The Hidden Princess

Chapter Fifteen

"This was no longer just raw, untamed magic."

The first thing the small group set out to do was explore the full extent of Liora's control over plants. She already had an intuitive understanding of their energy, how to manipulate their growth and guide them with her will, but now they needed to push the boundaries. Could she not only influence growth but also direct its shape, its purpose?

"Alright, Liora," Gareth said, stepping to the side, giving her space to work. "I want you to make a wall-a barrier of vines and everything. Let's see how precise you can get."

Rowen, always watchful, stood just behind her, ready to step in if anything went wrong. His presence was grounding, a quiet reassurance, though neither of them fully understood what could happen if her powers misfired. Liora appreciated the support. She nodded, a nervous determination settling in her chest, and lifted her hands in front of her, palms outward.

Closing her eyes, she concentrated on the task. The image of a strong, towering wall of thick vines and interwoven roots formed in her mind. She visualized it clearly-a solid barrier that stretched across the clearing. Now, all she had to do was bring it to life.

She inhaled deeply, and as she exhaled, the familiar green light flickered to life around her, swirling in soft tendrils before gathering and surging toward the ground. It shot forward, about a hundred feet ahead of her, where the earth cracked, and the energy took root.

Gareth and Rowen watched intently as the plants responded to her command. The ground split open, revealing roots and tendrils that snaked outward, curling and creeping across the soil. But something was off. Instead of growing upward into a solid wall, the roots spread wide across the surface, like a tangled web, and the vines that sprouted were sparse and weak. They twisted haphazardly in various directions, sprouting in random patches, lacking the lush density she had envisioned.

The once glowing light faded, leaving behind a disappointing scattering of plants that barely resembled a wall. Liora opened her eyes and frowned, her heart sinking as she took in the sight. This was not at all what she had pictured in her mind. The barrier was supposed to be strong and formidable, but instead, it was a disorganized mess, as if the plants themselves didn't understand her intention.

Her shoulders slumped in frustration. "That's not what I wanted," she muttered, more to herself than to the others. She had seen it so clearly, so why hadn't it worked?

Gareth walked over to inspect the plants more closely, his brow furrowed in thought. "It's okay, Liora. It didn't turn out like we imagined, but you're still learning. Controlling plants is one thing-giving them shape, structure, that's something else entirely."

Liora nodded, her lips pressing into a determined line as she turned her gaze back to the jumbled pile of roots and vines. She could still feel the frustration simmering beneath her skin, but she wasn't going to let it win. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and focused, willing the chaotic mess to disappear back into the earth. Slowly, the plants shrank, retreating into the soil until the ground was once again barren.

Opening her eyes, Liora inhaled deeply, steadying herself. She glanced at Gareth and Rowen, who stood nearby, their expressions full of quiet encouragement. Maybe she had been too hasty before, relying on her mind's vision without truly observing how the plants responded. Perhaps if she watched them grow this time, she could guide them better, understanding the process as it unfolded.

"Let's try this again," she said, her voice firmer this time. Lifting her hands, she turned her focus to the cracked earth in front of her. Unlike before, she kept her eyes open, her gaze intent on the task at hand. She'd never used her magic with her eyes open before-never watched the raw power she wielded as it took shape. It felt new, foreign, but exhilarating. She could feel the pulse of energy coursing through her fingertips, and with another steadying breath, she concentrated.

The familiar green light bloomed around her, softly swirling like mist before shooting from her hands, racing toward the cracks in the ground. The energy seeped into the earth, and once again, the roots began to grow. This time, Liora was ready.

As the roots stretched sideways, she instinctively raised her hands slightly, and to her amazement, the roots responded, lifting upward as though they were following her lead. She watched in awe as the plants obeyed her subtle movements, the tendrils twisting and weaving together, forming a dense, interlocking network.

The vines followed next, creeping along the roots, wrapping around them like a protective shield. As they coiled and intertwined, the gaps between the roots began to disappear, blocked off by the thick, leafy growth. Liora's heart raced with excitement as she watched her creation unfold in real time-a solid wall of greenery, just as she had envisioned.

The wall continued to rise, inch by inch, until it towered over them, stretching up over a hundred feet into the sky. For the first time, Liora felt a sense of control-a real connection to the plants she commanded. This was no longer just raw, untamed magic. It was something she could shape, mold, and direct.

When the wall finally finished growing, Liora lowered her hands, the green light fading as she did. She stared at the towering barrier in front of her, a wide smile spreading across her face. She had done it. She had built the wall.

Rowen stepped closer, his eyes wide with amazement as he took in the sight. "Liora... that was incredible."

Gareth, who had been silently watching, broke into a proud grin. "You did it, Liora. That's exactly what we needed."

Liora beamed, her heart swelling with pride. It wasn't just about the wall-it was about finally feeling like she had control over her powers, like she was capable of more than she'd ever imagined. She wasn't just a girl with strange abilities anymore. She was learning to be something stronger.