" You don't have to take it. "
" Oh, so you don't want me to have it? "
" That's not it. I will try to give you a warmer one. "
Nephthys then placed the scarf on one side of her hip and tightened the ends into a knot on the other. After that, she took her sword back and attached it to her hip as well.
" I am a Wind. "
" Wind as in the prime element of your stone? "
" Yes, that is correct. But I also have Fire as a sub-element, so even though I may emit cold, I myself am not very cold. "
" Oh, I see. "
" Today, we are going to find your prime element. "
" Really? "
" Yes. "
" How are we going to do that? "
" There are five elements: Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, and Thunder. Usually, you get to know your element the very moment you awaken, because it will be the very first thing to show itself. "
" So does that mean I am Water, since I broke your water snake? "
" No. Water may be one of your sub-elements, but it had to be the first to emerge in order to save you faster, considering you were surrounded by water. Or it may also be the prime element of the one blocking your powers in the first place. "
" So does that mean the person blocking my powers tried to save me? But why? "
" As I told you before, you have to figure that out on your own. "
" You know, I have a feeling you know more about this situation than you let on. "
" That would not only apply to this situation, but to how I approach everything. There is no need for me to get involved in things I shouldn't, just because I know the answer. This is something you have to do on your own. "
" Alright, fine. Just show me how to find my prime element. "
" You see the tree over there? "
Nephthys pointed at a tree not too far from where they were standing.
" Yes. "
" Go meditate under it. "
" Ok. How do I do that? "
" Try to focus your energy outside of your body. "
" Ok… focus. I mean, how hard can that be, right? "
" That's the spirit. Now go under the tree. "
Avner sat beneath the tree and closed his eyes, trying to concentrate, but then opened one eye to look at his master.
" Uuuh… how exactly do I know I'm doing it right? "
" You will feel something like a flow of water running through your veins. That's energy. "
" Alright. "
And he closed his eye again.
Thirty minutes later—
" It's not working. Why is it not working? "
Avner couldn't do it.
" That's because you have to relax. You need to calm down. "
" I AM PERFECTLY CALM! "
He reassured her in a very not calm manner.
" Close your eyes. "
" Alright. "
" Now let go of every thought. "
" How do I do that? "
" Concentrate on the sounds around you. "
Avner tried to do just that. He could hear the birds, the wind, nature surrounding him—and Nephthys's calm voice guiding him.
" Now try to calm your heartbeat by inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. "
" Did you calm down? "
" Yes... "
Nephthys sat facing him and took his hands into her own. The action made Avner open his eyes.
" It's alright. Now close your eyes. "
She reassured him, and he complied.
" I will try to help you by giving your energy a push with my own energy. "
" Alright. "
The breeze, the fresh air, the birds chirping, the sun, the shade of the tree they sat under, the quietness—and Nephthys holding his hands—it all felt as if they were the only two people left on earth. It made him feel something he hadn't felt in a long time. Everything was stress-free, peaceful.
Soon after, he felt something moving through his veins. It was energy—but it wasn't his. It was Nephthys's.
Avner slowly opened his eyes and saw her right in front of him. Looking at her like this made him feel something he couldn't describe. It wasn't nervousness—it was comfort. As if letting go of her hands would mean never feeling peace again.
He felt like he had finally found home.
Nephthys opened her eyes as well.
" I never realized before, but you have quite small pupils. "
She remarked after seeing his eyes up close.
" Is that so? "
At that moment, Avner understood what the feeling was.
Realization.
On Nephthys's forehead, a small emerald shaped like a diamond appeared.
" Try using your energy now. My energy will guide yours. "
" Alright. "