Amira Sintent (Eclipse Daluna) One Weeks Downtime
The first day
This was the night that I was to steal ‘The Crystal Horn’ as detailed within the announcement a few days before. The statue itself was that of a crystal unicorn that my mentor had sent me to Aberdeen to steal. I snuck away from the others and looked into my hand mirror to return my visible form back to Amira. When I was like this, mortals couldn’t see what I truly was and even if someone were an enlightened mortal or a Changeling they’d have to look in the mirror to see the part of me I call Eclipse. The slight downside to this was that I couldn’t use any of my Changeling powers like this as though I were merely an enchanted human. I spent most of the day browsing through documents that my mentor had sent me via e-mail detailing the entire layout of the building where ‘The Crystal Horn’ was on display. It was said that artists would come to view this artwork for inspiration, but the truth was that the artwork stole the souls of artists and the more they were to see the unicorn, the more they lost of their personality, creativity and life. My mentor had said to me that if they were to continue telling people about the wondrous inspirations the artists had received from the artwork, then artists from around the world would come to visit in hopes of being inspired and creativity would eventually be lost forever.
Nightfall came around and I looked into my hand mirror, transforming back into the visual form of Eclipse. I flew up onto the roof of the building and drew an open window on the rooftop of the building that contained the artwork using the wayfarer art so that I’d be able to pass through unseen. There were security guards everywhere and the artwork was surrounded with infrared security beams. There was no way I could get past all that security without a plan and then something perfect came to mind. I created a shadow by shaping my hands and using the moonlight to make it look like someone was beside the artwork. Using the chicanery art I made the shadow look as though it were a real person to deceive the guards and also to shroud the artwork from sight. I then tripped one of the infrared beams and waited as the guards chased after the illusion. Once all the guards had gone past, I dropped in through the open window and drew a small door on the side of the glass panel reaching in to grab the unicorn, but as I picked it up something happened to me and the unicorn started to talk. “You believe in things too much girl. I can see right through to the depths of your soul.” The unicorn’s voice sounded evil, it terrified me. Suddenly from behind it a bright white light swirled around as though the room were somehow submersed in water and the light had the qualities of a fluid nature.
The light now started to take shape holding onto the unicorn as I had been. A pair of bright white wings came out from the back of the shape and the form of a woman was revealed opposite me. She had long golden hair and bright golden eyes. She laughed as she looked back at me.
“I am your other half.” She said. “You may call me Nova Solaris. Now come into my embrace and let me take care of you.” I don’t know whether it was the way she said it, her name or just her general aura, but something about Nova frightened me. I quickly snatched the unicorn away from her and leapt up through the window using my wayfarer abilities then quickly closing the window behind me. When I was sure I was safe, I took the unicorn someplace where I could seal it away and send the artwork to my mentor before shifting back into the visible form of Amira and getting some sleep.
The Second Day
I got the unicorn sent up to my mentor via express delivery first thing in the morning. It was a bit pricey, but my mentor had already put money in my account to cover the expenses. I was a bit worried about what I had experienced involving ‘The Crystal Horn’ and Nova so I phoned up my mentor and told him the whole of what had happened. He seemed a little uncertain, but told me he would look into it. In the meantime he mentioned that I should stay in Aberdeen for the time being and that I should be careful about where I go and who I talk to about this. Later that day my mentor phoned me back to let me know he had received ‘The Crystal Horn’, sealed up its power and locked it away for later examination.
The Third Day
My mentor phoned me up in a slight panic. He asked if I touched the statue with my bare hands. When I told him that I did, he told me a little more information. According to my mentor ‘The Crystal Horn’ had somehow used the power of the souls it had stolen to access the power of my belief. The resultant creation was a manifestation of me, but at the same time opposed to me. Because of the souls contained within it, Nova was halfway between being a full changeling and being a chimerical manifestation. According to my mentor, Nova would have all of my memories up until the point that I touched ‘The Crystal Horn’. The name Nova Solaris is the name she gave herself based upon my knowledge and seemed to indicate that she was opposed to me despite what she said to me in our first meeting.
