The door instantly opened by the strong wind that was summoned by the Sol Temple's Divine Priest. The expression he wore in his face is intense, those who witnessed his outburst immediately clasps their hands together to pray. What could possibly be the reason of Master Chi's displeasure?
Nuri who's seated behind her desk with piles and piles of work to be done, didn't raise her head and continued on what she's doing.
Chi closed the door with his wind and stood in front of Nuri filled with authority. He demanded her to pay attention and leave whatever she's working on.
"Is there anything you'd like to discuss, Master?" she asked calmly.
The rage on his face didn't fade, "Lithea."
"What about her?"
"She plans on avenging her parents."
Nuri felt her head spin, such information. How was she supposed to process this? The reason why they were kept in the temple was to cure their hearts and minds from the trauma and the pain that could lead to anger. But it seems like Lithea nurtured hers during her time with them. The Divine Priestess would see them incompetent of a very important mission handed to them by the Sol's.
"We shall do everything in our might to stop her, Master."
"She has come to me."
Nuri tilted her head, "for what?"
"She has requested to be my student."
She gasped and clasped her hands together, "Oh my dear, my loving priestess."
"I trust you to relay these words to the Divine Priestess."
Nuri bowed, "yes, Master Chi."
When Chi left the temple, Nuri is still in her office and unmoving. Her thoughts embedded deep in Lithea's life in the temple with them. She was questioning herself, was there ever a time they were unsupervised? The only time she left the temple without a sun priestess accompanying her was when she was with Chi. But he too is adamant in keeping them in the temple until they are free from such emotions.
What are they going to do now?
The next day, the temple was so busy with the news they receive from Chi the night before, it has caused stir within them. They are all determined in keeping the children safe, and letting Lithea do whatever she wants will only cause harm not just to her but for Mia as well.
If their decision would later have her come to hate them, they must swallow and endure it.
"Miss Lithea, you are called to the Mistress' office," Trega, one of those who are in charge of them fetch her from their room.
Lithea thought this would happen, she knew Chi would do anything to stop her. But it is her promise, it is her vow. She will not back down.
"Sister, when you come back, let's take a look at the dresses Uncle bought us." Mia said to Lithea who's already out of the room.
"Now, I must wait."
Mia saw how Lithea hasn't finished tidying their room and decided to pick up where she left of. It has always been her sister who do these things and never let her clean up, now, she can show her that she too, can do it.
"Miss, I must warn you, the Mistress is displeased with your actions."
"I too, am displeased with Chi's actions, miss." The child muttered.
"What?" Trega yelled in whispers, "miss, language."
"I don't care anymore!"
Trega's eyes widened, what has become of Lithea? Her obsession in avenging her parents is too much, it has corrupted her greatly.
"If we are only going to get treated like prisoners here, I promise you I will break free from here and bring my sister with me."
The young girl stormed towards the office of the Divine Priestess.
Nuri closed the doors and sealed it from the outside, leaving only Chi, Lithea, and the Mistress inside the office. The atmosphere isn't good, although the light from outside brightens the room, the three of them felt the gloomy mood within them. The seriousness they painted in their faces, all headstrong. This discussion will not end well and that's what scares Nuri who's waiting outside, praying.
The head mistress poured each of them tea, trying to keep this as calm as possible. Although she has already sensed the energy Lithea brought with her, she doesn't want to argue with a child. A child who's going to be seven in a few months. But this child before her has a very dangerous plan and with the power she possess, it will be hard for them to control her.
"I heard about your wanting to learn under Master Chi, Lithea," the Mistress took a sip of her tea.
Lithea didn't answer.
"I will keep this short," she placed her hands on top of her knees, "I am not thrilled with what I heard."
Lithea's brows twitched.
"You will continue your training in the temple until you reach the age of ten. After that, you can choose either training under Master Chi or continue with the priestess training."
"You are telling me to wait for another three years before I change my course?"
The chill coated the words of Lithea ran down Chi's spine, he can barely recognize the person they took in. Has she been suppressing everything up until yesterday? What could be the trigger of her incontrollable attitude?
"My child," Chi tried to reach for her hand but she moved, "this is just for your own good. You still haven't awaken the priestess skill yet, just three more years."
Lithea's eyes darkened, they don't understand, "three years of waiting means my body will have a hard time perfecting combat techniques with just six years of training."
"You are to train until you awaken the priestess skill to help you control your power, Lithea. If you force yourself to train in martial arts without honing your skill first, you'll be out of control." The mistress informed her. She's scared with the stress and pressure the arts of combat comes with, she'll accidentally freeze the whole region. Worst, the whole kingdom.
"No, my decision is final. I will train under Master Chi by next week."
Stubborn child!
The Mistress awakened her divine power, her aura alone shook the whole building. A golden beam swirling around her as her hair sways with the intensity. This is the true power of a Divine.
The priestesses outside were doing their best to keep the temple steady by releasing their skill and pin everything in its place to avoid damages. A thin but sturdy thread, enough to penetrate solid structures depending on the power of each individual. With the lowest rank, Halo, they are able to cut boulders in two. The Light, like Nuri, is able to take cut five times the Halo rank can do. While the Divine, they are able to take down a whole structure with just their thread.
There is a reason why the castle and the nobles has a huge respect for them.
"Do not force me to lock you up inside the temple, Lithea," her voice echoed, eyes glowing in bright yellow. But the child she wishes to intimidate penetrated her gaze on her.
