Take a moment, and let your focus rest deep within the center of your being," she instructed, her energy continuing to flow into me, growing stronger with each passing second. "Now, in that sacred space, I want you to visualize a circle. Can you see it? What is its size, and what color does it emanate?" she asked, her curiosity piqued even as her energy amplified.
At first, my inner vision was clouded by an impenetrable darkness. I strained, searching for the circle she spoke of, but it was elusive, a mystery shrouded in shadow. Then, quite unexpectedly, a small red orb flickered into existence. It was no larger than a golf ball, a tiny sphere of light that hovered gently within me.
Slowly, I described the vision to her. "There's an orb I can see... It's red, quite small really, about the size of a golf ball," I said, my voice a mixture of wonder and uncertainty as I relayed my inner sight to her.
"Good, good," she voiced her approval again, a note of satisfaction in her tone. "Your mana appears to be in harmony with your aura," she observed, which led me to the realization that perhaps my aura was also imbued with the same serene shade of red..maybe that's what Frank and Klint were talking about when I first came here.
"Since we're diving into this fascinating topic, let me elaborate on what an aura is," she began, her knowledge flowing as naturally as the conversation itself. "Imagine, if you will, that every person is like a small power station, emitting a faint but detectable stream of electricity. This is what we refer to as an electromagnetic field, more poetically known as an aura. It's like a subtle, luminous field that envelops each of us, unique in its presence."
She continued, her explanation painting a vivid picture in my mind. "The size and intensity of someone's aura can be quite telling. It can give you a glimpse into their inner strength and vitality. And it's not just a static field; it's dynamic, changing in shape and hue, reflecting a person's personality, their current mood, and their emotional state. Think of it as a visual echo of who they are and how they're feeling at any given moment."
She paused, ensuring I was keeping up with her. "Of course, learning to perceive and interpret the nuances of auras is an art and a skill that takes patience and practice to develop. But once you do, it opens up a whole new dimension of understanding people and the world around you," she explained, her eyes alight with the thrill of the unseen.
"The aura that surrounds you," she pointed out, "mirrors the outline of your body, and in your case, it's this deep, vibrant wine like red. It's a color that seems to resonate with the essence of your abilities." Her words suggested a deep connection between my personal energy and the manifestation of my aura, hinting at a profound alignment between my inner and outer worlds.
"Let's take a step back and address the more pressing matter at hand—this mana blockage," she instructed with a sense of urgency, signaling the importance of the situation. We set aside the topic of auras as she focused her attention on the task. Minutes ticked by, filled with a palpable tension, until suddenly, there was a shift. My eyes shot open wide as an indescribable sensation coursed through me. It was as if a massive weight had been lifted from my shoulders, a sensation of lightness enveloping me. I could breathe again, deeply and effortlessly, as if for the first time.
"What..." I managed to utter, my voice faltering in astonishment. I turned to see Aria, her breaths coming in heavy pants. It was clear she had exerted a tremendous amount of energy, her efforts concentrated on dislodging the stubborn mana blockage and reopening my energy passageways by using her own energy to force it open.
"There, that should do it," Aria announced, her voice laced with exhaustion, a bead of sweat trailing down her face as a testament to her exertion. I could sense the toll it took on her, yet there was a glimmer of satisfaction in her eyes, knowing she had accomplished what she set out to do.
"I feel... new again," I whispered, my words trailing off as I took in the sensation of renewal that washed over me. It was as though I had been reborn, with a sense of vitality and freedom that I had not realized I was missing. The transformation was profound, and I knew I had Aria to thank for this newfound sense of liberation.
"So what exactly happened?" I questioned, unsure of how the whole mana blockage worked.
Aria sighed, clearly trying to find the simplest way to explain it. "Well, all I did was use some of my mana and pushed my energy through your body. It traced every stream you had until it found the blockage. Once I located it, I kept channeling more and more mana into that point. It was like applying pressure until the blockage gave way and broke apart. Now that it's cleared, that mana point flows smoothly again," Aria explained, making sure to break it down so I could understand.
She continued, "Think of it like a clogged pipe. My mana acted like a powerful stream of water, gradually pushing through the debris until the blockage was dislodged. Once that happened, energy could flow freely again, restoring the natural balance in your system. It's all about finding the right pressure points and applying consistent energy until the blockage is resolved."
I nodded, finally grasping the concept. "So, your energy basically acted as a force to clear the path for my mana?"
"Exactly," Aria confirmed. "By using my mana to trace and unblock your energy streams, I was able to restore the natural flow. It's a delicate process, but with enough focus and control, it can be done."
