it in more detail tomorrow, after your entrance test to Karse Academy. Of course, we'll handle the costs," he offers as if financial benefit solves all grievances. That only works with lowly merchants.

She turns on her heel, and storms out of the lobby a servant stepping forward to escort her to her room. Much to her chagrin, she swears she hears Marth lick his lips as she walks away.

(Prol POV)

…

One Month Ago

("Say, Rin, do you think that we're back in that prison?) he wonders.

[I'd doubt that, Master. Based on your knowledge of novels, it's likely your soul has to reach a certain level to interact with the outside world, and we're just sitting somewhere. Most likely in Lina.]

("You think? I hope that girl can take care of herself. There's not much left of that town.")

He surveys his empty soul, and sighs to himself. What in god's name was he supposed do now?

("Hey, Rin, do you think we can generate a form of that dark energy that's less...gross?")

[Gross?] Rin asks innocently.

After a while of struggled explanation, Rin sets about some calculations. Their best guess was that energy could either naturally come from the soul, or be gathered in it, in a way that left the soul's signature on it. Then, the energy could become pure, getting rid of the gross feeling and increasing its effectiveness. After a couple simulations, he is able to conjure up a black energy a pure black, that seems to eat up the light. It was very difficult to see inside his black soul, but he could clearly feel it. It wasn't real energy, but at the least, he could practice manipulating the element, and get used to the changes in his soul.

Oddly enough, Rin was quiet most of the time, letting him set about practicing as he pleases. He made a fair bit of progress, but he felt like the direction was wrong. Still, with no better method, he can only continue working on his control.