Zae-Rin had Priscilla rest; even if Priscilla needed her emotions to most appropriately utilize her powers, she couldn''t afford carelessness.


    A year passed for Priscilla in a flash, a perpetual cycle of bonding with and learning from Zae-Rin. Included were the countless battles against the different races. At times, Zae-Rin would send Priscilla back to face the Shademauls to make it undeniable that she wasn''t getting sloppy. And at other times, she''d continue facing off against the Sharlacs. Priscilla learned the art of patience and the best ways to harness her temper and power. It was difficult for her at times; she was still young, and the scars on her soul still existed, but she did her best and continued to grow well with Zae-Rin''s guidance.


    "What will you show me this time, Rin?" Priscilla asked with beaming expectation.


    Zae-Rin mulled over Priscilla''s question as she drank her wine, "How about a fragment of your empire''s past before the borders of the continent were reforged and later branded by your Ellis Imperial family?"


    "Mhm! That sounds intriguing!" Priscilla replied, her eyes shining with curiosity.


    Zae-Rin waved her hand, ethereal mist flowing around Priscilla as she spoke, "Khreece was a powerful nation long before the separation of the dominions. They were simple people, but the Khreecians were brave warriors who proudly fought for their culture."


    "They also had some dangerous beliefs, but you will see this yourself."


    Priscilla felt the weightless embrace of Zae-Rin''s power as her vision momentarily blurred before she felt the touch of grass beneath her feet as she stepped onto a verdant forest. In front, a valley loomed, a nation built within it as they carved themselves into the sides of the valley, fortifying themselves in its powerful embrace. Men emerged from the valley, their bodies huddled close to the ground as they approached Priscilla like hunters. They were clad in primitive rawhides while wielding spears of bone and obsidian. Within the valley, women and children chanted and danced around a large bonfire; drums thundered as a dozen large men beat on the drums vigorously. Priscilla could not understand their language, but the threatening atmosphere was something that could transcend language barriers.


    Priscilla''s gaze narrowed as she felt the threat of the Khreecian people. Her body lit up as patterns carved the palms of her hands; she slapped her hands against the ground and pulled up, lifting two earthen daggers from the land beneath her. She lowered her posture and prepared herself for a tense battle. But as soon as the Khreecians saw Priscilla perform her magic, they halted their approach. Their tongues hissed, uttering foreboding words that Priscilla herself did not understand, but they spoke them to warn their brethren.


    The cacophony of drums rose into the clouds, a quickened ascent with no stop in sight. Drumming intensified, the men pounding with their souls on tenterhooks. The altered pace caused the flaming bonfire to erupt in a somber violet hue that replaced the once soft crimson glow. From the flame, a large beast''s head manifested; it walked out with a knotted muscular lion''s torso on display. It had the head of a snake and wings of a hawk, which added to its mighty display. Its narrow pupils gazed venomously at Priscilla, its tongue flickering as the creature took on a physical form.


    Khreecians knelt and prayed to the large Khimra formed of flame; their spears lowered respectfully. Priscilla may not have known what the creature was, but she could feel the power emanating from its gaze alone. It made her happy. Setbacks allowed her to adapt to her powers more, even if sometimes it angered her to no end failing. But if the battle did not challenge Priscilla, she would still get careless, which she was still learning not to do. Zae-Rin always told her, ''Harsh circumstances were the best remedy to nurture a strong person.''


    Priscilla watched as the Khrecian''s bonfire puffed circles of smoke into the clouds, and the Khimra hissed its tongue. The creature moved; its snake-like head flicked its tongue as its momentum mounted. Its hind legs lunged powerfully forward while its wings flapped. Priscilla felt the sheer pressure from the creature''s approach; the wind surged around her, her hair billowing as she arched her body, awaiting to receive the beast.


    A Khimra was a clever beast; it lunged with its head in an attempt at biting her neck with its venom-filled mouth, but Priscilla weaved through the wind, dodging it and maneuvering past the creature, twisting near it and launching a kick at the lion''s side. Priscilla''s attack caused the Khimra to howl, its wings flapping aggressively. It rotated its body and struck Priscilla with its powerful legs. Priscilla reacted instantaneously, striking out with her arm to block the kick, but the mass and force of the Khimra pushed back and caused her to hurl against a tree.


    Priscilla craned her neck, massaging it lightly as she peeled her body off the tree. She could not waste time; she launched herself off the tree, sending her body upward as flames wrapped around the earthen daggers in her hands. Priscilla used the wind to guide her steps, keeping them graceful and light before she struck the beast''s long neck with the fiery blade. The Khimra was not blind, however, and it reacted with a dodge, albeit just barely, as Priscilla''s dagger managed to nick it ever so slightly, drawing blood. She could not relax; the Khimra glared at Priscilla, coiling its neck tightly to protect its vital points as it flew away from the fierce woman. It opened its large mouth wide, condensing a spark at a point at the back of its throat.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    "...Damn," Priscilla uttered, her gaze narrowing, but before she could make a move, flames erupted from the Khimra''s mouth.


