The second coming, but not the one you'd expect and introducing the girls to the baby girl

Well, I have done an unseemly deed, I am glad! But inflicting harm upon evil-doers is generally considered a virtuous act, is it not? And if one considers that I have brought a deserving individual back to life from beyond the grave, then my actions are quite befitting of a saint.

Furthermore, should I personally be the one to deal with all the abominations within an organisation that I despise, one that purports to represent the True God on Earth, or should it be entrusted to someone for whom Yahweh is but one among a series of cleverly crafted divine entities that, like leeches, feed off the energy of their own flock? Thus, I have determined that such a weighty and thankless task ought to be bestowed upon one whose faith is the very essence of his being, and there was no one else I could think of but Vencenzo.

Certainly, in all honesty, I ought to have sent him back to be reincarnated in the cycle of Sansara. However, I decided that he should not evade the responsibility of caring for the Christians! Moreover, he has already had a well-deserved rest. Let us consider his temporary departure from the mortal world as a kind of respite, during which he could rest his soul and enjoy life in his own personal paradise. It was good for him. The constant pumping of energies to the limit of their capacity from his spiritual origins has boosted them to such an extent that he has already developed the third, sixth, and seventh layers of his soul to the level of an Archimage and begun to form the eighth, immortal layer of his soul.

With such power, and with my order behind me, I ensured that the chain of the Master — the regalia bestowing authority over the Order of the Creator — which was once part of George the Victorious's arsenal, returned to its rightful owner and adorned the neck of Cardinal Amati.

However, being connected to the egregore of the One did not solely occupy me with the pursuit of Vencenzo's resurrection. My entire mental and magical energies were devoted to exploring the remnants of Yahweh's pantheon, which like an abandoned pup had fallen into my grasp. Having become its master, I now possessed the ability to bestow or withhold the right to wield artifacts linked to the egregore, effectively assuming the role of the arbitrator in the distribution of divine artifacts.. And when one of my subsidiary minds became aware of this fact, it was momentarily perplexed and uncertain in its operations, subsequently commencing to explore all available data and responses within the collective consciousness of the One under the names of Draig and Albion. However, thankfully, they were unable to find anything.

I did not wish to discover that this reality intersected with that of the «High School of Demon» in such an extraordinary manner. My knowledge of the magical communities of Japan and China is limited, so why should I be surprised? The possibility existed, but I chose to avoid the prospect of confronting Trihexa and the other chthonic entities from Issei's adventurous past.

And all would have been well with the egregore of the One, had it not been for one nuance. I sensed a strange presence within it, which could not be classified as either a living or a deceased sentient being, akin to an incarnate concept that had attained the rudimentary faculties of reason but remained in a state of slumber.

The description I offer of the sensations I encountered when I detected the emanations of this entity cannot be deemed wholly accurate or truthful. My comprehension, knowledge, and vocabulary proved inadequate to articulate the full spectrum of feelings and emotions I experienced upon encountering this entity with my awareness.

Thus, I concede that this encounter holds no promise of benefit, and I must confront it with equanimity. Who else could possibly undertake such a task?

I am confident that I am currently the sole rational being who enjoys unrestricted access to the current lagoon and energy farm of The One, as upon my inquiry, "Does anyone else come here?" the pantheon graciously responded to my divine essence, informing me that for the past ten millennia, I have been the only one to have visited this place in my physical incarnation. Along with the response, they provided me with a comprehensive list detailing all its functions and capabilities. However, there was one aspect of the area that caused me significant concern, being inaccessible to the limited comprehension of the egregor's pseudo-mind.

And so I must go forth and confront my anxiety! However, it will not be in the coming month, at the very least. For I have a double wedding, with two beautiful ladies, and a honeymoon immediately following the festivities. I cannot deny myself the delight of satiation, of affection, of tenderness, and of quenching my longing after nine centuries of abstinence! I strongly disagree!!!

Thinking of my girls, I determined it was time for me to return. My clones, without my direct involvement, could manage the triumphant and poignant resurrection of Vencenzenzo. And I had brides and an heir at home!

Upon arriving at my home, I sensed my girls, all three of them, on the third floor. Without teleporting, I descended to the ground floor of the hall, arriving on my own two feet, to meet my beloveds.

