Stars Of Memory

Chapter 39

Azan turns to Jīvitaya. "Well done. I think that is enough training for today, so you are free to do whatever you wish for the rest of the day. That being said, we will meet tomorrow morning in the spirit courtyard."

Jīvitaya beams and darts out of the courtyard, heading to the forest. Once inside, she opens her senses, searching for Iyokú. She finds Iyokú's light, and moves toward it, finding her healing another tree's balance. She waits patiently until Iyokú stands. When Iyokú turns, she jumps slightly at seeing Jīvitaya, and Jīvitaya giggles. Iyokú frowns at her before breaking out into laughter herself when she can no longer maintain her disappointed and angry expression.

"What did you learn today?"

"How to make cushions out of air, trying to control the wind, and water ropes."

Iyokú gasps. "You're harnessing the wind already?"

Jīvitaya nods. "Yes, but I'm not very good at it, look."

She pulls at the wisps of breeze and tries to force them into a ball, only for them coalesce into a miniature tornado before escaping. Iyokú frowns.
"Maybe you should try to coax it instead of forcing it."

Jīvitaya grins and tries that technique. Her grin grows wider when the breeze comes together easily, forming into a loose ball. Iyokú beams.
"It's easier that way, isn't it?" Jīvitaya nods. "It's like that for all of us who have nature, I don't know why." She looks at Jīvitaya, who is chewing on her lip, mulling over a thought. "What is it, Jīvitaya? What do you want to ask?"

Jīvitaya blurts out her bottled up question at last. "Why the crystals?"

Iyokú frowns. "What? I don't understand what you're asking."

"Why do you use crystals to test for powers? Where do they come from?"

Iyokú nods. "There is a forest of crystals in the heart of La'Vi'Ai. It's surrounded by cliffs, and you have to persuade the plants that guard the entrance to let you pass in order for you to get through to the entrance. It's why all of the Correllia have the power of nature, and our eyes are the same color as our powers. Eyes to match the crystal, nature as the key. You could technically be a candidate for Correllia, but I don't feel like that's your path. You are a healer. Why were you asking?"

"I find it very strange that I'm the only one with the power of technology, it's just not likely. There must be more people, or there has to be a reason for it."

Iyokú frowns. "Maybe we'll find the answer someday, but I don't think we can find it now. Would you like to practice some more?"

Jīvitaya grins. "With what?"

"How about you create things with air. Use things you have already learned to create paths and structures you can use. Then try to hit my targets with water."

"Should we go to a more open area? And how am I supposed to use multiple powers at once."

Iyokú frowns. "Yeah, an open area would probably be better than a tangle of trees. As for using multiple powers, that's up to you to figure out!"

Iyokú grins and skips off through the trees, and Jīvitaya sighs before following. They finally emerge into a wide clearing beside a stream, and Jīvitaya grins.

"This place is wonderful!"

"There is a waterfall that leads to a pool a couple of meters down the stream, too!"

"Should we get started?"

"Yes, first target coming up in five . . . four . . . three . . . two . . . one . . . now!"

A disc of earth rises into the air, and Jīvitaya summons water from the stream, forming it into a whip. Remembering that she is to manipulate the air as well, she thinks of an invisible gymnastics set, and locks it in place with her mind, forming a mental map of her invisible surroundings. She reaches up, gripping an invisible pole with both of her hands, the water slipping away to expose the palm of her hand.
She swings herself to the next pole and as she swings around it, she flicks the whip up to reach the target hovering high above. She dances throughout her course, twisting and spinning, and jumping from one part of the course to the next. She finally stops, panting, and beams. Iyokú is staring at her in amazement.

"Jīvitaya, that was amazing! I didn't know you could do that!"

"Thank you. It's something I've been doing since I was little, and it makes me happy."

Iyokú smiles. "Did it feel easier to use your powers like that? It looked like you had been doing this kind of thing for eons."

Jīvitaya nods. "It felt more natural, like I was more in control. But shouldn't I also be able to do it without gymnastics and dancing?"

"Yes, but you're learning right now. If dancing makes it easier for you to learn, then why not?"
Jīvitaya grins and taps on her chip, making it project an image of the sun's positioning in the sky of La'Vi'Ai.

"What is that, Jīvitaya?"

"A clock." She frowns, tilting her head. "I'd say we have about an hour until sunset."

Iyokú grins. "Then we have time to visit the pool!"

Jīvitaya laughs and darts off towards it. "Race you!"

Iyokú chimes, "I'm going to beat you!"

"How?"

She laughs from close behind Jīvitaya before bursting past her. Jīvitaya frowns at her speed, realizing that she is using the wind to aid her.

"Iyokú, that is cheating!"

"No it's not! We're racing and you didn't say that I couldn't in the rules! Just because I can do it and you can't doesn't mean it's cheating!"

Jīvitaya huffs, reaching the pool. "Iyokú, that is the definition of cheating."

"Oh, just get in!" Iyokú pulls Jīvitaya into the water, laughing as Jīvitaya comes up, spluttering and gasping for air.
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What do you think is going to happen at the spirit courtyard? Wasn't Jīvitaya's interaction with Iyokú sweet? They're already best friends. Tell me if you have any questions!

~Goddess of Fate, signing out.