Upon waking, Elysha cleaned her face and teeth before meeting her guardian for breakfast. After eating, the two of them went back upstairs to help the little girl pick out her clothes for today’s trip to Lake Iröstos.
Back in the bedroom, Elder Merakia pulled out a navy-blue uniform dress with a white collar and cerulean ribbon. “What do you think of this?” she asked.
“It’s cute.”
“Hm, would you like to choose this one, or this outfit right here?”
Elysha raised her hand and chose the first dress. “That one.”
Elder Merakia then gave her the outfit to try on. When she was dressed, she went to the mirror to look at her reflection. Her guardian commented, “Why, don’t you look lovely?”
Elysha stared, trying out the movements of the dress, seeing how the hem swayed. The outfit seemed nice and comfortable to wear, and soon after testing it out, her guardian braided the back of her hair before tying the end with a red ribbon. “There, nicely done.”
The little girl lifted her hand to touch her braided hair at the back of her head, feeling the texture of the ribbon attached to the ends of her silver strands.
As they finished their preparations for the trip to the lake, Elysha packed her books and writing utensils into her backpack. At the door, Elder Merakia turned to her and asked, “Are you ready?”
She straightened, her hands gripping the straps of her backpack and nodded her head. “I’m ready.”
Elder Merakia smiled and opened the door, and together they stepped out into the crisp morning air and began their adventure through the Forest of Iröstos.
~ ❈❇❈ ~
The sun shone through the overcast sky as they walked through the woods, holding hands and following a path that led to the lake. As they walked, Elysha’s thoughts drifted back to the dream she had last night.
“...”
Her guardian noticed this and asked her, “What thoughts are going through your mind, dear child?”
“I was thinking about the dream I had today.”
“A dream? What kind of dream did you have?”
“I dreamed… I dreamed of going on an adventure with Micah and everyone.”
“An adventure, I see,” said Elder Merakia. “Can you tell me more about it?”
“I think we were helping some rabbits who wanted us to find their mom,” she continued, then she thought hard to remember. “Um, it was dark, and there was this white mist thing, and there were these weird monsters trying to hurt us, and we turned them all into candy before we ran away.”
“‘Turned them into candies?’”
Elysha nodded. “Mm-hm, someone in my dream said that it tasted good.”
“Is there more to the dream you would like to share with me?”
“There is, I remember what happened.”
She took a moment to recall before saying, “Um, and then we found the mother rabbit, and she was big, but not as big as Kitty. She was doing something and we all went to collect magic seeds that were hidden around. More monsters came, and after they turned into candy and we collected all the seeds.”
Elysha paused for a moment to catch her breath and continued, “Then we gave them all to the mother rabbit. And then the rabbit’s pot thingy shot something magical into the sky, and the sky became so pretty that we all stared at it… And then…”
Her mouth stopped and her eyes quivered as she remembered the scene at the end, when she saw the tree of gold. It was as if it was a tree she could only see in her dreams. “... Then I woke up.”
“What a nice dream you have,” Elder Merakia commented. “Sounds like quite an adventure for you to remember so vividly.”
“It was a weird dream.”
“Well, dreams like that often reflect your inner world and memories.” She then asked, “What do you think the magical seeds might represent?”
“Those magical seeds? Hmm…” Elysha tilted her head in thought. “I think… I think the seeds are like the wishes and dreams of others. Because when they all came together in the rabbit’s pot thingy, it shot out like a fountain, and all the wishes and dreams came out like a shooting star.”
Then, she blinked her eyes and said, “The dream… the dream reminded me of a story that I had heard before.”
“A story?”
“A story about a girl who wanted to fly like a bird.”
“Oh, that story. I remember telling you that story the other night,” Elder Merakia said. “Hm, those children you spent time with yesterday. Do you consider them your friends?”
“Friends?”
“Yes, friends are those who share in your joys and adventures, even if only for a little while.”
