Chapter 26 - World Of Light

Her form was humanoid but made entirely of light. It was as if a gentle fire had taken the shape of a person.

Her light was smooth and calm, like the soft, steady glow of a lamp offering comfort in the dark and warmth in the cold.

Her presence felt soothing and protective, like the glow of a hearth on a cold winter night.

Lumina's light didn't just illuminate the space around them; it also seemed to reach into Ravenna's heart.

"Where are we?" Ravenna asked, her voice echoing slightly in the vast, luminous expanse.

"This place," Lumina began, her voice as gentle as her light, "is where you can see the true essence of things, without the distractions of the physical world."

Ravenna looked around, trying to comprehend this strange world. 

Ravenna stood in awe as the world around her began to fill with life and light.

Animals, not made of flesh and bone but of glowing light, ran and played around her. They moved gracefully, their forms shimmering and casting gentle glows that lit up the space. Some animals slept peacefully, their soft light pulsing like a calm heartbeat.

She saw people too, figures made of light, showing love and kindness. A child walked hand-in-hand with her mother, their lights blending together beautifully.

The child pointed at a stall, asking her mother to buy candy, his light flickering with excitement.

Suddenly, the scene changed, like a shifting image in a dream. Now, they were in a busy market. People of light bartered and chatted, their faces bright with smiles.

The same boy was tugging at his mother's hand, his eyes wide with excitement as he eagerly pointed to the glowing animals in the market.

Laughter filled the air, voices overlapping in a cheerful melody. Each figure moved with a lightness, their interactions flowing together like a well-rehearsed dance.

As Ravenna watched, the frames continued to change. She saw a newborn baby, her tiny form cradled in her mother's glowing arms.

The mother gazed down with pure love, her light radiating warmth and care. The baby reached up, her small fingers grasping at the light, playing and giggling.

The world kept shifting, each frame capturing a moment of peace, love, and connection. A father teaching his child the art of swordplay, their lights moving together in perfect harmony; a group of friends sharing a meal, their laughter creating ripples of light; a teacher guiding her students in a spellcasting lesson.

The scenes shifted once more. This time, Ravenna saw a field where creatures, labeled as monsters in human society, were working alongside humans.

A Firehorn was gently plowing the farmland, its massive horns moving the soil with ease. A farmer stood beside it, patting its side affectionately and guiding it with soft words.

In another part of the field, a group of Frostfur was helping to carry large bundles of hay, working seamlessly with the farmers.

The humans and creatures moved in harmony, their actions synchronized as if they were part of the same family.

Nearby, another Frostfur was playfully nuzzling a child who laughed and held out an apple, which the creature accepted with a gentle nod.

Throughout all these changing scenes, Lumina and Ravenna remained constant, untouched by the shifting frames.

Ravenna felt a deep sense of understanding wash over her. She saw the beauty and connection of all life, the way love and compassion created a web of light that tied everything together.

Ravenna watched the changing scenes as if she were both inside and outside the dream, experiencing each moment while observing from a distance.

It felt as though she was living the dream but also seeing it unfold from another viewpoint.

Lumina began to walk around, her movements causing a gentle sway of light, like a candle flickering in hand in motion.

As she moved, she sat down and lovingly touched the creatures, tenderly petting them.

She immersed herself in various roles: helping farmers, becoming a merchant selling candy to children, and watching over her son as a mother.

Lumina inserted herself into all the frames of life that Ravenna had glimpsed earlier.

Lumina's light shone brighter, reflecting the wisdom of these scenes. "Do you see, Ravenna?" Lumina's voice was gentle but filled with deep meaning. "The essence of life is not in the labels we give but in the love and connections we share. These moments of light and love are what truly define us."

Ravenna nodded, feeling a fresh clarity fill her heart. "I understand now," she responded, her voice steady yet gentle. "It's about seeing beyond appearances, beyond roles. It's about embracing the true essence of things and the bonds that unite us all."

After their moment of understanding, a question had been nagging at Ravenna for some time: why had Lumina brought her into this strange world of light? Was it simply to reveal the meaning of love, bonds, and light, and to show her a world beyond labels, or was there another motive as well?

Lumina chuckled softly. "I know what you're thinking."

"There is more, Ravenna," Lumina continued.

"This is for completing your second trial. Congratulations!" Lumina beamed, clapping her hands near her cheeks with a bright smile.