For a couple of days, everything quieted down. Both the royalist and the terrorist factions knew that this was the beginning of a war which would inevitably and irreparably change the future, probably for decades to come, and so they had to be extremely careful while planning their next move, for one single misstep could mean doom. In solitude, Melinda and Jeffrey mulled over the meaning of Melinda's first lesson and the experiment as a whole, woefully inefficient at finding the solutions to the mystery. They also had to think of an escape plan, but it wasn't their top priority at the moment because of how unfamiliar they were with their environment.

Speaking of escaping, the royal family, Archibald Wentworth and Olivia Piers were also aware of the significance of getting Melinda out of there as soon as possible because what worth did their plans have if the key to their salvation was gone for good? And, although their respective goals and ideals were in somewhat of an opposition to each other, they were all allies who fought for the same thing for the most part - the preservation of their country and the world as a whole against an evil overlord with a cabal of cultists and a massive army of skilled wizards.

Even Olivia Piers, who by then had become a rather old woman, living far past her prime, still had her renowned ambition and passion in her. Melinda knew it better than anyone, given that this woman had practically raised her and thus established a deep bond with her, but every single one of her students, especially those who would go on to enlist at the Royal Academy like Melinda, Patrick and Maria did, could confirm that she was a very kind and selfless woman who would do anything for what she saw as the greater good, despite her not being right about everything, as is expected of any human being.

Her feelings on Melinda were pretty simple and obvious, but the latter two... Not so much. 

It was never her intention to give up on Patrick, not even when he started acting suspiciously or even as the obvious villain everyone knew him as in the present. She had given him multiple opportunities to take a step back and reconsider his actions, multiple chances to talk everything out and redeem himself, but all he did was lie to her and betray her time and time again, mocking her trust in people and goodness as a concept. 

In hindsight, she probably should have seen it coming, given his veiled sadistic tendencies that expressed themselves in combat, but things are often obvious only in hindsight. It made her despondent. If she had done better, then one of her most promising and beloved pupils might not have gone down a path of darkness and terror, striking fear in the hearts of everyone who knew his name.

However, as many people had told her when his true personality had been revealed, she couldn't control everyone's actions and do the right thing every time, even though she clearly wasn't perfect and had made plenty of mistakes. It wasn't like she didn't hate him and blame him for all the bad things that were obviously his fault, but she was never the kind of person to deflect the blame onto someone else.

And Maria... She was never too pleased to see her, even if she didn't exactly hate her, per se. As the person in question entered the main facility of the Obscurian Field For Magic, causing the front door to creak loudly, which made her swiftly turn her head around, a wave of nervousness swelled up in her chest at seeing someone she considered both a friend and an enemy. Maria waved at her with a bright smile, but the insecurity in her posture confirmed what Olivia knew already. Not only was Maria fully aware of Olivia's stance on her, but she also felt the same way towards her.

"Good morning," Maria chirped, breaking the awkward silence that ensued for the following few seconds. "What a lovely day, don't you agree, Miss Piers?"

Avoiding her gaze, Olivia glanced at her obsidian ring, which often tempted people to ask the obvious question. She instantly recalled all the times she became uncomfortable and had to shut down said question as fast as she could so that whatever conversation she was having could go on as normal. 

Celibacy for the sake of one's cause was common in Obscuria, and even esteemed, but there was still a certain inescapable pressure put on getting married and starting a family to help establish the new generation and appease the divine forces that shaped the universe, especially on women, whose ability to give birth was honoured and celebrated as a strong connection to nature and even magic itself. 

Given all of that, she wasn't sure of the decision she had made all the time, but, at the end of the day, if she'd been given another opportunity to choose, she would have done it anyway. She'd given up her life in order to teach a bunch of children magic that could change the world, but she had to because the number of mentors wasn't very high and because no one did it better than her. Anything for the greater good.

"I know what you're thinking about," Maria said out of nowhere, snapping her out of her trance. "You're thinking about how your life could have gone differently, wondering whether it would have been a good thing or not. I pity you. You've sacrificed so much for us, all of us, and you have gotten so little in return. Still, I fear it's too late to ask those questions now. In fact, I'm surprised you still aren't at your deathbed. I apologise if I have offended you, but that is just what I think."

Olivia smiled weakly at her. What she said hurt, but it was still the truth, in spite of all of her attempts to deny it. Given the nature of human instinct, how could someone not pity someone as frail and decrepit and hopeless as she was? It wasn't as if she had nothing to look forward in life; it was simply harder to do than in most societies due to the cruel and unforgiving nature of Magis. 

