Chapter Seven: The First Lesson
The next day dawned cold and crisp, the air heavy with the promise of something ominous. Lila awoke early, her heart pounding with the weight of the prophecy still fresh in her mind. Every word she had read haunted her: The Seer, born of the Veil, who would awaken the ancient bond between realms. The knowledge of her fate was suffocating, and yet, she could feel an odd pull towards the unknown, like something within her was calling her to move forward.
Thorne had promised her that today would be the beginning of her training—an introduction to the magic she didn't yet understand, but knew deep within her bones she needed to master. She couldn't afford to waste time. The Wraithborn were already hunting her, and she had to be ready for whatever came next.
Lila found Thorne waiting for her outside the Academy's massive training hall, the structure standing tall like a sentinel watching over the grounds. Its walls were lined with runes that pulsed faintly in the dim light, an ancient energy that seemed to hum in tune with Lila's own restless heartbeat.
"Ready?" Thorne asked, her tone both calm and serious.
Lila swallowed, nodding. "I have to be."
Thorne didn't say anything else, but led her into the hall, where the air felt thicker, charged with the kind of magic that made Lila's skin tingle. At the center of the room stood a circle of stones, each etched with symbols she didn't recognize. Thorne gestured for Lila to stand in the middle of the circle.
"This is where we begin," Thorne said. "The Veil is the boundary between the known and the unknown, the real and the magical. But your power isn't just tied to the Veil—it's tied to the flow of magic that binds the realms together. And today, you're going to learn how to tap into that flow."
Lila's mind was racing. "How do I do that? I don't even know what I'm supposed to feel."
Thorne gave her a small smile, a spark of confidence in her eyes. "You'll feel it soon enough. Close your eyes. Focus on the pulse of magic beneath your feet, in the stones, in the air around you. It's there, in everything. You just have to let go and let it come to you."
Lila took a deep breath, closing her eyes. She felt the weight of the world pressing down on her shoulders, but she also felt the magic. It was subtle at first, like a faint current running through the earth, but as she focused, the sensation grew stronger. The air around her hummed with energy, and the stones beneath her feet seemed to vibrate, almost alive.
"Good," Thorne's voice was steady, guiding her through the process. "Now, reach out to it. Don't force it—let it come to you. Let it speak to you."
Lila hesitated for a moment, then slowly extended her senses, reaching into the magic. She could feel the pull, like the tug of an invisible thread, leading her deeper. The moment she allowed herself to give in, a surge of power rushed through her, so intense it almost knocked her off her feet. Her body shook, the energy swirling around her like a storm.
She gasped, instinctively pulling back. "What was that? What just happened?"
Thorne's expression was unreadable. "That was your first taste of what lies within you, Lila. But you're only scratching the surface. You need to learn to control it, to harness that power without losing yourself in it."
Lila's heart raced. She had no idea it could feel like that—so wild, so untamed. It was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.
"I don't know if I can control it," Lila admitted, her voice shaky. "It felt like it was... too much."
Thorne stepped closer, placing a hand on her shoulder, her grip firm and grounding. "You're not alone in this. The path will be difficult, and the power will test you. But you have the strength to handle it, Lila. You just have to believe it."
Lila nodded slowly, taking a deep breath. The weight of her destiny still hung over her, but in this moment, she felt something shift within her. She wasn't just a girl caught in the middle of a prophecy anymore. She was the Seer, and it was time to begin mastering her fate.
"Let's try again," Thorne said, her voice filled with quiet encouragement. "You're stronger than you think."
Lila nodded, this time with a renewed determination. She wasn't sure how the path ahead would unfold, but one thing was clear: she was no longer just waiting for her fate to find her. She was going to meet it head-on.
To be continued...