Priscilla beamed the most radiant smile she had ever smiled, since the times when she was a young girl growing up in her mother's warmth. ''Is this what you meant, Rin? I feel so alive! I feel the power circling my heart with every breath I take, I can feel the fire beneath my feet and the plants whispering their sweet melodies! I feel it all so closely!'' her palpable excitement gushed out as she stared bright-eyed at Zae-Rin.
The woman laughed at the girl's display of excitement. ''Wonderful child, you continue to amaze me. What you showed was a perfect resonance! An impossible bond that grasps the natural laws of our world. Essentially your potential is limitless! My teachings will be shallow in comparison, almost negligible in contrast to the sheer possibilities you're capable of. But worry not child. I shall dedicate myself wholeheartedly to preparing you for your return to the world.'' Zae-Rin said with pride. ''I'll make it so you can return in style and show them the consequences of their actions!''
''I request only one thing for when you grow and achieve your goals. I need you to perform but one task, a simple matter for the you that you'll be by then. Just promise me this— and I'll teach you everything!'' she added softly, clasping her hands in front as if she were praying at an altar.
''What is your request— can you tell me about it?'' Priscilla asked.
''No.'' Zae-Rin replied succinctly. ''The problem is— there is a causal reaction to every action. Telling you now— it would only implicate you in matters to come. It would make it far more difficult for you to achieve your desires— and mine. I don't think either of us would want that, some things no matter how much you want to know, are simply not worth it when it doesn't concern you at the moment. So let's focus on what truly matters now— I shall teach you about the world and about your powers. And I'll give you the means to get out of here, how's that?'' she held out her hand offering it to the girl.
Priscilla looked at her with a sense of warmth that emanated from the depths of her heart. Something about the woman reminder her of her mother, it was a comfort she didn't want to deny. She reached out and grabbed Zae-Rin's hand. ''Okay, Rin! I promise I'll help you— since you're helping me, it's only fair, right!'' she said with a smile.
''That's a good child.'' Zae-Rin replied with a smile of her own as she lead the girl away. With a wave of her hand the illuminated path that brought her to Priscilla began to churn and retract, guiding them to Zae-Rin habitat. Brightness flooded Priscilla's vision before revealing a dazzling garden filled with vibrant coloured flowers, at the center stood a marbled gazebo with platters of fruit bowls covering the table that sat within it. Rin walked up and took a seat as she waved for Priscilla to do the same.
Priscilla sat down and watched Rin pluck some grapes into her mouth, she couldn't help but curiously ask. ''What is this place?''
''You can say— it's my nightmare. Similar to the experiences you went through, this place confines us to a prison of our mind's demons.'' Zae-Rin chuckled before adding. ''It's just that— I had enough time to manipulate my nightmare a bit, and make it a bit more palatable! If you stayed here for as long as I have you would be able to do the same, but since you'll be leaving— I suppose there's not going to be an opportunity for us to be neighbors.''
''What do you mean— your nightmare? Should it not be over?'' Priscilla asked confusedly, she thought the suffering was over, maybe she was trapped or forced to wander in the void— but surely it wouldn't repeat itself?
''Sweet child, the suffering is endless— for as long as your attachments to the world linger, so too will the laws attempt to sever them. The only end— is the path beyond, but until then it's a constant that will gradually continue to break you.'' Rin said before popping another grape into her mouth.
''In any case, you have some time until it strikes again. And even if it strikes— you are strong enough to endure. Your willpower is your greatest weapon, never forget. In the meantime you must work hard, and train. Train your body, your powers, and your mind. Until you're ready for all that life will send your way one you return.'' she added seriously, before standing up and walking towards the edge of the gazebo.
Priscilla felt some fright, but Rin's presence helped soothe her. The woman quickly became a shelter for Priscilla, she came suddenly, but her presence was welcome. They spent their time together happily. Zae-Rin taught her about the history that the books in the Empire never mentioned, she showed her the ways in which she used her own powers, to manifest, to create. The power of the blackened markings that spread across her body came to life, glimmering with meaning as they finally had an opportunity to show-off. Like that— the cycles of timelessness flowed, until finally— Priscilla was ready to face the trials Zae-Rin came up with.
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Priscilla found herself drifting through a cavern, weaving through stalactites as she felt vibrations against her skin. She moved with swiftness as currents of wind carried her forward, behind her shrill screeching filled the space as bat-like creatures flew at her in a frenzied hunger as though they wanted nothing more than to gorge themselves on her flesh. Their bloodshot eyes were redder than the blood that dripped down her leg as she tried to escape. She made a mistake— she knew they were sensitive to blood, yet despite it she let one of them hurt her. Now she was forced to make space between them. The creatures continued to flap their two-set wings as they tried to breach the gap between them. Priscilla cursed under her breath before waving her arm and forming a symbol on her palm. A set of golden marks that lay on her arm illuminated into a pattern as she manifested the power, causing minuscule needles of flame to form in front of her.
