Lonian stopped when they reached an expansive spread of perfectly levelled grass. “Once we breach those trees and enter the forest—” he nodded at the border of trees about half a mile ahead “—stay alert and hold your…” he trailed off as he eyed her bow. “Be ready to unsheathe your sword at any moment. You understand how to infuse aether?”
“Pretty much.” Though Medusa had not practised since the trial, she understood the concept. “I thought there was no danger in the green zone. Why the sword?”
Lonian released a soft laugh as he strolled ahead, his large frame shielding Medusa from the morning sun. “This is Tartarus. Best be on your toes if you love living.”
He is correct, Clotho chipped in. But Agria’s Nest is even richer with aether, a good place for your lessons, even the outskirts will do.
“Running into beasts in these parts is rare,” Lonian said as they shuffled through the thigh-length grass, “but if they do appear, it's usually the much weaker ones. So don't worry too much.”
Judging from the trees’ distance and their current pace, it should take them about fifteen minutes to reach the main forest. Medusa’s grip awkwardly tightened around the hilt of her sword. She was not a sword person; daggers, on the other hand, were better—no. She shook her head. Daggers reminded her too much of her time as a priestess.
This should be easy for you.
What should be? Medusa’s alert gaze roamed over the swaying grass. The way the wind moved over the grass would have been a scenic sight if she wasn’t on edge. Despite Lonian’s assurance, she couldn’t shake off the feeling that something may go wrong.
Creating dimensions, Clotho answered in a breezy tone. I am confident you can create one if you understand the basics. A tenth of a horai should be enough.
Six minutes? Your faith in me warms my heart.
Clotho chuckled. But I’m serious. Why do you think creating pockets is one of the first things an awakened learns?
Medusa thought about it and shrugged. I don’t know.
Her parents allowed her next to no lessons on awakened blood-carriers, but she knew the basics. They could hide objects in nothing, they were sturdier than the average mortal, they had markings at their backs and, chief of all, the really exceptional ones could ascend to become low deities. Every awakened’s ultimate desire.
Whatever little deity blood blood-carriers possess gives them certain instincts. Think of how naturally dogs take to swimming; that’s similar to how awakeneds create pockets. A slight mental push or manipulation is all they need.
Mild excitement kicked up Medusa’s heart rate as she considered Clotho's words. The Moirai had earlier mentioned how dimensions could hold living things…hmmm.
For a moment, Medusa considered using the skill to get Rico back, but common sense immediately squashed the ridiculous thought. Demeter may have taken Rico along for her trip, and even if she hadn’t, Medusa was still too weak to take such a risk.
Releasing a sigh, she asked, where do we start?
Do you sense anything different about the aether around you?
Medusa heightened her senses. Now that she was focusing, she noticed a difference. I do. It’s denser… feels like there’s more aether than air.
Good. Now, look to your left.
Medusa turned in time to spot a lone butterfly fluttering in her direction. It was the only dot of white in the sea of green.
Catch that butterfly without touching it.
Huh? Medusa bit back a frustrated groan as she considered Clotho’s teaching method. She had used the same method during the trial, giving vague instructions and expecting Medusa to instantly grasp her meaning and produce results. I’d appreciate some clear direction here.
Very well. Clotho’s voice turned serious. You are natural at sensing the divide between air and aether. Use that ability to catch the butterfly.
How is that a clear direction? Medusa yelled on her inside. I thought I was learning how to create and destroy dimensions, not catching insects.
This is a path to creating a dimension. A dog doesn’t need to understand the rules of swimming to swim. But you are not a dog. Yes, your instincts will come into play now and then, but it is better to understand how a thing works at a basic level to master it.
Fine. So, manipulating air and aether. Medusa loosened her shoulders and released a long breath. I wouldn’t say I understand the divide part though, but I’ll try.
Good. Clotho sounded satisfied like she had done a stellar job at explaining things. If you focus, you should be able to create a dimension before we breach the trees.
Can you give me an extra hint? Is there a Theos word I can use? Something similar to ‘breathing’. Surprisingly, the butterfly was keeping pace, seeming to follow the upbeat tune Lonian had begun to whistle. He had put away his sword and was walking at a leisurely pace.
It is not wise to depend on foundation words.
Foundation words? Medusa’s curiosity perked up. So ‘breathing’ is a foundation word?
No need to waste ‘breathing’ on such a simple task, Clotho said, blatantly ignoring Medusa’s question. And your body is too weak to handle using it more than once a day.
What are the beautiful odds? Medusa replied bitterly. In her lives on earth, her body had been unnaturally sturdy, but such strength was nothing in Cosmolith. The weakest awakened could probably fold her in half in a physical fight.
Okay. Focus. Medusa continued tracking the butterfly as it circled Lonian and fluttered some inches from her face. Now that she thought about it, when she manifested the eye of petrification in her first life, she didn’t need to touch a person for them to turn to stone. So the theory that some form of contact was necessary to manipulate an object with aether had to be false. Or maybe I'm just the weird one.
“We’ll gather only fruits,” Lonian said. “The prey in the green zone are strangely good at avoiding both humans and traps.”
