Training Camp Day 3: Spirit of the Witch Gem

I yawn and stretch my arms over my head. I rub my eyes and get up from my warm blankets. I unzip my tent. Kiden, Jayden, and Mai-Neng sat around the fire roasting chicken thighs. I hover one hand over my forehead, look up, and it is a sunny day.

"What time is it?" I asked my mother.

"One o'clock in the afternoon."

"One?!" I shouted, "I'm so sorry, everyone."

Jayden replied, "It's alright; you were tired."

"We all chose to wait until you woke up," said Kiden

"Aww, thanks, you guys," I said. "Still, I hold everyone up from today's activities."

"We will be weapon training for both of you and channeling your inner mana."

"Our what?"

"Mana energy is used to cast spells."

Suddenly, my stomach rumbled, and then I said, "I want breakfast."

"You mean lunch," replied Jayden

"You know what I mean."

Everyone laughed at me. The chicken thighs were roasted perfectly, and firestove rice with a little bit of garden salad was served on a plate. I chowed my meal. After I drank my water, I finished.

"I'm full of energy," I said

"You're acting a little bit weird," said Jayden, taking her time to eat.

"I want to become a strong witch," I replied

"A strong witch," repeated Kiden. "That's a long journey ahead of you."

I call forth my wooden staff; a bright purple fireball appears on my palm, and it transforms into a staff. I move away and spin my staff from one hand to the other.

What has gotten into her, thought Jayden.

My mother cleans her mouth with a napkin and tucks it inside a plastic trash bag. She gets up to wash the plate, the drinking cup, and her hands.

"Mainhia,"

"Yes, mother?"

"Wash your plate, hands, and face."

"Oh, right, on the double."

I went back to grab my dirty plate and wash it off using biodegradable dish soap after I cleaned my hands and rinsed my face. By then, Jayden and Kiden had finished their meals. They washed their plates, wiped down everyone's dishes, and stored them away. Jayden and I followed our mothers among the trees.

"Here is perfect," said Mai-Neng

"Mhm, it is," replied Kiden. "It's closer to our campsite." They turned to look at us.

"Jayden, are you ready?" asked Kiden

"I am."

"Summon your scimitar."

Jayden raised her hand and concentrated. A ball of energy appeared and transformed into a scimitar.

"Channelling the magical energy from your body and witch gem to summon your weapon," said Mai-Neng

"Mainhia already got the hang of it."

"So it's the same concept for our uniform too?"

"Yes."

Right after Jayden and I practiced the basic techniques for our weapons. Our mother's constant correction. We spent a long time on weaponship.

"Moving on," said Kiden, "Mana channelling."

"Keep your mind distraction-free and inner focus."

"Breathe slowly and exhale."

"Do we keep our eyes open or close?"

"Close them."

"Making sure."

When I opened my eyes, I was in a dark cavern, and then a ball of energy formed. It grew bigger. I was amazed. The ball grew much bigger. Outside, Mai-Neng and Kiden watched over their daughters.

"She found it," said Mai-Neng, staring at Maihnia's body. Her eyes were open but white, with no pupils. A purple aura surrounded Maihnia's body. The two girls sat with their legs crossed.

"Jayden too," said Kiden.

"Help me," whispered Jayden.

"Jayden, come back," said Kiden, shaking her daughter.

"Why am I here? It's so dark and cold. My lungs-" said Jayden, pulling at the throat to the chest, "Are being filled with water."

"Jayden!"

"She must be able to overcome the spirit," reminding Kiden, "Just like us," said Mai-Neng, holding on to Kiden's shoulder.

Mainhia was laughing out loud and speaking to someone. Neither mothers can see the spirits. One is being tortured, and the other found a friend. She spoke, "My name is Jayden, the daughter of Kiden and John. I'm willing to accept your challenges."

On the other side, Jayden confronted a spirit Mermaid who swam around her. They were underwater, among the kelp forest and dark, shadowy areas.

"Ready?" the Mermaid asked

"What is your name?"

"I go by several names, but I love to be called Heather."

She swam, flapping her tail; her golden scales sparkled in the dark, and her pale skin, orange-blonde hair, and cold whitish-blue eyes. Heather looked human, but eerily like a drowned corpse.

"This way now," Heather said, playfully.

Meanwhile, Maihnia was playing with the ball of energy. She squeezed the ball, moving it along her shoulder and back to her hands.

"What are you?"

"I'm called Aperióristi."

"Aperióristi, my name is Maihnia, and it's a pleasure to meet you."

"The same goes for me too."

"Where are we?"

We have so much fun in the dark cave.

"The Cave of Wonder, and outside of it is an island."

"Wait, how do I return home?"

"The same way you got here."

"Oh,"

The ball of energy floats out of Mainhia's hands and moves ahead. "Come this way."

Mainhia follows with caution. There are symbols scattered along the walls and intricate designs. They enter a long hallway that connects to a spacious chamber. In the middle is a levitating, glowing kidney-shaped golden seed. Aperióristi flew to the golden seed, and their lights brightened the dark chamber. It was a bare room, the stone floor divided into perfect squares, and one of the walls had a mural of a person meditating with an arch of seeds. A stone staircase at the far back of the room led to an upper level.

I scan my surroundings.

Everything checks out.

I proceed. A couple of steps in, the rumbling from the block gave way under me. "Augh!" I gasp and summon my wooden staff. I hang on my staff; surprisingly, my weight didn't compromise the wooden staff. A bridge of two secure blocks using my staff. I look down; the bottom of the pit is spikes. With both hands on the staff, I pull up, bending my arms, bringing my chest close, and lift one leg onto it. With my secure leg, I spin once to a sitting position, one leg extended and the other leg hooked on the staff.

I scooch over to the block towards the seed. Safe, I move on and grip my staff. Tears roll down my cheeks; I tremble.

"You're safe."

"I almost died because of you."

"If you do, then you're not worthy of my power."

I look at them.

"Continue if you want, or return."

"I have to ask one thing: if I die at any point, would I be able to return?"

"Return to living, yes, but my trials become unavailable."

I wipe away my tears, pull myself up, and decide. I continue on my path; I tap every block and hear a hollow sound on some of them. Slowly, I make my way to the center. When I arrive at the middle, the golden seed sprouted into a four-leaf clover and reacted to my gemstone. They both shone, and the golden four-leaf clover fused to my peridot.

A loud rumbling. I looked around; all the false blocks had fallen, creating a dust storm. I closed my eyes and put my arm over my mouth and nose. The room was quiet, and I opened my eyes. The true path was revealed to the stone staircase. The ball of energy flew to the staircase, floated along the steps to the second level, and waited at the center.

"Come," said Aperióristi

I tapped on the blocks, making sure they wouldn't fall. Thunk! Feeling safe, I hurried along the pathway to the staircase and up to the second level. I reunited with Aperióristi.

"Beyond here is Sky Island."

"I feel hurt by your betrayal."

"Sorry, gee, I should have spoken earlier about my trial."

"All is forgiven."

"How do I open this door?"

"Power up the door using your magic."

I glare at him.

"Understandably, you don't trust me. This is not a trap door. You completed the first trial and earned your first seed of Wonder."

I charge up, channeling my mana to the door. A voice calls for me, "Mianhia."

"Mother,"

"Mainhia, return,"

The door splits open, and a bright light blinds me. I turn away to Aperióristi.

"I gotta go," I said. "My mother is calling for me."

"Goodbye, Miahnia."