The Baroness' mansion, training grounds.
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The training yard at the Baroness' mansion, usually a vibrant hub of martial activity, now hummed with a much more subdued energy, and the air, crisp with morning chill, carried metallic tang of freshly sharpened steel and an earthy scent of damp, moist soil.
Sunlight, pale and wintery, slanted across the entire courtyard, illuminating but the sparring figures in long, stretching shadows.
Erica was a whirlwind of controlled motion, her braid whipping behind her like a silken lash. she pressed her attack against Adalbert. The practice sword she used, crafted from polished, sturdy wood, moved with an almost liquid grace; constant flurries of feints and thrusts kept the larger knight constantly on the defensive.
She was good enough to put him in a tight spot, unless he actually puts in the work.
Adalbert, his brow furrowed in concentration, still parried each strike with his muscled arm or the brunt of his shoulder. The sound of his sword clashing against Erica's became a resonant clang.
Yet, a subtle stiffness betrayed his recent injuries nonetheless.
The movements made, while powerful and precise, lacked much of their usual explosive dynamism, and the effortless speed that characterized his swordsmanship. Truthfully, a bead of sweat trickled down his temple, as he sidestepped a particularly swift lunge Erica made; a low grunt escaped his dry lips with the exertion.
Yes - he was recovering; but the echoes of the battlefield desperately lingered on in his weary, strained muscles.
Far away from the energetic clashing of swords, a pocket of tranquility beneath the sprawling branches of an ancient oak, there was soothing quiet.
The gnarled limbs of the tree, still bare of leaves in late winter, offered a skeletal canopy against the pale sky.
Mena, ramrod straight posture, sat here cross-legged on the grass and guided Ophilanna through much of the delicate art of elemental and energy manipulation.
She could hardly ignore the Äther, bestowed upon her student, and took to herself liberty to peek at the pages. Within, a world of unimaginable knowledge unfurled; it was a collection much more detailed and abstract, but powerful, than any she had the pleasure of ever witnessing.
While teaching her student, she made notes herself of the covered material, and the especially difficult parts, to study them by herself.
Of course, her student, gleefully aware, raced her teacher to who would understand the material best - and it was a rather close call, whenever they began a new chapter.
It would be hardly a long shot to claim that even Mena could elevate most of her magic using the techniques and mathematics from the book.
Frankly, she thought, that before learning from it, she only used magic with an efficiency rate close to 30% to 40%; and now she was, where, at 60%?
It was incredible.
However, to come back to their studies, Ophilanna struggled still with many of the common techniques. As sunlight, filtering through the oak's branches, painted shifting mosaics of light and shadow on the two women, air around them crackled faintly with nascent magic.
A subtle hum of energy vibrated against their skin. Mena's voice, laced with strict cadence, now softened to a gentle murmur, tinged with wistfulness and patience, while she corrected Ophilanna's hesitant movements.
"See, Fia.. not so.. angular," Mena instructed her, with slender fingers to fix the angle of the girl's wrist, "Magic is not a blunt instrument, dear. It flows, adapts.. yields. Yet, it can shatter most material. Think of water, Fia." She paused. "What are its properties?"
A response quickly came. "It's... fluid, adaptable, and ever-changing?"
"Correct. Now, let your movements mirror the willow in the wind, bending to the storm, yet unbreakable at its core."
Stepping back, Mena's dark eyes, sharp and assessing usually, now held a softer, almost melancholic light. "Feel the energy, dear. Deep within you.. not just in your core, but in your breath and the pulse of your blood. Let it guide your form, not your conscious and mind. Then, release the tension. You need *flow*."
Ophilanna, brow furrowed in deep concentration, closed her eyes and attempted to internalize her teacher's words. She breathed rather deeply, focusing on the subtle thrum of energy that now resided within her. It was a sleeping power, both exhilarating and daunting. She then mirrored Mena's hand gestures, with somewhat clumsy movements lacking the effortless grace of her teacher.
Yet, as she focused, a faint emerald glow began to soon emanate from her outstretched hands; a soft, verdant luminescence pulsed gently in the pale sunlight.