I discovered them in a diminutive but cozy chamber measuring approximately forty square feet, which indeed is a rather confined space in comparison to other rooms in my abode. At that moment, Maria was performing the task of swaddling Fesa, who appeared to be fast asleep and showed no intention of responding to the gentle movements of her limbs as she was being wrapped in the soft cloth.

With a glance, she conveyed to me the message to maintain silence, and once she had completed the swaddling process, she placed the infant in the crib and adorned it with protective charms that would activate in case of any disturbance or if the child became unwell. With a subtle gesture, she motioned for me to leave the room. Once we stepped into the corridor, Maria proceeded to share her thoughts and feelings about the baby.

"She is a delightful creature, isn't she? So lovely, like a porcelain doll, and such a sweet temperament. Not once has she been cross or cried, and indeed, she is nothing short of a marvel!" Maria exclaimed with fervor, as Koneka had already snuggled against my hand, clearly anticipating further attention. Her shaggy ginger fur was soft under my touch, and her cat-like ears twitched eagerly. Such a sly little minx, knowing full well how partial I am to her affectionate nature and my fondness for playing with her plush fur and playful ears.

"Very well, then. I am obligated by sorcery to raise this young lady and act as her surrogate father. And as you shall soon become my lawful spouse, these duties shall extend to you as well. And it is quite fortunate that you genuinely take a liking to the girl. Upon you and Koneka I shall place the responsibility of nurturing the young lady into a virtuous and refined lady, instilling in her the grace and decorum inherent in young ladies of noble lineage. I shall be responsible for her arcane education."

"Well, we are not strangers to the art of pedagogy, nor to magic," Maria replied with a hint of displeasure at my division of responsibilities in the upbringing and education of Thessaly.

"I have no doubt about that; after all, I played a part in your magical initiation and education," I replied. "But there is another matter at hand. Your diagnostic spells, which you employed to examine the young girl in order to determine her potential diet, have not revealed as much about her spiritual essence. Her soul architecture differs significantly from that of human beings, Naga, and Nekomat. I cannot say whether this is a unique trait of her race in her home world, or a characteristic shared by all sentient beings there, but there is a blurring of the boundaries between her spiritual layers. And as she grows older, these distinctions will become less discernible, while the interpenetration of adjacent spiritual realms will become more pronounced."

I explained this to Maria, who appeared concerned, and to Koneke, whose expression remained unperturbed.

"I hope this will not endanger Fez in the future?"

"No matter how well-educated Maria is, or how old she is, a woman's heart will always be like this. It is pointless to ask me such a question if I am her magical guardian. If anything unpleasant happens to the little girl, it will come back to haunt me.

And I do not care if I am God now. What is allowed to Jupiter, is not allowed to a bull! I swore an oath before I even had my ninth shell and ascended to the divine realm. All the responsibilities of my non-divine existence are still with me and there is nothing I can do about it, nor would I do it.

I am not an animal. If I took the little girl under my care, I would break, but I will raise her as a worthy representative of the 'weaker' sex, just like my first student. The Medicis can attest to that!"

"Not a threat, but a challenge," she mused. "It would be exceedingly difficult for her to master our magic without my intimate knowledge of the arcane arts of the Kha'Ammarians, the descendants of the Aryan race, nor without the memories of her sire, Archmage Dorsh. I shall have to invest copious amounts of time in applying my knowledge and learning through experience. How else can I impart magical teachings in the manner of Thessaly, if I require assistance in comprehending them myself, having only theoretical knowledge?"

"They are at ease now, never doubting for a moment that I am up to the task," she continued.

I see. It is time for supper, and we must feed ourselves in this household.

This was not a rebuke; it was merely a question. I can read Maria without recourse to any sleights of hand or my extensive magical abilities.

Upon receiving my affirmation, she dispatched me to await dinner, while the girls proceeded to the kitchen for the cooking. Despite the fact that both of them were well-versed in a multitude of culinary techniques and Maria, at the age of thirteen, already possessed the ability to articulate her preferences, they chose to prepare the meal themselves. Koneko assumed the role of supervisor, ensuring that at least some fish dishes were included in the menu. Fish holds a special place in their diet, likely stemming from their island heritage, where it serves as a staple food rich in protein, accessible only to those of greater means.

As the girls immersed themselves in their culinary endeavors, I engaged with my hundred clones in the realm, instructing them to converge at the Citadel, ready for any unexpected developments. In this day and age, the Catholic world finds itself a breeding ground for unscrupulous ecclesiastical figures.

