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Into the Moral Darkness: (Now a Completed Story!)
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<blockquote data-quote="Nonlethal Force" data-source="post: 3609367" data-attributes="member: 35788"><p>Master Searthu had promised that it would only take his arcane sensor a few seconds to find Ophee once she teleported outside her old master’s office. He was not wrong in his estimation. By the time the party was able to swarm inside the doors and join the two followers of Reah, the crystal ball had cleared and teleportation was once more possible.</p><p></p><p>The party didn’t need to be told what to do. Each of their fingers raced towards the gold ring on their hands and gave a quick twist as they focused on the scene before them in the crystal ball. Once the party and Brandt had successfully left the bottom floor of the Wizard’s College, Master Searthu completed his own teleportation. A new set of guards rounded a corner on the ground floor as the final follower of Reah disappeared before their eyes.</p><p></p><p>The party popped back into existence beside Ophee, and they were now several floors up in the Wizard’s College. Brandt began shouting directions immediately. <span style="color: Lime">“It won’t take them long to figure out where we’ve gone. Semeion and Ophee, you’re with me. Searthu, stay here with Ischarus, Rhema, and Charis and hold the door!”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion gripped the handle of the door and twisted. It was clearly locked, and his face showed displeasure at his inability to open the door. He lowered a shoulder and tried to jar the door open, but the wooden frame seemed to laugh at the feeble attempt.</p><p></p><p>Brandt grinned. <span style="color: Lime">“Move aside, Semeion.”</span> Brandt almost didn’t wait for Semeion to move before shouting his next magical command. <span style="color: Lime">“Crang-d'hai Shintar.”</span></p><p></p><p>The door erupted into a mass of splinters. The wood forced itself inward into the chambers where Ophee’s former master resided. As the wood flew inward, the air was clouded and visibility was minimized.</p><p></p><p>Brant followed the surge of splinters inward, using the cover of the spray to gain entrance into the room. Semeion grabbed Ophee’s arm as Brandt rushed by. Once Brandt was through the door, Semeion pushed Ophee into the room with a shout. <span style="color: Plum">“We’ve got to find your master before he has a chance to escape!”</span> He quickly disappeared into the room behind Ophee.</p><p></p><p>Master Searthu quickly organized the rest of the party into a protective line of defense. He stood in front of the door and pointed to the left down the long narrow hall. <span style="color: Lime">“Ischarus, take my left flank. Rhema, take my right flank. Charis, protect Rhema from a direct assault.”</span></p><p></p><p>The party quickly obeyed the command, knowing that their task would not be easy. Ischarus adjusted his grip on the hilt of his sword and yelled to Master Searthu over his left shoulder. <span style="color: LightBlue">“Any guess as to the direction that they’re going to come.”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema chuckled and answered, although she knew she wasn’t the one to whom the inquiry was directed. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“Both. We’re on their turf, you know. Once they know where we are, they’ll come from all directions.”</span></p><p></p><p>Master Searthu shook his head. <span style="color: Lime">“We won’t even see them coming, I’d guess. We’ve already demonstrated ourselves to be dangerous foes that can use magic to our own advantage. They’ll respond in turn. Whatever happens, expect magic to come and to come hard.”</span></p><p></p><p>Charis sucked in a deep breath and gripped the handle of her pick. She offered up another prayer to the goddess who had comforted her so often in the past. <span style="color: Orange">“Bemme, have mercy on our souls. Allow our cause to be just, and let our love for freedom show through our assault.”</span></p><p></p><p>The hall was silent as Charis finished her prayer. The rupturing door had settled inside the wizard’s office and the trio inside had moved off. The foursome outside each felt their breathing slow in preparation for sudden movement. It was clearly the calm before the incoming storm.</p><p></p><p>Inside the office, Brandt, Ophee, and Semeion found the first room deserted. There were three possible choices in the form of archways leading out of the room. There was one archway for each wall in the first room. Ophee pointed to the doors quickly, moving left to right. <span style="color: Lime">“Study, Library, Quarters.”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt held out a steady hand. <span style="color: Lime">“Stay together. If we face this wizard alone we lose the advantage. I’d rather that he escapes and we have to pursue him than to have one of us face him alone.