She was making great progress; incremental, tangible, and each small step forward a testament to her teacher's patient guidance, and Ophilanna's burgeoning talent.
Despite all that, a persistent feeling of inadequacy still nagged her, a sense she was merely scratching the surface of a vast, incomprehensible art.
Magic, as she was beginning to understand, was not just about raw power or energy, about conjuring and the art of the unimaginable and the summoning, but it was about nuance, subtletly, understanding, and getting familiar with the intricate dance between intention, manipulating energy, and figuring out the very fabric of reality.
Curious, Mena observed her incredible student, with a complex tapestry of emotions flickering across her, usually impassive, face. Now, a hint of pride, and a shadow of regret, mixed with a deep, underlying sadness.
"You learn with such remarkable speed, Fia.." she commented, her voice softer still, almost like a whisper carried on the gentle breeze. "You.. have a rare gift. No.. a natural affinity. It will serve you well, dear, wherever your path may ultimately lead. I fear..", she began to chuckle, "you will most definitely overtake me soon in your understanding and skill." Her words heavily hung in the air, laden with most of the unspoken meaning.
Ophilanna, still lost in the sensation of magic flowing through her, nearly missed the subtle shift in Mena's tone, almost imperceptible a tremor of farewell woven into her praise. "You truly think so, teacher?", she asked, finally opening her eyes, gaze still affixed on her own glowing hands, mesmerized greater still by the emerald light that danced between her fingers.
"Sometimes.. ah.. sometimes, it feels like I'm just.. imitating you. As if I'm going through the same motions, but not really.. grasping their essence?"
Mena's lips curved into a fleeting, gentle smile, melancholic beauty in its brevity. "You see, Fia, that understanding is a journey, not a destination. It unfolds with time and practice, and most importantly.. with experience."
Moving to directly face her, Mena took into her own hands Ophilanna's.
"Your training here... with me.. it is a single step on a path that stretches far beyond these..", she points all around and motions to imply the capital city, "these walls. Your journey.. Lady Fia.. has only just begun. Mine, however, will soon come to an end. I wish to settle and live life, too. All journeys, however winding or long.. they inevitably will lead to some destination."
Her gaze drifted past her student, towards the distant sky marking the horizon, as if she could see diverging paths that lay ahead.
"Your time here... no. My time here.. with you, in the Baroness' care.. it has been, and will be, valuable. I trust you have enjoyed it, too?"
Again, the subtle emphasis, unspoken farewell woven into a seemingly innocuous question...
When Ophilanna finally looked up, her brow furrowed in genuine confusion. Her teacher's words, thickly laden with veiled meaning, were starting to grievously penetrate her focused mind.
"Uhm.. teacher! Of course.. more than I can possibly express. I've.. learned so much. Everything, it feels like, from Erica, Adalbert, Mother, the servants.. and you. From everyone here.. I.. I truly don't know what direction my life would have taken.. what I would have become? Without your guidance, your.. friendship."
A warm, heartfelt smile bloomed on her face, radiating genuine gratitude. Then, tears poured and poured, thick, saline droplets covering and curling past her cheeks.
"I'm sorry.. to make you see me like this, teacher.", she profusely apologised while sniffing.
Mena, understanding that the girl is subconsciously understanding, embraced her in a big, warm hug. "You're such an excellent student. I hope you grow up to become a strong woman. A wonderful leader. Someone with such ambition.."
Ophilanna sobbed into her teacher's shoulder. She mumbled and murmured things that Mena could only guess to fully grasp her words. But her intention was clear.
"I know all things must come to an end. But I hope we will see each other again, plenty."
The undercurrent of farewell, the acknowledgement of impending departure, had resonated in Mena's every word. "I, too, am eternally grateful for my time here. You have taught me to become a better teacher.. that puts their student before them."
