章 72: Caught by...
Lilith stood among the herbs she had gathered, her face glowing with pride as she turned to Ratatoskr, her small but wise guide. "But how do I teleport?" she asked, confusion furrowing her brow. "Last time, I just followed you."
Ratatoskr chuckled, his bushy tail flicking with amusement. "The 'how' is much easier now that you've done it once. This time, Aurora can help if you need it."
At his words, a soft glow emanated from the necklace around Lilith's neck. The glow grew brighter, and soon, the form of Aurora—the ancient dragon spirit soul trapped within the necklace—manifested before them. Her shimmering, ethereal wings stretched out as her draconic form coiled in the air, though bound by invisible chains tethered to the necklace.
Aurora's eyes, burning with the wisdom of a thousand lifetimes, narrowed as she looked at Ratatoskr. "Are you sure about this?" she asked, her deep, resonant voice filled with concern. "Last time, you said she had to manage on her own."
Ratatoskr smirked, his tone nonchalant. "Yes, I'm sure," he said confidently. "Last time is in the past. Her body's ready now. It wasn't forced; she did it on her own. Now, you can help her as much as you want. Even if you've never teleported yourself, Aurora, you've still got more than enough knowledge. You may be trapped, but you're still a dragon—and much older than Lilith."
Aurora's wings beat softly as she floated beside Lilith. Her gaze softened as she sighed. "I still have much more to teach her than just the basics of this world, but… this should be fine for now," she said, her voice filled with a mix of resignation and determination.
Lilith, standing between them, felt a surge of energy coursing through her, connecting her to the world around her. The presence of Aurora by her side gave her confidence. The earth pulsed beneath her feet, as if responding to the ancient dragon spirit's power. With both Ratatoskr's playful wisdom and Aurora's formidable strength, Lilith knew she could master this ability. The herbs around her rustled in the breeze as if urging her forward.
Teleportation no longer felt like a distant goal—it was within her grasp.
Lilith murmured softly, her fingers brushing against the necklace that held Aurora's spirit. "This feels… strange. How are you able to do this, Aurora? You're not even from this world."
Aurora's draconic form shimmered with soft, otherworldly light as she hovered beside Lilith, the ethereal chains of her bond to the necklace gently swaying. Before Aurora could respond, Ratatoskr burst into laughter, the sound startling Lilith as it echoed through the woods. His small body shook with mirth, his sharp eyes gleaming with amusement.
Aurora chuckled quietly in response, her voice a deep, melodic rumble. When Ratatoskr's laughter finally subsided, she turned her full attention to Lilith, her tone gentle yet filled with a gravity that only a being as ancient as a dragon could command.
"Young one," Aurora began, her luminous eyes locking with Lilith's, "there is still much you need to learn. Dragons are not like other creatures. We are one with nature itself, woven from the same threads as mana. We exist within the very essence of life, magic, and the world around us."
Lilith's confusion remained, but Aurora's words stirred something within her—a sense of awe and curiosity.
"Even though I'm not from this world," Aurora continued, her voice soft but powerful, "the connection I share with nature and mana transcends the boundaries of any single realm. You see, a dragon's soul is vast, ancient, and bound to the flow of life, no matter where it exists. My bond to this world may be through the necklace, but my understanding of mana is far deeper than you might realize."
As Aurora spoke, the air around her seemed to hum with energy, the very ground beneath them pulsing as if responding to her presence. Lilith could feel the shift in the atmosphere, as if the forest itself recognized the power of the dragon spirit.
Aurora's expression softened, and she smiled faintly, her wings folding close to her ethereal body. "I've lived countless years, gathering knowledge beyond what you could believe," she said, her voice filled with the weight of time. "And yet, even I still have more to learn. But connecting to a world—even one foreign to me—is a simple task. This is how I will help you, Lilith."
Lilith's eyes widened in wonder as Aurora spoke, her understanding deepening. The idea that someone from another world could connect so seamlessly with this one seemed beyond her grasp, but Aurora's calm presence made it feel possible.
