Irynefer nodded, feeling a mixture of excitement and anxiety. She glanced down at the book, the symbols swimming on the page, and took a deep breath, ready to immerse herself in the lesson.
Userkaf moved closer. "Close your eyes, Irynefer. Clear your mind. Feel the energy around you. It's always there, like a current, waiting to be tapped into."
She obeyed, closing her eyes, and tried to push aside the distractions. She focused on her breathing, in and out, steady and rhythmic. Slowly, she began to sense the world around her differently—not just through sight and sound but through an awareness that tingled beneath her skin. It was as if the air itself held a charge, a subtle vibration that resonated with her thoughts.
"Good," Userkaf said softly. "Now, imagine a barrier around your mind. It can be anything you wish—a wall, a shield, a dome of light. Picture it clearly, as solid and impenetrable as you can make it. This is your sanctuary, your fortress. Nothing can enter without your permission."
Irynefer concentrated, visualizing a glowing barrier surrounding her. At first, it was faint, barely there, but as she focused more intently, it began to take shape, solidifying into a dome of shimmering light. The sensation was strange, as if she were both inside herself and outside, observing the creation of her protection.
"Feel the barrier strengthen with each breath," Userkaf continued, his voice guiding her. "With each heartbeat, it becomes more real, more tangible. This is your shield, Irynefer. Your mind is safe behind it."
As the barrier solidified, Irynefer felt a sense of calm wash over her. The chaos of her thoughts settled, the constant buzz in her mind quieting to a gentle hum. She felt genuinely safe for the first time in what seemed like forever.
"Well done," Userkaf said, his voice carrying a note of approval. "You have the makings of a strong mind. With practice, this will become second nature. You'll be able to shield your thoughts and, eventually, project them. But for now, rest in the silence you've created. Let it become familiar."
Irynefer opened her eyes, meeting Userkaf's gaze. His expression was one of quiet pride, and she felt a tiny flicker of accomplishment. A sudden ripple disturbed the air, and a familiar figure materialized at the edge of the room. Nakht smiled in his usual mischievous way, his red eyes glowing like embers.
"Well, well, I see you've made progress already," Nakht purred, his gaze flicking from Irynefer to Userkaf. "You always were an excellent teacher, Userkaf. Even back in the old days, you had a knack for coaxing out hidden potential."
Userkaf's expression remained calm, but his eyes slightly narrowed. "What do you want, Nakht?"
Nakht shrugged, leaning casually against the wall. "Can't a man check on his newest acquaintance?"
His eyes settled on Irynefer, glowing with an almost hypnotic light. "You've started learning the basics, Irynefer. Good. You'll need all the protection you can get here. But don't get too comfortable. There's more to this realm than just shielding your thoughts. There are forces at play you can't even begin to imagine."
Irynefer tensed, remembering what Userkaf had said about shadows and dangers. Nakht's presence always seemed to bring with it a sense of unpredictability, as if he were a force of chaos personified. But something was compelling about him, drawing her in despite the warning bells going off in her head.
"Is that supposed to scare me?" she asked, trying to sound more confident than she felt.
Nakht chuckled, the sound low and rumbling. "Not scare, my dear. Prepare. Knowledge is power, and in this world, power is survival. The more you know, the better your chances."
Userkaf stepped forward with a protective stance. "She's under my guidance, Nakht. I'll make sure she learns what she needs to survive. You don't need to interfere."
Nakht's grin widened, showing a flash of sharp teeth. "Oh, I wouldn't dream of interfering. I'm just... observing. For now." He pushed away from the wall, his form blurring slightly as he prepared to leave. "Remember, Irynefer, the darkness here has many layers. Be careful what you let in and, more importantly, what you let out."
With that, Nakht's form dissipated, fading into the shadows as if he had never been there. The room fell silent again.
Userkaf watched the spot where Nakht had stood with a thoughtful expression. "Nakht is not to be underestimated," he said quietly. "He plays his own games, and his motives are always his own. Trust him as far as you can throw him and no further."
Irynefer nodded, absorbing his words. Trust was a luxury in this place, one she couldn't afford to give lightly. "I'll be careful," she promised. "I won't let him or anyone else get inside my head."
Userkaf's gaze softened, and he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Good. You have strength, Irynefer. Now, you need to learn to harness it."
Userkaf stepped back, gesturing to the book still in her hands. "We will continue with the lessons. But first, you should rest. Your mind needs time to adjust, to absorb what you've learned. Take time to gather your thoughts. Tomorrow, we begin in earnest."
"Tomorrow? she repeated with a raised brow.
With a slight smirk, he reached out and handed her an hourglass dome that seemed to materialize out of thin air. "This is equivalent to morning and night in the world of the living," he explained.
"You could do this, but you didn't do it sooner. Why?" she pouted as she took it from him.
"It wasn't as important as it would be starting now," he answered with a shrug. An exasperated sigh escaped her lips, "What is it then, day or night?". Her eyes remained fixed on the slowly trickling sand at the bottom of the hourglass.
"It's night," he responded calmly. Irynefer nodded, feeling the weight of the day settle on her shoulders. As much as she wanted to give him hell for leaving her guessing the time and day, she decided to drop it.
She placed the book gently on the table, hoping to one day understand the symbols.