The New Beginning

10 - Seraphine

I felt all of my rage explode into the punch and Aura didn't move. "There we go." I blinked as we stood on another plane. "..what.." She smiled, "In order for you to become my embodiment. You have to be completely calm. Aura encompasses everything that is living and then some. If you become unbalanced, your aura will consume you, much like your blade."

She took a few steps, "..Aura is extremely powerful, Seraphine. It can corrupt you just as Kallen's ability and just as Alex's Reality can and will. Once you master it, even in the slightest. You will harness life and death. But with that power comes the risk of becoming alienated by others. To walk life alone, even with all the love in your heart, being able to harness life and death isolates you. Alex will be able to generate Realities and timelines..but you will be able to harness everything and anything in those timelines. Even Reality has an aura, and you will be able to control it should you become powerful enough. We all have our checks in the deictic world now."

I looked to her, "Who checks us?"

"Destruction."

"..Okay.." So Sylvana checked me, I checked Alex. Creation probably checked Sylvana. "Are you ready?"

"Yeah."

I sat down and she exhaled, "Clear your mind."

I exhaled and felt everything starting to fade from my mind. My aura dimmed and dissipated as I entered a state of calm. I heard everything around me, but then it started to go silent until all I heard was my own heartbeat.

"Ready."

I heard her breathing but even that disappeared into nothing as I felt her curl around me, feeling my aura started to pick up, but each time it picked up, it dissipated into the calm vortex.

I opened my eyes after I felt everything stop. "..I don't feel any different."

"Because you're completely calm. Your aura is disengaged and your mind and heart aren't racing. Try activating it."

I exhaled, activating my aura and I felt it. The change. I could sense way more, the tiniest bits of life.

I stood up and I felt it. My aura was stronger and more condensed. "..So I have to remain calm?" She nodded, "While you embody me you have to remain calm, that's why Serena nearly lost to the Head all that time ago. She didn't remain calm. She's learned how to keep her emotions in check while using me though..it drains her. It's also why she stays out of your politics." She held me softly. "..You did well, taking my embodiment without issue." The reality faded away and I sat there, looking at Reality and Alex. Reality stopped Alex from hugging me, "Give her some space. My contract was through a hand, whereas Aura's contract has special conditions. That's why they left. So that Sera could truly be compatible. It worked, but as Sera gets stronger, it will isolate her because if she lets her emotions fuel her aura, it can be devastating."

I stood up, "..He's not wrong." I flicked Reality's nose, "But that's only if I embody her powers." I exhaled, disengaging her aura. I smiled and hugged Alex. Reality sighed, "Be careful, Seraphine."

"She already warned me of the consequences of both of our powers if we abuse them." I flared my aura, "..But I can't let my aura consume, just like I can't let my blade consume me." I picked both of them and sheathed them, kissing Alex on the cheek. "I'm gonna lay down, Alex. I'm..tired." He nodded, "Okay. I'll be in soon."

I shut the dojo door behind me, seeing Pheles smirking at me. "Look at you." She brought me into her embrace and my eyes ignited and she smirked even more, "So you did become her embodiment." Her lips neared mine and I shook my head but I couldn't move. She grinned, "..It's wonderful being of my blood isn't it? No matter what you do, you can't break my blood inside of you." She hugged me, "That's why I love you, Seraphine." I blinked, "..G-Great grandma?" She grinned, "Did you think I'd commit incest with you? No. Earlier was a test that you failed, but despite how delicious you smell and feel, I won't stoop that low." She laid back, "You are my great granddaughter after all. You'll have to train your succubus aura so you don't fall out of balance with everything inside of you!" I sat down, "..What do you mean?"