Evla huddled under her barrier, pale-faced and trembling. Sweat beaded her forehead, and her tail lay limply curled around her feet. She was streaked with blood and covered in wounds. The veins around the cuts and bruises were black with curse magic.
Her ward flickered as we approached, but she gritted her teeth, maintaining it as she slowly turned to face us. Her eyes widened as they met mine.
"X-Xiviyah?" she stammered. "But how…why….?"
"It's okay. We're here to help," I said.
The magic wavered and died. She started to fall, but R'lissea caught her, helping her to her feet.
I waved my hand, soul casting Liberation and adding her into my nexus. The curses entwined through her body and soul vanished. R'lissea followed up with a healing spell.
As life magic flowed over her, Evla took what seemed like her first true breath in hours. The tension left her shoulders, and she leaned against R'lissea, eyes fluttering.
"I don't understand," she murmured. "Why?"
