The Spark Before Battle

"You guys turn back around and sit your back straight up." My father ordered, I side eyed Alice but looking at her it seemed like she didn't know what was going on either, "I need you both to close your eyes, and focus on the mana you see being drawn towards your core. We're going to help you guide your mana to develop your core, as you already know as your core naturally absorbs ambient mana, and we'll help accelerate that process."

"Now close your eyes and focus on your core." My father ordered calmly. I felt hands come under my shirt, sending shivers down my spine. It made sense that directly touching the skin would be more efficient. "You couldn't even act surprised to see your sister, could you?" Asuna muttered quietly under her breath, giving me a slight nudge. 

"What do you expect? I barely see you, my dear sister." I teased, and as a result, she pinched my back. "Fine, fine. I missed you too, but I understand why you weren't there. You had to go do your own thing, but that doesn't mean I forgive you." I whispered jokingly.

I began to see small particles begin to form as I focused deeper on my core. I saw the crystalline ball of light blue slowly forming. My core pulsed slowly, shimmering with life, but what surprised me in the structure of my core was that I had somehow made it to the third stage, as I focused deeper on the core and helped lead the ambient mana. Ethereal tendrils branched out as they hungrily ate the mana around them. As each branch made contact with the ambient mana, the mana danced along beautifully.

With Asuna helping guide the mana I could feel the difference. The mana that wouldn't come willingly, was slowly drifting towards my core. With each branch enveloping the mana my core hummed and thumped with energy.

My core was giving off palpable energy, and yet I felt so comforted. The power within my core swelled, and the light blue color only intensified. 

Like ripples in a pond, I could see the hold my core had on the ambient mana increase; more mana ran up, down, and alongside its branches, seeping into the depths of the core.

The precision Asuna had developed with guiding mana worked like a beacon amidst the unruly ambient mana, sending more and more mana dancing along the branches. Mana coalesced around the tendrils of ethereal branches.

Mana seemed to be the only truly perfect thing in nature; there was not a single flaw in its existence.

My core thrummed in anticipation, then finally, like a beast awakening from its slumber, my core pulsed with unfound energy; it was truly at its breaking point. It was almost becoming impossible to see the mana flowing about amidst the blinding blue light emitting from my core. The ethereal tendrils danced wildly, being sucked in as if the core were a black hole. 

A brilliant light erupted like a volcano, casting its brilliant display only for me to see. Like a play coming to an end, my core lightened, and what took its place was a core that had completed its first stage. The ambient mana around seems to have bowed before the core's ascension. 

Signifying its new stage as it transcended its prior limits, and can now reach even further heights.

I felt my sister's guidance slowly lifting as mana gradually flowed into my core's new profound stage.

My eyes shot open with frightening intensity, my pupils jolted around being able to see the very changes in the environment, more mana particles seemed to float absentmindedly throughout the sky, and as color flooded my senses, I couldn't help but feel my face creeping into a little smile.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" I turned to my sister, who was staring otherworldly at the sky. "Look," Asuna pointed her finger, my eyes quickly following, and what I saw was quite the show.

She had precisely manipulated only the green particles of mana in the sky, creating a little play. It was like the creation of a new world; ambient mana took the form of insects, birds, and other species that swarmed around this little ecosystem my sister had created; birds hatched, grew, and consumed. A new life was completely born, and soon there was a person. A man who took the first step in that makeshift world. 

My mouth was slack-jawed in awe. I could only stare at its beauty. 

A man held his hand out as many butterflies began swarming him until he was completely covered. Then, in the next moment, they were gone, and what took their place was a girl. The play came to an end.

"Amazing," I gave her a round of applause.

To think mana would be controlled to that level seems almost too unreal. I felt completely engulfed within her play; it was as if I were there. Experiencing the creation of a new world. 

I wonder if there is anything not possible with mana. I thought to myself, lying on the ground

My gaze unconsciously fell on Alice, who had her parents guiding her through, her face clear with determination.

"It's rude to stare, you know?" Stella's voice snapped me out of my daze: "I wasn't staring, just looking at her progress!" I refuted feeling my face grow slightly warmer, "Sure you were." She exclaimed softly, getting a laugh from my father.

"Done!" I heard Ryan's voice breaking down the awkwardness building up for me: "She's all ready. Let's get to the backyard. You'll eat breakfast later. For now, let's just see what yall can do." Ryan stated this as his family followed him.

Confused, I stood up, not knowing to follow him or stay here, but with the sudden nudge from my father and mother, Stella, and then a push from my sister Asuna, they sent me forward, then waved me off.

I slowly trailed behind them not wanting to get lost again, but making sure not to be noticed or have them know I have no clue where to go. I'm sure I'll get used to it soon enough.

Along the way Alice's parents had split from her and she moved the curtains aside then slid open a glass door. I followed her out the door to the place where I hit father with my first spell.

By the time I made it Alice was doing some idle stretches, her long black hair swayed in sync with her movements, her fingers wiggled as her brows twitched in what I could only assume to be anticipation, her movements came to a rest as she stared at me, "'it's rude to stare'" she stifled a laugh quoting what Stella had said earlier, "And I'm sure kicking me wasn't rude either." I said sarcastically.

"Y-you tackled me so it's fair," she argued, I gave a nod in response, "So what are we doing here?" I was more confused on what's going on.

"We're going to have a 'mock battle' at least, that's what dad told me, so you should at least stretch or something; once you hear a loud crackle, it'll signify the start, so don't try to hit me just yet; that's even if you can." She teased.

"Stretching will help, and I won't just hit you. I think tackling you again will serve you right." I laughed mocking the expression she made when I first tackled her.

Alice pouted before continuing her stretches, and I followed suit. My body quickly fell into rhythmic movements that if I didn't know any better I would say they weren't my own.

My body bent, twisted, and swung in motions I didn't think I could do; it all just felt so natural. Like something that I would always do on a day-to-day basis, finally bouncing on the hilts of my feet, I flexed my arms and hands, wiggling the tension from my shoulders. Taking a few deep breaths, I got into a stance I found myself most confident in.

I planted my feet firmly, letting my newfound stage of mana loose; my stance was slightly wide but balanced. My knees were slightly bent, my chin was slightly lowered, and my shoulders were squared, distributing mana evenly across my entire body. I raised my arms, my elbows bent, and placed my hands in a position where I could act defensively and offensively. My gaze sharpened as I could feel mana enhance my pupils. With each breath, I felt a rhythmic sensation that almost numbed my mind. 

Alice quickly caught on going into her own stance, my eyes scanning her body up and down preparing for the crackle.

It felt like minutes flew by as our bodies began to twitch in anticipation; the only sound being heard were the gusts of wind passing. But then, in an instant, the air around us cracked.