Elysha looked back at the view of the path ahead, which appeared to be a creek with a bridge leading from one side to the other. As they crossed it, she thought of the memories she had shared with them, their faces and their smiles and laughter.
Her eyes widened. The flashing memory from her dream of seeing them dissolved into a golden glow. She remembered trying to catch up to them, but falling behind in vain.
“Micah, Sorcha, Anjel, Mariju, Ana…”
Elder Merakia stopped and turned around to see her standing there. She asked, “Elysha? Are you saying their names?”
The little girl looked back, nodded, and replied, “I think, I think they are all my friends, yes.”
Her guardian smiled and motioned for her to stand beside her. “Then hold on to that feeling, dear child. The red ribbon of friendship is a treasure, not only for the adventures you share, but for the memories they leave behind.”
As they continued to walk, Elysha looked ahead as the path began to widen, when suddenly there was a sound.
*swish*
Their eyes turned to the bushes—and in an instant, a creature appeared. It was a rabbit, its fur white and brushed by the wind. Its ears twitched as it nibbled at a patch of grass near the path, seemingly unperturbed by their presence.
To Elysha, it looked exactly like the rabbit from her dream, only smaller.
“Well, would you look at that,” Elder Merakia said. “It appears we have company—”
An image of a girl running towards the rabbit crossed the vision of the elder mage. In the next second, as quick as a flash, the rabbit darted back into the bushes and disappeared from view.
Elysha stopped in her tracks, her shoulders drooping slightly. “Aw, it ran away again,” she said sadly.
“Hm, what a coincidence, nature is an interesting wonder in itself to reflect the dream you told me,” Elder Merakia said as she approached her.
The little girl sighed, and then looked up at the sky, where the birds flew between the trees, and then at the sounds of other animals and nature. The subtle hum of life around her seemed to soothe her disappointment.
She turned her gaze to Elder Merakia, who stood patiently nearby, her expression as calming as the surroundings.
“Come on, dear child,” she said, extending a hand to her. “Let us continue forward. The day is still young, and we will arrive at the lake soon enough.”
Elysha took her hand, and together, they resumed their walk toward Lake Iröstos. Elder Merakia began to hum a soft, lilting tune, and the little girl listened, finding comfort in the touch of her guardian’s hand and to the melody that accompanied their walk.
After a while, they came to a bench by the side of the path, and Elder Merakia motioned for them to take a break. “Let’s rest here for a moment,” she said,
They sat down on the bench together. She opened her bag and took out a small bundle wrapped in cloth. Elysha watched as she unwrapped a few snacks: fresh bread, slices of cheese, and some dried fruit. They shared a nice silence with their simple snack, their surroundings enveloping them.
“This little trip is so nice,” Elysha said, taking a small bite on a piece of bread and chewing it. “I like spending time with you, Elder Mera.”
“And I with you, dear child,” she replied. “This little trip is pleasant, is it not? And being with you brings me a sense of peace and contentment.”
The little girl’s face flushed and warmed, a shy smile tugging at her lips. “Thank you, Elder Mera. That makes me very happy.”
They lingered at the bench for a while before continuing down the path. It was not long before the sounds of their destination reached their ears as they walked along. “We are near the lake,” Elder Merakia said.
Elysha subtly held her breath as the glimpses of the lake began to appear and the trees began to thin. When they finally stepped into the clearing, she audibly gasped as her eyes met the sight of the lake itself.
The Lake of Iröstos spread out before them, its surface shimmering like glass under the sunlight. Ripples danced across its surface, reflecting the sky above and the trees that lined its edge. There were also two small, tiny islands sitting in the middle of the lake.
As Elysha stared at the scenery, Elder Merakia stepped beside her and asked, “What do you think of this place?”
“It’s pretty,” she murmured, her voice tinged with a sense of awe.
“Indeed, it is. From here on forward, your training sessions will be held at this place.”
“Here?”
