Coral awoke feeling dizzy and cold. She shivered, despite the warm tropics of the rainforest. For days, she drifted in and out of a fog, images drifting through her head. Ripcurrent telling her he loved her. The brightness in Seastar's eyes as she came back from the verge of death. Maybe Coral had done some good. But would it be at the cost of her own soul? She felt the same, but what if she had changed? What if she was going insane, like the SeaWing legend Albatross ?

She opened her eyes. Ripcurrents head rested on her tail in the healers hut, as if he had stayed up all night with her but failed to remain awake. On the bed next to her was Tsunami, and Riptide on the bed next to that one. She sat up, and the movement caused Ripcurrent to stir.

"Are you all right?" He asked worriedly

"Yes. I'll be fine." She said. But it was a lie. She wasn't. She knew any more magic might push her to the limit. And she didn't want to live in fear anymore. She sighed.

"No. I'm not alright. This has to end. I can't be an animus. I don't want to be afraid anymore." Ripcurrent sat up to look at her more closely.

"Coral, that was an amazing thing you did. You-"

"I know. But I can't do it again. I don't regret what I did for Seastar. But I'm done with this..." She couldn't think of the word. Curse? Gift? Somehow neither fit.

"This power. I can't do it anymore." Suddenly, on her other side, Tsunami stirred. She opened her blue eyes and stared at Coral.

"You saved my daughter. You could have lost everything, but you saved her. I'm sorry for what I said to you. I had know right to force you."

"It's alright. I would have done the same thing. Now get some rest. You were injured too." Tsunami smiled and rolled over into sleep.

"Help me up," she said to Ripcurrent, and together the hobbled across the hut. Upon standing, she noticed Seastar in the corner, being attended by some puzzled looking RainWings. They caught Glory as she was walking in.

"We need your help," Ripcurrent said.
"Do you know anything about animus powers? Like how to get rid of them?" Glory's expression iced over.

"DEATHBRINGER!" She called, and they distantly heard wings flapping their way.

"I need to tell you something I should have told Queen Anenome long ago."

Thanks for reading! Please comment or vote if you liked the story!

~guava the RainWing
(GloryBringer100)