In shadow and light: waltz of souls

Several hours had passed since Aya—controlling Leticia's body—set out to find an injured animal. The forest greeted her only with the rustling of leaves and the occasional sounds of wildlife. Yet not a single creature in need of healing crossed their path.

"We've been searching for hours…" Aya sighed, wiping sweat from her brow. "Isn't there a single wounded animal out here?"

"Did you expect them to wait around for us?" Leticia's voice sounded inside her head with a trace of irony. "Things don't always go the way we want."

Aya sensed that Leticia was withholding something. There was tension in her thoughts.

"You're thinking about something," Aya observed, coming to a stop. "Do you have an idea?"

"I do, but I don't like it," Leticia admitted. "There's an infirmary in town. We'll definitely find people who need help there."

"Then why didn't you mention it right away?" Aya asked in surprise.

"Because it's risky," Leticia replied curtly. "If someone notices you using magic that isn't supposed to exist, it'll raise questions…and questions can lead to trouble."

Aya considered this. Leticia had a point, but still…

"We can hide my identity," she proposed. "I'll wear a semi-transparent cloth over my face and pretend to be just another healing mage. No one will suspect a thing."

A pause flickered through Leticia's consciousness before she reluctantly answered:

"Fine. But if anything goes wrong, we leave immediately."

Still in Leticia's body, Aya approached the infirmary in town. Inside, the air smelled of medicinal herbs, damp cloth, and a faint hint of medicine. Soft voices could be heard—patients groaning in pain and the hurried footsteps of nurses.

"Are you sure about this?" Leticia's voice echoed in her head again.

"Yes," Aya replied silently, resolute. "Just be ready."

She approached a woman in a white apron. The nurse eyed her closely, scrutinizing Aya's concealed face.

"Who are you?" the nurse asked sternly.

"My name is Aya," she answered gently. "I'm trained in healing magic and would like to help."

The nurse frowned, letting her gaze linger on Aya's hidden face.

"If you're a healing mage, why hide your face?" she asked, voice tinged with skepticism. "Are you sure you actually have this gift?"

Aya swallowed, but kept her tone steady.

"Yes, I'm sure."

The nurse mulled this over, then motioned toward a nearby cot, where a peasant lay with a shallow but bleeding wound on his arm.

"Prove it," she said. "Heal him."

Aya inhaled deeply, her fingers trembling slightly. This was her first time healing an actual person. Practicing on animals or flowers was one thing, but now she faced a real human being in pain. She couldn't afford any mistakes.

Her heart thumped faster—it was a test. Aya shut her eyes, took a deep breath, and focused. Once again, she felt that familiar sensation, as if a comforting warmth was flowing through her veins, ready to be released.

A gentle golden glow surrounded her hands. The nurse narrowed her eyes at the light but said nothing. Carefully, Aya guided this energy toward the wound.

The radiance spread over the torn skin as though soaking into it. Within seconds, the bleeding ceased, and the torn flesh knitted itself back together, leaving only a faint pink mark.

The peasant stared at his arm in amazement.

"Good as new…" he murmured.

The nurse pressed her lips together before giving a brief nod.

"Alright. You truly possess the gift. Follow me."

She turned and led Aya deeper into the infirmary.

Aya entered the next chamber, where patients with more serious injuries were being treated. Now she healed people with various wounds—some had deep cuts, others bruises or broken bones.

Some she healed almost instantly—just a touch of her hand, and warmth filled their bodies, driving the pain away. For others, it took more time—she had to channel her light gradually, sensing how the magic seeped into their tissues, repairing them bit by bit.

"This is…strange," admitted one patient. "Where the pain was unbearable, now there's just warmth…like the sun shining right into my skin."

Another patient, also touched by Aya's magic, smiled slightly.

"It feels good…not sharp or burning. More like someone holding your hand and promising everything will be okay."

Aya felt a gentle surge of joy in her chest. She wasn't just healing—she was giving people hope.

"You're doing well," Leticia's voice rang in her mind. "Better than I expected."

Aya allowed herself a small smile as she continued her work.

"Thank you. But I've only just begun."

A few minutes later, Aya finished healing the last patient. Exhaling in relief, she felt pleasantly fatigued from her efforts.

The same nurse from before approached, having observed her work.

"You've done good here," she said. "After a proper rest, these patients should recover nicely. You've truly helped a lot of people."

"Thank you," Aya replied softly, making her way toward the door.

As she was about to leave, the nurse's grip on a nearby basket tightened, and her gaze grew more scrutinizing.

"You…said you had healing magic?" she asked slowly.

Aya felt her palms grow clammy.

"Yes."

"It's strange…" the nurse murmured, frowning. "Usually, healing doesn't feel so…gentle, like sunlight."

Aya quickly bowed and stepped back.

"Maybe that's just my own special trait," she said, trying to keep her voice calm.

The nurse didn't respond, but her eyes remained fixed on Aya's shrouded face. Then, after a brief pause, she handed Aya a basket of fruit.

"One of the patients asked me to give you this to say thank you."

Aya blinked in surprise, then accepted the gift, feeling a warm gratitude fill her heart.

"Thank you," she repeated, bowing once more before stepping out the door.