The Fourth Day
I had been making sure to stay away from familiar areas. It seemed as though someone was watching me though and when night fell she appeared before me.
“I thought I’d find you here, my dear Eclipse…or would you prefer to be called Amira when your true self is hidden?” She smiled as she walked towards me.
“Running away to where you can be alone from me. Am I really that terrifying that you’d shun me out of your life?” I backed away from her as she approached, she knew it was me even although I appeared human just now, of course she would…she had all of my memories from before I touched the statue.
“All I want is for you to accept me.” She stepped forwards, backing me against the wall. Without the ability to use my powers I was helpless. Quickly I reached down for my mirror, but Nova had already grasped hold of my wrist.
“I can’t have you doing that now, my dear.” She spoke before kissing me. I could feel light and pain flooding through my body as the scene changed to an endless world of light ground and dark sky meeting at an infinite horizon. I was now a little taller and my hair was purple meaning that I’d somehow shifted into the form of Eclipse. In front of me stood Nova, smiling as her long golden hair flowed out across the back of her glowing white wings.
“What did you do to me, where have you taken me?” I asked her.
“Oh, you mean this…” She laughed a little. “I haven’t taken you anywhere. This is where you’ve always been, inside Amira Sintent. The only difference is that I’ve come to join you here.” Before I knew it Nova was right beside me cradling my head against her chest while gently stroking her fingers through my long purple hair.
“I can make it so that you don’t feel any more pain.” She said with a gentle voice.
“Just accept me as a part of you and I’ll make sure you have an eternally happy dream. Give me control over your body and you will never need to suffer again.” I was starting to fall asleep in her arms and had almost accepted her offer when suddenly Luna broke through the horizon of light and shadow then attached herself to my back, becoming my wings.
“No!” I said, breaking free from her as I flexed my wings and flew away from her between the light and dark. I found myself slumped against the wall and Nova was expelled out from within me to land nearby. Without a second thought I ran away and found someplace safe to rest. Of course with her around, I doubted that anywhere would be truly safe.
The Fifth Day
I awoke to the sounds of my mobile ringing and quickly answered it. It was my mentor again. He told me that he’d been looking into the artwork’s history and discovered that the artwork itself had been crafted by an old changeling craftsman who lived out in an area just outside of Aberdeen called Westhill, but he’d apparently vanished some time ago. He gave me the last known address of the changeling and told me I should probably speak to him about the problem. I told my mentor about the situation I had yesterday with Nova and he sounded somewhat concerned for me.
“Your best bet is to seek out the man I mentioned earlier and ask him about the artwork. He should be able to give you more information regarding your new friend, but I’ll continue to research it and see what I can find out. Good luck to you and please be careful.” He told me before ending the call. I made preparations to go to Westhill and find the changeling mentioned in the address. The location was easy enough to find, but nobody was home. I decided to wait around and slept in the cellar around the back of the house.
The Sixth Day
I woke up feeling very uncomfortable after being in this uncomfortable cellar all night. It was quite cold and it looked as though my wait had paid off. The front door was now open. I gave a knock and rung the bell but there was no response. Cautiously I stepped inside.
“Hello, is anyone home?” I called as I walked into the house. I looked around and seen an open door that I walked towards. It opened into a small workshop, full of many artworks. The old man sitting down didn’t look much like a changeling, yet he didn’t seem to mind me being here. I looked into my mirror and changed into the form of Eclipse. Even if he was a mere human, he should’ve seen the large jet black wings on my back. He just seemed to not care about it and continued with his artwork.
“Could you pass me that clamp youngster?” He asked. I nodded, infusing it with some glamour before handing it to him. As soon as he took it, things were clear that he was a changeling.
“Whoa, it’s been a while since I felt like this.” He then looked to me and smiled. “I don’t usually do this anymore, but I’ll listen to you since it looks like something is troubling you child.” I told him the story of ‘The Crystal Horn’ and of Nova Solaris.