Mena's smile, though somber, widened, a fraction more genuine, yet an undercurrent of sadness still remained, etched into her face, no, her heart. A faint shadow of dark within her eyes. "Gratitude is a rare, precious virtue, dear", Mena said softly. "Hold onto it. Hold onto your experience, your life, and your curiousity. Cherish it. Remember all you have absorbed within these walls.. For the world beyond them, is vast, unpredictable, and most often... cruel and unforgiving."
She could only nod as the tears barely stopped emerging. In the end, the day turned to night, and that was it.
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In her room.
-Ophilanna
A delicate knock, light as a butterfly's wing against the door, interrupted the afternoon's quietude.
Erica, who had been meticulously braiding wildflowers into my unbound hair, with her nimble fingers weaving vibrant tapestry of colour, paused, her head tilting with curious inquisitiveness.
"Expecting a visitor, ain'tcha, Ophi?"
I only shook my head, brow furrowing in gentle question. Not that I had summoned anyone, or anticipated any.. interruptions. But Erica, ever so proactive, rose gracefully from the cushioned stool and crossed the room to open the door. Lisette, who had taken so much care of me, stood in the hallway, as she apparently was visiting. Her smile, hidden as always beneath her grumpy exterior, made way for one more radiant and sunny than a spring day.
"Granma!", I exclaimed joyfully, jumping up and running straight at her, into her embrace.
"What a delightful surprise.. to see you doing so well, kiddo. I heard a lot.. sure ya's alright? The Baroness treating you weird? Shoulda kick her down a peg?"
Erica, brimming with genuine warmth, looked at Madame Lisette. I reached out and pulled her into our welcoming, heartfelt embrace.
"I'm happy to see you here, Granma. There are so many things I want to tell you!", I stumbled over my words in excitement. "Let's go!"
She smiled, the light illuminating her features with joyful radiance. "Take it easy, kiddo.. it's.. so wonderful seein' the lil' you be a vibrant wee little lad, and some weight you put on! It was time!", she grinned. "Though.. let's just say we had rumours flutterin' round the place like startled doves in a dovecote."
When she commented on my weight, my cheeks flushed a delicate rose. An all too familiar wave of self-consciousness washed over me. I know.. I was pretty skinny, barely putting on any muscle, but still..? Then, I am also subject of gossip, even if it is well-intentioned?..
It made me feel acutely uncomfortable, so I prodded Madame Lisette for more. "Rumours?", I asked, my voice barely reaching above a whisper, gaze dropping to my lap.
Lisette, in turn, just chuckled. Such a light, melodic sound it was, filling the room with cheer.
While we talked, it barely registered with me that we had arrived in the dining hall - where she and I usually meet. Reina was present, having dinner. All of us settled onto a cushioned seat, and Lisette patted the space beside her for Erica to sit next to her, inbetween the both of us. She quickly obliged, perching beside me, her friend. Erica's attention was now divided between the two of us.
"Oh, you know the court..", Lisette laughed heartily, "Whispers travel faster than a falcon in flight. Me? I'm not that particular.. the winds all talk of a Prophet. Gaia's. Y'know.."
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
She arched her eyebrow, eyes sparkling with playful mischief, "and guess who's the very center of this entire speculation, hun?"
My eyes.. just widened at her mention, and a mixture of disbelief, as well as apprehension, swirled within them. "Me..?", I silently breathed, pupils growing, and the question was.. barely audible.
"Why, yes", Reina's voice called for Ophilanna's attention. "You are, indeed, the talk of the capital.. no. The entire continent. It has been.. what? - a century? - since an actual prophet hailed here."
Grandma grinned heavily, with a wide, unrestrained expression of pure, melting delight. "You! Lady Prophet you are... a wee thing.. this size! Might I add, kiddo, your performance at the ceremony..", she coughed with a wink, "was incredible. You're.. the most talked-about person in Silvale."
Erica chimed in. "Right! Everyone keeps talking about it. She's become a veritable celebrity, too!"
Something just.. overcame me. A cold wave of panic, perhaps? Despite the room's warmth.. everyone's cheer.. Lisette, Erica, and Reina.. it was all becoming a bit much. Celebrity? Me? Prophet?