“I see.” The hunter in Medusa itched to take on the challenge, but she suppressed the urge.
Maybe if she stared at the butterfly long enough. As if the insect heard her thought, its flight became more erratic, and it moved unnaturally faster than a regular butterfly. Her eyes tracked it as it zapped this way and that, hoping she could sense something to latch on to.
Even though Clotho remained quiet in the background, Medusa felt the crushing pressure of her expectations. A tenth of a horai had since passed.
Okay. Focus on aether and air. The divide also. What's a divide!
Medusa’s brow knitted in confused frustration, then it loosened when she noticed something. She peered closer just to be sure, and she was right. I can see lines. The butterfly wasn’t just flying, it was also using aether and air to assist its movement.
Instinctively, Medusa reached for the squiggly lines marking the butterfly’s flight path. It felt like tugging something fragile. The butterfly reacted, jerking at an unnatural angle. Someone may think it was its normal movement, but Medusa had observed it long enough to tell she had caused it.
Did you see that? Medusa asked.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Focus on the line; you should be able to figure out how to catch it by now. Remember what I said about aether, air and what divides them.
Medusa frowned again. The goal was to understand the rule behind what should be instinctual. Maybe if she thought of it like being submerged in a pool holding more oil than water, and focusing on what separated both elements. As Medusa strained her senses some more, she felt the space that forced both elements to remain apart.
The understanding was so instant and easy that Medusa immediately acted on it. Stretching an arm in the direction the butterfly fluttered, her fingers twitched as she pulled at aether. The line that followed the butterfly swiftly untangled, fused to the tip of her index finger and grew taunt.
Medusa grinned so big, her cheeks hurt. I caught it! Are you seeing this? The butterfly fluttered in place, straining to be free.
Told you it would be easy, Clotho said in a smug voice. The next step is creating a space around it.
Medusa’s mind swam with myriad possibilities as the line pulled the butterfly along like a tiny kite. Could she use this on a person? How much focus and control would that take? And to create a dimension, she had to… The next step is to expand the divide and cover the butterfly, right?
See? There was a smile in Clotho's voice. You're a natural.
How large can I make—
Air shifted next to Medusa’s ear as something buzzed past.
“Uff!” She staggered back, using aether to catch her fall when she crashed into Lonian. Why did he stop?
“What's the matter?”
Instead of answering, Lonian hunkered down, his focus fixed on the ground. Walking around the large boy, Medusa grimaced when she saw it. The carcass of a three-horned wild goat; she could tell because only its head and feet remained. What was weirder was the state of the feet; they were chewed up to the ankle but upright.
I hope this is not what I think it is.
Medusa sighed. Her earlier instinct to be cautious was correct. A beast was about, and an odd one at that. There were no flies or blood around the carcass, and it appeared dried out by the sun. She sniffed. No smell of decay either.
“I don’t know what I’m looking at.” Lonian stood and glanced around with a puzzled frown on his face. Medusa did the same. Nothing appeared amiss. She also noticed they were much closer to the trees. A three-minute walk should get them into the main forest.
Lonian’s broad sword appeared in his grip after he flicked his wrist. “It’s best we—” He suddenly stopped speaking at the same moment his weapon slipped from his grip.
Something was off. Heart dropping to the pit of her belly, Medusa tentatively reached for him. “Lonian?”
That boy is terrified.
What? Why? Medusa looked around wildly, trying and failing to see any danger. “Lonian, what’s wrong? Say something.”
There is a boulder bear ahead.
A what? Medusa had never heard of such a beast before. And what was that buzzing sound from earlier? It was increasing.
“Hey, Lonian!” Medusa grabbed his arm and tugged but he remained fused to the spot, eyes fixed ahead and sweat sliding down his temple.
His hands were shaking. “The bees,” he choked out.
“Bees? What bees?” What’s he saying? This was unexpected behaviour. Lonian didn’t seem like the kind of person who’d be easily frightened by bees.
You both need to get out of here, Clotho said urgently. Get out right now.
“Hey!” Medusa yelled at Lonian. “We need to leave.” She looked ahead and still couldn’t see the beast, but the buzzing sound was getting louder.
She grabbed Lonian’s hand only to notice something. Red patches. Her hands flew to her mouth when she looked at his face. The patches spread across his neck at an alarming speed, and within a blink, his face was covered. But he just stood there, sweaty-faced, wide-eyed and body trembling.
“What’s happening?” Medusa asked in a raw panic. Why wouldn’t he move?
It seems he has been stung. An allergic reaction perhaps. How unlucky. This is dangerous, Medusa. You need to leave.
Medusa released Lonian’s arm, ready to leave. He should be fine since he’s awakened.
Clotho said nothing.
Medusa stumbled to a stop. He would be fine, right?
A rustling sound ahead snatched Medusa’s attention. What’s that? Eyes wide, her gaze roamed the shadows beyond the tree line. Why can’t I see anything?
Get out now, Medusa. Run. The urgency in Clotho’s voice worsened.
