Chereads / Rings Of Eternity / Chapter 22 - Chapter 21: Steady Flow

Chapter 22 - Chapter 21: Steady Flow

Seram and I stood in the yard, right in front of her small white cottage.
My eyes stayed on target, staring at the floating glass of wine that hovered by Seram's silver hair.
"Sin," Seram waved at me, gaining my attention.
Seram sat her arms behind my back and began to slowly walk around me. Clearing her throat, Seram spoke, "now, Sin, before we begin. What exactly do you think spatial kinetics are?"
I pondered, thinking deeply about this. I lowered my head, staring at my feet, and looked back up, "um, to have the ability to control space and time around you."
Seram nodded, and ceased her movement, standing in front of me, "yes, although that's the bare definition of what you can really do with spatial kinetics, Sin-Sin."
Seram raised her hand, moving the glass of wine to hover directly over her palm, "Skysin, for you to fully control spatial kinetics. You must be able to understand its full capabilities. And for you to understand its full capabilities, you need to have an understanding of reality."
Seram had clenched her slender fingers, and the glass of wine began to slowly gyrate, growing smaller and smaller each second. I could see little distortions of space flickering around it, this thing looked like a miniature black hole.
I was baffled by this. I furrowed my brows, my eyes glued to the blackhole of wine, "wait... so spatial kinetics is manipulating reality?"
Seram nodded, making the blackhole slowly glisten like a sun, causing it to disperse into multiple miniature glasses of wine, "yes, although, for you to bend the literal fabrics of reality, you must be at a very complex mastery of this. Also, like I said, you must come to an understanding. Spatial kinetics is not like any other affinity, such as the four elements, water, fire, terra, and wind."
Seram continued, making the glasses of wine grow extremely large, rivaling the size of her head, "spatial kinetics is like a giant spiderweb filled with books. The more you read, the more you come to understand." -Seram made all the large glasses of wine fuse, coming back to its original small size- "To put this in a better perspective, you're at the first book. Which most users learn to use gravity, small pocket dimensions, and energy manipulation. And we'll be starting with that first."
I sternly nodded, "okay, I think I kinda got gravity and pocket dimensions down. But what about energy manipulation?"
Seram chuckled, "you'll be starting with the easiest, light energy." Seram pointed at a large tree not far from us, and a small ball of light had formed on the tip of her finger.
It shot faster than my eyes could follow, completely splitting the tree in half.
That was so cool. My eyes had gleamed, "woah, so that was just a laser beam or something?"
Seram laughed, "that was a regular beam of light. Now, I could make it millions, billions, or even trillions faster than light. But this is just a little example."
Seram pointed at a boulder just a few feet from us, "you'll be trying to focus on creating a beam of light and hit that rock, okay?"
"Okay!" I excitedly replied, but I quickly turned back to Seram, "oh! Seram...if it's not too much to ask, can I see something else that you can do?"
"Hm? Something else? What would you wanna see Sin?"
I shrugged my shoulders, "it doesn't really matter to me. I just wanna see something cool."
Seram smiled, "well, I suppose I can." Seram raised her hand, and a humongous black mass had slowly flowed over her palm. Multiple giant spirals of light filled with colors had appeared inside the darkness. It's beautiful.
Wait!
I'm in complete disbelief, "is this... Did you create galaxies...?" I asked, gazing at the colorful cosmic islands.
Seram nodded with a giggle, "yes, I did. This is what you can create with this power, Skysin. Isn't it beautiful?"
I could only hum in agreement. Beautiful is an understatement for this, I can't even think of the right words to explain this. What Seram did is completely beyond my understanding.
Seram waved her hand, making it all disappear as if it never existed, Seram pointed at the rock, "alright, let's get on with the lesson."
I quickly faced the rock and aimed my finger at it, trying my hardest to think about a spec of light on my index. But no matter how hard I tried; nothing would come up.
At this point, Seram was floating beside me, still drinking her wine. Her thighs crossed over each other, like she was sitting on a chair, "calm yourself. Don't try to rush it, otherwise, you won't be able to make it happen. Relax your mind."
Nodding, I kept my eyes closed, attempting to keep my mind in a more relaxed state. Just as Seram said.
I knew that trying to train my spatial kinetics would be challenging, but this is on a completely different level. With ice, it just came so naturally, almost like an extension or limb of my own. I really didn't even need to think about what to do when it came to that.
But this only reminds me that I can't stress myself on trying to simply control my spatial kinetics, unlike my Kitsune ice. Like Elaine had told me all those months ago, I have to focus on trying to make it flow like water, give it a certain destination on where to go. I can only imagine to be on Seram's expertise as of now.
But it's always good to start somewhere then nowhere, right?