“Ah, ‘The Crystal Horn’, more trouble than it was worth to make.” He began. “Back in the days the Motley I was part of were battling the dantain. They were unable to kill them though and the dantain were increasing in numbers, ‘The Crystal Horn’ was our last attempt to destroy them. By storing enough energy from souls we could in theory create a chimerical changeling that would be unaffected by the ravages of banality because of a remote belief from someone outside the area of the dantain’s area of effect. That being the person with enough belief in the power contained within ‘The Crystal Horn’ to create something lasting from the souls. Unfortunately we didn’t realise that disbelief could be used in a similar way. It wasn’t too powerful back then, but when the dantain got its hands on ‘The Crystal Horn’, a dantain sustained of its creator’s disbelief was formed. It had all the memories of the dantain as well as the will and persona of the souls that have built up inside it. The remote dantain required the will of the dantain if the dantain wanted it to do its bidding, though since the dantain disbelieved it so much the creation became stronger and wanted to become more real. It turned on its creator and we all seen it go inside her. That was when the explosion of disbelief hit us all. I don’t entirely know the end result, but there is one of three possible outcomes to such a fusion. Either the creator exerts it’s will over the creation becomes the dominant mind, the creation surpasses its creator and becomes the dominant mind, or the two become some kind of hybrid mind. Whether the hybrid mind manifests as a split personality or a perfect unison is unknown to me, but from what you told me I now realise that you can stop the fusion from occurring. I’m glad it was another changeling who touched ‘The Crystal Horn’ and not another dantain. That might’ve caused the entire changeling population to vanish. You said your mentor sealed the powers of my artwork, of that I am truly grateful. Please be careful though, there are two worlds in the life of a changeling. There is the mundane world and there is the fantastical world. The mundane world is like fire, it keeps you warm, but with too much it can burn you. The fantastical world is like ice, it sparkles prettily in the light, but with too much you end up frozen. You need to mediate your will upon them like water and wind. Water can put out flames or melt ice. Wind can spread the flames or chill the air. I can tell you believe very strongly in the fantastical world. If you believe too strongly in Nova’s power then she may become unstoppable. Now that ‘The Crystal Horn’ is sealed none others like her will be created, though the only way for her to truly vanish is for you to accept her into you otherwise you’ll be stuck with her trying to get you forever. My fourteen year old granddaughter is coming to spend the night! It would be nice if you stayed over and played with her. Oh and I believe this is yours.” He handed me some money and returned to his mortal visage returning the glamour I had given him as he continued to work, unconcerned by my presence once again. I looked into the mirror and resumed the form of Amira before awaiting his granddaughter. Evening came around and I was calmly introduced to her. The girl’s name was Estella. She had long dark brown hair and crystal blue eyes. We ate together then played together until nightfall.
The Seventh Day
When I awoke, Estella was gone. I walked downstairs and seen her in the kitchen chopping food. Something was wrong though, I could tell.
“No, get out of my head.” Estella screamed. “I’ll take care of things, for you. I’m in control of my body…not some ghost who wants to become real.”
“What’s wrong Estella?” I asked.
“Haven’t you already figured it out?” The voice of Nova spoke from Estella’s lips as the bright feathery wings emerged from behind her and Nova’s long golden hair superimposed itself through Estella’s.
“Nova… Why are you doing this? How did you…?” I asked panicking.
“How did I know where to find you?” She laughed. “Well let’s just say that our mentor isn’t the only one who can do research my dear.” I looked into the mirror on the wall to my right and looked back to Nova in the form of Eclipse.
“Leave the girl out of this Nova.” I told her. Nova just laughed.
“You know what I want is to become one with you my dear Eclipse, so until you give yourself to me I’m going to keep this body.”
“Then I’ll just have to steal it back from you.” I told her as I rushed towards Nova. Nova smiled and pulled the old man in front of her with a knife to his throat.
“Oh, I wouldn’t try it unless you want this girl’s grandfather to die.” Nova said with a threatening smile. I stopped for a moment and I could see Nova struggling to focus as a few tears formed at Estella’s eyes.
“Run Amira!” She spoke, defying the will of Nova. “Run far away.”
“I will find a way to save you.” I told her clenching my fist tightly as I felt so helpless. I then flew from the house and back towards Aberdeen City. When I got back I phoned my mentor to tell him about everything that had happened. He told me that he’d find out what he could, until then I was to stay in Aberdeen and try to avoid confrontations with Nova.
