War of Dawn

Chapter 18: Paula's Struggles

It's four in the morning and Paula is hard at work. Though her brigade has a separate part of Valarheim set for them, her room is nevertheless furnished the same as any other Novitiate's. Small bed, small cabinet, small mirror... the major difference is the powerful smell of flowers that fills it.

When she first joined, the austere smell of her room made for such a contrast with the home of Madam Doroteia, quite the flower enthusiast. It was too different – too boring – and it only took one week for Paula to decide to do something about it. Now, roses, daisies, orchids, lavender, lilies and more can be found in pots laid about the corners.

Taking a deep breath of the comforting, familiar scents, Paula sits about the floor and concentrates. There's no outside noise to bother her at this time, as though the world itself is still asleep. Under the faint light of blue elemental orbs, she closes her eyes and tries sensing the world around her. Unlike normal Scions, who depend on the Sight spell to sense the Prana and what doesn't belong, Paula and her peers need but concentrate to sense the forces that influence the ever-flowing fabric of the world.

From the darkness before her, energies start taking form and Paula sees every single Scion within Valarheim keep. Her vision isn't too developed yet, however, so they're depicted as glowing, semi-human-shaped wisps. Most are unmoving but there are some already walking about.

Greta and Matu are at their respective jobs, having long since gotten used to only having a few hours of rest every few days – they may not usually fight but Paula has seen all those who rely on their services. Wally is ever at his post by the Prime Gate Crystal, the notes of his guitar reverberating across the elemental forces around him.

There's a couple at the training grounds and Paula need only take a look at the cyan and dark red glow to know that it's Hilda and Owen. Scions of Orlen and Taserus have a very unique light due to how rare they are, though, even then, Hilda's is a wee bit different. Compared to Ryouma's, her light is a shade darker and glows ever-so-slightly dimmer – like there's always a fine blanket covering it.

Paula never told Hilda about this, as it'd require divulging sensitive information, but it was that light that pushed her to seek her out in the first place. She wanted to know the person behind that unusual glow... Hilda would probably look at her like she's crazy if she heard this. Then again, some people in her brigade are varying degrees of insane.

The Ascended Scions themselves stand out far above all others, shining as tall beacons of light across Valarheim. Ragnar, with his rough, copper colored light, stands on his seat in the Hall of Generals, studying enemy movements over a large map. Ryouma and Vanessa are in their room in the upper sections of the living quarters, enjoying a small moment together before getting back to work. Paula's not one to pry, of course.

If Hilda's light is a bit dimmer, though, Alexandra's glows like a silver sun. Sitting in her office and currently staring at the roof, the power that emanates from the Vanhanen woman is truly a sight to behold. Since the days of Grand Scion Eliina, her family line has been named the gods' chosen and Paula can see why. At merely forty seven years old, she's already one of the stronger Scions of her time and Lady Eliza herself has admitted that, later on, she could well surpass her.

That hasn't happened yet, though. Across from Alexandra's silver light, a pillar of golden energy rises from the commandant's office – a color unlike any other in the Corps. Lady Eliza, the strongest of them, beautiful, driven, smart, compassionate... everything Paula wants to grow up to be, really.

And she owes so much to her, too: for bringing her into the Corps, granting her the honor of being her assistant and so much more. Thus, she cannot allow herself to continue with these mediocre results. For a long time, Lady Eliza and Lord Julius carried their burden alone and while Josette and Amit are showing quick progress, Paula sees herself lagging behind.