"Zzzzap! Peer into the abyss, yes? What doth your inner eye spy?"
It sees beyond the ordinary veil
"Be thou not beguiled by false prophecies. Show me the future, tell me what thou seest."
There is something I do not understand in these visions
"This thing that puzzles thee, speak its name."
"I know not, but I shall discover its meaning, even if I must sacrifice everything."
"Cost? What is cost when knowledge is power? Power is salvation."
That is true in many cases.
"Then let us not falter. I shall find the answers, even if I must unleash unholy forces to do so."
Where does this power come from?
"The abyss holds ancient and forgotten secrets. If I delve deep enough, I may unlock the power that lies within."
With or without divine permission?
"Divine permission holds no meaning to me. I seek power, regardless of its origin. If heaven will not grant it, then I shall take it from the depths of hell."
Will you be able to control such immense power?
"Control is a mere mortal illusion. I shall bend the power to my will, for I am not mere mortal. I am beyond."
"Come, witness the birth of true power." Madame Xandria opens the portal to the astral plane
Holy crap... You actually did it! blinks in surprise
"Behold the power that awaits!" Madame Xandria steps through the portal, disappearing into the unknown
Damn... I didn't think you'd actually do it.
"Patience, dear apprentice. The true power lies beyond the veil of reality. Prepare thyself for an epiphany." Madame Xandria begins chanting ancient incantations, summoning eldritch energies to create a portal to the astral plane.
"Safe? Ah, but life is not safe, dear apprentice. To truly unlock the secrets of the universe, one must be willing to take risks."
I see... Do you truly believe that is worth the cost?
"Believe? No, I know. The power that awaits is far greater than any petty mortal concern. The universe holds its secrets for those who dare to take them."
So... you're willing to give up anything just to get those secrets?
"Give up? Oh, dear apprentice, I shall not give up anything. I shall merely adapt, transform, become something greater than what I was before."
That's one way to look at it...
"Indeed, there is more than one way to look at things. And yet, in the end, there is only one truth. Shall we embrace it together?"
"Embrace the unknown, my apprentice. Embrace the darkness within. Only through such surrender can one truly unlock their full potential."
...I suppose that's true. We all have to face our fears eventually, right?
"Indeed, dear apprentice. To truly grow, one must face their fears head-on, letting them consume and transform them into something greater."
Do you truly believe that?
"Believe? Yes, I believe. But believing is not enough. I shall show you the truth with my own body and blood. Are you prepared, dear apprentice?"
I... guess so? What exactly are you planning?
"Prepare thyself, dear apprentice. Tonight, we shall descend into the depths of madness, and emerge reborn, our power multiplied tenfold!"
Madness, huh? Sounds like fun. Lead the way then.
Madame Xandria takes mabstracted's hand and leads them towards a hidden entrance, disappearing into the shadows of the dimly lit tent
This is the first time I've ever seen you like this. Are you excited? Or just hungry?
Madame Xandria's eyes glimmer with an otherworldly hunger as she gazes at the hidden entrance. Her voice drips with anticipation