I tried to imagine a bright light within my mind. Small droplets of sweat fell from my chin. Even though it's been only a few minutes, it feels like I've been standing here for hours. I'm not even moving, but all of this mental training is really challenging.
****
Time had flown by; it's been a good six hours since I started. I took a few breaks within my time of training, but still, nothing.
I sighed, looking up at the setting sun. I could see a large sea of green birds, all flying and chirping with each other.
Seram patted my head, smiling, "you're doing fine, Sin. I can see a great buildup of your spatial kinetics while you're training. We'll be out here until you feel that you can no longer continue today."
I acknowledged Seram's words, but I stayed silent and closed my eyes, furthering my concentration.
Another three hours had passed, my brain feels like it's slowly beginning to turn into liquid. I didn't think mental concentration would be this draining...
I can't stop just yet though; I feel like I'm getting closer now.
I could feel my arm and hand steadily tremble as I held my position. My face is immersed in sweat, I think this is the most I ever have, to be honest.
Until I felt something warm around the tip of my finger.
I opened my eyes, staring at small ball of light, hovering right before the tip of my finger.
My mouth grew into a beaming smile, "I...I DID IT!"
Seram, who seemed to have been sleeping in the air, quickly shifted. Seram had looked down at me in a sluggish manner, "oh...OH! You did it Sin, great job."
Seram softly landed onto the ground next to me, inspecting it, "in only nine hours too. That's pretty amazing for a child your age."
"Hm, really? I feel like I could've done better."
Seram shook her head, "no, at your age it can be a struggle. I can say that on first-hand experience." Seram lightly chuckled.
I was a bit surprised hearing that. Seram had quite literally created mini galaxies from the palm of her hand.
That's when a certain question came to mind.
"How old are you?"
Seram squinted her eyes, and lightly prodded my nose, "y'know, Sin. You're not supposed to ask a lady questions like this unless you have copulation with her." -Seram tapped her chin, looking up at the stars- "Well, maybe times have changed from when I was a child."
Copulation? The hell's a 'Copulation'?
I frowned in confusion, eyeing Seram, "what's a copula-"
Seram quickly covered my mouth, her face is pink as her lips, "We-Well, how about you give that ball of light a shot, huh?"
"Oh yeah," I replied, aiming my finger at the ball of rock. I inhaled, and exhaled, trying to guide the light, instead of forcing it.
The ball of light had fired, splitting the boulder completely in two. My mouth had gaped open, "coool...."
Seram smiled, hugging me and bringing me into her large bosom, "great job Sin! You've performed well today. Quite the talented child I'd say."
After Seram had let me go, I fell back onto the soft grass. That completely tired me out, I'm pooped. I could hear my stomach growl like a dog, "I'm so hungry..."
Seram used her spatial kinetics, making me lift from the ground and holding me steady in the air, "how about I make you a nice feast. I think you deserve it."
"Yes please..."
*****
It's been nearly a week, at least four days since I incidentally came across this inexplicable dimension. Technically, sense time runs differently here than the outside world, it's been at least two months.
Seram has been doing a great job in giving me better insight on how to better my energy manipulation as well. I'm still struggling a bit, but it's a much faster process than when I first started training.
However, Seram's been sleeping with me ever since that morning when she nearly suffocated me. Although, I don't have a problem with that at all. I feel like Seram's teasing me by doing that...
Still though, we've grown a lot closer during this time as well. Seram is a very lighthearted and kind woman, with a joking side to her too. Plus, she's very knowledgeable. Her personality is as beautiful as she is gorgeous, very gorgeous in fact.
I think I have a crush on her...
Seram's a hard person to read, however, I get this feeling that there's something she's not telling me.
There's a lot that I have questions about. One would be those visions I had as Dranon when I looked into Seram's eyes the first time I seen her. It's abnormal, really, I look into everyone else's eyes, but those odd memories never came up. Until I met Seram.
From how Dranon died, could it be possible that Seram is Alorerah? Or like some type of reincarnation?
I have this gut-feeling that I may be right, but I'm not sure how to even start that conversation. Ever since we had left Taekhyu's tomb, I stopped having those dreams.
That's the other question, too.
Taekhyu.
What was she going to explain? As of now, I feel like that has more importance. I need to find out what Taekhyu was going to say.
I have to.
*****
The night stars radiant light embraced this room that I currently lay in.
I stared at the marble ceiling above me, my head on a pillow, contemplating.
I need to sneak out of here. But it's going to be a bit challenging, especially with Seram right beside me.
My eyes shifted to my left, staring at Seram wearing a red night gown, laying right beside me. Sleeping as if she had no care in the world.
Walking out of here won't be a problem, but moving off the bed will be quite demanding. Seram would be able to tell if I move simply because of the mattress' material, plus with me being closest to the wall.
However, there is something I could try.
I discreetly used gravity, slowly lifting myself off the bed.
