A Charm

Floria visited her Master's secret hideout, her footsteps echoing in the dimly lit chamber. Her gaze softened as she approached the secluded area where her real physical body was being kept—preserved and untouched, just as Merlot had promised. 

She released a deep sigh, her eyes drifting toward the magical bottle that contained Floria's soul. Inside, her essence was slowly weakening, held captive until she could manage the transfer to yet another lotus flower, just as she had done with the other souls whose bodies she had taken over in the past.

"It's exhausting," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. 

She had agreed to Merlot's soul-swapping scheme in exchange for maintaining her existence. And though she had played her role dutifully, guilt gnawed at her conscience. She pitied the souls of the bodies she had overtaken. The least she could do was ensure their souls didn't wander the world as tormented spirits, lost and corrupted.