- = - = - = -

        Along with my newfound strength came an overwhelming surge of unexpected stipulations.

The voices of the forest that I'd finally started to get used to were amplified tenfold. I could hardly focus on anything as my eyes aimlessly scanned my surroundings. The grass was so much greener than before, and the natural grandeur of the woods appealed to my senses in a way that almost made me delirious.

This is insanity, I quickly realized as my gaze flitted to the pool next to me. All I did was touch the water . . . Then again, it sort of spoke to me, which also didn't make the slightest bit of sense, but I was still able to hear it. I thought that my abilities were restricted to things that grew, not elemental stuff!

My thoughts were going a mile a minute as I looked down at my arms and legs. They'd been hurting like crazy ever since I'd begun my daily little quests, but all of that pain had been diluted into something else. The tingling that raptured my skin felt similar to the after-effects of Ik-Soo's salve, and yet there wasn't that sense of relief that followed its application . . .

        The first step I took forward proved all of my suspicions at once.

        Even though my muscles didn't look much different from before, they were oozing with power. Any signs of my past aches were nonexistent. Only memories of my struggle remained . . . And despite that truth I still couldn't wrap my head around what'd just transpired.

        I'd tampered with the flow of power that brought harmony to the earth's surface. And to top it all off, I'd also taken some of it. It was the reason why my senses were so intimidatingly sharp as I stood there in my lonesome with wide blue eyes.

        Curtly shaking my head, I clenched my fists and started walking back toward the place where I'd left my bucket. Ik-Soo was still waiting for me further up the mountain, and it seemed I had some things to discuss with him, if I could even find the capacity to do such a thing. If I hadn't already been disconcerted by the idea of talking aloud, then I sure as hell was after obtaining the power of water itself.

        The flowers that follow my steps are slightly bigger than before, I noticed as I strolled across the land. Something told me that traveling back the way I'd came would only lead to a conflict of power. There was no telling how my body would react to being in contact with the very element I'd stolen from. How am I going to deal with this? I sighed to myself, clueless. Ik-Soo didn't witness any of this, and he was the one who wanted to help me with my powers as a Dragon in the first place. He'll be confused to bits!

        I tried not to think about his reaction as I reached my bucket. It hadn't moved an inch and was still full of water from the stream. In a way, it reminded me of myself. I'd been nothing but an empty bucket before, but the emptiness had been swiftly outlawed by the weight of strength.

        My fingers grabbed the edges of the pail and I pulled it up from the ground. It weighed next to nothing, and I was able to carry it with ease. No soreness, spams or aches. Every movement I made was fluid and filled with the deliberateness of a warrior.

        The hike back to the hut was a similar experience. I walked, fearing the results of falling down the cliffside, but I hadn't a doubt in my mind that I could've ran up that hill an immeasurable amount of times if I wanted to.

        I was scared when Ik-Soo's hut came into sight. The bucket was peacefully resting in my arms and I wasn't hunched over or panting like I usually was. I was sweating, but the reason for that had absolutely nothing to do with exertion.

        What was Ik-Soo going to say? Would he be too distracted by my return to give my change in disposition any attention? Would he even notice a difference from the last time he saw me-?

        "You're back!" A blonde mop of hair appeared from the large doorway of the hut. Ik-Soo inevitably ran away from his seclusion and towards me with his arms flailing around energetically. "I was worried that you were still too tired to perform your tasks, but I also had faith in your ability to complete them by your own means. How nice it is to see that you're okay!"

        I felt my heart swell at the kindness of his words. It was endearing, but it was quickly dampened by the new reality I'd found myself facing.

The power I'd used to bring that bucket back hadn't originated from me . . .

        "Why aren't you talking?" He asked after staring at me for an unusual amount of time, and I felt my mask fall victim to a look of befuddlement. He continued to interrogate me with his arms crossed over his chest. "I expected that you'd be able to talk after utilizing your ability to channel power from the land. You've acquired new strength, yes? That's what I saw in my vision yesterday, anyways . . . "

        Even the sounds of the forest seemed to quiet down in my head as I stood there, asking Ik-Soo all the questions in the world with my eyes.

        How does he know about this? I wondered as my grip on the bucket began to taper off. He'd predicted my discovery, and yet he didn't tell me about it?

        "Oh well," Ik-Soo unlaced his arms and reached out toward my hands. With a smile, he took the bucket from me and returned it to the hut. "I suppose my vision didn't disclose anything in regards to you speaking, but I truly thought you'd be able to do it!" He said with vigor before looking back at me with dark magenta eyes that I'd never seen before. "All is well as long as you're improving, young Dragon. Come inside and let me tell you a few things."

        Even though my mind was a complete mess of confusion, I obediently followed after him with my thoughts in a flurry.

        Once again, I've sorely underestimated the priest . . . For a guy that trips over air, he really knows how to catch a person off-guard.

        - = - = - = -

The smell of herbs was wafting through the hut as I took my seat by the fire pit.

Judging by the fresh bundles of greenery that were hanging off the walls, Ik-Soo had went out and collected some while I was down at the waterfall. They were upside down, so I assumed that he was drying them for traveling purposes.

