I snapped open my eyes when I felt the emptiness in me. The outlines of her body, and what now I assumed as her soul were completely visible to me.
The difference between the two were that, the soul had a soft glow emitting from it. And everything else around me was nothing but darkness.
"Quinn, what do you see?" Vanola asked me, few feet away from where I was.
"Nothing." I panted, palms meeting the ground. "I see nothing, but you."
"What do you feel?"
I looked up at her, bringing one of my hands to rest on my chest, feeling the rate of heartbeat rise rapidly. "Like I'm going to pass out."
"Do not. Or you'll lose."
She walked towards me, slowly picking up her pace until she sat in front of me.
"What are you doing?" I blinked, trying to make out her gestures.
I felt her place her palms on both of my temples, holding my head in place firmly. "Focus." She whispered. "Can you see me clearly?"
"No."
"Does anything hurt?"
"No." I tried shaking my head.
I popped my nerves to be able to look at her, straining my vision. I couldn't though, it was a waste. Maybe I could never get used to this.
"No way." Vanola gasped, letting me go. "No way, hold on."
I let loose, relaxing, meanwhile she examined her own hands, her face twisted into a frown. I couldn't tell what she was thinking. I was just quietly celebrating the fact that I didn't pass out this time while I summoned my own powers and not the other way around.
And, now I could grasp the control over how to activate it. Just a little, but it still was a progress.
Apart from that, there was a sharp pain that shot through my head.
"Ah, shit." I cursed under my breath. "My head's throbbing."
"Void." She said. "You just brought in void around us."
"What?" I squinted my eyes to look at her. "What do you mean?"
She whipped her head towards me, a sharp wicked smile slowly creeping over her lips.
"Void."
"Void?" I repeated after her, my head slightly tilting to the side curiously.
"Between reality and the passing time, there's emptiness. It's called void. Basically, you created a circle of void around us, meaning, I was trapped in here with you, and my powers were getting drained drastically."
"Huh?" I sat clueless. "Can you repeat that?"
She looked up at the sky for a split second in annoyance. "You," she pointed at me. "Can drain your opponent's powers."
"Oh." I nodded. "Understandable. That is absolutely amazing."
I could tell, my eyes were definitely wide and sparkling in the moonlight when I heard what she said.
But it was hard to take in. I couldn't accept this form of mine any soon.
I needed time.
"You will aid me from now." Vanola stood up. "You will help me kill Vadon."
I wiggled my eyebrows as she posed in front of me, clenching her fists in air. "Wasn't that the whole purpose of being here together?"
She let out a frustrated grin. "Shut the fuck up."
This was the longest Vanola had ever spoken to anyone here. I did not know what it was, but everytime I looked at her, I got cold chills down my nerves.
For someon like Vanola to be the only survivor from Necos, while she fought Vadon, what was it that she went through? I wanted to know, yet I kept my lips sealed in front of her.
I didn't want to offense anyone, nor trigger them like Judah did to Wallace.
Why me, though?
Why was I the one placed between these people who were powerful enough to grind me to dust?
"I'm going back." I said, standing up and trying to maintain my balance. I just wanted to leave, I felt uneasy with all these thoughts flooding into my brain.
I didn't want to admit it, but I might be the one who'd die first in the war.
"Alright." She agreed, her face going back to stone cold. "In the capital, you will train with me."
What the heck?
There was no way in hell I would agree to train with Vanola. I won't. I don't want to.
"Okay, I'm looking forward to it." I pursed my lips as I spoke utter lies.
She turned away, pulling her hood on again. She gave me a quick glance before taking her leave.
I only had one thing to say.
It couldn't get any worse.
Or maybe it could, but let's not think about it.
I had to explore more and get to know whatever this void meant. I couldn't stay idle anymore.
If only I had more time to train and turn into a dark arts user just like Vanola, maybe today I'd be confident enough.
Fuck, I couldn't let this matter get to me, not right now.
I needed to get better.
I nodded to myself, trying to keep up the motivation as I walked back to the shared dorm room. It sure was as loud as always, with Wallace screaming around at Jonan and Judah trying to stop them.
Sliding the door open, I slipped in.
"Oh, thank god." Judah sobbed dramatically, standing between the two others present. "Quinn, help."
I made a face at them. "And I thought I was pathetic."
"Took you long enough to return, though." Judah furrowed his eyebrows. "Are you okay?"
Wallace and Jonan looked at me through the corners of their eyes.
Should I tell them about what I found out about myself? My gaze shifted towards my hands, and back at them.
"I'm fine." I replied.
I could understand Judah's concern, since it looked like all these days, I was the only one falling sick constantly.
"Okay, okay." Judah put his arms around both Wallace and Jonan standing on either sides of him. "Master Abel was here when you were gone. We'll start moving to Mora's capital tomorrow, after dinner."
After dinner?
It only reminded me of the time father sent me off from Rustwood at midnight.
But I was alone back then.
I smiled softly, looking at these three morons bickering with each other.
I wasn't the only one anymore.