In order to expedite Vencenzenzo's adaptation to his revitalized body, I channeled an immense amount of divine energy through the conduit connecting his relics within my cathedral to his soul in "paradise". This should not only restore his physical form to its peak of vitality but also elevate it beyond its previous state. Considering his enhanced spiritual essence, his body is poised to harmonize with its newfound spiritual shell, with the grace of the collective consciousness, or egregor, guiding him towards optimizing the capabilities of his rejuvenated physical vessel.

The moment Vencenzenzo comprehends the full extent of his newfound capabilities, he will swiftly embark on the task I assigned him in the celestial abode of the Lord — to bring about a state of perfect order within the Church!

There will be a great deal of bloodshed in the coming days, for the current cardinals in power are unfamiliar with the temperament of their counterpart from the past. Vencenzenzo's cool demeanor and uncompromising nature will not allow them to evade confrontation.

He cannot be bribed, and if someone has committed a sin and Amati deems them unfit for their position, at the very least, they will be summarily dismissed from their office and expelled from the Church. And this is the best-case scenario, for most of those holding prominent positions in the Vatican merit immediate execution.

However, neither the discovery of scoundrels nor the swift punishment they deserve at Vencenzo's hands, with the abilities he has acquired with my assistance, will pose any challenges.

What powers am I referring to? How could I return to the realm of the living a wise man who would embody the role of a guardian of justice without the capacity to discern the essence of humanity and its most heinous transgressions?

Having been granted the reins of control over all the powers and energies of the egregore for such a noble cause, I bestowed upon him the ability to summon the Punishing Eye at will, analogous in its functions to that possessed by the Ghost Rider in the Marvel universe. Moreover, I endowed him with the faculty to sense human transgressions, enabling him to more effectively discern the nature of individuals.

Once he acclimates to his new identity, he will attain immortality; his path from Venice will lead directly to Rome. In a matter of days, the Vatican, a cauldron of turmoil, will erupt, scorching all in its vicinity. This is why my agents, currently stationed in the Citadel as backup in case of a church coup, will be invaluable. I have faith in the capabilities of my subordinates, but caution is always prudent. There will undoubtedly be individuals who attempt to enlist my followers in the pacification of Amati, and those who decline will be deemed traitors. My numerous clone-images will swiftly quell the unruly, primarily safeguarding the world from the repercussions of any reckless actions with far-reaching consequences for Earth.. The greedy cardinals, who are representatives of the clans of the patricians at the origin of the Catholic Church, hold positions in their families that are often hereditary. As mages, they may possess dangerous knowledge and artifacts that are concealed within their libraries and repositories.

My illusory clones now assume the role of a European emergency response agency, tasked with swiftly preventing or mitigating disasters and catastrophes.

"Well, here we are! It was a mere instant, yet it took me longer to issue the command than to execute it. What am I to do now?" I mused, realizing that I had spent more time marveling at my accomplishment than directing my clones to action.

Why not now? With this thought in mind, I dispatched one of my duplicates back to Fesalia's chamber, where he conducted a comprehensive ritual of cognitive exploration on the sleeping maiden. Subsequently, I commenced devising a strategy for her cultivation and proper instruction.

To this end, several hundred of my conscious entities engaged in virtual simulations of her experimental training regimen. Within an hour or so, I had calculated approximately one million distinct methodologies. From this vast array, I selected individual stages that demonstrated superior results compared to the remainder.

I then integrated a methodology for magical development, incorporating spells tailored to her unique characteristics, derived from the KhaAmmarian tradition and other elements of the classical Earth school, which I believed would prove most advantageous for the diminutive dark elf. However, my work was interrupted when dinner was announced.

After a delightful and exquisite meal, Maria was particularly preoccupied with today's dinner. She began to discuss the wedding and the upcoming celebration plans.

"So, how would you like to organize it? Will there be a reception in honor of the occasion, or will we celebrate in a small circle of family?" I asked.

"Oh, you dreamer!" I realized, seeing the excitement in my daughters' eyes. "We can only have a grand celebration."

"A gala and proper reception it will be!" Maria declared, and Koneko gravely nodded in agreement. Alas, they have spoiled my cat! Before, she was content with simple caresses in the form of scratches and strokes, and at least one serving of fish per day, even raw if you prefer!

