Page 11 of Tempest Rising

I exhaled slowly. "That’s... incredible."

A low laugh rumbled through our mental bond."It is, little one, and it's only the beginning. But remember, even the strongest shield is meaningless if it isolates you from your own strength. This is a bridge, not a destination.Now that we've fortified your defenses, how about we explore something else?"

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What did you have in mind?"

Suddenly, the air around us seemed to darken. I blinked, and when I opened my eyes again, Thalon seemed to blur at the edges. I looked at myself and saw the same effect around me.

"This is Invisibility Shroud,"Thalon's voice echoed in my mind."It allows us to become completely invisible. Look over there."

I followed his mental nudge and spotted a deer grazing at the edge of the clearing. It lifted its head, ears twitching, but its gaze passed right over us without a hint of recognition.

"Wow," I breathed, barely daring to speak above a whisper.

"Indeed,"Thalon's voice resonated in my mind."And there's more to it than meets the eye. The Invisibility Shroud doesn't just affect sight. It masks all of our senses – sound, smell, taste, and even touch."

My eyes widened in amazement. "Really? How does that work?"

"The shroud creates a bubble of altered reality around us,"Thalon explained."It doesn't just bend light; it manipulates the very fabric of perception. Our footsteps make no sound, it neutralizes our scent, and even if someone were to bump into us, they'd feel nothing but empty air."

I shook my head in wonder. "That's... that's beyond anything I could have imagined."

The air shimmered again, and the blur disappeared. I stared at Thalon in awe. "And I'll be able to do things like that someday?"

Thalon's rumbling chuckle filled the clearing."With practice and dedication, yes. But for now, let's start with the basics. I want you to practice identifying and visualizing our magic in your chest until it comes as naturally as breathing."

I nodded eagerly, ready to begin. But something in Thalon's tone made me pause. "Thalon... is there a reason we're rushing this? You sound... almost urgent."

Thalon's eyes met mine, a flicker of something unreadable passing through them."Let's just say... I have a feeling we may need your magic sooner rather than later, little one. But don't worry about that now. Focus on your practice. And remember, balance is not the absence of chaos, but the mastery of it. That's the most important thing."

"I understand," I said, determination filling my voice. "I'll make sure to practice whenever I can. Between classes, during breaks—I want to be ready for whatever's coming."

As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, Thalon spread his massive wings."It's time we returned, little flame,"he said, lowering his head to allow me to climb onto his back.

The flight back to the Annex was shorter, but no less exhilarating. As we landed, I slid off Thalon's back, my mind buzzing with everything I'd learned. The weight of it all suddenly hit me, and I felt my shoulders sag.

Thalon's concerned gaze met mine."You seem overwhelmed, Tess. Perhaps you need some time to process?"

I nodded, running a hand through my wind-tousled hair. "Yeah, I think you're right. It's a lot to take in."

"Why don't you take a walk?"Thalon suggested, his mental voice gentle."There's a path that leads down to the river, not far from here. It's quiet, and not many people use it. The sound of the water might help clear your head."

The idea of a peaceful walk sounded perfect. "That does sound nice," I agreed, already feeling some of the tension leave my body at the thought.

Thalon gave me directions, and with a final nuzzle against my shoulder, he took off towards the dragon aeries. I set off down the path he'd described, relishing the crunch of pine needles beneath my feet and the dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy.

As I walked, I let my mind wander, processing the events of the day. The magic, the upcoming survival challenge, the complexweb of relationships I was navigating – it all swirled in my thoughts like leaves caught in an eddy.

After a few minutes, I heard the soft burble of water. The path curved, and suddenly, the river came into view. It was a breathtaking sight – clear water rushing over smooth stones, the late afternoon sun turning the surface into liquid gold. The tension in my shoulders began to melt away as I took in the peaceful scene.

I closed my eyes, breathing in the crisp scent of water and pine, letting the sound of the river wash over me. When I opened them again, movement caught my eye.

There, rising from the water like some kind of river god, stood a man. Water cascaded down his muscular form, droplets catching the light like diamonds on his bare skin. Because he was very, very naked.

My breath caught in my throat as our eyes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to stand still.

Chapter 5

Tess

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