Lithea brought her hand in front of her and covered her whole arm with the thin thread. She activated her skill. She raised her hand and shoot out the thread, she manipulated its shape and sharpened it before breaking it to crystalize and throwing it outside the window. It hit the tree outside in the center.
"When did you?" Chi stammered.
"I've mastered it already. Let me take the test, and if I pass the fifth level, you will have me trained under Master Chi."
"Why are you so fixated in training under me?"
She undid her skill and faced Chi, "to join the guild."
Both the Master and the Mistress' ears perked with what they heard. For years and years they used the priestesses and priests who joins the guild with a pure intention to help those who are on mission with their ability to heal. They have mocked and ridiculed them without knowing the great importance of their existence in the community.
Master Chi slammed his fists on the armrest of his chair and activated his divine power due to his anger. Now, both Divine have their power activated and the temple shook even more. The priestess outside is now in panic.
Lithea sighed, why are they underestimating her?
She concentrated and thought of stopping everything but because of how huge her mana is, although she only planned on cancelling out their powers, she ended up forcing the entire temple to stop. She accidentally manipulated the whole area's time.
And since the divine power was activated, the two is fully aware at what this child did.
The manipulation lasted for a few minutes, using that much power could tire out the caster's body but this six year old girl didn't break a single sweat.
As soon as she freed everyone, the Mistress faced the Master and grabbed him by his shirt, "how could you fail to mention the amount of mana she possess?!"
"I would have done it after today's discussion, I failed to see the possibility of using that today."
"This is a lot of work, Master!"
Lithea stood up and dusted her skirt, "I will take my leave now. I expect my test to commence two days from now, Mistress."
The mistress activated her skill and coated her threads with crystals and mixed it with her divine power. She shoot her threads towards Lithea to keep her from moving, but unexpectedly, the child turned her head towards the attack and smack it down. It was shred to pieces when it landed on the ground.
The two divine's eyes widen in surprise, their mouths opened. They refuse to believe a mere child could easily deflect a divine power.
"How?"
"I will take my leave," she bowed.
She leveled her palm on the doorknob and covered it with a thread before forming her hand into fist and pulling it, the entire door exploded.
Lithea left through the whole she created and walked past by the head priestess who's on guard. She was as equally stunned as the divines inside the room.
"What in the kingdom of meadow happened?" she cried.
"The Sol is not only a direct descendant, but they are also a family of monstrous strength." Chi informed, "Even with the branch children, their kids still possess enough mana to surpass a Light rank."
"And with Lithea being the daughter of a Sol branch, and a Clanwing, a clan who lets their children join the Sol Temple and the Sun temple for generation after generation."
"It will be hard for me to control her powers alone, I will need your help with her training."
"I will personally supervise her training here, Master Chi."
"We will have to work together to make this work."
Chi watched Lithea's small back slowly fading. He's scared of what the future holds. He doesn't want those kids to fade from his vision, he wants them by his side. Like a father not wanting to think of the time when his kids will be off to marry someone and leave him alone.
And now, he is longing to save his children.
Lithea went back to their room and to her surprise, everything is cleaned up. Their beds made, the shelves and wardrobe are organized, and the curtains are changed too.
"Oh, sister, sister! You're here!" Mia ran towards her and tugged her skirt, "I cleaned the room when you left."
She rubbed her nose and giggled, "See, see? Did I do well?"
The weight Lithea felt on her lifted when she saw Mia flashing her bright personality on her. It is a relief.
Lithea dropped her knees, she felt her whole body feels like floating. She's so tired. Everything pent up within swarmed.
"Big sis?" Mia was so confused. Did the Mistress scolded her? Did she do anything to anger them? "Are you okay, sister?"
Those words. Just those three words, those are enough to break the delicate glass she's been holding. The glass which separates her emotions and her past. A six year old girl who witnessed their parents death, being taken from the comfort of the family she's been with growing up, and how she was left all alone in a huge temple filled with strangers. An infant who is clueless who she needs to take care of. She was forced to think maturely with all the events happening to her. And it all happened in just six months. Six months of huge changes of her life.
She was damaged from their deaths, she was damaged from separation, and she was damaged from feeling betrayed by both the Marbles, and Chi. Most of all she was damaged by the unfairness she made them feel.
The adults who made the decisions and protect them, has also been the one who inflicted her so much pain.
Lithea trembles, she bit her lower lip, hard. Her hands gripped her skirt, she refused to look at Mia.
"Sister?" the tiny hand of the little girl rubbed her head, "Shhh, shhh. It's alright, baby. The sun will shine after the moon. The stars will say bye-bye, but the birds will soar high in the sky. A brighter day will come and the fearful darkness the night gives, will soon fade."
Lithea couldn't control herself anymore, this is the very lullaby her mother sings to her whenever she's scared. How could she forgot everything she taught her, 'be strong but never forget who you are.'
"Little girl, little girl. I am here by your side, so dry your tears and smile sweetly. For a brighter day will come when you smile."
The older sister cried in the arms of her little sister. It is the first time for her to cry since coming here. She thought by being an older sister, you are not allowed to cry. That you have to put up a strong act so your sister won't be scared. That you have to endure everything because if you crumble, she will get hurt. But she was wrong, all this time, she's been wanting to cry. To show she's weak and scared, she wanted to cry out for her mama and papa during thunderstorms too. She wanted to get soothed by their parents too. She misses their embrace, and their love.
"Mia," she said quietly, "let's go visit the garden."