I have no objection, but I cannot invite anyone other than the highest echelons of my Order, my vassals, and my brother-in-law Alfonso. In centuries, I have not made many friends or comrades. However, I am not disheartened by this. Those I have had have been sufficient. But I have confidence in them, for we not only share many similarities but also have magical bonds and vows that make them trustworthy individuals from whom one cannot expect meanness or betrayal in return for favors.

Koneka and I intend to invite a select few friends and associates to our celebration, at least a dozen in all, I would estimate.

Noticing a glint of curiosity in my gaze, Maria elaborated, "These are some of the sisters from my convent, one of whom will succeed me when I take my vows of chastity and become a married woman. An abbess may not be married. Furthermore, there are also a few brothers from the Inquisition among them. By the way, Brother Marco now heads this ecclesiastical institution, not merely its military arm as before, and I plan to invite him to the wedding."

"And how did he survive to this day?" I mused. "He was undoubtedly a gifted sorcerer, but despite my admiration for him, I doubt he possessed the knowledge necessary for immortality."

The very fact that I find perplexing is the church's apparent lack of utilization of the vast trove of magical knowledge housed within its catacombs beneath the Vatican. Hidden away in secret archives and libraries, this repository spans across epochs, cultures, and civilizations, yet it remains untapped.

It seems that for the first time in history, the acquisition and preservation of such knowledge, now preserved within these sacred spaces, were only truly accessed when the Vatican acquired my own artefacts, libraries, and commenced the process of digitizing its archives and repositories of magical lore.

Was it due to an excessive secrecy cultivated by the clergy in their attempt to shield the uninitiated minds of their faithful from the «forbidden», thereby denying them the opportunity to explore new dimensions of magic — and, ironically, their own potential as well? Or was it merely a case of bureaucratic inertia inherent in any sprawling organization with an intricate hierarchy of power and numerous departments?

— It is Flamel who is the one who has been nailed.

My, my, my! What a familiar name! Well, well, well. What is there to it, and who is the culprit? But upon seeing it, a keen interest in this person arose within me, Maria continued.

He crafted his initial Philosopher's Stone in a time when the Statute of Secrecy did not yet exist, so nobody cared about the number of simpletons he sacrificed in the process. However, after the enactment of the Statute, things took a dramatic turn. Now, both the ICM and the church meticulously monitor the magical and mundane worlds with minimal overlap. Were it not for the occasional appearance of distant descendants of Squibs and other gifted individuals on Earth, the Statute would be even stricter.

The mages of the church pondered where Flamel obtained so many elixirs of life and how large the stone should be, as it required sacrificing a substantial number of these stones over the years to prolong the lives of himself and his spouse Nicholas.. When they began to unravel the tangled threads of this story, it was the year 1812. And in the end, it transpired that Napoleon Bonaparte had not embarked on his campaign against the Russian Empire out of his own volition. It was Flamel who had instigated it! He had accompanied the army on that campaign, and with the aid of secret rituals, he had extracted Prana from the very fields where the armies clashed.

As Moscow burned, Flamel, already ensnared in the cold shackles of iron, was conveyed to the Vatican. There, following extensive interrogations, a network of informants and agents was established. Now he was a pawn of the Inquisition, bound by an array of unbreakable oaths.

It is plausible that a similar situation prevailed in the canonical narrative. After all, there is no denying the deleterious impact of Dumbledore's influence on the education and intellectual development of wizards, who during the time period covered by Rowling's canonical story were known as wizards in England. Indeed, it was during his tenure that most of the restrictions on various branches of magical scholarship were imposed, and Albus consistently presented himself as a disciple of the "greatest alchemist of the millennium."

Thus, the state of affairs depicted in the film adaptations and described in the books regarding the Magical Congress of Wizards is attributable to the Church.

In essence, the storehouse of the Elixir of Life was transferred to the Church, with a significant portion being entrusted to the Inquisition. It is speculated that Marco may have accessed this resource.

Admittedly, it was a foolish decision. However, if by that time he had already reached the advanced age and his level of attainment was that of a master, and if he were not assisted by well-informed and intelligent individuals, the conventional and widespread method of cultivating one's own strength available to him would not suffice to reach the required level of power and acquire the eighth immortal sheath of the soul. The elixir of life might have been the sole means to delay the inevitable.

However, the consumption of concentrated Prana proved to be highly detrimental to one's second beginning. Indeed, the body of one who imbibed the elixir or essence of Prana might be revitalized, but the wellspring of the soul's second beginning would commence to wither and diminish due to the foreign Pranic influence.

