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THE LAKESHORE

[attr="class","locbody"]family estate northeast delphi vulcan highlands[break][break]

The Lakeshore is an estate encompassing a lake and its surrounding lands northeast of Delphi at the foot of Vulcan Highlands. In the middle of the lake is a 7-meter fortress holding up the house as well as the pine trees that line its sides and back. Composed of two floors, an attic, and a deceptively large basement, the house is designed to have unobstructed views from all sides. [break][break]

The lake itself is vibrant and teeming with life. In the south, the lake has dedicated fishing ponds, used for resource and leisure alike. The family manages a small resort that allows dining, overnight stay, and fishing. To the northeast of the estate up to the foot of Vulcan Highlands is a forested area that is off-limits to the public and is managed both as a resource and a reserve. Surrounding the lake are acres of gardens where flowers are carefully cultivated. To the south, facing the City of Delphi, is the Headmaster's Quarters--the only structure built with metal and concrete in the entire estate. The Quarters serve as the central office managing the affairs of the estate. [break][break]

It was said that settlers driven away by daemons and those who lost their homes to ruptures took refuge at the house. After The Great War, the family slowly allowed the settlers to build homesteads on the estate. In exchange for protection, the settlers till the land and care for the lake and forest. The estate was feudal in nature from time immemorial until Firuzeh's great-grandfather abolished the system. Settlers began to be treated as workers and are properly compensated. [break][break]

The existence of Pegasus and Cerberus alike significantly increased the peacefulness and safety of Northern Delphi. Only a few settlers remained in The Lakeshore, and almost all who stayed are loyal servants to the family. [break][break]

The once proud house had been worn down with time and elements. Chips of paint fall off from the side and vines creep up the walls up to the topmost balcony. Vessels for supplies, fishing, and leisure line up the dock. Inside the house, the walls are painted cream and the edges are gold. The foyer's walls are littered with weaponry--swords, bows, spears, cleavers, and scythes, among others. Paintings of humans triumphing over daemons lined the walls adjacent to the staircase leading to the upper floor. It is the picture of perfect times in pasts long gone--of the illusion of grandeur that the family once had.[break][break]

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Illusion of Grandeur

[attr="class","locbody"]When Fluffy materialized, Firuzeh's days drastically changed. She began to spend hours and hours behind piles of books and stacks of scrolls. The most esteemed professors and teachers would teach her arithmetic, language, literature, and art on top of witchcraft. She learned about the history of the family, of The Great War, of the victors and the damned, of freedom and opportunity. She learned about power, faith, heroes, and death.[break][break]

Her sister and brother had little to no magic. They had never made a connection to the mana realm. Her father was human. Her mother was a witch, but her grandparents did not deem her worthy to inherit the staff. She quit Cerberus when she reached novice and dedicated her life as an ordinary civilian employee of Delphi's Search and Rescue.[break][break]

The family heirloom was given to her. When Firuzeh first held the staff, light glinted off from the gem. Firuzeh saw her distorted reflection on its luminescent surface. [break][break]

On her fifteenth birthday, Firuzeh was led to one of the mahogany doors in the basement. She expected to see dust and cobwebs swathed in darkness. What she saw, however, was a grand hallway, in which walls were lined with portraits of the most accomplished witches of the family. [break][break]

"You, too, would belong here," her father said as she touched Firuzeh's shoulder. His hand was cold. "Your greatness will be painted in oil and be remembered for eternity."[break][break]

Firuzeh would be back in that gallery many times, searching for answers to questions unasked.[break][break]

On her eighteenth birthday, Firuzeh made a decision. She left the estate to settle in Delphi, resolute in living a life of routine, stability, and mediocrity, like that of the family.[break][break]

When she voiced her intentions to her parents, they harbored calm expressions and faint smiles. There was no convincing them--and they did not need to convince Firuzeh as well. [break][break]

"Go on, child," her mother said. "Live your dreams."[break][break]

That day, Firuzeh started dreaming the same dream.[break][break]