The faint glow of a lamp illuminates the familiar chamber. As my vision clears, I see Lylia sitting by the side, her brows furrowed with concern.
"You're awake…finally. You scared me, you know?" Lylia said softly.
I blinked. My head still foggy as I sit up. Lylia quickly place her hand on my shoulder.
"What… what happened?" I asked groggily.
Lylia sighs, leaning back in her chair. "The Divine Priest found you passed out on the balcony. He was the one who brought you here."
Her words made me sit up straighter, despite the dizziness still clouding my mind.
"Exian? He brought me here?"
Lylia nods. "Yeah, and he didn't say much either. Just told the sisters to look after you and left. What were you even doing out there? Did you faint because of the cold or something?"
My heart races as I recall the events on the balcony. Exian –
whoever he was –
those cryptic words, the suffocating tension.
I murmured. "It's complicated"
Lylia frowns. "How? You've been acting strange ever since, Iris. Did something happen?"
I hesitate, unsure of how much to share.
Well actually I'm –
[You should hold back.]
…
[The last thing you want is for Lylia to worry-]
[Or worse, get involved in something you don't even understand yourself]
The voice was right. I forced a smile and spoke. "It's nothing major. Just overthinking, I guess. You know how I get."
Lylia gives a skeptical look but didn't press further. "Fine, keep your secrets. But seriously, don't overdo it. If you collapse again, I'll personally dragged you to the head priest for healing."
I smiled and nodded.
"Anyway, get some rest." She stood up and left.
The next day, I went to the training hall to attempt practicing basic stances.
[Your movements are clumsy. Your balance is unstable and you're stiff like a rock. Any old person could move better than you.]
I grumbled. "Why does this look easy when others do it?"
As I attempt a wider stance, my foot slips and I stumbled landing on the ground with a loud thud. I groan, sitting up and brushing the dust off my robes.
"You're trying too hard to force it." A soft voice spoke.
I look up startled to see Yzette standing a few feet away. Her elegant figure and calm demeanor are striking. DAMN
She offers a hand, smiling gently. "Here let me help"
Such blinding light. How could I take your hand gorgeous? *effect*
I took her hand and she pulled me up to my feet so effortlessly.
"Thank you" I smiled awkwardly
"I've been watching for a while. You have potential, but you're too stiff. Relax a little, the flow will come naturally."
I laughed. "Potential? You must have a really good eyesight because I AM not seeing it"
"It's not about what you see – it's about what could be."
Before I could protest, she positioned beside me and demonstrated a proper stance.
"Feet shoulder-width apart, back straight, and your center of gravity low. Like this. Try again"
I nod, mimicking her movements. This time, I managed to stay balanced.
Yzette nodded in approval. "Better. See? You can do it"
Maybe I'm not entirely hopeless after all.
As I continue practicing under Yzette's guidance, my focus is momentarily broken when I saw Exian walking through the hall. My heart skips a beat, and a wave of unease washes over me as I recall that event. Without thinking, I stepped back.
"Thanks for the help, but I… I just remembered something my mentor ordered me to do!"
Before Yzette can respond, I turn and ran, keeping my head low.
Too much. Just too much.
Once I'm out of the hall, I lean against a wall, catching my breath.
[the voice inside your head wants to say something]
Speak.
-----
[Running away, are we? That's not very becoming of someone who claims to be a star about to go supernova.]
"Not now. I've had enough for today"
[Enough of what?]
"Just be quiet for once."
[I could. But you seem like you could use some advice]
I rolled my eyes. "Unless your advice is how to magically disappear, I'm not interested."
[You know, avoiding him won't solve anything. If Exian knows something about you, don't you think it's worth figuring out what?]
"And risk getting caught up in whatever nonsense he's into?
You don't get it. He feels…odd. He's not supposed to be like that."
The voice inside your head immediately perks up
[In what way? Odd? Mysterious? Intense? Someone who makes you question everything?]
"No! As the Divine Priest, he's supposed to be calm and composed. Not… whatever that was"
[I see. So, you have a checklist for how the divine priest should act. Very proper of you. But let me ask, why does it bother you so much?]
"It doesn't bother me! It's just…unsettling."
[Why not investigate? If it's uncomfortable, wouldn't it be worth figuring out why?]
I faltered and bit my nail. "Fine. Maybe you're right. If something we're to go wrong then this temple is doomed for."