378 Cluster of Stars

The place was a vacuum. There was neither sound nor light – not that she could see as she had both of her eyes closed. However, she could feel it – or rather, them.

Warmth enveloped her but at the same time, a cool breeze circled her body as she sat crossed-legged on the floor. She had her hands on the lap, her mind focused on the elements that she conjured in her mind.

Talk to them, Ryuu told her.

She had no idea how that would be accomplished, but as she concentrated, instead of a distant, alien feeling she first had whenever she thought of using her borrowed power, she now could actually feel their clear presence in her soul. Warmth, a cool breeze, and an electrifying sensation, she could feel being pulled deeper into her consciousness bit by bit.

"You're doing great, Ali. Keep it up. If you….. "

Ivan's gentle coaxing first sounded so clear, but the last part suddenly became nothing but a distant echo and she felt herself floating.