Leaves swirled around Lyrelle, not from the wind. But from her will.
She stood at the heart of a moss-covered glade, arms extended, eyes shut tight. Threads of air coiled around her like tame serpents, obeying her silent call. With each breath, the wind danced faster, carrying her commands to the plants before her. They trembled, vines slowly inching upward, flowers stirring from sleep.
But that was it. A stir. No bloom. No breakthrough.
Lyrelle opened her eyes and sighed, arms falling limp.
"Still nothing," she muttered.
Her affinity with wind was effortless. she had mastered it from a young age. A gust, a whirlwind, the roar of a storm. all within her control. But her nature magic? That was another story. She could summon vines to entangle, bark to shield, even heal the wounded leaves, but she couldn't seem to push past a certain boundary.
Fel appeared from behind the curtain of vines with a sly grin. "Frowning again. That's the third time this hour."
Lyrelle didn't turn around. "You're counting?"
"I keep score when people stomp on my moss garden. That's three sulks, two groans, and one leaf tantrum."
Fel stepped lightly into the glade, barefoot as usual, her silver-blue hair cascading in the light. She crouched beside Lyrelle and peered at the tiny patch of soil Lyrelle had been working with all morning. "Still using the bloom?"
"Yeah. Your herbs help focus my magic." Lyrelle sighed. "But it's not enough. My wind affinity is at its peak, but when it comes to nature magic…" She trailed off, gaze drifting toward the half-sprouted plant. "I can't seem to break through. I'm stuck."
Fel's grin softened. She sat down next to Lyrelle. "You know, it's not about your magic. It's about what you're trying to make it do. Nature isn't about force, it's about connection. You're trying to rush things again. That's why you can't push past it."
"I'm not rushing!" Lyrelle shot back, though her frustration was evident. "I just can't move forward. I need to be better. Stronger. I can't afford to be stuck."
Before Fel could respond, a familiar voice interrupted, dripping with arrogance.
"Not to be a bother, but if you want to get stronger instantly…" Valen's figure emerged from the trees, his crimson eyes gleaming in the shadows. "I told you right, I can help."
Lyrelle groaned. "Not you again."
Valen casually leaned against a nearby tree, a smirk playing at his lips. "I'm not offering any false promises, but I can show you how to grow your power quickly."
Fel raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "You? Offering help? And here I thought you only wanted to make trouble."
Valen ignored her and stepped forward, walking toward one of the large, trees in the glade. Without saying another word, he pricked his finger with his sharp nail. He let a single droplet of blood fall onto the bark.
Immediately, the tree shuddered. The ground beneath them trembled as thick roots erupted from the soil, snaking outwards, wrapping around other trees. The tree groaned as its bark darkened and hardened, the leaves suddenly rich and vibrant. It was no longer a simple tree it was now a towering, obedient servant.
"There," Valen said, his voice casual but with a dark edge to it. "A single drop of my blood and this tree obeys me. That's the power I offer. Instant growth. Instant control."
Lyrelle stood frozen, her eyes wide as she watched the massive tree stretch and twist with unnatural speed. The air thickened with an odd energy—unnerving, yet undeniably potent.
Fel, however, wasn't impressed. She leaned back on her feet, her lips curled in a mischievous smile. "I wouldn't take him up on that offer, Lyrelle."
"Why not?" Lyrelle asked, still mesmerized by the tree's rapid transformation. She couldn't deny the allure of such power. A single drop... *that* simple.
Fel's gaze shifted to Valen, her tone dry. "Because that's how he operates. His power is dangerous. It might look fast, but it comes at a cost. Nature isn't about forcing things to grow. It's about harmony. He doesn't know that."
Valen glared at her but didn't respond, allowing the tree to slowly calm, its roots retracting back into the earth. The immediate display of strength made Lyrelle's pulse race. That was power. Raw power. And it could be hers if she just accepted it.
"I don't know," she said slowly, turning to Fel. "It's tempting. One drop. That's-"
Fel cut her off, her voice firm. "You can't take shortcuts. Magic like that... his way?... it doesn't lead anywhere good. It's twisted, unnatural. Just because it's easy doesn't mean it's right."
Valen stood up straight, his gaze steady as he met Lyrelle's eyes. "If you want to grow your power without waiting around forever, you know where to find me."
Lyrelle stared at the tree for a long moment, her mind torn. Part of her wanted to reach out, to try it. But another part of her, the part Fel had awakened, knew that some things were too quick to be true.
Finally, Lyrelle shook her head. "No thanks, Valen."
With a dismissive chuckle, Valen turned on his heel. "Your loss," he muttered, disappearing into the shadows of the forest.
Lyrelle stood there, breathing heavily, her fingers twitching at her sides. She knew she had made the right choice. But the temptation still lingered, like a shadow at the back of her mind. Magic like Valen's could be a powerful tool, but it was a dangerous one.
Fel watched her carefully. "You're on the right path, Lyrelle. But remember... true strength comes from within. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
Later that evening, as dusk fell and the last rays of light filtered through the trees, Lyrelle returned to her glade. They had sprouted again, but this time, instead of forcing them to grow, she focused on the quiet hum of the earth. She let her connection with the plants settle, slow and steady. She spoke to the roots, coaxed them gently, until finally... small flowers began to bloom, just as they should.
It wasn't fast. It wasn't flashy. But it was hers.
Lyrelle smiled softly. Fel was right. Some things couldn't be rushed.
Meanwhile, Valen, prowling the edges of the forest, found himself filled with a familiar hunger. hunger not for food, but for power. His demonstration had been a failure in his eyes. Lyrelle hadn't taken his offer, but that was no surprise. He wasn't sure if he regretted not forcing her to accept.
Instead, he stalked deeper into the heart of the forest, frustrated. It had been hours since he had entered Fel's domain, and despite the abundance of creatures, he hadn't found any to feast on.
He stepped forward, his senses sharp. Suddenly, he heard it. a rustling ahead. Creatures, moving, hidden in the dense forest. His eyes narrowed, and his hunger flared.
As he crossed into the territory of the magical beings, Fel appeared before him, blocking his path with a knowing smile.
"You're not crossing that line, Valen," she said, arms crossed. "They're under my protection."
Valen's growl rumbled low in his throat, but he didn't challenge her. Not yet.
Fel's smile deepened as she saw his frustration. "Dinner's waiting for you back at the table, though. You might want to calm down before you *do* anything stupid."
Valen's eyes blazed with anger as the creatures around him scattered, taking cover deeper within the heart of the forest. He clenched his fists, but Fel was already leading him away, back toward the dinner table.
Back at the dinner table, as Valen sulked, his thoughts drifted to the tree. It was powerful, undeniably so. But even he knew that his magic came with a price. Power wasn't supposed to be easy. It wasn't supposed to come without consequences.
As the meal continued in silence, Lyrelle's thoughts were elsewhere. She had made the right choice, but the question still lingered *What would it take for her to truly master her nature magic?*