After Daisy and Lottie had meticulously attended to Isolde, Meadow, and Willow, they were adorned in Isolde's spare nightgowns. The trio, Isolde, Meadow, and Willow, found themselves seated in the luxurious armchairs of Isolde's bedroom. A palpable and uncomfortable silence hung in the air, weighing down the room with tension.
Willow, unable to bear the stifling silence any longer, cast a hesitant glance at Meadow before turning her gaze to Isolde. Meadow and Isolde, despite their differences, shared an expression of unease. Meadow kept her eyes shut, as usual, while Isolde's face wore a bored expression that contrasted with the atmosphere in the room.
Breaking the silence, Isolde's voice cut through the tension, "What powers do both of you possess?" she inquired.
Willow, taken aback by the unexpected question, widened her eyes in surprise and confusion. She felt her gaze shifting back and forth between Isolde and Meadow. The room was now filled with a different kind of tension as the girls contemplated whether to reveal their extraordinary abilities.
Willow, feeling the mounting tension in the room, was now nervously contemplating how to explain her supernatural abilities to Isolde. She shifted her gaze to Isolde, her uncertainty palpable. In a hesitant tone, she finally spoke up, "Well, I have the ability to sense the presence of any being from miles away, though I know it might not sound like much," she chuckled nervously, clearly apprehensive about revealing her unique gift.
Meadow, on the other hand, softly mumbled, "And I can see the future and create illusions." Her voice held a hint of shyness, a stark contrast to the extraordinary powers she possessed.
Willow continued to provide insight into the group's abilities, "Rowan's power remains unknown at this point, but Casper can communicate with animals, and Corwin has already demonstrated his abilities." She hoped this additional information would help Isolde understand their individual strengths and differences.
Isolde, contemplating the various abilities at her disposal, found herself intrigued by the unique talents of her newfound companions. It was then that an idea sparkled in Willow's mind, and she eagerly proposed, "Why don't we have Meadow read our future for fun?" Her excitement was contagious, and even Meadow couldn't help but be captivated by the idea, despite her earlier reluctance.
Isolde, showing her willingness to embrace this idea, responded, "Sure, I'd love that." Her willingness to engage in this activity was a subtle attempt to ease the tension that had previously gripped the room.
Meadow, despite her initial reluctance, let out a sigh but ultimately nodded in agreement. She turned her attention to Isolde and extended her hands, her voice gentle as she spoke, "Give me your hands." She gestured toward Isolde's hands, and Isolde, trusting her new companion, complied by placing her hands in Meadow's. With Isolde's hands in hers, Meadow closed her eyes and focused on the connection, preparing to reveal glimpses of their futures through her unique gift.
"Close your eyes," Meadow instructed, her voice steady yet tinged with anticipation.
Isolde obediently closed her eyes, sinking into the peculiar moment of suspense. Meadow focused all her energy, her breath deepening as she concentrated. After a moment of intense concentration, Meadow's eyes snapped open, and she found herself transported to an ethereal realm—a boundless expanse of pure white.
In this surreal space, there was a profound silence that enveloped everything. Meadow, disoriented yet fascinated, couldn't help but question her surroundings. "Where exactly am I?" she murmured softly to herself, her words hanging in the air, unheard by anyone but herself.
Abruptly, a series of muffled sounds reached Meadow's ears, originating from somewhere behind her. She instinctively turned to investigate, her eyes scanning the blank canvas of this peculiar dimension. There, she saw a figure—a young girl clad in a pristine white dress, her back turned towards Meadow. The girl seemed to be in profound distress as she whispered, "No... I... I don't think I can keep living anymore."
Puzzled and intrigued by the presence of this enigmatic figure, Meadow couldn't help but voice her confusion, "Huh? Who's this? I wanted to see Isolde's future..." Meadow approached the girl, eager to catch a glimpse of her face and perhaps make sense of the situation. However, what she witnessed was beyond her comprehension.
The girl, with her eyes tightly shut, underwent a bewildering transformation. Her countenance shifted back and forth, oscillating between Isolde's visage and that of an entirely different person. This surreal exchange played out before Meadow's eyes, a perplexing dance of identities that left her utterly bewildered.
Unable to fathom the inexplicable scene unfolding before her, Meadow couldn't contain her astonishment. "I don't get it," she muttered, her wide eyes fixed on Isolde in a state of disbelief.
Suddenly, Meadow felt a trickle of warmth, and she touched her upper lip to discover that her nose had begun to bleed. Shocked by this unexpected development, she turned her gaze back to Isolde, her voice trembling as she questioned her, "Who the hell are you? Why is it that I can't see your future?" As she uttered these words, a crimson drop of blood descended from her nose, landing gently on her collarbone.
