Destined To Die

Chapter 1 - A New Beginning

-1-

-A New Beginning-

Madeline Fujiwara focused intently on the knife's blade as it drew across her skin, leaving a thin and shallow cut along the back of her forearm. The razor-sharp blade withdrew with care, a single bead of blood running down to her fingertips.

"You must understand the nature of the body, flesh and bone, muscle and sinew," the old man in front of her said, sitting cross legged. She mirrored his pose, emptying her mind.

Her fingers danced through the air as she focused on the tiny wound, feeling her understanding of her skin grow with each second.

"Just as your physical body takes energy to heal, you may substitute the energy of your astral body, the soul." the old man said with a soft smile, "These energies are somewhat interchangeable, but it is not a practice to undertake lightly. Mistakes, oversteps, can be fatal. Be careful, Madeline. Focus."

In her mind's eye she could see each pore of her skin, each cell, the tiny slice of the knife in precise detail. She concentrated, finding the spark of strength within herself, opening the window into herself and carefully pouring energy into the wound to stimulate her body's own natural healing process, though at great speed. She kept her breathing calm and steady, ignoring the itching around the wound as the skin slowly crawled together, knitting as the bloodflow ceased.

A small smile crossed her face as the wound sealed entirely, wiping away the tiny amount of blood that remained on the surface. Fresh skin, still pink and tingling slightly, were all that remained of the thin cut.

"You're a quick study," the man smiled, leaning forward to inspect her work himself, "Well done. You mustn't let progress go to your head; natural skill is no substitute for discipline."

"I won't," she replied, continuing her breathing as she felt the slight drain of energy from the expenditure, "Thank you for your patience."

She reached down to the pack beside her, pulling out a bar of chocolate and peeling the wrapper, finishing it in a few quick bites.

"Grievous wounds will require deeper understanding," her teacher continued, "Mending bone, purging toxins from the body, healing veins and arteries, these are much more advanced."

He stood, walking over to eclectic bookshelf stacked against the far wall of the shack, running his fingers along the faded spines of leather journals and pulling out three particular volumes. He returned to her, passing over the books that were an odd hybridisation between occult grimoires and medical journals.

She nodded thankfully, putting the books into her pack, returning the two that she had borrowed previously.

"Thank you, teacher," she said, getting to her feet, feeling the ache in her knees, "I'm grateful for all you have taught me."

"To heal is a noble pursuit," he smiled in return, "and to pass on knowledge is the greatest privilege. You show great promise, Madeline."

Her smile widened, a dry edge entering her voice. "Thanks. I've had some practical experience with this sort of thing."

"Your past is your own," her teacher dismissed with a wave of his hand, wrinkled eyes twinkling, "But you must be cautious. Careless abuse of forces they don't understand has been the downfall of many would-be mages. Know your limits, know yourself."

"I'll be careful, I promise."

He gave her a flat, slightly amused look, "Sure you will. Now, I believe that concludes our lessons for the day. I'll see you next week, yes?"