Nidelee got off my arms and fell on the ground.
*UGHAA!!!*
I didn't waste time and started the inspection.
'Her flow…'
Light and dark clouds stretched out of her like tempest.
'She must be struggling. Understandably.'
The way the elements moved around her body, and flowed formless was just… within expectation.
There was nothing to point out.
I grabbed my chin in thought.
*Looks annoyingly normal. Anything on your side, Aery?*
[The same as you, master]
*By the way, you're not gonna show yourself or what?*
[I prefer not to further frighten the girl]
*Fare, fare.*
As she stopped screaming and gathered her composure up to some degree, she rose to her feet and glanced around into the landscape,
Then stopped.
A world made of light.
Her eyes bulged. Muttering:
*...How,*
She didn't look at me when she said it, but I guess she was amazed by me bringing her here.
*How? Well, I bought a pair of magical boots some time ago and studied its pathway. Then figured that if I adjusted the wavelength just enough to match a person's—*
[Stop. She's not listening to you]
I looked at her.
Nidelee was rolling on the energy greenery like a dog. She sniffed the air, made a weird face, then stomped the ground, observing the expanding wave rippled away.
The energy copy of her Pakaa stood nearby. She looked at them. They were practically frozen, moving in extreme slow motion.
She snapped a serious glance at me.
*Oh, right. They're fine, don't worry.*
It didn't seem she took my words seriously as her eyes darted around like she was looking for a way out. She stared at me, maintaining eye contact as she reached for her spear.
She tried to grab it but it slipped through her fingers.
Surprised for a moment before showing her canines,
Vump!
She jumped forward. Her body enveloped in fierce feral magic. While in the air, her features changed abruptly: nails hardened into harsh points, skin sprouted flaxen fur, and bones bent into a slender shape. She turned into a cougar.
Well,
She thought she did.
VRMM!
The world shook.
*Wow! That's cool!*
She was frozen mid-air by an invisible force. Hand posed as claws and her teeth showing. With only her feral eyes moving. Layered around her body was the energy resemblance of her Cougar form.
*Did you see that Aery? The way the energy moved?*
[Yes master. It resembles the element you call Magicon]
*...right. It does.*
I hummed as I walked around frozen-in-the-air-Nidelee. Observing more attentively to her flow details. I noticed her eyes rolling to follow me, deep in anger.
In this realm, most distractions vanished. New tones were added, while also being able to see the way it interacted with the environment.
'Basically, I'm able to analyse deeper.'
But even then I couldn't see anything meaningful in her.
*It doesn't make sense.*
But then, my ears then pick up something.
Something low. A vibration. A noise that I was very familiar with but couldn't point out what.
I closed my eyes and turned my head, sharpening my hearing to its lengths.
After a time of silence, I opened my eyes.
*...I see it.*
*The noise is definitely from Ixitali runic patterns.*
[That's incredible, master! Does this mean she has runes on her body somewhere?]
*Probably…not. It's not that simple.*
[...?]
*I'll have to check the Yuns records once I get the chance.*
.
.
Once we were back to reality,
Nidelee was laid on the ground again. We were in her lair, with her head resting on my lap.
"Hmph…" She tried to open her eyes, its green iris catching the sunlight.
It was dawn.
She had slept the whole night.
"We did stayed there for a while, but to think she was going to pass out…"
I brushed her dark hair like she was a kitten. "Also, why do she—"
"Ugh," She touched her head in pain.
"Oh, you up?"
I slid my finger on the markings of her face.
"Mnm..?" She observed me attentively. Her eyes snapped wide. "!!!"
She pushed me off and rolled into position. Eyes scanning for her spear.
"Calm down lady," I offered my hands, showing that I was harmless. "Everything is fine. I didn't touch you like that or anything, you know?"
"Hiss!" She hissed, then lowered her stance,
Her body wrapped in magic and in a flash she turned into her Cougar form. Sharp teeths, claws and a long tail.
Swish—VRMM!
The air trembled.
"I said to calm down."
Her body was stopped.
Her eyes widening as the atmosphere around me changed. My face got dark, eyes turned lifeless. Hair and cloth waved, weightless.
"Attacking me is useless."
I looked into her eyes. Temperature spiked—
In a sharp SCREECH of lightning, the whole lair was set in azure flames.
FWOOSH!
I stare at her. My hand reaching for her face.
With me changing vibes so fast and her unable to do anything, for a moment, she showed a look very next to desperation.
I placed my finger on her hardened fur, and touched the green crystal next.
"I could have your whole family skinned alive right now, and do even worse to you. So stop with the pointless struggle at someone who's still willing to be your friend."
Her energy wavered. Her body next.
I free her of my hold.
SWOOSH!
Wind swirled around as the flames dissipated in an instant.
I still touched her jewl, analysing its scribble patterns. Nidelee on cougar form stood splayed on the floor as did it. Probably in shock.
…Once I finished, she had already turned into a girl.
"Mnm. I think I got everything I need."
I stepped back and smiled.
"You're quite intriguing actually. Do you wanna know my theory?"
Nidelee looked dazed still. Her eyes at the ground.
"...!" She flinched as she realized I had asked something.
"Wha-What?"
I stood silent, tilting my head.
"..."
'Perhaps I was a bit harsh.'