There was nothing before, but out of nowhere a light shone, a light that shone bright like Arih's, but it carried a different feeling—a warm feeling, that shone blue.
The scars were slowly mending together, each wall was stitching into one another.
It looked as if nothing even happened.
'So that's my healing...'
'Yes... this is something etched into your body, but the real healing—the one that looks miraculous—is only possible when you're fatally wounded. See those bright lights... it's even more... beautiful.
'Let's continue now, follow me, and don't let your mind wander.'
'Okay, I will.'
'This is how you should do it.'
Another stream of light appeared, it was similar—no.
It was the same as the one before.
There is no difference here...
After it the flow started gathering around the core.
'This is the first part, you should understand and master it if you want to use essence safely.'
'Are you able to see it?'
'...'
'No... what should I see? It's the exact same thing.'
'That's what I expected. Let's try it again.'
Another stream came, following the same steps as before.
'What about now?'
'Still nothing.'
'One more time then.'
Another stream came, and it still looked the same as before.
Except I was starting to hear more of the surroundings, even the light breaths of the horses.
'There is nothing...'
'What is going wrong...?'
'Uhm... maybe you can't do it without following the real steps.'
'Can't you just tell me what it is?'
'No, I can't sorry. It's something only you can do, it's your essence after all.'
'Can't you just give me a small hint...'
'What you are creating is a connection between your essence, and your body... that much I can tell you.'
'So think it through, and when you are ready to try it again—just tell me.'
'I can try it again—'
'It's time to stop, you have probably reached your limit.'
'...' I knew that he was right, and I breathed everything out, leaving me huffing as the reality in front of me came back.
Why was this so tiring... I thought, feeling the cold reach the back of my head as I stretched my entire body out on the cobblestone.
"My body and essence..." I looked up at the blue specks of light—lighter than the one from before—that lit up everything around it.
"What could it even mean? I know what a body is... but what is essence? What makes it mine?" I spoke out loud what I couldn't keep to myself anymore, nor tell the voice about it.
"Yawn..." My eyes started to feel heavy, realizing what time it already was.
I should sleep a night over it... maybe that will help.
I silently passed the horses, and turned left to the front door. I walked up the stairs on my toes—making sure not to stand on the creaking steps— and lay back in bed.
Slowly sinking into it, no time was wasted, before I was asleep.
Shit, what time is it!? I said as the bright sunrays woke me up,
Did I sleep the entire day away!?
I jumped upright, and looked to my left, where Mim still lay in bed.
Is it not that late then...?
"Mim wake up!"
"I'm awake!" She screamed back, jumping upright with her eyes still shut.
After blinking a few times she spoke,
"You scared me— WAIT what time is it!? Did I miss breakfast!?" She said, her mouth wide open as if she saw something horrifying.
"Uhm... I just woke up... so let's run down!" I said, jumping out of my bed, with Mim right behind me.
We ran down the stairs, each step we took was followed by a creak, I could still smell the food lingering in the air.
"I was waiting for you this entire morning, why did you wake up this late—it has already passed noon!" The innkeeper said, meeting me at the bottom of the stairs.
Can we even reach the next city... or do we need to make another stop?
"We're really sorry, yesterday was quite tiring with all that travelling—Mim apologize as well."
"Sorry k-kind sir..." She whispered, peeking past my arm.
"U-uh... don't worry about it, we were waiting for the two of you. So come and eat, you are both too small!"
"Yes we know..." We both said simultaneously.
He brought his hand to his chin, bringing his gaze back to me and said,
"You just need to eat so you can become stronger." He turned towards Mim,
"And you will become an even more beautiful girl!" Smiling as he finished speaking.
"Oh... thank you, and sorry for making you wait—but what do you have for us?"
"..."
I looked at Mim, and brought my face to her, but she asked it herself,
"Uhm... w-what is cheese?" It was almost silent as I turned to the innkeeper, who just stood there with his tilted head.
"She asked what cheese is... we have never had it."
"Sigh... I knew it—you aren't nobles." He stood there holding his sides.
"Uh..." My gaze slowly shifted away from him,
"We really are nobles." I narrowed my eyes and matched his gaze again.
"Really..." He narrowed his eyes as well,
"Sigh... forgive me—we don't get a lot of visitors here." He closed his eyes and lifted his arms.
I saw no one on the roads before... even this inn is empty. I heard just a few other people walk and talk here.
"Don't worry about it. Just bring us our food please."
"Just wait for a bit—it's coming." He walked away, while Mim and I sat at one of the tables.
I brought my head next to Mim's, and whispered,
"Mim, what are we getting?"
"It's bread, eggs and cheese—something called a sandwich... I had really hoped for steak..." Her entire body bent as she spoke.
"Don't be so down maybe this is amazing as well..." I said trying to hide my own expression.
"Look he is done already." I saw him approach our table holding two plates.
After having eaten the bread filled with egg and cheese, we were of the same opinion.
"This is amazing~ I want it again!" She said, wiping her drool away.
I nodded aggressively,
"You're right—it might be as great as steak!"
"Yes~ I didn't know bread could taste like this...!" Both of us thought back on the hardened bread we ate on good days, or the greenish bread on other days.
"I don't want to return to Kage... ever..." She said, lowering her eyes slightly.
I fought the urge to follow her lead and said,
"Me neither Mim... and we won't. We will survive, and live an amazing life together!" My neck felt loose as I lifted my chin up—looking at the sunrays that came through the windows.
Huh? Is that what my essence is?
"Mim, can you wait upstairs for just a moment? I'll be back soon." I stood up, and walked away, hearing the creaks behind me, as I pushed the door open.
'I'm ready. Let's do it now!'
'You have your sword with you?'
'Of course! That's the one thing I can't be without.'