The Gifts of Ursi Viridis Circulus
Elsa and Ardyn moved as one – Ardyn flawlessly executing the moves her teacher had taught her.
Their arms circled about and raised above their heads to come down quickly – power flowing from them and passing through the trees like strong currents of wind during a powerful hurricane.
Elsa paused and walked to Bess, as Ardyn continued alone. Her movements strong and sure – confident. Elsa and Bess traced the power she released as one. It flowed through Ursi Viridis Circulus as if on a long known path, avoiding the living trees and then erupting in a soundless, shockwave-like sonic boom just outside the great forest proper.
"She learns fast." There was awe and wonder in Bess' voice. Elsa nodded, her lips pursed in worry.
"She always has. She truly is a marvel on par with humans of our youth."
Bess nodded in agreement.
"You are going to allow her to enter deeper into Ursi Viridis Circulus?"
Elsa sighed. "I have to. She is ready and she has to take on the sacred forest alone. She already knows what she has to do."
Bess nodded, her eyes never leaving Ardyn and her intricate, perfect movements.
Ardyn continued into the night, and when a corridor opened up, allowing her through the dense trees, she quickly moved along it without thought.
Her soul sang and the forest responded. The dense corridor of trees inviting – whispering ancient secrets into her soul and nourishing her soul anew.
As she walked, her four soul songs swirled within her – separate and strong – and then a fifth was born. [Song of Wrath] was born, and her inner song swelled and grew. It was so powerful that she had to stop. She lifted her face and arms to the sky, and power shot from her and rose up into the heavens.
The trees leaned in, as if they all wanted to touch her, and be part of her magical wealth.
Her inner song rose up and engulfed the outer rings of the forest's ambient magic. It took it all in like a sponge drinking up all the water around it. She heard, and understood, the trees clearer. They whispered to her and poured their protective, raw magic into her new circulatory system.
It felt so right, yet, it was so much. She fell onto her knees. The forest reached for her and gave her what she needed as her body learned, evolved, and coped.
She grew three inches taller, muscles visibly rippled and grew under her skin, and a circulation system just for magic strengthened and grew alongside her circulatory system. Magic flowed through her system, hitting specific points and strengthening her being – like hot lava through volcanic tubes. The intense heat and pressure forced a sharp cry from her, but the Silent Moment spell still holding the forest contained the sound as pure energy.
As her body adjusted she calmed and realized that the forest was cradling her. As the soft, grey, green, and rich brown branches held her they also restored her.
Her body healed and rejuvenated, her breathing calmed, and her heart quieted. She exhaled deeply as she became aware again.
Ursi Viridis Circulus moved her to the next area of the great forest. Ardyn stepped down from the branches onto a large clearing within the next section of the great forest.
This was the final area. Ardyn nodded and moved to practice. She moved forward, streams of magic came from nowhere, and she moved her magic to defend against them.
Ardyn sparred with Ursi Viridis Circulus. She realized this was not a fight to defeat, but a test of her worthiness to receive the final gift.
Her soul rose and her inner song moved forward. It split into its five distinct songs as it moved through Ursi Viridis Circulus. Hues of purple went through the forest, and all five of her songs moved forward to fight for her and protect her.
Branches, roots, and swirling leaves moved to attack Ardyn, and her songs blocked and struck out at most of it. She pursed her lips as she flung back, blood seeping from cuts on her face, arms, and legs.
She was breathing hard, drops of blood falling to the lush green grass below her – her eyes focusing on the forests around her. A new tunnel opened before her, as if both inviting her and taunting her at the same time.
She smiled and moved forward, ready to continue her transformation and return to her love.