Intense pain. Dyani screamed in her sleep, clutching at the sheets on the bed. There was a slam as Aerase barged into the room with a fierce expression. The front of Dyani’s shirt was drenched in sweat that was slowly turning red as blood blossomed from an unseen wound. The Goddess cursed and waved her hand, strapping Dyani down onto the bed. Her body was arched as much as the restraints would allow, and the screaming intensified as a wave of magic crashed out from her body, seeking the attacker.
Aerase climbed onto the bed and vanished the blood-drenched shirt to better understand what was happening. She sucked in a harsh breath in shock at the vivid red markings seeping from a runic circle. A blood magic ritual was being performed on her charge’s body without her consent. Who would dare?
The Goddess of Magic placed her hands over the runic circle and began a low chant to help counteract the pain that the ritual induced. It was the best that she could do since she could not heal her physical form. It took some time before there was any sign that the pain had receded. The runic circle was slow to heal underneath her hands, but it did. Where there was only blood, now there was a dark red scaring. Dyani had calmed and had slipped into unconsciousness, though there was no other sign of distress.
Slipping from the bed and conjuring a new shirt for the sleeping woman, Aerase set up a ward to alert her when Dyani woke.
----
Sweat dripped down her brow, her breath coming in sharp pants. Magic filled the area with a heaviness that spoke of just how much had been used. Dyani eyed the Goddess across from her.
“You are improving.”
Dyani’s shoulders dropped and she shifted to a more relaxed position.;/
“It’s been months.” She shifted her leather gloves nervously, “I hope that I can return to them soon. I feel it’s been too long.”
Aerase didn’t say anything for a moment before walking over to a bench to sit.
“You cannot go back as of yet.” She held up a hand to stall Dyani, whose mouth was open in protest. “You have much to learn still, even with the months of training and teaching I put you through. Come, we have something to do today.”
Dyani set her gloves down onto the bench and grabbed a water to drink on the way. She followed behind Aerase as the Goddess wandered down the halls and up the stairs to where their sleeping quarters were.
“Get cleaned up and changed. I have a surprise for you when you are finished. Meet me at the study."
The Goddess turned away without another word and disappeared. Dyani slumped against the doorframe and took a moment to calm her mind. Months of being dragged through intensive training during the day and then extra training during the night when she slept. Baths were about the only time she got to relax. Standing, she went through the door to her living quarters. Passing the living space with shelves and comfortable seating, Dyani went into her bedroom where she gathered nice clothes. Dyani peeled off the training clothes to dump them into the basket for cleaning.
Bathing had become an enjoyable time since she had the opportunity to relax. Before, she had taken showers and the occasional bath, but now she could appreciate the magic behind a long bath. There were many things she could add to the water to help with healing and with any smaller ailments. It was one of the things that she was glad to have learned that was not from the Goddess. In fact, the magic was older than they taught at the school and came from the memories she relived during her dreams. A mother teaching her daughter the magic of healing water when magic was still practiced in the open around nonmagicals.
Dyani laid back in the large inlaid bathing pool that could have easily held another three or four people with some room leftover. Her thoughts were swirling as she felt the soothing magic ease her sore muscles. It was easy to get lost in the stream of thoughts and memories. Her eyes closed on their own accord and Dyani breathed in deeply. As was her normal, her mind drifted off to the thought of Britt and the friends she had left behind. It hurt to know that she was nowhere near ready to go back or to face the trials that the Goddess had in place for her.
With a huff, Dyani got out from the cooling water and dried off her body. It was useless to try and relax since the Goddess had mentioned that she had a surprise. It would bother Dyani until it was revealed. She slipped on the clothes she had picked out, which was a simple white dress with leggings underneath. It was a small thing to have more modern clothes, but Dyani was pleased she didn't have to wear anything uncomfortable.