"Don't leave me..."
Seram had whimpered in sadness, and I paused.
Seram sounds so.... scared, terrified.
I shook my head; I have to stay with the plan.
I floated from the bed, and quietly placed myself onto the floor. The only noise present is Seram's light moans and movement on the bed.
I briskly, yet silently, made way through the hall, creeping out from the door.
The noise of night was somewhat eerie but calming. The trees rustling from the winds, grass lightly grazing against each other in the breeze. The light buzzing of bugs and frogs croaking.
I hastily ran at high speeds, getting to Taekhyu's tomb in a second. I stood before this white building; my heart rate began to grow in excitement.
Here I go.
I made my way through the tomb, walking into the room Taekhyu's coffin is present. As I moved closer, the same image of Taekhyu had reappeared before me. Taekhyu kept that same expression on her face, rage.
Taekhyu hissed in anger, "...something far worse is coming to the four kingdoms. Something that will be the time all comes to an end."
I'm lost for words hearing this. What does she mean?
"I don't know how many years it's been since I have passed. But I know for sure that the other four deities who roamed these planets are now dead. The Kitsune, Phoenix, Sun-Dragon, Basem... all of them have died."
A question in my head had snapped like a twig, watching the answer slowly flow out of it. All this time, dad had wondered about Grandpa Jagan's whereabouts and what could've possibly happened to him? All for Jagan to be dead?
Dad needs to hear this...
Taekhyu had coughed, blood spilling from her mouth, "...it was that girls plan all along...but I couldn't even take the time to see through it when I had raised her through all of these years. It seems my love for her had truly blinded me. I'm such an idiot...
...She's going to kill whoever and whatever she wants until she is satisfied. I don't even know if someone as insane as her can even be satisfied. At this point, it should be obvious how I'm in this state now. Because of her," Taekhyu raised her hand, and another image was shown.
It's a young woman who seems to be in her teens. Those piercing pink eyes, and that silky silver hair propped into a ponytail, having a smile on her pretty face.
Seram..?
My eyes had broadened, simply staring at the image Taekhyu had over her hand.
Taekhyu began to cough more, much rougher, more blood spewing, "...If you're seeing this, that means she has yet to strike. Or maybe she already has, and you've somehow were able to find me based on luck. But this woman, Nitanz, was the very girl I had raised as if she was my very own child, my blood. I had trained her, bathed her, fed her, taught her... I had given her so much insight. But she was only a wolf, hiding in sheep's clothing."
Taekhyu's eyes looked like a dead fish, yet her voice drowned in nothing but venom, "Take heed, my kin. For what will come to you, if it hasn't yet, will surely be something that you have never faced before. Truly arduous…
Death will be you're newest, yet oldest friend."
Taekhyu had paused, and her image began to slowly dissipate, "...this woman Nitanz is not just a bad person, evil, nor monster. No – she is far from it. She is an angel born from hell. Nitanz is the devil, in its purest form..." Taekhyu had disappeared, leaving nothing else behind.
Appalled is all I am. I couldn't move an inch.
I felt nauseous, my stomach churned as if my organs were spinning like a top. I've been training, sleeping, growing closer with the woman who murdered my very own grandfather, my aunt, deities in all.
Aunt Savitra is a half-blood deity, just like dad. She's apart of the Phoenix clan. Seram killed her parents too...
No, Seram isn't even her real name!
Nitanz...
My brain couldn't handle all this information. It felt like I just read through books of a blood-stained library, filled with nothing but atrocious acts of history.
I have to get home.
But how? Seram – Nitanz said that the exit of this place only opens periodically. I'd be stuck here with her for another three days. But what if it happens to actually be two weeks??
I could feign ignorance, maybe? Act as if nothing happened?
No. That won't work.
Nitanz would eventually find out. What can I even do against her, that spar was enough proof that I can't do anything to her. Nitanz would completely slaughter me. It'd be like an ant fighting a beast. I'd be massacred...
Could I hide? No. Nitanz can probably sense this entire dimension.
Sense me...
Wait.
I turned around.
Nitanz stood before me, my head near her chest. Her smile is abnormally wide, I can see all her white teeth. Nitanz' head is slightly tilted, her shoulders slouched a bit, those keen pink eyes staring deep into my very soul. She looks deranged.
The chills on my neck are colder than the very ice I use.
Nitanz bent forward, her nose only a few inches from mine, keeping that ghastily smile on her face. Nitanz' voice is high, yet I could sense dreadful malice, "what did you hear, Skysin?"
I remained silent. I couldn't even get myself to talk, like my body wasn't working with me. The longer I gazed into Nitanz' eyes, I caught a glimpse of how insane this woman may truly be.
For the first time in my seven years of life, I think I've finally come to understand what true fear is.
Horror.
*****