These weren't exactly titles I ever actually sought.. or if I did, it was never my goal for it to feel so... so..
I don't know. It was never my desire. It all felt so utterly surreal.
Erica, quick on her thinking, sensed my growing unease, offering a comforting smile, being the silent anchor in the swirling sea of my anxieties.
Everyone must face their beasts. I faced mine before. "Don't fret, Fia", she interjected gently, squeezing my hand in a gesture of quiet support, "I know it's a lot for you.. to absorb. I know. but it's also.. a remarkable honour. A truly great one."
Granma nodded in fervent agreement, playful tone shifting to one of utmost, genuine sincerity. "Damn well it is, little one. I'm teasin' ya and pickin yer bone. But I can't deny.. you achieved the impossible. It's an immense honour, and with it, you face the responsibility. Wield your weapons well. I trust ya to lead this rotten country, alright?"
She paused, wielding a thoughtful gaze, almost introspective at first glance. "I felt compelled to come see you, kiddo. I want to offer my unwavering support to ya.. and, if I'm fully honest", she confessed with sheepish grin, "I gotta try understand it all a bit better myself.. all this Prophetess talk!"
The rest of the afternoon unfolded into a warm, intimate gathering. Madame Lisette, her natural inquisitiveness bubbling to the surface, gently probed me with questions. They weren't anything grand, like prophecies or divine pronouncements, but about myself.. how I settled in here, how I felt, and my thoughts on the Goddess I serve.
Of course, when I spoke of Enia, I felt a weird... gaze on me, from the Baroness' direction, I think. Though that dissipated quickly, and left was my tale of Enia, the imprisoned deity, of the ethereal Gaia, and Limbo, the beyond. A world of the dead, and a place she guards, with her knight angelic, Illaniyael, and her curious secretary, General.
The visions, though, I kept a tight secret. Only Erica knew; and she was my silent, steadfest presence, anchoring me. With great intent, she listened, interjecting her own insightful thoughts and observations, while offering most gentle reassurance. Gradually, we, together, wove a tapestry of friendship and support.
What can I say? Erica is my best friend. The many times we huddled together, slept together, and recently.. doted on each other...
I am grateful to have her as my friend.
Though as the afternoon shadows waned and lengthened, stretching across the room like long, pronounced fingers, the Madame now rose, to take her leave.
"Thank ya, kiddo.. and you, Erica", she said, smile now imbued with deeper sincerity, quiet understand, and some playfulness. "Not just for sharing all of this.. with an old, grumpy lady like me, but for lettin' me hear your lovely stories."
She chuckled lightly, her cackle tinged with newfound respect. "It's been a real insight.. I promise, I'll keep in touch with you, little one." Her hand reached out to me, carefully placed on my head.
Then, Granma embraced me warmly, a lingering hug filled with unspoken encouragement; to Erica, she offered a knowing glance. "To yer lil thing, please take care of the kiddo. She is.. special to me. More than she'll ever realise."
In response, Erica nodded, understanding the task given to her.
Once Lisette gracefully departed, contemplative quiet descended upon the room, inducing a stillness pregnant with thoughts unspoken, among them deep gratitude for Madame Lisette's support, persistent unease at the daunting weight I bear, and growing, undeniable sense of anticipation; a most quiet hum of destiny that resounded within my very core.
We returned to my room, with giggles and happiness filling the chamber. As we embraced each other in a big, warm hug, I turned to Erica, I turned to Erica, intending to voice all the thoughts I bore in my mind, when a soft knock echoed at the door once more.
This time, it was a maid; her demeanor was respectful, though slightly formal. She was new; I believe her name to be.. Camine?
"Lady Fia," she announced, voice carefully modulated, "the Baroness.. Lady Reina.. wishes to see you in her office, in two days' time, midday." With a practiced curtsy, she delivered the message that she was sent with, her gaze never quite meeting mine, before retreating silently, melting back into the hushed corridors of the mansion.
Erica and I exchanged a long, knowing glance. Such a summons.. means great change.
So soon after Lisette's visit? That implies something..