    Flames descended with a vendetta, surging hastily toward Priscilla, but she lit the markings on her body, her eyes erupting in an azure glow that pulsed with energy. She reached out and dragged her hand downward; the moisture in the atmosphere condensed into a multi-layered bubble of water that took the brunt of the flame breath''s clash. Misty steam exploded, filling the valley with its warmth. The Khimra closed its mouth with smug confidence, but Priscilla took advantage of it; she wrapped the mist and steam around her body, roiling around in it as it spiraled, striking at the Khimra like a loosened arrowhead at the end of its path. The beast could not react in time as it all happened so quickly; the attack struck it in the chest, scalding its body with soul-wrenching pain before its wings ceased, and it crashed to the earth— lifeless.


    <hr>


    Zae-Rin spectated with a bright smile as she swirled her goblet of wine; Priscilla had impressed her time and time again; it reminded her of the old days when she was first adapting to the powers herself, the struggle and pain of inadequacy, and the pleasure of growing stronger. In the past year, Priscilla had grown tremendously, had grasped the four elements of creation, and even had insights into combining them. It had taken Zae-Rin a decade of strife before she could wield the four elements with the same expertise. Granted, Zae-Rin had to wield her powers in life, whereas Priscilla had the benefit of learning in purgatory''s embrace and with the aid of Zae-Rin herself.


    After the Khimra fell, Priscilla exhaled sharply, her legs wobbled, and she slumped down. ''I did it!'' Success passed through her mind; despite the sweat drenching her gown and the heavy breaths from her heaving chest, Priscilla beamed confidently. Finally, she had the strength to fend for herself; no longer did she feel that she would be at the mercy of others.


    "Did you see that, Rin? I did it!" Priscilla said through excited gasps; she wiped the sweat from her brow and was about to lift herself when the world erupted into streaks of dazzling light. Priscilla blinked and felt the cold touch of the marble bench underneath her. Zae-Rin sat lasciviously opposite Priscilla with a beaming smile on her face. Zae-Rin sipped her wine beneath the shimmering stars that blanketed her manifested landscape.


    "Of course, I saw it, child." Zae-Rin chuckled as she placed her goblet on the table. "It seemed dangerous for a while, but you recovered remarkably. Your adaptation period is rapidly advancing, but don''t let it get to your head."


    Zae-Rin stood up and walked around the table toward Priscilla; she placed her arms around Priscilla''s neck and hugged her from behind. "You deserve a rest."


    Priscilla softened from Zae-Rin''s embrace, the urge to tear up swelling inside her. It had been years since anyone had shown her as much affection as Zae-Rin had. It was a forgotten sensation but a welcome one that she accepted fully. "Thank you, Rin. I appreciate it..." Priscilla muttered as she placed her hands on Zae-Rin''s own.


    A sigh escaped Priscilla''s lips as she melted into Zae-Rin''s embrace, the thoughts on her mind hidden from the woman behind her. "What was that last creature, Rin? You haven''t told me about it before." Priscilla asked.


    "That creature was what the Khreecians called a Khimra; it was a name and a title— one that had been born out of respect and fear. It was a deformity of nature. Essentially, it was a byproduct of the strife in that era that forced its mutation to occur. It roamed the outskirts of Khreece, tormenting its people ceaselessly and preying upon them with endless hunger. As a result, the people of Khreece grew equally vicious and monstrous. They were warriors and beasts, fighting bitterly for survival, and in the end, they brought their strength out of Khreece in an attempt to destroy the Khimra." Zae-Rin paused momentarily, the memories of the old days swirling in her mind.


    "Those days were the beginning of the end for the Khreecians just the same. While many warriors believed in eliminating the Khimra, many Khreecians thought the Khimra were the children of the Deities. Khimra were unnatural, so they believed that only the Deities could create them; they could never be born."


    "How was the world so strange back then?" Priscilla interrupted before Zae-Rin could continue. "When I had learned about the surrounding nations, the Imperial lessons made the land seem so barren in comparison."


    "Too many things changed over the years; forces slumbered, and others hid. Truthfully, there are too many wonders in the world. After a thousand years, there''s no telling what remains and what''s lost in the sands of time." Zae-Rin responded.


    Priscilla remained star-eyed as she listened to Zae-Rin''s stories; to the girl, it was fascinating and new; even after a year in purgatory, she still relished the moments they spent together.


    Questions remained on Priscilla''s mind, and she was about to ask them when Zae-Rin placed her finger on Priscilla''s lips. "It''s enough for now, child." Zae-Rin uttered softly, "You''ve endured several trials now without rest; your body and mind need to recuperate. It''s time for sleep." Zae-Rin weaved her hands lightly in the air; the gazebo and garden flashed in a flurry of light, turning into a cozy cabin. Priscilla lay on the comfortable bed while Zae-Rin stood near her. "Sleep well, child. Let your weariness fade until a new dawn arrives."


    Before Priscilla could reply, a blanket of darkness covered her, and her limbs softened as the weariness and fatigue melted away; Priscilla floated off, embracing the darkness and falling asleep.


    Zae-Rin walked out of the cabin, closing the door behind her; her powers fluctuated as the embrace of purgatory seeped in. Her steps landed dully against the crumbling path of stones of the ruined land she once called home. Her gaze lifted toward the dilapidated palace that perched atop the distant cliff as she walked toward it. The shadows of the past reflected in her eyes, eternal and unforgotten.


    Zae-Rin''s gown rustled along the path, the lone companion to silence''s dance. She loathed this nightmare more than anything, but the woman had to endure for Priscilla''s sake.