Nyxara
I breathed through my sudden bout of anxiety to nod my head. Without further discussion, Lux and I—in sync—submerged ourselves back into the link. This time, Lux is the observer, and I will be the one to perform the inscribing. I don't know how Lux pulled his essence to him to form the chisel, so after a moment of considering various methods, I chose to follow my instincts—I hummed. While I maintained the hum, essence began to gather until it got to the point I couldn't hold any more.
It was at this point I realized I didn't know what to do next. Turning my focus to Lux, I felt him somehow nudge me towards the rhythm of my tertiary core. Taking this as sorely needed guidance, we rose together until we stood before the core. The rhythm became louder as if excited I was here.
I giggled, then focused on what I was here to do. By now, I was used to Lux's teaching methods. He believed that it was better for me to figure out how to do something myself than for him to show me how to do it. So I let my essence tell me how it wanted to be inscribed for my perception filter ward. No chisel formed, but I knew that I could create the glyph using my current method. As I hummed and cycled the gathered essence through the core, Vel'Sharii and a glyph shape began to form in my mind. My humming transitioned to singing.
The words crowded my mouth, wanting to fulfill their purpose, but the essence gathered would not be enough to complete the glyph today. I know Lux said he didn't expect me to complete it, but I still wanted to try. Best not to push my luck any more than I already have this week. Just do what I can. A step is still a step.
As I prepared myself to begin singing the incantation, I felt Lux's steadiness wash through our link like a cool wind — not soothing, exactly, but sustaining. He gave me the support I needed to take this step to protect myself and grow beyond Grey's limits.
Singing the incantation was strangely like slipping into a dance I remember in a dream. "Velnais sha'reth (I veil my light)"—I could not sing the rest of the song into the forming glyph, but I did complete it in my mind—Ven lua'torin (but not my becoming).
The moment I sang the corresponding parts of the glyph, it began to embed itself into my core. The rhythm of the core did not stop; it just shifted to accommodate the change. The pain was immense, and I gripped Lux's hands as an anchor. I kept singing the first part of the incantation over and over until I felt it click into place.
On my tertiary core, there was now a silver circle and a silver horizontal line. The circle represents the overall filter, and the line the boundary between what is perceived and what I choose to keep hidden.
Lux, after allowing me a few moments, tugged me back to the physical plane. Opening my eyes, I saw he had dimmed the lights, which I am very grateful for. "I feel sore internally, and I don't like it. I ache, big brother." I pouted, hoping he would go easy on me, but he just snorted, amused.
"You are fine if you have the energy to whine. From what I observed, you have completed the base of the glyph. I don't know what your end result will look like, but you do, right?" Lux asks, looking at me with familiar intensity.
"Yes, I know what the finished look will be. I know how the incantation will complete. I should be able to complete it in 2 or 3 more sessions." I say, stretching after sitting so long. "Good. Now show me what your glyph can do."
I nod, then imagine the rhythm of the glyph being played. At first, the sound is thin, but it grows louder—my scent of dusk-bloomed sandalwood sharpens, and the black tea shifts. My aura flickers, and my essence dances in my veins. The world held its breath, then a subtle internal shift, like a door latching, occurred. My scent settles. My aura is tucked away, and my essence is like a quiet vibration that gives me a sense of safety.
Through the Tharym bond, I can sense Lux's headache easing instantly. He blinks, then smiles. "Congratulations, Little Queen," he breathes, soft with pride, "this is a good mask. Especially since this is your first attempt."
My heart lifts even as I feel him poke and prod my ward. "Thanks, it feels a bit shaky, but if you think it's good for a first attempt, I won't complain."
"You're ahead of schedule," he says, and there is no teasing in it. Only truth. "And when you complete both parts of the incantation, you'll not only be able to disappear in plain sight but also, I suspect, you will not have to change the glyph aspect when you reach Obsidian. You will only have to re-establish it in Vel'Zarim, the language of demons, when you reach that tier."
I exhale, relieved and proud of my accomplishment. I really couldn't ask for more from this lesson. Step by step, I will thrive no matter the setback. For the first time, this week, I truly felt like the symptoms didn't win. I did.
Zenaida
[Thursday, Umbrafall 4, 4310]
—Solvarin Pavilion, Main Floor Conference Room—
Okay, I can do this. I've rehearsed this lesson four separate times. Santi did a wonderful job putting it together. The Patriarch and Matriarch both approved my lesson plan, so this should all go well. "But my senses are tingling. I fear this lesson is going to go not as planned."I mutter to myself, putting my notes down for the third time after reviewing them.
"This isn't going to be a complicated lesson—every child learns about the variants and affinities within each race. Plus…" I stopped talking to myself when I heard a chuckle come from behind me.