It was her reflection in the mirror that had her pausing. Ever since that night she woke with the blood ritual carved into her chest, it was still raw looking. It had been months since that time and the Goddess had explained that because it was still only days from when it first happened in her physical body, it wouldn't heal until long after she returned. It was ghastly to her eyes but Aerase had mentioned that it was just another sign that she was a survivor and to be proud of all the scars she wore.
Dyani sighed and walked away from her reflection, focusing on what was ahead of her than what was behind. It was better to not dwell on the past or she'd sink deep into emotions she didn't want to deal with at the moment. It was a quiet walk to the study, where she sat on one of the couches where a stack of books lay waiting for her. One was cracked open to a page and she pulled it into her lap. This one was on the basics of focus and intent. Magical Theory. It was a decent read but there were some aspects that she did not agree with. Dyani frowned slightly at one of the comments from the author and wished for a moment that she could debate this point.
"Ah, there you are. You ready for your surprise?"
Dyani shut the book and set it to the side with the others, "Sure."
"I think that you will enjoy this, though it will be nothing what you expect."
"I've stopped trying to expect the normal from you, to be quite honest." Dyani laughed as they walked down the stairs to a different area of the tower that she had not been before.
"This area is a place I did not think you were ready to go to yet. It's the ritual rooms. You will need supervision using these until I feel you are well versed enough to not blow the tower or yourself up."
Aerase waved a hand, lighting the way for them to walk down the corridor.
"I see where I sit with you if you think of the tower before my life." The Goddess turned to her with a frown, making Dyani sigh. "It was meant as a joke. I know that you care."
Aerase nodded, "Good. I have too much invested in you to let you die from stupidity. I care, I do, Dyani. You also have to remember that I love all my Blessed as my own children. You may not have been born a part of this world but you are here now. That is all that matters. Now come, I do not want to keep them waiting longer."
"Them?" Dyani stuttered in surprise.
The doors opened to reveal a room covered in glowing runes. Dyani took a step back and sucked in a sharp breath. They were not the blood red color, instead a bright silver, but the sight of them was enough for her to feel the verge of panic. She watched as Aerase stopped at the increase of magic that Dyani could feel pooling around her and looked back. It took a moment before recognition crossed her face and then a look of guilt.
"I am sorry, Dyani. It had not occurred to me that you would have a reaction to the sight of a ritual. Forgive me."
The Goddess moved closer to Dyani but kept a short distance to give her room. Dyani stepped closer to a wall and took a shuddering breath, doing her best to calm her heart rate and the feeling of panic that gripped her.
"How can I help you?"
Dyani shook her head and closed her eyes, breathing deep through her nose. "I just need a moment to calm and I will be fine. I just did not expect to feel panic when seeing the room and the runes."
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Aerase nodded and folded her hands in front of her body, "Take the time you need. This was my fault and I apologize. I should have expected a reaction. I will do better to warn you of surprises in the future."
Dyani nodded and ran shaking hands down the front of her dress. One more deep breath and Dyani squared her shoulders.
"Alright, I am ready. I can do this now."
Aerase stepped closer and walked with Dyani as they approached the large ritual room. Now that Dyani was working to control her panic, she could see the differences and it helped to ease the flashbacks. Stepping into the room, the magic swept over them like a sharp whip of wind. Dyani hissed at the magic, feeling irritation settle onto her skin where the runes from the blood ritual were. This was the first time that it occurred and made her wonder if she had a sensitivity to ritual magics. She would ponder that later. Aerase reached the center of the ritual and raised her arms. Her voice was melodic as she began to chant in a tongue that Dyani was not familiar with.
The magic picked up and began to converge on an area that was right in front of Aerase. Dyani watched avidly as the converged magic began to hum and shift. Shimmering forms were beginning to appear, as if they were an invisible type of mirage that was quickly gaining form and color. The hum of magic pitched in fever as Aerase continued her chant, pouring her own magic into the ritual. It did not take Dyani long for her to understand that this was Summoning. Something that she had read in passing when looking into the different branches of magic she could learn.