This was the night that I was to steal ‘The Crystal Horn’ as detailed within the announcement a few days before. The statue itself was that of a crystal unicorn that my mentor had sent me to Aberdeen to steal. I snuck away from the others and looked into my hand mirror to return my visible form back to Amira. When I was like this, mortals couldn’t see what I truly was and even if someone were an enlightened mortal or a Changeling they’d have to look in the mirror to see the part of me I call Eclipse. The slight downside to this was that I couldn’t use any of my Changeling powers like this as though I were merely an enchanted human. I spent most of the day browsing through documents that my mentor had sent me via e-mail detailing the entire layout of the building where ‘The Crystal Horn’ was on display. It was said that artists would come to view this artwork for inspiration, but the truth was that the artwork stole the souls of artists and the more they were to see the unicorn, the more they lost of their personality, creativity and life. My mentor had said to me that if they were to continue telling people about the wondrous inspirations the artists had received from the artwork, then artists from around the world would come to visit in hopes of being inspired and creativity would eventually be lost forever.
Nightfall came around and I looked into my hand mirror, transforming back into the visual form of Eclipse. I flew up onto the roof of the building and drew an open window on the rooftop of the building that contained the artwork using the wayfarer art so that I’d be able to pass through unseen. There were security guards everywhere and the artwork was surrounded with infrared security beams. There was no way I could get past all that security without a plan and then something perfect came to mind. I created a shadow by shaping my hands and using the moonlight to make it look like someone was beside the artwork. Using the chicanery art I made the shadow look as though it were a real person to deceive the guards and also to shroud the artwork from sight. I then tripped one of the infrared beams and waited as the guards chased after the illusion. Once all the guards had gone past, I dropped in through the open window and drew a small door on the side of the glass panel reaching in to grab the unicorn, but as I picked it up something happened to me and the unicorn started to talk. “You believe in things too much girl. I can see right through to the depths of your soul.” The unicorn’s voice sounded evil, it terrified me. Suddenly from behind it a bright white light swirled around as though the room were somehow submersed in water and the light had the qualities of a fluid nature.
The light now started to take shape holding onto the unicorn as I had been. A pair of bright white wings came out from the back of the shape and the form of a woman was revealed opposite me. She had long golden hair and bright golden eyes. She laughed as she looked back at me.
“I am your other half.” She said. “You may call me Nova Solaris. Now come into my embrace and let me take care of you.” I don’t know whether it was the way she said it, her name or just her general aura, but something about Nova frightened me. I quickly snatched the unicorn away from her and leapt up through the window using my wayfarer abilities then quickly closing the window behind me. When I was sure I was safe, I took the unicorn someplace where I could seal it away and send the artwork to my mentor before shifting back into the visible form of Amira and getting some sleep.
The Second Day
I got the unicorn sent up to my mentor via express delivery first thing in the morning. It was a bit pricey, but my mentor had already put money in my account to cover the expenses. I was a bit worried about what I had experienced involving ‘The Crystal Horn’ and Nova so I phoned up my mentor and told him the whole of what had happened. He seemed a little uncertain, but told me he would look into it. In the meantime he mentioned that I should stay in Aberdeen for the time being and that I should be careful about where I go and who I talk to about this. Later that day my mentor phoned me back to let me know he had received ‘The Crystal Horn’, sealed up its power and locked it away for later examination.
The Third Day
My mentor phoned me up in a slight panic. He asked if I touched the statue with my bare hands. When I told him that I did, he told me a little more information. According to my mentor ‘The Crystal Horn’ had somehow used the power of the souls it had stolen to access the power of my belief. The resultant creation was a manifestation of me, but at the same time opposed to me. Because of the souls contained within it, Nova was halfway between being a full changeling and being a chimerical manifestation. According to my mentor, Nova would have all of my memories up until the point that I touched ‘The Crystal Horn’. The name Nova Solaris is the name she gave herself based upon my knowledge and seemed to indicate that she was opposed to me despite what she said to me in our first meeting.
The Fourth Day
I had been making sure to stay away from familiar areas. It seemed as though someone was watching me though and when night fell she appeared before me.
