The Charismatic Charlie Wade

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the group gathered around a blazing bonfire, the flames dancing in the darkening sky.
Charlie, sensing the excitement in the air, had thought ahead, ensuring the ingredients for the dinner were abundant. But he
went further, acquiring a selection of exquisite wines to heighten the evening’s festivities.
He carefully infused a touch of reiki into the wine, enough to prevent anyone from growing tired, all without leaving a trace,
ensuring their enjoyment and secrecy.
The south’s high plateau setting brought a sudden chill as the night descended, but the warmth of the fire and the spirits within
sustained the group’s comfort. Hector, master of the guitar, and some spirited young singers filled the night with music. Maria,
finding herself easily a part of this lively atmosphere, felt truly relaxed for the first time in a long while.
As toasts flowed and laughter echoed, one young man remarked, “This wine tonight is something else, not like any I’ve had
before. I usually drink much more, but I’m feeling so alive!”
Another joined in, “I’m a bit dizzy, but I don’t feel a hint of being drunk.”
“Absolutely comfortable!” someone chimed in, looking at Charlie. “Bobby, did you bring a rare vintage? It’s different, but I can’t
quite put my finger on it.”
Charlie, with a smile, shared, “The difference you feel is in the atmosphere, my friends. The more vibrant, the more your capacity
to enjoy the wine.”
Hector added, “Bobby’s got a point. Your ability to handle alcohol depends on factors like your tolerance, consumption, and
surroundings. When we’re gathered like this, full of energy and good spirits, the alcohol goes down smoother.”
The man nodded thoughtfully, grinning. “Makes sense! I’m having a blast tonight, so another round it is!”
Leonardo, seizing the opportunity, suggested, “Since we’re all in such high spirits, let’s party until the sunrise, then we’ll rest.”
The group enthusiastically agreed, staying awake, sharing skewers, and singing into the early hours of the morning. They
noticed a few friends leaving the mountain before sunset, but once the darkness set in, they were the only ones around.
Less than twenty minutes remained until sunrise. Everyone added wood to the fire, waiting eagerly for the sun’s grand entrance
from beyond the mountain. The skyline began to shimmer with a golden hue, heralding the impending sunrise.

Suddenly, a sharp sense gripped Leonardo, detecting someone rapidly approaching in the distance. Fearful of being discovered
by Morgana, he activated the mental technique he’d learned from Zeba, tightly concealing his aura. He likened their situation to
submarines in deep waters, detecting each other through subtle means. Those with higher cultivation were like advanced
submarines, harder to detect.
However, even with this technique, there was a possibility that someone skilled enough, like Morgana, could sense them. The
key was to maintain absolute silence, minimizing the risk of being found. Morine had adopted this silent approach, hoping to
avoid detection.
At the same time, Morgana, making her way up the mountain, noticed the group below. Seeing the tents and the gathering of
young people, she thought little of it, assuming they were ordinary campers. Outdoor activities were common, especially among
the youth.
As Morgana approached, Morine caught a glimpse of her in the distance. Despite her age, she radiated beauty and charisma,
not unlike Maria. He was well aware of her strong aura and the formidable presence she commanded.
Sensing Morgana’s scrutiny, Morine drew Maria close, feigning concern for her well-being. He whispered, “You stayed up all
night just for this sunrise, my love... Our first together.”
Maria, grateful for Morine’s diversion, whispered back, “Yes, and it’s worth every moment, even with the late night and the wine.”
Seeing her approach, Morine deliberately glanced in Morgana’s direction, ensuring she saw them engaged in a private moment.
He lowered his voice, remarking casually, “Looks like we’re not the only early risers here. Someone else is enjoying the sunrise.”
Maria joined the act, saying, “Seems like she’s alone too. She must’ve camped nearby and decided to catch the sunrise.”
“It’s a bit odd, though,” Morine mused. “This mountain isn’t the highest nearby. Why choose this spot?”
The conversation between them didn’t raise any suspicion from Morgana. In fact, it had the opposite effect, making her realize
that appearing alone at dawn might draw attention.
Suddenly hesitant, Morgana weighed her options. She wanted to visit Lucius Clark’s tomb, but doing so with this group so close
might be inconvenient. They were merely a couple of hundred meters away. If she ventured in, they’d undoubtedly notice.
In the distance, Morine had sensed Morgana’s shift in demeanor. He looked at Maria, a mix of worry and relief in his eyes. “Did
you see? She’s coming this way,” he whispered to her.

Maria, now nervous and flushed, gathered herself, “Leonardo, you don’t know her,” she whispered back, her voice trembling
slightly. “I’ve avoided her for centuries, and now she’s right here.”
Morine embraced her, hiding the tension he felt himself. “We’ll handle this together. Just act natural.”
As Morgana approached, Morine subtly gestured for Maria to glance their way. “Looks like we’re not the only ones,” he
commented softly, maintaining the illusion that they were simply tourists enjoying the sunrise.
Maria, with great effort, played her part. “True, maybe she’s a sunrise enthusiast like us.”
“But it’s odd,” Morine added, “this isn’t the highest peak. Wonder why she picked this spot. What’s more is that she is alone...”
Morgana heard every word of the exchange. The conversation between the two seemed innocuous, failing to awaken any
suspicions within her. Yet, when Morine subtly voiced his doubts, a sudden shift occurred, causing Morgana to reflect on her own
presence. Alone, so early in the morning, she couldn’t escape the realization that her actions might seem somewhat
unconventional to an outside observer.
Her thoughts, once bent on uncovering something amiss, now turned inward. She felt a sudden urgency to conceal her own
peculiar behavior.
Thus, uncertainty began to gnaw at her, and she thought to herself, “If I were to pay my respects at my brother’s tomb right now,
would these people sense something out of the ordinary?”