Journal 16 - Day 13 in Beaumont

**Psychic Paper**
 
(Written in the Queen's French)
This has only just begun, and the strain grows heavier with every breath. I suppose it’s true—like mother, like daughter.
 
I became a surgeon today.
 
We expected to be attacked, but I doubt anyone ever truly anticipates the weight of consequence when it hits—swift and merciless as a train. Still, we made the right decision. Our detour to the magic college of Chilicerea came after Gidget’s tinkering uncovered troubling properties in those vile creations known as blast cans. They’re poisoning people—overdosing those without innate magic, and suppressing it in those who have it. This place where the malicious reality of this worlds unraveling slapped me like I the other woman.
 
Where, the cruelty of people met us head-on.
 
Lux was mangled. Gidget and I shot... --Nearly lost Gidget, if not for Jaxion’s healing. Lux…
The weapon used against her was a dagger laced with time magic—an abomination, mocking Blink herself. It wasn’t hers; it was pretending to be. The pulse and burn I felt upon touching it was “cute” display of control. Blink is a master weaver not a controlling mistress. I can’t stop wondering, though—who among the Deremitru was once close enough to Blink, wrapped up in her ways to manipulate such power? And Lux’s wound, she said, was “a lesson in no going back.” Harsh as ever but hardly unexpected. My hopes of reversing the damage faded with those words.
 
Still, we ran. We worked. We fought to fix her. As a unit, a team. The support the rest of the party provided is what kept Lux alive. Bless these people who selflessly run towards the fire to save a life. I hope they all know how wonderful they are... we rushed her to the medical ward, where Silas and I performed surgery to reattach her fingers.
 
My parents—dark and light. Never to part. A perfect pendulum of balance. After darkness, light will always follow… as my father did my mother. So, before I let the shadows of this story swallow the limelight of this tale, let me honor the good:
Gidget’s curiosity sparked Ildris’ insight, leading to breakthroughs on the blast cans. Echo shielded me—something that touched me more deeply than I expected. Jaxion found a tool for Gidget to keep us safe, and Echo wrestled control of the enemy bots, letting us capture the leader of this pathetic group. Together, our synergy kept Gamby, Xhoya, and Ildris unharmed. The knowledge the precured was worth bleeding for.
 
And yes—we made it to the ward.
 
In a dark room with no doctors, only faith and a training medical video to guide us, Silas and I successfully reattached three of Lux’s four fingers. His nimble hands were godsends. The fourth finger… its fate is uncertain. One-third chance of amputation, one-third chance of never bending again, one-third chance of full recovery. I’ll hold hope as long as I can for the third timeline to reveal itself.
 
I won’t pretend otherwise—I’m exhausted. But pain, in Blink’s fashion, never comes alone.
Still, there is grace among the ashes: I’ve been accepted into the College of Time. Momma C, I hope this brings you pride. While moments passed in Beaumont, I endured a year under Blink’s direct tutelage. My honor deepens beyond measure. Blink has gifted me again. Ildris was my first thread—one I both intimately share with and covet from him. Lux is now my second. She too must never know. Thank you, Blink. The weight is immense, but my devotion to them, too you, is absolute. I look upon the diamond laced threads that connect Ildris to my wings and Lux to my hand, and I swear—I will protect them with my very life.
 
And Blink… don’t think I missed the humor of your choice. The middle finger—truly, touché.
 
Lux is stirring now. Whimpering in her sleep. I should be at her side—before she wakes, and before exhaustion claims me first. Sleep may elude us both tonight.