"When you learn to truly connect with the mana of this world," Aurora continued, her voice almost a whisper now, "you will no longer need my help. The flow of magic will be yours to command, and you will find your own path to move between realms, just as Ratatoskr do."
Lilith felt a growing sense of confidence. The weight of the world seemed to lift slightly, and for the first time, she sensed the vast potential that lay within her. Aurora's wisdom, though still shrouded in mystery, gave her hope that she could master the abilities that once seemed so out of reach.
The wind rustled through the trees, carrying the scent of the herbs Lilith had gathered. The connection between her, Aurora, and this world felt stronger now, more real. There was still much to learn, but with Aurora's guidance, Lilith knew she was no longer walking this path alone.
"Enough chatting, Lilith. Time to see you in action," Ratatoskr said loudly, snapping Lilith out of her deep thoughts. His sharp, playful tone cut through the air. "You should be able to sense where our campfire is by now. It's easier since we've only been gone an hour or so. Now, let's go. Teleport, and I'll follow."
Lilith swallowed hard and nodded, feeling her nerves twist in her stomach. She took a deep breath, steadying her mind, and focused on what Aurora had taught her. She closed her eyes, allowing the sounds of the forest to fade away as she reached inward.
Aurora's voice echoed softly in her thoughts, guiding her. "Feel the flow of mana. Let it guide you. The campfire is part of the world, and so are you."
Lilith extended her senses, sending her mana outward, searching for the familiar warmth of the campfire. She felt the connection instantly—though it seemed like only a second, the effort stretched in her mind like hours. The energy of the fire pulsed through her awareness, and with that, her body began to dissolve into the flow of mana.
In an instant, Lilith vanished from Ratatoskr's side, leaving behind a faint shimmer where she had stood.
Ratatoskr smirked, his sharp teeth gleaming in the dimming light. "This one is so interesting," he murmured to himself, his tail flicking with excitement. "A being made entirely of mana, from a world I've never encountered." His eyes gleamed with curiosity as he looked toward the direction of their camp. "I should check out her world one day… see its World Tree. It might be alive, just like Yggdrasil."
With a final glance at the spot where Lilith had been, Ratatoskr scampered after her, his mind buzzing with new possibilities.
"Well done, Lilith," Aurora's voice echoed softly in Lilith's mind, her tone warm with approval. "You did very well."
Lilith, a little out of breath from the effort, sighed deeply as she took in the fresh air and the steady flow of mana from the world around her. She could feel the energy settling within her, grounding her. "I really did it…" she murmured to herself, still in awe of what she had accomplished.
"Well done, young one," Ratatoskr chimed in, his small voice filled with playful pride. "Now, start cooking again. I'm getting hungry."
Lilith looked down at the little squirrel and smirked, crossing her arms. "Yes, yes, you who doesn't need to eat," she teased, shaking her head with a grin.
With a chuckle, she set to work again, preparing their meal. As the fire crackled and the savory scent of cooking food filled the air, Lilith hummed softly, a content smile tugging at her lips.
Once they were eating, Lilith's mind began to drift. She stared into the fire, absentmindedly murmuring to herself, "Tomorrow, Ratatoskr… I'll catch you."
Ratatoskr, deep in his meal, froze mid-bite. His ears twitched, and he looked up at Lilith with wide eyes. "But Lilith, you already caught me," he said, looking at her with mock seriousness. "I've been caught by your cooking!" He grinned mischievously, but then his tone shifted, becoming more serious. "But this is only the beginning, young one. Tomorrow, the real training begins. Learning to teleport within a world is one thing—mastering the art of teleporting between realms and other worlds is far harder."
Lilith met his gaze, her heart pounding at the thought of the challenge ahead. She knew the journey would not be easy, but with Aurora and Ratatoskr guiding her, she felt ready for whatever lay ahead.
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