— No, certainly not. I recall what you had said about mindless fools who pursue this course and inflict irreparable harm upon themselves in so doing. Thus, I apprised Marco of this fact, and as he was among the more level-headed members of the Inquisition and I had already assumed the role of abbess, I determined to assist him. To this end, I devised a complex ritual that, utilizing the Philosopher's Stone as its power source, transmuted the Prana contained therein into an identical Prana to that of the individual to whom it was administered. Ultimately, there is no adverse consequence save for its inefficiency.

Well done, my dear! I am most gratified by the outcome of my endeavours and the development of this clever young woman I encountered in the distant sixteenth century.

She has approached the issue with a level-headed and rational approach. If it cannot be used directly, then one must find a way around it! Which she did through the use of ritualistic magic. However, it was necessary to delve into the root of the issue in order to understand the true motivation behind her impulse to assist Marco in his continued existence on this earthly plane.

Certainly, he was an agreeable conversationalist, tactful, and of noble character, which is a rarity among representatives of the Church, in general, and the Inquisition, in particular. However, none of these factors were the primary reasons for Mary's decision to save his life. Rather, he was simply the most convenient and comfortable option for her! Naturally, she chose the path of least resistance when it came to dealing with this organization.

For this very reason, she spared Marco's life, recognizing in him a potential contender for ascendancy within the most powerful punitive arm of the Catholic Church, aimed at heretics, apostates, and other threats that the Church faces.. No amount of human decency would induce Mary to take an unnecessary step unless it were to her advantage! My dear, what is it?

"I see. So there will be a small gathering with thirty or so sensible people." But observing the inner turmoil and timidity of Maria, who had suddenly awoken a sense of shyness, I inquired, "Anything else, any requests or suggestions?"

"Yes. I wish for us to have the wedding ceremony in the Cathedral of Saint Zahar, the Protector," Maria's soft voice murmured, her demeanor suddenly becoming subdued. And this was not surprising, given my known attitude towards religion, free from any prejudice or antipathy towards faith.

Well, in theory, why not? There was no apparent obstacle to it. We could proceed with a conventional, magically indestructible matrimonial ceremony, sealed with the maiden's blood. If Yahweh were residing in his celestial abode, such an act might indeed pose a threat to my own liberty, for in the Christian sacrament of matrimony, the souls of bride and groom truly open themselves to each other, rendering them vulnerable to outside interference. The deity, whose temple hosts the ceremony, would gladly imprint his mark of ownership upon the souls of those who are so receptive and nourishing, regardless of whether one of the prospective spouses is a deity or one of the archangels.. But having already been united in matrimony according to the archaic rite of the Sids, which I was fortunate enough to discover in the archives of the Vatican and decipher, without the benediction of God, whose sanctified house the rite will be performed, it is more accurate to describe it as a theatrical spectacle, there is no danger to us.

"Very well," I responded with a nonchalant shrug, devoid of any discernible emotion, neither positive nor negative.

"Are you truly content with this?" Her eyes shone like twin stars as she gazed at me expectantly. It was clear to her! Like many young women, she envisioned herself adorned in a pristine bridal gown, with her beloved by her side at the altar. Despite her advanced age as an archmage spanning over three centuries, she remained a young woman who associated weddings with churches, pristine dresses, and clergy. And despite her knowledge of the inner workings of the celestial realm, this moment held immense significance for her.

I was genuinely intrigued by her response. "Truly, truly, I have but one question for you. How do you envision this happening? No one can marry the three of us."

"Well, you'll think of something, will you not?"

"Yes, why did I not think of that response? I'm already being taken advantage of! I wonder, will she ask me for ice cream from Alpha Centauri when she's pregnant? Shudder… Dibs on me, dibs on me! I cannot believe the foolish things that come to mind. She cannot think of something like that, can she? Or can she?"

I must have an answer. "I'll think of one. I have a candidate who will not deny me such a 'little thing'. By the way, you know him well."

I have created a web of intrigue. My conversation centered around Vencenzenzo, and after his spectacular resurrection orchestrated by my clones, there was a grand spectacle. Now, I have no idea what he truly believes about me. In his eyes, I seem reasonable, capable of performing miracles, heroic and noble, and in general, distant from everything he considers sinful.

