As Blake relaxes on the edge of sleep, you reach out to her soul, seeking knowledge as you have before. You have already observed changes since your merge, and it is important that you understand not only what has changed but why as well. Your merge, after all, was an event that has never occurred before. So you allow your awareness to expand outward from both the Flame and Blake's own soul, observing how her magic swirls and pools, how her soul distills your energy.
And Blake stirs. Obsidian...? One of her hands rises to her chest, grasping at the air. I... feel strange. What is that?
I am examining your soul; the consequences of our merge must be understood.
She blinks once. I... I can feel you.
Curious. Your senses have expanded.
She stares at her hand intently, and you can feel her Aura stirring at the edges of your power. Finally, she takes a deep breath and relaxes back against the bed. It's not unpleasant. I was just surprised. Do... whatever you need to. Will you tell me what you learn?
If the knowledge is safe, yes.
She merely nods and closes her eyes, and you return to your examinations. Still... she has not sensed you since you last Danced with her Aura. Has her magical sense improved... or is she merely sensing you?
As you compare her soul to your previous analyses, you come to several conclusions. First is the taste of her magic, which has subtly changed. Blake has always had a talent for filtering your power through her soul, but it seems her recent evolution has seen changes here as well. Her magic has grown, becoming a lake to your own ocean of power, and a pure form of your energy constantly trickles into her soul, twining together with her own power until they are inseparable and barely distinct... If the depths of a lake connect to the ocean, and water flows freely between them... at what point does the water cease to belong to the ocean? Is the distinction even relevant?
Your focus is drawn to the point where her soul connects to you. The portal carved upon her Aura's origin, drawn in imitation of the Frozen Flame – a connection that cannot be severed or sealed, so long as Blake's soul remains intact. From here, she siphons your power and integrates it into her greater soul. It is similar to how Penny converts your power into her Aura, but at the same time distinct – Penny turns your power into more of her self, while Blake has made your self part of her soul. You have some ideas what effects this strengthened connection might have, but it is all conjecture. Until you see it in action, you cannot be certain. Still... you have a feeling that Dreaming with Blake may be more effective now, in a number of ways.
Besides the doorway, her soul is mostly unchanged. There are signs of strain where you channeled your power during your merge, but they are already healing. It seems her soul has survived with no permanent changes. You are almost satisfied, and yet... your Arbiter has behaved differently since the events of the battle. There are numerous reasons why this might be, and many of them have nothing to do with your merge.
All the same, you resolve to watch her closely.
"The nature of magic? Hmm..." Veve tapped her chin in thought. "Well. Mother wouldn't be happy if I taught you Cielan arts, but I suppose a trade of knowledge should be fine. I can't teach you, but I'll explain some of the theory... if you'll do the same for your own magic. It's... different. Denser, almost?"
Blake chose to ignore the way Salem almost immediately set her book aside as the conversation topic shifted. Obsidian? They're your secrets as well.
A fair trade. The knowledge will avail them little without access to my energy.
"All right. I... can't tell you everything either. There are secrets that aren't mine. Hmm... I admit I'm not entirely sure where to begin." Blake held her shadowed hand out, tapping her fingers across the table in thought.
"What is it called? Your magic." Salem's interjection was not unexpected, but Blake had expected her to wait a bit longer; she was usually rather quiet. Then again, magic did seem to be her favorite subject.
"It doesn't really have a name."
There's a moment of silence as the sisters blink at her. "It... what?" Veve seems stupefied.
"Very strange. Nearly all organized systems end up with a name, even a simple one."
Blake winced. "Calling it an organized system might be a bit strong."
Salem's eyes narrowed slightly. "...How many practitioners does it have?"
Blake frowned. "I suppose... between one and five, technically."
"...What?"
Blake leaned back, toying idly with her hair as she glanced to the side. "Technically, my teacher taught four students, but I'm... not sure where the other three are."
"That would leave two. You and your teacher. Unless they're...?" Veve seemed conflicted by the question.
Blake shook her head. "I... don't think it's accurate to say that my teacher uses the same style of magic she taught us. Her magic is... a lot greater than ours."
The sisters shared a look that Blake couldn't quite decipher. After a moment, she coughed. "Should I continue?"
"Yes. Please." Salem smiled eagerly at her, and Blake settled in as her thoughts drifted slightly.
"Well, from what I've seen your magic is tied to your souls. It's born from the soul, and it burns that energy to fuel itself. I... don't know the exact mechanics involved, but I can guess at a few of them. It's clear that it can be taught in a systemic fashion, and different people can learn the same general techniques." A shrug. "My magic... it isn't like that. Not really. It's... related to my soul, but it isn't the same at all. I was given a seed of power from my teacher, and that seed blossomed in tandem with my soul into something linked to but distinct from me. The well of my magic is separate from the well of my soul, and even if it runs dry I can still fight."
"So your magic originated from your teacher? Can you pass it on to others in the same way, then?" Salem drummed her fingers across the table, eyes shining.
"N-Not exactly.," Blake stumbled, blinking in confusion as the words slipped from her mouth before shaking her head. "It runs in families, or at least I believe it does. Other than that... not normally, but it might be possible under certain circumstances. It's mostly the purview of my teacher."
"Your specific magic... it's tied to your shadow, isn't it?"
Blake shifted in her seat. "To a degree. Originally, my shadow was just... convenient. Now, though... I don't know. After using it for so long, it feels odd to use others. Impersonal, I guess? Like wearing someone else's clothing." There was a pause in conversation as each girl's thoughts drifted.
