Previously
Willow shrugged. "I'm not sure," he admitted. "But I think it's a combination of defense, attack, and healing. She has a rare gift, and we need to make sure she learns how to use it properly."
Raegis nodded, her mind still reeling from the revelation. She couldn't wait to see what kind of power Amelia had.
Raegis nodded, her mind still reeling from the revelation. She approached Willow with a shy and tentative step, her silver eyes downcast as she spoke in a soft voice. "I...I have awakened a new ability," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Willow smiled encouragingly. "That's great, Raegis. What ability did you unlock?" he asked.
Raegis lifted her eyes to meet Willow's, her silver hair falling in gentle waves around her face. "It's called [Counter]," she replied simply.
Willow's eyebrows lifted in surprise. "That's an impressive skill. How does it work?" he inquired.
Raegis bit her lip nervously before answering. "I can deflect any attack that comes at me with a greater force than the attacker used," she explained.
Willow nodded thoughtfully. "That's perfect!" he said, a hint of admiration in his voice. "That's an excellent skill to have but be careful not to rely on it too much."
"Imm." Raegis said softly. She swooned as Willow gave her multiple pets on her head.
***
Raegis watched Amelia warily, feeling uneasy in her presence. She had never liked elves, and their magic made her nervous. The fact that Amelia was a red-haired elf - a rare sight indeed - only added to her distrust. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off with Amelia, and it was only a matter of time before she proved to be a danger.
But what bothered Raegis the most was the attention that Willow seemed to be giving to Amelia. Raegis had grown to care deeply for the beautiful boy, and the thought of him being drawn away by another made her jealous and anxious. But as much as she disliked Amelia, Raegis knew that Willow felt differently. He had a soft spot for the red-headed girl, and it pained Raegis to see him so attached to someone she didn't trust.
As Willow fawned over Amelia, Raegis kept her distance, observing them both carefully. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about the elf - that she was hiding something.
"Willow," Raegis said slowly, as if trying out the name. "Do you really think we should bring her with us? We don't even know who she is."
"You can't trust them, you know," Raegis said softly to Willow as they made camp for the night.
"Those elves and their magic - they're always up to something."
Willow looked at Raegis with concern in his eyes. "Do you really believe that?" he asked gently.Raegis shrugged, feeling vulnerable in front of Willow.
"I don't know," she whispered. "I just... I don't want anything bad to happen to us."
Willow wrapped an arm around Raegis's shoulders comfortingly. "I'll protect you, Raegis," he said softly. "Don't worry."
Raegis leaned into his embrace, feeling grateful for his affection but still unsure about Amelia.
Willow looked at Raegis, his expression saddened by her apparent dislike towards Amelia. "She needs our help," he said simply. "And besides, I have a feeling that she's going to play an important role in the future."
Raegis rolled her eyes, frustrated with Willow's naivete. "You're always so willing to help anyone in need," she muttered.
Willow smiled softly. "I believe in giving people second chances," he said. "Plus, she has this gift for magic that we can use to our advantage."
Raegis snorted incredulously. "Magic," she spat. "Our aura is much better."
Willow looked at Raegis steadily. "That's not true, Raegis," he said firmly. "Everyone has the potential for greatness - humans, elves, beastkin and anyone else."
Raegis didn't respond, choosing instead to turn away from Willow and focus on the still-unconscious Amelia but the night started to descend and they needed to make camp.
***
Raegis sat cross-legged by the fire, staring intently at Amelia's still form. Willow sat beside her, watching her with a mixture of concern and curiosity.
"So, what did you see in the Gate of Steel?" Willow asked tentatively, breaking the silence.
Raegis hesitated, unsure if she wanted to share her experience with anyone. But she knew that Willow deserved to know, especially since he had been there for her during her awakening.
"I saw... memories," she said slowly. "Not my own, but someone else's."
Willow leaned forward, his eyes widening in interest. "Whose memories?" he asked eagerly.
Raegis shrugged, feeling uncomfortable with the attention. "I don't know. They were fragmented, like pieces of a puzzle. But I could feel their emotions - their pain, their joy, their love."
Willow's expression softened. "That must have been intense," he said sympathetically.
Raegis nodded, feeling a shiver run down her spine as she recalled the sensation. "It was overwhelming," she admitted. "But also... exhilarating."
Willow tilted his head, his eyes bright with curiosity. "Exhilarating? How so?"
Raegis hesitated, unsure if she should reveal the full extent of her awakening. But as she looked into Willow's eyes, she felt a sense of trust and openness that she had never felt before.
"I felt powerful," she said slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Like I could do anything I wanted. Like I was invincible."
Willow looked at her steadily, his expression serious. "That's a dangerous feeling, Raegis," he warned. "You have to be careful not to let it consume you."
Raegis nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Willow for his caution. "I know," she said softly. "But it's hard to resist. Especially when I've spent my whole life feeling weak and powerless."
Willow smiled gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You're not weak, Raegis," he said firmly. "You're strong - stronger than you know."
Raegis felt a warmth spread through her at his words, a feeling of acceptance and belonging that she had never experienced before. "Thank you, Willow," she said quietly. "For everything."
Willow nodded, his smile widening. "Anytime, Raegis. You can always count on me."
For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, each lost in their own thoughts. But then Raegis spoke up, her voice hesitant.
"There's something else," she said slowly. "Something I heard in the Gate of Steel."
Willow looked at her expectantly, his eyes shining with curiosity.
Raegis took a deep breath, feeling a sense of trepidation as she prepared to reveal what she had heard.
"I heard a voice," she said softly. "A woman's voice. She was speaking to me, telling me... telling me that I was chosen."
Willow's eyes widened, his expression incredulous. "Chosen? For what?"
Raegis shook her head, feeling a sense of confusion and uncertainty. "I don't know," she admitted. "But she said that I had a destiny - a purpose that I had to fulfill."
Willow looked at her intently, his expression serious. "Raegis, you have to be careful," he warned. "Prophecies and destinies can be dangerous things. They can lead you down a path that you might not want to go."
Raegis nodded, feeling a sense of apprehension at the thought of being bound by fate. "I know," she said softly. "But... what if it's true? What if I really am meant to do something great?"