She pointed to the pergola from a distance. “Over there, actually. A lake brings with it a sense of peace and tranquility, which is precisely why I have chosen it as the setting for your study and practice,” Elder Merakia replied. “Well then, let’s go to the place.”
Following her into the pergola, Elysha asked, “How will the study go, Elder Mera? Will it be like the other day when I tried to learn theonum magic?”
“Dear child, when we entered the garden that day, it was the first time you immersed yourself in connecting with your theonum core.”
Elysha nodded, and the elder mage continued, “Today we will focus more on understanding the knowledge of theonum sorcery, starting with the basics, including the relationship between theonum and our world itself.”
The little girl took in the words, and as they walked, Elder Merakia turned her gaze to look at her expression. She remembered what had happened to her that day, the child’s reaction, and the profound effect even simple concentration had on her.
‘However, on that same day, you were unable to connect with your core and manifest theonum as you desired.’
Her eyebrows furrowed, but her tendency to hesitate was nullified by the child’s bright and determined gaze. An image of her former pupil’s gaze flashed before her eyes, and then, stopping at her feet and turning to face her, she asked, “Elysha, do you still desired to learn how to connect to your theonum core?”
Elysha nodded again and replied, “Yes, Elder Mera, I want to learn how to do it.”
When they reached the pergola, Elder Merakia motioned for her to sit at the table. She placed her briefcase on the table and opened it with a soft click.
“Now, Elysha,” she began, her tone calm yet purposeful, “since today’s session will focus on what I said earlier about the knowledge of theonum, do you remember what I told you about theonum energy?”
“Um, you said it was like a connection to everything, right? And it’s part of me, but I don’t know how to fully connect to it yet, because…”
“That is correct, your understanding is growing, and that in itself is a good sign,” Elder Merakia said. “As I explained the other day, theonum energy permeates every living being in our world. Each individual has been given a core that testifies to his or her relationship with the Lord, for our soul identity—by origin—is a piece of the Asnoiji Himself, given to us as a blessing for our existence. In this way, we are connected to the Lord, and can express His gift through the art of theonum.”
She continues. “Cultivating and expressing the art of theonum requires not only a spiritual connection to one’s theonum core, but also a connection to one’s essence of passion, or one’s essence of soul identity. It comes in a variety of elemental forms, derived from the source of their original element, chosen unconsciously by their soul identity.
“Passions?”
“Yes, passions. Every Elbijan and Zhivopian has their own specialized ‘gift’. When one is born into the world, their individual passion remains unrealized in the soul. Only then when one realizes one’s passion does one gain access to their essence. Each person’s theonum expression is shaped by their passion and reflects their soul identity and individuality.”
“Does this mean that everyone can use theonum in their own special way?”
“Yes, because theonum is an energy that flows through all living things,” she said. “With time, training and guidance, one can unlock their own special way of using theonum, unleashing their inner potential and creating possibilities.”
“So this means that each person’s theonum is different based on their passion?”
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“Indeed. Passions are categorized into seven elemental types of theonum, each represented by the Seven Divine Deities of the Asnoiji.”
‘Seven Divine Deities of the Asnoiji?’
Elder Merakia leaned forward and turned the page of the book to where an illustration showed gathered figures. “Here you see the representatives of the deities that protect the Asnoiji’s world.”
She let the child’s eyes take in the illustration for a moment before turning to the next page, which showed an elk-like figure surrounded by elements of nature.
“The first guardian, Iröstos, embodies the element of nature,” she explained, pointing to the drawing. “Think of the trees and flowers you see around you. He is symbolized by the elk like here in this picture.”
Elysha’s eyes stared at the figure that bore the same name as the forest itself. The elk looked different from the one she had seen in her picture book the other day. His antlers looked like refined branches, his body carried defined elements, and he possessed a confident stature. Formal, regal, even majestic.
She couldn’t take her eyes away from the elk’s appearance, saying, “I know him, he’s the deity of the forest.”
