Chapter 8: A Moment of Solace_1

Amira was sitting alone in her dark room, tracing lines on the old wooden table with her fingers while her mind wandered to the team meeting she had just led.

She was looking forward to this talk because it meant she had to warn her crew about a danger that only she could see because of her strange trip back in time.

But what's the truth? It was way too crazy. 

She couldn't have said she went back in time.

That their life gave her a chance to change a past they hadn't even lived? 

Instead, she made up Carl, a mysterious friend with the ability to see into the future and had shared that possible future with her.

Not as hard for them to believe as the truth.

A sigh went through her head as she thought about the jobs her team would have to do.

All of them had to be ready for her.

She was so deep in thought that she didn't even notice the footsteps coming up behind her until she felt warm arms wrap around her.

Bella leaned in and put her head on her shoulder with a sigh of fun.

She put her head on Amira's shoulder and teased her,

"You're ignoring me again."

"You finally come back after months, and you don't even look at me?"

She laughed softly and reached out to give Bella's hand a light squeeze.

She turned around a little and saw Bella's happy, familiar smile.

"I'm sorry," she smiled.

"Sorry isn't enough," Bella said as she slipped closer, "You owe me… like, a kiss for starters."

Even though Amira rolled her eyes, she leaned in and kissed Bella on the face.

"There, now we're even."

"Not the cheek!" Bella spoke out against it, acting like she was upset, "The lips!" You don't listen!"

She smiled and shook her head.

"It's too late. That's your fault since you didn't say what it was.

Just enough, Bella pulled back to meet Amira's eyes, and a sly grin lit up her face.

She responded,

"Fine," but her face was too serious, "But next time, I'm getting it right."

Amira laughed and grabbed Bella's arm.

"You know I love you," she said softly, "Just… not like that."

Belle's face changed, but her eyes were still very happy.

"So?" she asked with a shrug, "Anything else doesn't matter. This is how I love you. Also, anyone who tries to take you away will have to fight me."

Amira sighed, but she couldn't help but smile.

"Let's save that for another day, okay?"

They gave each other a friendly hug.

"Fine, but don't think I'm giving up so easily."

"So, why are you here, anyway?" She asked because she was interested.

Bella blinked as if something important had just hit her. When she yelled

"Dinner!" her face lit up, "I came to get you for dinner."

They laughed for a short time and then went down the hall to the big eating hall. 

The room was full of voices as team members told stories, laughed, and made fun of each other in a nice way. 

The warm glow of the lights made the room feel like a village.

Amira sat up front and watched over her team. She was glad they were so strong and loyal.

First, she said, "Thank you all for being here." Her speech was steady and friendly.

"You've all heard why we're here, and I'll say it again: as long as we're together, we'll survive this."

She waved her hand toward the food and smiled.

"Eat well." We still have a long way to go.

There were loud sounds of laughing, clinking dishes, and friendly chatter in the hall.

She was filled with pride. The room felt united, as if everyone there shared her purpose and burden.

As the meal wound down, Garrick began moving through the crowd, handing each member a bowl of thick, fragrant broth made from the meat of an elemental beast, along with skewers of tender, cooked meat.

She had prepared this herself, knowing its nutritional benefits would invigorate them.

With each sip and bite, a new energy spread through the group.

She could tell by the look of youth and energy on their faces and the way they stood.

Some older people said they felt younger, while others just liked the strange warmth that went through their bodies.

She then called the unit members to the practice room when everyone was done.

Sophie, Asher, and Mira, the other three members who had already awakened, walked in front of her.

They would be the ones she used to show the others how to cultivate.

It felt like there was a lot of excitement in the practice room. She led Sophie, Asher, and Mira in.

"Now, I'm going to teach you the basics of cultivating energy," she told us.

"I'll help guide the flow of energy in your bodies so you can feel its natural rhythm."

She took a deep breath and sent her mental energy out to each of them.

She then guided the spiritual energy in their bodies to move in certain ways.

"Remember how this made you feel," she told him.

"Your muscles and meridians will be the foundation. They store energy and allow it to flow. It's important to make them stronger."

He raised his hand with wide eyes.

"Captain, how long will this take?"

"What level are you at?"

Then Mira spoke up, her eyes looking around.

"Yes, Captain. It feels like your energy is so strong. How did you get there? Have you built the core that you talked about?"

Amira laughed when she saw how excited they were.

She joked, "Now, don't act like kids," but her tone was friendly. 

"Pay attention to your training and grow slowly."

"You'll understand when it's time."

As she went on, her face became softer.

"No, I haven't made a core yet."

"Currently my body isn't strong enough to handle that much energy. Which is why I'm emphasizing the importance of tempering your bodies. It will be painful, but it'll lay the foundation for your future strength."

Understanding her advice, they nodded and began cultivating.

The training room grew quiet as they concentrated, and she felt a swelling of pride seeing their dedication.

As more people from the unit came in, they watched the three of them with a mix of amazement and joy.

They became even more excited, and soon everyone was ready to begin.

She didn't say anything else until everyone on the team was sitting down.

"Alright," she stated, "now that everyone's here, let's get started on the exercises."

She showed a set of basic postures, each one meant to move energy through the body in a certain way.

She told them to stay in each position until their muscles hurt, and then they should start meditating right away.

"These stances will tire you," she said, "but the goal is to exhaust your physical energy first, then absorb spiritual energy while you rest."

Before anyone start practicing the stance, she sent her mental energy out into the room and into everyone's body.

It was putting a lot of stress on her, and she could feel it in her skin as sweat formed on her temples.

She told him, "Now, close your eyes," but her voice was a little rough.

"Feel the power inside you."

"Hold on to that feeling once you've caught it."

The room was quiet as the team members concentrated.

Their faces showed different levels of surprise and concentration. After a while, Amira pulled away. The effort had made her face pale.

"Remember how this made you feel," she said, her voice soft and tired. 

"Whenever you're exhausted from the exercises, meditate. Try to sense the energy again and absorb it. Even if it's difficult at first, keep practicing. You're free to return to your quarters afterward."

One by one, they all nodded. Some of them smiled in quiet excitement, while others looked determined.

Amira told them, "We'll meet here again tomorrow at 7 AM to talk about our next steps."

"Get some rest, and don't work too hard tonight."

As they began to practicing, she found a quiet corner and sat down to begin her own cultivation. 

She could feel her body getting stronger, feeling the strength she'd gained from the earlier tempering sessions. 

She split her mental energy in half, focusing half on a set of difficult mental tasks that were meant to strengthen her spirit and the other half on getting stronger physically.

She stayed this way, letting time pass while she slowly circulating the spiritual energy.

With each slow breath, she felt her strength and control grow.

Minutes passed, then hours, until finally, the last person left the room. 

Amira opened her eyes, glancing around the empty room, her gaze settling on the nearby clock. 1 AM.

She let out a sigh, surprised at how much time had passed. Gathering herself, she rose slowly, feeling the weariness set in, but she knew she had accomplished a great deal.

She could sense her body adapting, but it would take more to push it further.

She turned off the room's light with a soft click, letting darkness take over.

She then went back to her rooms.

Even though she was tired, the pain in her bones made her feel good because it was a slight but real sign that she was making progress.