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion and Ophee nodded to one another. Brandt would lead. If there was anyone in this group that could protect them from the wizard’s assaults it would be Brandt.</p><p></p><p>The priest of Reah paused for just a moment. His hand slipped inside of his cloak and a slight smile crept over his face as he noticed Semeion and Ophee fall in line. <span style="color: Lime">“I hope the wizard makes the same mistake that you each just made.”</span> He pulled out a simple wooden wand with a red tip. <span style="color: Lime">“Take this. The ability to cast the spell contained is well beyond your abilities. But you just might be able to control a wand where the power has already been contained.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion took the wand. He understood the message contained within Brandt’s words. This wand held a significant key to containing the wizard’s power. Ophee’s former master would expect it to come from Brandt, not him. His eyes met Brandt’s eyes once more as soon as the wand was in his hand. <span style="color: Plum">“The command?”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt’s eyes danced a bit with mischievous intent. <span style="color: Lime">“Command indeed. Beissah Lahzuhto.”</span> He held a finger to his lips to remind Semeion to not speak the word while the wand was in his hand.</p><p></p><p>Semeion’s face paled at the realization that Brandt had given him a wand of such a high power. Lahzuhto spells were not the kind of spells that he had any business casting. He swallowed hard and nodded.</p><p></p><p>Brandt smiled and patted him on the shoulder. <span style="color: Lime">“I’ve planned for this. I’ve brought along a bit of parchment that will help stabilize your mind and clear your thoughts. It will help you wrap your mind around the spell contained in the wand.”</span> He pulled the parchment out of a pocket and handed it to Semeion. <span style="color: Lime">“Read it and cast the spell. Hurry.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion’s eyes scanned the words. He was familiar with this spell. <span style="color: Plum">“Zysh Sooth Aggior cadrass.”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt turned to the three doors. <span style="color: Lime">“Not in the quarters. The library would contain too much valuable research. He’ll be in the study, where he is used to teaching.”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt passed through the arch in the direction that Ophee had stated in order to enter the wizard’s study. He quickly spun around and allowed his voice to seep out through his teeth in a low tone. <span style="color: Lime">“Empty. Quarters, then. He’d not fight in his library.”</span> Brandt charged across the room and passed through the doorway with Semeion and Ophee in tow. </p><p></p><p>Inside the room, a man stood grinning in response to their approach. <span style="color: Red">“Ah, you have finally come back to me, Opheiluka. And you have come to be my betrayer. How touching, isn’t it? Especially since I loved you so, taught you everything that you know, and gave you everything that you have. We could have been so much together, Opheiluka.”</span></p><p></p><p>[Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section]</p><p>Master Searthu had promised that it would only take his arcane sensor a few seconds to find Ophee once she teleported outside her old master’s office. He was not wrong in his estimation. By the time the party was able to swarm inside the doors and join the two followers of Reah, the crystal ball had cleared and teleportation was once more possible.</p><p></p><p>The party didn’t need to be told what to do. Each of their fingers raced towards the gold ring on their hands and gave a quick twist as they focused on the scene before them in the crystal ball. Once the party and Brandt had successfully left the bottom floor of the Wizard’s College, Master Searthu completed his own teleportation. A new set of guards rounded a corner on the ground floor as the final follower of Reah disappeared before their eyes.</p><p></p><p>The party popped back into existence beside Ophee, and they were now several floors up in the Wizard’s College. Brandt began shouting directions immediately. “It won’t take them long to figure out where we’ve gone. Semeion and Ophee, you’re with me. Searthu, stay here with Ischarus, Rhema, and Charis and hold the door!”</p><p></p><p>Semeion gripped the handle of the door and twisted. It was clearly locked, and his face showed displeasure at his inability to open the door. He lowered a shoulder and tried to jar the door open, but the wooden frame seemed to laugh at the feeble attempt.</p><p></p><p>Brandt grinned. “Move aside, Semeion.” Brandt almost didn’t wait for Semeion to move before shouting his next magical command. “Crang-d'hai Shintar.”