Chapter 11.

Beholding the last battle was yet another huge shock for Rose. Those Mutant Hounds, as they were baptised, symbolized some of her greatest fears : a shadowy swiftness covered in fur and scales, ripping apart everything with its claws and tongues and fangs. How could she not feel like a lamb being toyed with ?

In consequence, she acted as she always did : taking refuge in the dusty pages of some book. Whatever the book, as long as reality was kept at bay … The instructions of the yellow booklet were exactly what she needed considering it was a recipe to become powerful and fearless.

' Anyway, the two previous steps must be repeated often until the apprentice feels 'full', like after a feast. At that point, special measures must be taken to increase the maximum quantity of energy one can store, but that can be addressed later as it does not exactly partake to the Cultivation itself. However, one must be careful about not pushing too much in one go because, beyond the danger already mentioned earlier and the fact that haste makes waste, the body also needs rest between every session. That's quite obviously the Rest step of Cultivation. It is highly advised for apprentices to only absorb a limited quantity of energy at a time, to then rest a bit, like taking a nap. That is one of the reasons why some consider mages to be lazy or lacking in stamina, seeing us resting regularly. No matter, those were the five steps to Cultivation. '

"What a weird book, giving details about a process but no story pertaining to it whatsoever.", thought Rose, happily confused. Confused because of the peculiar way this booklet was written, happily so because she could take her mind off of reality with its help.

While wondering about this matter, Rose kept following the group until a sudden change of scenery occurred. They did not arrive at an intersection, yet Arsenio and his lieutenant stopped, as something even more suspicious faced them : the rocky cave turned to stonework. They were one step away from a smoothly sculpted corridor, with regular lines and perfect right angles.

Uncertainty filled the leader's eyes as he nonetheless decided to forgo the rules and commit everyone into travelling. No stealth, no scout, as no one wanted to do it now. Just three people in front with raised shields and spears at the ready. It did not take long before a great room appeared. At least two hundred meters square, still featuring those right angles and smooth surfaces humans had so much love for. At each corner laid a two meters tall statue, each depicting a different individual, while the centre offered a beautiful fountain to the onlooker's gaze. Shaped in a ten by ten meters cross with an elegant curve between each of the four flat branches. Both the statues and the fountain were made of untainted glistening bronze, with golden details and silver pedestals. The stones around were also clearer, making the whole scene otherworldly to no end.

Seconds ticked, nothing happened, and nothing happened either when ten fighters went in, walking everywhere in the room, touching every statue and even the fountain. Concluding that the coast was clear, everyone entered, taking a good break in such a lovely environment. Rose went ahead and climbed the fountain's pedestal, gazing deep into the liquid it contained. A crystalline liquid showed her the worried and tired face of a young woman, with curly blond hair and clear blue eyes. Another woman appeared, older, with tanned skin, bright green eyes and auburn hair, a determined glint in her eyes while wearing impressive equipment of war. They fixed each other's eyes through the fluid for ten seconds before both taking a good sip.

Rose felt refreshed, thirst quenched, as a light fire lit in her upper waist. It disappeared so quickly though she did not bother Enora with it. The warrior looked pensive enough without adding unwanted burden to her mind, burden which could very well be imaginary. Instead, the girl isolated herself into a corner near one of the big flashy statues, the one representing a beautiful woman wearing a classy robe to her ankle, with naked feet and a small tiara upon her flowing hair. Her right hand pointing straight ahead towards the fountain, while her left remained around her waist in a tightened fist. She honestly looked quite domineering, with a strong accusing pose, a strict gaze and noble bearing.

The young girl felt oddly at ease under this imaginary protection, giving her peace of mind while focusing on her current project : trying out the instructions in the yellow book. "I feel so silly !", thought she with a red face. Not only was it quite childish, but it also demonstrated how much time she had from not doing anything useful around there. "No ! Focus ! It is not the moment to lament."

In a comfortable position she sat, opening a random cookbook to a random page and faking great interest in its content. Yet she closed her eyes, trying very hard to feel the Flow through her waist, as it was illustrated in the booklet. The Flow should twirl around her when it finally worked, supposedly affected by her will. Time passed, and sweat began lightly dripping from her brow, the feeling taking its time to come, when suddenly, a voice broke concentration, startling her.

- What are you reading ?

It was Alex. He had a soft yet weird smile on his face, like someone trying really hard to look relaxed in an uncomfortable situation. This interruption annoyed Rose to her own surprise, as she had never gotten angry at anyone that she remembered.

- Yeah I'm fine, trying to focus though.

Her sharp and monotone answer made Alex's smile look even odder, and a moment passed before he finally took the hint and went back to his own devices.

Rose did not realise how rude she had been at that point. Her mind so focused on herself at the moment. Alex quite realised though, with a mix of disappointment and anger staining his face. Since the beginning of the journey, he had done what he could to keep the girl safe, leaving her alone most of the time as she seemed to like it that way. Still, he wanted to talk and decided to approach her through a matter that seemed dear to her … the only matter that seemed dear to her : books. On paper, this should have been the perfect way to make contact. Yet it only resulted in a humiliating let-down. Of course, the man would feel annoyed in such a situation, not being given the smallest chance at a conversation from a girl.

Rose's only concern at that point was how to put into practice the knowledge she had read, how to feel the Flow. It was described as extremely difficult for inexperienced apprentices, as it was akin to using for the first time a dormant organ : like starting a machine that hadn't seen use in many years. And difficult it was. The process demanded a lot of focus while providing no clear message of any progress, like traversing the sea during the darkest night.