But I can’t leave Lonian. Desperate, Medusa grabbed his tunic and tugged. But the boy was a giant and whatever this strange allergic reaction was, it locked him in place, like his feet were nailed to the ground.
Is he going to die if I leave him?
You should be concerned about your own life. It’s too late for him. Every mortal dies.
What? Medusa froze, momentarily stunned at the cold finality in Clotho’s voice. Lonian was going to die? Was it normal for Reds to die in the Nest?
You have to listen to—
Medusa tuned out Clotho’s voice. She was one of them after all. A mortal’s life must be nothing in her sight.
Whirling to face Lonian, Medusa applied aether and struck his face. Not even a twitch. “YOU WILL DIE IF WE DON’T LEAVE,” she shouted. “SNAP OUT OF IT, DAMN IT!”
Staggering back, Medusa rushed forward with even more aether pushing at her feet and body-slammed him.
Futile. It was like crashing into a mountain. Shock overshadowed the pain of collision as Medusa fell to the ground, groaning in the daze.
Heart hammering in her ears, she hugged her aching arm to her chest and swayed to her feet. She looked from Lonian’s now placid face to the trees. The shadows moved. Something large took its time as it approached.
Tears stung Medusa’s eyes. Do I really have to leave him?
Fine! Give him the band. Clotho said in an exasperated voice.
Yes. The band. Medusa attempted to do just that, but between her aching arms, trembling fingers and the buzzing sound getting louder, the band slipped, disappearing into the grass.
No. No. No. Medusa fell to her knees, madly slapping grass aside and straining her eyes. Where was it?
An arm’s length to your left.
Medusa followed Clotho’s instruction and nearly sobbed in relief when her fingers touched the band. Springing to her feet, she dived for Lonian’s hand and slid the band in place, barely noticing how it automatically adjusted to the size of his hand.
But it’s too late, you stubborn mortal. There was resignation in Clotho’s voice. You should have listened to me.
What? What do you mean it’s too late?
The sound of a huff was accompanied by loud buzzing. Medusa didn’t want to look, but her body moved. When she saw it, she stumbled away and crashed into Lonian's stiff form. He fell like a log.
Clotho, what is that? Fear spread a bitter taste at the back of her tongue as her body throbbed in time with her heavy heartbeat. The creature stood well over seven feet but its body. Why is its body like that?
A bear-like thing with a large jagged rock growing from its back, clouded eyes, curved glistening claws and… and bee hives. Medusa counted about four clumps fused to its body.
It shook its body like a wet dog, sending a cloud of bees and spurts of what resembled honey scattering.
I can activate ‘breathing’ and run.
Too risky. It's not up to a full day since you last used ‘breathing’. You should have left when they didn’t sense your presence. Clotho sounded stressed. And you’re stung already; look at your hand.
It seemed like confirming that she was indeed stung was what triggered the symptoms and throbbing pain. There was a bright red spot on the back of her left thumb. A wave of heat started from her feet and travelled up, her throat began to itch, and there was something else—something worse.
This is strange. What is a boulder bear doing here? Clotho’s voice switched from stressed out to pissed. Unlike that mortal, you seem not to be allergic. You can still—
Clotho, I can’t move my legs. As the alarming realisation dawned, terror blasted through Medusa and scrambled her thoughts.
Clotho sighed. I was hoping your deity blood would nullify the symptoms. Give me a moment, child. I will get help.
Before Medusa could give a reply, the link vanished and she was left alone with a now unconscious Lonian.
The sound of a grunt drew her attention back to the beast. It blinked milky eyes, raised its wet snout and sniffed the air before turning in Medusa’s direction and lumbering over on all fours.
Medusa bit her lips and resisted the maddening urge to scream for Clotho to hurry. The worst part was that the numb feeling was steadily crawling up her legs. Her mind flashed to the goat they found earlier and her panicking mind connected the horrifying dots. This thing probably ate its prey as it stood frozen in place.
Don't panic, Medusa. Do not panic. What are your options? It seemed the bees were deadly but merciful. Only one stung her so far. The bear appeared blind and slow, taking its time with its approach, almost as if it knew the bees had immobilised its prey.
No way I’m your prey.
Focus fixed on the beast, Medusa deftly nocked her arrow as she tried not to focus on the feeling of numbness reaching her knees or her throbbing thumb. Its eyes were the best target. If she could manipulate aether and air to maintain the arrow's connection to her, similar to how the butterfly used both elements to move. Maybe...
Exhaling, Medusa released the arrow and watched it neatly sail for her target. The path was clear; no way she’d miss—
In an unbelievable burst of swift movement, the beast caught the arrow between its teeth and easily snapped it in half with a powerful bite, aether and all.
Oh no.
There was a shift in the air, a pulsing sensation starting where the bear stood and spreading to her location. Enraged, it roared, exposing long vicious fangs and strings of drool. As if in answer, even more bees poured out of the hives. They gathered in a tight buzzing mass and spun like a top before shooting at her.
*insert excited dance*
Until next Saturday.
Here's a little poll.
Is Clotho a shitty teacher?