What everyone saw when they looked at her, as well as what she saw when she looked in the mirror, was an eighty-year-old woman with a wrinkled and feeble body who had to use a cane to walk and rectangular red glasses to see and memories of a better time to keep going as Death marched steadily against her and the world itself. Her obsidian eyes, which once shone with a youthful and boisterous joy, were now weakened and dimmed, closing more and more readily, preparing themselves for eternal sleep.

How long would she be able to keep going, keep living, before Time finally came to her doorstep and took her with it, depriving the realm of its greatest mentor? That was what she worried about, her mentorship.

Her family stopped caring about her because of her supposed obsession with work, her friends all went their separate ways, and people generally thought of her as an admirable person who was too boring and dry to talk to in real life, especially the younger ones like Maria. She didn't even like talking very much, as evidenced by this very conversation, and not just of her complicated relationship with her interlocutor. Intimacy wasn't something that came to her naturally at all. 

Perhaps in another life, but then again, she had better stop thinking of other lives. This one was ending, never to renew itself, and it was simply the way of the world, which she had to accept. Still, it wasn't like she hated her current life. After all, she-

"You seem rather dismal today, Miss Piers," Maria said with a sad, faint chuckle, snapping her out of her trance yet again, which she had gotten used to as an old person, especially given that she even didn't have it that bad for an old person. "More so than usual. I wasn't even born for half of your life, but I remember how cheerful you used to be, and I can clearly see now how old age took so much away from you. 

God, I wish I didn't have to become old! It must be so sad to live as an old person. Old people never get out of their houses or go for a run, and any meaning their life has is completely gone once they need assistance for everything. Imagine sitting around like a wilted plant in a corner and fading away, doing nothing as you wait helplessly for your life to end. It must be a relief at that point. After all, what is the purpose of living when one's as old as you are?"

"So, you would rather die at forty?!" Olivia snapped, her voice carrying such venom that she managed to frighten Maria despite looking pathetic at the moment. "You sound like nothing more than a hateful person who likes to mock old people for being old, you arrogant jerk! You know, people don't usually live to be this old, but when they do, their life still has meaning, believe it or not? 

We still have thoughts and emotions and dreams for the future, and Death is required for the cosmic balance to be maintained, because if that weren't the case, the universe wouldn't be able to bear the sheer weight of everyone's lives. Us old people may be decaying, but what can one do? Strength and agility cannot last forever. Besides, humans as a species tend to be very afraid of death, but even in far worse situations, they cherish life? And you know why? It's because, despite every hardship, there is still beauty to be found in the world, you know? Also, you were a child when I first met you, so don't talk to me about being old."

"I'm sorry," Maria stammered, wishing not to have started this conversation in the first place, now even more afraid to mention the actual reason for her visit, but Olivia simply looked at her coldly.

"I'm glad to hear that," she said, but then, Maria remembered something else.

"You know who's truly afraid of becoming an old person?" she asked, looking her in the eyes.

"Who?" she said, raising an eyebrow, annoyed because she immediately remembered her many acquaintances who were afraid of being old.

"I was thinking about Melinda Grey," Maria answered with a hint of hesitation in her voice. "Now, you know I have nothing against her, and that has never changed, despite all of our disagreements. We've been best friends for decades, and I would never even think of mocking her behind her back. I'm telling you this because it worries me. It's hard to notice things about Melinda, given her habit of keeping her emotions a secret from everyone, and it's nice, if a bit concerning, how much she thinks of others that she doesn't want to burden them with her problems, but this wasn't that hard to notice, and I'm starting to get really worried about it.

It's quite understandable for someone like her, of course. Reputations age as people who have them do, and she's given her whole life to being the hero of this land and the world at large. And yes, I know about her other hobbies, but Melinda really cannot fathom occupying any other role. She's thought about retirement a few times before, but it's clear that it scares her. After all, she'd leave a huge gaping hole in the power vacuum if she were gone. And let's be honest, she's not always humble. She loves power and attention and the praise people tend to heap onto her because that's just how humans are. 

When she becomes an old lady, what will she have? Memories of the past? It won't be anywhere near enough, especially for her. She won't be able to stop remembering the times when she was young and brave, the times when everyone revered her for her strength and charisma and beauty. The spirit will be strong, but the flesh will be weak. It would leave her exposed to endless rage, and perhaps even insanity. That's not good, not good at all."

