Dear Altrean.

  I've always been more teacher than mother, haven't I? even as i write this note to you, tears streaming down my face. I can't seem to put any emotion into writing. or into word, when you're around.

  The day has come. this time, It's stupid of me to keep track, but, this is the first birthday of yours i'll miss, and the last time you'll ever hear from me. You'll be taken to a land far from kind. not that this blasted Fae city of Yaelvin has ever been a place you could call home. I'm sure you'll do just fine, well, i know you will. I trained you, after all.

  As for why, well. your father requests you. I've hidden from him long enough. and i'll keep hiding from him. There's no telling what he would do to our people if i.....

  -

  I sigh. putting the note down, i grab a napkin and wipe my tears to no avail. I'm making a mistake. i know i am. I walk over to the mirror. our home is small, by choice, but.

  "it'll feel much smaller with you gone."

  for 18 years, i never told him i was proud, i never told him i loved him. I never will. and the truth of the danger he's about to be in makes me wish the worst. that he was never born in the first place. I slam my first into the mirror, shattering it. after a few breaths. i channel eido into it, returning it to its pristine state. When he comes back in a few minutes. I'll be gone. I couldn't even finish the damned note.

  I close my eyes, channeling once again, i'm transported to the top of the grand spire of Yaelvin.

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  "Is it done, Witch?" A voice, chancellor Tiran, says. He's waiting with the others.

  Witch, Anya The Witch. a title i've earned for being the strongest, and most detested woman in Yaelvin.

  "obviously. just because you can't perform long distance teleportation doesn't mean it would take me more than a few minutes to get it done. oh grand Chancellor." I respond, my voice ice, as always.

  "forgive us for thinking you'd perhaps want to say goodbye to the young prodigy. I do tend to forget that you see your own son as no more than a tool."

  I'm glad my back was turned. His words were true, and yet the urge to split him apart still came, then subsided like a gentle wave. what a sorry, pitiful woman i am.

  I stand, pushing my hat down to cover my eyes. "i only care about one thing. Chancellor, bring your silly council and lets go" I walk past the men. 14 of them, all considered elite in Yaelvin, as crooked as they looked. old, lecherous faces that watched my every moment with sick perversion, couples with Fairy wings, pointed ears, and the purple ceremonial armor.

  he turns, as if getting the last word in was his life's purpose. adding "Yes, This war won't win itself. that's why we put up with people like you." he giggles like a school child, the others joining him in this pointless verbal game.

  Altrean, I could never say it, but i love you. i could never say it, but i will always wish for a life where i could just be Anya Quinn. your mother. not the Witch.