The world swam back into focus for Scout Jones, a disorienting kaleidoscope of shifting shapes and discordant voices. His eyelids fluttered open, revealing a scene that defied all logic. Before him, a figure flickered, a visual anomaly, morphing seamlessly between a robust man and a strikingly beautiful woman. This mercurial being engaged in a heated debate with the infamous Demon Lady, whose reputation already preceded her like a thunderclap. She was the embodiment of allure, a whispered legend, a creature of breathtaking beauty and terrifying power.

  His heart pounded against his ribs, a frantic drumbeat against the silence of the room. He took in his surroundings, the unfamiliar furnishings, the subtle scent of exotic spices, the unmistakable aura of raw, untamed power that permeated the air.

  He was inside the Demon's dwelling, a place the guards whispered about in hushed tones, a place where even the bravest scouts dared not approach. A wave of nausea washed over him, followed by a chilling fear that gripped him like a vice. He swallowed hard, the sound amplified in his ears.

  "It's not my fault you can't keep the illusion up when you move. You'll just have to practice, Hiro," Bathilda’s voice cut through the tension, sharp and clear. Her gaze, crimson and intense, snapped to Scout, pinning him in place. "Great! You're awake. Hi. I'm Bathilda," she said, her tone suddenly warm and welcoming.

  She seized his hand, her grip surprisingly strong, and shook it vigorously. "I'm sorry for scaring you before. I didn't think you would just collapse. I've checked you over though and made sure your vitals are ok. I'm happy to report you're all good."

  His eyes darted between Bathilda and the ever-shifting Hiro, a bizarre spectacle that added to his growing unease. Hiro’s arm, currently a feminine, slender limb, waved erratically in the air. Bathilda, oblivious to his discomfort, continued, her voice laced with amusement.

  "This is Hiro. Ignore his complaints. He's just a little sore that he can't make himself look the way he wants to at the moment. He's actually a man trapped inside a woman's body. Would you believe it?" She let out a light, almost musical laugh. "Now you know us, who are you?"

  Her eyes, like polished rubies, sparkled with anticipation. Scout Jones felt a cold sweat prickle his skin. Bathilda’s kindness seemed genuine, but her reputation, built on acts of devastating power, painted a different picture. The other scouts, their stories amplified by fear and rumour, had transformed her into a terrifying legend.

  "M-My name is J-Jones Jones, but everyone calls me Jonesy, Mam. Miss? Lady!?" He stammered, his voice a pathetic squeak. The sheer presence of Bathilda, the tangible aura of her power, was enough to paralyze him with fear.

  "Bathilda is fine. Also, you don't need to be so afraid. We don't kill people, you know? Just monsters." She reached out, placing a reassuring hand on his arm. The gesture, intended to soothe, sent a jolt of terror through him. He recoiled, his eyes wide with fear. "Why are you so afraid of me? I don't look that frightening, do I?"

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  With a flick of her wrist, a shimmering, hand-held mirror materialized. Bathilda peered into it, scrutinizing her reflection. Her eyes, pools of crimson, met her own. A smile, radiant and captivating, spread across her face. Her hair, a cascade of shimmering white, flowed like liquid moonlight. She was a vision of ethereal beauty, a goddess in mortal form.

  Yet, Scout Jones was not captivated. He was petrified. His gaze remained fixed on the floor, his body trembling. Finally, he found the courage to speak, his voice barely a whisper. "N-No, Miss Bathilda. It's just you're surrounded by such dense-purple mana it's hard to comprehend."

  "Purple mana?" Bathilda’s brow furrowed.

  "Could be your Aura," Hiro mused, his image still wavering. "Back home, we'd say it's your inherent energy, what you naturally project. Jonesy' saying it's your Mana, which… might be the same thing? Honestly, I'm still figuring out the differences between worlds."

  Bathilda nodded, absorbing the information, until Hiro’s uncertainty left her frowning. “Alright. Now we're getting somewhere. How do I tone it down so that people won't be afraid of me?” She asked Jonesy.

  “D-Don’t you have a skill to control your mana? Everyone leaks a little, but yours is insane.” Jonesy asked, his eyes still fixed on the floor.

  Bathilda scanned her skill list, finding nothing related to mana control. Disappointment flickered across her face. She had spent most of her skill points on (Creation).

  "I don't know if this will work or not," she said, her voice a hesitant whisper. She held her hand out, palm upturned, and a faint, almost ethereal glow began to coalesce. It was a flicker of white light, like captured starlight, that danced and pulsed just above her skin.

  The light intensified for a moment, a brilliant, almost blinding flash, and then, just as suddenly, it vanished. The air shimmered, the residual warmth fading, and in the space where the light had been, nestled in the center of her palm, lay a delicate diamond ring. It was a flawless stone, catching the ambient light and throwing back a thousand tiny sparks, set in a band of intricately woven silver. She stared at it, her breath catching in her throat, a mixture of disbelief and wonder in her eyes. "Well," she breathed, her voice barely audible, "I suppose it did."

  (Bathilda's) Ring of Control

  Price: Incalculable

  - A beautiful ring that absorbs the Aura of its wearer. Simple yet elegant for all occasions. Will break after reaching the maximum amount.

  Current Consumption: 1,954/1,000,000

  As she slipped the ring onto her finger, the oppressive aura around her vanished. Scout Jones’s jaw dropped. "Woah!"

  "Can you see me better now?" Bathilda asked, and he nodded, his eyes wide with awe. "I've been waiting for someone to come and talk to me for a while now. You see, I'm a Healer and I came here specifically to provide aid to your city."

  "You did? What of the other cities and towns? Did you pass them on your way? Are they still... OK?" His voice was laced with concern.

  "Honestly? Yours is the first I've come across since leaving the cave."

  "The cave?" Confusion replaced concern.

  "It's not important. Why did you ask about others?"

  "Seriously? The level of monsters keeps rising by the day. The world has been on the decline ever since the Demon King's resurrection. How do you not know that!?"

  Bathilda and Hiro exchanged stunned glances. "The Demon King!?" They asked in unison, their voices echoing in the room, a shared sense of bewilderment hanging heavy in the air.