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The woman moved with agility as she flicked her body backwards, floating on her path with her back now facing away from the beasts. She pushed her hand out, flicking the needles rapidly at the creatures with a grunt. The creatures at the forefront combusted into puddles of blood and gore as the flame needles struck their bodies, the colony of bats behind them screeched more aggressively as the blood of their brethren splattered onto them. The creatures were relentless however— they quickly consumed the blood, growing in size and aggression as they continued their pursuit.
Priscilla scoffed lightly, forming more flaming needles in front of her. She was getting good at using them— she would manifest the wind to glide swiftly, and the flames were a ruthless killer that she could use to land critical blows to just about anyone, at least that was the theory Zae-Rin instilled into her. It was ironic— considering that flames are what set her on this path in the first place. She thrusted, launching the needles with precision as they burrowed deep into the largest creatures— incinerating them body and soul as their blood splattered the cavernous walls. She repeatedly summoned and launched her flames until not a single creature remained. She panted with slight exhaustion as her back pressed against the cavern wall
It was still difficult for her to last long— rapidly manifesting her powers took a toll on her body, despite all the training she had with Zae-Rin before the practical trials began, her body was still adapting to it all. This was only two elements of many and it was already so powerful to her, she found it hard to imagine what life would be like if she could wield all the powers of creation at her disposal, and she didn't know if she'd ever reach the point where she'd be able to find out— but she really wanted to find out.
Priscilla took a breather, before sprinting off into another off-shoot of the cave, where even more of those bloodthirsty creatures nested. She began fighting them repeatedly, she couldn't waste time— she had to grow stronger. The cuts and scrapes on her body continued to pile up, only serving to aggravate the creatures needlessly. They wanted to tear the woman into shreds— she dared barge into their habitat and spread the delicious scent of food so audaciously. But no matter how many of their numbers piled up, the woman could not be stopped. She burned through the mass of creatures, honing her strengths with every wave of enemies. It was not easy— the creatures were rabid and ruthless, they cared not for their brethren as they used their flesh as shields to approach her. It's the reason why her injuries kept increasing, despite her proficiency increasing, but to Priscilla it didn't matter. It didn't matter how reckless they were, and it didn't matter how reckless she was. For all of this was a trial she had to go through, she had to please Rin, she had to do well, all for the sake of returning to the world that she longed for.
While she faced the creatures, Zae-Rin spectated from her gazebo with a smile. The girl was impressive, she was rough, extremely so around the edges, the life of a pampered noble wasn't something one could escape easily, even in death. But the girl truly did have limitless potential. Some injuries were inevitable, but her wits were what truly struck Zae-Rin. She grasped the characteristics of the creatures so quickly and used them to corner them into her grasp. It was— brilliant. She didn't have the instincts of a warrior, nor the stamina or strength of someone who lived their life on a battlefield, but she was ingenious. Even the ways she intuitively manifested her powers, was fascinating to the woman. She had taught Priscilla a lot— the inherent limitations and the methods in which the powers worked, but she still had to leave some things for the girl to grasp on her own.
''Let's go again! Prepare yourself!'' Zae-Rin's voice echoed in Priscilla's mind as the cavernous terrain changed into a nightscape, Priscilla's feet flattened against sand as she stared out at the ocean. A full moon hung overhead eerily as the waves furled against the coastline, painting a picturesque scene of terror when paired with the melodious death rattle of that chilling wind that hummed its song pushing the waves towards her. As the waves crashed against the coast creatures emerged from it, with shriveled up rubbery flesh deformed from water erosion, their webbed hands clenched spiked tools of coral and shellfish. The sinister little creatures snickered as they wobbled towards her. Several creatures began to throw their spiked shells towards her— they wanted to impale her with their toxic barbs, while the others surrounded her. They were aquatic hunters, and she was their prey— or so they thought at least.
Priscilla reacted quickly, illuminating another pattern on her arm as the wind swirled around her rapidly picking the sand up and forming a barrier around her. The shells slammed against it launching specks of sand all over the place. They pierced it— but just barely as the barrier persisted despite it. She grunted as she pushed out forcing the wind and sand to burst out, the shells that were impaled in it rocketed away from her, slamming into the beasts halting their approach.
The unfortunate beasts at the forefront— impaled by the very tools they used, began to howl with pain. Their shrill gurgles echoing against the empty coastline. Priscilla clenched her fists extending her arms down toward the sand. A pattern spread across the backside of her hand and up her wrist as she began to pull her arms up. The sand manifested spear-like clusters that pointed towards the creatures with cruel intention. Not unlike the tools the creatures used, she too created tools that served to impale— with a forceful and exasperated grunt she propelled the spears out of the sand towards the creatures, skewering them. They tried to resist and pull free, but they found themselves completely powerless as the spears carried them into the distance, submerging them into the water..
With every battle, Priscilla found herself learning— growing. It was exhilarating, something she never would've imagined before. In the Empire she was always controlled— she had to be dignified, respectful, she had to obey so many rules that shackled her. But now— she was free. The creatures Rin manifested were intimidating and unheard of, something she didn't know if they really existed or not, but despite it all— it was fun.