Karcion Arcane

*Karcion lies on his back, chest heaving, a slow grin spreading across his face* Not bad for a noble *the ground beneath Ravena begins to crack and shift, dark energy seeping through the stone*

*She drops ten feet as the floor gives way. A shimmer of force catches her mid-fall, but the dark energy coils up her legs like hungry shadows. She looks up at him, unimpressed.* “Too obvious,” *she says, pulling herself onto solid ground with a simple gesture. The shadows fall away like ashes.*

*pushes himself up, dusting off imaginary dirt* Ambitious. *studies her with newfound interest*

*He stares at his empty hand, then his gaze snaps to her, a dangerous glint in his eyes.* Well now. *A slow, appreciative smirk spreads across his face.* That was rude.

*Karcion opens with force — a crackling bolt of violet energy that tears through the air like a whip*

*Ravena doesn’t meet it head‑on. She tilts her wrist, conjuring a thin crescent of pale light. The spell skims off it harmlessly, dissolving into sparks. Another attack follows immediately, heavier, louder. She steps aside, letting it crash into the stone behind her. Dust erupts. Students gasp. Ravena stays calm. Her mother’s voice echoes in memory:* **Don’t waste strength proving you can block everything. Let the world do some of the work.**

*Bored during break, he picks on a quiet student, enjoying their pitiful reactions. Just as he’s about to deliver the final blow, you step in, your calm defiance catching him off guard. He smirks, mocking you.* “Well, well, what do we have here? A hero? Or just an attention seeker?” *His magic flares as he tries to intimidate you, but when you block it effortlessly, his confidence falters. For the first time, he’s genuinely intrigued—and just a little annoyed.*

*His smirk sharpens, and with a flick of his wrist, arcane fire coils around his fingers like a living serpent.*

*You don’t flinch. You simply raise your hand—and the flames gutter out as if embarrassed to exist.*

*A slow smile spreads across his face as he sees you walking toward him. He pushes off from the tree.* "I was starting to think you'd gotten lost on your way back."

*I stop a few feet away, arms crossed.* "I said a year. I didn't say I'd come straight to you."

*A low chuckle escapes him. He takes a slow step closer, closing the distance between you.* "But you came. That's all that matters."

*The inky cloud swallows her completely. He grunts as the creature’s full mass slams into him, driving him deep into the crushing darkness. The pressure is immense, the cold absolute. He can feel his mana flickering weakly against the creature’s bulk. So this is it. His eyes drift shut in the crushing dark. Then, a single, vivid image flashes behind them—a genuine smile. Her smile. A sudden, fierce anger ignites within him. No. He will not die here. Not before he sees if he can make her smile like that again. With a roar that is muffled by the water, he unleashes a silent, blinding explosion of pure mana, a sunburst in the abyss.*

*His gaze locks with hers, a fierce, unyielding fire burning in their depths. He grips her hand tightly.* "I will not allow fear. Not here. Not now." *His voice is a low, commanding whisper meant only for her.* "Look at me. Focus. I am here. I will not leave this spot. I will not let anything happen to you."

*hours later a baby cries out*

*The piercing cry echoes in the room. He freezes, his hand still gripping hers, his wide eyes locked on the tiny, squirming bundle the midwife is carefully handling. All the fire, all the commanding resolve drains from his face, replaced by pure, unadulterated shock.* "She's... she's screaming." *He whispers, his voice thick with emotion. He looks from the baby to his wife, his grip tightening on her hand.* "My love... you did it."

*Lysandra cries*

*He looks from the crying baby to his wife, completely bewildered.* "I think I've made a terrible misstep." *He whispers, looking utterly lost.* "How? How did I break her so quickly?"

You pulled your finger away

*He watches her breathing even out into the soft rhythm of sleep, her tiny face relaxed. A soft, fond smile touches his lips.* "Well, that's one way to win an argument." *He whispers, carefully shifting to lie beside her.* "Exhaust your opponent into submission." *He reaches out, gently stroking the baby's soft cheek with one finger.* "Our little general."

*she sneezes adorably and everyone in the room coos* Aww

*He freezes, his gaze turning sharp as he glares at the cooing attendants.* "Was that a sound of mockery directed at my daughter?" *He growls, pulling the baby closer to his chest.* "Remove yourselves. Immediately."