The Enchanted Forest (Open; Backdated; Aftermath to Once Upon a Time plot)

[neriumoleander]

The metal pierces the dragon's chest, and through it, as the great beast crashes to the ground, its heart. The world quakes as the spell dies. Memories and realities ripple outwards in great waves of voluminous purple and sparks, though only the most sensitive to magic would see its traces. 

There is no time. Nerium apparates to the dragon's side in an instance, but the life has already gone. All is shattered. Her work, her dreams, the gift of magic she has brought upon all. But there is no time to mourn. No time to think of consequences. Traces of the dragon still burn, the spell is still alive within the wood. 

With a rush of whisper and prayer, Nerium closes her eyes and steps within the burning ash that was once a creature of magic. Her words offer sacrifice to the goddesses and to the great deities of old.

The final gust of wind rushes around her, through her, reaches inside of Nerium and pulls her apart. Something like a soul disperses through the woods, resting upon every tree, every trace of ground, every root and flower and animal until they are one. Nerium's magic leaves a silvery sheen upon all it touches. The quickly unraveling spell is repelled upon its boundaries and what remains is an Enchanted Forest, as wild and alive with magic and fantasy as Nerium's dreams.

And a woman. Just a woman. Whose magic has been sacrificed to a higher calling and lives within her no more.  

She stands there frozen for quite some time. Unsure now where the woods end and she begins. And when the final traces of magic finally leave her, Nerium collapses. 

The next several days are difficult. Even the most mundane tasks prove difficult without her innate skills. Steps heavy without levitation, candle flames exhaustively numerous to light. She still has her potions - her books and knowledge - but all that require a higher level of innate power are lost to her. 

It is no matter. She has brought magic back into the world. True, wild magic. When she walks into her wood, she is greeted by unicorns. The hooves of centaurs echo wild in the distance and the water nymphs which once lived only in her pond now inhabit all the waters of the wood.

Even if only a pocket, pure magic rests now in this world once more. And if this be her legacy, Nerium Oleander Grimhilde, Mother of Magic - it is all worth it. 

(ooc: Find Nerium in the woods or use this to address your character's aftermath of the spell)

Comments

[neriumoleander]

"I am uncertain I know what you mean." Her head tilts as she continues examining the girl, trying to take in from her words and stance all she could normally read from the traces and threads of pasts and presents and futures woven around her. "I am the same. But I guess... I am quite different too."

Nerium takes a few steps forward as Aoife calls her forward, but she stops at the open palm, eyeing the hand, observing it without yet taking it before returning her eyes to the girl.

"You have left the world a great deal. But just because I have found mine destiny does not mean yours is complete yet. You are young Aoife Coombs."

[aoife_coombs]

"Really, that again? So are you, Nerium. And you do not carry the world on your shoulders anymore, so try to unwind a little."
She searches the woman's face. "The dragon.. Did its death touch you in more than an emotional way? Is that what this is, are you drained?"

[neriumoleander]

"Oh Aoife. Do you not know? Can you not feel it?" Nerium looks up into the trees, traces of silver shining in answer. "The spell broke but the magic remains here. I gave mine to preserve it. It rests now in the woods here, in the enchantments and creatures and trees."

[aoife_coombs]

"You are without magic? Completely? But that's.. You're a Grimhilde." She frowns. "That's not right. What will we do about it?"
It feels like she need to do so.

[neriumoleander]

"You are correct." She remains rooted in her stance, staring up at the trees. "I am a Grimhilde. Destined for great purpose and power. I have found mine."

Nerium turns to look back at Aoife, a soft smile upon her face. "I am not without magic. I am within magic."

[aoife_coombs]

"Is this where you tell me that we have to cherish our pasts?" Aoife didn't understand a thing about all this, no matter how good it felt. "Or are you for once are going to listen to me, instead of lecturing me."

[neriumoleander]

Nerium closes her eyes. "I have no lecture. Nor words of the past. My interest now rests in presents and futures. What wish you to say?"

[aoife_coombs]

"I.." It has never been this easy, getting a word in.
"Are you sure this will last forever. The forest? And ..is this where you will stay for the rest of your time?"

[neriumoleander]

"It is protected. Mine sacrafice shields its boundaries from all harm. Like a living thing it may fade, die. But imbued with magic, it should last centuries. Millennia maybe, if well cared for."

"It has always been my home. And it will remain such. Where else would I ever wish to be?"

[aoife_coombs]

"Maybe I don't want to feel. My mother always said that I was too stubborn to feel about the rest of the magical world. My elements may well be enough."

She circles. "But it does feel good. Feel right. Well done."