“I thought I’d find you here, my dear Eclipse…or would you prefer to be called Amira when your true self is hidden?” She smiled as she walked towards me.
“Running away to where you can be alone from me. Am I really that terrifying that you’d shun me out of your life?” I backed away from her as she approached, she knew it was me even although I appeared human just now, of course she would…she had all of my memories from before I touched the statue.
“All I want is for you to accept me.” She stepped forwards, backing me against the wall. Without the ability to use my powers I was helpless. Quickly I reached down for my mirror, but Nova had already grasped hold of my wrist.
“I can’t have you doing that now, my dear.” She spoke before kissing me. I could feel light and pain flooding through my body as the scene changed to an endless world of light ground and dark sky meeting at an infinite horizon. I was now a little taller and my hair was purple meaning that I’d somehow shifted into the form of Eclipse. In front of me stood Nova, smiling as her long golden hair flowed out across the back of her glowing white wings.
“What did you do to me, where have you taken me?” I asked her.
“Oh, you mean this…” She laughed a little. “I haven’t taken you anywhere. This is where you’ve always been, inside Amira Sintent. The only difference is that I’ve come to join you here.” Before I knew it Nova was right beside me cradling my head against her chest while gently stroking her fingers through my long purple hair.
“I can make it so that you don’t feel any more pain.” She said with a gentle voice.
“Just accept me as a part of you and I’ll make sure you have an eternally happy dream. Give me control over your body and you will never need to suffer again.” I was starting to fall asleep in her arms and had almost accepted her offer when suddenly Luna broke through the horizon of light and shadow then attached herself to my back, becoming my wings.
“No!” I said, breaking free from her as I flexed my wings and flew away from her between the light and dark. I found myself slumped against the wall and Nova was expelled out from within me to land nearby. Without a second thought I ran away and found someplace safe to rest. Of course with her around, I doubted that anywhere would be truly safe.
The Fifth Day
I awoke to the sounds of my mobile ringing and quickly answered it. It was my mentor again. He told me that he’d been looking into the artwork’s history and discovered that the artwork itself had been crafted by an old changeling craftsman who lived out in an area just outside of Aberdeen called Westhill, but he’d apparently vanished some time ago. He gave me the last known address of the changeling and told me I should probably speak to him about the problem. I told my mentor about the situation I had yesterday with Nova and he sounded somewhat concerned for me.
“Your best bet is to seek out the man I mentioned earlier and ask him about the artwork. He should be able to give you more information regarding your new friend, but I’ll continue to research it and see what I can find out. Good luck to you and please be careful.” He told me before ending the call. I made preparations to go to Westhill and find the changeling mentioned in the address. The location was easy enough to find, but nobody was home. I decided to wait around and slept in the cellar around the back of the house.
The Sixth Day
I woke up feeling very uncomfortable after being in this uncomfortable cellar all night. It was quite cold and it looked as though my wait had paid off. The front door was now open. I gave a knock and rung the bell but there was no response. Cautiously I stepped inside.
“Hello, is anyone home?” I called as I walked into the house. I looked around and seen an open door that I walked towards. It opened into a small workshop, full of many artworks. The old man sitting down didn’t look much like a changeling, yet he didn’t seem to mind me being here. I looked into my mirror and changed into the form of Eclipse. Even if he was a mere human, he should’ve seen the large jet black wings on my back. He just seemed to not care about it and continued with his artwork.
“Could you pass me that clamp youngster?” He asked. I nodded, infusing it with some glamour before handing it to him. As soon as he took it, things were clear that he was a changeling.
“Whoa, it’s been a while since I felt like this.” He then looked to me and smiled. “I don’t usually do this anymore, but I’ll listen to you since it looks like something is troubling you child.” I told him the story of ‘The Crystal Horn’ and of Nova Solaris.