</p><p></p><p>The door erupted into a mass of splinters. The wood forced itself inward into the chambers where Ophee’s former master resided. As the wood flew inward, the air was clouded and visibility was minimized.</p><p></p><p>Brant followed the surge of splinters inward, using the cover of the spray to gain entrance into the room. Semeion grabbed Ophee’s arm as Brandt rushed by. Once Brandt was through the door, Semeion pushed Ophee into the room with a shout. “We’ve got to find your master before he has a chance to escape!” He quickly disappeared into the room behind Ophee.</p><p></p><p>Master Searthu quickly organized the rest of the party into a protective line of defense. He stood in front of the door and pointed to the left down the long narrow hall. “Ischarus, take my left flank. Rhema, take my right flank. Charis, protect Rhema from a direct assault.”</p><p></p><p>The party quickly obeyed the command, knowing that their task would not be easy. Ischarus adjusted his grip on the hilt of his sword and yelled to Master Searthu over his left shoulder. “Any guess as to the direction that they’re going to come.”</p><p></p><p>Rhema chuckled and answered, although she knew she wasn’t the one to whom the inquiry was directed. “Both. We’re on their turf, you know. Once they know where we are, they’ll come from all directions.”</p><p></p><p>Master Searthu shook his head. “We won’t even see them coming, I’d guess. We’ve already demonstrated ourselves to be dangerous foes that can use magic to our own advantage. They’ll respond in turn. Whatever happens, expect magic to come and to come hard.”</p><p></p><p>Charis sucked in a deep breath and gripped the handle of her pick. She offered up another prayer to the goddess who had comforted her so often in the past. “Bemme, have mercy on our souls. Allow our cause to be just, and let our love for freedom show through our assault.”</p><p></p><p>The hall was silent as Charis finished her prayer. The rupturing door had settled inside the wizard’s office and the trio inside had moved off. The foursome outside each felt their breathing slow in preparation for sudden movement. It was clearly the calm before the incoming storm.</p><p></p><p>Inside the office, Brandt, Ophee, and Semeion found the first room deserted. There were three possible choices in the form of archways leading out of the room. There was one archway for each wall in the first room. Ophee pointed to the doors quickly, moving left to right. “Study, Library, Quarters.”</p><p></p><p>Brandt held out a steady hand. “Stay together. If we face this wizard alone we lose the advantage. I’d rather that he escapes and we have to pursue him than to have one of us face him alone.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion and Ophee nodded to one another. Brandt would lead. If there was anyone in this group that could protect them from the wizard’s assaults it would be Brandt.</p><p></p><p>The priest of Reah paused for just a moment. His hand slipped inside of his cloak and a slight smile crept over his face as he noticed Semeion and Ophee fall in line. “I hope the wizard makes the same mistake that you each just made.” He pulled out a simple wooden wand with a red tip. “Take this. The ability to cast the spell contained is well beyond your abilities. But you just might be able to control a wand where the power has already been contained.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion took the wand. He understood the message contained within Brandt’s words. This wand held a significant key to containing the wizard’s power. Ophee’s former master would expect it to come from Brandt, not him. His eyes met Brandt’s eyes once more as soon as the wand was in his hand. “The command?”</p><p></p><p>Brandt’s eyes danced a bit with mischievous intent. “Command indeed. Beissah Lahzuhto.” He held a finger to his lips to remind Semeion to not speak the word while the wand was in his hand.</p><p></p><p>Semeion’s face paled at the realization that Brandt had given him a wand of such a high power. Lahzuhto spells were not the kind of spells that he had any business casting. He swallowed hard and nodded.</p><p></p><p>Brandt smiled and patted him on the shoulder. “I’ve planned for this. I’ve brought along a bit of parchment that will help stabilize your mind and clear your thoughts. It will help you wrap your mind around the spell contained in the wand.” He pulled the parchment out of a pocket and handed it to Semeion. “Read it and cast the spell. Hurry.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion’s eyes scanned the words. He was familiar with this spell. “Zysh Sooth Aggior cadrass.”</p><p></p><p>Brandt turned to the three doors. “Not in the quarters. The library would contain too much valuable research. He’ll be in the study, where he is used to teaching.”