Dyani was quiet, watching the ritual unfold before her. The figures grew solid and she could see a row of them smiling and greeting one another. Aerase stopped her chanting to greet them. Each gave her a handshake or a hug, depending upon the person. Dyani could see that a few were older and some were younger looking. Most notable was that every single one of them were very clearly not human. Even those that had a human appareance still had a sense of otherness about them. The Goddess stepped away from the small group, turning to Dyani. She waved a hand for Dyani to join her. Taking a breath, she stepped forward through the ritual circle. The moment that she did, the runes on her skin lit up with a faint glow. It was not bright as before but it was still highly noticeable.
Conversations halted as the runes continued to glow and Aerase shook her head, tisking at the sight. "You do not do thing by half, do you Dyani?"
"Considering that you were the one that changed me, technically you are the one that didn't do it by half."
There were chuckles as Aerase smiled at the snark. "That is fair. Come, I want you to meet the Masters."
Dyani walked forward to stand beside the Goddess. Her hands fidgeted as she examined the beings in front of her. Their power was palpable as they stood there.
"You will be learning different forms of magic from these Masters. I have taught you the basics as much as I am able. There is too much for you to learn that I am in need of others to take over the other subjects. I will be continuing your magical theory, but let us get you acquainted with the Masters for your other subjects."
A woman stepped forward on the end closer to Dyani, her hair was pulled up into a tight bun and she had a more serious expression. Aerase stepped over to her and smiled, "This is Lolliylora Suryle. She will be taking care of teaching you the basics and more advanced forms of magical cultures and traditions. You will need to know all the different cultures from human to magical beings. We have a complex community that you are being thrown into and you'll need to be able to navigate any social situation."
Dyani took in a deep breath before stepping forward. She shook the hand of the woman, Lolliylora, before giving the woman a smile.
"We will be working on getting you started with introductions with new people of different status and race. From there, I wish to teach you about the intricacies of each magical culture and the political and social environments. I look forward to seeing you become a part of our community. I have heard nothing but good things from Aerase. You can call me Lora"
Dyani blushed and stepped back, "Thank you. I truly am fascinated with learning about the community I have stepped in. I just am stuck within a magical school that has no acknowledgement of different magical races. I've only been able to learn what I have from reading through Aerase's library."
"Good, you want to learn. That is more than half the battle."
Lora stepped back into the row with a smile and a nod at the Goddess. Next to her, a man stepped forward. He was the one that had bright red eyes that unsettled Dyani a bit. he took Dyani's hand and kissed the back of it with a slight bow.
"Dyani, this is Sisef Golok. He is a Master in the arts of Blood Magic and Runes. With your sensitivity to Runes and Rituals, I figured that you would be in need of someone to teach you how to work within those areas. I understand you may be uncomfortable with him due to his heritage, but I was hoping that we could help you with that unease."
Sisef bowed his head and gave Dyani a small smirk, "I am to understand that an unfortunate member of my kind has offended you greatly. I wish to offer an official apology on the behalf of the Golok vampires. While I am not alive within the mortal plane, I still am an Elder that can offer you penance. We will speak more on how we can repay your grievance against our kind."
Dyani bit her lip and shot a look ot Aerase. The Goddess placed a hand on her arm and gave her a light nod. Looking back at Sisef, Dyani held out her hand.
"I accept your offer and look forward to learning from you."
He bowed over her hand and placed another kiss on the back of it, "The pleasure is mine, darling."
Aerase took her shoulders and moved Dyani away from him. The others chuckled at the action, with Dyani confused over it. The Goddess moved her to the next person, this one completely inhuman. He stood at least two to three feet taller than Dyani. His features were something that Dyani had only read about in fictional books. He had dark skin that shimmered lightly when he moved, especially with his large wingspan. From all her reading, the best guess that she could give was that he was a Drakithr, or a humanoid dragon.
