SWNOVELS Chapter CHAPTER VII: INHERENCE (1)
A destruction, an imminent chaos; a prophetic image invaded Amalia’s mind. For three nights in a row, she had the same dream. A dream that immediately became a nightmare, exploring the most hidden spaces of her being. He woke up with a pain he had never experienced, for the fears he tried to hide were undressed without any censorship. She felt the fragments of her soul burning wildly, induced by a suffocating fear. The values of love and union were slowly torn from her heart, torn from her being. The event illustrated an impossibility of controlling what was happening and the worst, the impotence of not being able to do anything about it.
The evil that fell on Anaís was unclear, but fate was clearly reflected in the visions: the town was destroyed. The kingdom overthrown, and its lands were invaded by a catastrophe. The hecatomb flowed in flames, and Anaís was gradually devoured by giant shadows, which could not be recognized at first, for she could only perceive silhouettes in the dream.
What was clear was the claim of the blood of her people. The disturbing end of her family’s life; of her mother’s life. The stone tower was broken into pieces. Darkness invaded the land and covered the sky. It was the imagery of a long dark night, full of cries of help and despair.
Giant creatures seized the heavens, although it seemed for a short time, that the disaster was also caused by land. It was the attack of an army. It was about the end of her people. Guided by a terribly powerful energy. An energy that brought with it the final chaos. The anguish that invaded the woman was unbearable.
The end of the dream was the critical part of the vision; it always ended the same way. The lavish girl, kneeling, contemplating around her the flames that ate the homes and hearts of her warriors Her beautiful town slowly collapsed in ashes. Mercy perpetuated in the kingdom at the decline of what was built for years, from the most authentic of their hearts.
And Amalia, thirsty for hope, was forced to drink every drop of pain possible, experiencing every moment of devastation. The only survivor, the queen of the town, felt a sudden brief silence. A presence was near her. The shadows whispered a sound coming from their backs. A sound that seemed more like a call. The call of the death.
For her, however, there was nothing more painful than what she had already lived. She had already died, along with her dreams and hopes. She felt nothing, and slowly surrendered to the darkness that proclaimed her being. She turned her bowed head, losing track of time. With her eyes closed, her mind in blank; she fell down in front of the beast. She could feel the breath of the creature that was about to devour her. Its creepy roar entered her ears, and the instant he opened his giant mouth, Amalia woke up from her sleep.
The crying girl felt this immense affliction, which diverted into a path of uncertainty. Fear was integrated into every corner of it, which compromised the concentration on anything else she did. She didn’t know whom to talk to. Her mother would not know how to handle this situation, in fact, it was clear that none of her people could digest such information, let alone know how to prepare for an imminent and unknown evil.
She was alone, and she hated to be. She needed help, someone superior to help her. So she thought about asking Elgoneth for help, through her meditations. She wanted to avoid this situation at all costs. She wanted to think that those visions were false; a temporary illusion for her or at least, someone who could help her find a way to counteract these circumstances; a way to respond, and survive this calamity. But Elgoneth sent clear messages to her conscience: this was her destiny, an inevitable event.
She knew it; her instincts told her so. In the same way, they indicated that this event was going to make her a better person, or at least, it would help a lot for the transition to the version Elgoneth desire from her, the best version of herself.
However, Amalia’s feelings were intertwined quickly like the currents of a troubled river, and her body was invaded by a damaging force of fire. Her confusion didn’t let her sleep, or even rest for that matter. She didn’t know what to do.
To the surprise of many, Amalia’s healing energy declined a lot, and did not show the same results. The effort was evident, but something was not working properly.
“Daughter, what’s the matter?” asked Adelia.
The sorceress responded only with half-truths, which distracted the raw imminence of destruction. She felt helpless, as it seemed an inevitable situation, unable to be resolved.
“I’m fine mother. Just a little tired and discouraged” answered the toung woman. “Nothing that time cannot heal.”
“Well, I hope so!” Adelia exclaimed. “Your aunt and uncle must be very happy with the arrival of the new pet they found. They always wanted one!”
“Is that so, mother?”
”Yes! It is a gift of life! It appeared in the woods! Your father was tem–”
“Mother,” interrupted Amalia. “I think I’m going to train for a while; I want to clear my mind.”
“But we have just arrived.”
“I really need it. I hope you´ll understand”
“Well, that’s fine” exclaimed Adelia. “Just come back before dark, I want to visit your aunt tonight.”
“Okay, mother, don’t worry.”
“And be careful in those springs, there are strange and dangerous creatures in that forest.”
“I know, mother, we’ve talked about this.”
The sorceress headed for the path the dragon had taught her. Passing through her garden, entering the back of her town; bordering the first bushes of the forest, until she reached the path of roses that led her up the small hill.
She reached that hollow of bushes, which cover the hidden inner spring, and went through it. It was training day with the mystical being. Amalia was very anxious, for this was a lot of energetic activity. A day of much exposure, of her emotions. The activity remained as the only one that served to vent her sorrows and increase her powers.
Immersed in the waves of her thoughts, she suddenly felt the presence of an energy, descending from the heights. With great momentum, it was the Dragonary Being, prostrating at her. The dragon locked her in a circle of fire, an unexpected way to start the training. He wanted to watch the sorceress’s reaction. He knew she was going to perform a spray spell, which would turn the fire into ashes. It was a simple test, and what was intended to be easily overcome.