</p><p></p><p>Brandt passed through the arch in the direction that Ophee had stated in order to enter the wizard’s study. He quickly spun around and allowed his voice to seep out through his teeth in a low tone. “Empty. Quarters, then. He’d not fight in his library.” Brandt charged across the room and passed through the doorway with Semeion and Ophee in tow. </p><p></p><p>Inside the room, a man stood grinning in response to their approach. “Ah, you have finally come back to me, Opheiluka. And you have come to be my betrayer. How touching, isn’t it? Especially since I loved you so, taught you everything that you know, and gave you everything that you have. We could have been so much together, Opheiluka.”</p><p>[/Sblock]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Nonlethal Force, post: 3609367, member: 35788"] Master Searthu had promised that it would only take his arcane sensor a few seconds to find Ophee once she teleported outside her old master’s office. He was not wrong in his estimation. By the time the party was able to swarm inside the doors and join the two followers of Reah, the crystal ball had cleared and teleportation was once more possible. The party didn’t need to be told what to do. Each of their fingers raced towards the gold ring on their hands and gave a quick twist as they focused on the scene before them in the crystal ball. Once the party and Brandt had successfully left the bottom floor of the Wizard’s College, Master Searthu completed his own teleportation. A new set of guards rounded a corner on the ground floor as the final follower of Reah disappeared before their eyes. The party popped back into existence beside Ophee, and they were now several floors up in the Wizard’s College. Brandt began shouting directions immediately. [Color=Lime]“It won’t take them long to figure out where we’ve gone. Semeion and Ophee, you’re with me. Searthu, stay here with Ischarus, Rhema, and Charis and hold the door!”[/Color] Semeion gripped the handle of the door and twisted. It was clearly locked, and his face showed displeasure at his inability to open the door. He lowered a shoulder and tried to jar the door open, but the wooden frame seemed to laugh at the feeble attempt. Brandt grinned. [Color=Lime]“Move aside, Semeion.”[/Color] Brandt almost didn’t wait for Semeion to move before shouting his next magical command. [Color=Lime]“Crang-d'hai Shintar.”[/Color] The door erupted into a mass of splinters. The wood forced itself inward into the chambers where Ophee’s former master resided. As the wood flew inward, the air was clouded and visibility was minimized. Brant followed the surge of splinters inward, using the cover of the spray to gain entrance into the room. Semeion grabbed Ophee’s arm as Brandt rushed by. Once Brandt was through the door, Semeion pushed Ophee into the room with a shout. [Color=Plum]“We’ve got to find your master before he has a chance to escape!”[/Color] He quickly disappeared into the room behind Ophee. Master Searthu quickly organized the rest of the party into a protective line of defense. He stood in front of the door and pointed to the left down the long narrow hall. [Color=Lime]“Ischarus, take my left flank. Rhema, take my right flank. Charis, protect Rhema from a direct assault.”[/Color] The party quickly obeyed the command, knowing that their task would not be easy. Ischarus adjusted his grip on the hilt of his sword and yelled to Master Searthu over his left shoulder. [Color=LightBlue]“Any guess as to the direction that they’re going to come.”[/Color] Rhema chuckled and answered, although she knew she wasn’t the one to whom the inquiry was directed. [Color=PaleGreen]“Both. We’re on their turf, you know. Once they know where we are, they’ll come from all directions.”[/Color] Master Searthu shook his head. [Color=Lime]“We won’t even see them coming, I’d guess. We’ve already demonstrated ourselves to be dangerous foes that can use magic to our own advantage. They’ll respond in turn. Whatever happens, expect magic to come and to come hard.”[/Color] Charis sucked in a deep breath and gripped the handle of her pick. She offered up another prayer to the goddess who had comforted her so often in the past. [Color=Orange]“Bemme, have mercy on our souls. Allow our cause to be just, and let our love for freedom show through our assault.”[/Color] The hall was silent as Charis finished her prayer. The rupturing door had settled inside the wizard’s office and the trio inside had moved off. The foursome outside each felt their breathing slow in preparation for sudden movement. It was clearly the calm before the incoming storm. Inside the office, Brandt, Ophee, and Semeion found the first room deserted. There were three possible choices in the form of archways leading out of the room. There was one archway for each wall in the first room. Ophee pointed to the doors quickly, moving left to right. [Color=Lime]“Study, Library, Quarters.”