Irynefer stood there momentarily, letting everything sink in as her thoughts raced. Nakht's sudden appearance, his unnerving ability to read her thoughts, and the promise of power he had dangled before her were all overwhelming.
Vex skittered closer to the fire, its eyes narrowing as it basked in the warmth. Irynefer watched the creature, taking in its bizarre appearance. Despite its unsettling look, there was something oddly endearing about it. Perhaps it was the way it moved, a jittery yet almost cat-like grace, or maybe it was the way its multiple eyes blinked in unison, giving it an oddly comical appearance.
Irynefer stepped closer to the fireplace, drawn by the heat and light. As she reached out her hand to warm it by the flames, a voice echoed softly in her mind, the words Were indistinct but they carried a sense of urgency. She turned her head, looking around the room, but no one was there. It must have been her imagination, she thought, still unnerved by the idea that her thoughts could be so easily read here.
"Vex," she called, her voice sounding small in the large room. The creature turned its head toward her, its four eyes blinking in sequence. "What exactly are you? I mean, I know you're supposed to assist me, but… are you like Nakht? Can you read thoughts, too?"
Vex tilted its head, the scales on its body shimmering in the firelight. It made a sound that was somewhere between a purr and a hiss. "Vex assists, yes," it replied, its voice scratchy and high-pitched, echoing in her mind rather than coming from its mouth. "Vex reads thoughts if thoughts are loud. Not like Nakht, not like Master Userkaf. Vex sees, Vex hears, Vex knows."
"Great," Irynefer muttered, rubbing her temples, slightly surprised that his voice reverberated in her mind. Even her assistant could read her thoughts. She would have to learn how to shield her mind sooner rather than later. The last thing she needed was her private musings broadcast to every creature in this place.
"Master Userkaf said to protect mind," Vex continued, its voice matter-of-fact. "Thoughts can be sharp, thoughts can be dull. Good thoughts stay hidden. Bad thoughts attract things." It made another hissing sound. "Dangerous things."
A shiver ran down Irynefer's spine at the implication of Vex's words. "What kind of things?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Vex's eyes all blinked in unison, a gesture that seemed to convey both warning and concern. "Things that feed on thoughts, that twist minds. Shadows that whisper, that pull. Vex keeps watch, but Irynefer must learn. Must be strong. Or…" It trailed off, its tail flicking nervously.
"Or what?" Irynefer pressed, her heart beating faster.
"Or shadows find you," Vex said simply, its voice carrying an eerie finality.
Shadows that could find her, feed on her thoughts, twist her mind—she had no idea what those words truly meant, but the fear they stirred was real. The more she learned about this realm, the more she realized how little she knew. And the more determined she became to survive.
The door to the study creaked open again, and Irynefer turned quickly, half expecting Nakht or another strange figure to appear. Instead, it was Userkaf, his presence filling the doorway like a silent sentinel.
"Come with me," he said, his voice steady and calm. "Your training starts now."
Irynefer nodded, feeling a mixture of trepidation and resolve.
Userkaf led her down a winding corridor, and Vex scampered along behind her. Irynefer kept close to Userkaf, trying to memorize the route, though she knew she would never be able to navigate it on her own.
Finally, they stopped before a large wooden door carved with intricate patterns that seemed to move if you looked at them too long. Userkaf pushed it open, revealing a small, dimly lit room. The walls were lined with shelves filled with scrolls and ancient tomes, and a single table stood in the center, covered in what looked like alchemical equipment.
"This is where we will begin," Userkaf said, gesturing for her to enter. "The mind is a powerful thing, Irynefer. It can be your greatest ally or your worst enemy. Here, you will learn to master it."
Userkaf crossed the room with a purposeful stride, his hands reached for a thick, leather-bound tome on one of the shelves. The book seemed to emit a faint, otherworldly glow as he pulled it free, and when he turned back to face her, his expression was serious.
"This book," Userkaf said, holding it out for her to see, "contains knowledge that has been passed down through centuries. It's not just about reading the words, Irynefer. It's about understanding the intent behind them and feeling the power that they hold. Magic here is not cast with simple incantations. It's a melding of thought and will and a manifestation of inner strength."
Irynefer carefully took the book from him, feeling the cool, smooth leather beneath her fingers. As soon as she touched it, she felt a subtle energy pulse, like a faint heartbeat. The pages seemed to hum with anticipation as if waiting to reveal their secrets. She opened the book, and the ancient pages crackled softly. She found herself staring at intricate symbols and glyphs, their meaning just beyond her grasp.
"I can't read or understand this," she mumbled.
"The first step in your training is to learn to control your thoughts. You've already seen how open minds are vulnerable to influence. You must learn to shield yourself and create a barrier that protects your innermost thoughts and feelings. This skill will not only safeguard you but also give you the clarity needed to command magic in this realm and, in turn, read that book."