Make a Wish

Standing within a walk in closet, the young princess fidgets with the training gear that was given to her. She stares in the mirror, feeling self conscious about how revealing it is. She can’t help but think about the mini heart attacks she would give her parents if they saw her like this. It fits like a one piece swimsuit that one would wear in the west. She has no bottoms at all and her legs are completely exposed.

Her face lights on fire as Zassul appears in a flash of purple light. “Is it comfortable?” He asks her.

She rubs her shoulder timidly. “I mean…it looks nice but it’s not really armour.”

Zassul smiles as he observes it. “I picked it out for you. I think it suits you.” He turns his back to her before she can protest. “Ethereal is waiting for you. It’s time to begin your training.” He wraps a hand around her shoulder and they teleport into the cave of luminescent crystals.

Ethereal waits there for them beside Amrita. Zassul steps up to the young princess, making it so they directly face each other.

“Take a swing.” He instructs her.

“What!?” The young princess exclaims. “Do you understand how much bigger you are than me?”

“I know.” He shrugs nonchalantly. “But do it anyway.”

She hesitates. She knows it is a trick. She can sense that he is going to do something to her once she swings.

“If you’re afraid of me then how do you expect to defeat Iblīs and Abdelus?” He condescendingly taunts her.

The young princess defiantly crosses her arms. “I’m not afraid of you.” She raises her hand and looks at it before swinging it at Zassul. Light flashes before her eyes and she finds herself floating in the air.

“Not like that.” Zassul lectures her. “Were you seriously about to slap me? You think that is what is going to defeat Iblīs and Abdelus?”

The young princess struggles as she is held against her will in the air. “What did you expect!? I don’t know how to use my powers!” She furiously protests.

Ethereal throws words of encouragement at her. “Yes, you do.”

“No, I don’t! Now Zassul, put me down!”

A sly smile curves across his face. “Make me.”

His mockery begins to make the young princess’ blood boil. She’s frustrated at their expectations. She doesn’t know how to use it at will. What happened before with Iblīs was pure adrenaline and she wasn’t even aware that she did it.

She scowls at Zassul who looks up at her condescendingly. The frustration boils down to her toes, causing her whole body to tingle. A flash of golden light explodes out of her and she falls to the ground.

Zassul laughs in the background as the light fades. “See? I knew you could do it.”

The young princess holds her gut. “Yeah but…that made me feel sick.” Her body continues to tingle, like she has just been shocked by electricity.

“It’s alright.” Ethereal reassures her. “It will pass. You just casted your first spell. Well done.”

“Yeah…” The young princess responds awkwardly. “Yeah, I guess there really is more to me than I thought.”

“Once you perfect your magic, Iblīs and Abdelus won’t be a threat anymore. No evil being can resist Celestial Magic. It’s holy.”

Zassul nods in agreement. “She’s right. And I’ll fight by your side once I obtain your power.”

“Wait.” Amrita cuts in. “You? She chose you?” She looks at Zassul in disgust.

Zassul meets her glare with his own. “Of course she would. Why wouldn’t she? I’m closer to her than you are. And I genuinely want what’s best for her. You’re acting on pure desire.”

“Well, if she’s made her decision then there’s no need for me to stick around.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

Amrita disappears within a flash of red.

The young princess looks at the spot she once stood at in disbelief. “Did she just leave?”

“Well, this is indeed unfortunate.” Ethereal states calmly. “But not unexpected.”

“What do we do?”

“We’ll face Iblīs and Abdelus without her!” Zassul says. “We have Ethereal with us. That’s all that matters.”

Ethereal senses the heavy tension in the air. This major set back is going to affect the remainder of their training. “Let’s call it a day.” She tells them.

The young princess returns to her sleeping quarters. Deep in thought, she changes out of her armour. She can’t help but think about what is going to happen next. Zassul seemed quite agitated. She hopes that Amrita’s power wasn’t essential for their success. She sits down on her bed and places stressed fingers against her temples.

Zassul walks up beside and stares down at her in silence. “I’ll be alright.” She reassures him. “Don’t worry. I’m just shocked, that’s all.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“I’m just agitated.” Zassul sits down beside her as she continues. “I know it should have been expected, but I still feel betrayed. Her leaving like that just because I chose you makes me feel like my only worth is my power.”

“You know that’s not true. We don’t need her to defeat Iblīs and Abdelus.” Zassul squeezes the young princess’ hand. “Ethereal wants to handle Iblīs before Abdelus. He’s our biggest threat.”

“But how? I’m worried because I don’t know how to use my magic. What if I fail?”

“You won’t. Don’t forget what you did to him before we got here. Imagine what you could do once you learn how to control your magic at will. I believe in you.”

The young princess smiles and squeezes his hand back. “Thank you.”