Will the others be returning soon? I wondered as I watched Ik-Soo take his seat across from me. If Ik-Soo was able to foresee what'd happened today, then maybe he knows when they will be arriving . . .

My thoughts fell silent when I caught another glimpse of Ik-Soo's eyes. It was odd seeing him in such a serious fashion, but I didn't dare break eye-contact. There was too much I didn't know, and it looked as though he had some answers.

"I want to apologize to you," he started with much sincerity. "I told you about my connection with the Gods, but I never mentioned anything about my foresight . . . It probably appears selfish of me to withhold such important information from you, but I hope you can see my intent," he demeanor then became sheepish. "I know I didn't lie to you, necessarily, but I still doesn't feel good keeping secrets. Foresight is supposed to be a gift of sorts . . . I can vaguely determine future events, but I have to be careful with the things I do and say. Meddling with someone's fate isn't something I wish to do. That is why I let you go off on your own like I did."

It made sense. He was worried about how his decisions would affect the image he'd already been exposed to. It was almost like me and my inability to properly communicate with others. I'd been told for so long that my voice would only hurt people, so I didn't say a thing.

A small part of me knew it wasn't true. Ever since I'd regained my freedom, I'd discovered a countless number of contradictions to the many lies I'd been fed. Talking was probably yet another wretched falsehood that'd been fabricated especially for me . . .

But it's difficult, more difficult than I ever could've imagined it to be. I know I'm human, a person that belongs, but I'm still trying to pick up the broken pieces.

"You know, I was really surprised when I saw that someone new would be joining the Princess on her journey," the corner of Ik-Soo's lips curled up a bit, his gaze soft and filled with nostalgia. "When I first met her and Hak, I'd only seen four Dragons assisting her in the recovery of the throne, but not long after I began to see fragments of her adventure that were different from the things I'd seen before. Initially, I was confused . . . My visions rarely changed midcourse, but when I met you everything seemed to snap into place," his bangs covered his face once again when he looked down at his lap. "You being here is something great, and I don't want you to think anything otherwise . . . You're a gift."

My eyes went dry again as I stared at the man sitting across from me. He said I was a gift. Yona had told me similar things during the few days of us traveling together. I'd wanted to believe her, but it was another one of those difficult things for me to believe.

Hearing Ik-Soo say it made me believe. Maybe it was because of his affinity for caring about others or his naturally welcoming presence, but he was able to wipe away my fear of being nothing but a fluke.

A fluke wouldn't be able to speak to the earth as if it were her friend, A tiny voice told me with resolution. Just as he said earlier, you have the power to channel power from the land. You're the outlet that will help the spirit of King Hiryuu regain his thrown once and for all.

My gaze fell to my hands, to the finger that'd I'd dipped into the home of that glorious waterfall. I could still hear the soft lure of the pond despite being a good mile away from it, and acknowledging the fact only made the power resting in my body churn.

Ik-Soo lifted his head, and my eyes snapped up to meet his.

"The day is still young, so how about we take a stroll into the woods and learn more about this power of yours," he had a goofy grin on his face as he wiped his hands on his robe and stood to his full height. Just like he had a few days ago, he walked over to me and offered me his hand. "Shall we?"

There wasn't an ounce of hesitation in my movements as I reached up and accepted his offer.

I believe . . . I finally believe.

- = - = - = -

Walking in the forest gave me some much needed time to develop a sense of familiarity with my sharpened senses.

        Listening to Ik-Soo talk had been a good distraction from the sudden bombardment of mental noise, but that could only last for so long.

        There's a very sharp learning curve to being a Dragon, I admitted to myself as I admired the unique twist of a branch on a nearby tree. I'm sure Jae-Ha, Zeno, Kija, and Shin-ah had some hardships with honing their powers. There's no denying that I'm probably much further behind them when it comes to experience . . .

        "So," Ik-Soo's chipper voice pulled me out of my own head. He was walking right beside me with his hands tucked behind him. "I assume that many things appear different to you now that you've got some energy running through your veins. Does it resemble the feeling you experience after meditating on the cliffside?"

        I nodded at him, realizing the validity of his words. I hadn't noticed it when I was down by the waterfall, but the feeling was practically identical. There'd always been a formidable string that linked me to my natural surroundings, but now I felt like I could harness that connection.

        "It must be overstimulating to be in a constant state of euphoria like that, but you'll grow accustomed to it. I can't force your hand to do anything once you leave here, but it'd be wise to continue with your daily meditating. It will help," he told me clearly before coming to a stop. I stopped as well, watching him as he turned every which way almost as if he were searching for something. He brought a contemplative finger up to his lips when his gaze pinned itself to a tall-standing tree. "This should be a good spot . . . "

        I didn't have time to guess what the man was talking about because I was too busy being peddled over to the tree by him. Without wasting a moment of time, Ik-Soo took hold my wrists and directed my hands to the base of the tree. I could feel its gleeful response to the unexpected attention when my skin came in contact with the rough and uneven plain of bark.