“To the forest, he represents the harmony, courage, and strength found in the natural world,” said Elder Merakia. “Like the other deities, Iröstos had a long history that led to the present, watching over his territory where we reside and maintaining the stability of the environment.”
“Long history?”
“Yes, since the foundation of the world, the deity Iröstos, along with the rest of the deities, has had their own histories that coincides with the territories they have been given. The natives and ancestors of this forest have deep and strong ties to Iröstos himself, for he and the deities serve as reservoirs of the Lord’s power, providing resources and security for the people, and the people give them their prayers and gratitude in return.”
Elysha let the words sink into her mind before turning to the next page, which depicted a land tortoise.
“What you see here is Eftelvildt, the deity of the earth element, associated with the stability, endurance, and grounding qualities of the world’s terrain,” she continued. “He looks out as a guardian over eastern Hymelum, including the mountains of Eftelvildt and the adjacent Soterian Forest.”
Elysha stared at the illustration of Eftelvildt, her fingers tracing the edges of the page. “So… he watches over the mountains? Just like Iröstos watches over the forest?”
“Not entirely correct. Each deity holds possession of different sections of the world, as the Lord has given territorial sovereignty to the seven deities before he sleeps. The entire forest of Iröstos is only a large portion of the territory that the deity Iröstos watches over.”
“Oh, I get it now,” she nodded her head and then asked, “Do every deities have places named after them?”
“Not all deities have places in the world named after them. Most places in the worlds are named by the people who lived in those areas.”
Then, Elder Merakia turned to the next page, which showed a fox-like creature and said, “Here is Amets. He is the deity who possessed the element of air.”
Elysha leaned over to look at the illustration and said, “He’s cute and looks a little like Micah.”
“Does he?” she looked at the picture again before continuing. “Amets embodies the symbolism of freedom, whimsicality, and the thrill of adventure. He embraces change and creative solutions as the deity of the Island of Wren.”
As Elder Merakia went on with speaking, Elysha’s eyes were on the text on the page:
‘Of all the deities of the Asnoiji, Amets is one of the most enigmatic figures of Soliremisce, both in terms of sightings and the influence he has spread throughout the land of Wren.’
‘The series of documented sightings of the deity Amets have led to cultural shifts in both the Wrenian and Candelarian terrains. People throughout the span of time have created tales and art movements that depict the influence of the elusive and totemic figure.’
“... There is little to know about Amets. Given the qualities and traits of the deity of air as a free spirit type, even to the natives who lived on the island, it is a rare sight to be able to find him,” Elder Merakia said. “Do you see the background illustration behind him?”
Elysha nodded, looking at the illustration. The art depicted a vast and open landscape, full of flat grasses and the central, expansive view that stretched who knew how far to the other side.
“That place is called ‘Amets Valley,’” Elder Merakia said. “It is located within the island of Wren, and it makes up a good percentage of the land itself. It is also the home of the Emuinets, who are the natives of the island, with a rich culture, traditions, and beliefs.”
“Just like here in Iröstos, right?”
“I would say that every corner of Soliremisce has its own collective dishes of cultural history and values. This is what makes the world interesting from my perspective.”
Elysha pictured the island of Wren in her mind, immersing herself in the place shown in the illustration she saw on the page. She also imagined meeting the locals and seeing all sorts of creatures she might never have met before. She looked up again and asked, “I’d like to visit there someday, wouldn’t I?”
Elder Merakia smiled, patted and stroked her head, and said, “Life always has room for the first experience of visiting new places, dear child.”
Soon after, she turned to the next page, and Elysha’s eyes caught the illustration of the tiny fae-like creature surrounded by a swirling mist of frost and snowflakes. She looked more human than the other deities, with blue hair and eyes that looked like crystals, and she held a flower like an umbrella. Her wings shimmered in the artwork, almost as if dusted with ice particles.