"Dyani, I wish for you to meet Phiphas Suvac. He will be your physical instructor and dueling master."
"It is my pleasure to meet you Miss Dyani," He bowed over her hand much like Sisef had, "We shall be working together to give you the best chance of survival in battle situations."
Dyani smiled at him, "Thank you. It seems that I will be needing that training when the time comes. I tend to get myself into trouble more often than not these days."
Those in the room chuckled. Dyani was guided to the next person. Another woman. She was much younger than the others and her features were sharp. Dyani could tell that this woman rarely laughed or cracked a smile.
"Next school?" Dyani turned to the Goddess with a raised eyebrow. "Britt had mentioned something of the sort as well."
"This is Ifera Rizora. She will be your guide to learning the Black Arts. Most notably, she will get you a rounded foundation in some of the more difficult areas such as Summoning and Soul Magic. There are a few other areas but this is just a beginning to get you to a place where your next school will teach you the rest."
Aerase just smiled at her and motioned for them to follow.
"We do not know how much time you have before your body will wake. That is why I shall push you as hard as I can. I have a plan for when you are ready but until then we will have you work with the Masters."
"You are always so mysterious. Why doesn't anyone just tell me their plans outright so that I can prepare?" Dyani huffed.
The group made their way through the halls and the different levels of the Tower. Hushed conversations followed a pensive Dyani. Aerase took over the tour to show the Masters their own suites and the library. Each had their own study where she would learn from them unless it was a practical. Once everyone knew where they were meant to stay, they made their way to a dining room where food was served for them. It was one of the things that Dyani had not questioned and was not sure if she wanted that answer. Some things were easier to just explain with the simple 'It's Magic' than to delve into the specifics. This was one of those things.
The six settled around the dining table, taking portions of the food and drinks for themselves. Dyani made sure to stick with proteins and vegetables than load up on heavy breads. Conversation was rolling over her while she continued to dive into her thoughts. It went from many different topics and events. She was curious about where it was that Britt had planned, considering the Goddess knew of it, as well as how she would fair under teachers that seemed to be stricter than the ones at Dalition. Would it be harder for her to learn or would they be able to teach her with ease. She hoped that the lessons from reliving a child's memories would help her integrate the concept of magic theory better. The table went silent. Dyani looked up to see the others watching her.
"I apologize, my head was somewhere else. What did I miss?"
There were chuckles and Lora shook her head at the admission. The Goddess set down her drink, "Sisef asked about the runes on your skin. I have not spoken to them yet about that as I felt it was your story to tell other than to clarify with Sisef that his kind were involved. I was unsure if you wanted me to warn them or if you would be comfortable doing so yourself."
Dyani sighed and set down her fork, having lost the appetite for the rest of her meal. At least she had managed to eat something before then. As she spoke of the ritual in detail. How the ritual happened and what she remembered. From the pain of breaking her own wrists and thumbs to the backlash and searing pain of the magic entering her body. They all listened with serious expressions, though Sisef was the only on to truly express anything other than outrage. He had a simmering aura radiating fury. The magic washed against Dyani and she instinctually leaned away from it. That was all it took for the aura to disappear and leave behind a cold sensation. Dyani leaned forward trying to feel again, only drawing a few raised eyebrows at the action. Clearing her throat, Dyani adjusted in her chair and continued with the rest of her story. It went further than the ritual, going into the events of the past half year at Dalition and with Britt and the Headmistress.
It had taken awhile to talk about, some of it more tense than others. Dyani kept a drink in her hand that would refill itself when it got below a certain point. She felt the ache grow at the thought of Britt and talking about him made it grow. She felt longing and desire to connect with him again. Being apart was odd when she spent the last six months or longer being around him on a daily basis.
"If you would excuse me. I think that I need to go rest."
The others stood when she did and Dyani wandered off, walking to her room in a daze. The ache grew and she wished that there was just more to the connection so she could just experience being near him once more.
