Aria woke up feeling refreshed, despite the lingering pain from the curse. She knew she had to tell Arinthal about what had happened, and so she made her way to the cottage, her heart pounding with anticipation.
When she arrived, Arinthal was waiting for her, a look of concern etched on her face. "Aria, what's wrong?" she asked, noticing the worry lines on Aria's forehead.
Aria took a deep breath and recounted everything that had happened the day before, from the levitation to the curse's reaction. Arinthal listened intently, her expression growing more and more shocked.
When Aria finished, Arinthal's eyes widened in amazement. "I knew you were special," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Being from the king's star, I should have expected this."
Aria's confusion was evident on her face. "What do you mean?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
Arinthal smiled, a look of nostalgia crossing her face. "To fully master one's power, one must master the five stages of power," she began to explain. "The first stage is to control the energy around you, to sense and manipulate the forces that surround us. The second stage is to control the energy within you, to harness your own inner power and use it to fuel your abilities."
Aria's eyes were wide with wonder as Arinthal continued. "The third stage is to use the energy around you to fight, to harness the power of the environment and use it to your advantage. The fourth stage is to control the elements, to wield the very fabric of nature itself. And the fifth and final stage is to master all of the previous stages, to become a true master of one's power."
Arinthal's eyes sparkled with pride as she talked about the stages, and Aria could sense the depth of her knowledge. "It took me 10 years to reach the fourth stage," Arinthal said, her voice filled with a sense of accomplishment. "But you, Aria, you have surpassed everyone. You've reached the second stage, although you haven't fully mastered it yet."
Aria felt a surge of excitement mixed with trepidation. She was special, but she also had a long way to go. Arinthal's next words confirmed her thoughts.
"You are blessed, Aria," Arinthal said, her voice filled with sincerity. "But in order to use your power, we must teach you how to control the curse first. It's a delicate balance, one that requires great care and precision."
Aria nodded, determination rising within her. She was ready to learn, to master her powers and control the curse. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but with Arinthal's guidance, she was willing to try.
Arinthal's eyes locked onto hers, a serious expression on her face. "Let's begin," she said, her voice filled with anticipation. "We have a lot of work to do, Aria."
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Arinthal's eyes locked onto Aria's, a determined glint in their depths. "To control the curse, you'll need to learn how to harness your emotions and calm your mind. We'll use a technique called 'Breath of the Elements.'"
Aria's curiosity was piqued. "How does it work?"
Arinthal smiled. "You'll focus on your breath, visualizing the elements of nature – earth, air, water, and fire. As you breathe, you'll channel the elements, balancing your energy and calming the curse."
Aria nodded, eager to begin. Arinthal led her to a serene chamber deep within the cottage, filled with candles, incense, and soothing music. Aria sat cross-legged on a cushion, her eyes closed, and Arinthal guided her through the technique.
The challenge was to maintain focus for hours, visualizing the elements and controlling her breath. Aria's mind wandered, and the curse's energy surged, but she persisted. Five hours passed, and Aria felt like giving up. Her body ached, and her mind was clouded.
Arinthal encouraged her to continue. "You're close, Aria. Another five hours won't hurt. You can do this."
Aria gritted her teeth and resumed the exercise. The hours ticked by, and Aria's frustration grew. She felt like she was getting nowhere. But then, something shifted. Her breath deepened, and her mind cleared. The curse's energy began to recede, and Aria felt a sense of calm wash over her.
With renewed hope, Aria opened her eyes to find Arinthal smiling at her. "Well done, Aria. You've controlled the curse. Now, let's move on to the first stage of mastering your power."
Arinthal guided Aria through the technique of controlling the energy around her. Aria focused on the subtle vibrations of the air, sensing the energy coursing through the atmosphere. As she practiced, waves of energy surged through the room, and Aria felt a sense of exhilaration.
When she finally mastered the technique, Aria beamed with pride. Arinthal smiled, her eyes shining with approval. "You're a natural, Aria. You've taken the first step toward mastering your powers."
As Aria stood up, feeling empowered, Arinthal waved her hand, and Aria found herself back in her apartment. The early morning light streamed through the windows, and Aria sighed, feeling hopeful. She climbed into bed, exhausted but determined, and drifted off to sleep, her heart filled with promise.
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Aria woke up feeling refreshed, her body still tingling from the previous day's training. She stretched, yawned, and swung her legs over the side of the bed, her feet dangling in the air. As she got dressed, she couldn't help but think of Lyrien, wondering when he would return.
She spent the day at home, experimenting with her newfound abilities. She practiced controlling the energy around her, feeling the subtle vibrations of the air as she moved her hands. She levitated small objects, her eyes shining with excitement.
As the day wore on, Aria's thoughts turned to Lyrien again. She missed his warm smile and his reassuring presence. She hoped he would return soon, eager to share her own experiences with him.
As night began to fall, Aria felt a sense of anticipation building within her. She knew she would meet Arinthal again at the cottage the next day, and she was eager to continue her training.
As she drifted off to sleep, Aria's mind was filled with visions of the magical world she was discovering. She felt a sense of wonder and excitement, knowing that she had only scratched the surface of her abilities.
With a happy sigh, Aria snuggled into her bed, her heart filled with anticipation for the next day's adventures. She knew that with Arinthal's guidance, she would continue to grow and master her powers. And she couldn't wait to see what the future held…
Will this new power consume her before she masters it?…