Catch me if you can 4

On the hunt for Ratatoskr the following week, Lilith felt her determination growing stronger. The elusive squirrel had been slipping away time and again, his teleportation tricks a source of endless frustration. But this time, she could feel something different.

Lilith, can you feel it? Aurora's voice echoed in her mind, the deep, calm tone of the dragon soul washing over her like a soothing breeze. It was reassuring, and Lilith nodded in response, her senses sharpening as she focused on the shimmer in the air where Ratatoskr was preparing to teleport.

Just as her fingers almost brushed against him, Ratatoskr's form glimmered, and in a blink, he vanished. But something stirred within Lilith. For the first time, she felt a faint pulse in the air, an energy trail left by his teleportation. It was subtle, yet unmistakable. Without knowing how, her body instinctively latched onto that trail, and suddenly, she followed him through the stream of magic.

"I've got you now!" she shouted, excitement bubbling in her chest. But her triumph was short-lived.

In an instant, she emerged from the teleportation stream—only to find herself splashing into a cold, murky lake. Water erupted around her as she sank briefly beneath the surface before bobbing up, soaked and sputtering. On the far shore, Ratatoskr was sprawled out, rolling on the ground, his tiny body shaking with laughter.

"Haha! Yeah, yeah, you got me, all right!" the squirrel teased, his voice high-pitched and full of mischief. "I totally see that," he added, still cackling as he clutched his sides.

Lilith wiped the water from her face, cheeks burning with a mixture of embarrassment and frustration. She was so close! But instead of capturing him, she had been outwitted—again.

Well done, Aurora's voice cut through her thoughts, bringing a calm clarity to the situation. You teleported, Lilith. That's no small feat. But there is still more to learn. You followed Ratatoskr, but you didn't know where you were going.

Lilith glanced at the laughing squirrel, her brow furrowed.

It seems Ratatoskr led you here to teach you a lesson, Aurora continued. You need to pay attention when following someone else's teleportation. If you don't understand where they're going, they'll always have the upper hand.

Lilith sighed, her drenched clothes clinging to her skin, but despite her frustration, a smile tugged at her lips. She could feel it—she was getting closer. Ratatoskr wouldn't be laughing for long.

"Yes, yes, Ratatoskr, you got me," Lilith said with a soft smile, squeezing water from her hair. Her clothes clung to her damp skin, and the chill was starting to set in. "Let's call it a day, shall we? I'm soaked, and a hot meal sounds perfect right about now."

Ratatoskr, still grinning, finally stood upright, brushing the dirt off his fur. "That does sound like a great idea. I'll join you for the meal," he said, his voice still laced with amusement. "I've really grown fond of the food you've been cooking. You've got a real talent, Lilith."

Lilith chuckled as she wrung out the last of the water from her clothes. "I suppose I've had enough practice living out here with you," she teased. As the fire crackled beside her, she changed into dry clothes and hung her wet ones on a branch close to the flames. The warmth of the fire started to seep into her bones, slowly thawing the chill from the lake.

Soon, the rich aroma of her cooking filled the camp. The stew simmered in a small pot, but as she stirred, Lilith realized she was missing something. "Oh, Ratatoskr," she said, looking over at the squirrel, who was now comfortably lounging by the fire, "I'm out of those herbs we gathered near the waterfall last month. Could you go grab some for me?"

Ratatoskr tilted his head, his eyes glinting with mischief. "I could do that," he said, hopping up onto a rock, "but wouldn't it be more fun if we went together?"

Lilith raised an eyebrow, still stirring the pot. "But I can't teleport like you do. I mean, I barely managed to follow you earlier, and that wasn't even that far."

Ratatoskr smirked, his eyes locking onto hers. "Ah, but you can teleport, Lilith. You just did. You followed me, even if it was accidental. That's a big step. All we need to do now is make your body aware of how to do it deliberately. You've already got the instinct—you just have to hone it." He jumped down from the rock and approached her, his tone suddenly more serious. "Follow me again. Feel my magic, just like you did earlier. This time, trust yourself."

Lilith's heart quickened. She hadn't expected to attempt something as complex as teleportation so soon, but something about Ratatoskr's confidence in her stirred a quiet resolve. Before she could speak, however, Aurora's soothing voice echoed in her mind. Her small, ghostly dragon avatar materialized by the fire, casting a gentle glow across the camp.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea, Lilith," Aurora said, her translucent form shifting with a soft ripple. "I'll guide you through it, just like before. Together, we can—"

But before Aurora could finish, Ratatoskr stepped forward, his normally playful demeanor replaced with a rare seriousness. "No, Aurora," he interrupted, his voice steady and unwavering. "Not this time."

Aurora's glowing eyes widened slightly, her shimmering body hovering above the ground. "But—"

Ratatoskr continued, his gaze firm. "Lilith is born from the pure magic and mana of Eldoria itself. She's not like others who learn magic through study or practice—her very essence is intertwined with the mystic forces of this world. Her body, her soul, her mind—they are connected to the flow of mana in ways you and I both know are unique. She learns faster than anyone I've ever seen, because magic is in her blood." He crossed his arms and looked back at Lilith, his expression softening but still firm. "This time, let her use what you've already taught. She doesn't need your guidance every step of the way, Aurora. She needs to trust what's inside her."

Aurora hesitated, her translucent form flickering as if unsure. Finally, she sighed and nodded. "Very well," she said, her voice quieter now. "I'll step back this time."

Lilith looked between the two of them, feeling the weight of the moment settle over her like a heavy cloak. Her heart pounded in her chest, and her mind raced with thoughts of the untapped magic swirling inside her. Could she really do it again? Could she teleport on her own?

Ratatoskr grinned, his usual playful energy returning as he gave her a confident nod. "Ready to try it?" he asked, his voice filled with excitement. "Just follow me, focus on my magic, and let yourself flow with it. You've already done it once, so there's no reason you can't do it again. Just trust yourself."

Lilith swallowed, her hands trembling slightly as she wiped them on her dry clothes. "All right," she said, taking a deep breath. "Let's do this."

She closed her eyes, tuning out the crackling fire and the soft rustle of the trees around them. She focused on Ratatoskr, on the faint but distinct magical aura he always carried with him. It was like a small pulse, a rhythm that only those attuned to magic could feel, and now that she was concentrating on it, she could sense it clearly.

Suddenly, she felt a shift in the air around her. Ratatoskr's magic was moving, stretching out like invisible threads. Follow it, she thought. She reached out with her own magic, letting it align with his, trying to mimic the same energy she had felt earlier when she accidentally followed him.

Her body began to hum with the sensation of magic building, like a ripple of energy spreading from her core.

"Now, Lilith!" Ratatoskr's voice cut through her focus. Without hesitation, she pushed herself forward, willing her body to follow his magic trail.

For a moment, she felt like she was being pulled through space, the air around her warping and twisting. And then, suddenly, she was no longer by the fire. The smell of the stew and the warmth of the flames vanished, replaced by the distant roar of water crashing down from high cliffs. The waterfall. She had made it.

Lilith opened her eyes, her heart pounding in exhilaration as she looked around. Ratatoskr stood a few feet ahead, grinning wildly, his bushy tail flicking with delight.

"You did it!" he exclaimed, bounding over to her. "See? I told you! You just needed to trust yourself."

Lilith's chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath, a wide smile spreading across her face. "I did, didn't I?" She looked at the waterfall, the same place they had camped a month ago, and shook her head in disbelief.

Aurora's voice chimed in her mind, filled with quiet pride. Well done, Lilith. It seems I have much less to teach you than I thought.