“Ah, ‘The Crystal Horn’, more trouble than it was worth to make.” He began. “Back in the days the Motley I was part of were battling the dantain. They were unable to kill them though and the dantain were increasing in numbers, ‘The Crystal Horn’ was our last attempt to destroy them. By storing enough energy from souls we could in theory create a chimerical changeling that would be unaffected by the ravages of banality because of a remote belief from someone outside the area of the dantain’s area of effect. That being the person with enough belief in the power contained within ‘The Crystal Horn’ to create something lasting from the souls. Unfortunately we didn’t realise that disbelief could be used in a similar way. It wasn’t too powerful back then, but when the dantain got its hands on ‘The Crystal Horn’, a dantain sustained of its creator’s disbelief was formed. It had all the memories of the dantain as well as the will and persona of the souls that have built up inside it. The remote dantain required the will of the dantain if the dantain wanted it to do its bidding, though since the dantain disbelieved it so much the creation became stronger and wanted to become more real. It turned on its creator and we all seen it go inside her. That was when the explosion of disbelief hit us all. I don’t entirely know the end result, but there is one of three possible outcomes to such a fusion. Either the creator exerts it’s will over the creation becomes the dominant mind, the creation surpasses its creator and becomes the dominant mind, or the two become some kind of hybrid mind. Whether the hybrid mind manifests as a split personality or a perfect unison is unknown to me, but from what you told me I now realise that you can stop the fusion from occurring. I’m glad it was another changeling who touched ‘The Crystal Horn’ and not another dantain. That might’ve caused the entire changeling population to vanish. You said your mentor sealed the powers of my artwork, of that I am truly grateful. Please be careful though, there are two worlds in the life of a changeling. There is the mundane world and there is the fantastical world. The mundane world is like fire, it keeps you warm, but with too much it can burn you. The fantastical world is like ice, it sparkles prettily in the light, but with too much you end up frozen. You need to mediate your will upon them like water and wind. Water can put out flames or melt ice. Wind can spread the flames or chill the air. I can tell you believe very strongly in the fantastical world. If you believe too strongly in Nova’s power then she may become unstoppable. Now that ‘The Crystal Horn’ is sealed none others like her will be created, though the only way for her to truly vanish is for you to accept her into you otherwise you’ll be stuck with her trying to get you forever. My fourteen year old granddaughter is coming to spend the night! It would be nice if you stayed over and played with her. Oh and I believe this is yours.” He handed me some money and returned to his mortal visage returning the glamour I had given him as he continued to work, unconcerned by my presence once again. I looked into the mirror and resumed the form of Amira before awaiting his granddaughter. Evening came around and I was calmly introduced to her. The girl’s name was Estella. She had long dark brown hair and crystal blue eyes. We ate together then played together until nightfall.
The Seventh Day
When I awoke, Estella was gone. I walked downstairs and seen her in the kitchen chopping food. Something was wrong though, I could tell.
“No, get out of my head.” Estella screamed. “I’ll take care of things, for you. I’m in control of my body…not some ghost who wants to become real.”
“What’s wrong Estella?” I asked.
“Haven’t you already figured it out?” The voice of Nova spoke from Estella’s lips as the bright feathery wings emerged from behind her and Nova’s long golden hair superimposed itself through Estella’s.
“Nova… Why are you doing this? How did you…?” I asked panicking.
“How did I know where to find you?” She laughed. “Well let’s just say that our mentor isn’t the only one who can do research my dear.” I looked into the mirror on the wall to my right and looked back to Nova in the form of Eclipse.
“Leave the girl out of this Nova.” I told her. Nova just laughed.
“You know what I want is to become one with you my dear Eclipse, so until you give yourself to me I’m going to keep this body.”
“Then I’ll just have to steal it back from you.” I told her as I rushed towards Nova. Nova smiled and pulled the old man in front of her with a knife to his throat.
“Oh, I wouldn’t try it unless you want this girl’s grandfather to die.” Nova said with a threatening smile. I stopped for a moment and I could see Nova struggling to focus as a few tears formed at Estella’s eyes.
“Run Amira!” She spoke, defying the will of Nova. “Run far away.”
“I will find a way to save you.” I told her clenching my fist tightly as I felt so helpless. I then flew from the house and back towards Aberdeen City. When I got back I phoned my mentor to tell him about everything that had happened. He told me that he’d find out what he could, until then I was to stay in Aberdeen and try to avoid confrontations with Nova.