"Did she invite Grandma?", I tugged at the hem of Erica's nightgown. "Tell me, if you know.."
Erica, perplexed by my sudden question, didn't know where to look or go with her words, stuttering and mumbling, falling over her words. "Uh? She? You mean... she did? I.. I don't know.."
I know that Erica is notoriously bad at lying. With that in mind, I came closer to her, now standing face-to-face before the bed. "Did the Baroness invite Lisette?", I grabbed her hand, holding it tightly. "Can't you tell me?"
Rose tint coloured her face, as I caressed her hand, staring into her light blue, crystalline eyes. They were made to be lost in; once you look, you could hardly take your eyes away.
My hands were intent on keeping hers occupied. "Uhm.. I really don't.. know..", she mumbled, trying to look away. With one step back, then another, she wanted to create some distance.
Though once she took the third, she stumbled backwards, onto my bed.
Given I had my hands so tightly intertwined with hers, I fell with her.
Next thing we knew.. both of us were staring into each other's eyes. I could see my red, flushed face in hers, and she could definitely see how much her face blushed! It was a sight for sore eyes. I must admit... she looked cute.
To avoid hurting her, I let go before falling on top of her. The scene we were in was as follows:
Erica laid on her back, facing me, upwards; and I, holding myself up, had both of my hands left and right of her head..
Our position didn't last long, though, as she nearly screamt in embarassment. I scrambled to get up and off her, Erica sat up straight.
Within the minute, her face was hidden within her hands. This, in turn, was melting me; such adorable reactions!
But of course, I wasn't unaffected. Given that I already lived a life, albeit short, and Erica was much younger than me, I tugged at her gown, breaking her little shield of hands in front of her face.
"You.. are you okay?", I asked her gently. "I'm sorry for teasing you.. and that we fell like that."
With one fell swoop, I scooped her into my arms from behind her, to her surprise, though she did not resist.
"Mmm.. yes..", she pouted slightly, her voice dropping into a whisper. "I didn't mind it though..."
While it made me curious, I had no intention of prodding her even further, since sleep was about to take me. The both of us yawned, and so I pulled her into bed. "Let's sleep together today.. if you don't mind?"
With a smile, Erica nodded. "Good night, sleepy head."
I fell asleep with her in my arms that night.
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Sleep offered little respite. When I opened my eyes, a restless, vast sea of fragmented thoughts and a purgatory of anxieties was before me.
A palace filled with grandeur, heavy weight settled on me; and then there was Lisette's belief in me.
On top of all of those... expectations.. Mena's cryptic farewell, it all coalesced into a swallowing, gaping hole, a vortex of confusion, within my mind.
Even as I drifted through the murky depths of slumber, the world of dreams, familiar tendrils of nightmarish concern began to insert themselves into my dreams, feeling cold, unwelcome, and icy dread.
What I saw were flashes of dark alleyways, the horrid stench of diesel fumes, and the chilling, bone-deep cold of death itself. In front of me, fragmented memories of a past life surged forth once more, so vivid and relentless in their picturesque portrayal, they gravely unsettled me.
The woman's face, contorted in silent grief and scream, hung limp and lifeless, and the man's eyes, so out to kill her, burnt with an accusation that pierced her very soul.
Over and over, horrific scenes replayed themselves with increasing clarity behind my eyelids; each image became sharper, more visceral, more agonizing, than before.
Fear, cold and clammy, clenched and clawed at my heart; it was an all-too-familiar grip threatening to paralyze me with terror.
But then.. despite the encroaching darkness, something unexpected, I dare say, miraculous, began to unfold.
Though the oppressive shadows engulfed me entirely, a faint, ethereal light began to bloom within the heart of the nightmare. As a tiny spark, it flickered, a fragile warmth throughout the desolation, akin to a single point of luminescence in the darkness overwhelming me.
Is that... Erica? Her presence?
Impossibly, it grew. Slowly, then with increasing momentum, it radiated outwards in gentle, slow waves, pushing back with relative ease the shadows, chasing away any dread.
