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I closed my eyes, forcing my breathing to slow. Inhale... exhale.
The dark cave around me faded, replaced by the steady rhythm of my heartbeat pounding in my ears. My mind was a swirling storm of fragmented images and sensations, this time I felt a ping, and reaching it a storm of memories played out in a blur until I had a memory
.
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“Alexis, that’s why Pariah is a class S priority threat. You don’t even realize it, but you're thankful and glad for the earring you received. Those are the karmic threads holding you.”
"Lexi!"
A shiver ran down my spine as Mom’s words echoed in my mind, a chilling reminder of how easily I had been manipulated. The most frightening part wasn’t the Pariah’s deception, but my own reaction, being grateful for his 'gift.' Manipulated by fate itself, and bound by threads I didn’t even know existed, all because I hadn’t repaid the price. The hold it had over me was firm.
"Lexi!"
I jolted awake from the spiral of thoughts haunting me since that encounter. How could I have let myself be so easily fooled? How had I fallen into his web so unknowingly?
“Ouch!” I muttered, rubbing my temple as Aunt Nora’s fingers snapped against my forehead. The sharp flick pulled me out of my daze.
Her eyes were sharp and stern only when talking and working at her craft did she take on this persona, as she sighed and crossed her arms. "I’ve been calling you for a while now."
“Ouch!” she flicked again.
Damn that stings…
Her piercing gaze met mine, arms crossed as she exhaled sharply, clearly losing patience.
“Lexi, I need you to stay focused,” she said, her tone a blend of reprimand and concern.
“I know your mind’s been elsewhere, but we’re here for a reason. You can't let yourself get lost in those thoughts forever, not with what we're doing today.”
I blinked, slowly pulling myself from the lingering shadows of the Pariah’s manipulation. Aunt Nora always knew how to cut straight through the fog in my mind, even when I didn’t realize I was stuck in it.
She tilted her head slightly, eyes softening for a moment before her voice regained its no-nonsense edge.
“Now,” she continued, “do you even remember why we’re here together? Or were you too busy thinking about that cursed earring?”
I let out a sigh, I didn't even bother to reply knowing that would lead me into more trouble, and to her credit no one, not even her, had been able to figure out these earrings.
I can’t take them off, and neither can I use them yet I think. I did get the feeling that in due time I’ll be able to use them.
This led to the trouble that I now realized fated item or not I was supposed to have the accursed earring right now. The feeling from the earring was difficult to explain but with Exira, I get that they are waiting for some trigger, what exactly no idea.
Not to mention the weight of recent events still clinging to me, but I forced myself to refocus.
“Yeah, I remember,” I replied, a faint smile tugging at the corner of my lips despite everything. “We’re here to craft those artifacts... for Edward, Alice, and Aunt Mel and possibly one more if any materials are left.”
Nora’s expression softened slightly, though a hint of a smirk played at her lips.
“Good. That means I haven’t completely lost you to your brooding.” She stepped forward, uncrossing her arms and gesturing to the materials spread across the workbench.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
"Let's get to it. I’m not going to do all the work while you sit there sulking."
Aunt Nora leaned against the table, crossing her arms with a knowing smile. "Alright, Lexi," she began, her voice teasing but with a touch of challenge, "since you’ve been so deep in thought, let’s see if you can still remember why we're here. What's the crafting process I taught you again?"
I blinked, trying to shake off the lingering thoughts of the Pariah.
Aunt Nora’s sharp gaze was on me, and I knew she wasn’t going to let me off easy. Scratching the back of my head, I smirked. "Pfft, come on, Aunt Nora. You’re really testing me now?"
"Maybe I am," she replied, her smile widening. "Or maybe I’m just making sure you didn’t lose any brain cells during that... incident."
Ouch, she is really savage…
.
.
The memory shifted as another scene played out
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The dining room was warm and inviting, the golden glow of the chandelier casting soft light on the polished wood of the table. Outside, the chill of the evening crept in, but the thick stone walls of the manor held it at bay. I sat with Mom and Aunt Nora, the comforting aroma of tea and freshly baked biscuits filling the air.
My body ached from head to toe, a dull reminder of the day’s hunt. The tea in my hand was laced with some medicinal blend Aunt Nora had prepared – its warmth seeped into my sore muscles, relaxing me with every sip. A plate of biscuits sat in front of me, their flaky texture melting into sweetness with a hint of spice. It was almost enough to distract me from the tension I felt under Mom’s watchful gaze. Almost.
The day had been… eventful.
The hunt itself was exhilarating. Tracking prey through the forest, moving with calculated precision, the thrill of taking down targets with a combination of skill and Exira. For the most part, I had done well. But when the excitement overtook me, I got overconfident.
Too much confidence in Exira, too little focus.
I still remember the moment everything shifted. The energy I was channeling surged uncontrollably, pulling me deeper and deeper into that strange limbo-like space. My senses dulled, my thoughts slowed, and for a terrifying few seconds, I couldn’t tell where the real world ended and the power began.
If it hadn’t been for Mom...
The image of her sharp, commanding presence cutting through the void was still fresh in my mind. She’d pulled me back, her Exira wrapping around mine like an unyielding tether. Even now, I could feel the lingering effects of that limbo – the cold emptiness that threatened to swallow me whole.
I shuddered, taking another sip of tea to steady myself.
Mom sat across from me, her posture as perfect as ever. She didn’t need to say anything; her piercing gaze was enough. Aunt Nora, seated beside her, was quieter than usual, watching with a subtle smile that hinted at amusement and concern in equal measure.
“So, Alex,” Mom began, her tone deceptively calm. “How was today?”
Unknowingly, I shuddered again. I knew that tone. It was the prelude to a lesson—or a lecture. Possibly both. I also knew what Mom hated most: arrogance. And today, I had been arrogant.
“I… learned a lot,” I said carefully, setting down my cup. “Made a lot of mistakes.”
Mom’s expression didn’t change, but the slight raise of her eyebrow told me I wasn’t off the hook yet.
“Alex,” she said, her voice steady and deliberate, “on the path to attaining power, everyone makes mistakes. What’s important is how much you learn from them—and whether you’re willing to set aside your pride to grow.”
Her words hit like a hammer, as they always did. There was no venom in her tone, no harshness, but the weight of her expectations was enough to make me squirm in my seat.
“Yes, Mother,” I replied, my voice low.
“Exira is a mysterious power,” she continued, her gaze never wavering from mine. “We all, even I learn something new about it every day. It’s only natural for someone on this path to make mistakes. But making the same mistake, Alex will cost you dearly.”
I nodded quickly. “Yes, Mother.”
Her eyes softened just slightly, but her posture remained firm. “Good.”
Aunt Nora finally chimed in, her voice lighter but no less pointed. “Lexi, you’ve got talent, no one’s doubting that. But talent without humility? That’s just a recipe for disaster.” She reached over and slid the plate of biscuits toward me with a teasing smile. “Eat. You’ll need the energy for tomorrow.”
I glanced at her, grateful for the small reprieve, and picked up another biscuit. The silence that followed wasn’t uncomfortable, but it gave me time to reflect. Mom was right – again. Aunt Nora was right again. My overconfidence had almost led to disaster today. If Mom hadn’t been there, I might still be stuck in that limbo, or worse.
As I finished the last sip of tea, its soothing warmth spreading through my body, I looked at Mom. “I’ll do better,” I said, my voice steady this time.
Her lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile. “See that you do.”
And just like that, the weight of the day felt a little lighter. The aches in my body, the sting of my bruised pride, even the fear of what might have happened – it all faded, replaced by a quiet determination.
Tomorrow will come. And with it, another chance to prove myself.
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