The Sixth Life of Medusa

26. The Nest [1]

Lonian stopped when they reached an expansive spread of perfectly levelled grass. "Once we breach those trees and enter the forest—" he nodded at the border of trees about half a mile ahead "—stay alert and hold your..." he trailed off as he eyed her bow. "Be ready to unsheathe your sword at any moment. You understand how to infuse aether?"

"Pretty much." Though Medusa had not practised since the trial, she understood the concept. "I thought there was no danger in the green zone. Why the sword?"

Lonian released a soft laugh as he strolled ahead, his large frame shielding Medusa from the morning sun. "This is Tartarus. Best be on your toes if you love living."

He is correct, Clotho chipped in. But Agria's Nest is even richer with aether, a good place for your lessons, even the outskirts will do.

"Running into beasts in these parts is rare," Lonian said as they shuffled through the thigh-length grass, "but if they do appear, it's usually the much weaker ones. So don't worry too much."

Judging from the trees' distance and their current pace, it should take them about fifteen minutes to reach the main forest. Medusa's grip awkwardly tightened around the hilt of her sword. She was not a sword person; daggers, on the other hand, were better—no. She shook her head. Daggers reminded her too much of her time as a priestess.

This should be easy for you.

What should be? Medusa's alert gaze roamed over the swaying grass. The way the wind moved over the grass would have been a scenic sight if she wasn't on edge. Despite Lonian's assurance, she couldn't shake off the feeling that something may go wrong.

Creating dimensions, Clotho answered in a breezy tone. I am confident you can create one if you understand the basics. A tenth of a horai should be enough.

Six minutes? Your faith in me warms my heart.

Clotho chuckled. But I'm serious. Why do you think creating pockets is one of the first things an awakened learns?

Medusa thought about it and shrugged. I don't know.

Her parents allowed her next to no lessons on awakened blood-carriers, but she knew the basics. They could hide objects in nothing, they were sturdier than the average mortal, they had markings at their backs and, chief of all, the really exceptional ones could ascend to become low deities. Every awakened's ultimate desire.

Whatever little deity blood blood-carriers possess gives them certain instincts. Think of how naturally dogs take to swimming; that's similar to how awakeneds create pockets. A slight mental push or manipulation is all they need.

Mild excitement kicked up Medusa's heart rate as she considered Clotho's words. The Moirai had earlier mentioned how dimensions could hold living things...hmmm.

For a moment, Medusa considered using the skill to get Rico back, but common sense immediately squashed the ridiculous thought. Demeter may have taken Rico along for her trip, and even if she hadn't, Medusa was still too weak to take such a risk.

Releasing a sigh, she asked, where do we start?

Do you sense anything different about the aether around you?

Medusa heightened her senses. Now that she was focusing, she noticed a difference. I do. It's denser... feels like there's more aether than air.

Good. Now, look to your left.

Medusa turned in time to spot a lone butterfly fluttering in her direction. It was the only dot of white in the sea of green.