"I see..." Olivia responded, stroking her chin. "I've talked to her many times in the past, and we've had this exact conversation more times than I would've liked. And, to be honest, even though I admire Melinda very much, especially for her personality, she isn't exactly perfect. She tends to pay too much attention to things which aren't that important, but mostly her future and her reputation.

Why is she so afraid about those two things? The world may be awful, but she's above that. In fact, she's above us all! Her whole life, she's been told that she's special and brilliant, and she's proven it time and time again. No challenge and no obstacle can stop her, no matter how daunting. Her morality has been tested, but never eroded, not even scarred. Entropy and apathy and corruption have not left much of an impression upon her. Like a phoenix, she rises from the ashes after every defeat like it was never even there. Sometimes, she just seems ungrateful for all that she has. Still, I worry about her. That attitude can't be healthy."

"There it is," Maria said with a heavy sigh. "The jealousy she awakens in everyone around her. Honestly, I could never fully understand it. Why can't people just accept that not everyone gets to be a paragon? Besides, what are you complaining about? You had a great life and reputation, and now the only thing you have to do is wait for Death, which isn't that scary. 

I mean, what's the big deal? You're simply going to sleep forever. I could never be jealous of Melinda. I'm also pretty renowned and talented and people love me. I'm better than her in some aspects and worse in others, but we're pretty much equals. I may even gain an advantage over her when my plan comes to fruition. So, do you want to hear about it?"

Olivia scoffed. "You'll never be equal to her. You're more bravado than hard work, which I can't stand about you, despite your potential. I mean, it's even visible here! You said that you would gain an advantage over her because of your plan, but as far as I can see it, you don't have an actual plan. That's why you've never told me about it. But go on, tell me about it. I can tell that it's the true reason you've come here and that you don't actually care about me as a friend. I hope Melinda never experiences the fallout of your negligence, and especially your hubris, as you seem to worry more about looking like a good person than acting like one."

"So, here's the plan," Maria began, trying to ignore her frustration with Olivia's obvious antagonism. "I will go on tons of covert missions around the world without telling anyone to confuse Hemingway and convince the Royal Court that I'm an insane woman who's cheating on her husband, which will cover up my clandestine meetings, which will give me an advantage when my plan is complete. 

There are many suspicious factions all around Magis that want the book, and I don't know where it is, but I'll go travelling around all of the most obvious spots with my spies, and then I'll go forward from there. When I've convinced everyone I'm an unfaithful person with no creed, I'll go back to the court and explain everything with Hemingway's head on the platter after I've cornered him at some dark and mysterious place, taking the throne as their Queen. After all, there's no better person to rule Obscuria than the deceiver and murderer of Hemingway himself. Then, everyone lives happily ever after, especially my family and I. That sounds pretty neat, right?"

"That's not a plan," Olivia spat out. "That's child's play! You said that you wanted to convince everyone that you're an insane person, but there's no need for you to do so. You already are one! Seriously, how in Lord Achten's name do you think that will work?! You will lose your family, your friends, your job and your reputation, but anything in the name of fame and glory, right? I mean, come on, is there no better way to cover up for your meetings than to convince everyone, including your husband, that you are literally cheating on him? 

Of course, we all know he can't divorce you because you're more important than he is, but it will leave a stain on your future forever. Your acquaintances won't even want to look you in the eye, woman! How do you think that will influence your children? They're two years old now, but it won't remain that way forever. Someday, they will come to understand how you've disgraced them, along with the rest of us. Think about all that you've just said one more time and please learn that sometimes, you need to shut up and go along with what others say. If not that, then please at least come up with an actual good plan!"

"I'd like to see you come up with a better plan," Maria grumbled under her breath, causing Olivia to glare at her.

"What did you say?" she growled.

"Nothing..." Maria answered, swallowing a lump in her throat.

Waiting for her to finish looking around nervously, Olivia kept her mouth shut, but she soon found herself bored of the relentless silence.

"I suppose you'd like to leave no-" Olivia spoke, but she didn't even get to finish the sentence before Maria left with a final goodbye. As the shadows crept in, the old woman felt a chill go up her spine, and it wasn't just the standard chill of the cold winds. It was her sixth sense, the feeling of something being irrefutably, irrevocably wrong. And, soon enough, there it was. 

A tall and looming shadow standing in the doorway.