"mother? I-is it really you?" my entire body was shaking as we stood staring at each other.
"Lyra" she called my name and opened her arms wide.
I found myself running to her as tears rolled down my cheeks.
She held me close while stroking my hair as we slowly sat on the floor.
"I thought I would never have the chance to see you at all" I buried my face deeper and deeper into her cloak.
"I'm here dewdrop...it's ok, you're not alone anymore" she held my chin and made me look at her.
Turns out she was crying as well.
"you've grown so much and I'm so proud of you. I know it's hard but you can't give up; you'll learn everything just as I did and whenever you need to talk, I'll be right here"
"thank you mother but...where exactly is this place? It's always white and empty" I asked looking around at the void in utter confusion.
"well you've been here before...twice actually but I didn't want to reveal it to you until you were ready" she stood, taking a few steps back and put her hands together.
With one sigh, the void began to fill with color and vanish like a fog.
We were in my mother's resting place; where she was buried.
"your spiritual connection is at its peak here and I can easily talk to you"
"but I don't know how to get here. How can I-"
"like all things; you'll learn...it's in your blood my love but you've not accepted the fact that you're my daughter"
"that's not true-"
"I can tell when you're lying or not Lyra. The only way for you to excel is to accept this is who you are and nothing is going to change that"
She did have a point.
I was still in shock and thought I was a normal girl but that's not possible anymore.
"our time is up...we'll see each other soon..."
I opened my eyes and felt that my cheeks were wet.
Mother...
I sat up and placed my hand on the crystal hanging around my neck.
.....................
"what's going on?" I asked Eri as I walked into the arena and saw Sam looking a bit down.
"well Rayhan and Tamar said he's almost unteachable and isn't adjusting, Imogen is going through the same thing with him as well"
"someone looks ready to train" I turned around to find Jackie standing behind me.
"Jackie? Where have you been? It's been ages" I gave her a hug.
"patrols...it's not easy. The King asked me to take a break and leave it to the Birds of Prey because I'll have to teach someone new. Which one of you is it?"
"ahh Jackie there you are; you got my message"
"yeah and I'm heading out soon so which one of them am I training?" Jackie placed her hands on her hips.
"Sam get over here!" the princess yelled and he was beside her in seconds.
"so...who's my new teacher now--oh no" his face dropped as soon as he set eyes on Jackie.
"why him of all people?" she frowned and folded her arms.
"because you're the best person for the job and you can teach anyone no matter how stupid they are"
"hey?! I'm right here y'know?" Sam huffed.
"please? We're already training the Khamatu and the Witch of snow...help us out" Imogen gave her puppy eyes.
"I'm doing this for you" she sighed unfolding her arms and turning to Sam.
"get your stuff ready; we're leaving in 10 minutes"
"leaving to where?" I asked.
"the woods; it's a better teaching environment plus there aren't any distractions"
"I can't go with her; she hates me" Sam whined.
"you don't have a choice now get ready or I'm leaving you behind" was all Jackie said before leaving the arena.
..................
"stay safe out there Sam" Eri gave him one last hug before he mounted his horse.
We were all outside waving Sam and Jaja goodbye.
"try not to behead any of them...for my sake" Imogen smiled.
"I don't mind you beheading any of them if I'm being honest" Rayhan cocked a brow.
"I'll do my best" Jackie smiled at us one last time before riding out of the palace...
Sam's POV:
We have been riding for what felt like days.
It was slowly getting dark and I didn't want to be eaten by any creature of the night.
The only way I could see was with the lamps ahead of us but other than that, I couldn't see anything.
Jackie didn't seem bothered at all and she was blind.
Maybe because she couldn't 'see' anything scary that's why she isn't scared at all.
"urmm Jackie don't you think we need to make camp?" I asked her but she didn't respond.
"I don't want to get eaten by anything out here" I looked around in fear.
"we aren't at the campsite yet and you complaining is wasting more time" she didn't even bother to look at me.
"but Jackie-"
"I've told you more than once not to call me Jackie haven't I? I'm known as The Jackal to you...dog"
I don't understand why she's so cold and harsh towards only me.
Everyone else called her by her name but I had to call her by her title and wondered why.
I hadn't offended her in any way so...why was she like this towards only me?
We rode our horses a little further before suddenly stopping at a little clearing.
"we'll rest here. Your training will start tomorrow so get some rest"
.....................
Lyra's POV:
"Lyra concentrate!" Darya yelled as I tried to muster up my magical energy but it wasn't working.
I was trying and sweating but nothing!
It would only spark and go off.
"accept that this is who you are and let go of your doubts" mother's voice echoed in my head and I listened to it.
I let all my denial's and worry go as I let out a long sigh and focused on magic head on.
All my worries flowed away and I could feel the connection.
And like Eri, I was able to channel enough energy to make a ring...but mine was purple...
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