Chapter 294: Map
The morning sun breached the canopy in waving, dappled beams, falling upon my face, making my eyes twitch. The light’s soothing warmth was seductive and welcoming, inviting me to bask in its glory, but I hardly noticed it, lost in the depths of my meditation. Mana cycled in wide, lethargic currents, slowly washing over the jagged scars that laced my soul. It was difficult to practice, but I dedicated the morning hours to it ever since learning of Sari’s enslavement, never missing a single day. It had been slow going, by my efforts weren’t without fruit. In the three days since we left Heartland, I’d managed to bring my soul to the threshold of fifth level.
Our journey thus far had been the easiest I’d ever embarked on. On Fable’s back, we climbed mountains and waded rivers, eating up ground at an unimaginable rate. Even the roughest terrain, something I might have once considered unnavigable, were little more than trifles to the wolf’s massive size. When we stopped to rest the night before, the forest had shown signs of thinning, the mountains growing less dramatic and sheer. The trees had lost their ancient, enigmatic auras, and the sky appeared through the twisted branches more frequently.
A sudden flare of fire shot through my soul, driving an agonized spasm through my tail. I bit my lip, holding back a cry, every muscle clenching as more waves of pain followed. It was an unwelcome reminder of the state of my soul–healing, but still very, very hurt. The scars had faded some, but the deepest remained, often igniting for the most arbitrary, random reasons. Sometimes, for no reason at all.
Slowly, the pain receded, and I unclenched my fists, letting the folds of my skirt fall free. Letting out a heavy sigh, I relinquished my mana and opened my eyes, blinking away unshed tears. It seemed this was as far as I could go today.
"It happened again?"
I felt a hand rest on my head, stroking between my horns, and looked up to find Korra gazing down at me. Her piercing green eyes were wet with concern, a small frown radiating disapproval.
"I’m fine," I said, my voice soft and quiet. "You don’t have to worry about me. I’m not going to keep pushing...not again."
"Good. In that case, mind if I brush your hair? You did agree to it, remember?"
I glanced up again, surprised to find her frown transformed into a small, mischievous smile. It was something she’d insisted on since leaving Westfall Village, though I hadn’t quite figured out why. Still, I could only nod, my heart growing lighter as her smile spread, a small dimple appearing on her cheek.