“Culturally associated with the harshness and purity of frozen landscapes is the deity of ice, Hymelu,” said Elder Merakia. “She takes the form of a tiny fairy, and has a notable history of healing the people from illness and injury. Some stories had similarities of seeing the deity Hymelu like seeing a lanturn in the midst of a snowstorm.”
“What part of the world is she from?”
“This deity comes from the west of Hymelum, over the mountains of Galanthja, including the Wistrellekre Hills. There, the deity holds co-sovereign territory with Jäll.”
“Jäll?”
“He is the other deity who shares dominion over the region with Hymelu,” she said, pointing to the dark, wolf-like creature on the other side of the pages. His body seemed to look like it was on fire. “They are the only two of the seven deities to have authority over the same territory. What is uniquely interesting is that these two deities are known to have contrasting personalities, true to the elements of ice and fire, yet they generally have a peaceful reign over the area.”
“Peaceful…” Elysha’s curiosity grew and she asked, “I didn’t know that before, I am very interested to learn more about them. What are the others?”
“There is the electric guardian, Krothjura, who watches over most of the isles of Zhivopis,” she answered, turning the page over to show mage and the illustration of the islands. “He represents the dynamic and transforming power of electricity and takes the form of a dragon. And finally, the deity of the water element is Vikavirya.”
“Vikavirya?”
“Yes, she takes the form of a siren. Little is known about her, however, and unlike the elusive nature of Amets, this deity is due to an incident that occurred about ten years ago.”
“What happened to her?”
“That would be a discussion for another time,” Elder Merakia replied. “In the meantime, I would rather keep our conversation focused on this subject of theonum.”
Elysha’s mind buzzed, her understanding of theonum, the deities, and the world itself growing. Her head spun like a wooden spinning top dancing on the table’s surface.
“That is all of them,” her guardian concluded. “Is there any questions you would like to ask?”
“Um, Elder Mera, your theonum element is water, right? Like what happened yesterday at the performance.”
“Indeed. My original element correlates to ‘Water’ or let’s say, Vikavirya’s element, therefore the color of my theonum core would be blue.”
Then she conjured a small ball of water on her palm. “I have the passion of performing a display to impress my audience, as I delight in the wonders of the theatrical arts—that is my passion, my soul identity. In Soliremiscian observance, water represents flow, adaptability, and life itself. The element can also symbolize emotionality, art, transformation, and so much more than those qualities alone.” She then asked, “Do you remember my performance from yesterday?”
The scenes of hydraulic magic from the previous day’s performance flashed through Elysha’s mind. She nodded her head back. “I remember, yes.”
“That prior act is an example of what the element of water can do, such as displaying visual illusions of art to enchant and fascinate others. One’s soul identity and element comes from one’s individual passion and role of existence in this world. It is their natural disposition that defines their original element. For me, it’s about leaving a history of myself and my work of art. Just as this world should remember who Cecil Merakia is and her story that leaves a lasting impression on everyone’s mind.”
“Um…”
“Go on, you can tell me any questions that have come up in your mind.”
“How many elements are there again? I want to know.”
“There are a total of seven known elements of theonum, like how there are a total of seven deities,” she replied. “Of these elements, there are ice, water, nature, earth, fire, electric, and air.”
“Only those?”
“Yes, they are the only confirmed elements that were discovered.”
“Then what is Micah’s element?”
“His element is that of air.”
Elysha remembered the times he blew air out of his mouth and saw swirls of wind around him. She then asked her next question, “Um, can someone have more than one element?”
“Yes, it is possible. However, unlike their innate element, learning a second or third element requires continuous practice, tuning, and strengthening the potential of their theonum core. Such practice could take a long time for one’s core to grow and to adapt to another element.”
“Do you have a second or third element, Elder Mera?”
“Me? I do, yes. I can also control the element of fire.”
“Fire?”
Elder Merakia nodded, “Yes, fire.”