Finally, Veve broke the silence. "Our turn, then. Hmm... Well, as you guessed, Cielan magic is tied to the soul. There's a particular state of mind that is required, like a trance of sorts. Once you achieve that, you begin producing magical energy and can sense the same. From there, it's just a matter of learning to shape it."
Blake nodded slowly, aware of the weight of Obsidian's attention. "I see."
"There's more nuance to it than my sister makes it sound," Salem added. "It isn't easy to learn, by any means, but it tends to be well documented. Hopeful trainees can find many old techniques in the libraries, if they're approved. In fact... there are a few famous scholars that never learned to produce their own magic, but were masters of producing formulae to shape others' magic."
"That's... interesting. I don't believe that sort of thing works for my-" School? Style? "-practice. The most I can think of is collaborative enchantment between multiple magicians."
Salem's eyebrows rose. "That's... impressive. Cielan magic tends to not mix well; the energy is too unique. Do you think-" Veve's hand came to rest on Salem's own, and Blake saw the minute shake of her head. Salem's eyes narrowed before she coughed into her hand. "...Well. I suppose that's the limit of what I'm allowed to share."
Blake sat up, stretching her sore back. "I understand. Thank you for giving me much to think about."
Something about the conversation... tickles at you. Some bothersome truth that you, at first, have difficulty pinning down. There was little new information, certainly, but that isn't what bothers you. It's as if... what you saw and heard are subtly different from what you expected to see and hear, and the dissonance is rippling through your thoughts.
You consider the three participants and their contributions. Veve led the conversation well, walling off poor avenues of inquiry and guiding Salem and Blake to keep them on track – as expected from the eldest. Salem was ravenously curiously in a familiar way, seeking new knowledge and yet also reveling in sharing her own... also as expected.
And Blake, your Arbiter...
...
The way she spoke was odd. Not what you have come to expect... and some of the things she spoke of displayed knowledge you have not shared with her. Her thoughts, too, seemed strange... as though viewed through a familiar filter...
The answer is so obvious that you nearly miss it, and yet a memory rises to the front of your mind: Ruby Rose, beyond excited to share with her team the theories she learned from Melchior.
And like that, you comprehend.
Blake... has Dreamed of you.
An unexpected knock on the door startled her slightly, and Blake's hand briefly twitched towards the nonexistent weapon on her back. With a sigh, she rank her fingers through her tangled hair and went to answer it.
As she cracked the door open, her caution only grew as she took in the vague tension in Salem's shoulders and stance. She glanced one direction and then the other before locking eyes with Blake and speaking in a quiet tone.
"Magic is something I am no longer allowed to discuss with you in private. However... I seem to have misplaced my notebook. How foolish of me. Fortunately, I have a keen memory, so I will be making a new copy in the coming days." She shook her head, blonde hair cascading in front of her face and casting shadows across it. "I do have a habit of talking to myself as I work, though. I'm glad few others in the tower frequent the library as often as I do... I'm sure no one will be bothered." She smiled, and Blake could see a hint of spite. "If you find my notebook, would you let me know?"
Hesitantly, she nodded... and Salem's smile turned more genuine as she slowly stepped backwards before hurrying back down the hall.
You turn the implications over and over in your mind. You cannot be certain what she has learned, but that is not your primary concern. In all your examples, Dreams have had a modicum of influence upon the Dreamer... and Blake most of all, as you recall her losing herself to Janus.
On the other hand, the influence seems to fade with time... and the Dream would explain her newfound talents. If she has learned even the tiniest hint of your own magical techniques...
No. You focus tightly and consider. If she overcomes the Dream's influence and merely retains her knowledge, it will be a net positive result. If she does not... your Arbiter will have taken a notable step closer to you. Not entirely undesirable, but you would prefer if she remained herself.
Either way, you will remember this in the future. Your ability to merge consciousness must not be abused. If she Dreams of you each time, then each Dream will amplify the hold of your own perspective upon her mind.
Too many Dreams, and she could become a living Flame, possessed of her own will but so consumed by your mind that she would be indistinguishable from you.
Now, the question: Do you warn her of your Dream's influence upon her? If you do, will she avoid it... or embrace it?
Despite your burgeoning understanding of your Arbiter... you cannot be certain.
Dream Revealed: Orphan Beyond Time [Synergy Bonus: Blake Belladonna] - An incomprehensible mind, torn away from its kind and left alone among all worlds. A being of immense power and intelligence, without context to give structure to its thoughts. A lonely god, seated without peer atop a throne of magic... T̴̡̡͢ǫ͞ ̢̛̀͜a͠͠ ̡̛͡g̶̷̨̢͢ ͡ ̨̢̕͢͟h̵̴͘͜͠ ̨̡͝b ̶̵͞͝͡n͠͠ń̷͏ ́ ̵̢͜͜͝ź͜͜ ̵̡́à̧f̨͏g͏̢ [Grants Blake increased magical skill, knowledge, and Symbiosis with you. Increases her ability to understand you and your perspective. Brings Blake closer to ?. The Dream is incomplete. Perhaps for the best?]
Skill details revealed: Transcendent Magic: E++ - The ability to manipulate energy by will alone, transformed through contact by a greater mind. An inhuman method of spellcasting: the first step on the road to true mastery. In theory, by progressing along this path, all magic may be learned, for the concept of "limits" are meant for lesser beings... For the time being, the difficulty of all Shadow-type magic is decreased, and other elements may be learned.
A/N: I apologise as usual for the delay. This chapter was... startlingly difficult, and I'm still not entirely happy with it. Still, for a Quest, stagnancy is death. Thus, we move on, regardless of the quality of this specific chapter.
Welcome back, everyone.