The Charismatic Charlie Wade

Many years had flown by since Morgana’s last visit to Lucius’s resting place. Though hundreds of years had lapsed, she could
still discern the spot where Lucius’s grave had been.
Despite her having obliterated the tombstone and even the graves themselves having been consumed by the relentless passage
of time, she had an uncanny knack for locating Lucius’s burial site.
Though she knew his body wasn’t entombed here, Morgana still regarded this place as the closest connection to her older
brother.
At that moment, her heart brimmed with sorrow, remorse and a touch of bitterness. Her emotions surged and like an unbidden
tide, the events of that fateful year flooded her thoughts.
Initially, Morgana’s rush of affection and impulsive feelings for Lucius, followed by his abrupt disappearance from her view, had
led her to believe that he must have been dispatched to Maria with the ring bestowed by their mentor. Thus, she had hastily
departed the mountains and embarked on a journey in search of him.
Yet the road from the Mountains was perilous and far-flung and Morgana was still a prime fugitive hunted by the rebel court.
Undaunted, she undertook great trials to reach Diannan, only to find Lucius’s body already missing, consigned to the earth. It
was then she learned the grim truth, her older brother, whose cultivation outshone her own, had met his demise by her own
hand.
Truthfully, she hadn’t intended to end Lucius’s life. Her aim was to seize the Eternal Green Pill that their Master had left in
Lucius’s care, along with the enigmatic ring.
Moreover, in her estimation, given Lucius’s prowess, even a stab to his heart shouldn’t have proven fatal.
After all, Lucius wielded mastery over reiki. Though his cultivation remained nascent, his reiki wasn’t wholly lacking, enabling him
to temporarily stabilize his injuries and progressively recuperate by harnessing his spiritual essence. His wounds would mend
and vitality would be restored, in a mere month or two, he’d be whole again, as he had been.
Once in Diannan and after much inquiry, Morgana received the unthinkable news, Lucius had been interred, a truth she
struggled to fathom. Only through persistent questioning did the reality settle in, Lucius was indeed gone, with his daughter
arranging his burial.

Regret was now beyond her reach, for no matter how she lamented, the dead could not be reclaimed. So resentment seeped in,
a belief that Lucius had chosen death over her love, a love spanning the ages.
And so, she vented her rage upon Lucius’s tombstone and even upon Maria’s mother’s, abstaining from returning for years. Her
absence wasn’t because she’d moved on from Lucius, but rather, in over three centuries, she still could not banish his memory
from her heart.
And now, kneeling at Lucius’s grave, Morgana whispered with emotion, “Brother Lucius, vividly I recall our first encounter. Back
then, you were thirteen or fourteen and I, a mere twelve or thirteen, yet at that sight, love took root. From that day, I awaited your
presence in our home, longing to glimpse you. Outside my brother’s chamber, I’d eavesdrop on your weighty discussions...”
“Upon hearing your plan to forsake the pen for the sword, I learned to bind my hair and wield the sword and spear, practicing
ceaselessly. I yearned to stand by your side, to fight at your flank, to assist in your battles. Then, I concluded I’d stand with you
for a lifetime. Wherever you ventured, I’d be there; whatever your venture, I’d share it. I’d follow your sword into the rebel ranks
or return to the fields, forsaking strife, to stand at your side. Such were my thoughts, such my devotion.”
“When you and your elder sister founded the Warriors Den, I was the third member of the Warriors Den Association. Though you
and your sister rejected my inclusion, I remained steadfast, declaring intent to stand alongside you both. I cited patriotism as my
motivation, but in truth, I was merely a woman...”
“My allegiance was yours, regardless of Han or anyone. I wished only to be near you, my cherished one. If you declared this
realm for the emperor, I’d march sword in hand against the rebels until the last, if you chose peace in any realm, I’d cast aside
my blade and pledge my loyalty.”
As her words flowed, Morgana’s tears flowed freely. She set alight the final sheet of yellow paper voice choked, “Brother Lucius, I
thought time would sway your heart, but I was blind to the truth, you never loved me. I stood by you from the year of the golden
hairpin to your fortieth year...”
“Twenty-eight years of valor, countless battles, near-death escapes. Amid it all, many worthy hearts sought mine, but only yours
held it. From that first gaze to my final strike, all I gave was for you. But to my dismay, you remained unmoved. My heart’s
lament...”
Now, Morgana wept openly, unable to utter more.

Nori refrained from invoking his spiritual aura, observing Morgana’s faint form through shifting shadows. He sensed tears, yet
couldn’t be sure.
Maria, though she couldn’t make out Morgana clearly, observed the dappled firelight amid the woods. Complex emotions swept
across her features. She’d assumed Morgana’s visit was born of anger for her father, not foreseeing the ritual with the yellow
paper before his grave.
Unbeknownst to her, Morgana, after wiping her tears, opened an old wine jug, pouring its contents onto the burnt offerings.
She murmured, “Brother Lucius, in three centuries, I’ve witnessed the world’s evolution. The more it changed, the more I
yearned to remain. Yet, lacking a Millennial Pill, I have but a century left. Maria, my brother’s sole heir, has eluded me for three
hundred years. My intentions aren’t malicious. Should she willingly yield the ring, I’ll show her kindness. But time wanes,
patience dims. If she obstructs me, repercussions will follow. Forgive me, Brother...”
Pausing, Morgana sighed, “By the way, I plan to scour the mountain vicinity, seeking our Master’s hidden trove. Its discovery
may reconcile us, else Maria and I tread a different path.”
Pouring the last of the wine onto the earth, she whispered, “Brother Lucius, I depart now. When I acquire the pill, I’ll pay respects
again.”
With the wine gone, Morgana arose and exited the forest. She left behind the bustling youths and the rising sun, without a
backward glance. Little did she suspect that Maria, whom she sought for over three centuries, lingered amidst those jovial young
souls.