The Matriarch's Daughter

Chapter Thirty-One: Somatic Movements

A few days later, Thepa and Rory set out with the elite team toward the Wildehaven-controlled ionic crystal. Her plan was simple. They would travel to the crystal, establish camp, and wait while Wilran guided Rory in cultivating an affinity with her magic. It wasn't what Thepa wanted to do, but for Rory's sake, she was willing to try anything to help her sister regain some semblance of her former herself.

Despite Thepa's reservations, Wilran brimmed with enthusiasm. The Youngling of the Stars kept Thepa awake half the night with a barrage of questions about Rory's condition. Around the fourth bell, an awkwardness settled in when Wilran inquired about the deity Rory followed. When Chandeidra's name arose, Wilran winced and swiftly changed the subject. Thepa wasn't sure what to make of the action but chalked it up to a difference of theological opinion. When Wilran didn't pursue the matter further, Thepa let it go. There was already enough for her to worry about without getting into a debate on a topic of which she knew very little.

"Let's make camp here," Thepa declared as the group reached the ionic crystal around midday.

Zuna and Yenry swiftly unpacked while Tosh and Julius climbed the platform to stand watch. Thepa's gaze drifted to Wilran, who had settled into a meditative pose near the barely started campfire, gesturing for Rory to join her. 

Intrigued, Thepa drew closer as Wilran began to speak.

"Magic wells up from within us," Wilran started, her voice a gentle lure. "It resides in our bones, granted by our Goddesses. Our bodies serve as conduits for its flow. Are you with me so far?"

"So far," Rory nodded, urging Wilran onward.

"To release it, sometimes you need the right chant. Other times, it requires a material sacrifice. Almost always, it demands the somatic movement of our bodies." Wilran demonstrated, twisting her hands to send a burst of energy skyward. "The challenge lies in focusing on the internal experience of the movement, and not its external form. You don't need to be perfect on the outside, but you must let the magic flow through you, or it won't work."

Rory shot Thepa a bewildered glance, but Thepa shrugged. "Don't look at me. It's the opposite with a bow—off by an inch, off by a mile."

Wilran closed her eyes and started to cast a spell. As she did, Thepa could feel the magic around her pulse in the air, perfectly in tune with Wilran's chant. When Wilran's incantation reached its peak, the warmth grew stronger, enveloping Thepa entirely. Then, with a sudden burst of light, the energy snapped, sucking Thepa through the void.

In a blink, Thepa reappeared alongside Tosh, Julius, and Wilran, now standing on the towering ionic crystal atop the platform. A surge of anxiety tightened her chest as she realized Rory was nowhere in sight. Panic rising, she called out, her voice echoing against the soft hum of the ionic crystal.

"Rory?"

"I'm here," Rory replied, hurrying up the stairs.

Thepa exhaled shakily, relief washing over her. But before she could relax, Wilran spoke,  her face flush with embarrassment. "I'm sorry. I should have ensured she was attuned to the crystal first."

Thepa frowned. "She is attuned. I've teleported here with her myself. I was even present when she bonded with it."

"Oh..." Wilran's voice faltered. "Maybe she resisted? I can't teleport her against her will."

Rory furrowed her brow. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize what you were doing."

"I suppose I'm not much of a teacher," Wilran said, blushing deeper. "I'll be more direct next time."

Thepa turned to descend the stairs when Tosh interjected. "Why not have her try attunement again, just in case?"

"It's likely she simply didn't recognize the teleportation..." Thepa began, but her words caught as Rory stepped forward, pressing her hand to the crystal's smooth surface.