—Today, I want you to do an exercise called 'Cernunnos.' You'll sit with your legs crossed in a C shape and your arms raised in a V shape, while you exclusively think about everything happening around you: the air, the waves of the sea, the birds, the sounds of nature. If those negative thoughts invade your heart, refocus on what's happening around you until those ideas dissipate— said Ana to Rodrigo.
Ana assumed the pose to demonstrate it to Rodrigo.
—How long should I do it?— Rodrigo asked.
—Do it all day, and let's see what happens tomorrow— Ana replied. With a hand gesture, she destroyed the alternate dimension, and the bright spark appeared again, which she immediately took and put in her pocket. The damage caused by Rodrigo's tremors on the ground had disappeared.
—Let's see if your tree-hugging pagan techniques work— Tania said sarcastically.
Ana and Rodrigo left the cave and headed towards a cliff overlooking the sea. Rodrigo assumed the pose, and Ana helped him do it correctly. Once in the position, Ana told him that she would see him again tomorrow at the same time.
The view of the sea was beautiful. Some reefs could be seen in the distance, making it clear that ships couldn't pass through that area. Additionally, it was located behind the cave, preventing the people from the village from observing that place. The heat was overwhelming, although a slight cool breeze blew, providing some relief. The salty smell of the sea filled the air, and seagulls could be seen flying around.
Rodrigo meditated, but his mind wandered, and his arms became numb. Still, he didn't give up and continued. He listened to the wind, the birds, the waves. Whenever thoughts of anger and hatred started to terrorize him, he refocused on the waves and the wind.
—You give great speeches— Tania said to Ana as they each took a glass of wine.
—I just repeated the words of my teacher— Ana replied, taking a sip from her glass.
—Ironic, isn't it? That I talk about forgiveness and leaving hatred behind when it's the only driving force that has moved me so far— Ana said, lowering her gaze with sadness.
Tania put her arm on Ana's back and patted her.
—I understand you perfectly, Ana— she said.
The next day, Ana woke up at eight in the morning, and even though she was still half asleep, she went to see Rodrigo. But she was surprised to see him floating in the air and emanating a divine energy in his body, yet it wasn't aggressive but peaceful to the extent that birds were approaching him. Fortunately, he was behind the cave and not visible to any villagers.
—Incredible, in less than twenty-four hours— Ana said.
Tania came out of the cave and looked at him, amazed.
Ana called out to Rodrigo, and he opened his eyes, losing his concentration and falling abruptly to the ground.
—Good morning, Ana. I heard your steps from afar; in fact, I would say I felt your steps and your energy, and also Tania's energy still inside the cave— Rodrigo said with a smile.
—That was amazing, Rui. I knew you would do it— Ana said with a smile.
After having breakfast, they descended back to the bottom of the cave, and Ana activated the pocket dimension again.
—All right, Rui. I want you to relax as you were earlier— Ana said.
Rodrigo nodded.
The young apprentice relaxed his mind, and an aura of energy enveloped him, but it was not violent, but calming. Then, he began to levitate slightly.
—Perfect— Ana said. —Now, concentrate that sensation in your hand—
Rodrigo opened his right hand, and a sphere of white energy formed.
—It's a Venus— Tania said, observing them again.
—No doubt about it— Ana nodded.
Rodrigo made the sphere disappear and once again set his feet on the ground.
—A Venus?— he asked.
—Yes— Ana replied. —The gods are classified into eight groups according to our elements:
Sun, like Tania, can control fire.
Saturn, like me, can control darkness.
Venus, like you, can control sacred elements and telekinesis.
Moon controls water and cold.
Mercury controls air.
Earth controls life and the internal energy of planets and stars.
Mars specializes in combat techniques and metal control.
And finally, the most powerful ones, Jupiter, controls light and thunder— explained Ana.
—According to legends, Elyon is a Jupiter. Imagine how powerful they must be— Tania said with a smile.
—However, there are gods who can control more than one element or possess abilities that don't belong to any of these groups. They are usually among the most powerful among us— Ana said.
—Incredible— Rodrigo responded excitedly.
—Alright, now we can move on to phase two: Combat— Ana said with a smile as she recreated her sword with her dark energy.