CHAPTER 149: BLINDING LIGHT

Lilith sat on the same elevated rock where she had trained last. Salistra had instructed her to remove her shoes, letting her bare feet touch the cold surface, though she disliked the feeling of her skin brushing against the damp ground even in the slightest.

"I must warn you," Salistra began, her tone grave, "this will only get tougher from here. You will experience the most excruciating pain you’ve ever known. Wielding magic as powerful as yours is no joke. You must push yourself to gain access to it. But in the end, you will feel the strength coursing through you."

"Very well. I am ready," Lilith said, rubbing her hands over her thighs as the biting cold nipped at her exposed skin. The witch had also told her to remove her shawl.

"I’m glad you are," Salistra said, her voice soft yet commanding. "Begin by freeing your mind. Rid yourself of chaos, of the noise around you, and everything else that clouds your thoughts."

Lilith closed her eyes. She inhaled deeply, exhaled slowly, trying to focus. But thoughts of the prince, his touch, the heat of his skin against hers, the hunger in his eyes when his mouth was on her, refused to stop echoing in her mind.

"Concentrate, Lilith," the witch’s voice came, firm and clear.

Suddenly, a wave of heat rolled over Lilith’s skin. She cleared her throat, swallowing hard as she shoved the inappropriate thoughts to the back of her mind.

Minutes passed before she was finally able to find stillness, a quiet place in her mind where only the witch’s voice remained. The sound of her heartbeat echoed in her ears, matching the rhythm of her breathing.

She opened her eyes and looked down at her palms, noticing a faint shimmer pulsing through her fingers. It reminded her of the time she had felt a similar surge,a heat building under her skin like an untamed flame, by the same kind of fire that had risen when she was kidnapped by Leonidas and his men. She closed her eyes again, allowing the heat to consume her.

Salistra stepped behind her, placing her palms lightly on Lilith’s shoulders. The air around them shifted.

"Spiritual connection is not just about silence," Salistra murmured. "It is about trust, trusting yourself, trusting the power that rests deep in your bones. You must allow your soul to become a vessel."

Lilith nodded slowly.

"Breathe. Deeply," Salistra instructed. "Now, feel for the thread that connects your soul to the world around you."

Lilith heard a familiar whisper, hushed behind her. At first, nothing happened. But then, almost instantly, the heat intensified within her. She shut her eyes tighter, though her body slowly relaxed as it began to grow accustomed to the sensation.

At first, there was only darkness behind her eyelids. But then the blackness began to shift, velvet waves folding over one another. And then, something appeared. A flicker of light at the edge of her vision. It blinked in and out so quickly that Lilith almost missed it.

"Follow it," Salistra’s voice echoed, distant now, as if coming from another realm.

Lilith furrowed her brows, unsure of what she was meant to follow. There was nothing clear in front of her, only shadows and shifting dark.

Lilith waited, hoping something would appear, but nothing did. She was just about to open her eyes when the glimmer of golden light returned.

She felt herself instinctively following it. The golden light floated ahead, drawing her deeper into the darkness. She moved forward, seemingly for ages, until the light suddenly stopped. Lilith halted with it, reaching out her hand. The moment her fingers touched the shimmering light, a rush of warmth surged through her body, causing her to gasp aloud.

The golden light tightened around her, weaving through her chest, down her spine, and into the ground beneath her. Her entire body vibrated with energy. Her veins sparked with electric heat, and her fingertips tingled like they had been kissed by lightning.

Then the darkness shifted again, and the golden light vanished. Lilith turned in confusion, only to see a blinding light behind her. It was so bright she was forced to shut her eyes. When she dared open them slightly, she raised her hand to shield her face.

Her eyes widened as she watched the brilliant light move closer, gradually forming into the shape of a person.

As the brightness softened, Lilith lowered her hand. Standing before her was a glowing woman, her body radiant, her long hair flowing like molten gold. Every inch of her shimmered with ethereal light.

"W–what are you? Who are you?" Lilith whispered, staring at the figure that had stopped a few feet from her, its glowing gaze locked on hers.

The figure tilted its head to one side, then to the other, before straightening again. "I am you," it said, its voice echoing through the vast space.

Lilith’s breath caught in her throat. Her heart skipped a beat as confusion overtook her expression. That voice, it sounded exactly like hers. She narrowed her eyes, looking closer. The features on the glowing woman’s face began to sharpen and then she saw it clearly.

She was looking at herself.

"How... how is this possible? I’m so confused," she said, pressing her fingers to her temples.

"I have always been you, Lilith," the glowing figure replied calmly.

"Why are you here? Why am I here?" Lilith asked, still trying to make sense of what was happening.

"I should be asking you that," the figure answered. "You came to me."

Lilith blinked, her mind racing. "Are you the source of the magic I’m supposed to connect with?"

The figure blinked too, an exact mirror of her.

"I am," it said. "We must merge to complete the circle."

"How do I do that?" Lilith asked, her voice urgent.

"I don’t think you’re ready," the figure replied calmly.

Lilith frowned. "What do you mean by that? Tell me how to merge with you. Now."

The figure tilted her head to the side. "You’re too arrogant. Too ignorant. You have no idea what you’re doing."

Lilith’s jaw clenched. "If I’m arrogant and ignorant, then so are you. I don’t have time for riddles or insults, just tell me how to do it."

Her voice had risen sharp and demanding.

The figure blinked slowly this time, her face unreadable. Then, she raised her hand, palm facing Lilith. "Touch my hand. Let the energy course through your veins."

Lilith swallowed hard. Her hand trembled as she reached forward, hesitating for just a moment before pressing her palm against the glowing figure’s.

The instant they touched, a violent surge of energy slammed into her. Lilith gasped, a strangled sound tearing from her throat as her chest tightened. She panted, her entire body convulsing with pain.

It felt as if her bones were being crushed, shattered, and reforged over and over. Her skin burned from the inside out, every nerve on fire. Tears streamed from her eyes, joined by blood running from her nose. She tried to pull her hand away, but it wouldn’t budge.

"P...please stop," Lilith begged through gritted teeth, voice choked with agony. "I can’t—"

"I warned you," the figure said coldly, emotionless as she watched Lilith writhe in pain.

Back in the physical world, Salistra watched Lilith’s body tremble violently. Blood and tears streaked down her face, her closed eyes darting beneath their lids. The veins on her neck and forehead bulged as if her body could barely contain the force within.

Panic sparked in Salistra’s chest. She lunged forward, placing her hands on Lilith’s temples, whispering an incantation. Even the witch’s body began to shake as she absorbed some of the backlash from the overwhelming energy.

Salistra’s voice rose louder, more desperate, her words sharp and commanding. Her eyes turned pitch black, consumed by the spell.

Then, everything went still.