BOOM!...
The room seemed to quake under the sudden surge of energy. The High Priestess, who had appeared normal moments ago, now radiated a fierce, almost terrifying presence. Everyone felt it pressing against them, leaving them teetering on the edge of panic. Everyone, that is, except the baby in the cradle, whose expression was a mix of curiosity and excitement—or was it just the quirks of her naturally serene face?
Immediately everyone in the room bowed their heads. It would suffice to say their heads took a deep bow on its own as though it was the most natural thing to do.
This was the price of wielding 'Hear and Show.' Every use of the ability left a tangible mark on the air, an echo of power that made itself felt by all present.
Her gift allowed her not just to 'hear,' but to 'show'—to manifest the truths she perceived. And every revelation carried a weight, a pressure that pressed upon everything around her.
To reach into the Unreached Realms was to stir a storm of energy. It flowed outward, a pressing force intertwined with the message itself, palpable enough to make the air vibrate around them.
"WHEN MIGHT LEAVES STRENGTH, AND THE GLOW BRINGS CRIMSON ONCE AGAIN, WOULD BLOOD FLOW FROM THE BORNS OF NATURE"
Like a sudden gust of icy air sweeping through the Aclove, the overwhelming pressure abruptly dissipated as the words came to an end.
Almost instinctively, all eyes shifted to the child in the cradle. Shock rippled through the room at her reaction, particularly in Rebi, whose eyes widened so much they seemed to threaten their sockets.
One had to understand that, despite being fellow Awakeners, the High Priestess's ability was on a level far above theirs. To make matters worse, her Lines carried a divine presence, enough to make even them shudder—especially in such close proximity.
To display such a carefree expression, even appearing excited—or was that just how her frightened face looked?
To seem so unaffected, could she truly not be a Higher Doyen, while they were merely squirming disciples still wet behind the ears?
Noticing their horrified expressions, Morriba gave a shy smile. "She's unaffected by my Lines," she said. "She even finds them… exciting."
Their faces contorted. Exciting? Exciting? Had they heard correctly? What sort of creature did they have in their midst? It was worth noting that she was barely three moons old—a quarter of a year. What in the moons could she possibly be excited about? Did she even understand the word?
"Ahem," Morriba cleared her throat, trying to bring everyone's attention back to the matter at hand.
Her child would be a topic for another day. She herself had been shocked to discover her child reacted this way to her Lines, and it was best to not ask what she was doing when she found this out.
"Ahem…" They all followed suit, gradually restoring their former grand demeanor.
Morriba focused her gaze on Nicoah— it was time for her to do her thing.
Nicoah drew in a steady breath, letting the world fall away. And then—BOOM—her eyes flared open, milky white giving way to piercing blue, her Lines stretching like invisible fingers into the depths of the truth.
Sweat poured from Nicoah's brow as her normally calm face twisted in agonizing struggle. Blood dripped from her eyes, tears of crimson marking her pain. Pemah tried to intervene with her healing Lines, but the backlash sent her flying, slamming into the polished walls.
"Pff…" The sound of blood leaving her mouth echoed softly..
"Ahh…" Pain escaped Nicoah's lips before she could even fully react to her situation. She could barely make sense of it. Her insight had never forced her into such agony—her eyes felt as if pierced by hot needles, her head pressed as if by a massive bull.
The more she tried to pry, the stronger the opposing force became, inflicting even more pain.
Comprehending the danger, Morriba swept toward Nicoah, securing her in a steady grip, while Hana and Rebi dashed to rescue Pemah, who continued to bleed uncontrollably.
"STOP!"
Like being yanked from murky waters, Morriba's voice pulled Nicoah back to reality.
Her eyes returned to their opaque state, leaving streams of blood to trickle down her cheeks.
Morriba's face seemed to have lost all color.
She had expected a different outcome with everyone present.
Now she finally understood what "DO NOT PRY" truly meant.
She had hoped Nicoah's Insight would make things easier—especially here, at the Aclove.
She scoffed. "Guess some things remain mysteries."
"Not… entirely," Nicoah said between labored breaths.
"The royal blood."
Furrows deepened across their brows, the weight of her words settling heavily.
"What about it?" Morriba asked, her voice tense with curiosity.
Nicoah inhaled deeply, trying to steady herself. "I do not know," she admitted, meeting Morriba's gaze. "But whatever is coming… it will follow the taking of royal blood."
Helping Pemah to her feet, they moved closer
Hana said, "It seems we need to see the King."
Morriba nodded. They all understood the meaning of the final part of her Hear. Everyone knew that the only Borns of Nature were the Mystic beings.
But what about the rest?
Rebi's gaze drifted back to the cradle, and for a moment, reality seemed uncertain. The child appeared radiant with smiles… or was it something else entirely?