A Wolf's Howl, A Fairy's Wing

"As you all know," Elora began her explanation, having entered teacher mode. "More powerful affinities have proportionally powerful corruption effects, which is why corruption isn't much of a problem in most Arcanists."

She mentally indicated towards Emma and Emily, "You two have fifth rank affinities, which are both very dangerous. Fortunately, I've been able to guide Emma from the start, so she hasn't had any problems with it. And she won't, so long as she remembers the things I've taught her…"

"I will!" Emma promised with an uncharacteristically serious expression. She'd been warned about the possibility of light corruption essentially burning away any and all emotions, and the thought terrified her. She was fine with growing slowly, but steadily. She didn't care much about power anyway.

Of course, the future was uncertain, and the possibility of corruption remained an ever-present danger for people with high-rank affinities. No matter their convictions. Even Emily wasn't safe. If anything, she even more vulnerable, because she'd already succumbed to it once.

For a moment, Erik flooded the sisters with his concern, impressing on them the importance of being careful, and respecting the dangers. With little surprise, the sisters responded by flooding him with love and assurances.

Meanwhile, Elora continued, "Anyway, fourth rank affinities are in danger as well, although the risk is minimal in comparison, but rank three and lower are all essentially safe. Corruption is a factor for them, as it can influence their personality a little, but nothing that would have as dramatic an effect as it had on Emily."

After reminding them of the basic corruption facts, she finally got to the point. "As for Emily's current situation… she might be in the process of developing a corrupted core."

Before she could explain any further, tensions and concern rose exponentially among those listening to her. "Should we be worried?" Erik responded with a frown.

But Elora was quick to alleviate their concerns. "It's actually not so bad," she calmly continued. "At least, not according to what I know about it. But, let me explain," she said solemnly, "because before we get to the core, you should know that corruption can be divided into two types."

She held up mental finger, "First, there is root corruption. This is what Emma and I cleansed from Emily's soul. It is a kind of sludge, that is created when someone absorbs or expends energy too quickly. It takes on the properties of the affinity used to absorb that energy, and then adheres to the soul, where it starts to affect a person's personality."

Then, she held up a second finger, truly taking on the spirit of a teacher, "Second, there is vein corruption. This is a kind of crimson, corrupted aetherium, that is generated by the root corruption. It is basically a byproduct, that is not particularly harmful but does permeate the body. It is the cause of a corrupted person's crimson eyes."

Everyone listened to her explanation with rapt attention, their expressions showing mixes of concern, anxiety, and curiosity. "Okay, so I guess we only cleansed the root corruption?" Emma asked, with a worried tone. She thought back to the two times she helped the fairy to cleanse Emily using her light affinity. Enjoy exclusive adventures from empire

Taking down her fingers, Elora nodded seriously, "Exactly. But there's no need to be concerned over that. Root corruption is the real danger, because when that is taken are off, the vein corruption will simply seep out slowly. Usually, anyway."

Instantly, Emily turned a little wry, "And I guess it wasn't a usual case this time?"

Elora chuckled playfully, an attitude that calmed much of the tension among their family. "Right. And that is where the corrupted core comes in," she continued. "They are formed when the body of a corrupted Arcanist with a fifth rank affinity, is so saturated with vein corruption, that it can't handle any more. At that point, a core is formed to handle the overflow."

Astrid weighed in as well, frowning solemnly, "Makes sense, but Emily isn't generating vein corruption anymore after you cleansed the root corruption, right? So why do you think she's formed a core now?"n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Elora shook her head, "I don't think she formed a core now. In fact, thinking back, I think she formed a core when her eyes 'broke' and gained those crimson lines. Back then, her emotions were turbulent, she'd just had a corruption flareup, and she wasn't entirely cleansed, meaning she was still generating vein corruption."

Instantly, Emily frowned with confusion, "Wait, so I've had this corrupted core thing for a year already? Why haven't I noticed anything?!"

"Because it's still in the embryonic phase," Elora explained patiently. "After the core formed, you spend about ten months feeding it with your vein corruption, before we cleansed the last of the root corruption, shutting down your ability to generate more."

She frowned thoughtfully, "Except, your body was still saturated with the stuff, which has since been flowing into the core, rather than seeping out of your body as it's supposed to do. And now… the core is almost finished forming."

Erik frowned and asked the question that was now on everyone's mind. "Alright, so now we know how it came to be, but what does it do? How will it affect her?"

Elora chuckled again, although not a meanspirited one, more like a mother, delighting in the concern her children show for each other. "Don't worry, I promised she'd be fine, and I meant it. A corrupted core brings no danger of corruption in and off itself, because the vein corruption is merely a byproduct of the real culprit, rather than being able to corrupt anything on its own."

Then, she frowned seriously again, "In fact, a corrupted core is the main reason why corrupted Arcanists are extremely dangerous. It basically allows you to use the vein corruption like another affinity. A fifth rank one, to be precise."

Unsurprisingly, that news caused some surprise. Emily especially immediately seemed interested when the emotional feed from her bond became filled with greed and excitement.

"Are you saying I've got two fifth rank affinities now?!" she exclaimed with an enthusiasm that failed to stay confined to their mental conversation, because the corners of her lips turned up into a wide grin.

Unfortunately, Elora had to stomp on her expectations. "If only it was that easy," the fairy chuckled with amusement. "First of all, darkness attuned vein corruption is still filled with negative emotions, which will likely flood your mind anytime you try to use it."

Instantly, Emily's face fell a little when she remembered the feeling she got earlier, just before she released that blast of vein corruption.

But Elora wasn't done yet.

"Second of all," she continued, "I'm still not even sure that this is actually what we're dealing with. Third of all, even if it is a corrupted core, it will still need some more time to grow."

Finally, she sighed, "And lastly, what I've told you so far is basically all I know about the subject. I've seen no live accounts of a fifth rank Arcanist who survived the process of corruption with an intact corrupted core. So, while I doubt you actually are the only one this has ever happened to, we'll still be diving into unknown territory here…"