        "Keep your hands planted there and focus on where this tree's roots travel," Ik-Soo said before releasing my wrists and taking a few steps back. "Once you do that, think about the roots of the other trees scattered about the land . . . "

        My eyes closed on their own as my mind quickly traced out the strong extensions that kept the tree's trunk implemented deep into the soil. Before I knew it, the connection started to splinter off onto the other trees as well.

        It's a system that seems endless, I observed as I my body began to tingle with inexplicable sensations. It feels like my hands belong here on this tree. It's the perfect mold . . .

        "Good job," I could hardly hear Ik-Soo's voice over the natural buzz of the valley. "So here comes the tricky part . . . Without losing focus on the connection you've just plugged into, think about the presence of the other Dragons. Imagine the color of their auras, and try to pinpoint where they are through the roots of the trees."

        It was the last thing I expected Ik-Soo to ask of me, but I instantly began searching. My conscience stretched through miles of underground mosaic work, and as I did that I tried to think of the four colors that'd I'd yet to truly know.

        White, Green, Yellow . . . And Blue?

        Something was awry. I'd felt it, their presence, but one of them wasn't as strong as the others. It was flickering like candlelight, fading.

        It's Shin-Ah.

        Terrified, I ripped my hands away from the tree and looked to Ik-Soo with shaken eyes. The forest had lost its usual glow as my hands began to tremble with cold, unrelenting fear.

        He reached for me, his gaze brimming with concern. "What's wrong? Are they close?"

        I nodded as I closed my eyes once more. Even though I wasn't touching the tree anymore, I could still see those four dots moving across my eyelids. They were traveling back up the mountain towards us.

        I would've been comforted by the fact if it weren't for the fact they were moving at a running pace.

        Something was definitely wrong, and I wasn't about to stand there and wait for the trouble to arrive . . .

        So I started to run.

        "Hey! Where are you going?!" Ik-Soo called after my fleeing form. He must've realized I wasn't going to answer him, because he quickly shouted afterwards, "Wherever you go, please be careful! The Gods will be watching over you!"

        My feet were moving fast across the forest floor. So fast that I could barely feel the warmth of the earth beneath my bare toes.

        I need to move faster, I breathed as I mindlessly followed the invisible map that led me closer to my friends. Even if I can't feel that sweet hum of the natural world, not being able to feel his presence would be undoubtedly worse. The same goes for everyone else.

        As I ran, I prayed that the Gods would watch over the people moving up the mountain instead of the girl running down it.

        - = - = - = -

        My heart was beating out of my chest for various reasons when I slowly slumped my body against the bark of a tree.

        Sweat was sliding down my back and my eyes struggled to adjust to the forest not being a speedy blur of green. I'd ran for what felt like hours. It was the most exercise I'd ever done in my entire life, but it surely couldn't have been done without the help of my powers. That was certain.

        I'm closer to them, but there's still too much distance between us, I realized as I looked up through the canopy of leaves hovering above. Judging by the sun's position in the sky, it was getting to be late afternoon. It wouldn't be long before sundown. The realization hit me like a sack of stones. I can't return to Ik-Soo. Not until I reach Shin-Ah and the others . . .

        The strength that'd been overflowing from my limbs before had diminished. I would've been surprised if it hadn't. I'd ran hard for a decent amount of miles before deciding to stop for a quick rest, but that didn't change the fact that I wasn't with them yet.

        I would need more energy if I wanted to keep going, so I began searching. I knew there weren't any streams around the area- I definitely would've felt some kind of pull from the sound of the current- but I remembered Ik-Soo saying I was able to take power from the land.

        In other words, ponds and waterfalls weren't the only energy sources I could manipulate.

        I stumbled around not knowing what I was actually looking for, straining my eyes for something- anything that would assist me in helping the people I'd started to care about.

        There's nothing but trees here, A feeling of hopelessness clawed at my chest, causing my breathing to turn ragged with distress. How can I replenish myself if there isn't a source available for me to find? I'll be too late!

        It was so strange. There wasn't any verified proof that the other Dragons were in danger. I knew little to nothing about how our connection to one another worked, and yet I still couldn't shake that feeling of uneasiness that'd caught me in a headlock when I saw that Blue aura begin to dim.

        There was no keeping my expression clear of emotions now. Even though nobody was there to see it, my light-colored eyebrows were furrowed together with worry and my eyes were stricken with fear. I could imagine that my lips were curled into an unsightly frown, and in my own hysteria I let a disparaged scoff escape my throat.

        My fickleness was laughable. When I felt like smiling, the thought of actually doing so was terrifying, but here I was showing the most emotion on my face in years. Figures that it had to be because of something bad.

        Without much care for myself or my immunity to pain, I fell to my knees and curled my fingers into the mixture of moss and grass hugging the earth. My hood fell over my hair as my gaze bore into the ground like an unrelenting drill.

        Why can't I do anything . . . ? Even as these flowers grow beneath my palms, I feel lost. I am lost, damn it. And I'm frustrated, too!

Right as I was about to succumb to the anger threatening to consume my better judgement, an inexplicable wave of