If I imbibe alcohol, it is only a glass of wine during lunch or dinner, quenching my thirst in the daytime with lemonade or water. I do not engage in intimate relationships with women, nor do I use profane language. Allegedly, I perform all the rituals of the Orthodox Church on a daily basis, and in general, there is not a single blemish upon my reputation.

But he delved deep into my life, attempting to uncover everything about me, yet he could not find anything to discredit me. Today, it has become known to him that I am at home in the heavens and possess the power to bring the righteous back to life at will. Indeed.. I dread to contemplate the conclusions he may have drawn from all this talk about himself. After all, I can only think of one fitting response — I am God Almighty!

"And who might that be?" Maria asked, breaking my reverie. Her mind was already racing through possible scenarios. Still, she couldn't recall or find in her memories anyone with the spiritual stature and authority to conduct a marriage ceremony and willing to take such a step.

"Let it be a mystery!"

And it will be a delightful surprise for my former student. Vencenzenzo, who has taken Maria's place as her father figure, has been a constant presence in her life for many years. He was often at her side, attempting to guide her, if not tame, then at least help her manage her impulsive nature. He was the only person in Maria's life who could challenge the authority of the cardinals, save for me. In fact, Vencenzenzo was her spiritual father. However, given that Maria grew up in a deeply religious household, and Vincenzo himself was a paragon of Christian virtue, their relationship was approached with utmost responsibility in matters of faith.

Maria listened to Vencenzo's counsel, seeking to understand and internalize his words not merely intellectually but through her heart and soul. Cardinal Amati imparted wisdom and sought to imbue her with a correct understanding of reality within his worldview. When his teachings aligned with my own, the young Maria embraced them and acted accordingly.

When Vencenzo is restored to health and life, I am certain that she will be overjoyed at his resurrection. However, he will be occupied for the next few days or weeks, although there is a possibility that he may resume his business earlier. Therefore, it is important to keep this in mind.

I will meet with him as soon as he becomes available and determine whether he is ready to engage in our union. I have no doubt that he will not be able to resist my proposal, but it is best to plan the date once I have received a response from him. Maria nodded in agreement, but her thoughts were already elsewhere, imagining herself dressed in a bridal gown at the altar beside me.

Following dinner, the young ladies retired to their chamber, sharing a bed and suite. I proceeded to my domain. Before that, however, the girls paid a visit to Fesa's chamber, and accompanied by her, they retired to their own room.

Having attained the rank of Archmage, Maria and Koneko had yet to forge a staff befitting their status. I, therefore, offered to assist them in procuring the necessary materials. A small amount of the remains of the Llos spawns I had slain, along with Dracula's rib bones and the tibia from Dagon's failed attempt at creation, would serve as ideal components for their staves.

Furthermore, if we were to incorporate my fangs, Vasilisa's teeth, our venom, and silver, which I had transmuted within the egregore of the All from the baion of faith in the Creator — a substance abundant in this realm — the result would be a staff imbued with a potent source of light mana, possessing a direct conduit to the corresponding energy plane, unbound by spatial coordinates. Additionally, the ichor from the aforementioned divine entities would enhance its potency. The staff thus forged would undoubtedly be a powerful instrument, endowed with a plethora of additional functionalities and abilities.

Having been granted such an opportunity, I was able to forge my staff anew by incorporating new materials I had acquired after creating my primary artefactual instrument and weapon as the Archimage. The process of remodelling and modifying the staff was considerably less taxing in terms of both magical and mental exertion. Once I had become a god and acquired my own personal source of Bahiony, the task became a mere trifle!

The enhancement of my charm had a profound impact on its capabilities. Most notably, there was an increase in its capacity for confinement. Had I previously harbored doubts about its ability to imprison the soul of Vasilisa, I now had absolute confidence that it could easily accommodate at least three additional powerful divine souls akin to the recently vanquished daughter of Llos.

The addition of Dracula's fangs and his ichor imbued my staff with an aura of vampire-like qualities that radiated for several kilometers, sucking prana from all organic matter like a vacuum cleaner. Were a mortal to fall under its influence, this aura would drain their life in less than thirty seconds.

The venomous fangs of Vasilisa and her toxic blood further enhanced the potency of the staff, making it deadlier than ever before. Meanwhile, the chitinous exoskeleton and chelicerae of the spider augmented the staff's physical strength, sharpening its piercing capabilities.