[/Color] Brandt held out a steady hand. [Color=Lime]“Stay together. If we face this wizard alone we lose the advantage. I’d rather that he escapes and we have to pursue him than to have one of us face him alone.”[/Color] Semeion and Ophee nodded to one another. Brandt would lead. If there was anyone in this group that could protect them from the wizard’s assaults it would be Brandt. The priest of Reah paused for just a moment. His hand slipped inside of his cloak and a slight smile crept over his face as he noticed Semeion and Ophee fall in line. [Color=Lime]“I hope the wizard makes the same mistake that you each just made.”[/Color] He pulled out a simple wooden wand with a red tip. [Color=Lime]“Take this. The ability to cast the spell contained is well beyond your abilities. But you just might be able to control a wand where the power has already been contained.”[/Color] Semeion took the wand. He understood the message contained within Brandt’s words. This wand held a significant key to containing the wizard’s power. Ophee’s former master would expect it to come from Brandt, not him. His eyes met Brandt’s eyes once more as soon as the wand was in his hand. [Color=Plum]“The command?”[/Color] Brandt’s eyes danced a bit with mischievous intent. [Color=Lime]“Command indeed. Beissah Lahzuhto.”[/Color] He held a finger to his lips to remind Semeion to not speak the word while the wand was in his hand. Semeion’s face paled at the realization that Brandt had given him a wand of such a high power. Lahzuhto spells were not the kind of spells that he had any business casting. He swallowed hard and nodded. Brandt smiled and patted him on the shoulder. [Color=Lime]“I’ve planned for this. I’ve brought along a bit of parchment that will help stabilize your mind and clear your thoughts. It will help you wrap your mind around the spell contained in the wand.”[/Color] He pulled the parchment out of a pocket and handed it to Semeion. [Color=Lime]“Read it and cast the spell. Hurry.”[/Color] Semeion’s eyes scanned the words. He was familiar with this spell. [Color=Plum]“Zysh Sooth Aggior cadrass.”[/Color] Brandt turned to the three doors. [Color=Lime]“Not in the quarters. The library would contain too much valuable research. He’ll be in the study, where he is used to teaching.”[/Color] Brandt passed through the arch in the direction that Ophee had stated in order to enter the wizard’s study. He quickly spun around and allowed his voice to seep out through his teeth in a low tone. [Color=Lime]“Empty. Quarters, then. He’d not fight in his library.”[/Color] Brandt charged across the room and passed through the doorway with Semeion and Ophee in tow. Inside the room, a man stood grinning in response to their approach. [Color=Red]“Ah, you have finally come back to me, Opheiluka. And you have come to be my betrayer. How touching, isn’t it? Especially since I loved you so, taught you everything that you know, and gave you everything that you have. We could have been so much together, Opheiluka.”[/Color] [Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section] Master Searthu had promised that it would only take his arcane sensor a few seconds to find Ophee once she teleported outside her old master’s office. He was not wrong in his estimation. By the time the party was able to swarm inside the doors and join the two followers of Reah, the crystal ball had cleared and teleportation was once more possible. The party didn’t need to be told what to do. Each of their fingers raced towards the gold ring on their hands and gave a quick twist as they focused on the scene before them in the crystal ball. Once the party and Brandt had successfully left the bottom floor of the Wizard’s College, Master Searthu completed his own teleportation. A new set of guards rounded a corner on the ground floor as the final follower of Reah disappeared before their eyes. The party popped back into existence beside Ophee, and they were now several floors up in the Wizard’s College. Brandt began shouting directions immediately. “It won’t take them long to figure out where we’ve gone. Semeion and Ophee, you’re with me. Searthu, stay here with Ischarus, Rhema, and Charis and hold the door!” Semeion gripped the handle of the door and twisted. It was clearly locked, and his face showed displeasure at his inability to open the door. He lowered a shoulder and tried to jar the door open, but the wooden frame seemed to laugh at the feeble attempt. Brandt grinned. “Move aside, Semeion.” Brandt almost didn’t wait for Semeion to move before shouting his next magical command. “Crang-d'hai Shintar.” The door erupted into a mass of splinters. The wood forced itself inward into the chambers where Ophee’s former master resided. As the wood flew inward, the air was clouded and visibility was minimized. Brant followed the surge of splinters inward, using the cover of the spray to gain entrance into the room. Semeion grabbed Ophee’s