She extended her other hand, palm upward, and with a slight motion of her fingers, a small flame appeared, flickering warmly against the breeze. It glowed a vibrant orange, its light reflecting in Elysha’s wide eyes.
“Wow,” she whispered, leaning closer. “It’s so…”
“Alive, you say? Indeed,” said Elder Merakia with a smile. “Fire is an element that also symbolizes transformation—as well as destruction and creation. It burns brightly, demanding attention and respect. Yet, it can also be gentle, a source of warmth and light, as you see now.”
Then, with a quick movement of her fingers, the flame vanished like the flicker of an eye. Elysha asked, “Do you have another element besides water and fire?”
“Even as an elder mage, I can only control these two elements at this present time,” she replied. “As I said, gaining and mastering elemental control is a long and persistent process, more difficult than you might imagine. You must focus not only on the elemental side, but also on the concentration of your theonum core itself. Think of your core as a heart, for it is like an organ in your body. The heart must be well-maintained, not only for the potentiality of sorcery, but for the health and vitality of the heart itself.”
Elysha took a moment to fully absorbed those words, and then lowered her gaze at the study materials laid out on the table’s surface.
“Do you have any other questions, dear child?”
“Elder Mera, I… I want to…”
“You want to…?”
She clutched her hands together and looked directly at her. “I want to learn how to do magic, Elder Mera. I want to connect with my theonum core. I want to learn what my element might be. Could my element be air like Micah, or could my element be water just like you, Elder Mera? But I don’t know, I want to know. That’s why, that’s why I want to try. I want to try again.”
Elder Merakia watched the child’s eyes shake and tremble, yet filled with determination and bravery.
‘An unwavering spirit, like a flickering flame that never fades, I see.’
“As a mage with decades of experience, the first key to success is to have a strong will to pursue your ambitions,” she said. “I will ask the same question again: Elysha, are you willing to connect with your theonum core again? Even if it means facing unwanted obstacles that may slow you down and take longer to achieve such success?”
Elysha’s hands tightened slightly in her lap as she met her guardian’s gaze, her piercing yet familiar eyes searching hers.
Biting her lips, she nodded firmly. “Yes, Elder Mera. I’m willing to try again, even if it is hard. I want to learn.”
Her lips curved into a proud smile. “Good. That resolve is the foundation of all progress. For this session, let’s first work on breaking down the situation that had occurred the other day.”
~ ❈❇❈ ~
Elder Merakia discussed the events of yesterday and outlined her plans for the study program she had designed to address the complications Elysha had encountered during her theonum practice.
The table was filled with textbooks, notebooks, papers, and pens, many of which belonged to the mage herself. She had set up the study session with the research she had done, analyzing the data she had collected to gain more insight into the matter, assessing the progress, understanding the reasons for her inability to communicate with her theonum receptor, and so on.
“Let’s work on adjusting your connection to your theonum core,” she said, her voice calm yet focused. “I heard from Micah that you are gradually learning to communicate with your abilities, albeit slowly and safely, which is perfectly natural given your age and development.”
Elysha stopped drawing her self-portrait on a piece of paper, looked up and asked her, “But why am I struggling so much with my theonum core, Elder Mera? I’m trying, but it feels like something is missing…”
“Even if you are struggling to make a strong connection. From what I have gathered, the problem could may not be with your effort, but rather with your approach. Theonum energy is like a river—it flows naturally, but if you try to force it, it may scatter or resist.” And then she asked her, “Tell me, Elysha, when you try to connect with your core, what do you feel?”
Elysha hesitated, then said, “I feel… nervous, like I’m going to do it wrong, or that my head will hurt again. And sometimes, I try to, um, force myself to feel something, but it just makes me more upset, I guess. And that’s because… because…”
“Relax, dear child. Take your time and let these words come out slowly.”
