Aurora woke up to a raging headache. She clutched her head as it felt like it was being dissolved by an acid. Her mouth was awfully dry, and each small movement she made increased the pain she was feeling.
Her insides were boiling. She couldn't move her legs when she tried, nor could she feel them, and she could barely tilt her head to the side. Aurora took in deep breaths and moved her hands down into her pocket. She grasped onto the amulet.
A soothing wave of ice cold reverberated through her, starting from the fingertips touching the amulet and then coursing through the rest of her body. The wave of cold reached her legs and after much effort she was able to wiggle her toes. Sweat had pooled all over her forehead and her pajama top had become a liquid mess.
Aurora took off her pajama and threw it on the ground. She took a towel from her bedside drawer and wiped the sweat off herself. She sighed and then took the amulet and put it against her neck. The moment she clicked the metal piece around her neck, an even greater burst of cold rushed through her body. It was euphoric. She groaned in pleasure for a split second as her body felt weightless and rejuvenated.
She looked down at the amulet as she bit her lips. 'So it wasn't a dream, this thing really did talk to me.'
"Yes indeed, I did talk to you," the amulet responded. It glowed bright blue.
"Who are you?" Aurora asked. She sat up on her bed and raised a brow. "And what do you want from me?"
The male voice cackled. "Who am I? That is indeed a good question… From what I sense, the blood that courses through your veins originates from me. And hidden not so deep within that blood is talent. Yes, no wonder I was awoken by you so easily, you seem to have some uses."
"Talent?" Aurora shook her head. "Can we start off with an introduction please? I already feel crazy enough to be talking to an amulet. At least make this a bit easier for me."
"I am an abosom. A spirit, if you will. You can call me Kwame, apparently the laziest of my six siblings, but I disagree wholeheartedly." Kwame yawned. "I've been asleep for a while, but it's nice to know that my lineage is still out and thriving."
"How did you just yawn?" Aurora asked.
The amulet dimmed. "Are you seriously asking me that? I am a speaking amulet, what more do you want? Clearly there is some magic involved in here you buffoon. If I could face palm, I would right now."
Aurora twiddled her thumbs as her a heat rushed toward her face.
"As for what I want from you," Kwame said. "First and foremost, you're going to help me regain my bearings. I need to know what the lay of the land is, what the people are in need of, and what is going on around us in general. That's all for now, my young priest."
"Priest?" Aurora frowned. "Who said I am your priest?"
Kwame sighed. "Semantics, call yourself whatever you want to. You can call yourself my overlord if you so wish, but it stands that we have to help each other out here, or is that a bad idea? I'll help you scratch your back by helping you tap into that power of yours, and you'll help me with my things. Doesn't that sound like a good deal?"
"Power… What sort of power?"
"Magic. Obviously. Were you not listening to a word I was saying?"
"…"
"Aurora, why don't we start with something easy. I'll need you to go to somewhere secluded and then I'll teach you the most basic form of magic. After I do that, why don't you help me figure out what the hell is going on."
Aurora nodded. "Okay, okay, no need to be so grumpy." Aurora clapped her hands and thoughts of magic started running through her mind. She envisioned herself casting massive fireballs and turning herself into a dragon. She began recalling the bedtime stories her father had told her that involved magic and the mystical arts.
"Don't be so excited," Kwame said. "We are starting off slow and steady. Turning into a dragon? Are you insane? That's literally impossible for you right now."
"Right now? So it means there is a chance… And hey, why did you know I was thinking of dragons?" Aurora paced about her room as she looked for some clothes.
Kwame's voice echoed directly in Aurora's mind. 'Because I am in your head right now. As long as you let me, I'll be able to listen in on your thoughts and know exactly what you feel like. I'll teach you how to block this, since we are going to need you to have some protective measures up as soon as possible. But for right now, deal with it.'
'Deal with it? You have a shitty attitude.' Aurora left her room and made her way out of the cottage, tiptoeing once she reached the corridor next to the living room. Celine would usually sleep on the couch in the living room and was far away enough from Aurora's room that she couldn't hear her.
Aurora opened the front door and walked out of the cottage. It was quite dark outside. Aurora's eyes had already become accustomed to such darkness as she'd learned how to hunt and gather with her father many years ago. 'Hmm, maybe I should hunt something today? A rabbit might make good for a meal later.'
"A rabbit, sounds good. I'll teach you a simple incantation and you can use that to hunt the rabbit," Kwame said.
After about half an hour of making her way through the forest behind her home, Aurora reached an area that was extremely thick in trees and shrubbery. The nocturnal animals were making noise in the distance, Aurora able to hear some owls hooting and the movement of squirrels along some trees. A deep earthy scent filled the air, and the smell of manure was evident nearby.
"Is here good enough?" Aurora asked. She leaned against a tree.
The amulet around her neck glowed bright blue. "This will do. I can't sense the presence of any other human, so we should be good to go."
Aurora clenched her right fist and then raised it into the air.
"What the hell are you doing?" Kwame yelped.
"Nothing… So, let's get on with it." Aurora rubbed her palms together. "Show me what you can teach me? I love learning new things!"
"Alright, follow my instructions and this will be relatively easy and painless."
"Painless? What happens if I screw up?" Aurora opened her eyes wide.
"If you screw up there'll be some pain. Can't you read between the lines." Kwame sighed. "Close your eyes."
Aurora obliged and closed her eyes.
"Listen intently at my voice and my voice only. Try to drown out the surroundings. Forget the breeze of the wind. Forget the sounds of the owls in the distance. Wash away the white noise in the background and focus just on my voice."
Aurora could no longer hear anything but Kwame's voice. His voice was becoming louder and louder. It was now that Aurora noticed it was a raspy voice, and the accent was difficult for her to pinpoint, akin to an individual who was constantly battling against a lisp. Each word was clear and crisp. They were slow and steady in pace.
"Great, you've reached the trance state."
Aurora felt herself fall. She jerked forward as she hit the ground. Aurora opened her eyes and found herself stood in a savanna. Lush green trees were spread out with at least a dozen meters between them. A tall grassy vegetation of a deep yellow color could be found all around. The sun was high up in the sky, blazing in its heat.
Aurora spotted some gazelle in the distance meandering over to a stream.
"Kwame, where did you just take me?"
"…"
"Kwame?" Aurora took in a deep breath. "Right. On my own it seems. Surrounded by nothing but an open plain." She looked toward the stream of water and made her way toward it.
The air was extremely humid, making it difficult for Aurora to breath. Each step she took closer to the stream felt heavier than the last. Her mouth was parched, the stream in the distance becoming her only goal. Aurora's mind became empty of thoughts as she trudged toward the stream. Her eyes were focused solely on this one goal.
After a laborious half hour, Aurora reached the stream. She bent down and dipped her head into the stream, taking in a mouthful of water. She ignored the gazelle that were within arms reach of her. Aurora lifted her head back out of the stream and grinned. She once again pushed her head into the water.
Aurora's body was grasped into the stream, submerging her in it.