arm as Brandt rushed by. Once Brandt was through the door, Semeion pushed Ophee into the room with a shout. “We’ve got to find your master before he has a chance to escape!” He quickly disappeared into the room behind Ophee. Master Searthu quickly organized the rest of the party into a protective line of defense. He stood in front of the door and pointed to the left down the long narrow hall. “Ischarus, take my left flank. Rhema, take my right flank. Charis, protect Rhema from a direct assault.” The party quickly obeyed the command, knowing that their task would not be easy. Ischarus adjusted his grip on the hilt of his sword and yelled to Master Searthu over his left shoulder. “Any guess as to the direction that they’re going to come.” Rhema chuckled and answered, although she knew she wasn’t the one to whom the inquiry was directed. “Both. We’re on their turf, you know. Once they know where we are, they’ll come from all directions.” Master Searthu shook his head. “We won’t even see them coming, I’d guess. We’ve already demonstrated ourselves to be dangerous foes that can use magic to our own advantage. They’ll respond in turn. Whatever happens, expect magic to come and to come hard.” Charis sucked in a deep breath and gripped the handle of her pick. She offered up another prayer to the goddess who had comforted her so often in the past. “Bemme, have mercy on our souls. Allow our cause to be just, and let our love for freedom show through our assault.” The hall was silent as Charis finished her prayer. The rupturing door had settled inside the wizard’s office and the trio inside had moved off. The foursome outside each felt their breathing slow in preparation for sudden movement. It was clearly the calm before the incoming storm. Inside the office, Brandt, Ophee, and Semeion found the first room deserted. There were three possible choices in the form of archways leading out of the room. There was one archway for each wall in the first room. Ophee pointed to the doors quickly, moving left to right. “Study, Library, Quarters.” Brandt held out a steady hand. “Stay together. If we face this wizard alone we lose the advantage. I’d rather that he escapes and we have to pursue him than to have one of us face him alone.” Semeion and Ophee nodded to one another. Brandt would lead. If there was anyone in this group that could protect them from the wizard’s assaults it would be Brandt. The priest of Reah paused for just a moment. His hand slipped inside of his cloak and a slight smile crept over his face as he noticed Semeion and Ophee fall in line. “I hope the wizard makes the same mistake that you each just made.” He pulled out a simple wooden wand with a red tip. “Take this. The ability to cast the spell contained is well beyond your abilities. But you just might be able to control a wand where the power has already been contained.” Semeion took the wand. He understood the message contained within Brandt’s words. This wand held a significant key to containing the wizard’s power. Ophee’s former master would expect it to come from Brandt, not him. His eyes met Brandt’s eyes once more as soon as the wand was in his hand. “The command?” Brandt’s eyes danced a bit with mischievous intent. “Command indeed. Beissah Lahzuhto.” He held a finger to his lips to remind Semeion to not speak the word while the wand was in his hand. Semeion’s face paled at the realization that Brandt had given him a wand of such a high power. Lahzuhto spells were not the kind of spells that he had any business casting. He swallowed hard and nodded. Brandt smiled and patted him on the shoulder. “I’ve planned for this. I’ve brought along a bit of parchment that will help stabilize your mind and clear your thoughts. It will help you wrap your mind around the spell contained in the wand.” He pulled the parchment out of a pocket and handed it to Semeion. “Read it and cast the spell. Hurry.” Semeion’s eyes scanned the words. He was familiar with this spell. “Zysh Sooth Aggior cadrass.” Brandt turned to the three doors. “Not in the quarters. The library would contain too much valuable research. He’ll be in the study, where he is used to teaching.” Brandt passed through the arch in the direction that Ophee had stated in order to enter the wizard’s study. He quickly spun around and allowed his voice to seep out through his teeth in a low tone. “Empty. Quarters, then. He’d not fight in his library.” Brandt charged across the room and passed through the doorway with Semeion and Ophee in tow. Inside the room, a man stood grinning in response to their approach. “Ah, you have finally come back to me, Opheiluka. And you have come to be my betrayer. How touching, isn’t it? Especially since I loved you so, taught you everything that you know, and gave you everything that you have. We could have been so much together, Opheiluka.” [/Sblock] [/QUOTE]
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