“Okay,” she nodded, and then said, “It’s because… I—I could be different. Everyone else can use their theonum magic easily, and they don’t feel any pain except me, but why? When I feel pain, it hurts, my head hurts, and it makes me not want to try to use magic, but when I see others using it, I feel…”
Elder Merakia reached out and placed a comforting hand on Elysha’s shoulder, her touch warm and steady. “You feel what, dear child? Go on. Speak your heart.”
She bit her lip, her small hands clenched tightly in her lap. “I feel… left out,” Elysha said softly, her voice trembling. “Elder Mera, how will you help me connect with my theonum core?”
Her guardian looked into Elysha’s trembling eyes and said, “First of all, dear child, I must emphasize that direct contact with your theonum core is currently off-limits due to its current instability. It will take time to cleanse that level, and at your age, with caution.”
Elysha’s brows drew together. “How will I be able to ‘cleanse’ my theonum core? Can you help me, Elder Mera?”
“As for cleansing your theonum core, it is a process that lies within you. I can observe and record the level of your core, but the answer to stabilizing it lies in your own progress through training and beyond.”
“So, it’s up to me?”
“Yes, but you will not be alone on this path of your journey,” Elder Merakia said, rising to her feet. “Come with me to the shore. There is something I would like to show you.”
Elysha followed her to the wooden walkway along the lake. The lapping of the water against the shore filled the silence between them. The elder mage paused at the edge of the dock and motioned toward the lake.
“There,” Elder Merakia said, pointing to the water’s surface. “Look at our reflections below.”
Elysha leaned forward, her gaze falling on the rippling image. Her reflection stared back at her, slightly distorted by the movement of the lake.
“What do you see, dear child?”
“I see… me, but it’s a little wavy.”
“Indeed,” Elder Merakia said. “These reflections represent more than our physical selves; they symbolize our souls—our identities, and the images created by the Asnoiji and His world into which we were born.”
Elysha blinked, studying the shimmering image of herself. She thought back to the times she had gazed at her reflection when she had spent her time exploring the forest alone.
She waved to herself and her reflection waved back.
Elder Merakia knelt beside her. “Now then, turn your attention to me.”
Elysha watched as she extended her hand to her own reflection, closed her eyes and said, “From here, you listen to your inner voice, and let your thoughts merge with your subconscious.”
As the words faded, the surface of the lake where her hand touched began to glow softly, like the edge of a crystal. Ripples spread outward, turning into tiny waves that swirled around the dock.
“Elder Mera, what’s happening?” Elysha gasped, gripping the edge of the wooden platform.
She opened her eyes, her gaze meeting Elysha’s and said, “The water is responding to the energy of my theonum. Watch closely.”
The ripples picked up speed, growing faster and faster, until they shot into the air as glittering arcs of water. The droplets sparkled like diamonds before coalescing into the shapes of fish.
Elysha watched as the manifested forms flew and shimmered like living creatures. Some of them spiraled toward her, playfully spitting water droplets into her face. Despite her surprise, she giggled and continued to watch the shapes move through the air, almost as if they were dancing.
“Elder Mera, how did you do this? It’s…”
“Theonum represents the individualistic aspects of our being. Using theonum to create art and cultivate it in the outside world requires communication,” she explained. “Communication is like connecting your soul to the natural environment around you—inviting it to understand your intent and guiding it with your passion.”
Then she said, “Why don’t you try saying hello to them?”
Elysha saw a fish swim closer to her in the air. She reached out and touched it, feeling a rush of satisfaction as its wet surface tickled her skin.
“H-Hello.”
The water spirit shimmered brightly for a moment until it and all the other manifested forms dissolved into a fine mist and vanished into the air.
Elysha stared at her hand where the spirit had been, still wet from the touch, wide-eyed as she turned and asked, “Elder Mera, do you think I can do something like that someday?”
“Only if you are patient enough to study and persevere. The path to learning and growth is not a race, but a long process,” she replied, looking up at the sky before pulling out her pocket watch. “Well then, let us return to the pergola. It is time to begin your assignments.”