I nodded and let out a sigh, feeling a lot stronger than before. I looked around our cold, dark cell and let out a small smile. "Thank you. I think I honestly would've gone insane without you here with me... and you're even teaching me. I know we haven't known each other for long; we're basically strangers, but still," I said, looking up at Aria.
Her eyes softened as she listened, her presence a comforting anchor in the oppressive gloom of the cell. "I'm glad I could help," she replied quietly, her voice a soothing balm to the tension that had been building within me.
"I was actually debating whether to help you or not... with the escape, I mean," I continued, my voice wavering slightly. "But I guess going with you can't be much worse than being here. So, I'll help you... and follow you. If you can get me out of here, that is," I hummed, the hint of a smile playing on my lips.
Aria placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, her grip firm yet gentle. "We'll get out of here together. I promise," she said, her determination unwavering. "I've been planning this for a while, and with your help, our chances just got a lot better."
I felt a surge of hope, a flicker of light in the darkness that had surrounded me for so long. "Alright, then. Let's do this. Whatever it takes, I'm with you," I declared, feeling a newfound sense of purpose. The bond between us, though forged in desperation, was growing stronger with each passing moment.
I was praying this friend she was talking about earlier..l..l..le…hmmm..ah Leo. That's his name I thought. Hoping this Leo guy hurry ups, and I hope he can be trustworthy.
I laid on my back with a plop as I let out one more good sigh..ughh I'm so hungry. I thought. And as of on cue the cell door slid open revealing Lance the mad doctor that had me chained up a little bit ago. Out of instinct I moved back moving away from him.
"I just thought I should bring my favorite little demon something to eat," Lance hummed as he presented a plate that looked like something had chewed it up and spit it out.
But I didn't budge. I just looked at him, holding my breath.
"What? Why aren't you speaking? Didn't have fun in our playroom?" The crazy man smiled, tilting his head as he pulled out a scalpel. "I have a theory I want to try out, kid," Lance hummed, his eyes gleaming with twisted anticipation.
He stepped closer, the scalpel glinting ominously in the dim light. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing my fear. Instead, I stared back at him, my expression a mask of defiance.
Lance's smile widened, clearly enjoying the tension. "You know, you're quite the resilient one," he mused, twirling the scalpel between his fingers. "Most people would be begging for mercy by now. But not you. You're different."
I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. "What do you want from me?" I demanded, my voice steady despite the terror coursing through me.
Lance chuckled, a sound that sent chills down my spine. "Oh, it's not about what I want. It's about what I can learn from you," he said, leaning in closer. "You see, every reaction, every twitch, every scream... it all tells me something. And I have a feeling you're going to teach me a lot."
I swallowed hard, trying to maintain my composure. "You're sick," I spat out, my voice filled with disgust.
"Perhaps," Lance replied, unfazed. "But in this world, survival is all that matters. And knowledge is power."
As he moved the scalpel closer to my skin, I braced myself for the pain, my mind racing with thoughts of escape. I couldn't let him break me. Not now. Not ever.
Suddenly, Aria lunged forward, her body aiming to collide with his, but he sidestepped her advance with a swift, calculated movement, positioning himself closer to the entrance. Undeterred, Aria quickly assumed a defensive stance in front of me, her posture reminiscent of a fierce mother bear shielding her cub from imminent danger. Her eyes blazed with a protective fury as she glared at him.
"Leave the kid alone, you sick bastard!" Aria hissed, her voice dripping with venom and unwavering determination.
"Oh? So you finally decided to talk, huh?" The doctor smirked looking at aria, but the expression quickly faded into a frown. "If your auction date wasn't so close, I'd be having some fun with both of yuh," he pouted, giving the plate of food a disdainful kick, sending it sliding closer to me.
"Y'all share it; it's all you'll get for the next three days," he continued, his voice dripping with mockery. "Oh, and demon boy, tomorrow you're gonna be put to work until you get auctioned off. No point in letting those muscles waste away in here." Lance added, mostly mumbling the last part as he turned on his heel and walked out, locking the cell door behind him with a resounding click.
"Oh joy, another thing to worry about," I thought with a sigh as Aria placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "We leave in a week's time, so just a little longer," she hummed softly, trying to reassure me. "And while we're stuck in this cell, I want you to focus on training your aura and mana," she stated firmly, making it clear that I didn't have a choice in the matter. I could only sigh again and nod in reluctant agreement.
But our little adventure of the hour soon came to an end and I laid back down closing my eyes, my body still ached with pain from the last few days but…I think I've started to become more numb to it.