The journey toward the capital stretched on, the grasslands around them rolling endlessly beneath the wide-open sky. The oppressive darkness of the Veilwood was a distant memory, but the weight of its mysteries clung to Aria like a shadow.
Each step brought her closer to the heart of this world and, hopefully, the answers she sought. But as the days passed, she found herself grappling not only with the mysteries of magic but also with the strange new reality of her own body.
---
The morning sun rose, bathing their small camp in warm light. Aria woke to the soft chirping of birds and the rustling of the breeze through the nearby trees. She stretched, the silky fabric of her tunic brushing against her skin in a way that was both comforting and distracting.
Her body still felt alien to her. The curves she now possessed, the weight of her chest, and the strange yet persistent sensations that came with her transformation were all things she was learning to navigate.
She stood and moved a short distance from the camp, seeking privacy. Kneeling by a small stream, she splashed water on her face, the coolness jolting her fully awake. As she straightened, she caught her reflection in the water—a face both familiar and foreign stared back.
The crystal around her neck shimmered faintly in the morning light, its pulsing glow in tune with her heartbeat. Aria touched it, feeling its warmth spread through her fingers.
What am I supposed to do with this? she thought.
Closing her eyes, she focused on the crystal, trying to sense the power the guardian had spoken of. At first, there was nothing—a frustrating void that mirrored her confusion. But then, a flicker of warmth spread through her chest, radiating outward.
Her breath hitched as the warmth intensified, flowing down her arms and pooling in her palms. When she opened her eyes, faint tendrils of light danced around her fingers, shifting in color like a living rainbow.
"Whoa..." she whispered, her voice trembling.
She concentrated, willing the light to take shape. The tendrils coalesced into a small orb that hovered above her hand, spinning gently. Aria's heart raced as she marveled at the sight.
But the moment her concentration wavered, the light flickered and disappeared, leaving her hands empty once more.
"Not bad for a first try."
The voice startled her, and she turned sharply to see Mira leaning against a tree, her arms crossed and a smirk on her face.
"You scared me!" Aria exclaimed, clutching her chest.
Mira chuckled, pushing off the tree and walking closer. "Sorry, couldn't resist. But seriously, that was impressive. Didn't know you had magic in you."
"Neither did I," Aria admitted, her cheeks flushing. "I'm still figuring it out."
"Well, looks like you've got the basics down," Mira said, gesturing to Aria's hands. "But you might want to practice a bit more before trying to light a campfire with it."
Aria laughed despite herself, the tension in her chest easing. Mira had a way of making things seem less daunting, even when they felt impossible.
"Thanks," Aria said, offering a small smile.
Mira grinned. "Anytime. Now, come on—Kael's probably wondering why we're not ready to leave yet."
---
The journey continued, the rolling fields giving way to rocky hills as they drew closer to the capital. Aria used every spare moment to practice her magic, experimenting with the crystal's energy and learning how to shape it.
At first, her attempts were clumsy—bursts of light that fizzled out as quickly as they appeared. But with time and focus, she began to form more stable shapes: orbs of light to illuminate their path, wisps of energy that danced in the air like fireflies.
Kael noticed her progress but offered little comment, his focus always on their surroundings. Mira, on the other hand, was endlessly curious, often stopping to watch Aria's practice sessions with an amused grin.
One evening, as they set up camp near a rocky outcrop, Mira approached Aria while Kael was out gathering firewood.
"You're getting better," Mira said, plopping down beside her.
Aria nodded, holding out her hand to summon a small orb of light. It hovered above her palm, casting a soft glow. "It's... strange. This power feels so natural, but it's still hard to control."
Mira leaned closer, studying the orb with fascination. "Well, it suits you. Makes you look all mysterious and magical."
Aria laughed, her cheeks warming. "I don't feel very mysterious."
Mira smirked. "You're underestimating yourself, princess."
The playful nickname made Aria roll her eyes, but she couldn't help the smile tugging at her lips.
As the orb flickered and faded, Mira nudged her shoulder. "Don't overthink it. You're already doing amazing. Just give yourself time."
---
That night, Aria lay awake, staring up at the stars. The crystal around her neck pulsed faintly, its warmth a comforting presence against her skin. She thought of Lysara's words, the magic she was learning to control, and the growing bond she felt with her companions.
For the first time since arriving in this world, she felt a glimmer of hope. The road to the capital was still long, but she was beginning to believe she could face whatever lay ahead.
And maybe, just maybe, she could forge her own path in this strange and magical realm.