Arcane Dominion: The Rise of Shadows

"Ley Lines and Questions"

Nerina's POV-

The training hall was vast and quiet, filled only with the faint hum of latent magic that seemed to radiate from the polished stone walls. Nerina stood at the center, a faint swirl of energy around her fingertips as she attempted to focus on the invisible forces Lyriana had been explaining.

“Ley lines,” Lyriana began, pacing slowly around her apprentice, “are the arteries of magic that flow beneath the surface of the world. They connect realms, power rituals, and can amplify the abilities of those who know how to harness them.” Her voice was steady, sharp, and undeniably captivating, her words demanding Nerina’s full attention.

Nerina furrowed her brow, her hands still glowing faintly as she tried to draw energy from the ley line Lyriana had directed her to sense. “But how do you find them?” she asked, frustration creeping into her tone. “It’s not like they’re visible.”

“They aren’t—at least, not to the untrained eye,” Lyriana replied, stepping closer. She extended her hand, and a faint shimmering thread of golden light appeared in the air between them. “With time, you’ll learn to feel their pulse. Their energy sings to those attuned to magic. Close your eyes, and listen.”

Nerina hesitated but did as instructed, closing her eyes and focusing. At first, all she could sense was the steady thrum of her own heartbeat. But then, faintly, she felt it—like a distant drumbeat, rhythmic and alive. Her eyes flew open. “I think I felt it!”

Lyriana gave her a rare smile, small but genuine. “Good. Now, try to guide that energy through your body. Let it flow without resistance.”

As Nerina concentrated, her mind wandered. Her thoughts inevitably drifted back to Ignaroth, Lyriana’s hydra. The sheer power the creature exuded, the way it had responded to Lyriana’s every command—it was awe-inspiring. She couldn’t help but wonder about the bond they shared.

“Lyriana,” she said suddenly, breaking her focus. The faint glow of magic around her hands flickered and vanished.

Lyriana raised a brow. “You’re supposed to be channeling the ley line, not getting distracted.”

“I know, I know,” Nerina said quickly. “But I’ve been meaning to ask... does bonding with a creature—like Ignaroth—give you anything? Like a weapon, or some kind of... new power?”

Lyriana’s expression shifted, a flicker of something unreadable passing over her face. She crossed her arms and regarded Nerina with a thoughtful gaze. “It depends on the bond and the creature. The connection between a mage and their bonded companion is unique. For some, the creature itself is the ultimate weapon—a living embodiment of their strength.”

Nerina nodded, though curiosity burned brighter in her gaze now. "But does the bond change you? Like, physically or magically?"

Lyriana tilted her head, considering. “It can. Bonding with a creature as powerful as Ignaroth requires more than just compatibility; it demands balance. If the bond is strong, you may find your abilities amplified, your limits pushed further. But it comes with risks. The creature's essence can influence you, change you in ways you may not expect. And not all creatures are as... accommodating as Ignaroth.”

Nerina shivered slightly at the thought. “So, someone could lose themselves to the bond?”

“It has happened before,” Lyriana admitted, her voice quiet. “Mages who thought they could wield the power of a bonded creature, only to find themselves consumed by it.”

There was a pause, the weight of Lyriana’s words settling heavily in the room. Nerina’s thoughts flickered back to the hydra. “What about Ignaroth? Has it... changed you?”