CHAPTER 161: LITTLE PROGRESS

When Lilith opened her eyes, the sun was already peeking into the room through the gap between the curtains, casting a warm beam directly across her face. She stretched and yawned before sitting up in bed.

She, Charlotte, and Viktor had played under the rain for about twenty minutes the night before before returning to their chambers tired, soaked, and cold. Lilith had changed into the first dress her hand touched before collapsing onto her bed.

This morning, she felt better. Lighter.

I guess Charlotte was right after all, she thought as she pushed the covers off. Playing in the rain really does make you feel better.

She stretched again before rising and walking over to the window. The ground outside was still wet, the remnants of last night’s downpour glistening in the morning light.

Lilith decided to summon Salistra and train before her stepfather and stepsisters woke. They were heavy sleepers and far from being morning people, she had at least an hour or two to herself.

She quickly dressed in a simpler gown and braided her hair into two neat plaits. Then she slipped on her boots and left the room.

The soles of her boots crunched softly on the damp ground as she made her way to the clearing, an open space surrounded by towering hedges and trees so dense they muted the world around them. She used to come here to clear her thoughts.

"Salistra! You can come out now!" she called once.

No one appeared.

She called again, venturing a little deeper into the woods. When she returned to the spot where she had started, Salistra was already there, waiting.

The witch stood on the soft grass, the hem of her dress damp with dew. She didn’t bother lifting it as she moved across the wet ground.

"You look tired," she said gently, not as a reprimand, but as an observation.

"I’m sorry," Lilith murmured, brushing a few strands of hair from her face. "I had a long journey yesterday and went to sleep late."

"How do you feel?" Salistra asked, watching her closely. "Have you noticed any difference within you?"

Lilith narrowed her eyes slightly. "Not at all. Was I supposed to notice something?"

"No, I was only asking," the witch replied.

"Oh... alright," Lilith said, clearing her throat.

"Let’s begin then," Salistra said.

She instructed, "Sit down. You’ll need to repeat the same process we did earlier. You must try to connect with your inner powers again."

Lilith obeyed, lowering herself onto the grass despite the lingering wetness. She folded her legs beneath her and began to breathe slowly, in through her nose, out through her mouth.

The sounds of the clearing were soft and distant, birds chirping, leaves rustling in the wind, the faint splash of water from the nearby lake.

"Have you found out why I wasn’t able to connect with my powers last time?" Lilith asked, her eyes still open. "Why the... the person inside me said I wasn’t ready?"

There was a long pause before Salistra responded. "No, I haven’t. You’ve already completed all the steps I know. When you meet this being again, you must ask them, politely, what you need to do to be ready. Ask how you can merge with them."

Lilith stared at the top of a tree for a moment before returning her gaze to Salistra. "Alright. I’ll ask."

"Now close your eyes and clear your thoughts," the witch instructed, moving behind her.

Lilith did as she was told, closing her eyes and taking several deep breaths to center herself.

She focused on the silence. After a few minutes, she reached it. All she could feel were the witch’s fingers lightly pressing against her forehead. She heard no voice, no whispers. Just silence.

A sudden sharp jolt pulsed through Lilith’s chest.

Her body tensed, but she kept her eyes closed.

Salistra was watching her closely. "What was that?" she asked, her voice finally breaking through the silence.

"I don’t really know," Lilith replied. "It felt like a sudden jolt... something sharp that passed through my chest."

Salistra nodded slowly. "Very well. Now, you must find the golden light that will lead you to your powers."

Lilith placed her palms flat on her knees, rubbing them slowly. "There’s no sign of any golden light."

"You must concentrate fully," Salistra advised.

Lilith blew out a slow breath through her lips. A few minutes passed, and then, faintly, the golden light appeared. Just as before, it pulsed gently in front of her. She didn’t need to be told what to do, she began to follow where it led.

But just as suddenly as it appeared, it vanished, plunging her into darkness.

Then came the blinding brightness of the figure. Lilith flinched and looked away for a moment, but as her eyes adjusted, she returned her gaze to the radiant being before her.

"You are back," the figure said, her expression as unreadable as the last time.

"Yes, I am," Lilith responded, her voice calm. "We didn’t complete the merge last time. I’m here to finish it."

The figure lifted her hand, causing Lilith’s heart to stutter. "Last time, you said I wasn’t ready. Do you believe I am now?"

The figure tilted her head. "Do you believe you are ready?" she asked.

Lilith swallowed hard, her palms growing clammy. "Yes... I do."

For a brief moment, a ghost of a smile appeared on the figure’s lips but it vanished before Lilith could even blink.

"You shall soon discover if you truly are." Her glowing eyes shifted to her raised hand.

Lilith hesitated, then lifted her hand and pressed it to the figure’s.

At first, nothing happened.

Then a sharp pain tore through her. Her eyes clamped shut.

The sensation returned, deep in her chest, just beneath her ribs. A piercing agony that stole her breath away. Her body trembled, her legs shook as she fought to stay upright, struggling to breathe.

"It appears you are not quite ready yet," the figure said calmly. "But you are close."

Suddenly, warmth like fire surged through Lilith, blazing heat that felt as though it meant to consume her soul. She tasted blood, metallic and bitter, as it filled her mouth and she cried out in agony.

Then came silence.

Her body arched violently, hands splayed out against the grass. Her veins ignited with fire, burning hot as her limbs trembled uncontrollably.

"Breathe, Lilith!" Salistra’s voice rang out.

Her back hit the ground as she curled into herself. The air trembled with energy, and Lilith cried out, her body convulsing as the force tore through her nerves like lightning.

Then it stopped.

And just like that, the silence returned.

Lilith lay still, chest heaving, strands of hair clinging to her damp face. The scent of wet grass filled her nostrils. Her arms felt heavy, her muscles twitching with the aftershocks of whatever had just passed through her.

Salistra knelt beside her, placing a gentle hand on her forehead. "You’re alright," she said quietly. "It didn’t consume you."

Lilith groaned, rolling onto her side. "It felt like it did."

"You touched it this time. That’s progress."

"It doesn’t feel like progress," Lilith muttered, her voice trembling with frustration. "I still couldn’t fully merge with it."

"It was progress," Salistra said firmly. "You went further than ever before. The power responded. That means you’re getting closer, you are getting ready to merge with your powers."

"Very well. I hope the next time will be the last. I can’t go through this again. It’s draining." Lilith wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand.

"I can help with that. I prepared a tonic for you." Salistra reached into the folds of her dress and pulled out a small bottle. "It will help restore your strength."

Lilith eyed the orange liquid suspiciously. "Is this safe?"

"Of course it is," the witch replied, almost offended by the question.

Lilith uncorked the bottle and swallowed the contents in one gulp. Instantly, nausea rose in her throat. She coughed violently, her face scrunching in disgust. "That’s horrible! What’s it made of, decayed animals?"

"You really don’t want to know what it is made of but It’s highly effective. In no time, you’ll feel much better," Salistra said, already turning away. "Until we meet again, take care, Lilith." With that, the woman disappeared from sight.

"Sweet heavens, I am never taking that disgusting tonic again," Lilith muttered, spitting to the side as she fought the urge to wipe her tongue on her dress. Still grimacing, she rose to her feet and made her way back to the mansion, already feeling less tired.

The tonic was working.