Willow's eyes widened in alarm as she observed the unexpected crimson trail trickling from Meadow's nose. "Meadow, your nose is bleeding," she exclaimed, a mix of concern and bewilderment in her voice. It was a sight they hadn't anticipated, and it left both of them on edge.
Meadow, equally taken aback by her own bodily response, couldn't hide her horror at the situation. Her panic was evident, and she muttered to herself, 'It has never happened before.' She quickly released Isolde's hands and instinctively brought her trembling fingers to her nose, attempting to stem the flow of blood.
Meanwhile, Isolde regarded the unfolding scene with a neutral expression, masking any surprise or concern she might have felt. She had expected Meadow to unveil her future, but this unexpected turn of events had left her perplexed. "I don't know..." Isolde replied, her voice trailing off, her thoughts racing to make sense of this bizarre occurrence. 'She can't read my future? That's most definitely odd,' Isolde contemplated as she decided to excuse herself from the room.
Isolde gracefully rose from her seat and made her way out of her bedroom, traversing the corridor with measured steps. Her destination was Adrith's study, a place where she hoped to find answers or guidance. As Isolde reached the wooden door of the study, she paused momentarily, her hand knocking softly against the polished surface.
***
Adrith's office was shrouded in an atmosphere of tension as she paced back and forth, consumed by her thoughts. Her footsteps echoed in the dimly lit room, echoing her internal turmoil.
As Adrith continued her restless pacing, a sudden sensation sent shivers down her spine. She felt Isolde's presence before she even heard the soft knock on the door. Adrith halted mid-step, her eyes widening with surprise and uncertainty.
"Isolde?" she stammered, her voice betraying a mix of emotions. "Did you want something?"
Isolde's reply with an eerie politeness, which only deepened Adrith's sense of foreboding. "Yes, Lady Adrith. May I come in? I would like to speak with you," Isolde requested, her tone measured.
Adrith hesitated briefly, her gaze locked on the door. "Well, I suppose it can't hurt... Yes, come in," she conceded, stepping backwards to allow Isolde to enter. The door swung open, and Isolde walked into the study, closing it behind her with deliberate care.
"Please have a seat. What is it that you want to talk about, Lady Isolde?" Adrith inquired as she gestured toward the plush chairs in her office.
Isolde, however, had no intention of prolonging the conversation. She dispensed with pleasantries and went straight to the point. "I won't waste time. I just wanted to give you your first order. You know that abandoned building you handed over to me? I want you to put me in charge of the reconstruction as well," Isolde declared, her words devoid of preamble.
Adrith's reaction was nothing short of astonishment. She gawked at Isolde, her shock evident in her wide-eyed stare. Momentarily lost for words, Adrith pondered the implications of this unexpected request, all the while studying Isolde's cold and unwavering gaze.
After a tense pause, she finally relented, her decision made.
"Well, alright. If that's what you want, I will make arrangements for you to have full control of it," Adrith conceded, her tone still tinged with surprise.
Isolde acknowledged Adrith's compliance with a satisfied smile. "That's all for now," she stated tersely before turning to exit the study, leaving Adrith to contemplate the implications of this meeting in her wake.
***
The following day, Isolde, Rowan, Casper, and Corwin gathered at the center of the sun-drenched grassy courtyard outside the Manor. Meanwhile, Meadow and Willow occupied a wooden bench nearby, their attention fixed firmly on the unfolding scene. Isolde's hands radiated a soft, purple glow, casting a captivating luminance. A brilliant light shot from her palm, shaping into a transparent sphere that hovered above her hand. With another controlled burst of energy, the sphere expanded into a sizable purple globe, suspended gracefully in the air.
"Wow, that's incredible!" Willow marveled in hushed awe, turning toward Meadow, who sat with her eyes closed, applauding lightly. Isolde addressed the newcomers with a matter-of-fact tone, "Willow and Meadow already showcased their abilities last night. Now, it's your turn."
Isolde's gaze shifted to Rowan, Casper, and Corwin.
"Corwin," she called to him.
Corwin, his sandy blonde hair tousled by the gentle breeze, turned to face Isolde. She directed the large purple globe to float even higher into the mid-air, her next words laden with gravity.
"This contains dark energy, which is mine. Now, I will release it, and you will have to purify it, or else everyone else in this Manor will be in jeopardy. Can you do that?" Her voice held a mischievous undertone as she tilted her head, waiting for his response.
Rowan and Willow gasped in unison, their eyes widening in disbelief. Casper stammered as he struggled to process the dire consequence Isolde had just presented. Meanwhile, Meadow's brow furrowed with concern. Corwin stood there, momentarily stunned by the unexpected weight of the situation. He grappled with the weighty decision ahead, unsure if he possessed the capability to purify all the dark energy and avert the looming threat.