The grimy alleyway shimmered; its harsh, unforgiving edges softened, the darkness gradually receded like a tide pulling back by an unseen moon. The horrd stench of diesel dissipated, replaced by the faint, sweet aroma.. the smell of her hair. It was a delicate fragrance.
And the woman's face, who I was before, turned from deathly, still etched with profound sorrow, to a softer, vibrant shade of happiness. Even the angry, accusing eyes of the man.. were replaced with a flicker of understanding, compassion.. Forgiveness.. and regret.
What of the burning village, the scene of primal, horrifying terror? It began to dissolve; where there was raging inferno, it slowly faded into embers, then ash, and finally, transformed into a lush, vibrant memory of a green forest, bathed in soft golden glowing light of a nascent dawn.
The dying mother, face chiseled with death and despair, turned into one of love and care. She was enveloped by some sort of ethereal glow, suffering replaced by serene, otherworldly peace.
A sense of profound tranquility began to permeate the dreamscape. I was... being cradled, protected, and enveloped in unconditional love.
No longer was I plagued by a nightmare, tormenting my soul, but a vision of profound peace.. of belong.. of home.
I opened my eyes with a soft gasp, my heart still echoed and coughed with the remnants of much of the fear I held so tightly onto. The icy grip of terror loosened, and was being replaced by lingering, comforting warmth. Within me, profound sense of calm had settled deeply.
My eyes opened by themselves, and I blinked against the soft morning light, filtering through the curtains. I found myself enveloped in a most delightful embrace:
Erica slept there, nestled beside me in my bed, arms wrapped tightly around my waist, with her breathing soft and even, a gentle rhythm of sleep. She had sought her solace in my presence, as I did in hers. Between us, there is silent understanding, passing, of our fears and the darkness we hold in our hearts. Intertwined, we must have fallen asleep.. together.
Gently, I disentangled myself from Erica's peaceful, loving embrace.
A voice, clear and resonant as a bell, yet gentle as the summer breeze rustling through leaves, echoed in the quiet chambers of my mind. "Fia.. no, Ophilanna, my child.."
Gaia's presence filled my very being; not with any overwhelming, awe-inspiring power- no, but with a soothing, maternal warmth, something that was all-encompassing, love that deeply resonated within my soul.
"Continue your training, little Prophetess.. Embrace the path that now unfolds before you, one path illuminated by your destiny itself. Seek thy kinowledge, child, and seek understanding."
A moment of silence fell, but before her mind could wander, Gaia resumed.
"The world you live in, dear, is much more vast than you could ever grasp.. your journey has only just begun. Go, Fia, to the Academy. Seek comfort in the halls of learning, repositories of most ancient of wisdom. There, admist scholars of the ancient truth and seekers of knowledge, you will find your tools, skills, and understanding, that will let you fully realize your destiny. Fulfill the purpose for which you were reborn, and forge your own."
I was about to ask, but Gaia said it before I could utter the words, "Destiny is not as set in stone as you might think. Your future, as everyone else's, even mine, is malleable. Trust in yourself, little Prophetess, and trust in me, the guidance of your Goddess, and Enia. Fear not for the shadows that might, nay, will gather, for the unwavering light of mine and hers will always illuminate your way, they will guide you homeward. Little one.. time is most short, I must admit.. I shall leave you a present for your growth.."
The vision in my mind now flickered; with a click, the gentle, maternal voice receded like a whisper on the wind, leaving me but bathed in soft, golden afterglow, with lingering peace, purpose that began to settle far in the reaches of my heart.
Now, I had a goal- the Academy. To build my knowledge, gather allies.. and fight with what I can muster.
All these words had resonated within me, forging a new direction, a clear path, that now unfolded suddenly before myself. It was being lit by the promise of knowledge, comfort and guidance, by Gaia and Enia themselves.
Sleepily, I turned my gaze to Erica, still peacefully asleep beside, face serene in rest, kindling my sense of determination and resolve.
Far from over, my journey was in the mere beginnings...
Truthfully, Gaia's voice still echoed in my memory. I had much more work to do.