[Caster had only just woken up when Kate’s message about the statues went up- at the time it hadn’t entirely sunk in what exactly these meant or represented, not really. She’d originally written it off as the Fae being excessive or premature in their actions, but…

Now she was here, looking up at a beautifully carved statue of herself right at the entrance to Elphame. A statue that, despite depicting her in all of her shadowy splendour, proclaimed her to be an ‘Otherworld Hero of Avalon’.

It was… equal parts jarring and overwhelming.]

This can’t right… me? A hero?

…Haha……

[It wasn’t like her usual evil cackles. It was small, incredulous- Is that honestly how this world saw her, now?]

[Caster, of course, had attended the meeting with the Fae Queen in her usual suspicious attire- cloaked in dark robes that covered half her face, and a shadowy aura that constantly clung to her as she moved.

So they were being trusted to lead these rituals, hm? Whilst she was a little frustrated that the Fisher King wasn’t continuing to suffer…

…Caster was always someone who reflected how she was treated. And since being proclaimed a hero. Someone trusted. Part of her desperately wanted to do this right. That was her primary focus now.

Thankfully, magic rituals like this were something she knew she had strength in.]

…The task seems simple enough. Tell me- do you have any experience in such things?

Hah…this feels as if it should be Rider’s job, rather than mine.

Come, I need your help.

[It was, perhaps, to be expected that the Pegasus who’d caught Caster’s attention was one with a beautiful black coat- flecks of dark blue and purples coming into its mane, tail and almost bat-like wings. And it at least seemed open to working with her. That was a start.

As well as readying her mount, she’ll be greeting those who’ve come to join her on this mission- grateful for those who have her back.]

…I appreciate you joining me. Have you been able to bond with a mount, yet?

[Her familiar is sat on her shoulder- and the house cat sized skeletal dragon will be trying to rush over and climb on anyone she’s close to by way of greeting.]

The circle’s almost ready- if anyone needs me to explain Synchronic Magic or needs additional supplies for their terrariums, do let me know.

[She’d done Synchronic magic in the past, after all, and had brought some of her diorama making supplies with her for just this occasion, so hopefully she and her companions had all basis covered.

Caster kept her twisted ritual knife Rulebreaker close by as she thought over what needed to be done. Protecting the circle was her biggest concern, of course- after all, she knew that she’d be taken out quickly if anyone got close to her whilst she was weaving her magic. She nibbled her lip nervously in thought.]

…Perhaps we ought to set some traps.

[It was go time. Everything was ready. Caster glanced to the people ready to support her and gave them a nod- under the cover of the night and lit only by the calamity at the end of the world, they were ready.

Then, she took a deep breath, gripped hold of her staff and stepped into the circle.]

O Goddess Hecate- grant me your blessing…!

[And so, it begins…

... ... ...

Once the ritual was all taken care of, it was all she could do not to stagger as she realised the darkness from the magic circle. It was over. It had worked…!

Although she was exhausted, she couldn’t help a smile come into her face.]

…Well. That settles that, doesn't it?