She spent more and more time at the dojo so as not to think about it. Yet it just wasn't the same with Magi Rai being absent.
An evidently older elder replaced him, yet he had no wit and even fewer words.
His hair was a nest of grays, as were his thumb-thick brows. And although his fighting robes were splendid in how ornate they were, he never unsheathed his swords.
They spent more time walking, while she read books aloud on the art and its purpose, than practicing that of a protector.
Despite his cracking limbs and them battling with bamboo swords, she couldn't easily catch a strike, even when slick, yet the training was scarce.
Magi On sometimes stopped lessons to rest, and she would dance with her bamboo sword alone, until a bell let her know it was time to gather at the temple for truth.
She'd always come back later at night.
This day, she had seen a magi-mioa several years younger than her, maybe no more than sixteen, training with a bamboo sword. She was most likely a daughter who had snuck off to learn while her mother meditated.
She had somewhat light purplish hair that was set in two braids and large doe eyes, meaning she was probably Magi-mioa Lali's.
Salīa watched from a tree for a while before jumping down, startling the magi-mioa.
"Sorry, Princess," she instantly dropped the sword, then fell to her knees, bowing.
"You can stand," Salīa said. "And lift the sword."
"Princess…"
Salīa pointed her own bamboo sword at the magi-mioa and smirked. Smiling back, the magi-mioa lifted hers. The magi-mioa was still not as experienced, yet was eager, and so they kept at it until sunset.
They did so in quiet, behind the dojo, close to the forbidden part of the forests, so none would catch them.
Salīa peeked in the dojo to see Magi On still resting, then put down her bamboo sword.
"I need a favor, young magi-mioa. Please show me the Wakening Waters. I've never been able to find it on my own."
Magi-mioa looked down and shook her head violently.
"Sorry, Princess, it's forbidden."
"Please, I think my family's in trouble. I need to know."
The young magi-mioa didn't move for a while. Then a sigh escaped. She looked around and only saw a few campers far out of sight. She then looked to the beastly tangle of dark forest ahead of them.
"We must be quick."
Salīa still had burns on her feet, and the thick, open roots kept lancing and tripping her, yet she kept on until she fell into the dark lake from running so fast.
The magi-mioa pulled her out and tried to pat her dry by pulling a patch off her magenta gown.
"It's alright, magi-mioa. What do I do now?"
"You ask," she placed her hands into the water. "And listen." She lifted it and looked in her palms. "Be certain of what you intend."
Salīa took a deep breath and dropped her hands into the blackened waters.
Where are they?
She lifted it, so clear it was, and looked in her palms. There was nothing seen or said. Just that feeling.
They are gone. Not quite lost, but not quite found.
She asked more, but no more was told. These waters were to be caressed to caress you.
You could not possess them. You could only feel them in your hands, yet they were never yours. They only tell you the truth if you want it.
Ding!
"We must go, Princess," the magi-mioa's eyes widened as she tugged, anxiously pattering her feet.
"I still have more to ask."
"Princess, please."
Salīa gulped, her eyes wet, then got up. They ran…right into Magi On. He only looked at the magi-mioa and took her shoulder.
"Wait," Salīa said. "It was me."
"To the temple," Magi On said curtly, the first time she'd ever heard him raise his voice.
The temple almost looked like a cave on the outside, yet was so soft on the inside. The rocks like firm pillows and pastel lights lined under each step.
Colorful plant threads hung like vines on the walls, and each let out a small vibration of sound that eased all that sat at its center.
As the group meditation started, her thoughts crumbled, and her eyes kept flickering open as if she would receive some sign that it was over.
That scratching feeling at her chest started to feel like she was ripped open and now being scraped at her heart.
The sun eventually welcomed the moon, which meant it was time. Yet Magi On was not there. So Salīa did what she knew well and wandered. Right to where she knew she shouldn't have been.
Yet the tall fires and the laughter of the campers going in and out of their tents had pulled her in.
They seemed more boisterous than usual and overly excited as they gathered. Salīa had befriended them, and so they never made any mention of her being there when asked.
"I heard The Whistler is back," the loudest barked.
"Not too loud," the other hushed. "You know we can't let that princess know—"
"Which princess?"
Salīa stepped out from a tree.
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