Tyra hesitated before the Master's chambers. She paced back and forth biting her fingernails. She was scared of her verdict, scared that she might get expelled for causing an uproar in the institution.
While she walked through the passage way in the sect, the other disciples looked at her with disdain, a judgemental look that etched guilt within her soul.
The floors were still flooded with water, high enough to hide the knees of the disciples. The sound of shattered glasses could be heard from every step. The walls were soaked, leaving deep concerns that it could collapse from absorbing too much water.
Tyra stopped pacing. "What's the worst that could happen?". She muttered.
Before she could knock, the door opened slightly. As her eyes immediately met the sharp gaze if the Master, her heart skipped. She lowered her head.
In an instant, she fell on her knees neglecting the height of the water on her body, it had soaked her clothes now.
"Please Master , I cannot leave Andoths, not now. I still need to achieve a lot. Please do not expel me".
She waited for the Master's response but received none. She stole a glance at him, his gaze was still emotionless, like he wasn't affected by her pleadings.
He sighed deeply.
"Follow me".
She walked quietly behind him as he took big strides against the water. Although he was old, he walked faster despite the flood. She tried several times to catch up with him. She watched him from his back- hunched from knowledge and experience.
She thought of where the Master was taking her to. What if she was summoned by the Council of Elders to discuss her ruling?
The thought of standing in the middle of Elders, looking at her with disdain and brewing thoughts of her dismissal made her scared and worried. She bit down hard on her bottom lip, it almost bled from the pressure.
It was like a long trip to another dwelling, a path she had never seen before. The pathway was lit with bright candlelights. The air was dense, it carried a stinging scent of aloes and the smell of blooming flowers. She could feel the power emanating from the room few steps away from them. It's prowess clung to her body like a second skin making her shiver, she swallowed hard.
The floors felt like cloud beneath their feet, too sacred to rush across, demanding grace with every step. The huge doors were pushed open.
The Master stepped aside for Tyra to walk through.
She gasped loudly at first sight. Her breath seized, like she had forgotten how to breathe. She couldn't think of anything. The only thing she could see was the glowing relic before her. It had captivated her soul, so much that her eyes welled up in tears.
She felt a connection...
They were both forged by magic.
The room was empty, like an endless space. It had no roof or ceilings. The night sky was clearly visible, glistening with huge stars.
At its centre was a large relic - a tall tree caged in a transparent globe.
It glowed, producing bright colours that cast shadows in the dark room. It housed powerful magic, a symbol of life - rebirth.The tree bore holes through the globe, spreading its branches across the room. It's silver trunk- large and old was deeply rooted in the red soil beneath. It's broad leaves shimmered like Sapphire with silver veins. On its branches hung red ropes tied to a golden scapula. It looked like a medal that belonged to people.
Tyra took slow steps towards the globe, unaware of her stance. She wanted to touch it, feel it's power, a burning desire within her soul to be consumed in it.
But she stopped when she bumped into a field, an invisible barrier that prevented her from reaching the globe. It sent a tingling pain down her spine as she ached all over her body but it only happened within seconds.
She felt her heart ache a little.
She couldn't go close to the globe, an unsatisfying feeling brewed within her soul.
"This is the very heart of Andoths".
The Master's calm voice cut through the moment. She turned towards him.
"In the ancient times, sorcerers were slain because they were rumoured to pose a threat to mere humans. People claimed that they interfered with the orders of the earth and...".
He paused as he stared deeply at the globe. Like he could see the agony and hear the screams of the ancient sorcerers.
Tyra could feel the pain in his eyes as tears rolled down her cheeks. It was then she realised that the Master had lived for a long time, long since the freedom of sorcerers.
"But the sorcerers couldn't bear the harsh judgement and decided to fight for their freedom". He continued, pain evident in his low voice.
"They fought here, it was a vast land at that time. They fought with magic creatures, made for the battlefield. But were all slain in an instant ".
His voice breaking, he wiped a tear from his eyes.
Tyra felt her heart rip, shattered into a million pieces at the sight of the Master in sorrow. She had never imagined that he would break down before her. He had hidden all his bitter emotions behind his emotionless face. That alone explained his hunched and aged figure.
But then she thought of something. If the ancient sorcerers fought with magic creatures, why were they easily slain?
"But they were known to be powerful, how did they fall to their deaths easily?".
The Master's gaze drifted away from the globe, he faced Tyra.
"They were betrayed by their own, for few pieces of gold that wouldn't make them survive for days. A sorcerer trusted by his kind. But he turned away from his people as he became swallowed up by greed ".
He flared up as anger flashed in his eyes. It sent shivers down Tyra's spine. She hid her shaky hands behind her back, looking at the Master in fear. He was like a beast growling to release caged anger, buried deep within.
Then, she remembered the royal family of Havans - how betrayal had led to her parent's brutal death. Because of their greed, she was born in secret, hidden from the world and forced to live a false identity.
Anger surged within. With clenched fists, she gritted her teeth.
The Master, satisfied by her response looked at the globe again. The story was to remind her of the reason she came to Andoths- to become powerful enough to claim her rightful place on the throne.
"This institution was built on the blood of innocent lives. The red strings bear their souls, in remembrance of their fight for freedom ".
He wiped another tear that escaped from the corner of his eyes.
"When your powers erupted the resting waters of the Savon river, the globe shook, instilling fear in Andoths. The elders were angry and wanted your dismissal. But I reminded them of this story ".
There was a stretched silence between them for few seconds as they focused their gaze on each other. The Master had saved her from leaving the institution.
She bowed, her head almost touching her knees. She snifled as tears flowed down dropping to the floor.
" I will never forget your kindness Master".