Rising Shards

Laenie shakily walked through the darkness. She regretted doing this alone; why did they let her do a memory trial alone? If Aira was here, it’d be so much easier. Even if it was Oka, Zeta, any of the others. But she walked through darkness, waiting for whatever was supposed to happen. Her footsteps echoed.

“Hello, Laenie,” A deep voice said from the darkness.

After about five minutes of screaming, Laenie ran out of steam realizing she wasn’t about to be murdered.

“I apologize for surprising you,” the voice said.

“Wh-who are you?” Laenie asked.

“Ah, I am a being that specializes in this sort of thing.” The voice said. “I hope I didn’t startle you too much, this isn’t supposed to be unbearably stressful.”

“I’m…I’m OK,” Laenie said. “Where…are you, if you don’t mind me asking? Can we get some light?”

“I’m sorry,” the voice said. “I don’t have a specific ‘place,’ outside of being ‘here,’ if that makes sense.”

“It does,” Laenie asked. “Do you show up for everyone’s memory trials?”

“No, actually,” the voice said. “I’m a somewhat shy being. I prefer not to communicate when there are more than one present.”

“I’m shy too,” Laenie said. “Do you have a name?”

“I do,” the voice said. “…I can’t remember it, though. Call me whatever you like.”

“How about…” Laenie thought about it for a second. “There’s a flower that only grows in the darkness, it’s called a twilight umbra. Would that work?”

The voice in the darkness paused.

“Hm, I like that, thank you,” it said.

Laenie felt a warping sensation.

“What was that?”

“I was just telling the others the same,” Twilight Umbra said. “That way we all know the same name.”

“You can talk to all of us at once?” Laenie asked.

“I perceive things differently than you, because I am different than you,” Twilight Umbra said. “I am from a place far away in the void, and am summoned to places like this for Cani who are new to their abilities here. It is my duty to assist.”

“And how do you assist? A jump fifteen?” Laenie said.

“It has many names,” Twilight Umbra said. “But yes, that is my main purpose with you. Would you like to get started now?”

Listening to Twilight Umbra’s voice was strangely calming.

“I’m not sure I’m ready,” Laenie said. “Am I going to have to see something scary from my past?”

“I’m not sure, is there something scary from your past you’re thinking of?”

“Yes.”

“Sometimes reflection on our more difficult times aids us,” Twilight Umbra said. “If I can guide you to reflect and overcome whatever it is you are struggling with, it can aid you on your journey. Perhaps putting you on the path of Atria instead of Endora.”

“Atria and Endora?” Laenie asked. “I’ve heard of them, but will looking at my memories really change whose path I take?”

“It’s possible. Lots of things can put you on the path of either. No one walks entirely on the path of one, unless they are very dedicated to the ideals of one. And that isn’t including the other Cani ideals, such as Calestia or Havena.”

“Is there a good option for me in there?” Laenie asked.

“I’m not sure. What are you hoping to hear me tell you?”

“That I’m not a bad person.”

“Then you likely will want to walk the path of Atria, said to be just and true. Unless you are lying; then in that case you’d probably want to walk the path of Endora.”

“Endora’s scary," Laenie said, thinking of all the things she'd heard about the Order of Terina. "There are those cultists that worship her and burn stuff…and kill people. I don’t want to be on their path.”

“That’s good,” Twilight Umbra said. “I can’t see you being an Endoran. Your heart rings chords of gentleness. Would you like to begin your memory trial now?”

“I…think so. Can we talk about what we see afterwards?” Laenie asked.

“We can talk about it as soon as it starts.” Twilight Umbra said. “I don’t want you to be upset or uncomfortable. Let’s work together to overcome the blockage in your past to truly awaken your gift. Alternatively, you could leave right now. You're completely in charge now.”

The first thing Laenie could see appeared, a doorway. It looked like the door to the temple.

“Would it be bad if I took the door out now?” Laenie asked.

“Maybe, but if you are really afraid, I won’t blame you. It’ll just slow or outright halt your progress.”

Laenie looked at the door and gave a thought to bolting right there.

“If you want to leave, I can’t and won’t stop you.”

While it would be nice to just run, it didn’t feel right.

“I’m OK,” Laenie said. “I think I can do this. I want to do this.”

“That’s a brave decision. The memory selected for this is ready whenever you’d like to begin.”

“I...know what it’s going to be,” Laenie said. "I don't know if it's what I want to see though.

“Do you? What would you want to see?"

“I’d rather see a day of me ordering ice cream or something than what it’s going to be.” Laenie said.

Twilight Umbra laughed. Not a mean laugh, a laugh that suggested he actually found the joke funny. Something genuine.

“I’m sure many would rather a memory trial like that. But it might be good to revisit this time in your life. Is it something you think about a lot?”

“Probably too much,” Laenie said. It was a memory she replayed in her head too many times.

“Then let’s work to change that.” Twilight Umbra said. “Are you ready now?”

“Yes,” Laenie said, and took a deep breath as the past began to play before her.